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Top Five: May 2022

The top trending major business stories on VirginiaBusiness.com from March 15 to April 14 were led by news of the death of Fairfax County developer John “Til” Hazel Jr.

1  |  Fairfax County developer John ‘Til’ Hazel Jr. dies at age 91

Hazel was a key figure in the transformation of Tysons from a rural outpost to a thriving edge city. (March 16)

2  |  Stihl Inc. names new president and CEO

Terrence “Terry” Horan took the helm of the Virginia Beach-based chainsaw
and outdoor power equipment manufacturer on April 1.
(March 31)

3  |  Hampton University names next president

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Darrell K. Williams will succeed William R. Harvey, who
is retiring on June 30 after 44 years leading the HBCU.
(April 13)

4  |  McGlothlins make nearly $60 million gift to VMFA

The gift to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts from Bristol-area philanthropists James W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin included 15 paintings, featuring works by Norman Rockwell, John Singer Sargent and Andrew Wyeth. (March 15)

5  |  Fertilizer shortage hits Va. farmers

Fertilizer is in short supply due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (March 22)

McGlothlins make nearly $60M gift to VMFA

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts announced Tuesday that Bristol-area philanthropists James W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin have donated nearly $60 million toward the Richmond museum’s expansion campaign, including 15 paintings.

Alex Nyerges, the VMFA’s director and CEO, said that a 170,000-square-foot wing will be named for the McGlothlins, who previously made a $30 million gift in 2010 that made possible a 165,000-square-foot addition also named for the couple. In 2015, the McGlothlins donated 73 paintings and other artwork to the museum’s permanent collection, a gift worth more than $200 million that included the works of American artists such as James Whistler, Mary Cassatt and John Singer Sargent.

James McGlothlin, chairman and CEO of The United Co., a former coal mining company, is co-developer of the $400 million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. He and his wife have been major donors to their alma mater, William & Mary, as well as the museum.

According to Nyerges, the contribution includes 15 paintings by prominent American artists. In June 2021, the museum announced a $190 million expansion and renovation project that will begin in 2023, with completion scheduled for 2025. The project includes the new wing and a 40,000-square-foot collections center, renovation of the former library and a special events space. SmithGroup, a Detroit-based architecture firm, is planning and designing the project.