NEWS

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Eric Dewane Johnson graduated from the University of Virginia, where he majored in psychology. He served as the City of Charlottesville first coordinator of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program in which he provided crisis intervention services and court preparation to victims and witnesses of violent crimes. One of his responsibilities was to educate students about establishing healthy relationships to prevent domestic violence. Eric developed an affinity for teaching youth.

After earning his Masters of Education from James Madison University, Eric entered the teaching profession as a science and math teacher. In 2001, he became an assistant principal at Prospect Heights Middle School in Orange County and then at Sutherland Middle School in Albemarle County. In 2004, Eric was appointed principal of Walton Middle School. In 2007, Eric was appointed principal of Buford Middle School where he served in that capacity for 11 years. During his tenure at Buford, Eric has played an instrumental role in the creation and implementation of the Buford Lab School for Advanced Manufacturing, including major renovations of the science labs, curriculum, and the inclusion of an Engineering courses for middle school students. He partnered with community representatives to create a schoolyard garden at Buford, which serves as a model for gardens throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. During his tenure at Buford, he implemented an athletic program, which now includes 11 sports. Eric enjoys working with people, especially middle school students.

In July 2018, he accepted a position as the principal of the Hospital Education Program, which is located at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital. Eric is an adjunct professor at Mary Baldwin University in which he teaches courses to prepare teachers for the classroom. He has been a guest presenter for several classes at UVA, Mary Baldwin University, and Piedmont Virginia Community College. He has presented at numerous conferences, churches, and community gatherings.

Eric works collaboratively with various community agencies to ensure a successful middle school experience for students and their families. One of his proudest accomplishments is serving as one of founders of the Zion Union Tutoring Program, which provides free tutorial services to local youth twice a week. He serves on several boards throughout Charlottesville and has been a guest presenter at numerous workshops. He has been recognized by several agencies, including receiving the Alton L. Taylor Leadership Award (2013) and the Golden Trowel Award (2013). In 2007, Eric was recognized as one of the Distinguished Dozen by the Daily Progress.

Zion Union Baptist Church is very special to Eric as this is the place where he met his wife, Marcia. He enjoys attending and working in church.

He is married to Marcia Jones and they are the proud parents of two sons and seven grandchildren. In his spare time, Eric enjoys officiating sports (basketball, baseball, softball) and watching Westerns.

Dr. B. Cameron Webb is a physician and lawyer who works at the intersection of health and social justice. He is an Assistant Professor in the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he serves as the Director of Health Policy and Equity and works as a hospitalist. His work at UVA includes a combination of clinical care, research and teaching courses in the MD and MPH programs. Previously, he completed a year as a 2016-17 White House Fellow. In his time at the White House spanning the Obama and Trump administrations, his portfolio included education, workforce and criminal justice reform work through President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative, as well as White House healthcare policy work in both administrations. Dr. Webb is a passionate champion for health equity and is committed to advocating for the health needs of underserved and marginalized communities. He has served on several non-profit boards and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Doctors for America. He received a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies as an Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia, a J.D. and health law certificate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and an M.D. from Wake Forest School of Medicine.

Ernie was born and raised in Palo Alto, California.   Upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1987, he was commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps.  Ernie served in the Marines for 20 years, in various capacities and all over the world.  After serving as an artillery officer with the First Marine Division, Ernie earned his J.D. from The George Washington University School of Law in 1994, and served as a judge advocate in the Marine Corps.  Highlights of his service include shipboard deployment as the Staff Judge Advocate to the 22d Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), 2000 – 2002 and as Commanding Officer of Region 3, Embassy Security Group, commanding the U. S. Marines guarding U.S. Embassies and other diplomatic missions in Asia, 2005 -2007.  He retired from military service in 2007, with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Ernie has been practicing law in Central Virginia since 2007, first with the firm Tremblay and Smith and then, in 2016, as a proud partner with the firm Royer, Caramanis and McDonough.  Ernie focuses on family law (divorce, custody, pre and post nuptial agreements, property settlements) as well as military law (military justice, command relations, administrative and judicial tribunals, security clearances).  Ernie’s practice is based upon the motto “No better friend, no worse enemy.”

Ernie is a member of the Charlottesville – Albemarle Bar Association; the Virginia State Bar, where he has served on the Board of Governors of the Military Law Section; the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he served as an officer of Post 1827; the Virginia Gators swim club, where he served as President for six years; and Parade Rest, a veterans’ service organization where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Ernie is the proud father of three fine young adults – scholars, swimmers and good citizens. He has been happily married since 2015 to Amy, a nurse. He enjoys watching and playing nearly all sports, the outdoors (fly fishing in particular), good books and movies, working in the yard and a glass of fine Bourbon whiskey.