LEXINGTON, Va. June 26, 2025 — Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed Garrett J. Exner, L. Scott Lingamfelter ’73, Ernesto Sampson ’98, Lloyd Taliaferro ’95 and reappointed Jose J. Suarez ’82 to four-year terms on the VMI Board of Visitors.  

Exner lives in Alexandria, Virginia, and is the executive director of the Public Interest Fellowship. Previously, he served as military legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and as a counterterrorism policy advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 14 years and received a bachelor’s degree from University of the Incarnate Word and a master’s from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.  

Lingamfelter, from Woodbridge, Virginia, received a degree in history from VMI, and a master’s degree from the University of Virginia. He served in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 2001. He was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002-2018, representing Prince William and Fauquier Counties.   

Sampson of Glen Allen, Virginia, is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial. He received a degree in economics and business from VMI and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. He most recently served as the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees president and is a member of the VMI Investment Holdings LLC; prior to that, he served on the VMI Board of Visitors.   

From Norfolk, Virginia, Taliaferro received a degree in mechanical engineering from VMI, and an MBA from Emory University. He served as a U.S. Naval officer and currently owns corporate finance consulting firm Gosport Ventures. He is currently a member of the VMI Investment Holdings LLC, and most recently served as the VMI Foundation Board of Trustees vice president. He also serves as an advisory member of the VMI superintendent search committee.  

Originally appointed to serve the remainder of an unexpired term, Suarez was reappointed to a four-year term. He received a degree in civil engineering from VMI and a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Kansas. He served in the U.S. Navy for seven years and is the president and CEO of JS Consulting. He resides in St. Augustine, Florida.  

Departing the board are Hugh Fain III ’80, J. Conrad Garcia, and Damon Williams ’90, whose service and dedication to VMI are deeply appreciated. 

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