Executive Advisory Council

Jim Starkey has served in various executive management capacities with Universal Corporation and its two major subsidiaries, Universal Leaf Tobacco Co., Inc. and Deli Universal, Inc. He served as Vice President of Universal Corporation, Senior Vice President of Universal Leaf Tobacco Co. and Vice President of Deli Universal.

Before joining Universal, Mr. Starkey served as Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Assistant U.S Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs, in the Executive Office of the President.

Jim is Chairman of the Board, Tobacco Merchants Association, President of the Maryland Tobacco Improvement Foundation, and serves on the Richmond Forum’s Board of Directors, the Medical College of Virginia Foundation’s Board of Trustees and is President of Maymont Foundation’s Board of Trustees.  He was recently appointed by Governor Mark Warner to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Science Museum of Virginia. He is a Member, International Policy Council for Food, Agriculture and Trade; a Member of the Committee to Enhance the K-12 Teaching Profession in Virginia; a Member, Virginia Business Council and a Leadership Metro Richmond graduate. Jim holds a BA in Economics from Washington & Lee University, a MA in Economics from George Washington University, and is a graduate of The Executive Program, University of Virginia Colgate Darden School of Business.

1501 North Hamilton Street
Richmond, VA 23260
Email: starkyj1@universalleaf.com