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Law 2023: JONATHAN P. HARMON
In 2017, Harmon became the leader of Virginia’s oldest law firm, which had 266 lawyers in Virginia as of March. A nationally recognized trial lawyer, he brings in millions of dollars representing Fortune 500 companies in bet-the-company litigation actions and has represented giants like DuPont, CSX Transportation and UPS Ground Freight. In the past year, […]
Finance | Insurance 2023: THEODORE L. ‘TED’ CHANDLER JR.
Chandler partnered with Richmond businessmen Jim Ukrop and Bob Mooney to found New Richmond Ventures in 2011. With its name now shortened to NRV, the venture capital firm launched its Early Stage Growth Fund in 2017, garnering $33 million from 83 investors, and provides counseling, connections and capital to a variety of early-stage companies. Prior to […]
Hospitality | Tourism 2023: RITA D. McCLENNY
As head of the state’s tourism agency since 2012, McClenny has seen the industry through ups and downs. In the wake of the pandemic, she helped secure federal dollars to assist statewide tourism rebound. In 2021, 102 million visitors spent $25.2 billion in Virginia, according to a study released by the agency last fall, still […]
Arts | Entertainment | Sports 2023: TODD ‘PARNEY’ PARNELL
In his 30-plus years in Minor League Baseball, Parnell has built a reputation for bringing in the crowds. In 2022, the Squirrels — the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants — led all 30 Double-A teams in total and average attendance. It was the first time in franchise history the team achieved that milestone. […]
Manufacturing 2023: BRIAN D. PALIOTTI
In January, Paliotti took over as Afton Chemical’s president, succeeding Gina Harm, who retired at the end of 2022. A subsidiary of Richmond-based NewMarket, Afton Chemical produces and sells petroleum additives. Paliotti has worked for NewMarket since 2008, most recently as its vice president and chief financial officer. He previously worked in finance roles for […]
Finance | Insurance 2023: VICTOR K. BRANCH
A self-described “continuous learner,” Branch found his passion for banking right out of college, steadily ascending to his current role, which he has held since 2015, overseeing about 2,000 employees at 25 locations, while remaining active in his community. The William & Mary sociology graduate is chairman-elect of the Virginia Bankers Association board and vice […]
Finance | Insurance 2023: THOMAS RANSON
Growing up in Urbanna, Ransom worked with his hands, doing house-roofing jobs and prepping cars to be painted. He moved into the less physically taxing field of banking when BB&T recruited him out of Hampden-Sydney College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He’s worked at the bank, which became Truist following its 2019 […]
Manufacturing 2023: ESTER CODINA
Since 2022, Codina has overseen North American operations for Alfa Laval, a leading manufacturer of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling products. She started her new position at the Swedish company after a stint as senior vice president of its U.S. service and marine divisions, a role in which role she boosted customer satisfaction and […]
Law 2023: CALVIN W. ‘WOODY’ FOWLER JR.
As head of Virginia’s third largest law firm, Fowler leads more than 400 employees, including 360 in the firm’s state offices, and he is also busy serving on several regional boards, including the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges and RVA757 Connects. A graduate of the University of Virginia and its […]
Manufacturing 2023: TOM HAYES
Hayes began working for the Swedish tobacco products manufacturer in 2006, serving as chief financial officer and senior vice president before becoming president in 2020. Swedish Match manufactures and sells smoke-free oral tobacco products that have a lower risk of mouth cancer, heart disease and lung cancer than cigarettes, according to the Food and Drug […]
Economic Development 2023: JENNIFER WAKEFIELD
Assuming her current role in 2021, Wakefield served as interim president and CEO twice for the Greater Richmond Partnership, a regional economic development organization for Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico. She has also been the partnership’s chief operating officer and senior vice president of marketing. Previously, she served as Orlando Economic […]
Agriculture 2023: GEORGE C. FREEMAN III
A Richmond native, Freeman has been Universal’s CEO since 2008 and president since 2006. From 2001 to 2005, he was the corporation’s general counsel and secretary, and he worked at law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth (then Hunton & Williams) in the early to mid-1990s. The world’s largest supplier of tobacco leaf, Universal Corp. posted fiscal […]
