A Virginia Odyssey

Culture, Community, and Trust

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From the Foreword

Lead Virginia’s ideal of trusting relationships in social capital welcomes everyone, inspiring people to trust themselves to trust others. Its dedication to experiential learning makes everyone a student as well as a teacher. The acknowledgement of the uniqueness of the commonwealth’s six regions instills confidence that local needs and opportunities will be respected even as people pursue common goals. ~ Edward L. Ayers, Tucker-Boatwright Professor of the Humanities, University of Richmond, and author, American Visions: The United States, 1800-1860

About the Book

What methods will connect today’s civic leaders so they can learn and understand one another’s challenges and concerns, and identify common problems and priorities? With A Virginia Odyssey, John P. Thomas opens up the discussion. The author describes the Lead Virginia program, which he has helped design and lead for over twenty years. Its experiential education curriculum serves two chief purposes: to broaden perspectives and to develop trusting relationships (social capital) among current senior-level leaders.

Six significantly distinct regional cultures make mutual understanding and clear communication difficult across the state. A shared understanding of their cultural differences leads to a deeper appreciation, and therefore support, among values-centered leaders for solutions that are not—and cannot be—uniform.

By enabling private sector and non-profit leaders to discuss their perspectives, by providing opportunities for them to educate one another about the issues in their communities, and by raising the level of understanding about the challenges facing their regions, program participants strengthen their capacity to work together.

Included are direct quotations from individual graduates, as well as “case study” examples of applied social capital across a variety of contexts.

Non-transactional interactions based on trust, not reciprocity, show us all the way forward. Of interest to readers everywhere for its engaging storytelling, filled with analysis, anecdote, and both qualitative and quantitative research, A Virginia Odyssey offers a strong basis for hope in the future.

What People are Saying

What happens when leaders step outside their comfort zones, engage with diverse perspectives, and commit to strengthening their communities? John P. Thomas answers that question with depth, warmth, and wisdom. Through rich storytelling and sharp analysis, the author captures the essence of what makes great leaders: a deep understanding of place, a commitment to trust, and the courage to build bridges across differences. More than a history, this is a journey—one that immerses the reader in the challenges, triumphs, and lessons of Lead Virginia. In this compelling testament to the power of social capital, trust, and leadership, John Thomas reveals how one visionary program has transformed Virginia’s leaders—and, in turn, its communities. A must-read for those who believe in the power of experiential learning and meaningful connections. For twenty years, Lead Virginia has shaped Virginia’s leadership landscape. This book is not just a chronicle of that journey—it’s a guide to building lasting influence and trust in any community.

Laurie Head, Owner & CMCO, AISN, Lead Virginia Class of 2016

In this beautifully written book, John Thomas not only takes us back through the inception of the Lead Virginia program twenty years ago; he also brings to life the year-long experiential odyssey participants undertake as they grow trust through social capital and broaden perspectives across Virginia’s six, distinctive regions. Every page resonated with my personal experience, and this is no doubt because John’s expertise as a public sector practitioner and academic were the driving forces behind the immersive curriculum. Just as he did in building Lead Virginia, John Thomas has poured his heart and soul into this love letter to the commonwealth, and delivers on his goal of fulfilling the Athenian Oath—to leave his community better than he found it. Aside from the U.S. Navy, no institution has had as profound an impact on my professional life as the Lead Virginia Program. It is impossible to overstate the positive impact he and this program have had on me and my network, and I am forever grateful.

Kevin M. Sweeney, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Lead Virginia Class of 2015

Thank you for developing an amazing strategy of social capital that has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life!

Deborah G. Gandy, Senior Managing Director, Chevy Chase Trust, Lead Virginia Class of 2021

John Thomas has provided us a resource—a reference work—in intimate narrative form. This book reminds the nearly one thousand Lead Virginia alumni, the thousands more who will follow, and the broader community of civic leaders how we develop deeply impactful social capital in service of our beloved commonwealth. I will come back to passages in this book throughout my own civic leadership journey.

Howard H. Hoege III, President & CEO, The Mariners’ Museum and Park, Lead Virginia Class of 2017

John Thomas uses his masterful storytelling skills to chronicle the genesis and evolution of the Lead Virginia journey, focused on building social capital amongst leaders. The reader is left with a sense of hope in the power of embracing a vision that supports the greater good.

Sheryl L. Garland, Chief of Health Impact, VCU Health System, Executive Director, VCU Office of Health Equity, Lead Virginia Class of 2005

Independently, each region of Virginia has its own distinct character. Collectively, the regions create a rich tapestry of context that enlightens business leaders in Virginia to our shared successes and challenges.

R. Corey Clayborne, Sr. Vice President, Knowledge & Practice, The American Institute of Architects, Lead Virginia Class of 2021

John takes us on a first-hand journey through the history, thoughtful design and intentional implementation of Lead Virginia, the commonwealth’s premier experiential program for executive leaders. Reading A Virginia Odyssey makes me appreciate this profound program even more! In today’s business environment, professional relationships are fairly transactional in nature—we engage with others to solve problems or determine a course of action. As John Thomas articulates in A Virginia Odyssey, true transformational business success is predicated on social capital created through trusting relationships among its leaders.

Diane Miller, Director, InfoSec Operations and Identity Management, Director, Global Cyber Education and Workforce Development Programs, Northrop Grumman, Lead Virginia Class of 2016

An insightful narrative. For the last twenty years, Lead Virginia has served as a vehicle for Virginia leaders to come together, discuss regional issues, and build the social capital needed to move Virginia forward.

Shannon L. Hair, Vice President, Danville Community College, Executive Director, DCC Educational Foundation, Lead Virginia Class of 2023

About the Author

Throughout his career, John Thomas’s priority has been strengthening communities through human connections, supported by evidence and research.

A Managing Partner at DecideSmart, LLC, a Richmond, VA management consulting firm, John continues his long career as an administrator, educator, and facilitator. John has been recognized for his significant leadership role in two award-winning organizations: the Council on Virginia’s Future and Lead Virginia, Inc., which he co-created. He led the development of the program’s experiential-social capital curriculum, and, since its founding in 2005, has continuously served as Lead Virginia’s Curriculum Chair, on the Board of Directors, and as a member of the Executive Committee.

John earned his doctorate in public administration at the University of Southern California and is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. He served the National Association of Counties for over two decades and was its executive director for one.

For twenty years, John directed the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the bridge between the university and public life, and official demographer to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2014, he received the VCU Excellence in Virginia Government Award for Lifetime Achievement. The Athenian Oath inspires his public work. One of his proudest accomplishments is the success of Lead Virginia, now celebrating its first twenty years.

With the publication of A Virginia Odyssey, John honors the contributions of the many alumni, staff, and volunteers who have made Lead Virginia a force for good, throughout the commonwealth and beyond.

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About Lead Virginia

For more about Lead Virginia and its initiatives, visit LeadVirginia.org