2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: SHANNON O. PIERCE

A Surry County native, Shannon Pierce succeeded Robert Duvall in 2025 as leader of Virginia Natural Gas, a utility serving more than 310,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Southeastern Virginia. She also serves as an executive for VNG’s parent, Southern Company Gas.

Pierce has spent her entire career in energy. Fresh out of the University of Virginia School of Law, Pierce took a job at McGuireWoods in the law firm’s energy and utilities practice group. From there, she moved to Georgia to work as counsel at AGL Resources, which was purchased in 2016 by Southern Company Gas. Over the years, Pierce has held leadership positions in legal, regulatory affairs, external affairs and utility operations.

FIRST JOB: Baton twirling instructor/counselor at a summer program for Surry County Parks and Recreation

MOST MEANINGFUL RECOGNITION: Whenever I get encouraging words and words of congratulations from members of the historic Seatack and Surry County communities — communities that helped raise me — it is the most overwhelming and wonderful feeling. Without the love, encouragement and support of these communities, I would not be where I am today.

TV SHOWS I’D RECOMMEND: I love how “The Gilded Age” explores new versus old money and society and how those competing forces shaped our country socially and economically. It is an inclusive story and cast. The characters are complex. I find myself cheering on and being disturbed and disappointed by some of the characters all at the same time.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: No matter one’s role or title, there is always an opportunity to serve and to step up and lead and to have influence and impact where you are.