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Real Estate 2024: MATTHEW GANNON
Gannon joined Colliers International as executive managing director and Washington, D.C., market leader in 2019, taking on responsibility for the strategic direction and performance of the firm’s offices in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland. He had spent the previous five years at Paramount Group, leading leasin[...]
Arts | Entertainment | Sports 2024: KEVIN W. LEMBKE
Set on a new track and fully restored, the famous Loch Ness Monster roller coaster roared back into action in May for its 46th year of operation. According to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Nessie was the world’s first interlocking loop coaster. In addition to the Loch Ness coaster’s reopening, the park launched a new event, �[...]
Hospitality | Tourism 2024: JUSTIN G. KNIGHT
As CEO of Apple Hospitality, a publicly traded real estate investment trust, Knight oversees more than 220 hotels, mainly Hilton and Marriott brands, in 37 states and Washington, D.C. He joined the company in 2000 and took over from his father, founder Glade Knight, in 2014. The elder Knight serves as executive chairman of the [[...]
Hospitality | Tourism 2024: BRUCE L. THOMPSON
One of Hampton Roads’ most prominent developers and hoteliers, Norfolk native Thompson is best known for developing the Cavalier Resort, which includes the restored historic Cavalier Hotel as well as two new hotels, restaurants and residences on 21 acres at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The $435 million project is the culmina[...]
Banking | Finance 2024: JOSEPH W. ‘JOE’ MONTGOMERY
Montgomery went to work at an investment firm in December 1975 — meaning he’s enjoying his 49th year in the industry. Montgomery credits the power of relationships and his alma mater, William & Mary, for his career success. “The trajectory of my life was determined, really, by lining up where I went to school,” he [&[...]
Transportation 2024: LAKSHMI WILLIAMS
In her role since 2012, Williams oversees all legal areas for the North American branch of the Australian $40 billion-plus transportation infrastructure company with 3,000 employees worldwide. Among its other projects worldwide, Transurban operates the Interstate 495 northern extension and Interstate 95 express lanes between Fre[...]
Agriculture 2024: JOHN KING
After multinational food company Pilgrim’s Pride announced it was closing a Hinton poultry processing plant in 2004 — constituting a major hit to the local economy — Shenandoah Valley turkey growers formed the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative. The co-op employs roughly 500 people and has nearly 200 grower members; 100[...]
Government | Politics 2024: KHALID JONES
Following his appointment by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in April, Jones took the helm of the Virginia Lottery, an agency whose responsibilities continue to grow as the state embraces more forms of gambling. Besides overseeing traditional scratch and draw games, the state lottery has been charged with regulating casinos — legalized in[...]
Government | Politics 2024: TIM KAINE
Labeled by supporters as “America’s Dad” for his level-headed, folksy and sometimes wonky demeanor, Democrat Kaine has been a fixture in Virginia politics since his 1994 election to Richmond City Council. From there, he became Richmond mayor, then Virginia’s lieutenant governor and governor. His 2006-10 term in the Execu[...]
Federal Contractors | Technology 2024: TERRY RYAN
With more than 20 years of executive experience in the federal technical services market, Ryan was named CEO of global risk management firm Constellis Holdings in 2021, having previously served as its lead director. Before coming to Constellis, Ryan was CEO of Adroit Systems, VT Group and Tenax Aerospace. He also held senior exe[...]
Retail 2024: POUL WEIHRAUCH
Since taking the reins at the candy and pet food giant in September 2022, Weihrauch has been aiming to double its sales by 2033. In service to that expansion, Mars acquired six candy and veterinary companies in 2023 and 2024. These include Hotel Chocolat, the United Kingdom’s largest chocolate maker, and ownership stakes in Ce[...]
Transportation 2024: CAPT. JANET H. DAYS
In February 2023, Days made history as the first Black commanding officer of Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval base, after serving as executive officer since 2021. Naval Station Norfolk supports the operational readiness of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and employs 89,000 military personnel and 52,000 civilians. A C[...]
