A Fuqua School alumna has been appointed executive assistant to Virginia’s first lady.

Cumberland County-native Lindsey R. Watson, who graduated from Fuqua in 2001, is working in the Governor’s Office alongside Dorothy McAuliffe.

“This is exciting news and we always love hearing about the accomplishments of our alumni,” said Tammy Frank, Fuqua’s director of alumni.

“I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity that I have been given by the governor and the first lady to serve the people of Virginia

in this capacity,” Watson told The Herald. “McAuliffe’s passion for agriculture and its role in feeding the children of the commonwealth is exciting, and I am delighted to use my experience and rural upbringing to support her goals and initiatives,” she said.

According to Watson, her duties include a variety of responsibilities dedicated to fulfilling the initiatives of the first lady, including planning, coordinating and executing public events and overseeing McAuliffe’s schedule.

Before her move to the Governor’s Office, Watson previously served in several government positions at the Virginia Department of Health Professions and most recently at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. There she worked in the director’s office of both the Division of Animal and Food Industry Services and the Division of Marketing and Development, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“I am thrilled that Lindsey has joined my office. She came from her prior position at the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with the highest recommendations and now I know why,” said first lady Dorothy McAuliffe.

“We are so grateful to have her talent, her experience and her bright and hardworking personality help us advance our goals and priorities for all of Virginia’s children,” the first lady said.

After graduating from Fuqua, Watson earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

“The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will build a new Virginia economy and create more jobs across the commonwealth,” the release stated.