News Summary
Virginia Business has unveiled its annual Virginia 500 Power List for 2025, honoring influential leaders across various sectors. This year’s list includes notable figures such as Rudene Mercer Haynes and Mark Nantz, reflecting their significant contributions to law, economic development, and healthcare. The recognition represents leaders’ impact and achievements in their respective fields, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership within the Commonwealth.
Virginia recently recognized several influential leaders in its annual Virginia 500 Power List for 2025, with notable mentions including Rudene Mercer Haynes, Todd Haymore, Randall Parks from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, and Mark Nantz from Valley Health. This ongoing recognition highlights the most powerful leaders across various sectors, reflecting their impact and achievements within their respective fields.
Key Acknowledgments
The Virginia 500 Power List, published by Virginia Business, acknowledges 500 leaders categorized into 20 different industry sectors. This year marks the sixth edition of the list, which encompasses vital areas including real estate, manufacturing, higher education, and federal contracting. The selection criteria involve significant factors such as career accomplishments, company revenue, employee oversight, and industry prominence.
Leaders from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Rudene Mercer Haynes has been recognized in the Law sector as the managing partner of the Richmond office and co-leader of the firm’s servicer advance financing practice. Alongside her, Randall Parks, who serves as a partner and the chairman of the executive committee at Hunton Andrews Kurth, also received recognition in the Law sector.
Todd Haymore, managing director of the firm’s global economic development, commerce, and government relations group, has been honored in the Economic Development category. The contributions of these leaders emphasize the pivotal roles they play within the legal and economic landscape of Virginia.
Mark Nantz’s Contributions to Healthcare
In the healthcare sector, Mark Nantz, President and CEO of Valley Health, has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year. He is one of 30 leaders acknowledged in the Healthcare/Biotech/Pharmaceutical sector. Under his leadership, Valley Health operates six hospitals, including two in West Virginia and four in Virginia, in addition to managing over 75 medical practices and Urgent Care Centers with a workforce exceeding 6,000 employees.
Nantz’s commitment to improving healthcare access and quality in Virginia has been a fundamental aspect of his role since joining Valley Health in 2020. He prioritizes employee and patient safety, financial sustainability, and a strong connection to purpose within the healthcare community.
Community Recognition and Impact
The Virginia 500 Power List is not a result of nominations; rather, the editorial staff selects individuals based on their influence and contributions to their industries. Harry Smith, Chairman of the Valley Health Board of Trustees, commended Nantz’s innovative approach and emphasized that this recognition is a reflection of his valuable contributions to the organization and the larger healthcare community in Virginia.
About the Virginia 500 Power List
The Virginia 500 Power List serves as a benchmark for leadership across critical sectors in the Commonwealth. By interviewing key players and collecting data on their achievements, Virginia Business highlights individuals who are driving progress and influencing future directions within their industries. Each segment of the list, including the unique “Living Legends” category, provides insights into the milestones and contributions of these leaders.
This annual recognition not only underscores the successes of individual contributors but also showcases the collaborative environment that fosters growth and innovation in Virginia. As the landscape of various sectors continues to evolve, such acknowledgments reinforce the importance of strong leadership in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities for advancement.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Valley Health News
- Hunton News
- Pilot Online
- Virginia Business
- Google Search: Virginia 500 Power List
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
