Virgil, former Vice President for University Advancement of Howard University, became affiliated with Brakeley Briscoe in 2008. At Howard, he demonstrated his expertise as a masterful trailblazer and extraordinary catalyst who sparked new momentum in the University’s advancement agenda. Virgil was charged with identifying, motivating, promoting and generating constituencies and resources to build and maintain Howard University’s status in research and scholarship. He is credited with revitalizing and strengthening the financial underpinnings of the University in an effort to secure its leadership position in higher education for the 21st century. He steered The Campaign for Howard – the most ambitious fund-raising endeavor in the history of the University to a successful conclusion, exceeding its $250 million goal by $25 million.

Prior to his appointment at the University, Mr. Ecton served for three decades at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). He has effected educational opportunities for tens of thousands of African Americans at the organization’s 39 private Historically Black Colleges and Universities. As second in command in the capacity of Senior Executive Vice President of Development, he was responsible for the UNCF’s unprecedented growth and support from the private sector, raising more than $1.6 billion during his tenure.

Mr. Ecton’s record of service includes active membership on the boards of many civic and professional organizations, including the Association of Fund Raising Professionals (formally the National Society of Fund Raising Executives), where he served as Vice Chair for nearly 10 years; the Executive Board of Boy Scouts of America (National Capital Area); Chairman of the Howard University Alumni Board; Community Access; Outward Bound, USA; The College-University Resource Institute, Inc.; The Japan Society; Sigma Pi Phi Beta Nu Foundation; The Langley School; Dwight Englewood School; and Communities In Schools.

Born in Kentucky, Mr. Ecton received a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University and a Master of Education degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, he completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University Business School in Boston, Massachusetts.