As head of the foundation administering two museums of early American history, Coleman is at the forefront of educators weaving a nuanced and inclusive story of American history.

She is the first woman and the first person of color to serve as executive director of the state agency that operates Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Coleman hosts the Jamestown Settlement’s Director’s Series, now in its fourth year, leading conversations with figures such as journalist Michele Norris, a former host of National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” Other guests in the series include historians James Pepper Henry and Rick Atkinson. She also serves on the VA250 Commission, which is organizing the state’s commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

With more than 30 years of experience in museum work, Coleman received the 2023 David McCullough Prize for Excellence in American Public History for her work furthering the public’s understanding of American history.

Before joining the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, she was CEO of the American Civil War Museum in Richmond.

Coleman earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in museum studies from Hampton University.

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With four decades of hospitality experience, Terry has advocated for the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association’s 1,500-plus industry members since joining as president in 2014.

VRLTA and Virginia Tourism Corp. announced in June that the 2026 VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit — an annual gathering of 500-plus tourism professionals — will be at the Kalahari Resort in Spotsylvania County in November 2026, the resort’s opening month.

Before joining VRLTA, Terry held marketing and sales leadership roles at Redstone Companies Hospitality, Benchmark Hospitality and Malibu Entertainment Worldwide. He also served as president of Xelerate Group, a marketing agency he launched in 2002.

Over the course of his career, Terry has worked for Hollywood Casino/Pratt Hotel, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and the Busch Gardens theme park when it was owned by Anheuser-Busch.

He received a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management from Virginia Tech in 1982. Terry serves on the Virginia Tech Hospitality & Tourism Management Advisory Board. He’s also a member of the AHLA Foundation’s board.

FIRST JOB: Pizza cook at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Virginia Tech Hokies

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As CEO of Apple Hospitality, a publicly traded real estate investment trust, Knight oversees more than 220 hotels, mainly Hilton and Marriott brands, across 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 the REIT’s executive chairman.

For 2024, Apple Hospitality reported $1.43 billion in revenue, up from about $1.34 billion in 2023. As of Dec. 31, 2024, the company had more than $4.96 billion in assets.

In June, Apple Hospitality announced it had acquired the Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa-Brandon in Florida for $18.8 million. The company has under contract a Motto by Hilton being developed in Nashville, Tennessee — an expected $98.2 million purchase anticipated to close in late 2025, after construction ends.

Earlier this year, Apple sold two hotels for a combined $21 million. It expects the $16 million sale of the Houston Marriott Energy Corridor to close in the third quarter.

Knight earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Brigham Young University. He is a member of the board of trustees for Venture Richmond.

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Jain has run Landmark Hospitality Group for over a decade. With nearly 500 employees, the hospitality company manages, owns and develops hotels in North Carolina and Virginia under brands such as Marriott, Hyatt and Radisson. The company also expanded into housing in 2021, developing a
287-unit luxury apartment complex in Hampton.

As part of the $200 million Pembroke Square redevelopment in Virginia Beach, Landmark is developing a 163-room Tempo by Hilton hotel, expected to open in 2027. Construction began in May.

Jain joined Landmark in 1999 as a general manager. He has a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in hospitality management from Cornell University.

Jain chairs the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters’ Health System board, and also serves on TowneBank’s Virginia Beach local board. He was named King Neptune for Virginia Beach’s 50th Neptune Festival in 2024, recognizing his community contributions.

His father founded Landmark in 1983 and remains its chair.

TRAITS I ADMIRE: I admire people who possess humble authenticity, along with determination and perseverance.

FIRST JOB: Sweeping hotel parking lots at age 9 for quarters to play in the video game arcade

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H7 Holdings is a private family investment company that owns and manages Keswick Hall and Golf Club in Albemarle County and the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Venture capital firm Level One Partners invests in the health care and life sciences sectors. The couple also runs the H7 Foundation, supporting educational and nonprofit endeavors, and have donated millions to the University of Virginia.

Robert Hardie earned three degrees at U.Va., where he recently concluded his third term on its board of visitors. From 2023 through the end of June, he was the university’s rector, a turbulent period that included the sudden resignation of U.Va. President Jim Ryan in June. Hardie also taught as an adjunct professor at the Darden School of Business and co-authored two books.

Molly Hardie oversaw major renovations at Keswick Hall and Hermitage Hotel. In 2017, H7 assumed ownership of Keswick Hall from The Riverstone Group, owned by her father, Richmond philanthropist Bill Goodwin. A graduate of Dartmouth College and U.Va.’s medical school, she chairs the board of trustees of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which owns Monticello.

The couple received the 2024 Historic Hotels of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

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