41. BETTY SCRIPPS HARVEY
Palm Beach, Fla. and Charlottesville. Late husband, Edward W. Scripps, was grandson of E.W. Scripps, founder of Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. Sold Scripps League Newspapers to Pulitzer Newspapers in 1996. Now remarried, Harvey chairs family’s new company, Scripps Enterprises Inc., a conglomerate of real estate, gas, oil, newspapers and other interests. Has had a farm outside Charlottesville since 1978.
Net Worth: $300 million
Confidence: C

42. JOSEPH E. ROBERT JR.
McLean. 47. Founder, Chairman and CEO of J.E. Robert Cos., a commercial real estate firm. Also deals in distressed Asian real estate. CEO for Heartland Federal Savings and Loan Association, a mutual thrift based in Oklahoma. Founded the Real Estate Capital Recovery Association. Active in charitable work for youth. "Fight Night," started by Robert 10 years ago, is an annual black tie affair held in October. Proceeds are distributed to several youth programs. "School Night" funds scholarships for local youth to attend prep schools.
Net Worth: $260 million
Confidence: C

43. E. MORGAN MASSEY
Richmond. 73. Well past retirement age, Morgan Massey doesn’t have anything to prove, but he’s still working on multimillion-dollar energy deals. "Coal mining is my hobby," he says. Some hobby. As chairman of Asian American Coal Inc., he’s the driving force behind a public-private partnership opening up 2 billion tons of high-quality coal reserves in China’s Shanxi province. Will export some coal; the rest will feed China’s voracious economy. Massey also sees potential to pump methane, or natural gas, out of the Shanxi coal seams. But his energy venture in Venezuela has gone "down the tubes."
Net Worth: $250 million*
Confidence: A-

44. RACHEL "BUNNY" MELLON
Upperville. Widow of philanthropist Paul Mellon. Received $110 million in cash upon his death plus numerous bequeaths to charities and institutions that she supports. $60 million left to endow garden library at Fauquier County home they shared. Bunny retains until her death much of the art that Paul Mellon left to museums and institutions in Virginia and beyond.
Net Worth: $250 million*
Confidence: A-

45. PERRYS
Virginia Beach. J. Douglas Perry, 52, has been chairman of the board of Dollar Tree since 1986; retired as employee and officer in 1999. Remains chairman of the board of Old Dominion Trust Co. Co-founded Dollar Tree in 1986 with brother-in-law, Macon Brock Jr. (see entry), having sold K&K Toys in 1991. He and wife, Patricia, are active in civic and charitable organizations. The library at Old Dominion University, Patricia’s alma mater, named for them. Also established ODU’s Perry Endowed Chair in Psychology.
Net Worth: $250
Confidence: A-

46. C. DANIEL CLEMENTE
Vienna. 63. Former lawyer ventured into real estate by developing Brighton Mall in Falls Church. Considers himself a conservative buyer. Besides managing or owning hundreds of millions of dollars worth of real estate, Clemente founded several banks, including Community Bank and Trust in Springfield and First Commercial Bank of Arlington. Assists candidates of both political parties.
Net Worth: $250 million
Confidence: B

47. DANIEL F. AKERSON
McLean. 51. Former CEO of Nextel Communications. Last September he became chairman of the board and CEO for Nextlink Communications in Bellevue, Wash., and promptly moved the company’s corporate offices to Northern Virginia. On boards of America Online and American Express. Formerly a partner in Forstmann Little & Co., a private investment firm; chairman and CEO of General Instrument Corp.; and president and CEO of MCI Communications Corp. Nextlink shares split at $50 in September and rose to $132 in March before fall to mid-$80s.
Net Worth: $250 million
Confidence: B-

48. RONALD I. DOZORETZ
Norfolk and Washington, D.C. 64. Ron and Beth Dozoretz are key players in Democratic machine. Beth is finance chairman of Democratic National Committee and Ron shares president’s interest in bridging digital divide; toured Appalachia and Mississippi Delta with Clinton. Dozoretz is chairman, president and CEO of FHC Health Systems and subsidiaries ValueOptions, Alternative Behavioral Services, TrialStar, CS&O, and FirstLab. Owns 80 percent of privately held FHC. Paid $4.25 million in 1998 for Arianna Huffington’s house in Washington; owns $17 million Citation jet.
Net Worth: $250 million
Confidence: C

49. UKROP FAMILY
Richmond. Brothers James E. Ukrop, 63, and Robert S. Ukrop, 53, inducted into Greater Richmond Business Hall of Fame last year. Three years ago, Ukrop’s Super Markets Inc. introduced its latest amenity — First Market Federal Savings Bank, a full service thrift inside Ukrop’s stores. Jim Ukrop is chairman. First Market reached $100 million in assets in its first six months. Gradually relaxing religion-based restrictions: credit cards are now acceptable in Richmond-area Ukrops stores.
Net Worth: $240 million
Confidence: C

50. SAUER FAMILY
Richmond. Founded in 1887, C.F. Sauer Co. makes spices and extracts. Family owns more than 95 percent of company and runs it. Expanded into other markets including hardware. Acquired Pleasants Hardware in 1988 and opened another Pleasants in Short Pump two years ago. Other subsidiaries include Dean Foods, Metrolina Plastics Inc. — both in Richmond, and the Duke’s brand of mayonnaise and salad products in Greenville, S.C.
Net Worth: $230 million
Confidence: C