James C. Rees IV, Honorary Degree Recipient, Dies at 62
James C. Rees IV, who received an honorary degree from W&L in 2012, died on Sept. 9, in Markham, Virginia. He served as president and CEO of Mount Vernon, the historic home of George Washington, from 1994 until retiring in 2012. A native of Richmond, he held a B.A. from the College of William and Mary and an M.P.A. from George Washington University. Before joining Mount Vernon in 1983, he held positions at the Daily Press, William and Mary and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He is credited with increasing the number of visitors to Washington’s home, doubling the staff, raising millions of dollars, and renewing the public profile of the first president (and W&L benefactor). Rees also wrote a 2007 book, “George Washington’s Leadership Lessons: What the Father of Our Country Can Teach Us About Effective Leadership and Character.”
Mount Vernon has posted a thoughtful website, “In Memory of James C. Rees,” which is well worth a look.
