Outstanding Virginian Award

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia established the Outstanding Virginian Award to honor recipients whose distinguished contributions, outstanding achievements, and dedicated leadership serve as an inspiration to all civic-minded citizens. The award, considered the Commonwealth’s highest honor, was first presented to United States Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr. in 1983. 

The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the General Assembly-appointed Outstanding Virginian Committee co-host the annual Outstanding Virginian Award Ceremony to honor the year’s recipient(s) in a celebration that includes their family members, friends, and admirers. Proceeds realized from the event support the Outstanding Virginian Bicentennial Scholarship at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.  

Bill Goodwin

2020 Recipient: William H. Goodwin Jr.

William H. Goodwin Jr. earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech in 1962 and a Master in Business Administration degree from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia in 1966.  He resides in Richmond, Virginia.

Goodwin is the Retired Chairman of CCA Industries, Inc. and The Riverstone Group, LLC.  CCA is a diversified holding company, which oversees The Riverstone Group and its business interests, including Kiawah Island Golf Resort, The Jefferson Hotel, Sea Pines Resort, Dynamic Brands, Pompanette, CCA Financial and Service Center Metals.

Mr. Goodwin was appointed to serve as a Senior Advisor to the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia by Governor McDonnell in July 2012.  In January 2013, Governor McDonnell appointed him as a regular member of the Board of Visitors.  In May 2013, Goodwin’s colleagues unanimously elected him as vice rector.  On July 1, 2015, he became rector and served a two-year term ending June 30, 2017, at which time he also retired from the Board of Visitors.

Goodwin also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Richmond Performing Arts Corporation, a member and chairman of the Go Virginia Region 4 Council, a member of the Virginia Business Higher Education Council and is Chairman Emeritus and Founding Trustee on the Board of Trustees, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering Foundation.  He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Wachovia Corporation and is a trustee emeritus of the Medical College of Virginia Foundation where he served as President.  Goodwin and his wife are also well known for their significant support of cancer research at specific cancer institutions and hospitals across the country.

Goodwin was a previous member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia and served on the University’s Board of Visitors as a member from 1996-2004.  He also served as Chairman of the Board of the University of Virginia Investment Management Company.  In 2005, he received the Virginia Tech Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award.

Outstanding Virginian Committee

  • John B. Adams, Jr.

  • The Honorable Thomas H. Anderson, Jr.

  • Leslie S. Ariail

  • James W. Fletcher, III

  • John H. H. Graves

  • John D. Hardesty, Jr.

  • James E. Rich

  • Charles H. Seilheimer, Jr.

  • Ian H. Solomon

Recipients of the Outstanding Virginian Award

2020        William H. Goodwin, Jr.

2019        The Honorable W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr. and Mrs. Helen Turner Murphy

2018        The Honorable William J. Howell

2017        Bruce C. Gottwald and Floyd D. Gottwald, Jr.

2016        No recipient

2015        Maestro Lorin V. Maazel and Dietlinde Turban Maazel

2014        Eugene P. Trani

2013        William B. Holtzman

2012        The Honorable John H. Hager

2011        Arthur W. (Nick) Arundel

2010        The Honorable John W. Warner

2009        Charles F. Bryan, Jr. 

2008        Ralph E. Stanley

2007        Senator Mark R. Warner

2006        Daniel P. Jordan

2005        Elizabeth H. Haskell

2004        Lora M. Robins

2003        Oliver W. Hill

2002        John T. Hazel, Jr. and William A. Hazel

2001        Brenton S. Halsey

2000        The Honorable Alson H. Smith, Jr.

1999        Timothy J. Sullivan

1998        Mary P. Mathews

1997        The Honorable Hunter B. Andrews

1996        Sydney and Frances Lewis

1995        The Honorable George M. Cochran IV and Marion Lee Cochran

1994        The Honorable Gerald L. Baliles

1993        John T. Casteen, III

1992        The Honorable A. Linwood Holton

1991        Ronald E. Carrier

1990        The Honorable Harry L. Carrico

1989        The Honorable Dorothy S. McDiarmid

1988        The Honorable John O. Marsh, Jr.

1987        The Honorable Charles S. Robb

1986        James C. Wheat

1985        The Honorable J. Kenneth Robinson

1984        The Honorable Mills E. Godwin, Jr.

1983        The Honorable Harry F. Byrd, Jr.