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VMI Board of Visitors elects Ted Gotwalt interim president after 10-3 roll-call vote
Summary
At a special meeting of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors, members elected Ted Gotwalt to serve as interim president through June 30, winning a 10-3 roll-call vote after nominees Damon Williams and Ted Gotwalt each addressed the board and members debated whether officer elections may be discussed in closed session.
At a special meeting of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors, members elected Ted Gotwalt as interim president to serve through June 30 by a 10-3 roll-call vote.
The vote followed two nominations and a period of public discussion among board members about whether the election could lawfully be held in closed session. The board also debated short-term governance logistics including filling executive committee vacancies and setting priorities for the superintendent search.
Terry McKnight nominated Damon Williams, saying, “Damon has served the board with distinction the last few years. He understands the requirements of VMI board, and I think is well qualified to serve and support the institute for the period, through the June.” Miss James nominated Ted Gotwalt; Steve Reardon seconded that nomination. The presiding officer conducted a roll-call vote asking members to state either “Gotwalt” or “Williams” (or abstain).
Legal guidance about meeting law framed part of the discussion. One board adviser summarized conversations with the Attorney General’s office, saying there was an “AG opinion at some point in the past” that was thought to bar electing officers in executive session, and noted the Virginia public meetings law allows executive sessions only for explicitly enumerated exceptions. Another board member defended past closed sessions as lawful and appropriate, saying prior closed sessions “fully complied with the law, were fully appropriate.”
Several members spoke in support of the nominees and described priorities for the interim period. Damon Williams said he would focus on “calm, stability” through the transition and do not seek to remain beyond the interim term; Williams said he would engage alumni agencies and help shape short-term priorities for the new superintendent. Members also urged the board to concentrate on strategic issues—academic excellence, budget priorities and rebuilding external relationships with the legislature.
When the roll call concluded, the chair announced the tally: 10 votes for Gotwalt and 3 votes for Williams. The board recorded the result and the presiding officer declared Gotwalt interim president through June 30.
Board members raised the issue of filling vacancies on the executive committee. The board’s bylaws were cited during the meeting; a governance adviser noted that the bylaws allow executive committee vacancies to be filled only at a regularly scheduled meeting, so the special meeting could not be used to appoint replacements. Members said they would address executive committee composition at the board’s May regular meeting.
The board discussed next steps for the full board meeting, including arranging a discussion with superintendent-search recruiters and circulating a slate of officers for the upcoming annual nominations. With the interim president named, the board expects to proceed with scheduled nominating and search work at the regular May meeting.
Vote details and immediate procedural notes were recorded in the meeting minutes and by roll call during the meeting.
