The Chesterfield Education Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2020 Bravo! Awards, recognizing outstanding professional and community achievements of Chesterfield County Public Schools’ alumni. During the past eleven years, recipients included from professional athletes, musicians and, doctors to entrepreneurs, and business leaders who have made an exceptional impact on their professions and community. On Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, a gala combining virtual aspects with in-person ones will be held to honor our 2020 recipients. To find out more about Bravo! Awards or to receive an invitation to the Bravo! Awards gala in November 2020 contact the Chesterfield Education Foundation at (804) 639-8774
Recipients to be honored at the 2020 Bravo! Awards are:
Bryan Hannum
Bryan Hannum
Director of Student Activities at James River High School, James River High School, Class of 2006
Bryan Hannum currently serves as the Director of Student Activities at James River High School. Prior to his current role, Bryan was a teacher at James River for nine years, where he taught World I History at the collaborative and honors level as well as teaching in the Leadership and International Relations program as their World I History teacher. Bryan was also the head varsity baseball coach at James River for three years where they made it to the state semifinal game in the 2018-19 season. Outside of his current role Bryan is involved in nonprofit work in effort to bring back the booster organization at James River High School. He has also helped initiate Rapids Baseball Incorporated, a nonprofit that uses baseball and other activities to benefit the James River and Midlothian community. Bryan is currently pursuing his master’s degree at VCU in their Center for Sport Leadership program.
Camille Hanson
Camille Hansen
Executive Director, Richmond Friends of the Homeless, Midlothian High School, Class of 1997
Camille serves as Executive Director at Richmond Friends of the Homeless, a non-profit organization founded in 1986. Their mission is to strengthen and enrich the community life of Richmond’s underprivileged through a daily hot meals program. In addition, award winning services are offered to the many inner-city children seen each day. Since joining the organization in 2003 when she opened its second permanent location at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in the neighborhood of Jackson War/Gilpin Court, her primary responsibilities include daily management of on-site service provision to thousands of monthly recipients, recruiting and overseeing hundreds of volunteers at the church each month, developing a team of support staff for food delivery, and creating a base of fund-raising support for program operations. Camille is a 2001 graduate of Longwood University with a B.S. in Social Work.
Quentin Washington
Quentin D. Washington
Associate Director of Product Management at Dotdash, Matoaca High School, Class of 2000
Quentin is currently the Associate Director of Product Management at Dotdash, where he leads the product design and development of Dotdash’s portfolio of publications in tech, education, and “sustainability.” He also leads the company’s accessibility program, ensuring that its digital content and technology are accessible for people with all spectrums of ability and access. Quentin received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia, and his M.S. in Engineering Management from The George Washington University. Quentin serves his communities, in New York and Virginia, through his many mentorship and advocacy efforts, with increasing awareness and excellence in STEM education. Quentin is a founder and organizer of Hoos Against Hate, a grassroots movement of students, alumni and, supporters committed to standing up against “hate groups,” crime, and efforts that impact the UVA and Charlottesville communities.
George Emerson
George Emerson Jr.
Principal, Emerson Companies, Thomas Dale High School, Class of 1974
George Emerson Jr. was born and raised in Chester, Va., and he and his wife Darlene continue to live in Chester. George graduated from Thomas Dale High School in 1974; received his B.A. degree from VCU in 1978 and immediately pursued real estate as a career. In 1980 he founded Emerson Builders, Inc. In 1996 he founded Emerson Construction Group, which focused on commercial, industrial, and institutional development projects. Today, he is the principal of Emerson Companies, which focuses on development projects throughout the Richmond metropolitan region. George’s recent focus has been on housing revitalization along the Jefferson Davis corridor in Chesterfield County, including the construction of Colony Village Apartments and Moore’s Lake Apartments, with investments of $45 million and $60million in these projects. George has developed many notable residential neighborhoods in Chesterfield including River’s Bend, Chester Village Green, The Highlands, and Meadowville Landing communities. He is also heavily involved with cancer research, and he is the Chairman of the Legislative Committee for the VCU Massey Cancer Center Advisory Board.
April Ross
April Ross Ph.D.
Director, Catalysis and Separations Sciences Laboratory at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, Lloyd C. Bird High School Class of 1995
Dr. April Ross is the Director of the Catalysis & Separation Sciences Laboratory at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and her master’s and doctorate degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, all in chemical engineering. Since joining ExxonMobil in 2005, she has held numerous technical positions in new catalyst and process technology development that delivered cleaner fuels, improved process efficiency, and new products. She is a co-inventor on nine granted technology patents, and in 2017. She was awarded the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award from Research & Development Council of New Jersey. In her current role, Ross leads scientists developing core capabilities in novel catalysts and process technologies, including membranes and other advanced separations, focused on long-term fundamental research and knowledge building to address global energy challenges. In 2011, she was inducted into the L.C. Bird High School Hall of Fame as an All-State volleyball athlete.
