Transportation: AUBREY L. LAYNE JR.

In July, Layne became chairman of the Virginia Port Authority’s board of commissioners, the powerful and influential body that ultimately oversees Virginia’s ports.

Layne served as state secretary of finance under Gov. Ralph Northam and secretary of transportation under Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Northam appointed him to VPA’s board in July 2021.

The port is investing $1.4 billion to continue a modernization and growth campaign aimed at generating more business and accommodating trade shifts to the East Coast, including a dredging project to make it the East Coast’s widest and deepest port by 2024. During Layne’s time as transportation secretary, the port invested more than $800 million to modernize and expand its two primary container terminals. 

In July 2021, Layne stepped down as secretary of finance to join Sentara Healthcare, where he has responsibility for an array of divisions for the Norfolk-based health care system, including legislative affairs, corporate and social responsibility, the Sentara Foundation – Hampton Roads, real estate, construction and the Sentara College of Health Sciences.

Layne serves on the endowment board for Achievable Dream Academies. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Richmond and an MBA from Old Dominion University.