Richard Baxter Gilliam is an American executive and founder of the Abingdon, Virginia-based coal extractor Cumberland Resources.[1] Cumberland Resources Corporation employed over 1,200 individuals in Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky.[2] In 2010, Gilliam sold Cumberland Resources to Massey Energy (currently Alpha Natural Resources) for $960 million.[3] Gilliam gave away over $80 million to his employees following the sale of his company.[2] In 2011, Gilliam and his wife, Leslie Flanary Gilliam, established The Richard and Leslie Gilliam Foundation.[4]

Public activity

Gilliam is a major conservative donor in Virginia, giving $750,000 in 2012 to American Crossroads and to Restore Our Future.[5] In 2009, Gilliam was the fifth largest donor to the campaign of Virginia governor Bob McDonnell.[6] In November 2010, McDonnell appointed Gilliam to the state's Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates.[7] Gilliam was also a top donor to Ken Cuccinelli's 2013 gubernatorial campaign.[8]

In 2018, Gilliam announced a $5.2 million commitment to James Madison University to establish the Center for Entrepreneurship. The center will be named for his late wife, Leslie Flanary Gilliam.[9]

References

  1. ↑ Giddens, Tharon (October 8, 2012). "Covering the role of coal in Virginia". Columbia Journalism Review. Archived from the original on April 14, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Coal Operator Gives Away $80 Million - Daily Yonder". www.dailyyonder.com. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  3. ↑ "Massey buying Cumberland Resources for $960 mln". Reuters. March 16, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Richard and Leslie Gilliam Foundation". Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
  5. ↑ "In purple Virginia, red super PACs get the green". Washington Post. August 13, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Virginia Public Access Project; Bob McDonnell". Retrieved August 23, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Governor McDonnell Announces Additional Appointments to Administration". Office of the Governor. November 19, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Top 5 Ken Cuccinelli campaign donors". Center for Public Integrity. November 4, 2013. Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Gilliam family names JMU Center for Entrepreneurship in honor of late matriarch". www.jmu.edu. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
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