Virginia Commonwealth University [View Image]School of Business

The Charles G. Thalhimer Family Executive-in-Residence Program

Since its establishment in 1984, the Charles G. Thalhimer Family Executive-in-Residence program has brought nationally and internationally prominent business leaders to the VCU campus for interaction with students, faculty and community leaders.

Thalhimer Executives-in-Residence address current business issues, leadership, ethics and other relevant topics. The program affords an opportunity for these business professionals to engage with our students in both small and large group settings. Designed to give students and faculty an interactive experience, the Executive-in-Residence program also provides a forum for business school alumni and Richmond’s business community to gain valuable insights. 

Thank you to our 2019 Thalhimer Executive-in-Residence Tony Rogers, SVP and Chief Member Officer of Sam's Club!

In 1989, the Thalhimer family endowed the Executive-in-Residence program and also founded the Charles G. Thalhimer Family Scholar-in-Residence program. At the same time, the family created the Thalhimer Family Endowment Fund to provide scholarship awards to the top graduate and undergraduate business students each academic year. Many recipients have developed lasting connections with the family. The Thalhimer Family Endowment Fund is among the largest in the School of Business Foundation.

Previous Executives-in-Residence

Grady Rosier
CEO
McLane Co.
Read about his visit

Frank Blake
CEO
The Home Depot

William O. Bourke
Chairman of the Board and CEO
Reynolds Metals Co.

Charles L. Brown
Chairman
AT&T

Stewart Bryan
Chairman and CEO
Media General

Edward J. Campbell
President and CEO
Newport News Shipbuilding

William A. Campbell
President and CEO
Phillip Morris USA

Joseph Dionne
Chairman and CEO
McGraw-Hill

M. Katherine Dwyer
President
Revlon Consumer Products

Robert Galvin
Chairman of the Executive Committee
Motorola Inc.

Lars H. Hallden
CEO
Sweden-based Tetra Laval Group

Brent Halsey
Chairman and CEO
James River Corp.

Richard G. Holder
Chairman of the Board and CEO
Reynolds Metals Co.

Don A. Hunziker
Chairman and CEO
Ladd Furniture Inc.

John H. Johnson
President
Johnson Publishing Co.

Alan Kirshner
Chairman and CEO
Markel Corp.

Jeffrey M. Lacker
President
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Virginia

Steven A. Markel
Vice Chairman
Markel Corp.

Craig Moon
President and Publisher
USA Today

John R. Nelson
Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Altria Group Inc.

Robert J. O’Neil
Executive Director
International City/County Managers Association

Grady Rosier
President and CEO
McLane Co.

G. Richard Wagoner Jr.
COO
General Motors

The Thalhimer Story

The Thalhimer Family in Snead Hall [View Image]

Long known and recognized as one of the South’s premiere retailers, Thalhimers was the first department store in Richmond. In 1842, when William Thalhimer opened a one-room dry goods store on 17th Street in Shockoe Bottom, a family legacy of innovation and giving back to the community began. Soon, the Thalhimer name came to represent the latest fashion, the newest trend, the highest quality.

With more than 25 stores across Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, Thalhimers earned a reputation as generous and insightful leaders in the business community, supporting many cultural and civic concerns in the cities and regions they served.

That legacy is as true today as it was at the founding of the business more than 150 years ago. Thalhimers was purchased by the May Co. in 1992, but the family continued the tradition of giving, community engagement and advocacy.

“Our philosophy of philanthropy has been pretty simple. This community supported our stores for generations and our family always supported the community in return. We did that by giving back to help organizations grow to improve the quality of life in a city that helped us as a business and a family,” said Harry Thalhimer, son of Charles and Rhoda Thalhimer.

Known not only for their philanthropy, Thalhimer family members are also known for their passion and hands-on commitment to the arts, education and healthcare in the region. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Richmond Symphony, MCV Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, Maymont, the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond, Collegiate School, VCU School of the Arts and VCU Health are just a few of the organizations touched by their support.

The Thalhimers at VCU

Charles Thalhimer continued his philanthropic leadership in the community when he co-chaired “Making a Difference,” the first, university-wide fundraising campaign in 1986 and again in 1992 for the “Partners for Progress Campaign.” His wife, Rhoda, served on the board of RPI and VCU for many years.

“Our support of VCU and VCU Health reflects that simple premise of giving back to the community. My parents recognized the importance of the university as a place to nurture creativity, innovation and cutting-edge learning. It was their way of helping create an ongoing pipeline of an educated, skilled and ready workforce as the community grew,” said Harry Thalhimer.

Building on the tradition of giving back and leading by example, Harry, his wife, Marcia, and their two sons continue their support and commitment to VCU. In addition to the School of Business, the family’s involvement includes active service on the boards of the MCV Foundation, where Harry serves as chairman of the board, and the Institute for Contemporary Art as well as support for VCUarts and the Rams Athletic Fund.