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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 cul[...]
Federal Contractors | Technology 2024: CHRISTOPHER T. CALIO
In May, Calio became president and CEO of Fortune Global 500 aerospace and defense contractor RTX. Previously known as Raytheon Technologies, the company moved its headquarters to Arlington in 2022 and rebranded in 2023. At RTX, Calio, who previously served as chief operating officer, leads 185,000 employees. Calio also was pres[...]
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;[...]
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,” h[...]
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[...]
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 t[...]
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[...]
Economic Development 2024: JENNIFER WAKEFIELD
Before assuming her current role in 2021, Wakefield served as interim president and CEO twice for the Greater Richmond Partnership, a regional economic development organization for Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico. She has also been its chief operating officer and senior vice president of marketing.[...]
Law 2024: JEFFREY A. BREIT
A Hampton Roads native, Breit is known for representing plaintiffs in high-profile personal injury cases. In recent months, Breit’s name frequently has shown up in news articles for being part of the legal team representing Abby Zwerner, the Newport News elementary school teacher shot by a 6-year-old student in January 202[...]
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 i[...]
Transportation 2024: KEITH HALL
In September 2023, Hall tasked Bob McGonigal, TFI International executive vice president, with helping turn around TFI’s U.S. less-than-truckload operation, which saw an operating ratio downturn last year, from 99% to 90.1%. TForce, previously owned by UPS, was purchased by Montreal-based TFI in 2021 for $800 million, and [...]
