Federal Contractors | Technology 2024: CHRISTOPHER D. KASTNER
A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Pepperdine University, Kastner was tapped as Huntington Ingalls Industries’ president and CEO in March 2022. HII reported revenue of $11.5 billion last year, a 7.3% increase from 2022, and a total project backlog of $43.1 billion as of Dec. 31, 2023. The Fortune 50[...]
Nonprofits | Philanthropy 2024: TRAVIS STATON
The United Way of Southwest Virginia named its president and CEO, Staton, to lead Endless Opportunity, or EO, in February. EO is a new nonprofit, spun off of the United Way chapter, focused on workforce development programs. As EO’s leader, Staton manages a $10 million portfolio of grant-funded economic development, workforce [...]
Telecommunications 2024: J.D. MYERS II
Myers joined Cox Communications in 2006 as vice president of the company’s business services, steadily ascending through the ranks to his current position as senior vice president and region manager, east region. He leads the home and business telecommunications and cable TV provider’s day-to-day operations for much of the e[...]
Living Legends 2024: GREG J. BARONI
With interests ranging from sports, education, technology and health care to philanthropy, Baroni always has been something of a Renaissance man. But while his passions are far-ranging, at his core he always has been focused on innovation and mission-based projects. Attain Partners, which Baroni founded as Attain LLC in 2009, pr[...]
Media 2024: JOSH EASTRIGHT
In 2018, Eastright was named CEO at Bloomberg Industry Group, a Bloomberg affiliate company. His career at Bloomberg had begun more than 25 years earlier, when he was a college intern. He worked for Bloomberg LP, Bloomberg New Energy Finance and Bloomberg Government before becoming Industry Group CEO. Eastright received his bach[...]
Government | Politics 2024: JASON MIYARES
Miyares, the son of a Cuban refugee, became the first Hispanic elected to statewide office in Virginia after voters backed his attorney general bid in 2021. Along with Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, he is widely expected to seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2025. As attorney general, Miyares has touted successes in r[...]
Government | Politics 2024: DON SCOTT JR.
After bumping longtime Del. Eileen Filler-Corn from the top House role in a 2022 shakeup, Scott became Virginia’s first Black speaker in January. It wasn’t the only unexpected turn in his history: In 1994, as he was finishing up his law degree, Scott was arrested on federal drug charges. He would serve more than seven [&hell[...]
Health Care 2024: STEVE ARNER
In July, just a little over a year after he was promoted to president of Carilion Clinic, Arner was tapped to succeed Nancy Howell Agee as the Roanoke-based health system’s CEO, effective Oct. 1. Agee, who is retiring and will take the title of CEO emeritus, had led the $2.4 billion not-for-profit health system since […[...]
Law 2024: JOHN ‘JACK’ LAVOIE
Joining Cooley in 2008, Lavoie leads the firm’s real estate practice group. His practice centers on real estate transactions, including buying, selling, developing and leasing office, industrial and retail properties. Lavoie represents landlords, tenants, lenders and borrowers in the leasing, financing and repositioning of com[...]
Law 2024: A. BENJAMIN SPENCER
James Randolph Spencer was the first Black federal judge in Virginia and, later, the first Black chief judge serving on the Eastern District of Virginia bench. His wife, Margaret P. Spencer, was a 13th Judicial Circuit judge for 16 years, as well as a law professor at William & Mary. Their son Benjamin Spencer is […[...]
Real Estate 2024: BYRON L. BOSTON
Dynex Capital, a real estate investment trust, reported about $6.37 billion in total assets at the end of last year, compared with about $3.61 billion in 2022, with a strong fourth quarter capping a volatile year for REITs because of inflation and high interest rates. A St. Louis native, Boston joined Dynex in 2008 as […]
Real Estate 2024: MILES LEON
As leader of one of the largest real estate development companies in the Southeastern United States, Leon is responsible for all company operations and new business development. Founded in 1906, the firm has a property management portfolio exceeding 30,000 multifamily units. Among other deals, the company is handling Texas con[...]