Petersburg delegate is named the college’s first-ever chief of staff; HR, residence life directors also chosen
PRINCE GEORGE — Del. Lashrecse D. Aird has a new “day job.”
Aird, D-Petersburg, was named chief of staff at Richard Bland College Friday, one of three new appointments announced by the college. Aird, formerly the college’s assistant director of development, has been with RBC for six years.
She will be the first person to hold the newly created position, according to the college.
“Ms. Aird brings highly relevant experience and expertise to this position, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back to the office of the president as chief of staff,” RBC president Debbie Sydow said in a statement. During her RBC tenure, Aird once was an assistant to the president for public relations.
In that same statement, Aird was quoted as saying it was “an exciting time” to be part of the transformation” at RBC.
“As the RBC team works to prepare students for a competitive and rapidly changing 21st century world, I look forward to working alongside President Sydow and the RBC leadership team to advance the next generation of leaders and ensuring the long-term viability of Richard Bland College,” she said in the statement.
Aird, who has served in the Virginia House of Delegates since 2016, said her legislative work will not be affected by her new position. The RBC announcement made no mention of Aird’s political involvement.
Aird is running for a third term in the House. She will be opposed by independent candidate Larry Haake in the November election.
In addition to Aird’s appointment, RBC also announced that Cassandra Standberry had been appointed the college’s human-resources director, and Lisa Mabry was named the new director of campus housing and residence life.
Standberry has spent almost 20 years working for the state, most recently as assistant HR director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. She previously worked in HR for the state juvenile correctional system.
Standberry said in the statement released by RBC that she hoped her experience “will translate into excellence in HR delivery and create positive working relationships within the RBC family.”
Mabry is a former operations manager for Chesterfield Alternatives Inc., an organization that assists the county’s Mental Health Support Services in promoting independent living for county residents with mental and development impairments.
“The college is committed to growing a sense of community and personal responsibility for all students while creating opportunities for them to make lasting memories at RBC,” Mabry said.
RBC said the three were chosen following a nationwide search for candidates.
By Bill Atkinson
Assistant Editor
The Progress-Index
Bill Atkinson can be reached at 804-722-5167 or batkinson@progress-index.com. On Twitter: @BAtkinsonpi