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Hospitality | Tourism 2024: CLIFFORD B. ‘CLIFF’ FLEET
Fleet became the ninth president of the world’s largest living history museum in 2020. Prior to that, he was CEO and president of 22nd Century Group and, before that, president and CEO of Richmond-based tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris USA. He’s also an adjunct professor in William & Mary’s Raymond A. Mas[...]
Federal Contractors | Technology 2024: WILLIAM J. ‘BILL’ LYNN III
Following the completion of an all-stock merger with Israel-based radar company Rada Electronic Industries in November 2022, defense contractor Leonardo DRS went public, with Lynn ringing the closing bell at the Nasdaq. Leonardo DRS’ parent company, Italian defense contractor Leonardo SpA, retains 80.5% ownership of the $3[...]
Manufacturing 2024: JEREMY R. HOFF
Hoff joined Hooker Furniture in 2017. He served consecutive terms as president of the upholstery, case goods and legacy brands divisions before being named its first nonfamily CEO in 2021, the same year the company rebranded as Hooker Furnishings. Celebrating its century mark this year, Hooker Furnishings has upholstery manufact[...]
Health Care 2024: SEAN T. CONNAUGHTON
Since 2014, Connaughton has led this trade association that represents 26 health systems. The VHHA advocates for health care policies that support the sustainability of Virginia’s health care system, reduce health care costs and improves the health of Virginians. The organization also tracked COVID-related hospitalizations[...]
Education 2024: GREGORY WASHINGTON
In 2020, Washington became the first Black president of Virginia’s largest and most diverse public university. He was previously dean of the University of California, Irvine’s Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. A first-generation college graduate, Washington holds bachelor’s, master’s and [...]
Banking | Finance 2024: FRANCISCO ‘FRANK’ CASTELLANOS
A native of Cuba who grew up in Texas, Castellanos has led the Greater Washington, D.C., market for Merrill, the wealth management division of Bank of America, since the end of 2022. Before that, Castellanos was Merrill’s Greater Virginia Market Executive and served as Hampton Roads market president for Bank of America. He[...]
Real Estate 2024: DERRICK SWAAK
A licensed broker in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., Swaak is co-chief operating officer, partner and managing broker for TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, which he joined in 2007 as a partner. The firm has handled some of the most expensive residential sales in the Washington, D.C., area, including the Fairfax [...]
Banking | Finance 2024: MICHAEL T. HUTCHINS
In mid-March, Hutchins became interim CEO and a board member of the government-sponsored home mortgage company, replacing Michael J. DeVito, who stepped down after three years. Hutchins will fill the position until the company appoints a permanent leader or until Sept. 30. Hutchins, who boasts three decades in the financial se[...]
Arts | Entertainment | Sports 2024: BEN ROTHROCK
Rothrock is now the highest-ranking Virginia-based boss of the Richmond Flying Squirrels Double-A baseball team, although he shares duties with Brendon Porter, the team’s president, who spends part of his time in Alabama. The 2024 season is Rothrock’s seventh as the Squirrels’ general manager, but most of the d[...]
Professional Services 2024: DAN KOTTER
In August 2023, Kotter was tapped to become Greater Washington managing partner for Ernst & Young, replacing Kevin Virostek, who retired. Kotter has worked at EY since 1998 and previously served as an assurance partner. In addition to client-serving responsibilities, Kotter is responsible for managing Ernst & Young’[...]
Banking | Finance 2024: CHRISTOPHER M. ‘CHRIS’ SHOCKLEY
Following a vote by Roanoke-based Member One Federal Credit Union’s customers, Virginia Credit Union’s merger with Member One was finalized Aug. 1. The combined credit union is expected to be the state’s third largest, with combined assets of $7 billion and about 500,000 members. Shockley will remain president [...]
Government | Politics 2024: MICHAEL D. BILLS
The state’s biggest individual campaign donor, Michael Bills has become a lightning rod in Virginia political circles for who he funds — candidates who pledge not to take money from Dominion Energy — and who he doesn’t. The founder and chief investment officer of Charlottesville-based Bluestem Asset Management, B[...]
