31. ROBEY ESTES FAMILY
Richmond. Robey Estes, 79, chairs Estes Express Lines,
a trucking company founded in 1931 by his father. Son Rob Jr., 47, runs day-to-day
operations. Estes Express continues to rack up solid revenue gains as the booming economy
keeps trucks rolling. Estes’ just-in-time inventory delivery techniques help sales as
well.
Net Worth: $400 million
Confidence: A
32. WOODROW W. MCGLOTHLIN
Grundy. 86. Woodrow McGlothlin sold his stake in the
Bristol-based United Co. a year ago and endowed the McGlothlin Foundation with $37 million
to fund projects in health, the arts and higher education in Southwest Virginia and
central Appalachia. Among the first beneficiaries of McGlothlin’s largesse: the
Appalachian School of Law, Emory & Henry College and Radford University.
Net Worth: $400 million
Confidence: C+
33. RICHARD D. FAIRBANK
McLean. 48. Co-founder, chairman and CEO of Capital
One Financial Corp., one of America’s largest issuers of Visa and MasterCard credit
cards. On board of directors for MasterCard International Inc. The company was listed on
the Fortune 500 and the Forbes 400 lists for 1999. Received an MBA in 1981 at Stanford
University. Prior to Capital One, worked as executive vice president of Signet Bank.
Net Worth: $359 million
Confidence: A
34. KIRBY FAMILY
Claremont. The late Ann Kirby Kirby’s fortune
came from her grandfather Fred Morgan Kirby’s variety store fortune. Widower James
Lewis Kirby remains at their large Surry County estate by the James River. The estate of
Ann Kirby Kirby owns about 10 percent of the stock of Alleghany Corp., a New York
City-based insurance company.
Net Worth: $350 million*
Confidence: B
35. CARL D. SILVER
Fredericksburg. 74. Made first business deal at 16 and
hasn’t stopped since. A millionaire by 35, Silver was wounded in World War II. In
1947, moved his used-car business to Fredericksburg, where he switched to real estate in
mid-1960s. With son, Larry, developed Central Park commercial complex. Also Central Park
Funland, a 127,120-square-foot family entertainment center with eateries and games. The
complex encompasses more than 2 million square feet of retail, entertainment and
restaurant space.
Net Worth: $350 million
Confidence: B
36. ATHALIE "JOAN" IRVINE SMITH
Middleburg and Corona Del Mar, Calif. 67. Heiress to
the Irvine Co. real estate fortune. Joan Irvine Smith Fine Arts Inc. of Laguana Beach,
Calif., sponsors the California Art Club Outdoor Painting Festival each year. In 1996
pledged $1 million to form the Reeve-Irvine Research Center, dedicated to researching
spinal cord trauma and loss of neurological function. Collaborating on project with actor
Christopher Reeve, the University of California, Irvine and the American Paralysis
Association.
Net Worth: $350 million
Confidence: B-
37. WILLIAM L. SCHRADER
Sterling. 48. Co-founded Performance Systems International
— now PSINet Inc. — in 1989. Despite a first quarter revenue increase of 113
percent, company lost $189 million for the period and carries $3 billion in debt. Moved
headquarters in April from Herndon to Ashburn. In past year, company acquired Transaction
Network Services for $720 million and in the spring announced plans to purchase the
Web-services firm Metamor Worldwide Inc. for $2 billion. PSINet provides businesses with
Internet access, Web hosting, e-commerce and network security on its own global,
fiber-optic network — wants to compete with MCI WorldCom. Not bad for Schrader,
chairman and CEO, once labeled a "golden geek" by Time magazine.
Net Worth: $323 million
Confidence: B
38. ROBERT E. LAROSE
Chantilly. 56. Founded Universal Systems Inc. in 1990;
is chairman, president and CEO. Company has compound annual growth of 45 percent.
Currently concentrating on marketing its technology integration systems. Prior to USI,
founded Advanced Technology Inc. in 1976. Acquired by Emhart Corp. in 1988. Senior member
of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. Founded the LaRose Resource Center at Elon
College in North Carolina.
Net Worth: $300 million
Confidence: A
39. THE BROCKS
Virginia Beach. Macon Brock Jr., 58, is cofounder,
president and CEO of Dollar Tree Stores Inc., operating 1,383 stores in 33 states. With
$1.2 billion in net sales in 1999, Dollar Tree’s stock is about $55 — putting
Brock’s stake at $275 million. He co-founded K&K Toys Inc. with brother-in-law,
J. Douglas Perry (see entry). A Vietnam veteran and 1964 graduate of Randolph Macon, Brock
is heavily involved in civic and charitable activities.
Net Worth: $300 million
Confidence: A-
40. THE FIRESTONES
Upperville. Horse country denizen Diana Johnson Firestone,
68, is heir to the fortune created by her father, John Seward Johnson of Johnson &
Johnson fame. Husband Bertram R. Firestone, 68, made money in real estate, thoroughbred
breeding and horse racing.
Net Worth: $300 million
Confidence: A-
