Chief Administrative Officer Jeanne Armentrout To Retire

After a distinguished career serving Carilion and our communities, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Jeanne Armentrout will retire in December.

Jeanne started as a staff nurse in 1982 at what was then Roanoke Memorial Hospital, but it didn’t take her long to find her calling in training, education and ultimately the broader field of Human Resources. With her knowledge and understanding of bedside clinical care and a passion for people, Jeanne made her greatest mark on her colleagues. 

She developed Carilion's first Corporate Leadership University, created leadership assessment and coaching programs, and was the driving force behind establishing Carilion’s five values—Collaboration, Commitment, Compassion, Courage and Curiosity—that continue to define our culture today. She was recognized with awards many times for her contributions to the field of Training and Development. 

When Jeanne joined Carilion, the system had only a few thousand employees. Today, we employ more than 13,000. That type of growth and expansion doesn’t happen without a strong Human Resources department, one that Jeanne led as vice president and senior vice president for five years.  

Jeanne never shied away from new responsibilities, doing her homework and trusting her expert teams. As chief administrative officer, in addition to Human Resources, she oversaw many of the support functions clinical teams rely on, and even a few clinical teams as well—Compliance, Information Technology, Marketing and Communications, Home Health and Hospice, Strategy, Supply Chain and Facilities to name a few. She also led our successful merger of Jefferson College of Health Sciences into Radford University, forming Radford University Carilion. 

Even with those notable accomplishments and recognitions to her credit, she’ll tell you her most fulfilling career moments have been when she helped a colleague uncover something about themselves that truly changed their journey.  

“Jeanne told me she has felt the greatest pride when the remarkable work of her teams is recognized,” said President and CEO Steve Arner. “Her well-earned retirement is a big loss for us, even though she has prepared us well for the future. Jeanne’s generous guidance and leadership over the years have set us up for success.” 

Outside of her day job, Jeanne served and continues to serve on several notable boards, including those of Delta Dental of Virginia, the National Center for Healthcare Leadership, Virginia’s Workforce Development Board and Radford University’s Board of Visitors. She’s known throughout the commonwealth as a workforce innovator because of approaches she led at Carilion, and she continues to be a sought-after voice on workforce topics.  

“She is a trusted friend and colleague, who didn’t always tell me what I wanted to hear, but always told me what I needed to hear,” said CEO Emeritus Nancy Howell Agee. “Her leadership style is one we don’t talk enough about, and that’s leading up. Quietly and in her own way, with a sense of fairness, doing the right thing and serving the greater good, she has profoundly influenced who Carilion is today.” 

Please congratulate Jeanne on her well-deserved retirement.