Richard Baxter Gilliam

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. "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.