Virginia 500 Spotlight : JEANELLE JOHNSON
BIGGEST CHALLENGE I’VE FACED: One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is successfully making it through college in spite of financial limitations. Finding the resources to get through college was difficult from semester to semester and required a level of resilience and creativity that has prepared me for my career. HOW I BALANCE WORK AND […]
Virginia 500 Spotlight: DR. JOHN WHYTE
FIRST JOB: I worked in a telephone research call center. I called you up and got you to answer 10 minutes of questions. That’s probably how I learned to be a good conversationalist. I tried to not have people hang up on me! HOW I DEFINE SUCCESS: Having a meaningful impact on others. WHAT I DO […]
2025 Virginia Business Person of the Year: John Asbury | Atlantic Union Bank
Atlantic Union CEO John Asbury is Virginia Business’ 2025 Business Person of the Year, recognized for leading the bank’s growth.
Virginia 500 Spotlight: WAYNE F. WILBANKS
FIRST JOB: I worked in a Baskin-Robbins in downtown Chicago. Lost my appetite for ice cream for at least a decade. ADVICE FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADS: Several items of advice: Choose your business environment or partners very carefully as it will reflect directly on your success. Take entrepreneurial risks early in your career as you have […]
Virginia 500 Spotlight: JONATHAN S. BELCHER
TRAITS I ADMIRE: Loyalty, honesty and integrity FIRST JOB: Law clerk for the county attorney’s office in York County HOW I DEFINE SUCCESS: I define success not so much by what I have accomplished myself, but by how I have been able to help others. As an economic developer in a very economically distressed area, […]
Virginia 500 October 2025 Spotlight: CHRIS KEFFER
FIRST JOB: Washing dishes at the local restaurant INTERESTING PLACES I’VE TRAVELED: The Exumas and Abacos, super cool island chains that are part of the Bahamas MOST VALUED POSSESSION: Babe Ruth autographed baseball given to me by my grandmother ADVICE FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADS: Show up early to work, take on hard projects and demonstrate […]
Virginia 500: The 2025-26 Power List
Who are Virginia’s most powerful and influential leaders in business, government, politics and education this year? Find out in the sixth annual edition of the Virginia 500: The 2025-26 Power List. Read a note from our associate publisher about how we select the Virginia 500. Executives are listed in alphabetical order by industry. Below you […]




















