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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 […]
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 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 Spotlight: KERRY WOOLARD
FAVORITE FASHION ACCESSORY: A classic Chanel necklace. I wear mine to work or with a white T-shirt and a pair of jeans. It is such a classic way to look polished without being overdone or fussy. HOW I DEFINE SUCCESS: Doing something better today than we did it yesterday. Generally, just progress. I love to […]
Virginia 500 spotlight August 2025: CHARLES ‘CHUCK’ KUHN
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I am an avid outdoorsman. This passion for nature has shaped my interest in conserving land for future generations. WHAT I WAS LIKE IN HIGH SCHOOL: I’ve always liked to work, and this was true when I was a kid. In fact, I launched JK Moving from the basement of […]
Virginia 500 Spotlight: Tyrone Noel
MY ADVICE FOR NEW COLLEGE GRADS: Dream big. You can only reach your full potential if you stretch yourself. Also, embrace failure, and learn from it. A MOVIE THAT MADE AN IMPACT ON ME: “Moneyball.” Why? It takes courage to act. IF I HAD A TIME MACHINE, I’D MEET: Martin Luther King Jr. I’m [intrigued] […]
Virginia 500 Spotlight: CHRISTOPHER MOLIVADAS
What I like to do for fun: Time with family. My family is my biggest accomplishment. What I was like in high school: I was very well-rounded and involved in everything. What made me choose this career path? I am a very visual person and easily understand how things come together to create something. The […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
