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Tag: Virginia 500 spotlight

Virginia 500 Spotlight: Tracy Fitzsimmons

What I enjoy about my career: There is nothing better than being there to witness students have a “light bulb moment” or land their dream first job.

Most interesting place I’ve traveled: Bhutan. Their commitment to Gross National Happiness is fascinating and instructive.

My thoughts on artificial intelligence: AI is coming either for our jobs OR how we do our jobs. But with it will come new jobs, new efficiencies and new opportunities. Yes, there are ethical challenges, but that shouldn’t stop us from embracing and harnessing the future.

Do I leave work at work after I finish the workday? Universities have students on campus 24/7, so there is no true “end of workday.” But I work with an amazing team of leaders, and we trade off being “on” so that everyone gets time to unplug and recharge.

Did you know? Shenandoah University and the U.S. Department of the Treasury hosted a small business summit in September at the university’s new Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs (HIVE), a “technology hub and innovation accelerator designed to serve as a catalyst for economic development in the Northern Shenandoah Valley.”

Virginia 500 Spotlight: JENNIFER WAKEFIELD

WAKEFIELD
Greater Richmond Partnership CEO Jennifer Wakefield. Photo by Hunter Henkel Photography

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 the goals of our new strategic plan

My take on remote work: Kids are at home — long live the office!

Most interesting place I’ve visited: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in 1983. As soon as we left, Kīlauea began erupting and hasn’t stopped.

Did you know? A graduate of the University of West Florida and the University of Central Florida, Wakefield previously served as a marketing and communications vice president for five years at Florida’s Orlando Economic Development Commission (now the Orlando Economic Partnership).

Virginia 500 Spotlight: JANE KAMENSKY

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME: Thick-skinned, committed, self-mocking

WHERE I SEE MYSELF 10 YEARS FROM NOW: On a screened porch drinking coffee and looking at the Blue Ridge

ADVICE FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADUATES: Democracy is hard work and a peerless privilege. Earn it every day.

DID YOU KNOW? Kamensky, who in January became president of the nonprofit foundation responsible for running Jefferson’s Monticello plantation, has authored or co-authored seven books covering four centuries of American history. She was previously the Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History at Harvard University.

Virginia 500 Spotlight: THOMAS L. MILBURN

THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE ME: Innovative. Compassionate. Driven.

HOW I CHOSE MY CAREER: I initially majored in English [because I was] interested in storytelling and communication. I even spent some time in seminary, where I developed a strong sense of purpose and leadership. Ultimately, I realized that I could combine my analytical skills and desire to help others by transitioning into accounting. Joining YHB provided the perfect platform to make a meaningful impact in the financial sector while leveraging my diverse background.

WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I love exploring new destinations with my family, whether it’s camping under the stars or discovering hidden gems in a bustling city. Running marathons keeps me energized and competitive, while a relaxing round of golf helps me unwind. I have a group of friends from college that still try to get together every few years and play at pretty amazing locations like Ireland.

ADVICE FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADUATES: Embrace the journey ahead with curiosity and an open heart. Remember, it’s not just about the destination but the experiences and lessons learned along the way. Stay resilient in the face of challenges, and don’t be afraid to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. Always lead with empathy and integrity, and never underestimate the power of kindness. As Ted Lasso says, “Be curious, not judgmental.”

DID YOU KNOW? In July, YHB’s Fredericksburg team moved to Maple Grove Drive, two miles from its previous office. The new digs offer the space to comfortably accommodate about 25 team members with room for future expansion. 

Virginia 500 Spotlight August 2024: MAGGIE REED

PERSONAL MOTTO: She believed she could, so she did.

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPIEST: I am happiest outdoors doing almost anything or curled up with a book and my dogs.

HOBBY/PASSION: I love to read and to learn — be it podcasts, audiobooks, physical books or life experiences.

HOW I CHOSE MY CAREER: I went to school to be an architect and found that construction gave me the freedom to run around and engage in things that used both my education and my proclivity to push for action and test boundaries in good measure. It’s been about saying yes and what’s the worst that can happen in the face of opportunities and seeing what choice you get to make next.

DID YOU KNOW? The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has selected Gilbane to manage construction of its $190 million renovation and expansion project, which includes the approximately 173,000-square-foot new James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Wing II and 45,000 square feet of renovations to the existing building.

Virginia 500 Spotlight July 2024: Michael Keegan

FIRST JOB: Installing gas lines into houses in New Jersey

TRAIT I ADMIRE: Empathy

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Not to complain. I was complaining recently to a friend about having to go to a speech by some “expert” on AI, only to learn later that my friend was the speaker. True story!

SOMETHING I’D NEVER DO AGAIN: Skydive

NEW LIFE EXPERIENCE: Getting closer to my dad since my mom passed away. It is amazing the things he has seen. I am a better listener today and really enjoy his stories.

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Arsenal

ONE THING I’D CHANGE ABOUT VIRGINIA: Virginia’s one-term governor policy. Regardless of what party you support, I think it can result in an inefficient government.

DID YOU KNOW? In 2021, TNS was acquired by a Koch Industries subsidiary, and in August 2022, TNS acquired Agnity Global. Then, in April 2023, TNS bought BornTec’s managed hosting and colocation business.

Virginia 500 Spotlight: ERIK H. NEIL

FIRST JOB: Busboy at Washington Golf & Country Club in Arlington

HOBBY/PASSION: Traveling, especially to Italy

HISTORIC PERSON I WISH I COULD MEET: [Chrysler Corp. founder] Walter Chrysler, who created this great collection and gave it to the people

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Princeton Tigers basketball

RECENT BOOK READ: “Stay True: A Memoir,” by Hua Hsu

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Trust, but verify.

SOMEWHERE I’D LIKE TO VISIT: Mexico City

WHAT SPARKED MY CAREER PATH: I visited the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C.

DID YOU KNOW?  Beatles legend Paul McCartney’s photography exhibit, “Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm,” made the second stop on its global world tour and its U.S. debut at the Chrysler from December 2023 through early April. The exhibition of about 250 photos taken by McCartney during the height of Beatlemania attracted about 60,000 visitors to the museum, some from as far as California. The next stops for “Eyes of the Storm” are New York’s Brooklyn Museum, then Tokyo and Portland, Oregon.   

Virginia 500 Spotlight: ANEESH CHOPRA

FIRST JOB: Bellhop at a Ramada Inn outside of Princeton, New Jersey

MOST VALUED POSSESSION: My wedding ring

HOW I UNWIND FROM WORK: Playing tag with the kids in the backyard

HOW I CHOSE MY CAREER: I was inspired by President Clinton to solve national problems through better use of technology.

HOW I BALANCE MY WORK AND PERSONAL LIVES: Not very well

TRAIT I MOST ADMIRE IN OTHERS: Empathy

SOMETHING I’D NEVER DO AGAIN: Misallocate time between work and family

ONE THING I’D CHANGE ABOUT VIRGINIA: Reaffirm its bipartisan commitment to running an effective, efficient government

DID YOU KNOW? From 2009 through 2012, Chopra served in the Obama administration as the federal government’s first chief technology officer. Prior to that, he was Virginia’s technology secretary from 2006 to 2009 under then-Gov. Tim Kaine. In 2014, Chopra co-founded CareJourney, an open-data analytics platform designed to help physicians and provider networks improve health care delivery at lower cost to Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Virginia 500 Spotlight: PAT DAVIS-HAGENS

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO ME: My very first head nurse, whom I quote to this day, Mary Grace Penney, instilled in me the value of patient-centeredness and teamwork, with high levels of accountability to your team and patients.

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPIEST: I love that I have been able to remain patient-focused throughout my entire career. Even today, I know I am making a difference in patient care. I also love that I have developed many leaders in this industry to be successful.

HOW I CHOSE MY CAREER: I wanted to be a teacher and a nun. Things changed in education, the Catholic church and in me. When I was a sophomore in high school, I was asked to be a nursing assistant at a skilled nursing facility.

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Boston Celtics

DID YOU KNOW? Davis-Hagens oversees nearly 5,000 employees as Bon Secours’ Hampton Roads market president. She grew up in Boston and was the first in her family to go to college, becoming a licensed practical nurse first before acquiring additional degrees, including an MBA from Plymouth State College. She chairs the American Heart Association Heart Walk Hampton Roads.

Virginia 500 Spotlight: VICTOR O. CARDWELL

PERSONAL MOTTO: Every day is a new opportunity to do something good and to help someone succeed.

FIRST JOB: I worked at a fast-food restaurant for about three days in high school. They wanted me to shave my baby-hair mustache, but my parents would not let me. They thought it was too soon for me to start shaving … and they were right!

MOST VALUED POSSESSION: My family and friends

HOW I UNWIND FROM WORK: I try to unwind with exercise and reading, but I am a work in progress.

SOMETHING I WOULD NEVER DO AGAIN: Take any day for granted. It is a beautiful world and ever-changing — let’s enjoy it.

DID YOU KNOW?  A former University of Virginia football player, Cardwell earned his law degree from Washington and Lee. He leads the state’s fifth largest law firm, which formed in 2022 with the merger of Vandeventer Black and Woods Rogers. Cardwell previously served as Woods Rogers’ chair and was the firm’s first Black partner. He served as president of the Virginia Bar Association in 2022.