Wade Jewell, B '84

Wade Jewell, B '84

October 19, 2011
Richmond accounting graduate enjoys making a difference in other people's lives as executive director of the Virginia Board of Accountancy

After attending high school in Germany, self-proclaimed army-brat, Wade Jewell, B ’84, applied to the University of Richmond on a whim, according to him.

“I played football in Germany with two teammates that received scholarships to the University of Richmond,” Jewell said. “Having been in Germany for high school, I had never visited a college campus, so I had no idea where I wanted to go. “

Jewell applied to colleges in a variety of locations based on friends or family ties to different areas. 

Although he had never even visited the state of Virginia, once he was on campus, Jewell found a home at the University.  He joined Richmond College student government, created a homecoming action committee and also met and married his wife at Richmond.   

“Apparently, Richmond had not had homecoming activities for many years prior to our arrival,” Jewell said. He served as secretary and treasurer of the University’s newly-formed homecoming committee.

“It was very successful, and we reignited the homecoming activities and spirit at Richmond,” he said.

The committee was a success and led to more opportunities for Jewell, an accounting major in the Robins School of Business.  He met his wife Betsy on the homecoming committee, and they were married during the summer between his junior and senior years.

“I received a congratulatory letter from Dr. Bruce Heilman, who was president at the time, thanking us for a ‘very successful Homecoming,’” he said. “During my senior year, I was appointed by Dr. Heilman as the senior student representative to the Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees.”

Jewell carried his strong work ethic into the work force. He held various positions at Reynolds Metals Company and served as controller for Smith-Midland Corporation, a pre-cast company. Today, Jewell holds the post of Executive Director for the Virginia Board of Accountancy in Henrico.

“I was appointed Executive Director in April 2009 by the Board,” he said. “As an accountant and having a career dedicated to accounting, budget, and management, I believed this was the ideal job and opportunity for me. To lead the accounting profession as it relates to CPAs was a dream come true.”

Jewell gets satisfaction from the varied nature of his job:  “One of the things that I love about this job is that no two days or weeks are the same.  Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, from legislative/regulatory issues, to fiscal challenges, to information technology opportunities.”

He derives motivation from the public, students, licensees, and other organizations with whom he interacts and gets satisfaction out of affecting those that he comes in contact with in a positive way. 

“I’m most passionate about making a positive difference in people’s lives,” he said.  

The real-life experience, along with challenging classes and an exceptional faculty at the Robins School helped Jewell prepare for life after graduation—which included raising a family of four children with his wife.

“The Robins School of Business’ dynamic curriculum challenged and effectively prepared me for the business world upon graduation,” he said.

Jewell is a member of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) and board member and treasurer of the Virginia Executive Institute Alumni Association.  He and his wife, Betsy, now have four grandchildren.