Retail/Wholesale: TRAVIS HILL

This year Virginia ABC CEO Hill had to face customers unhappy about finding their favorite spirits missing from the shelves.

The shortage was partially due to disruptions in the supply chain and congestion at U.S. ports, which all retailers have struggled with during the pandemic, according to Hill. Staffing issues also played a role.

Additionally, Virginia ABC moved its offices and warehouse from Richmond to Hanover County in 2021. It took longer than expected to get the new facility ready, Hill has said.

Hill became ABC’s CEO in January 2018. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and previously served as deputy secretary of agriculture and forestry for Virginia Govs. Bob McDonnell and Terry McAuliffe.

Virginia ABC reached record gross revenues of $1.4 billion for fiscal year 2021. It employs more than 4,700 parttime and full-time workers at nearly 400 stores statewide.

BEST ADVICE FOR OTHERS: The one thing you can always control is how you treat others.

FIRST JOB: High school reporter for The Wilson (North Carolina) Times. It taught me to value local journalism, word count and constructive feedback.