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Innovators
Virginia has no dearth of creative, visionary entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Representing industries ranging from hemp farming to autonomous vehicles and blockchain, they’re moving the needle. Steven Critchfield, President and CEO, MOVA Technologies; owner, West Main Development, Pulaski Entrepreneur Steven Critchfield is still steeped in redevelopment projects to recycle old properties in Pulaski. But
Impact makers
Graduating from three leadership organizations in a year? Serving on multiple nonprofit boards? All in a day’s work for these impactful Virginians who use their influence to empower others. Kathy Albarado, CEO, Helios HR, Reston Eighteen years after founding human capital management firm Helios HR, Kathy Albarado is working hard to make sure her clients
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Hosts
These are Virginians who feed and delight us, nourishing body and soul through dining, lodging, spirits, tourism and entertainment. Thomas Arrington, Founder, The Richmond Folk Feast, Richmond Former French chef Thomas Arrington was delighted by the success of the 15th annual Richmond Folk Festival, held along the city’s waterfront in October. Seven years ago,
Educators
When Virginia regained the No. 1 ranking on CNBC’s annual Top States for Business list this year, one of the factors that put the Old Dominion over the top was our “wealth of colleges and universities,” lauded by CNBC as “the best in the nation.” These are some of the educators, researchers and administrators who
Angels
Whether promoting history and the arts, building community or providing vital services, these people make Virginia a better place through their passion and vision. Ed Beardsley, Founder and president, SPARC; owner, The Plaid Turnip restaurant, Suffolk Ed Beardsley’s popular Suffolk restaurant, the Plaid Turnip, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2020, and he’s planning a
Builders
Be it residential or commercial, historic renovation or new construction, from small-scale, mixed-use developments to massive interstate highway projects, these are some of the many professionals who are leaving their imprint on Virginia’s landscape. Luke Allison, Entrepreneur, Pulaski Luke Allison is team leader for a group of 20 motivated millennials known around Pulaski as the
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY/ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Profile of Brian C. Riopelle, McGuireWoods LLP, Roanoke and list
Title: Partner Other legal specialties: Trial attorney in non-IP matters Birthplace: Brockville, Ontario, Canada Education: Bachelor’s degree, Yale University; law degree, University of Virginia School of Law Spouse: Elizabeth (Betsy) E. Riopelle (also a recovering litigator) Children: Fain, 26; Kyle, 21; Kate, 15 First job as a lawyer: Law clerk to the Hon. Stephen V. Wilson, U.S. District Court for the Central District
Clear and present dangers
Commercial insurance rates respond to cyberattacks, weather and #MeToo
In March, a Seattle software engineer hacked into Capital One’s servers, stealing personal data belonging to 106 million of the McLean-based bank’s customers and credit card applicants. Prosecutors would later say that the hacker was also found to possess terabytes of stolen data from 30 other organizations, including companies and universities. Cyberattacks and data breaches
New EDA chief tries to do business amid scandal
There is no normal — even a new normal — for the executive director of the Front Royal-Warren Economic Development Authority, Douglas Parsons. Not while his predecessor, Jennifer McDonald, faces criminal charges and a civil suit alleging that she engineered a $21 million embezzlement scheme. A veteran in economic development, Parsons took office in May.
Hampton Roads task force ponders region’s name and identity
Coastal Virginia, Tidewater, 757, Hampton Roads. What’s in a name, and what gives a region its identity and enhances its competitiveness? A task force of leaders from the Hampton Roads region is hammering away at those questions as they ponder whether Hampton Roads should continue to be called, well, Hampton Roads. Sometime in mid-December, the