25 People We Called “Tomorrow’s Leaders”

Who doesn’t love predictions? The fun part — sometimes the painful part — is seeing how well you did. Today we declare our “Top 40 Under 40” young leaders; name our arts innovators; assess the current power structure with our “Power List.”

Fifteen years ago, when Style celebrated its 10th anniversary, it embarked on a major research project. A reporting team conducted hours of interviews with some 300 local leaders, and there was, we imagine, much debate.

The resulting cover story, published Nov. 10, 1992, predicted a “thriving biotechnology research center” anchoring downtown; Valentine Riverside, a history theme park drawing “tourists from around the world”; a mandate of “metropolitan cooperation” because of the growth of edge cities.

What’s more interesting are the 25 leaders we predicted would be taking on the challenges of Richmond’s Future. Here were our predictions. How did we do?

1. Robert Bobb

“I view my role as a sort of mechanic of government. I’m a fix-it type of person.”

Then: City manager, Richmond.

Now: City administrator, Washington, D.C.

2. Jean Wooden Cunningham

“We are seeing a climate that is very, very negative. … Richmond is a city with people of many walks of life. We must appreciate this diversity.”

Then: Attorney, state delegate, 71st House District.

Now: Mediator, The McCammon Group.

3. William H. Goodwin Jr.

“Actually I think the metro area is a very nice place to live and raise a family. I don’t want to see too many changes, except to accommodate growth.”

Then: Businessman, philanthropist.

Now: Businessman, philanthropist.

4. Thomas E. “Ted” Gottwald

“I prefer not to draw attention to myself.”

Then: Vice president, Ethyl Corp., 32 years old.

Now: Chief executive officer, NewMarket Corp., 47.

5. Roger Gregory

“Whatever solution we have lies in all of us working together.”

Then: Attorney, co-founder of Wilder and Gregory with L. Douglas Wilder.

Now: First black judge to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

6. Robert J. Grey Jr.

The private sector must lead the way, he says: “It might be asking too much to expect the government to be able to do it.”

Then: Attorney. Past president of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.

Now: Attorney, Hunton & Williams. Past president of the American Bar Association.

7. Virgil Hazelett

“Unbeknownst to a lot of people, Henrico is only a little less than 40 percent developed.”

Then: Henrico County manager.

Now: Henrico County manager.

8. Frank Jewell

“There are 5,000 history museums and only 100 of them are doing good with history.”

Then: Valentine Museum Director, visionary behind failed Valentine Riverside.

Now: Unknown.

9. Phyllis C. Marstiller

“She’s able to see the big picture and she’s not afraid of making difficult decisions.” — Deborah Logan, marketing consultant

Then: As president and chief operating officer, the highest-ranking woman in Blue Cross Blue Shield. President, Metro Chamber.

Now: Retired. Goes by Phyllis Cothran, retired.

10. Patrick McSweeney

“It’s very important to me to find a way to give the party some definition and purpose so that it can be the governing majority party, and then work hard to organize a grass-roots party that can make it happen.”

Then: Chairman, Republican Party of Virginia.

Now: Attorney, McSweeney, Crump, Childress & Temple. President, Virginia Conservative Alliance.

11. T. Justin “Jay” Moore III

“My general vision is, done correctly, historic preservation can enhance economic development.”

Then: Partner, Hunton & Williams.

Now: Partner, Hunton & Williams.

12. Gordon F. Rainey Jr.

“At the moment, I believe we have too many organizations working on the same things.”

Then: Partner, Hunton & Williams.

Now: Chairman Emeritus, Hunton & Williams.

13. Rick Sharp

“I think corporations have an obligation to be good citizens in the communities where they live.”

Then: President and chief executive, Circuit City.

Now: Chairman of Crocs Inc.

14. Stuart C. Siegel

“I would have to say that solving the tragedy of crime is the biggest problem we face. Regional cooperation is the other big issue.”

Then: Chairman, S&K Famous Brands Inc.

Now: Chairman, S&K Famous Brands Inc.

15. Jacquelyn E. Stone

“The public and private partnership that grew out of Richmond Renaissance got business and the city to come together on solutions.”

Then: Lobbyist, McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe.

Now: Partner, McGuireWoods.

16. Mary Sue Terry

“All of us must take a more holistic view toward the world in which we live, and that begins by taking a more holistic view of our own community — its strengths and weaknesses.”

Then: Attorney general.

Now: Farmer in the Virginia town of Critz, consultant for Microsoft.

17. Richard Tilghman

Solving problems “isn’t [so much ] a matter of great vision as it is a matter of sticking to it.”

Then: Chairman and chief executive, Crestar Bank.

Now: Retired, civic leader, member of VMFA Board of Trustees.

18. Eugene Trani

“I want a much more inclusive society where we are venturing into new areas and utilizing the ideas that people either are coming to discover now or had for a long time.”

Then: President, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Now: President, Virginia Commonwealth University.

19. James E. Ukrop

“I hope that 10 years from now we’ll put aside questions of race and ethnic groups and all work together.”

Then: President, Ukrop’s Super Markets.

Now: Chairman, Ukrop’s Super Markets.

20. Robert S. Ukrop

“We are dealing with difficult challenges [such as poverty and crime]. We’ve got to get back at the root of them … and break their cycles.”

Then: Executive vice president, Ukrop’s Super Markets.

Now: President and chief executive, Ukrop’s Super Markets.

21. Larry E. Walton

“We’ve got to have that kind of regional cooperation in this entire area if we’re going to compete with the Charlottes, the Greensboros, the Winston-Salems in recruiting new businesses.”

Then: President, Richmond-Petersburg’s United Way Services.

Now: President and chief professional officer, United Way of Central Maryland.

22. Jimmy Wheat

“The city must overcome its ‘racial and political selfishness.'”

Then: Wheat First Securities.

Now: Lost to Jimmie P. Massie III in the June Republican primary for the 72nd District House of Delegates.

23. Anne Whittemore

“Individuals can do a lot to help solve the city’s problems if they are just willing to offer their time and effort to community programs.”

Then: Attorney, McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe.

Now: Partner: McGuireWoods. Director: Owens & Minor, T. Rowe Price Group, Albemarle Corp.; Trustee: VMI Foundation, Hampden-Sydney College.

24. Lawrence D. Wilder Jr.

“My immediate concern is for the core of our city. When you look at it, the city is suffering relative to the suburbs.”

Then: State delegate, 70th District. Attorney, Wilder & Gregory.

Now: Unemployed lawyer, according to Richmond Times-Dispatch. Convicted of federal drug charges in 1990s. Pleaded guilty to elections law violations in missing campaign funds in August.

25. Marshall B. Wishnack

“A lot of people are focusing on education and crime and the tax base and job base, and I’m optimistic that progress is being made.”

Then: President and chief executive, Wheat First Securities.

Now: Chairman, Mulberry Investment Group.

  • Back to the Cover Story
  • TRENDING

    WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW — straight to your inbox

    * indicates required
    Our mailing lists: