‘Power Dukes’ lead the way in commerce
University president, 11 alumni among ‘Virginia 500’ executives
JMU News
SUMMARY: Virginia Business magazine recognizes 12 Dukes on its 2022 "Power List" of influential Virginians.
James Madison University is well represented in the Virginia Business 2022 Power List of the 500 most influential Virginians.
A dozen Dukes made the magazine’s “Virginia 500,” which profiles executives across 20 sectors of the commonwealth’s economy, from higher education and real estate to manufacturing and government.
JMU President Jonathan R. Alger was recognized in the education category for leading the university’s successful comprehensive campaign as well as its COVID-19 response plan and the renaming of three academic buildings previously named for Confederates.
The list contains a trio of JMU alumni in the retail/wholesale sector: Arthur “Bo” Fisher III (’87, ’18P), CEO of Staunton-based Fisher Auto Parts; Bill Nash (’91), president and CEO of CarMax Inc.; and Steven C. Smith (’79), president and CEO of K-VA-T Food Stores Inc.
Two Dukes were recognized for their leadership in the field of economic development: Barry DuVal (’81), president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce; and Telly Tucker (’04), president of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville.
The real estate category includes a duo of Dukes: Frank “Buddy” Gadams (’93), founder and owner of Marathon Development Group Inc. of Norfolk; and Lee Warfield (’85, ’16P, ’21P), president, chairman and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield-Thalhimer.
The list also includes Anthony Baker (’19M), the top Virginia executive at pharmaceutical manufacturer Merck & Co.; Jason A. Hartman (’85M), CEO of the accounting firm Brown Edwards & Co. LLP of Roanoke; Jermaine Johnson (’95), regional president of operations for PNC Financial Services Group; and Kathy J. Warden (’92), chairman, CEO and president of defense contractor Northrop Grumman.
The Power List, compiled annually by the publication’s editorial staff, is determined by factors including an executive’s position, oversight and responsibilities as well as their newsworthiness, prominence within their industry or community, service, and philanthropy.
This year’s list continues a recent run of strong representation of JMU alumni earning this Virginia Business distinction. Nearly a dozen Dukes landed on The 2021 Power List.
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Contact: Ginny Cramer, cramervm@jmu.edu
