ITA International names new CEO
Newport News-based government contractor ITA International LLC has promoted Mark Honecker from chief operating officer to CEO, effective April 3, the federal contractor announced Monday. Honecker succeeds outgoing CEO Mike Melo, who will transition to chairing ITA’s advisory board and will also take on the new position of chief visionary officer, a role in which […]
River District Association gives leader a title upgrade
Diana L. Schwartz’s title is changing from executive director to CEO of the River District Association, the Danville downtown revitalization association announced Monday. The title more accurately reflects her role, according to an RDA news release. It has shifted from creating and managing programs for the downtown business community to putting greater emphasis on growing […]
On the move
Megan Baker, economic development director, Roanoke County In October 2022, Baker was hired to step into the big shoes of Jill Loope, the county’s longtime economic development director who is set to retire in July. A North Carolina State and Indiana University graduate, Baker came to the Roanoke Valley from the Atlanta area, where she […]
The 2023 Heavy Hitters list
Virginia Business’ annual list of the commonwealth’s 50 most powerful and influential leaders provides our editors’ take on the heaviest-hitting of heavyweights in business, government, nonprofits and higher education. Think of it as an executive committee for the leaders populating our annual Virginia 500 issue — the top 10% of the state’s power elite. And […]
Hampton Roads’ Retail Alliance appoints new CEO
Jenny Crittenden is the new president and CEO of the Retail Alliance, making her the second woman to be president and CEO of the Hampton Roads nonprofit trade association in its 120-year history. The Norfolk-based alliance’s board of directors appointed Crittenden, formerly the organization’s senior vice president, on Feb. 16. Crittenden succeeds Ray Mattes, who […]
Hilton CEO Nassetta to chair U.S. Travel Association
The U.S. Travel Association elected Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO of McLean-based Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., as its national chair. The Washington, D.C.-based association, which represents the interests of more than 1,000 industry organizations, announced Nassetta’s election Thursday. As national chair, he will lead the association’s executive board and board of deleg[...]
YHB chooses next CEO
Winchester-based accounting and consulting firm Yount, Hyde & Barbour Principal Tom Milburn will become the firm’s CEO on Oct. 1, succeeding CEO Scott Moulden. YHB announced Milburn’s election by its board on Tuesday. “As part of our new strategic plan, the YHB board recognized that there is value to identifying the next CEO ahead of the […]
Ashland fire protection firm CEO retires
Ashland-based VSC Fire & Security (VSC) President Tommy Clements has assumed the added role of CEO, following former CEO Mike Meehan’s retirement, the fire protection and security company announced in mid-January. Meehan retired on Dec. 31, 2022. He will continue to serve on the board of directors as non-executive chairman. “The past 43 years have […]
VICTOR CARDWELL
Hall of Fame member A former University of Virginia defensive back and high school athlete from Lynchburg, Cardwell has built a career in labor law. After graduating from Washington & Lee University School of Law, he worked at the Department of Labor’s Benefits Review Board before joining Woods Rogers, the Roanoke-based law firm (now Woods […]
WARREN THOMPSON
Hall of Fame member A Hampden-Sydney College and University of Virginia Darden School of Business alum who grew up in the town of Windsor in Isle of Wight County, Thompson started his company in 1992 after purchasing 31 Big Boy restaurants from Marriott Corp., his former employer. Today, Thompson Hospitality is the nation’s largest minority-owned […]
Charlottesville chamber CEO to step down
Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Elizabeth Cromwell will step down in February after four years helming the organization, the chamber said Tuesday. Cromwell’s last day is Feb. 17. Andrea Copeland, the chamber’s director of committee engagement, has been named interim president to manage the organization until a new president is named. The […]