Groundbreaking trends

by Robert C. Powell III
Virginia Business
Augut 2005

What role do Virginia women play in business today? That’s the question we try to answer in this issue’s cover story. We found women in major leadership roles, heading companies and running multibillion-dollar divisions. Many women, in fact, are taking charge of their own destiny by starting businesses. The one accomplishment that appears to elude Virginia businesswomen is occupying the top spot at one of the state’s large public companies, including its 18 Fortune 500 firms.

Managing Editor Paula Squires led a team of writers in exploring current trends affecting businesswomen today. Our package includes profiles on some of the state’s high-ranking women business leaders in public companies, private companies and technology firms. We also profile two entrepreneurs who have built successful companies.

A different set of profiles is found in staff writer Bob Antrobus’ story about the Virginia Winner’s Circle, a list of 30 top financial advisers. The group was selected by R.J. Shook, author of a series of Winner’s Circle books about best practices in the investment industry.

Many people today, of course, are investing in real estate as well as stocks and bonds. Contributing writer Rob Walker examines a growing real estate trend among Virginia’s empty nesters. They are selling their suburban homes and moving into condominiums and apartments in the city.

Our annual Site Selection guide looks at the commercial side of real estate, exploring the potential sites for development around the state. Just like its women business leaders, companies of all sorts continue to break ground in Virginia.