Hanover plant shuttered again The Bear Island newsprint mill in Hanover County has been idled again, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The plant’s revival was the subject of a story in the March issue looking at economic development deals throughout Virginia last year.
In 2017, Connecticut-based White Birch Paper Co. said it would shut down the plant because of declining demand for newsprint.
The announcement sparked efforts to find a new owner for the plant, which employed 165 people and generated about $1 million in tax receipts.
Eventually, Canada-based Cascades Inc. emerged as a buyer with a $275 million plan to convert the plant’s production to linerboard and recycled paper products. But the changeover would require the facility to be closed for a time.
A solution appeared to have been achieved when the newsprint market revived briefly last year. White Birch decided to operate the mill for another 27 months under a contract with Cascades.
In announcing the latest shutdown in early March, White Birch said that in coming months it will turn over control of the plant to Cascades, which still plans to begin its production in 2021.
ODU president receives award The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) has named John R. Broderick, president of Old Dominion University, co-recipient of its 2019 President’s Award.
The University of California’s Janet Napolitano is the other recipient.
The award recognizes college or university presidents who have advanced the quality of student life on campus.
NASPA said Broderick, who has led ODU for more than 11 years, has been a champion for inclusiveness. He implemented a reorganization of the Office of Affirmative Action into the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, created the Office of Intercultural Relations and set up the President’s Task Force for Inclusive Excellence. The university also built a $20 million Student Success Center and Learning Commons.
In the March issue, Virginia Business looked at how ODU serves a diverse student body.
EASTERN VIRGINIA Christopher Newport University broke ground on its $57.6 million Fine Arts Center earlier this year. The new Fine Arts Center and band rehearsal hall will be an addition to the Ferguson Center for the Arts and will house the Peninsula Fine Arts Center, which plans to relocate when the building is finished. It also will include new studio spaces and offices for the school’s fine arts programs and a large rehearsal hall. Most of the building will match the rest of the campus’ brick buildings but with an added series of three staggered glass domes. (Daily Press)
Hampton Roads Connector Partners beat out two other bidders for the $3.3 billion design-build contract to build the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, the largest construction project in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s history. New York-based Dragados USA is the lead contractor for the joint venture, which also includes Nebraska-based HDR and England-based Mott MacDonald as the lead designers. Hampton Roads Connector Partners also includes Colorado-based Flatiron Constructors, France-based Vinci Construction and Dodin Campenon Bernard, a construction company also based in France. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion will add new, two-lane tunnels and widen parts of Interstate 64. Plans call for it to be completed by Nov. 1, 2025. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
Toano-based Lumber Liquidators, one of the largest flooring retailers in the country, has agreed to pay a $33 million penalty for misleading investors about formaldehyde-laced laminate flooring from China. The investigation and agreement with federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia stemmed from a 2015 “60 Minutes” investigation finding dangerous levels of formaldehyde in Lumber Liquidators’ laminate flooring. The company agreed to pay a $19 million criminal fine and $14 million in forfeiture. Under the deferred prosecution, the Justice Department will dismiss a charge of securities fraud in three years if Lumber Liquidators meets its obligations. (The Washington Post)
A former hardware store in Warsaw will soon house a craft brewery. Old Rappahannock Brewing Co. LLC is investing more than $1.2 million to open the first craft brewery in Richmond County. The company expects to hire 11 people. The brewery will be the first tenant in the 37,000-square-foot Jenkins Building, a former hardware store that’s almost vacant. The brewery will take up about 7,000 square feet in the building, which also will house new retail and restaurants. Gov. Ralph Northam approved a $50,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which Warsaw is matching with local funds. As part of the deal, the company will source more than 90 percent of its beer ingredients from Virginia. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
SHENANDOAH VALLEY
A public-private matching grant fund awarded $75,000 to groups in the Shenandoah Valley as part of the Marketing Leverage Program matching grant fund. Shenandoah County matched a handful of other groups for the largest grant funding, receiving $50,000 to promote its “This is our Rush Hour” digital marketing campaign, which focuses on the county’s scenic spots. The Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission also received $25,000 to improve the user experience for visitors planning their vacations. The Shenandoah Valley Music Festival received $5,000 to promote its Come Together! Campaign — focused on drawing families and special kids’ rates for festival tickets. (Northern Virginia Daily)
Edinburg-based Shenandoah Telecommunications Co. (Shentel) plans to purchase Big Sandy Broadband, a cable television, broadband internet and phone provider in eastern Kentucky’s Floyd and Johnson counties. The purchase price was not disclosed. Shentel said the deal will include all of Big Sandy’s assets along with current customers. Employees of Big Sandy have been offered jobs with Shentel. The Big Sandy system is adjacent to existing Shentel cable markets in West Virginia, and it is part of the Charleston, W.Va., television market. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
The Shenandoah Valley has been named a top emerging industrial market by Colliers International. The Shenandoah Valley was the only Virginia market included on its list of 10 Emerging U.S. Industrial Markets to Watch in 2019. Other markets included Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson in South Carolina; Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania; and Savannah, Ga. In addition to the ranking, Colliers included analyses of each market. According to the report, the Shenandoah Valley is a cheaper alternative to other markets but still close to ports, rail lines and labor markets. The Shenandoah Valley also has plenty of land available for development and is located near population centers such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore and the Ohio Valley. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
Winchester Station at 2400-2590 S. Pleasant Valley Road now has its leasing representation and commercial property management done by Cushman & Wakefield|Thalhimer. The Simpson Organization, a real estate investment firm based in Atlanta, picked Cushman & Wakefield|Thalhimer to manage the 182,816-square-foot shopping center. Tenants at Winchester Station include Old Navy, Ulta and Bed Bath & Beyond. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
Winchester-based Yount, Hyde and Barbour (YHB), a certified public accounting and consulting firm, has merged with Murray, Jonson, White & Associates Ltd. PC (MJW) in Falls Church. The 20 members of the MJW professional staff will be joining YHB, which employs 75 CPAs in Virginia. Scott Moulden, YHB’s managing partner, says the merger will allow the firm to expand its presence in the Washington, D.C., area while positioning staff to more easily serve existing clients in the region. The merger will make the Falls Church office YHB’s seventh location in Virginia. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Due to an increased need for nurses in the region, Emory & Henry College in Washington County has established its first-ever Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and is now enrolling students to start classes this fall. The majority of classes will be online, but some courses will be held at the Emory & Henry College School of Health Sciences in Marion and the Emory main campus. “Our purpose is to educate and prepare baccalaureate-level nurses to be professional leaders in health care in Southwest Virginia and surrounding areas,” said Saundra R. Farmer, the program’s director. (News release)
Hungry Mother State Park in Smyth County saw an increase of nearly $1 million in 2018 over the previous year in economic impact due to increased visitation. According to an economic impact report from the Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business, the economic activity stimulated by visitation to Virginia State Parks supported approximately 3,858 jobs in the state in 2018 and was responsible for roughly $133 million in wage and salary income. (SWVAToday.com)
A new business has opened in Wytheville to help people battling opioid addiction. Re- VIDA Recovery Center aims to help patients overcome addiction. The clinic is one of seven ReVIDA Recovery Centers to open recently in locations across Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee. ReVIDA is a comprehensive behavioral health-care company that incorporates medication-assisted treatment and works to empower patients to reclaim the life they had before addiction. ReVIDA will partner with various agencies to help patients, including health-care providers, social services, Family Preservation Services and law enforcement. (SWVAToday.com)
The Saltville Town Council adopted a resolution in support of applying for up to $600,000 through the Department of Housing and Community Development Industrial Redevelopment Fund to reopen the former GCS Telecommunications building as the Lifetime Wellness Center. If the funding is made available, the town wants to combine it with potential support from the Smyth County Community Foundation and town IDA funds to open the athletic facility. Saltville is able to apply for grants again after being prevented from doing so for a decade due to a federal audit of town payroll records, said Town Manager Brian Martin. (SWVAToday.com)
Planning for the fourth SWVA Economic Forum is underway to bring together the region’s economic developers, educators, business owners, nonprofits and others to envision ways to move Southwest Virginia forward. The forum is scheduled for May 15 in the David J. Prior Convocation Center on the campus of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise in Wise County. The SWVA Economic Forum has seen steady growth with almost 400 people in attendance last year. (News release)
ROANOKE/NEW RIVER VALLEY The Advancement Foundation, in partnership with Vinton, has secured a $200,000 grant to help low-to-moderate-income-applicants start small businesses or pursue homeownership. The grant money, which can be drawn down during the next three years, was awarded through a state-administered but federally funded Community Development Block Grant program. The money will be used to help people who live at 200 percent of the poverty level, or below it. (The Roanoke Times)
Dockless electric scooters are expected to make their debut in Roanoke this spring, according to Roanoke Director of Planning Chris Chittum. He said a company called Lime, one of the two largest e-scooter providers in the country, approached city officials in January. Chittum hopes to have the city’s permit process, associated fee and governing regulations approved and in place in April, which means Lime’s scooters could be on city streets a few weeks later. Chittum said the city would charge a $5,000 flat permit fee. (The Roanoke Times)
The town of Narrows in Giles County received $699,346 from Virginia’s portion of the federal Community Development Block Grant program to do several public infrastructure improvements, from parking lots to trails to property acquisition. The grant will also offer owners of downtown commercial buildings up to $15,000 for façade improvements, if they do an equal amount of other qualifying work on their properties. (The Roanoke Times)
The parent company of National Bank of Blacksburg in March repurchased a large amount of company stock, according to online market reports. Abbott Cooper, a bank shareholder and New York-based investor, said his research showed the bank bought about 483,000 shares at just below $40 per share for about $19 million. (The Roanoke Times)
Volvo Group advertised engineering jobs in the Salem area, describing the positions as “part of an exciting startup opportunity with the objective to start small and grow fast,” according to job descriptions posted to the company’s website. Volvo Group spokesman John Mies said the company is not building a factory in Salem. “We’re doing some work on a project related to future business needs, but we prefer not to comment further at this time,” Mies added via email. Salem is located 50 miles from the 3,000-employee Volvo Trucks plant in Pulaski County. (The Roanoke Times)
NORTHERN VIRGINIA Amazon.com Inc. hopes to hire all 25,000 employees locally for its second headquarters in Crystal City. Amazon expects to add these employees over 12 years with an average salary of $150,000. If Amazon delivers on the jobs, it is expected to see benefits from the state. Virginia has already approved workforce cash grants from the state of up to $550 million for creating the first 25,000 jobs, or $750 million for creating 37,850 jobs. (Washington Business Journal)
Comcast Corp. has acquired Arlington-based startup BluVector Inc. as part of an effort to grow the company’s existing cybersecurity business and collaborate on developing new technologies. Financial terms were not disclosed. BluVector, a spinout of Northrop Grumman, uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide cybersecurity protection to public and private customers. Northrop sold BluVector to Philadelphia-based private equity firm LLR Partners as it moved away from the commercial cyber business. (Washington Business Journal)
An affiliate of Comstock Holding Companies Inc., a Reston-based real estate development and services company, has acquired JBG Smith Properties’ Commerce Metro Center for $115 million. The sale extends the reach of Comstock’s Reston Station project across the Dulles Toll Road and expands its footprint by the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station to nearly 40 acres and 4.5 million square feet at full development. (Washington Business Journal)
Patrick O’Connell will receive The James Beard Foundation’s lifetime achievement award at the foundation’s annual awards gala on May 6. The James Beard awards are the food industry’s highest honor. O’Connell, 73, is the founder and chef at the Inn at Little Washington in Rappahannock County. The restaurant has grown to become a world-class dining destination, modeled after the grand inns found in remote villages throughout Europe. (The Washington Post)
McLean-based Logi Analytics Inc. has acquired Rockville, Md.-based Jinfonet Software, a provider of embedded operational reporting. The deal took place three months after Logi and Jinfonet tied for the top rating for embedded analytics in a ranking by Dresner Advisory Services. Jinfonet offers operational reporting capabilities, while Logi provides advanced dashboards, self-service analysis and predictive analytics. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
Virginia Partners Bank a fast-growing bank based in Fredericksburg, is expected to become an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of Maryland-based Delimar Bancorp through an exchange of shares in an all-stock transaction in the second quarter of 2019. Delmar Bancorp is the holding company for The Bank of Delmarva, which has its main office in Seaford, Del. (The Free Lance-Star)
CENTRAL VIRGINIA Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center in Chesterfield County has filed plans with the state to add 55 acute-care beds and build additional floors on top of its emergency department building and its inpatient-bed tower. The project, which would add approximately 110,000 square feet of space to the hospital, is estimated to cost $119 million. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
The CFA Institute has settled with the U.S. Department of Justice after a nearly two-year investigation found that its hiring practices violated the Immigration and Nationality Act. CFA, a nonprofit headquartered in Charlottesville, agreed to pay a $321,000 fine but does not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement agreement released in February. The Justice Department investigated whether CFA discriminated against U.S. workers when it hired temporary exam graders from outside the country. (The Daily Progress)
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors approved a provisional-use permit for specialty insurer Kinsale Capital Group Inc. to build a 150,000-square-foot, five-story headquarters and a parking garage. Kinsale’s $50 million project should be completed by the fall of 2020. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
The Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance had plenty to celebrate during its annual meeting in late February. “We are geared toward growth and success, and our passion for the region isn’t slowing down,” Alliance CEO Megan Lucas said to the 345 people in attendance. Past Chair Stefanie Prokity told members the alliance board worked to advance advocacy, communications, economic development, events, membership engagement and growth, leadership training and workforce development and overall operations in 2018. (News & Advance)
Electrical engineering and systems integration firm M.C. Dean has announced a $10 million expansion of its Caroline County operation that could create 60 jobs. For a decade, M.C. Dean has owned a 172-acre property with a 62,000-square-foot fabrication facility and about 200,000 square feet of warehouse space. The company has invested more than $1 million into site improvements in the last year. In June, the firm purchased an additional 146 acres. (Fredericksburg.com)
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System plans to build a $350 million inpatient children’s hospital in downtown Richmond adjacent to its outpatient Children’s Pavilion. The facility will include 86 licensed beds and six observation beds relocated from the health system’s main hospital, with the capacity to increase to about 125 beds. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
A new era for the Winton Country Club property in Amherst County was ushered in with the site’s sale to a Petersburg developer, Waukeshaw Development Inc., for $800,000. Waukeshaw plans to develop existing facilities with additions and renovations that will lead to a restaurant, a brewery and a hotel, according to Amherst County officials. (Amherst New Era-Progress)
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA
Danville now has a land-bank entity that will acquire derelict and tax-delinquent properties in the city for reuse. The Danville Neighborhood Development Corp. a relatively new nonprofit, will administer this program. Officials hope the organization will take land — whether through purchase or donation — and try to build new homes on it or find other uses for those properties. Danville City Council voted unanimously to designate the organization as the city’s land-bank entity. The decision came after lengthy discussion in which councilmen asked questions about the group’s role and whether the city would be permanently saddled with paying for it. (Danville Register & Bee)
Churches in Danville could see increases in electricity charges paired with a lower overall consumption rate, but those changes would not take effect until next year if they are approved. The Danville Utility Commission unanimously voted to recommend the adjustments during its meeting in late February. But the decision also included delaying the changes for a year so utilities staff could reach out to churches and give those organizations time to reduce usage and take advantage of energy efficiency incentives offered by the city. “This is not an easy issue,” Utility Commission Chairman William Donohue Jr. said during the meeting, adding that everyone needed to be spurred toward energy efficiency. Recommendation for the delay came after Fred Shanks, a city councilman serving as a non-voting commission member, asked that the changes be delayed until the next biennial rate study in two years. As a compromise, the commission voted for a delay of one year. If approved by Danville City Council, the changes would take effect July 1, 2020, instead of this coming July. (Danville Register & Bee)
Goodyear will lay off 60 hourly workers from its Danville manufacturing facility, the company confirmed in late February. Company spokeswoman Barbara Hatala wrote in an email: “The company continually adjusts staffing levels to operate as efficiently as possible so that we can best serve our customers by providing them with the quality tires they need, when and where they need them. This decision is part of that process.” (Danville Register & Bee)
The Halifax County Service Authority will seek to alleviate water shortages at Virginia International Raceway by drilling new wells there, a low-cost alternative to running water lines out to the Alton road racing course. HCSA board members agreed in February to seek a state planning grant to conduct a groundwater investigation around VIR to see if new wells can be the solution to the track’s ongoing water issues. The track is down to one working well due to contamination issues that have rendered other wells unusable. The study, which will require the services of a firm specializing in groundwater development and geology, will cost an estimated $55,000, with the hoped-for state grant covering $30,000 of that sum. Laying pipe from successful wells and connecting it to existing track infrastructure could cost anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000, according to Hurt & Proffitt, the engineering firm that is advising the HCSA on the matter. That’s significantly less than the estimated $3.8 million cost of laying water line infrastructure to VIR from Pittsylvania County and the city of Danville. (SoVaNow.com)
Despite the risk of thieves and the stigma concomitant with growing marijuana plants, interested people from across the nation, Canada and even the United Kingdom converged on the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research for a two-day conference on hemp’s industrial applications and cultivation in February. The conference was the second of its kind the institute has held. Kimley Blanks, co-founder of the Industrial Hemp Summit and agricultural marketing director and management assistant for Halifax County, said the event was hosted to bring all links on the supply chain together — connecting growers, processors, manufacturers and influencers — and informing them of a potentially lucrative opportunity for farmers in Southside Virginia and the whole country. The game changed for domestic hemp growers with the December passage of a federal farm bill that eased the prohibition on growing hemp in the United States, said Blake Butler, executive director of the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association. “Now it has really changed,” Butler said of the conference. “We have attendees from 18 states, the District of Columbia and two countries.” (Danville Register & Bee)
Since Stone Ambulance closed in September, Martinsville Fire & EMS has been looking at options to keep the public fully covered with emergency medical services. Now it may be up to city taxpayers to decide whether that commitment is worth a 2-cent increase in property-tax rates. The city for decades had operated two ambulances at a time, but during peak hours — 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Stone Ambulance handled extra calls. Stone did not charge for being available for that service — it kept the fees charged to the public — but ambulance companies that have bid to replace Stone will charge, city officials say. The only bid received so far has been for $389,820. (Martinsville Bulletin)
By a 5-4 vote in February, the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors took a key first step toward approval of the controversial “Ladybug” facility in the Bracey area, a 65-megawatt solar energy array proposed to be built on 1,100 acres near the intersection of Highway 903 and Red Lawn Road. The sharply divided board opted to override a recommendation by the county Planning Commission to reject the project on the grounds it is not consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan. The developer is Cypress Creek Renewables. (SoVaNow.com)
The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston had an economic impact of $66.1 million on the statewide economy in fiscal year 2018, according to a recent study. Of that amount, $57.9 million in economic impact occurred in Southern Virginia. The study, commissioned by SVHEC, was produced by Vincent Magnini at the Institute for Service Research. Magnini’s research showed that economic activity sustained by the SVHEC supported an estimated 481 full-time-equivalent jobs in the state and produced $23.3 million in labor income. SVHEC economic activity also contributed approximately $5.7 million in federal tax revenues and $3.6 million in state and local tax revenues. (The Gazette-Virginian)
With a donation to the Southern Virginia Higher Education Foundation, Microsoft Corp. has made an IT career in Southern Virginia more accessible. The Microsoft Datacenter Academy Scholars Program established by the software giant provides scholarship funds for individuals in underrepresented groups to pursue training through the SVHEC’s IT Academy. The Microsoft Datacenter Academy Scholars Program provides individuals from underrepresented populations with scholarships to fully fund their IT training — including foundational and advanced coursework. The program also provides opportunities for job shadowing and internships. (Work It, SoVa)
EASTERN VIRGINIA Nick Bishop has been named Skanska USA’s vice president of environmental, health and safety for its Southeast civil operations. He will be based in the Virginia Beach office. Bishop was EHS director for Skanska’s civil operation at the national level. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
Virginia Beach-based FinFit has hired Matthew Fahy as chief financial officer. Fahy was CFO and executive vice president of global services at AgilQuest. He will be responsible for leading FinFit’s finance strategy and overseeing the company’s financial operations. Founded in 2008, FinFit is a financial wellness benefit platform serving more than 125,000 clients. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
Pam Griffin was promoted to vice president of property management of The Dragas Cos. Griffin previously oversaw apartment management and leasing for the company. (News release)
SHENANDOAH VALLEY Bethany Nowviskie has been named dean of libraries at James Madison University in Harrisonburg. Nowviskie, who starts July 1, serves as distinguished fellow at the Council on Library and Information Resources and as a senior adviser to the Digital Library Federation. (News release)
Amy Snider was named assistant to Harrisonburg City Manager Eric Campbell. Her position with the city is a newly created one. Snider was the lead policy analyst for the DeKalb County (Ga.) Board of Commissioners. (Daily News-Record)
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA Sandy Huguenin, UVa-Wise provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, announced in February that he will be stepping down as chief academic officer because of health issues. He will remain provost until a replacement is found. After his successor is named, Huguenin will remain on the faculty of the History and Philosophy Department. (News release)
Alexandra “Alex” Veatch was recently named Marion’s deputy director of community and economic development. Her experience includes working in marketing and economic development for Heartwood Art Center, now the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, as well as the Abingdon Convention & Visitors Bureau. Most recently, she was the director of communications at Highlands Community Services. (SWVAToday.com)
ROANOKE/NEW RIVER VALLEY Jeff Lozowski has joined HomeTrust Bank as a vice president and retail market leader at the bank’s Roanoke office. Lozowski is responsible for training, developing and coaching staff members, leading six branches in the Roanoke Valley, strategic planning with several lines of business and managing action plans based on performance. Before joining HomeTrust Bank, he worked at Wells Fargo as a regional banking district manager and prior to that as a branch manager. (News Release)
Christine Rizzio has joined the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce staff as membership director. Rizzio’s duties include new members and membership retention. She owned and operated Cosmetic Studio and Day Spa for 21 years in Loudoun County before selling the business. (News Release)
NORTHERN VIRGINIA Dave Francis has been promoted to chief compliance and human resources officer at Fairfax-based Dewberry. Francis has directed human resources nationwide at Dewberry since 2008. Additionally, Jay Norton, Sean Reney and Brenda Tudge have been promoted to associate vice president at the company. Norton is the firm’s director of pricing. Reney is director of IT operations. Tudge serves as corporate director of benefits. (Orlando Business Journal and news release)
Reston-based Science Applications International Corp. has named Nathan G. Rogers chief information officer. Rogers held the same title at Engility, a Chantilly-based company that was acquired by SAIC earlier this year. He succeeds Bob Fecteau, who’s retiring in April. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
Miah Stutts has been named chief financial officer of the HCA Virginia Health System’s Northern Virginia market. She will oversee operations at Reston Hospital Center, StoneSprings Hospital Center and Dominion Hospital. Stutts most recently was CFO for HCA’s Medical City Denton in Texas. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
CENTRAL VIRGINIA Edward A. Pesicka has been named president and CEO of health-care logistics company Owens & Minor Inc. He also joins the company’s board of directors. Pesicka was chief commercial officer and senior vice president of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Cody Phipps stepped down as Owens & Minor’s chairman, president and CEO in November. (VirginiaBusiness.com)
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA Tami M. Buttrey has joined Carter Bank & Trust in Martinsville as executive vice president, chief retail banking officer and director of delivery channel optimization. Buttrey has 30 years of banking leadership experience. She is a former SunTrust executive vice president of corporate retail strategies and head of the retail line of business in Tennessee and Alabama. (News release)
Dr. Kahlid Mojadidi and Dr. Indu Shivaram have joined the growing number of health-care providers at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill. Mojadidi, who specializes in cardiology, comes to South Hill from VCU in Richmond, where he is an assistant professor. Shivaram, who specializes in pulmonology and critical care, was an attending physician in pulmonary and critical care medicine in New York. (Independent-Messenger)
Moustafa Nassar has joined Danville Community College as the college’s new enrollment outreach specialist. He recently completed a year of service through the AmeriCorps VISTA program at Middle Border Forward in Danville, where he focused on marketing and recruitment. (News release)
Ferren Pannell has been named manager for the Center of Nursing Excellence at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. She was primary care assistant nurse manager at the Veterans Health Administration in Phoenix. (The Gazette-Virginian)
Dr. Luis Siliezar joined the pediatric practice at Centra Southside Medical Center in Farmville. Siliezar, a physician fellow in pediatric endocrinology, previously worked at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. (The Farmville Herald)
Chelsey White has been named program director of the Farmville Downtown Partnership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and environmental planning from the University of Virginia. (The Farmville Herald)
Adam B. Williamson has been named vice president at Townes Funeral Home in Danville. Williamson, a Danville native, is a graduate of Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science. He is a funeral service licensee in Virginia and North Carolina. (Danville Register & Bee)
Nancy Howell Agee, president and CEO, Carilion Clinic Inc., Roanoke Why she is influential: Agee heads the largest private employer west of Richmond, with 13,300 employees, including nearly 730 physicians. Carilion partnered with Virginia Tech in creating a medical school — now Tech’s ninth college — and a research institute. Agee is past board chair of the American Hospital Association and received the 2018 Gail L. Warden Leadership Excellence Award from the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. Modern Healthcare magazine has named her to its list of 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare three years in a row. Recent developments: The VTC Research Institute was renamed as the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC after receiving a $50 million commitment from the Fralin family. Carilion’s Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, meanwhile, plans to merge with Radford University. The school has about 1,150 students and 70 full-time faculty members.
Neil Amin, CEO, Shamin Hotels, Chester Why he is influential: Amin leads Shamin Hotels, the state’s largest hotel operator. Shamin owns 58 hotels and employs 3,000 people. Last year it invested more than $200 million in new properties, the majority of which were in Virginia. Amin also serves on half a dozen boards, including the state Treasury Board. Recent developments: Shamin has a slew of projects in the works. This year, it’s opening a Hampton Inn and Suites and Residence Inn in Henrico and Chesterfield counties, respectively. Next year it will introduce the state’s first Moxy in downtown Richmond. The Marriott-branded boutique hotel caters to millennials.
Robert A. Archer, chairman and CEO, Blue Ridge Beverage Co. Inc., Salem Why he is influential: Blue Ridge, a wholesale beverage distributor, operates five locations and employs more than 475 people. Archer chairs the governing boards of the Roanoke Valley Development Corp., LewisGale Medical Center and Center for Alcohol Policy. He also serves on the Roanoke Higher Education Center Foundation board and is vice rector at Radford University. Archer is a member of the Virginia Beer Wholesalers Association, Virginia Wine Wholesalers Association, Roanoke Business Council and Virginia War Memorial Foundation board. Recent developments: Last year, transition to a new leadership structure was completed to include, for the first time, a board member from outside the family. Also, construction of a 50,000-square-foot addition to the Salem facility (offices and warehouse) was essentially completed. This year’s plans include distribution models and structures designed to improve efficiencies and customer service.
John C. Asbury, president and CEO, Union Bankshares Corp., Richmond Why he is influential: Since Asbury joined Union in late 2016, the parent company of Union Bank & Trust has more than doubled in size, from $7 billion to $16.4 billion in total assets. The growth stems from the recent acquisitions of Richmond-based Xenith Bank and Reston-based Access Bank. Asbury serves on the boards of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Chamber RVA, Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges, Virginia Bankers Association and other industry groups. Recent developments: In February, Union closed the $500 million Access deal. “Strategically it was the last piece of the puzzle to complete my vision of creating a great, statewide Virginia bank,” Asbury says. The deal expands Union’s presence in Northern Virginia while bolstering its business banking capabilities. “My goal is to reposition Union from a traditional community bank to a full-service regional bank capable of competing head to head with the large national and super-regional banks that dominate Virginia,” the CEO says. The company plans to rebrand itself as Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp. this spring.
Robert Aston Jr., executive chairman, TowneBank, Portsmouth Why he is influential: Aston’s banking career spans more than 50 years. Since starting TowneBank 20 years ago, he has been an influential leader in his industry and the Hampton Roads community. In recent years, TowneBank has become a community-bank powerhouse, holding the largest market share in deposits in Hampton Roads. Recent developments: With total assets of $11.12 billion as of Sept. 30, TowneBank is one of the largest banks based in Virginia. This year, TowneBank will open offices in Greenville and Greensboro, N.C., expanding its network to 42 offices. TowneBank also has been a leader in promoting the social, cultural and economic growth of the communities it serves.
Gilbert T. Bland, chairman, The GilJoy Group, Virginia Beach Why he is influential: Bland has been a major Burger King franchisee since 1985, serving on national boards representing company franchisees and minority franchise holders. A former chairman of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Bland has served on many educational, health-care and civic boards. Currently, he is a board member at Sentara Healthcare, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Randolph-Macon College, Hampton Roads Community Foundation and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Additionally, he heads the Urban League of Hampton Roads and Healthy Neighborhood Enterprises, a community development organization. Recent developments: In early February, the Norfolk-based Eastern Virginia Medical School named Bland chair of a Community Advisory Group appointed to investigate how racist photos appeared in the school’s 1984 yearbook.
Jennifer Boykin, president, Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News Why she is influential: Boykin oversees the sole builder of the Navy’s nuclear aircraft carriers and one of only two providers of Navy nuclear submarines. She’s leading the shipyard as the Navy seeks to expand its fleet to 355 ships. Newport News Shipbuilding is the largest industrial employer in Virginia with roughly 24,000 employees. Boykin serves on several boards, including the Virginia Growth and Opportunity Board, a statewide initiative that seeks to promote economic development. She also is vice chair of Blueprint Virginia, the Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s plan to strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness. Recent developments: The Navy recently announced plans to buy two aircraft carriers together instead of separately. The move is expected to reduce the Navy’s costs and close the gap in production of warships. The Navy last purchased two aircraft carriers at once 30 years ago. “The multi-ship purchase of these aircraft carriers helps stabilize the Newport News Shipbuilding workforce, enables the purchase of material in quantity and permits a supplier base of more than 2,000 in 46 states to phase work more efficiently,” Boykin says. “This partnership is a win for all involved.”
Ramon W. Breeden Jr., president and CEO, The Breeden Co., Virginia Beach Why he is influential: Breeden leads one of the largest developers of multifamily properties in Virginia, with a portfolio of about 12,000 units. Breeden is a longtime donor to the SPCA and contributes to the purchase of ballistic vests for dogs in local police departments. He serves on the boards of the Virginia Beach Education Foundation, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance board. Recent developments: The Breeden Co. is building Allure at Jefferson, an $85.5 million Fredericksburg project being built in two phases that will include 450 apartments. The $30 million Pinewell Station in Norfolk includes 147 units.
Matt Calkins, founder and CEO, Appian, Reston Why he is influential: Calkins leads Appian, whose platform allows companies to write their own software by “drawing” rather than writing code. The technology is used all over the world by customers, including airports, pharmaceutical companies and the biggest banks. The federal government also has used the technology in areas including critical parts of the Affordable Care Act. “We’ve made it easy and affordable to create unique software; so companies around the world have been using us for some of the most important tasks,” Calkins says. He serves on the boards of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Sorensen Institute and the Virginia Public Access Project. Fun fact: he has authored three board games and is regularly a top finisher at the World Boardgaming Championships. Recent developments: Later this year, Appian will move its headquarters from Reston to the former Gannett headquarters in Tysons. The building, which features the firm’s logo, is being renovated to incorporate open space to promote collaboration. “We wanted a place that would say to the world what our ambitions are, to be a technology leader, and I think this space will do that,” says Calkins. The company also has options to occupy floors in additional buildings to accommodate the company’s rapid growth. As part of the investment, last year Gov. Ralph Northam approved $4 million in incentives to add hundreds of employees over five years.
Teresa Carlson, vice president, worldwide public sector, Amazon Web Services, Herndon Why she is influential: Carlson founded AWS’ public-sector unit in 2010. The business serves government agencies, academic institutions and nonprofits. “We were a small and scrappy group with one goal: To provide public-sector customers with the same cutting-edge cloud technology that has driven innovation in the private sector — from fast-growing startups like Netflix and Lyft, to well-known enterprises,” says Carlson. AWS has several thousand employees in Northern Virginia, the majority of whom are in Herndon. Carlson’s community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. Recent developments: Last year, AWS and Northern Virginia Community College launched an associate degree program specializing in cloud computing. The program aligns with the skills and credentials needed by AWS and other employers providing cloud-based services. In June, Carlson’s team once again will host its annual cloud-computing summit in Washington, D.C., which is expected to draw 12,000 people. The event teaches participants how to use the cloud to achieve their business goals, but it also leaves room for fun. “Years ago, I began hosting workouts at all our major AWS events,” Carlson says. “We’ll transform a hotel ballroom into a gym studio and bring instructors to lead a workout for our customers and employees. Even though the classes are early in the morning, the room is always packed.”
Steve Case, chairman and CEO, Revolution LLC, Washington, D.C. Why he is influential: Case co-founded America Online in 1985. In 2000, he negotiated AOL’s merger with Time Warner. Case co-founded Revolution LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm, in 2005. A resident of Warrenton, Case and his wife, Jean, own Early Mountain Vineyards in Madison County. Case is a member of the Smithsonian Institution’s Board of Regents. He co-founded and is chairman of the Case Foundation. Recent developments: Revolution’s $150 million Rise of the Rest Seed Fund has invested in startups — including two Virginia companies, Rize and UbiquitiLink. High-profile names like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos are investors involved with the fund. Revolution Growth led a $22.5 million investment round for Richmond-based TemperPack.
C. Daniel Clemente, chairman and CEO, Clemente Development Co., Tysons Why he is influential: Clemente’s company has been behind major projects in Northern Virginia. He also serves on the board of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, which was instrumental in landing Amazon’s HQ2. Recent developments: The company is working on a 3-million-square-foot project that Clemente says will help transform Tysons. Plans for the View include residential buildings, a hotel with condos, a performing arts center and multiple office buildings, including a 600-foot tower that would be the tallest building between Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C. “We’re trying to create a skyline at Tysons,” says Clemente. “We want to give tourists a reason to come and visit.” He also is proposing building 1,400 units of what he calls “workforce housing” so people such as secretaries can afford to live in the area.
Dennis R. Cronk, president and CEO, Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group, Roanoke Why he is influential: Cronk heads one of the largest commercial real estate firms in the Roanoke region. The company’s total transactions grew by 20 percent last year, he says. Cronk and his wife, Elaine, support programs such as the Junior Golf Foundation, Boys & Girls Club and the Roanoke College Endowment Fund. Recent developments: Poe & Cronk handled the $6.5 million sale of the former R.R. Donnelley & Sons building in Roanoke County and the $3.5 million sale of the former DISH Network operations center in Montgomery County. The company handles leasing for Roanoke’s Wells Fargo Tower, which has reached 100 percent occupancy.
Ben J. Davenport Jr., chairman, First Piedmont Corp. and Davenport Energy, Chatham Why he is influential: Davenport continues to be a statewide voice for economic development in rural Virginia. He is vice chairman of the board of GO Virginia, a state-funded initiative that fosters regional collaboration for new projects. He also serves on the boards of Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp., the Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville. Recent developments: He and his wife continue to support early childhood development projects.
Tad Deriso, president and CEO, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp., South Boston Why he is influential: Working with Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, Virginia Tech, and business and political leaders, Deriso developed the business plan to create MBC, a nonprofit entity that would build an advanced fiber-optic network to help improve Southern Virginia’s economic development. Deriso executed the plan, which resulted in more than $100 million in infrastructure funding from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and the U.S. Department of Commerce. MBC has seen tremendous development during the past 15 years — building and operating a 1,900-mile network that covers 33 counties and creating a business model that reinvests revenues in economic and community development initiatives. To date, MBC’s direct economic impact has resulted in more than $2.6 billion in private-sector investment and 1,200 jobs while helping to enable broadband access to more than 100,000 Southern Virginia homes and businesses. Deriso serves on the board of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Recent developments: Last year, Deriso helped orchestrate a partnership with Microsoft to launch its TechSpark initiative in Virginia. TechSpark is aimed at fostering greater economic opportunity and job creation through partnership with rural communities. Microsoft will invest in programs with MBC and local partners to enhance digital skills, career pathways and computer science learning opportunities.
Lynne Doughtie, chairman and CEO, KPMG U.S., New York Why she is influential: The Powhatan County resident leads 32,000 employees as head of the U.S. operations of one of the world’s top professional-services firms. Doughtie continues to cultivate the corporate culture at KPMG, which consistently is ranked by Fortune as one of the nation’s Best Companies to Work For. She serves on many boards, including Catalyst, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, National Academy Foundation and LUNGevity. She also is on two advisory boards at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. The Tech alum has been on Fortune’s list of Most Powerful Women for several years. Recent developments: Doughtie continues to drive innovation at KPMG. The firm is making acquisitions and developing its portfolio of alliance partners. A new alliance with Google Cloud and the expansion of alliances with IBM Watson and Microsoft are just a few recent examples. In 2018, Doughtie was named to Glassdoor’s list of top CEOs.
William B. “Bill” Downey, president and CEO, Riverside Health System, Newport News Why he is influential: In 2012, Downey became CEO of Riverside Health System, a health system based in Newport News. Downey is a board member of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Inc., Virginia Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, Virginia Symphony, Towne Bank-Peninsula and Premier Inc. He is past chairman and a current member of the Greater Peninsula NOW and Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. Riverside Health System provides the health clinics for two locations in Newport News of An Achievable Dream Academy and donates money and services to local free clinics. Recent developments: Riverside has undergone a number of renovations and expansions during the past year. Its largest facility, Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, finished a $90 million expansion that added more private rooms. Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester recently completed a $50 million renovation and expansion. Riverside’s Patriot Colony, a 55-plus continuing-care retirement community, completed a $35 million expansion. Riverside also continues to expand and upgrade its electronic health record system. Downey says the health system also focuses on keeping up with consumer demands.
James W. Dyke Jr., senior adviser, Virginia State Government Relations, McGuireWoods Consulting, Tysons Why he is influential: Dyke has been appointed to a board or commission by every Virginia governor since Chuck Robb’s administration, which began in 1982. Gov. Ralph Northam named him to the Norfolk State University board of visitors. Recent developments: Dyke is a member of the executive committee for the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative and is a committee member of the Virginia Research Investment Fund. The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia gave its Community Service Award to Dyke and his wife, Ellen, in recognition of their leadership and philanthropy.
Ric Edelman, chairman, financial education and client experience, Edelman Financial Engines, Fairfax Why he is influential: Edelman has become one of the most recognized faces in personal finance with a weekly radio show and podcast, TV series and many personal finance books to his name. The most recent, “The Squirrel Manifesto,” which he co-authored with his wife, Jean, is geared for children ages 4 to 8. The Edelmans support many charities and have pledged to spend up to $25 million to fund an Xprize competition to find ways to combat Alzheimers’ disease. Recent developments: The company Edelman and Jean founded merged last year with Financial Engines, which provides 401(k) services to companies that combined employ more than 10 million workers. That provides Edelman Financial with a wider audience for its personal finance education. “That will give us the ability to reach and impact millions of people more than we have been able to reach on [our] own,” Edelman says.
Richard Fairbank, founder, chairman and CEO, Capital One Financial Corp., Tysons Why he is influential: Fairbank has grown Capital One from a startup to become the 10th largest bank in the U.S., in terms of total assets. It’s also one of the biggest publicly traded companies in the nation, ranking No. 101 on the Fortune 500 list. Fairbank is one of the 100 best-performing CEOs in the world, according to the Harvard Business Review. Recent developments: The company has been expanding its Tysons headquarters campus. That includes the opening late last year of a 31-story tower, the tallest occupied structure in the Washington, D.C., area.
Thomas Farrell, chairman, CEO and president, Dominion Energy, Richmond Why he is influential: Farrell holds the reins at the state’s largest utility, which also is one of Virginia’s most powerful companies. Dominion’s financial contributions to politicians in the state have come under increasing scrutiny. Farrell is the presiding director of Altria Group Inc. and a member of the board of AEGIS, an insurance company. Recent developments: Dominion is one of four energy companies behind the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a 600-mile natural gas pipeline that’s facing pushback and legal challenges from activists. Separately, Farrell is one of the key players in a $1.4 billion redevelopment of a section of Richmond surrounding the Richmond Coliseum. City Council members continue to review the proposal, which has been endorsed by Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.
Heywood Fralin, chairman, Medical Facilities of America Inc., Roanoke Why he is influential: Fralin, a lifelong Roanoke resident, is a member and past chairman of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council. He serves on the boards of the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation, Taubman Museum of Art, GO Virginia and Virginia Research Investment Committee, which provides research funding to universities. Fralin is chairman of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Recent developments: Heywood and Cynthia Fralin and the Horace G. Fralin Charitable Trust donated a record $50 million to Virginia Tech to support research at the renamed Fralin Biomedical Research Institute in Roanoke.
Christopher E. French, chairman, president and CEO, Shenandoah Telecommunications Co. (Shentel), Edinburg Why he is influential: French has worked for more than 30 years at Shentel, a publicly traded wireless telephone provider. Last year, French joined the board of directors of USTelecom, a national trade association representing the broadband industry, and he continues to serve on its Leadership Committee. He also recently joined the board of directors of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. Recent developments: Last year, Shentel expanded its relationship with Sprint by adding additional service areas covering 1.1 million people. This latest expansion means Shentel will have authorization to serve more than 7 million people in the mid-Atlantic area as a Sprint PCS Affiliate.
Michael Friedlander, vice president for health sciences and technology at Virginia Tech and executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Roanoke Why he is influential: Friedlander is the founding director of Virginia Tech’s Roanoke-based biomedical research institute. Founded in 2010, the institute has received more than $125 million in federal research grants. It has more than two dozen teams studying addiction, cancer, neuroscience and other research areas. Recent developments: The Fralins, a prominent Roanoke family, are giving $50 million to the institute to attract and retain researchers. The gift is the largest single donation ever made to Virginia Tech. The research institute, located on the Virginia Tech Carilion Health Sciences and Technology campus, is undergoing a $90 million expansion.
Lou Haddad, president and CEO, Armada Hoffler Properties, Virginia Beach Why he is influential: Haddad heads one of the largest commercial real estate businesses in Virginia. The company has participated in more than 25 public-private partnerships in the region, including the Town Center of Virginia Beach. Haddad led the company’s initial public offering and transition to a publicly traded REIT in 2013. Since then, the company has tripled its equity market value to nearly $1 billion. The company’s holdings include 51 large-scale commercial assets. Its operations span across seven mid-Atlantic states. Recent developments: Haddad will be inducted into the Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame in March. The company supported The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore to fill the gap that Farm Fresh left when it exited the market. Last year it received the CoVaBIZ 2018 Community Impact Award.
Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Middleburg Why she is influential: Johnson operates three resorts in Florida and owns one in Northern Virginia — the 340-acre Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg. Her company is No. 21 among the nation’s 100 largest black-owned businesses, logging $210 million in revenue in 2017. She is the first African-American woman to become an owner or partner in three professional sports teams: the Washington Capitals (NHL), the Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA). Johnson also is co-founder of WE Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in women-led startups. She is the mastermind of the annual Middleburg Film Festival, which has drawn Hollywood stars such as Emma Stone and Meg Ryan. Recent developments: Salamander Resort & Spa recently received a Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, placing it among elite hotels and resorts around the world.
Steve Johnson, president and founder, Johnson Commercial Development, Bristol Why he is influential: Johnson is the developer behind a great deal of recent growth in the Tri-City area. The Virginia Tech alum developed The Pinnacle, a 250-acre retail complex in Bristol, Tenn., with more than a million square feet of space, including more than 70 stores and restaurants. Recent developments: Johnson plans to develop 300 acres adjacent to The Pinnacle on the Bristol, Va., side of the state line into an amphitheater, adventure park and indoor water park. He also serves on the board of the United Way of Bristol.
Howard Kern, president and CEO, Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk Why he is influential: Sentara, one of the five largest Virginia-based employers, has operations in three states, with 28,000 employees and net revenue of $6.3 billion. Last year, Forbes named Sentara one of “America’s Best Employers” and IBM Watson Health listed it among “Top 15 Health Systems.” A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Kern is involved with many organizations, including Future of Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads Business Roundtable, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, ReInvent Hampton Roads and Virginia Biosciences Health Research Corp. Recent developments: Sentara last year broke ground on a $93.5 million cancer center and tripled its support of Eastern Virginia Medical School with a 5-year, $130 million pledge. Additionally, Sentara and its health plan, Optima Health, donated nearly $6.3 million to nonprofits in Virginia and North Carolina addressing Medicaid expansion, access to care, behavioral health, opioid addiction and food insecurity.
Robert C. “Bob” Kettler, CEO and owner, Kettler, McLean Why he is influential: Kettler heads one of the country’s largest multifamily development companies. It has developed more than 20,000 multifamily units, 5 million square feet of commercial space, more than 46,000 homes in 25 master-planned communities and many of the region’s mixed-use communities. The company and its partner, The Meridian Group, are developing The Boro in Tysons Corner. The first phase features 2 million square feet of office, retail, entertainment and residential space. Recent developments: Kettler is now the office apartment management company of the Washington Capitals, Mystics and Wizards. It reached a multiyear agreement with Monumental Sports & Entertainment that calls for Kettler to sponsor the second level of the Capital One Arena.
Bobbie G. Kilberg, president and CEO, Northern Virginia Technology Council, Herndon Why she is influential: With 20 years of experience as its CEO, Kilberg has defined NVTC as the leading advocate for Northern Virginia’s technology community. She recently participated in a coalition highlighting the impact of the partial federal government shutdown on small technology businesses. Kilberg also participated in an industry working group under U.S. Sen. Mark Warner’s leadership to remedy the delays and backlogs in processing federal security clearances. She serves on the board of directors of Appian Corp. and the Northern Virginia Regional Council of GO Virginia. Recent Developments: Kilberg led the expansion of NVTC’s Tech Talent Initiative last year to help technology companies find employees. NVTC hosted the inaugural Tech 100 Awards in December, honoring the companies and individuals that are driving innovation and growth in the Greater Washington region.
Justin Knight, president and CEO, Apple Hospitality REIT Inc., Richmond Why he is influential: Apple Hospitality boasts one of the largest portfolios of upscale hotels in the country. The company owns 241 hotels in 34 states, the majority of which are Marriott and Hilton properties. Knight serves on several boards, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association, Marriott Owners Advisory Council and the Residence Inn Association Board. Locally, he’s on the boards of Southern Virginia University, The Valentine Museum and Venture Richmond. Recent developments: Apple Hospitality recently acquired its first Hyatt-branded hotel, a Hyatt Place in Jacksonville, Fla. The 127-room property was purchased for $15.4 million from a subsidiary of BPR Properties.
John R. Lawson II, executive chairman, W.M. Jordan Co., Newport News Why he is influential: The 2018 Virginia Business Person of the Year leads W.M. Jordan Co., a general contractor behind many iconic projects around the state. Lawson serves on 15 corporate, civic and philanthropic boards, including the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters and the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Recent developments: Following a thorough succession plan, Lawson became executive chairman of the company last year after serving as CEO since 1986. An ongoing endeavor includes Tech Center, a mixed-use development in his hometown. Lawson already has invested $250 million in the project, which he hopes will help adjacent Jefferson Lab win a $1 billion electron ion collider that is expected to make a $4 million economic impact.
Vincent J. Mastracco Jr., member and co-chair of the Real Estate Strategies Group, Kaufman & Canoles, Norfolk Why he is influential: Mastracco is chair of the board of directors of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). He praises the VEDP staff — including President and CEO Stephen Moret — for their role in landing Amazon’s second headquarters, HQ2. Mastracco’s community involvement includes serving on the boards of the Sentara Foundation, Hampton Roads Community Foundation, Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation and Virginia Wesleyan University. Recent developments: Mastracco has been helping localities throughout Virginia prepare more “shovel-ready” economic development sites. These are buildings and plots of land that have been connected to utilities and properly zoned so that a business prospect can set up quickly and begin production.
Terri McClements, managing partner, mid-Atlantic, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), McLean Why she is influential: McClements leads 4,000 PwC employees in Northern Virginia; Richmond; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore; Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa. The company is one of the largest accounting firms in the world. Recent developments: PwC has launched an effort to help workers improve their digital skills. McClements is leading the program regionally. Amazon’s plans to locate its second headquarters in Arlington County will create additional demand for technology skills. “It’s great that we embarked on this digital upskilling journey prior to [Amazon’s announcement] as tech skills will become an even more important element to retaining talent,” the company said in a statement.
Mark H. Merrill, president and CEO, Valley Health System, Winchester Why he is influential: The largest nonprofit employer in its region, Valley Health has a yearly economic impact of more than $1.24 billion. Merrill, who chairs the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association, was recognized by the American Hospital Association for his role in advocating for Medicaid expansion. He has overseen a wide array of construction and renovation projects at Valley Health’s hospitals and outpatient sites. Recent developments: Winchester Medical Center (WMC) has been named a Center of Excellence in Cardiovascular Care by the American Heart Association and a Magnet in Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The center also honored Valley Health’s Warren Memorial Hospital with the Pathways to Excellence in Nursing designation.
Tony Moraco, CEO, SAIC, Reston Why he is influential: Moraco leads SAIC, now the second-largest U.S. government technology integrator. The company was created in 2013 when it was spun off from Leidos. Moraco is a board member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA). Recent developments: Earlier this year SAIC closed on its all-stock, $2.5 billion acquisition of Chantilly-based Engility Holdings Inc., which became a wholly owned subsidiary of SAIC. The company, which expects to have annual revenues of $6.5 billion after the merger, now has a total of 23,000 employees.
Stephen Moret, president and CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Richmond Why he is influential: In a word? Amazon. As the top official at the state’s economic development authority, Moret was the lead negotiator in getting Amazon to pick Virginia for half of the company’s East Coast headquarters. (The other half was supposed to go to New York City, which ultimately pulled out of the planned investment following political opposition.) Amazon has pledged to create 25,000 high-paying jobs over 12 years in Virginia in exchange for $550 million in direct subsidies from the state, along with major public investments in transportation improvements that would benefit Amazon’s operations in Arlington. Moret is a board member of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, Virginia Economic Developers Association, Virginia Port Authority and the LSU Foundation national board of directors. Recent developments: Moret is working with state leaders to implement a statewide tech-talent pipeline initiative designed to more than double the number of annual graduates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in computer science and related fields. The initiative is aimed at supporting the growth of Amazon’s headquarters operations in Arlington as well as tech companies around Virginia. VEDP is working with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) to create a workforce recruitment and training program that will benefit growth in smaller metro areas and rural communities. VEDP also continues to work with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce to help the state regain its position as the country’s best state for business.
Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Tysons Why he is influential: Nassetta has led Hilton for more than a decade. He is chairman of the board of the World Travel & Tourism Council and a board member of CoStar Group Inc. and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. He also is vice chair of the corporate fund for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Recent developments: Hilton says last year it opened more than one hotel each day and added more than 450 properties to its global portfolio. The company added the brands Motto by Hilton and LXR Hotels & Resorts to its offerings. Hilton was ranked by Fortune magazine as No. 1 on its list of 100 Best Companies to Work For.
Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO, General Dynamics, Falls Church Why she is influential: Since 2013, Novakovic has led General Dynamics, Virginia’s largest defense contractor, which builds Navy submarines, destroyers and other ships; tanks and land vehicles; electronics for the Defense Department; and business jets. The company employs more than 13,000 workers in Virginia. Novakovic serves on several boards, including the Greater Washington Partnership, and is chairman of Ford’s Theatre and the Association of the U.S. Army. Recent developments: General Dynamics won a bidding war to acquire CSRA for $9.6 billion in cash. This fall the company’s moving its corporate headquarters from Falls Church to a new building in Reston.
Connie Nyholm, majority owner and CEO, Virginia International Raceway, Alton Why she is influential: Nyholm transformed an abandoned track into a regional economic player that draws 300,000 visitors each year. VIR and associated businesses at the raceway’s industrial park employ more than 400 people. Nyholm is president of the Road Racing Industry Council and is on the boards for the Institute for Advanced Learning & Research and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Recent developments: In October, VIR will host the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. The SCCA sanctioned the first race at VIR and again in March 2000 when Harvey Siegel and Nyholm reopened the track. Halifax County is exploring how best to provide water to the track after dealing with issues with the wells VIR uses.
Jon M. Peterson, CEO, Peterson Cos., Fairfax Why he is influential: As head of one of the major developers in Northern Virginia, Peterson continues to expand the company’s reach to include data centers. The company sold more than 300 acres to Microsoft at its Compass Creek development in the Leesburg area and has 120 acres in Prince William County positioned for technology-focused users. Peterson has served as chairman of the board of visitors at George Mason University and as a member of the board of trustees at Inova Health System. Recent developments: Peterson has entered the self-storage business, opening his first storage site at Commonwealth Center in Loudoun. A second storage site is under construction in Prince William, and two more are on the way. The company’s Haven condominium development at National Harbor tied for the fastest-selling in the Washington, D.C., area with more than 50 percent of the units being sold in 11 months.
Mike Petters, president and CEO, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Why he is influential: Huntington Ingalls Industries, which includes Newport News Shipbuilding, is the largest military shipbuilding company in the nation. Petters sits on numerous boards and committees, including the Virginia Business Council and the state Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates. Since 2016, he has reduced his base salary to $1 to fund a scholarship program for children and dependents of HII employees. More than $1 million in scholarships has been awarded through the program. Recent developments: Divisions of HII and Texas-based Kellogg Brown and Root have been granted a contract to establish and manage Australia’s new Naval Shipbuilding College, which seeks to develop the country’s naval shipbuilding workforce.
Gary Philbin, president and CEO, Dollar Tree, Chesapeake Why he is influential: Philbin joined Dollar Tree in 2001. Since then, he’s held several executive roles, including president and chief operating officer of Family Dollar after Dollar Tree bought that retail chain in 2015 for $8.5 billion. He became president and CEO of Dollar Tree in September 2017. The discount retailer operates more than 15,100 stores in 48 states and five Canadian provinces. Recent developments: Dollar Tree recently moved into its new 12-story, 510,000-square-foot headquarters building that is visible from Interstate 64. The company announced last year it would integrate all of Family Dollar’s organization and support functions at its new headquarters, bringing 700 jobs from North Carolina. Consolidation is expected to be complete later this year. The headquarters is part of Summit Pointe, a $300 million mixed-use development, which eventually will have residential, retail and additional office space. Construction began on the second phase this year. In January, the company was put on the defensive when activist investor Starboard Value LP suggested the company sell Family Dollar, where sales mostly have been flat. Dollar Tree is currently renovating many of the Family Dollar stores. The company expects Family Dollar’s performance to improve as it renovates more stores and finishes consolidation at its Chesapeake headquarters. Dollar Tree has renovated more than 850 Family Dollar stores and plans to renovate another 1,000 in fiscal 2019.
John Reinhart, CEO and executive director, Virginia Port Authority, Norfolk Why he is influential: Reinhart heads the Port of Virginia, the third-largest container port on the East Coast. He serves on multiple state and regional boards, including the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission. Recent developments: The state agreed to pay $350 million to deepen and widen the port’s channels to 55 feet to accommodate the growth of container vessels. Preliminary engineering and design began last summer. The port also is involved in major expansion projects at its two largest container terminals that will increase its overall capacity by 40 percent.
Buddy Rizer, executive director, economic development, Loudoun County Why he is influential: Loudoun continues to attract billions of dollars of new commercial investment each year, in large part because of a thriving infrastructure for the data centers created under Rizer’s watch. More than 70 percent of all internet traffic passes through Ashburn. Already the world’s No. 1 data-center market, Loudoun has attracted significant new investment from Discovery Communications, Collins Aerospace, L3 Harris Technologies, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency and others. Recent developments: Again last year, Rizer was named a “Tech Titan” by Washingtonian magazine. He is a member of the board of directors of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and Northern Virginia Community College Foundation. During his five years as head of economic development, the county has attracted more than $13 billion in investment. Loudoun will have three new Metro developments breaking ground in 2020.
Steven C. Smith, president and CEO, Food City, Abingdon Why he is influential: Smith leads Food City Stores, a grocery chain with 131 stores throughout Southwest Virginia, Southeast Kentucky, East Tennessee and North Georgia. He serves on the boards of GO Virginia, the Food Marketing Institute and TOPCO Associates LLC. Recent developments: The company is building what will become its flagship store in The Meadows, a 70-acre commercial center the company is developing, with 40 acres reserved for a sports complex. The surrounding retail space is 90 percent leased. The company also is opening seven new stores this year and recently renewed its title sponsorship of the NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Bruce L. Thompson, CEO, Gold Key | PHR, Virginia Beach Why he is influential: One of the leading hotel developers in Virginia, Thompson continues to acquire property throughout the mid-Atlantic for hotel and entertainment sites. The company has approximately 2,200 employees. That number will increase later this year with the opening of the $125 million Marriott Oceanfront and the Cavalier Beach Club in Virginia Beach. Thompson last year reopened The Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach, which houses the Tarnished Truth Distilling Co. The distillery’s Old Cavalier bourbon is now on the shelves of ABC stores in Virginia. “Hopefully we will be exporting it before too long,” Thompson says. Recent developments: Thompson co-chaired the Tourism and Recreation Cluster Committee of the GO Virginia regional council for Hampton Roads. It is leading the effort to rebrand Hampton Roads and market the region as a vacation destination. The goal is to put the area in a “regional competitive position in a global tourism market.” He is building 40 condos on the oceanfront that will be ready for sale later this year.
Warren Thompson, founder, president and chairman, Thompson Hospitality, Reston Why he is influential: Thompson runs one of the largest black-owned companies in the country. Thompson Hospitality ranked No. 9 on Black Enterprise’s most recent list of African-American businesses. The company has 5,500 employees and had $760 million in revenue last year. Thompson is an avid philanthropist. Last year, he became a member of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business’ Principal Donors Society, which recognizes people who have given $1 million or more to the school in their lifetime. He is a Darden graduate. Recent developments: Thompson Hospitality is building a 138-room Homewood Suites in Reston next to its headquarters. The property will employ 60 people and have a training kitchen for new chefs entering the Thompson Hospitality Food Group.
Kathy Warden, president and CEO, Northrop Grumman Corp., Falls Church Why she is influential: Warden took the helm of the Falls Church-based defense contractor in January, becoming the first female to lead the company. Now four of the country’s largest defense contractors are led by women. Warden chairs the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s board of directors and is a member of the Wolf Trap Foundation’s board and the board of visitors at James Madison University, her alma mater. Recent developments: Warden, who has worked for the company since 2008, most recently was president and chief operating officer. In that role she led the integration of Dulles-based Orbital ATK, which the company acquired for $7.8 billion last year. Since then, annual revenues increased last year to $31 billion.
Howard A. Willard III, chairman and CEO, Altria Group Inc., Richmond Why he is influential: Willard became chairman and CEO of Altria last year after serving as the tobacco giant’s chief operating officer. He also has been chief financial officer and executive vice president of strategy and business development at Altria. Willard has worked at the company for more than 25 years. Before coming to Altria, he worked at Bain & Co., a global management consulting firm, and Salomon Brothers Inc., an investment bank. Willard is a signatory to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge. Recent developments: Last year, Altria announced it was taking a 45 percent stake in Cronos Group, a Toronto-based cannabis company. The $1.8 billion investment was seen as another indication of the cannabis industry’s growing potential. In another move to diversify its business, Altria last year also announced a $12.8 billion investment in the nation’s fast-growing electronic cigarette company Juul Labs Inc. (See story) Last year also saw the FDA ramp up efforts to curb teen-use of electronic cigarettes.
Thomas Barkin, president and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
In taking the Richmond Fed job last year, Barkin immediately became a voting member of the rate-making Federal Open Market Committee. The committee raised interest rates four times during 2018, drawing the ire of President Donald Trump. At its January meeting, however, the FOMC said it would put further rate increases on hold temporarily. Barkin will become a voting member again in 2021.
Brendan Bechtel, chairman and CEO, Bechtel Group Inc., Reston
Bechtel has led the 120-year-old global construction firm since 2016. Last year he moved its headquarters from San Francisco to Reston, which had served as the home of its operational headquarters for several years. The move added 200 jobs to the Reston office.
Michael Bor, CEO, CarLotz, Richmond
Since opening in 2011, CarLotz, a used-vehicle consignment business, has expanded to eight locations in three states. Last year, the company opened stores in Tampa, San Antonio and Chicago. For a flat fee, CarLotz prepares vehicles for sale, markets them nationwide and negotiates deals on the sellers’ behalf.
Dr. L.D. Britt, surgery chairman, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk
Suffolk last year honored Britt, who is from the city, with a plaque on its health and human services building. A member of the National Academy of Sciences, Britt is the project leader of a $2.5 million national study on health disparities in surgery patients.
Kristen Cavallo, CEO, The Martin Agency, Richmond
Cavallo is the first woman to lead the Richmond-based advertising agency. She took over in late 2017 after sexual harassment claims against a former agency executive became public. During Cavallo’s tenure, the agency has doubled the number of female leaders on its executive committee and hired a chief culture officer, whose tasks include promoting diversity and inclusion.
Kimberly Christner, president and CEO, Cornerstone Hospitality, Williamsburg
Christner has made a name for herself by developing boutique hotels in small towns and midsize cities with the aim of promoting their economic development. Christner’s projects include The Western Front Hotel in St. Paul, which opened last year. This August, she plans to open the Sessions Hotel in Bristol.
Mac Curtis, president and CEO, Perspecta, Chantilly
Curtis leads a $4.2 billion IT government contractor. Perspecta was formed last year from the spinoff of DXC Technology’s public-sector unit and a merger with KeyPoint Government Solutions and Vencore Holding Corp. Curtis previously led Vencore. He serves on the boards of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the Military Bowl.
J. Morgan Davis, president and CEO, TowneBank, Portsmouth
Davis last year was named CEO of TowneBank, one of Virginia’s biggest and fastest-growing community banks. The bank holds the largest share of deposits among banks serving Hampton Roads. Davis previously was president and CEO of Towne Financial Services and president of TowneBank of Virginia Beach.
Paul and Ryan Elswick, co-founders and owners, Sunset Digital, Duffield
Sunset Digital provides Internet and phone services in rural areas. The company serves Southern and Southwest Virginia and parts of Tennessee. In August, the Elswicks’ company finally acquired Bristol’s OptiNet fiber-optic network in Southwest Virginia for $50 million, a deal that was more than two years in the making.
Shane Emmett, co-founder and CEO, Health Warrior Inc., Richmond
Health Warrior, a maker of nutrition bars, was acquired last year by the giant snack-food and soda company PepsiCo. The deal was the first investment for PepsiCo’s HIVE, an entity focused on emerging, smaller brands. Health Warrior kept its management and its Scott’s Addition headquarters. Founded by Emmett and two college friends in 2010, the company’s primary products are chia seed-based bars.
Joe Fluet, founder, chairman and CEO, MAG Aerospace, Fairfax County
MAG Aerospace is a fast-growing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance services firm for federal, civilian and commercial customers around the world. The company operates more than 200 manned and unmanned aircraft. The company moved its headquarters last year from Woodbridge to Fairfax and has completed several acquisitions in the past couple years.
Buddy Gadams, president, Marathon Development Group, Norfolk
Gadams’ company is known for rehabbing prominent buildings in Norfolk. A recent project included the $3 million straightening of “The Leaning Tower of Granby,” which Marathon is converting into apartments. Gadams also bought Bay Point Marina in Norfolk’s Ocean View neighborhood with plans to develop 17 beach-style cottages, an upgraded marina and a clubhouse with a pool.
Todd Haymore, managing director, Global Economic Development, Commerce & Government Relations Group, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Richmond
Haymore served three governors as a department head and cabinet member. As secretary of commerce and trade under Gov. Terry McAuliffe, he oversaw 13 state agencies, including the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Haymore now works for Virginia’s second-largest law firm.
Mark Hourigan, founder and CEO, Hourigan Group, Richmond
Hourigan, a real estate development and construction management company, is developing the Deepwater Industrial Park near the Richmond Marine Terminal. The company plans to create 1.5 million square feet of industrial space there. Hourigan’s construction arm is building Dominion Energy’s 20-story office tower in Richmond and the $40 million Explosive Ordnance Demolition Operations and Logistics Facility for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Virginia Beach.
J. Stephen Jones, president and CEO, Inova Health System, Falls Church
Jones became CEO of Inova last April after working as a high-ranking Cleveland Clinic official. He succeeded J. Knox Singleton, who had led Inova for decades. Inova has five hospitals with 16,000 employees. It is developing a 117-acre research campus, the Inova Center for Personalized Health.
J. Ryan Lingerfelt, principal, president and chief investment officer, Lingerfelt Commonwealth Partners, Henrico County
Lingerfelt oversees his real estate firm’s investment and deal structuring. In December, Lingerfelt Commonwealth Partners announced a $92.5 million hotel portfolio sale. With roots dating back to 1957, the company has built, acquired and managed nearly 20 million square feet of commercial real estate across in eastern U.S.
Mary McDuffie, president and CEO, Navy Federal Credit Union, Vienna
Navy Federal is the largest credit union in the world. McDuffie became its first female CEO earlier this year. The credit union has 8 million members and more than 17,000 employees. It was ranked No. 29 on Fortune’s latest list of 100 Best Companies to Work For.
Kevin Murphy, CEO, Ferguson Enterprises, Newport News
Murphy runs the North American subsidiary of Switzerland-based Ferguson plc. Ferguson Enterprises, which has 27,000 employees, distributes plumbing supplies, pipes, valves and fittings. The company is building a third headquarters building in Newport News. The $86 million, 260,000-square-foot building will house about 1,600 employees when completed next year.
Bruce Smith, developer and NFL Hall of Famer, Bruce Smith Enterprise, Virginia Beach
Smith has persistently raised concerns about how Virginia Beach does business with women and minorities. In February, Virginia Beach released a 500-page disparity study detailing steps the city could take to improve its business practices. The study recommended the city council set an annual goal of awarding 12 percent of its contracts to minority-owned businesses.
Maria Tedesco, president, Union Bank & Trust, Richmond
Tedesco is the first woman to serve as Union Bank & Trust’s president in its 116-year history. She previously was chief operating officer for retail at Chicago-based BMO Harris Bank. American Banker twice named her one of the most powerful women in banking. Following its acquisition of Reston-based Access National Bank, the bank announced plans to change its name in May to Atlantic Union Bank.
Joe Wilson, CEO, PermaTreat, Fredericksburg
Wilson sold PermaTreat in 2014 but still holds the title of CEO at the pest and termite control company, which serves 25,000 customers. Wilson and his wife last year donated $5 million to the Mary Washington Hospital Foundation and created a $1 million endowment at Virginia Tech to study ways to fight urban pests.
Jaffray Woodriff, co-founder and CEO, Quantitative Investment Management, Charlottesville
In January, the Quantitative Foundation, where Woodriff is a trustee, pledged a $120 million grant for the University of Virginia’s proposed School of Data Science. The donation represents the largest private gift in U.Va.’s history. It follows Quantitative Foundation’s pledge in 2014 for $10 million over six years to support U.Va.’s Data Science Institute.
1 Norfolk Southern announced in 2018 it would move its headquarters to Atlanta. Source: Fortune magazine
2 Advance Auto Parts is moving its headquarters to Raleigh, N.C. N/A: not applicable
3 Genworth Financial is moving forward with plans to be acquired by China’s Oceanwide Holdings Co. Ltd. The deal still requires regulatory approvals.
4 CSRA was acquired by General Dynamics in April 2018.
5 Orbital ATK was acquired by Northrop Grumman in June 2018.
6 Engility Holdings was acquired by SAIC in January 2019.
1 In millions of U.S. dollars for 2017 at the Port of Virginia.
Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce; Census Bureau; Virginia Maritime Association; Port of Virginia
Top 10 commodities by short tons
Exports1
Imports1
1
Mineral fuel, oil, etc.
35,518
Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery
964
2
Miscellaneous grain, seed, fruit
3,174
Salt; sulfur; earth; stone
869
3
Wood
2,744
Furniture and bedding
775
4
Woodpulp, etc.
1,734
Beverages, spirits and vinegar
680
5
Food waste; animal feed
1,622
Vehicles, not railway
633
6
Plastics
590
Plastics
488
7
Cereals
454
Stone, plaster, cement
478
8
Paper and paperboard
415
Mineral fuel, oil, etc.
463
9
Fertilizers
382
Electrical machinery
432
10
Organic chemicals
310
Iron and steel
431
1 In thousands of short tons for 2017 at the Port of Virginia. A short ton equals 2,000 pounds.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Virginia Maritime Association, Virginia Port Authority
Top 10 trading partners by value
Exports1
Imports1
1
China
$3,065
China
$11,193
2
Brazil
2,212
Germany
6,189
3
Belgium
1,947
India
2,845
4
United Kingdom
1,542
Italy
2,432
5
Germany
1,510
Japan
2,124
6
Netherlands
1,330
Malaysia
1,556
7
Japan
1,020
France
1,555
8
India
816
Vietnam
1,491
9
Spain
781
Brazil
1,434
10
Austria
685
United Kingdom
1,262
1 In millions of U.S. dollars for 2017 at the Port of Virginia.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce; Census Bureau; Virginia Maritime Association; Port of Virginia
Top 10 trading partners by total cargo
Exports1
Imports1
1
China
5,505
China
2,774
2
Brazil
4,816
Germany
1,138
3
India
3,978
India
815
4
Italy
2,996
Brazil
730
5
United Kingdom
2,764
Italy
529
6
Ukraine
2,644
Vietnam
386
7
Netherlands
2,568
France
372
8
Morocco
2,278
Turkey
358
9
Japan
2,223
Spain
316
10
Turkey
1,976
Netherlands
236
1 In thousands of short tons for 2017 at the Port of Virginia. A short ton is equal to 2,000 pounds.
Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Virginia Maritime Association, Virginia Port Authority
Top 10 U.S. East Coast container ports
Port
TEUs1
Market share
1
New York/New Jersey
6,710,817
32.3%
2
Savannah, Ga.
4,046,216
19.5
3
Virginia
2,841,020
13.7
4
Charleston, S.C.
2,177,557
10.5
5
Jacksonville, Fla.
1,107,551
5.3
6
Port Everglades, Fla.
1,068,335
5.1
7
Miami
1,047,304
5.0
8
Baltimore
962,484
4.6
9
Philadelphia
545,408
2.6
10
Wilmington, N.C.
259,819
1.3
1 TEU: 20-foot equivalent unit
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce; Census Bureau; Virginia Maritime Association;
American Association of Port Authorities
Total cargo by trade lane
Exports1
Imports1
Africa
$1,854
$509
Asia, Northeast
5,300
14,542
Asia, Southeast
1,932
5,158
Caribbean
233
70
Central America
258
176
Europe, North
9,534
14,966
India & others
1,314
3,265
Mediterranean
1,808
4,663
Middle East
1,629
524
North America
18
27
Oceania
268
63
South America
2,850
2,061
1 Total cargo in millions of dollars at the Port of Virginia in 2017.
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce; Census Bureau; Virginia Maritime Association; Port of Virginia
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Sign In
Free Newsletter
The Bear Island newsprint mill in Hanover County has been idled again, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) has named John R. Broderick, president of Old Dominion University, co-recipient of its 2019 President’s Award.
Nancy Howell Agee, president and CEO, Carilion Clinic Inc., Roanoke
Neil Amin, CEO, Shamin Hotels, Chester
Robert A. Archer, chairman and CEO, Blue Ridge Beverage Co. Inc., Salem
John C. Asbury, president and CEO, Union Bankshares Corp., Richmond
Robert Aston Jr., executive chairman, TowneBank, Portsmouth
Gilbert T. Bland, chairman, The GilJoy Group, Virginia Beach
Jennifer Boykin, president, Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News
Ramon W. Breeden Jr., president and CEO, The Breeden Co., Virginia Beach
Matt Calkins, founder and CEO, Appian, Reston
Teresa Carlson, vice president, worldwide public sector, Amazon Web Services, Herndon
Steve Case, chairman and CEO, Revolution LLC, Washington, D.C.
C. Daniel Clemente, chairman and CEO, Clemente Development Co., Tysons
Dennis R. Cronk, president and CEO, Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group, Roanoke
Ben J. Davenport Jr., chairman, First Piedmont Corp. and Davenport Energy, Chatham 
Tad Deriso, president and CEO, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp., South Boston
Lynne Doughtie, chairman and CEO, KPMG U.S., New York
William B. “Bill” Downey, president and CEO, Riverside Health System, Newport News
James W. Dyke Jr., senior adviser, Virginia State Government Relations, McGuireWoods Consulting, Tysons
Ric Edelman, chairman, financial education and client experience, Edelman Financial Engines, Fairfax
Richard Fairbank, founder, chairman and CEO, Capital One Financial Corp., Tysons
Thomas Farrell, chairman, CEO and president, Dominion Energy, Richmond
Heywood Fralin, chairman, Medical Facilities of America Inc., Roanoke
Christopher E. French, chairman, president and CEO, Shenandoah Telecommunications Co. (Shentel), Edinburg
Michael Friedlander, vice president for health sciences and technology at Virginia Tech and executive director of the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Roanoke 
Lou Haddad, president and CEO, Armada Hoffler Properties, Virginia Beach 
Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Middleburg
Steve Johnson, president and founder, Johnson Commercial Development, Bristol 
Howard Kern, president and CEO, Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk
Robert C. “Bob” Kettler, CEO and owner, Kettler, McLean
Bobbie G. Kilberg, president and CEO, Northern Virginia Technology Council, Herndon
Justin Knight, president and CEO, Apple Hospitality REIT Inc., Richmond
John R. Lawson II, executive chairman, W.M. Jordan Co., Newport News
Vincent J. Mastracco Jr., member and co-chair of the Real Estate Strategies Group, Kaufman & Canoles, Norfolk
Terri McClements, managing partner, mid-Atlantic, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), McLean
Mark H. Merrill, president and CEO, Valley Health System, Winchester
Tony Moraco, CEO, SAIC, Reston
Stephen Moret, president and CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Richmond
Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Tysons
Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO, General Dynamics, Falls Church
Connie Nyholm, majority owner and CEO, Virginia International Raceway, Alton
Jon M. Peterson, CEO, Peterson Cos., Fairfax
Mike Petters, president and CEO, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News
Gary Philbin, president and CEO, Dollar Tree, Chesapeake
John Reinhart, CEO and executive director, Virginia Port Authority, Norfolk
Buddy Rizer, executive director, economic development, Loudoun County
Steven C. Smith, president and CEO, Food City, Abingdon
Bruce L. Thompson, CEO, Gold Key | PHR, Virginia Beach
Warren Thompson, founder, president and chairman, Thompson Hospitality, Reston
Kathy Warden, president and CEO, Northrop Grumman Corp., Falls Church
Howard A. Willard III, chairman and CEO, Altria Group Inc., Richmond