61. ARTHUR W. ARUNDEL
The Plains. 71. "Nick" Arundel founded ArCom
Publishing Co. in 1960. Publishes Northern Virginia group of 16 weekly newspapers,
including Loudoun Times-Mirror and Fauquier Times-Democrat. Founder of 500-acre nonprofit
Great Meadow Field Events Center near The Plains. Chairman of Gold Cup steeplechase,
prominent state race held there annually. Member of Virginia Business Higher Education
Council.
Net Worth: $190 million
Confidence: B
62. IVOR MASSEY FAMILY
Richmond. Ivor Massey, heir to an old-economy
stock-market fortune left by his father, is helping create the new economy of Richmond and
Central Virginia. He’s an investor in four tech companies and in Monument Capital, a
new early stage venture fund. A board member of MacroSonix, he instigated a management
shake-up to accelerate development of new products. Behind the scenes, he’s helped
orchestrate a series of tech firm mergers. Venture capital is discovering Central
Virginia, Massey says.
Net Worth: $190 million*
Confidence: B
63. DAVID P. REYNOLDS
Richmond. 85. Chairman emeritus Reynolds Metals Co.,
where he worked for over half a century. In 1968, he pioneered recycling of aluminum.
Acclaimed nationally as innovative executive, marketer and environmentalist. Company taken
over by Alcoa in April 2000 in $6.34 billion deal.
Net Worth: $175 million
Confidence: B+
64. HYLTON FAMILY
Prince William County. The late Cecil D. Hylton was
prolific builder. Developed Dale City, a planned residential community in Prince William
County. Wife and three children still active in real estate business he founded, including
shopping center management. In 1980s donated land for high school in Prince William, which
is named after him, and sites for eight county schools and two Prince William parks before
the 1960s. Community just south of Potomac Mills includes the Hylton Chapel, a
70,000-square-foot building with two floors of pews and seats for 250 choir members.
Net Worth: $160 million
Confidence: C
65. WENDELL WOOD
Charlottesville. 59. Made millions as a developer,
mostly in Charlottesville area. His United Land Corp. sold land to U.Va. for its research
park. Sold roughly 28 acres near airport to U.S. Army National Ground Intelligence Center
for $1 million. Large tracts are going at a premium in the growing Charlottesville area,
and Wood is positioned to capitalize.
Net Worth: $160 million
Confidence: C
66. M.G. "PAT" ROBERTSON
Virginia Beach. 70. Religious broadcaster and one-time
presidential candidate. Founded Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition.
Sold his International Family Entertainment to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. for more
than $1.8 billion. Son of late Sen. A. Willis Robertson. Goes beyond religion in
investments — wants to take his Chinese Internet company, Zhaodaola, public on Hong
Kong exchange. Has also cleared regulatory hurdles in California to re-start Cenco Oil
Refinery in Santa Fe Springs. Owns half of PorchLight Entertainment, which also is
planning a public offering.
Net Worth: $150 million*
Confidence: A
67. TAUBMAN FAMILY
Roanoke. Advance Stores founder Arthur Taubman died in
1994 at 92. Started business in Roanoke, buying three struggling auto-parts stores.
Advance Auto now has more than 2,700 stores and $1.2 billion in sales. In 2000, Advance
plans to open 150 new stores. Formed partnership with CSK Auto to form a new online
company, PartsAmerica.com. Arthur’s son Nicholas F. Taubman, 65, is chairman. No
planned family succession. Taubman family, including Nicholas’ mother, Grace, and
wife, Eugenia, own about 10 percent.
Net Worth: $150 million*
Confidence: C
68. JAMES B. MURRAY JR.
Charlottesville. 53. Founding partner of Columbia
Capital Corp., Alexandria firm specializing in organizing and financing new communications
and info-tech companies. Columbia has plans to raise new venture fund of $800 million.
Murray will have passive role. He’s building another private equity firm —
Charlottesville-based Court Square Capital, launched in May. The College of William and
Mary awarded Murray honorary doctorate this year; he’s been on board of visitors
since early 1990s.
Net Worth: $150 million
Confidence: C-
69. WILLIAM N. MELTON
Reston. 57. Founder and CEO of Cyber-Cash Inc. Has
made a career out of starting companies. Started Real Share Inc., a database and
telecommunications company, in 1971. VeriFone Inc., a transaction automation company,
began in 1981. In 1991, he founded Transaction Network Services, a customized network for
financial transactions. Serves on VeriFone, TNS, Bionomics Institute and America Online
boards of directors.
Net Worth: $147 million
Confidence: B
70. H. BRIAN THOMPSON
McLean. 61. Chairman and CEO of Global Telesystems
Group of McLean since March 1999. Has helped shape telecommunications industry. Global
Telesystems provides telecom services in Europe, cellular services in Russia, is building
a transatlantic cable and owns majority stake in French telecom provider Omnicom. Thompson
was MCI Communications executive before joining LCI International as chairman and CEO. LCI
was bought by Qwest Communications in 1998.
Net Worth: $140 million
Confidence: C
