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 doctoral degrees[...]
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 bil[...]
Professional Services 2024: PATRICK RYAN
In June, Ryan was named managing partner of the D.C. metro office and federal sector leader for KPMG. He oversees 3,000 employees in the region and is responsible for leading market strategy, client care and growing KPMG’s brand and relationships. As federal sector leader, Ryan oversees the Big Four accounting firm’s federal[...]
Real Estate 2024: KYLE M. SCHOPPMANN
With more than 20 years of experience in commercial real estate sales strategy, training and professional development, Schoppmann leads six offices in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., with more than 130,000 employees. Schoppmann joined CBRE in 2007 as managing director of brokerage services in New York City, and in 2020,[...]
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. Mason School of[...]
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 at [...]
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[...]
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 Coun[...]
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 and CEO of t[...]
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 drama has hap[...]
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’s G[...]
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 als[...]