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Richard Baxter Gilliam is an American executive and founder of the Abingdon, Virginia-based coal extractor Cumberland Resources.[1] Cumberland Resources Corporation employed over 1,200 individuals in Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Kentucky.[2] In 2010, Gilliam sold Cumberland Resources to Massey Energy (currently Alpha Natural Resources) for $960 million.[3] Gilliam gave away over $80 million to his employees following the sale of his company.[2] In 2011, Gilliam and his wife, Leslie Flanary Gilliam, established The Richard and Leslie Gilliam Foundation.[4]
Gilliam is a major conservative donor in Virginia, giving $750,000 in 2012 to American Crossroads and to Restore Our Future.[5] In 2009, Gilliam was the fifth largest donor to the campaign of Virginia governor Bob McDonnell.[6] In November 2010, McDonnell appointed Gilliam to the state's Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates.[7] Gilliam was also a top donor to Ken Cuccinelli's 2013 gubernatorial campaign.[8]
In 2018, Gilliam announced a $5.2 million commitment to James Madison University to establish the Center for Entrepreneurship. The center will be named for his late wife, Leslie Flanary Gilliam.[9]
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