Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger removed Virginia Tech Board of Visitors rector John Rocovich, citing violations of the board’s code of ethics. Spanberger’s letter stated that Rocovich’s conduct violated ethics rules and Virginia statutes requiring board members to act in the best interests of Virginia Tech, though it did not specify particular violations. Rocovich is described as a major donor connected to former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and as a Youngkin appointee to the Virginia Tech board. The removal comes as Virginia Tech’s long-serving president Tim Sands has announced he will step down in the near future, with uncertainty hanging over leadership transition. According to Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, board members had sought to push Sands out to change the timing of the presidential search before Spanberger appointed new members. The board is currently dominated by Youngkin appointees, and Rocovich had tried to speed up the hire for Sands’s replacement. Virginia Tech declined to comment beyond acknowledging the governor’s action, and the next board meeting is set for Monday.