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Virginia500 2024

Aug 29, 2024

Federal Contractors | Technology 2024: KAREN DAHUT

In October 2022, Dahut became CEO of Google Public Sector, a subsidiary of the tech giant focused on government and educational contracting. Before joining Google, Dahut led Booz Allen Hamilton’s $4 billion global defense business. Dahut served in the U.S. Navy for six years, including at the Navy Medical Research Institute in[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Insurance 2024: THOMAS S. GAYNER

Gayner has led the Fortune 500 insurance company as sole CEO since early 2023, after serving more than six years as co-CEO with Richard Whitt III, who retired last year. Before joining Markel in 1990, Gayner was vice president of Davenport & Co. Markel reported operating revenues of $15.8 billion in 2023, an increase from [&[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Real Estate 2024: WILLIAM A. ‘BILL’ PAULETTE

In 1975, armed with $1,000 to invest, Paulette laid the foundation for what would become KBS. What started as a one-person company with an office in a sheet-metal shop has grown to a top-ranked construction firm in the mid-Atlantic, with a reach extending from its Richmond and Virginia Beach offices to Roanoke and Washington, D.[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Education 2024: AIMEE ROGSTAD GUIDERA

In 2021, Guidera was the first secretary appointed by newly elected Gov. Glenn Youngkin. A proponent of charter schools and parental involvement in education, Guidera is responsible for leading the state’s public schools and has significant influence on postsecondary institutions, including the Virginia Community College Syste[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Retail 2024: ELIZABETH ‘LIZA’ MYERS BORCHES

Founded in 1924 by Borches’ great-grandfather, Carter Myers Automotive is Virginia’s fifth largest car sales group, with 24 dealerships selling 18 brands. It currently ranks No. 87 on Automotive News’ Top 150 Dealership Groups list, down 12 spots from 2023. Borches became CEO in 2012. The company employs more than 1,000 pe[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Retail 2024: ARIE KOTLER

An Israeli native, Kotler has led Arko, the nation’s sixth largest convenience store chain and parent company of GPM Investments, since 2020, when it merged with Haymaker Acquisition Corp. II to become a U.S.-listed public company. He founded GPM in 2003, sold the business and reacquired it in 2011.  The company has been on a[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Economic Development 2024: TELLY TUCKER

Tucker previously was director of Arlington Economic Development, and also served five years as director of economic development for Danville before returning to Southern Virginia in May 2022 to head  IALR, a regional hub for advanced manufacturing training initiatives and economic development. In February, IALR launched its Na[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Professional Services 2024: STEPHANIE R. PETERS

Peters has led the state’s professional association for CPAs since 1997, representing nearly 13,000 members in both the public and private sectors. Last year, VSCPA announced an investment in the Center for Audit Quality’s Accounting+ program, a national campaign that aims to attract a new generation of diverse students to t[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Professional Services 2024: DANNY ROBINSON

In January, after serving as The Martin Agency’s chief creative officer since 2020, Robinson became the advertising agency’s CEO, succeeding Kristen Cavallo, who retired. Robinson joined Martin two decades ago and has overseen campaigns for national clients like Geico, UPS and Old Navy. During his tenure as chief creative of[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Real Estate 2024: BARBARA M. WOLCOTT

A five-decade Hampton Roads real estate veteran, Wolcott leads a residential real estate and property management company created by the 2023 merger of Rose & Womble Realty and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Towne Realty. With more than 750 agents across southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, the firm has the[...]

Aug 29, 2024

Education 2024: KEVIN F. HALLOCK

A labor market economist with a doctorate from Princeton, Hallock joined the private University of Richmond in 2021. One of the school’s long-term goals has been affordability. Need-based aid packages at UR average $60,740 toward the roughly $80,000 annual costs for tuition and room and board. In September 2023, UR’s Robins [...]

Aug 29, 2024

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, �[...]

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