Virginia 500 Spotlight: JENNIFER WAKEFIELD
What I was like in high school: A nerd involved in everything One thing I’d change about Virginia: More marketing dollars at the state level to increase and enhance perception among C-suite executives globally. Sadly, our competitors all outspend and out-market us. Where I see myself 10 years from now: In the same role, crushing […]
Raleigh-to-Richmond rail project gains steam
Preliminary construction is underway for the Richmond-to-Raleigh passenger rail project, an estimated 162-mile route along the defunct CSX Transportation S-Line corridor that will speed up travel between the capitals of North Carolina and Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C., and the Northeast U.S. “We have basically funded work to advance all of the preliminary engineering […]
John C. Asbury tapped to lead American Bankers Association
The American Bankers Association has elected John C. Asbury, president and CEO of Richmond-based Atlantic Union Bankshares, as the organization’s chair for 2024-25. “Through his bold leadership and dedicated service to our industry, John has proven that he is just the right person to step into this critically important role,” Rob Nichols, president and CEO […]
Former NFL, U.Va. football player indicted on embezzlement charges
Real estate developer Christopher A. Harrison, a former University of Virginia and NFL football player, was indicted last week on federal embezzlement charges connected to a downtown Richmond residential project and Petersburg’s former Ramada Inn, which he purchased in 2018 to redevelop. According to a news release by the U.S. Department of Justice, a grand […]
Atlantic Union to buy Maryland’s Sandy Spring Bank for $1.6B
Atlantic Union Bank is expanding further into Northern Virginia and Maryland with the $1.6 billion purchase of Maryland’s Sandy Spring Bank, an acquisition announced Monday. The two banks’ parent companies, Atlantic Union Bankshares and Sandy Spring Bancorp, have entered into a merger agreement that would create a combined bank with $39.2 billion in assets as […]
VCU wins approval to start lung transplant surgeries
VCU Health announced Wednesday it has received approval to start lung transplantation surgeries at its Hume-Lee Transplant Center, becoming one of three facilities in the state providing lung transplants. “This will be extremely beneficial for the hundreds of patients living with advanced lung disease in Eastern and Central Virginia,” Dr. Marlon Levy, interim VCU Health […]
Allianz named title sponsor of Richmond amphitheater
Allianz Partners will be the naming sponsor for Richmond‘s forthcoming 7,500-capacity, $30 million outdoor amphitheater, the global insurer announced Tuesday. The Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront, a project led by Charlottesville’s Red Light Ventures and Live Nation, is expected to open next year in time for the summer concert season, according to the announcement. The amphitheater [[...]
VCU eyes purchasing Altria’s Richmond research facility
Officials with Virginia Commonwealth University are discussing with the Altria Group the possibility of buying its 450,000-square-foot research building in downtown Richmond, the two parties acknowledged separately this week. The Altria Center for Research and Technology, which opened in 2007, sits on more than four acres at 600 E. Leigh St. and is assessed for […]
Richmond Flying Squirrels’ new stadium will be CarMax Park
With confetti flying and a DJ playing walk-up music for Richmond‘s mayor and other luminaries, the Richmond Flying Squirrels announced Wednesday that Fortune 500 company CarMax will be naming sponsor for the Squirrels’ new ballpark starting with the 2026 season. The replacement for the Richmond Diamond will be known as CarMax Park, officials with the […]
VACUL announces intent to merge with regional group
The Virginia Credit Union League has signed a letter of intent to consolidate with the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, the trade organization representing credit unions in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Virginia credit unions will decide this fall whether to merge VACUL’s associations, foundations and service corporations with those of the LSCU, with […]
Fahrenheit Advisors hires Hampton Roads leader
Richmond consulting firm Fahrenheit Advisors has hired Stephen Hoy as managing director of business development for the Hampton Roads area, the company announced Monday. Hoy will develop new relationships and support existing clients from Williamsburg to Virginia Beach. Most recently, Hoy was director of sales and strategic partnerships for Strive, a California company that offers […]
265 Va. companies make 2024 Inc. 5000 list
This year, 265 Virginia companies made the Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s 5,000 fastest-growing privately held companies, released Tuesday by Inc. magazine. Ranking at No. 53 overall, Ashburn IT services firm Blu Omega, a woman-owned small business founded in 2020, was the highest-ranking Virginia company on the list. Blu Omega’s clients include federal agencies […]





















