Two Liberty University administrators celebrated for service to Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance

Liberty University General Counsel David Corry and Senior Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation and Branding Development Robert Goodman were honored for their contributions to the greater Lynchburg area by the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance during its 141st annual meeting on Thursday morning.

The LRBA, established in 1883 as the Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, represents much of Central Virginia and focuses on leading region-wide economic development through promoting entrepreneurial start-ups, business expansion and retention, and job creation; advocacy; workforce development; community, minority, and small business development; and the cultivation of local and regional leadership.

Corry was recognized as the winner of the 2024 F.M. “Dink” Cloyd Award, which was established in 1973 as a memorial to a longtime volunteer with the LRBA. According to the Alliance, the award is presented each year to one of their members who rendered “outstanding voluntary service to the organization.”

Last year’s winner, Jim Richards, introduced Corry as this year’s recipient and credited him for his hard work and leadership during Corry’s time on the Board of Directors.

“When David was asked to join the board, he quickly became an active and visible presence for Liberty University and was able to answer questions and make connections,” he said.

Richards praised Corry for being an “engaged and strategic contributor” to multiple Alliance boards, planning processes, and economic studies and reports.

Additionally, Corry was recognized for sharing important economic data from the university, and Richards said the board “must not overlook the significant investment that he championed Liberty to make into the work of the Alliance,” placing Liberty into the Chairman’s Circle, a special group that leads involvement of Alliance initiatives and helps support the agenda for its Program of Work, according to its website.

Corry has served as general counsel at Liberty University since 2011. He previously worked as senior litigation counsel with Liberty Counsel and was the chief legal officer for a top-30 builder.

Goodman’s award was a welcome surprise on Thursday morning, when he was named the Alliance Ambassador of the Year, joining the 23-year history of the award as a representative for the alliance who best exemplifies ambassadorship and service to the organization, chosen by other Ambassadors of the Alliance.

Before announcing Goodman as this year’s winner, Robert Pyle, the 2021 recipient of the Ambassador of the Year award, read the group remarks about Goodman from the rest of the Ambassadors, explaining that Goodman was chosen for his “unflagging dedication and enthusiasm for the mission of the Alliance and the Ambassador team.”

“He is a relational leader that walks the talk and calls out excellence from each of his fellow Ambassadors,” Pyle said about Goodman, pointing out the “pep rally” enthusiasm he brings to every event. “He always puts others first over himself. He is the definition of Ambassador and always goes above and beyond for the LRBA. This Ambassador is very much deserving of this award.”

Goodman joined the Flames Athletics Department staff in May 2017 as the associate athletics director for sales and promotions and was promoted to senior associate athletics director for revenue generation and branding advancement in January.

Goodman landed at Liberty with more than 20 years of experience in college athletics, working for over a decade as the senior associate commissioner of the Colonial Athletic Association.

In his role at Liberty, Goodman directly oversees the Fan Engagement, Ticket Operations & Sales, Broadcast & Digital Media, Strategic Communications and Media Rights departments. Also, he is the men’s golf team, cheerleading, and marching band administrator.

To view the full description of the awards and a list of previous winners, visit the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance website.