Finance/Insurance: H. HITER HARRIS III

Initially, Harris followed in the commercial banking footsteps of his father and grandfather. But in 1991, Harris blazed his own trail, partnering with Christopher Williams, a Harvard business school friend, to launch Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in mergers and acquisitions of middle market companies. The company assists clients from numerous industries, ranging from aerospace to food and beverages.

In 2005, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. acquired Harris Williams — a development Harris said in 2014 was “an important component” of the company’s growth.

A member of Hampden-Sydney College’s class of 1983, Harris majored in math and economics and was a kicker for the football team. He is one of only six Hampden-Sydney football players to be named an Academic All-American. Later, Harris earned his MBA from Harvard University.

He’s a trustee for the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, which champions private higher education in the commonwealth. Harris also sits on the board of Richmond-based petroleum additives company NewMarket Corp. In 2016, he was inducted into the Greater Richmond Business Hall of Fame.