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 Business.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation launched in October 2023 a $600 million fundraising campaign to support preservation, education and civic engagement projects.

In March, the foundation and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission hosted their second annual conference for officials planning events to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, drawing participants from 37 states. And in July, Colonial Williamsburg Resorts began construction on a nine-hole golf course.

Fleet holds four degrees from William & Mary: a law degree, MBA, a master’s degree in history and a bachelor’s in history and religion. He is immediate past chair of the William & Mary Foundation and co-chair of the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable.

In late May, Fleet was fined $500 for striking and severely injuring a William & Mary student with his car in October 2023. The charge was reduced from reckless driving to improper driving.