Telecommunications: J.D. MYERS II

Myers oversees Virginia operations for Cox Communications, which provides cable TV and broadband internet services in Hampton Roads, Roanoke, Fairfax County and Fredericksburg.

The $13 billion company has nearly 2,000 employees in Virginia.

Myers holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees — including an MBA in finance and a master’s in marketing — from American University. He served as a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army and held leadership roles at several telecom companies before joining Cox Business Services in 2006.

In June, Cox Communications announced it was committing more than $400 million in the next three years to expand broadband to underserved communities, including those in Virginia.

Myers serves on several local boards, including the Hampton Roads Alliance (as treasurer) and RVA757 Connects.

WHAT MAKES ME PASSIONATE ABOUT MY WORK: It’s all about the people — I love that every day I can have an impact on people’s lives and our society. It doesn’t get any better than that.

MOST RECENT BOOK READ: My three daughters and I have a book club, and we just finished “The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women,” by Valerie Young. Watching and helping my daughters navigate their careers is incredibly rewarding. #girldad