JMU introduces next president
James Madison University on Wednesday announced that University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chancellor James C. Schmidt will be the next president of Virginia’s fifth largest public university. The university’s board of visitors, who voted to affirm his appointment earlier in the day, announced Schmidt’s selection during a morning ceremony at the university’s Harrisonburg campu[...]
2025 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: Myra Goodman Smith
Last July, Smith announced her plans to retire in 2025 after 15 years at the helm of LMR, which among other programs offers an annual leadership training course known as Leadership Quest. A Richmond native, Smith spent more than two decades at United Way and is immediate past chair of the Jenkins Foundation, which funds […]
Martinsville real estate, building supply firm names new president
The Lester Group has appointed Dana Cowart president, the Martinsville-based building materials and real estate development company announced Monday. Cowart started his new job Dec. 1. Cowart brings to The Lester Group more than two decades of experience in the building supply sector. Previously, Cowart was vice president of acquisitions, vice president of sales and […]
Amid financial concerns, Averett University names new leadership
Averett University announced Wednesday that its board has appointed David Joyce as its 15th president. Tiffany Franks, who has served nearly 17 years as president of the Danville private university, will retire Jan. 5, 2025. The leadership change comes following months of headlines about the school’s financial woes and cost-saving measures like staff furloughs and […]
Washington Commanders hire Campbell’s exec as team president
Mark Clouse, president and CEO of food giant The Campbell’s Co., will be the Washington Commanders’ next team president, the Ashburn-based NFL team announced Tuesday. Clouse starts his new post in late January. He replaces Jason Wright, the NFL’s first Black team president, who was hired in August 2020 by former team owner Dan Snyder, […]
After two years, VCU Health makes Levy permanent CEO
Two years after he first became interim CEO, Dr. Marlon F. Levy has been named VCU Health System’s permanent head. Virginia Commonwealth University announced Monday that Levy’s interim roles as the Richmond-based health system’s CEO and senior vice president for VCU Health Sciences were made permanent in appointments by the VCU Board of Visitors and […]
Centra names permanent CEO
Lynchburg-based health system Centra has selected interim leader Richard Tugman as its president and CEO, overseeing a health system that serves more than 500,000 patients in Central and Southern Virginia, operating four hospitals, five medical centers and numerous primary care and specialty practices. Tugman had served as interim CEO since March, replacing Amy Carrier, who’d been […[...]
Virginia Natural Gas taps new CEO
Shannon O. Pierce will succeed Robert Duvall as CEO of Virginia Natural Gas when Duvall retires in April, according to an announcement by Southern Company Gas, parent company of the Virginia Beach utility. A native of Surry, Pierce stepped into the roles of VNG president and senior vice president of Southern Company Gas, VNG’s parent […]
Three Va. CEOs make world’s most powerful women list
Three Virginia CEOs made Fortune’s 2024 list of the world’s 100 Most Powerful Women in business, which the media company released Wednesday. Kathy J. Warden, chair, president and CEO of Falls Church-based Fortune 500 defense contractor Northrop Grumman ranked highest among the trio of Virginia leaders, taking the No. 25 spot — a drop from […]
Beyond number crunching
Becoming a chief financial officer requires much more than just being a good accountant or number cruncher. Indeed, the Journal of Accountancy in 2023 reported a noticeable shift of the top finance officer’s job from being a “CF-No” — or someone who just pulls tight the purse strings — to the “CF-Know.” That’s a leader […]
2024 Virginia Women in Leadership Awards: Leading Ladies
For the fourth annual Women in Leadership Awards, Virginia Business hosted a photo shoot at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where eight of this year’s winners struck poses for Richmond photographer James Lee. Given the surroundings, Lee took inspiration from the museum’s collection and other artwork in staging the photos. The results display a […]
Beauty and the C-suite
Virginia Business’ July issue cover art represents a significant amount of time and thoughtful planning — especially in considering what image we want to convey to you, the reader. From our viewpoint, the Women in Leadership cover should express strength and confidence — attributes that this year’s 38 award winners demonstrate daily as executives. A […]