Bill Sheedy, West Virginia University Foundation Board of Directors Chairman
Alumnus William “Bill” Sheedy has been elected chairman of the West Virginia University Foundation Board of Directors. A 1988 finance graduate, he has served as vice chair of the Board since June and an active member since 2016.
Sheedy has been with Visa since 1993, holding many roles to help shape one of the world’s largest companies and the largest global payment network. Prior to his current role as senior advisor to Visa’s CEO and Chair, Sheedy was CEO of Visa’s European region. Previously, as group president, Americas, he oversaw Visa’s business in North America and Latin America, across nearly 50 countries. Further, beginning in 2007, he played a central role in Visa’s corporate restructuring that merged seven different Visa organizations into a single global company (Visa, Inc.), culminating in what was, in 2008, the largest initial public offering in U.S. history.
Sheedy, of San Mateo, California, succeeds Pamela Maphis Larrick (’75), of Vero Beach, Florida. Larrick, who has been Board chair since 2020, continued serving as acting chair of the Board following the untimely passing of John B. Gianola (’75) in May of this year. Gianola, of Charleston, West Virginia, served as the Board’s vice chair and was scheduled to succeed Larrick in June. Upon the recommendation of Larrick and with sensitivity in a unique situation, the Board honored Gianola by naming him chair posthumously, and voted to keep Larrick as acting chair until November, allowing for a smooth transition.
Pamela Maphis Larrick and J. Wayne Richards
At its November 11 quarterly meeting, the Board expressed its deep appreciation to Larrick for serving several additional months as chair. It also elected J. Wayne Richards (’81), of Richmond, Texas, as vice chair.
Founded in 1954, the WVU Foundation’s mission is to enrich the lives of those touched by West Virginia University by maximizing charitable support and providing services to the University, its students and affiliated organizations. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at wvuf.org.