TowneBank Chairman & CEO G. Robert Aston, Jr.
Named Christopher Newport University School of Business
Entrepreneur-In-ResidenceNews Release - October 1, 2004
contact:
Gregory P. Bilyeu
(757) 594-8428
bilyeu@cnu.edu
(NEWPORT NEWS, VA) — The School of Business at Christopher Newport University has named TowneBank founder, chairman and chief executive officer G. Robert Aston, Jr., as the 2 nd Annual Entrepreneur-In-Residence. Aston will speak to students, faculty, staff, business leaders and the general public in the Ferguson Center for the Arts on Thursday, October 21, at 4 p.m. A reception will follow the presentation.
"We are very pleased that Mr. Aston has accepted our invitation to serve as this year's Entrepreneur-In-Residence," said Dr. Donna Mottilla, Dean of the School of Business. "His is a compelling story and CNU students will have an opportunity to hear how an intimate understanding of an industry and a market leads to the creation of a highly successful strategy in a very competitive industry."
During a daylong residency that includes four presentations, Aston will share his story of business leadership and entrepreneurial success at TowneBank, one of the largest and fastest growing banks in the United States. While still in high school, Aston began his banking career with Citizens Trust Company and has more than 38 years of successful leadership in the banking industry, including 20 years experience as president and chief executive officer.
TowneBank boasts seven branch offices on the Southside and nine branch offices on the Peninsula. In addition, a mortgage division, an insurance division, and a brand new investment division offer a full-range of services to meet their member's needs.
Aston is a member of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, director of the Hampton Roads Partnership, director and chairman of the Board of the Commerce Bank Foundation, president and director of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, director of the Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation, past president and director of the Portsmouth Partnership, and a director of the Bon Secours Health System, Inc.
The 4 p.m. seminar is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To RSVP, please call (757) 594-7184 or email clarem@cnu.edu by October 14. Mr. Aston's visit is co-hosted by the CNU School of Business and the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia. CNU enrolls nearly 4,800 students through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Business. CNU's faculty and staff of nearly 1,000 focus on "students first," outstanding teaching, access and opportunity, and liberal learning. CNU is committed to leadership in the community and the Commonwealth.