School of Education, as the next presi- dent of
U.Va. Goodwin also chairs the Richmond regional council of GO Virginia.
Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Middleburg
Why she is influential: Johnson leads a growing hospitality management firm, Salamander Hotels & Resorts. The company operates six properties, including the 340-acre Salamander Resort & Spa in her hometown of Middleburg. Johnson also is the mas- termind behind the Middleburg Film Festival, which celebrated its fifth year last fall. She is an owner of the Wash- ington Wizards, Capitals and Mystics and co-founder of WE Capital, a venture capital consortium supporting female-led startups that make a social impact. Recent developments: Salamander Hotels opened NOPSI Hotel in New Orleans last July. The company’s Hotel Bennett in Charleston is scheduled to debut this summer.
Justin Knight, president and CEO, Apple Hospitality REIT, Richmond Why he is influential: Since becoming CEO in 2014, Knight has continued to develop the company founded by his father, Glade. Apple Hospitality REIT owns one of the nation’s largest portfolios of upscale
hotels. The company now boasts 241 properties, including six that were acquired last year. Knight serves as co-chair of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Owners Council. In Virginia, he’s on the boards of Southern Virginia University (where his father is founding chairman), The Valentine and Venture Richmond. Recent developments: Knight was injured in a plane accident last July but returned to work shortly after. “Justin is doing very well,” a company spokesperson said when asked about his recovery.
Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Tysons
Why he is influential: Nassetta continues to develop Hilton, which he’s led for more than a decade. Last year the company opened more than a hotel per day. There now are more than 5,200 Hilton properties around the globe, and the company is developing 2,200 more hotels. Last year, Nassetta was inducted into Washingtonian’s Washington Business Hall of Fame and was ranked as one of Glassdoor’s High- est Rated CEOs. The company also is ranked No. 33 on Fortune’s latest list of Best Companies to Work For. Recent developments: Hilton recently unveiled a 4,300-square-foot Innova- tion Gallery next to its headquarters to test products and innovations for its hotels.
Economic development
Buddy Rizer, executive director, economic development, Loudoun County Why he is influential: Rizer is the architect behind Loudoun County’s rise to the pin- nacle of America’s data-center market. For more than a decade, he traveled the country touting Loudoun’s bountiful land, affordable electricity and fiber-rich internet infrastruc- ture, initially put in place in the 1990s when major tech companies such as America Online invested in miles of fiber. Today, Loudoun is the country’s No. 1 data-center market. Digital Realty Trust, Equinix and Amazon Web Services all have built massive facilities there. Rizer was named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Develop- ers for 2017 by Consultant Connect. He serves on the board of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. An Eagle Scout, Rizer remains active in scouting as an assistant scoutmaster and merit badge counselor.
Recent developments: If online retailing giant Amazon selects Northern Virginia as the destination for its $5 billion second corporate headquarters, Rizer will have a huge feather in his cap. Out of 238 contenders, Northern Virginia made the initial cut of 20 cities. Loudoun and Fairfax counties collaborated in submitting one of the region’s four sites, not far from Loudoun’s famed “Data Center Alley.” “It will be more than fitting for an international e-commerce corporation of Amazon’s stature to locate its second headquarters here,” says the ever-confident Rizer.
Photo by Mark Rhodes
www.VirginiaBusiness.com VIRGINIA BUSINESS 65
Connie Nyholm, majority owner and CEO, Virginia International Raceway, Alton Why she is influen-
tial: Nyholm has transformed an abandoned racetrack into a 1,370- acre motorsport resort, which draws 400,000 visitors each year. VIR and its adjacent business park also provide employment for 400 workers. Nyholm is president of the Road Racing Indus- try Council and sits on the boards of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research and the Virginia Cham- ber of Commerce. Recent developments: In October 2019, the resort will host the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Runoffs, featuring the nation’s best amateur racers. “SCCA sanctioned the very first race at VIR, and again in March 2000 when Harvey Siegel and I reopened the resurrected property,” Nyholm says. “Having the 2019 Runoffs will be an important part of VIR’s history.”
Bruce L. Thompson, CEO, Gold Key | PHR, Virginia Beach Why he is influential:
Thompson is one of Virginia’s premier hotel developers. His company devel- ops, owns and manages properties under the Ramada, Hilton and Marriott
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