Governor Gerald Baliles, native of Patrick County, Virginia was selected by the Virginia Press Association as Virginian of the Year for 2008.
Governor Baliles, a former state delegate and attorney general was Governor from 1986-1990. He is now director of Miller Center for Public Affairs, a public policy think-tank at the University of Virginia.
Gov. Baliles is a 1967 graduate of U. Va's School of Law and is active on a number of boards. Helped found the Patrick County Education Foundation.
Source: Martinsville Bulletin, Feb. 5, 2009, pages 1 & 2
