2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: BYRON L. BOSTON

A St. Louis native, Boston joined real estate investment trust Dynex Capital in 2008 as its executive vice president and chief investment officer. Four years later, he was promoted to president and given a seat on the company’s board. In 2014, he became CEO. Dynex board members appointed him chairman in 2023. The next year, Dynex President Smriti L. Popenoe became the firm’s new co-CEO.

Under Boston’s leadership, Dynex reported more than $8.18 billion in total assets at the end of 2024, up from about $6.37 billion in 2023. In July 2025, the company announced its portfolio totaled $14 billion.
The first person in his family to graduate from college, Boston majored in economics at Dartmouth College and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. He serves on the board of directors for Salzburg Global, a worldwide leadership organization.

FIRST JOB: Chemical Bank. I joined the bank’s credit training program, started as an analyst and was promoted to a banker.

WHY I CHOSE MY PROFESSION: Love of economics and math

HOW I GIVE BACK: My wife and I prioritize supporting our extended family. As first-generation college graduates, this is important. Secondly, I like to focus on students from less privileged backgrounds who are trying to make it through college and move on to successful careers.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: You must be very intentional and deliberate about continually developing your skill sets. You must be a lifelong learner.

FAVORITE PLACE I’VE TRAVELED: I love traveling outside the United States to learn other people, cultures, history. No specific favorite. So much of the world to see and learn.

HOBBIES: I have always spent enormous time in the gym since age 14, and I continue to do so today. I also love to kayak.