Marvin Gilliam, Board Chair

Marvin W. Gilliam, Jr. has been the owner and manager of MAM Development, LLC in Abingdon, Virginia, and serves as the chairman of the Marcia and Marvin Gilliam, Jr. Foundation since 2010.

He entered the coal mining industry in 1978, eventually becoming a part owner and vice president of Cumberland Resources Corporation of Abingdon, Virginia from 1984-2010 when the company was sold to Massey Energy.

He is active in higher education issues serving on the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia and the College Board of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise as well as numerous standing committees and search committees of both schools.

He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Barter Theatre, the Board of Trustees of Johnston Memorial Hospital and the Virginia Athletics Foundation.

Gilliam is an avid supporter of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and has sponsored numerous scholarships, construction projects and the athletics department.

In addition, Gilliam is a strong supporter of the arts, having provided leading gifts to Barter Theatre and the William King Museum of Art.

Gilliam graduated from J.J. Kelly High School in Wise, Virginia, and the University of Virginia with a bachelor’s degree in economics and is married to Marcia Adams Gilliam.