THOMAS S. GAYNER
President and CIO
MARKEL
As a member of Markel’s three-member Office of the President, Thomas Gayner oversees the company’s investing activities, as well as the diverse industrial and service businesses of Markel Ventures. Markel was recently valued at nearly $12 billion, and its stock has grown at an average annual rate of more than 18%. The Motley Fool has called the company a “mini Berkshire Hathaway.” Gayner also serves as chairman of the board for the Davis Series Mutual Funds and on the boards of Colfax Corporation and Graham Holdings. He’s a trustee of the Community Foundation of Richmond and a member of the Virginia Retirement System’s investment advisory committee. Prior to joining Markel in 1990, Gayner served as vice president of Davenport & Co. of Virginia.