Feature Story
SVU Announces Wendy Kimber as Board of Trustees Chair and Nelson Knight as Vice Chair
The Southern Virginia University Board of Trustees has elected Wendy Kimber as the University’s fourth board chair and alumnus Nelson Knight (‘05) as vice chair. These appointments follow the recent term completions of former board chair Hugh Redd and vice chair Ann Christensen and come at a meaningful moment as the university prepares to celebrate its landmark 30th year.
“With heartfelt gratitude, we honor the dedicated trustees who now complete their tenure,” said President Bonnie H. Cordon. “They have generously given their time, wisdom, and heart to guide Southern Virginia University, and their legacy is woven into the very fabric of our success.”
“As we step into our landmark 30th year, I am filled with immense confidence and excitement to partner with our newly appointed board chair, Wendy Kimber and vice-chair, Nelson Knight,” continued President Cordon. “They are exceptionally prepared for this pivotal season in our history and are ready to help us rise to even greater heights.”
Kimber has served as a trustee for SVU since 2018, as well as board liaison for Student Life since 2022. With a steady, student-centered leadership style, she played key roles in the national search and hiring of President Cordon and helped guide the university through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The future is so bright for SVU,” said Kimber. “We as a board are dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience for students during a time that is foundational to their futures. The students are our reason for everything.”
Kimber is a certified life coach and leads a successful business–Wendy Kimber Coaching–which provides valuable life coaching for young adults around the world. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in higher education from Grand Canyon University.
Throughout her professional and volunteer career, Kimber has taught third grade and served in a variety of church and community roles, including president of a local PTA and president and Youth Lacrosse Program Director of the Warriors Lacrosse Club. She and her husband, Dane, have been married for 33 years and are the proud parents of six children—four of whom attended Southern Virginia University—and ten grandchildren.
Joining Kimber in board leadership is alumnus Nelson Knight, President of Real Estate and Investments for Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc., In his role, Knight oversees the company’s capital deployment strategies, including leadership of the capital reinvestment team. Since joining Apple REIT in 2005, he has held several senior management positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Senior Vice President of Development, and Vice President of Acquisitions and Capital Markets.
Knight has served as a trustee for Southern Virginia University since 2020, and previously contributed to the university as a member of the SVU national advisory council. He remains active within the hospitality and real estate industries, serving in advisory roles for the Home2Suites by Hilton Owner Advisory Committee, the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Franchise Advisory Council, and the Hunter Hotels Investment Conference. He also co-leads the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Design and Construction Committee and chairs the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Marketing Committee.
He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Texas Christian University (TCU) and graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in Business from Southern Virginia University. Knight also serves on the Alumni Executive Board for the Neeley School of Business at TCU.
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Shenandoah Valley, Southern Virginia University is a private, faith-based institution of higher education aligned with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.