For many AAEC graduates, the lessons learned in the classroom continue to shape their careers long after commencement. For Keith May, an agricultural economics degree provided the foundation for a professional journey spanning banking, real estate, economic development, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Reflecting on the professors, experiences, and opportunities that influenced his path, he shares how his time at Virginia Tech helped prepare him for a lifetime of growth, service, and success.

Thinking about Virginia Tech and Ag Econ brings back a flood of memories. I've always felt that my agricultural economics degree was perfect for me — remarkably versatile. It gave me grounding in law, finance, marketing, economic principles, credit analysis, valuation, and entrepreneurship all at once. The professors who shaped me most were Dr. David Kohl, Dr. Leon Geyer, and Dr. Dave Kenyon, and I was fortunate to serve as a teaching assistant for both Kohl and Geyer.

When I graduated, I planned to return to the farm. Both Dr. Geyer and Dr. Kohl pushed back on that, encouraging me to get some off-farm experience first. Dr. Kohl had strong ties to Dominion Bank — particularly their Farm Loan Division — and went out of his way to recommend me. They hired me after several interviews, which I've always appreciated, especially given that one summer while feeding Dr. Kohl's cows, one of them contracted mastitis and died on my watch. Her name was Marlo, and I've never forgotten her. My sincerest apologies, Dr. Kohl. I should also mention that Dr. Kenyon's advanced marketing class was one of my favorites, and I attended Blacksburg Christian Fellowship Church, where he served as one of the pastors — so his influence extended well beyond the classroom.

1987 Bugle photo of ag econ club memberes
May poses with the Agricultural Economics Club in 1987. Photo courtesy of the 1987 Bugle.

I spent four years in commercial banking, and while it was a relatively short stint, it turned out to be an exceptional foundation for what became my life's passion: real estate. My first venture outside of banking was a partnership with fellow VT Ag Econ graduate Will Hairston. We formed a company to invest in tax sale properties across Virginia — until the State changed how it conducted tax sales and effectively ended our model. Around the same time, I got my real estate license and joined Kline Realty. After seven years there, I purchased the brokerage. The firm — now Kline May Realty — grew quickly and was recognized for several years among the fastest-growing companies in Virginia. I also founded what is now Cottonwood Commercial Realty, which has grown to become the largest commercial brokerage north of Roanoke. Along the way, I co-founded Priority Property Management, and separately developed and invested in real estate across multiple asset types — currently as a partner in more than 20 investment partnerships.

On the leadership side, I chaired The Shenandoah Valley Partnership, which is the economic development arm of the Shenandoah Valley,  and served on the Executive Committee of Go Virginia Region 8. I chaired the Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, where I received the Entrepreneurship award. I helped found and chair the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Global Non-Violence at JMU — a role that brought some genuinely extraordinary moments, including meetings with President Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, the Dalai Lama, and several days in the company of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I also served on the board of Shenandoah University for 17 years and chaired the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.

Throughout all of it, I've lived on the family farm along the West Virginia border — land my great-grandfather purchased in 1911, just a mile from the farm my earliest ancestor acquired in 1798. Some roots run deep. I'm 61 now, and it has been a wonderful life. I plan to keep working, but I'm also intent on squeezing in more international travel, camping and hiking trips, and pickleball tournaments, all alongside my wife Tammy.