Governor Spanberger Announces Parole Board Board Appointments
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced the following board appointments to the Virginia Parole Board, Virginia Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments, and Virginia Racing Commission.
The Governor’s appointment of highly qualified professionals will ensure these boards can uphold their missions and restore their intended function — making fair parole decisions that protect public safety and contribute to an effective justice system, reinvigorating the process by which potential appointees at Virginia’s public institutions of higher education are reviewed and evaluated, and ensuring Virginia’s horse racing industry operates with the highest integrity.
“Whether it is making timely, fair parole decisions, recommending quality board members, or providing appropriate oversight to Virginia’s horse racing industry — the Virginians appointed today bring much needed skills, expertise, and passion to these roles,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “I know these Virginians will serve our neighbors with integrity, and I look forward to their service.”
Virginia Parole Board
Shannon Dion of Richmond, Director, Virginia Victims Fund (Nominated as Chair of the Parole Board)
Shannon Dion has served in Virginia’s criminal justice system for nearly twenty-five years. She began her career as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in the City of Richmond and later served in the Virginia Office of the Attorney General as legal counsel to several public safety agencies, as a state prosecutor, and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
In 2018, Governor Ralph Northam appointed Dion as Director of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Since 2023, Dion has served as Director of the Virginia Victims Fund, a program within the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission that provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime. She also serves as an instructor in the Master of Public Safety program at the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Ms. Dion is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Richmond School of Law.
Valerie Boykin of Suffolk, President & CEO, Boykin and Associates, Consulting LLC
Valerie Boykin is the owner of Boykin and Associates Consulting LLC, where she consults on juvenile and criminal justice matters. She is the former Director of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice where she oversaw the operations of Virginia’s community-based, secure care, and provider programs. Boykin led a major transformation of the system that focused on reducing the use of youth incarceration and expanding the array of community-based, trauma informed, evidence-based, and equitable services across the Commonwealth
Boykin also previously served as a deputy director in Virginia and the Washington DC Youth Services Administration. She has extensive consultation and training experience in the areas of reentry, organizational change, leadership development, strategic planning, cross system collaboration, and program development. Ms. Boykin holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Old Dominion University and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Afro-American Studies from the University of Virginia.
Dr. Kecia N. Brothers Hayes of Chesapeake, Director of Reentry Services, Department of Juvenile Justice
Dr. Kecia N. Brothers Hayes is a distinguished public-sector leader with more than two decades of experience advancing programs and policies that support youth, families, and communities across local, state, and federal systems. Dr. Brothers Hayes currently serves as the Director of Reentry Services for the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, where she provides statewide leadership for reentry initiatives designed to prepare youth involved with the juvenile justice system for successful reintegration into their families, communities, education systems, and the workforce.
Dr. Brothers Hayes holds a master's degree in Urban Affairs with a minor in Public Administration and has completed doctoral coursework toward a Ph.D., and in 2025 received an Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism recognizing her commitment to service and community impact. Throughout her career, Dr. Brothers Hayes has been recognized for collaborative leadership, strategic planning, and building partnerships that expand opportunities for young people and families.
Reverend Tyrone Nelson of Henrico, Pastor, Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church
Reverend Tyrone E. Nelson is a pastor and public servant. A native of Richmond, Virginia, he is the seventh pastor of the historic Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church. Prior to his pastorate, he served as Director of Youth and Evangelism Ministries for the Baptist General Convention of Virginia. In November 2011, Rev. Nelson was elected to the Henrico County Board of Supervisors representing the Varina District. Now in his fourth term, he has served as Board Chair in 2016, 2019, and 2024, and as Vice Chair in 2018 and 2023.
Rev. Nelson is a product of Richmond Public Schools and earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.
Bishop Kevin White of Portsmouth, Pastor, Covenant Church
Bishop Kevin R. White has been a pastor in Chesapeake, Virginia since 1979 and is presently the senior pastor of the Covenant Fellowship Church. He is the establishmentarian and presiding prelate of Covenant Fellowship of Churches with local assemblies in Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware, and Maryland. Bishop White was employed with the Western Tidewater Community Services in Suffolk Virginia, where he developed and coordinated the Case Management Services department.
Bishop White is the vice president of the Virginia Baptist State Convention; president of the Chesapeake Coalition of Black Pastors; chairman of the Virginia Alliance of Pastors and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Bishiop White is a graduate of Virginia State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology Virginia Union University, School of Theology, receiving a Master of Divinity degree and Virginia University of Lynchburg, receiving a Doctor of Divinity degree.
For Immediate Release: March 10, 2026 (Source)
Office of the Governor Contact: press@governor.virginia.gov