Tom Bentson brings over 15 years of professional experience in fundraising and development communications to the Academy. He is an advocate for nonprofit causes and has managed development campaigns in media broadcasting, higher education, contemporary arts, and historic preservation. Tom was born and raised in Virginia and holds a B.A. in Communications from Lynchburg College. Tom began his nonprofit career with the marketing team at PBS in Arlington, VA, before relocating to Lynchburg in 2007, where he spent nearly 12 years on the Advancement team at the University of Lynchburg. Prior to joining the Academy in January 2024, Tom led the annual giving program for the Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. Tom lives in Lynchburg with his wife and son, and is passionate about supporting the city and organizations that help our community thrive.