AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 14, 2026
Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence
Virginia Business hosted its second annual Icon Honors Awards luncheon on November 13, 2026, at the historic Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. The event recognized 34 leaders from across the Commonwealth for their significant lifetime achievements in business, government, and higher education. These honorees, each aged 60 or older, were celebrated for their visionary leadership, professional success, and dedication to community service.
Recognizing Lifetime Achievement
The Icon Honors Awards aim to acknowledge individuals whose commitment to excellence and impactful contributions have shaped organizations and communities throughout Virginia. Honorees were selected based on nominations from the public as well as from Virginia Business editors, ensuring a diverse group representing a broad range of industries.
Award Ceremony and Distinguished Hosts
The awards ceremony brought together an audience of business executives, educators, civic leaders, family members, and colleagues. For the second consecutive year, WTVR CBS 6 News Anchor GeNienne Samuels, a Richmond native, co-hosted the celebration alongside Virginia Business Associate Publisher and Editor Richard Foster. The pair highlighted the inspiring stories and accomplishments of each recipient as they presented the awards.
Contributions Across Key Industries
The 2026 class of Icon Honors Award recipients comes from fields such as government contracting, technology, healthcare, real estate, construction, banking, accounting, law, higher education, and hospitality. Beyond professional achievements, the awards recognize those who have shared their expertise through mentorship, philanthropy, and continuous support for charitable causes and educational opportunities.
2026 Virginia Icon Honors Award Recipients
- Craig Abod — Carahsoft Technology
- Charles Barker — Charles Barker Holdings
- Byron Boston — Dynex Capital
- Stephan Cassaday — Cassaday & Co.
- Robert Claytor — H. N. Funkhouser & Co.
- Barry DuVal — ITA Growth Partners
- John Finn — United Real Estate Richmond
- Andy Florance — CoStar Group
- Watt R. Foster Jr. — Foster Fuels
- Heywood Fralin — Retirement Unlimited
- Christopher French — Shentel
- Thomas Fulton — Skanska USA Civil Southeast
- Joe Funkhouser — Funkhouser Real Estate Group
- Thomas Gayner — Markel
- William Goodwin Jr. — Riverstone Group
- Louis Haddad — AH Realty Trust
- Jonathan Harmon — McGuireWoods
- Bruce Holbrook — Bruce Holbrook Consulting
- Dr. J. Stephen Jones — Inova Health System
- Chuck Kuhn — JK Moving Services
- Dennis Matheis — Sentara Health
- Tanya Matthews — TMG Construction
- Elizabeth McClanahan — Virginia Tech Foundation; Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center
- Floyd Merryman — Sonny Merryman Inc.
- Scott Miller — Batten University
- Phebe Novakovic — General Dynamics
- Jay Olander — Capital Square
- Linda Rabbitt — Rand Construction
- Sumeet Shrivastava — Unissant
- Douglas Stewart — Cary Street Partners
- Todd Stottlemyer — Acentra Health
- Warren Thompson — Thompson Hospitality
- Michael Vanderpool — Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian
- Gary Wallace — Keiter
Honoring Leadership Beyond the Boardroom
Many of the honorees have played pivotal roles in mentoring emerging leaders, supporting educational initiatives, and investing in Virginia’s economic growth. Their efforts remind us that true leadership is about both personal achievement and the ability to create opportunities and positive change for others.
About the Icon Honors Awards
Presented annually by Virginia Business, the Icon Honors Awards spotlight influential leaders who have made a lasting difference in the Commonwealth. To learn more about the awards, view honoree profiles, or find information about future events, visit the Virginia Business Icon Honors Awards website.
Source: wtvr.com.
