UPDATE: Tom Farrell dies at 66, the day after stepping down as leader of Dominion Energy

Michael Martz Apr 2, 2021

Thomas F. Farrell II, a lawyer who rose to the top of Dominion Energy to dominate Virginia business and politics, has died at age 66, the day after relinquishing his role as executive board chairman of the energy company he had ruled for 15 years. ... Mr. Farrell’s death from cancer on Friday afternoon came as suddenly as his retirement, which took effect on Thursday after a quiet announcement in a regulatory filing just more than a week ago, ending a career marked by aggressive leadership in the state and national energy business, civic affairs and higher education, and state legislative policymaking.

“We are just incredibly heartbroken,” said Richard Cullen, his brother-in-law and former chairman of the McGuireWoods law firm, from which Mr. Farrell launched his career at Dominion more than 25 years ago. ... “It’s just a tremendous loss, not only to the family, but really to the state of Virginia and beyond,” Cullen said Friday. “He lived to make things better.”

The day before his death, Mr. Farrell stepped down as executive chairman of the Dominion board, a role he created for himself more than six months ago under a succession plan that made Bob Blue the company’s CEO, but reporting to him. ... “Tom was a peerless mentor and an outstanding leader who sought to find innovative solutions to challenges at Dominion Energy, in the utility industry and in the community he called home,” said Blue, who added the title of board chairman on Thursday.

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However, he also was a devout Catholic who grew up in Fairfax County and never lost sight of what he saw as his obligation to his community, serving in leadership roles at the University of Virginia, his alma mater, and Virginia Commonwealth University, and helping Richmond overcome a shaky start to host an international cycling championship before a global audience in 2015. ... “He was the same guy running Dominion as he was a friend in high school,” said former Gov. Bob McDonnell, who attended Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria with Mr. Farrell.

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mmartz@timesdispatch.com

(804) 649-6964

Business Editor Gregory J. Gilligan contributed to this report.