2025 Living Legends: G. ROBERT ASTON JR.

Back in 1998, Aston and friends famously launched what would become Hampton Roads’ largest community bank from his garage. By April of the following year, TowneBank opened three offices with the support of 4,000 founding shareholders. Once the $203 million purchase of Old Point Financial is complete later  this year, TowneBank expects to have 75 branches in Virginia and parts of North Carolina — and it’s only one segment of Aston’s 60-year banking career.

In 1981, he was named president and CEO of Citizens Trust Co., after entering the banking industry in 1964. He went on to lead Commerce Bank and BB&T of Virginia before founding TowneBank, where he served as board chairman and CEO for 20 years. In 2018, Aston became executive chairman.

Aston has been deeply involved in his community, winning the Darden Award for Regional Leadership and a lifetime achievement award from Volunteer Hampton Roads, among other awards. At Virginia Wesleyan University, Aston serves as a trustee and is a significant donor. In 2024, VWU and Chesapeake Bay Academy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new academic hall named for Aston that was purchased by the university with Aston’s financial support.