New developments: Lawson’s stature as a go-to guy for getting major projects done was acknowledged when he received the 2016 Darden Award for Regional Leadership from the CIVIC Leadership Institute.
Milt and Jon Peterson, principals, The Peterson Cos. Fairfax
Why they are influential: The Petersons continue to create a legacy in Northern Virginia with their development company and the family’s philanthropy. The company’s projects include the National Harbor development in Prince George’s County, Md. While Milt had the vision to develop the waterfront destination nine years ago, Jon has been key in carrying out the plans for National Harbor as a must-see tour- ist and convention center destination.
Recent developments: In December, the father-son duo celebrated the opening of MGM National Harbor’s casino and resort at National Harbor. The $1.4 billion resort brings a Las Vegas-style venue to the Washington, D.C., area, with its 125,000-square-foot casino and 308-room luxury hotel.
Linda Rabbitt, founder, chairman and CEO, Rand Construction Co., Washington, D.C.
Why she is influential: She heads one of the largest woman-owned businesses in the Washington metropolitan area and has served on numerous boards and spon-
sors programs that groom senior women executives for service on corporate boards.
Recent developments: She initially endowed a George Washington University program for women board members, which moved to Harvard University’s Business School. Rabbitt says she plans this year to repeat the weeklong program, which drew 68 women from 14 countries. She also continues to serve on the board of Willis Towers Wat- son, a $8 billion company based in Arlington.
Bruce L. Thompson, CEO, Gold Key | PHR, Virginia Beach
Why he is influential: Thompson remains a visionary developer for Hampton Roads, and this year could be one of his biggest. April brings the public opening of The
Main, a Hilton-branded, 300-room luxury hotel and conference center in downtown Norfolk that Thompson’s company is behind in conjunction with the city. Meanwhile, the opening of the renovated Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach has been pushed back to at least the summer because of costly and complicated repairs.
Contributed photos
Recent developments: Also on track to open this year is JT’s Camp Grom, an adventure park and camp in Virginia Beach designed for people with disabili- ties. Thompson and supporters have raised nearly $15 million for the project — the brainchild of Thompson’s son, Josh, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) nine years ago.
Retail
Gilbert T. Bland, chairman, The GilJoy Group, Virginia Beach
Why he is influential: Bland, a major Burger King franchisee, has served on numerous business, educational and community boards on the national, state and
regional level. He is immediate past presi- dent of the Burger King Minority Franchise Association and a former chairman of State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Bland is president of Healthy Neighborhood Enterprises and treasurer of Elevate Early Education. His continuing board member- ships include the Virginia Chamber of Com- merce, LEAD Virginia, Hampton Roads Com- munity Foundation, Greater Norfolk Corp., New E3 School and Partners 4 Affordable Excellence.
Recent developments: Bland was elected to the board of directors of Norfolk-based Sen- tara Healthcare and the board of trustees of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland.
Transportation
Charles W. “Wick” Moorman, president and CEO, Amtrak, Charlottesville
Why he is influential: Moorman leads Maryland-based Amtrak, the nation’ intercity passenger railroad, which reported a record ridership last year of more than 31 million passengers. Moorman is chairman of the board of the Virginia chapter of the Nature Conservancy and also serves on the boards of Duke Energy, Chevron Corp. and the Georgia Tech Foundation. He commutes between his home in Charlottesville and Amtrak’s headquarters.
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Recent developments: Moorman’s retirement didn’t last long. On Sept. 1, less than a year after he stepped down as Norfolk Southern Corp.’s executive chairman, he was appointed president and CEO of Amtrak. Now Amtrak wants Moorman to use the operational exper- tise he gained with more than 40 years at Norfolk South-folk South- ern to build on Amtrak’s recent growth. Since joining the organization, Moorman has led an effort to streamline Amtrak’s corporate structure. Amtrak says the man- agement and organizational changes provide greatergr transparency to customers and stakeholders and give it the flexibility to comply with the federal Fix-l Fix- ing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST Act), which for the first time includes passenger-rail fund- ing. Moorman also will oversee several major capital projects. Amtrak is undergoing a $20 billion project to upgrade its Northeast corridor. Closer to home, the railroad is working with Norfolk Southern and Roanoke to bring passenger rail to the city.
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www.VirginiaBusiness.com VIRGINIA BUSINESS 69
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Bob Sasser, CEO, Dollar Tree Inc., Chesapeake
Why he is influential: Sasser has been CEO of Dollar Tree, a For- tune 500 company, since 2004. He guided the company through its $9.1 billion acquisition of Family Dollar in 2015. The company now has annual revenue of more than $20 billion. Dollar Tree sells most of its merchandise for $1 or less. Sasser also serves on the board of Fresh Mar- ket Inc.
Recent developments: Dollar Tree ann- ounced in August that it would spend $110 mil- lion to expand its headquarters in Chesapeake, adding 600 jobs during the next six years.
Technology
Christopher E. French, chairman, president and CEO, Shenandoah Telecommunications Co. (Shentel), Edinburg
Why he is influential: Since its acquisition of Waynesboro- based nTelos last year, Shentel has become the nation’s sixth- largest wireless carrier in the
country with more than a million subscrib- ers (See related story on Page 58). French has been with Shentel since 1981. He became president in 1988 and chairman of the board of directors in 1996. French also
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