Federal Contractors/Technology: CHRISTOPHER D. KASTNER

Kastner has led HII, the country’s biggest military shipbuilding company — and the state’s largest industrial employer — since March 1, after previously serving as chief operating officer as well as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He took over from Mike Petters, who retired after leading the company since 2011, when it spun off from Northrop Grumman Corp.

The parent company of Newport News Shipbuilding, HII reported $9.52 billion in revenue in 2021, up from $9.36 billion in 2020. While much of the company’s focus has been on building and maintaining U.S. Navy warships, in recent years, HII has also diversified into technological solutions, including investments in unmanned systems and artificial intelligence. HII completed the first phase of its Hampton-based Unmanned Systems Center of Excellence in early 2021. The company also changed up some of its other C-suite roles this year, in compliance, human resources and contracts.

A graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara and Pepperdine University, Kastner serves as vice chair for WHRO Public Media, Hampton Roads’ public broadcasting station, as well as Eastern Virginia Medical School.