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Recent Articles from Virginia Business
Banking | Finance 2025: WILBANKS, WAYNE F.
Wilbanks developed an interest in stocks and bonds at the age of 14. As a 16-year-old, he formed an investment partnership with other students. “I was hooked,” Wilbanks has said of his career trajectory. A Duke graduate, Wilbanks co-founded Norfolk’s Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management in 1990, serving as the firm’s managing principal and […]
Economic Development 2025: STEPHENS, BRYAN K.
A 2025 Virginia C-Suite Awards winner, Stephens took the helm of the Hampton Roads Chamber in 2013. The organization advocates for business in the region, which is home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval complex, as well as significant manufacturing and hospitality sectors. With a five-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, […]
Banking | Finance 2025: HUTCHINS, MICHAEL T.
It’s musical chairs at Freddie Mac, Virginia’s top-ranked company on Fortune’s U.S. and Global 500 lists. In March, Hutchins became the government-sponsored home mortgage company’s interim CEO for the second time in a year after the Trump administration fired Diana Reid, who’d served as CEO just over six months. It’s a pivotal time for Freddie […]
Banking | Finance 2025: MCLAUGHLIN, SHANE
In 2024, McLaughlin quietly stepped into the role of regional bank president for Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and much of Maryland, following the exit of John Allen, who had been the region bank president for D.C. and Maryland. Allen is now executive vice president and chief banking officer of City First Bank. A Virginia Tech alumnus, […]
Economic Development 2025: BENEVENTO, JOE
Benevento was named Virginia Innovation Partnership Corp.’s permanent leader in April 2024. He’d served as interim leader since September 2023, succeeding Bob Stolle. The nonprofit arm of a state entity established by the General Assembly, VIPC provides strategic commercialization and funding support for Virginia- based tech startups. VIPC’s Virginia Invests initiative is expect[...]
Banking | Finance 2025: GOETZMAN, NEIL
Goetzman’s father worked for Merrill Lynch for nearly four decades before retiring in 2000, according to AdvisorHub. At first, it seemed the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree. Goetzman started with Merrill Lynch in 1987. But, in 2020, he took a different path. That year, Goetzman, along with partner Jeffrey A. Nau, left Merrill’s […]
Banking | Finance 2025: SCHOOLS, BRIAN
Over the decade that Schools has led the Virginia Beach-based credit union, Chartway has grown to nearly $3.1 billion in assets and 260,000 member-owners. With locations in Utah, Texas and Virginia, the credit union has more than 600 employees. Among new developments: Chartway opened a new East Beach branch in Norfolk in December 2024 and […]
Banking | Finance 2025: NOEL, TYRONE
Noel became president of Bank of America’s Hampton Roads market in 2023. In this role, Noel leads 500 employees across eight business lines. Additionally, Noel continues to serve as Merrill Wealth Management market executive for Greater Virginia, a role he’s also held since 2023. Noel joined Merrill, Bank of America’s investment and wealth management division, […]
Banking | Finance 2025: ROBBINS, KEVIN
When considering whether to invest, Robbins takes a long look at the entrepreneur behind the venture. “We have to get the read right on partnering with exceptional founders who want to get better and who will welcome our advice, counsel and experience,” he says. Robbins has had a while to figure out this recipe for […]
Economic Development 2025: HOSKINS, VICTOR
Following the second Trump administration’s federal workforce and spending cuts, Hoskins has worked hard to help displaced federal workers and government contracting employees. “We’re doing everything that we can, but the scale may outpace us pretty soon,” Hoskins told The New York Times in June. Nevertheless, Fairfax County has enjoyed notable economic development wins in [&hellip[...]
