john AND VIRGINIA rigsby

Director of virgin media

Orlando, Florida | PathNorth member since 2018

After earning a degree in political science from Brown University in 1968, John Rigsby began his career in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. From 1968 to 1972, he served on two naval destroyers in in the Pacific before he was transferred to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where he met his wife Virginia. Upon being accepted to Harvard Business School in 1974, the couple moved to Boston. After several field management positions, John relocated to Denver where he served as vice president of consumer satellite services at the American Television and Communication Corporation. After moving to New Jersey in 1986, John began tenure at Paragon Communications, a Time Warner and Houston Industries cable joint venture. Here, he served as president of both the Northern Manhattan Division and the Northeast Division. In 1995, John and his family moved to Orlando, Florida, where he was the president of the Florida division for Time Warner Communications. In 2003, John became the president of the Florida Group for Bright House Networks until he retired in 2007.

John’s expertise in the cable industry has been recognized through esteemed honors, including being elected to the governor’s prestigious Florida Information Services Technology Development Task Force and earning the industry’s highest honor for a cable executive, the Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management. He served on the Virgin Media Board of Directors from 2008 to 2013. John has acted as president of the Board of Friends of the Mennello Museum of American Art and is a member of the board of overseers for the Crummer School of Business at Rollins College. At Rollins, John acts as a mentor and offers guidance to MBA students. John was the Chairman of United Arts of Central Florida, chairman of the Board of the Economic Development Commission of Mid Florida, and also as a board member of Enterprise Florida. Evident through his community involvement, John believes leadership means not just working within one’s company, but rather dedicating oneself to their entire community. He was recognized by the mid-Florida chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society with their Silver Hope Award for his outstanding community leadership and philanthropy.

The daughter of a Marine Corps officer, Virginia Rigsby was born in the country of Panama. She would spend her childhood moving to different military bases across the country. This instilled an early love for travel that would follow throughout her life. She graduated from what is now the University of Mary Washington in 1967 with a degree in English. Virginia started her career as an English teacher until her desire for adventure inspired her to take a job as a flight attendant with Pan Am in 1969. In 1973, she was transferred to the Honolulu base, where she met her husband John. When John was accepted in Harvard Business School in 1974, they moved to Boston. Virginia continued to fly with Pan Am until 1982, followed by the birth of her two sons.

Virginia was devoted to being part of her sons’ education and became active in school programs. In 1995, the Rigsby family moved to Orlando, Florida. To honor their sons, Virginia and John funded the John and David Scholarship at Dr. Phillips High School. Virginia has been instrumental in selecting recipients who demonstrate excellent academics and community service, as well as financial need. She and her husband have found it profoundly meaningful and have even kept in contact with some of the grateful recipients.

Virginia has been able to explore her passion for travel with her husband, John and his work. Business trips have taken them to the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals, along with many other enchanting destinations such as celebrating New Year’s Eve in Vienna, Austria. Most recently, the Rigsbys have enjoyed uniquely memorable trips in the South Pacific, Antarctica, and the animal sanctuaries of Africa. In Orlando, Virginia has planned galas for the Mennello Museum of American Art and is an avid reader who thoughtfully leads book club discussions. Mrs. Rigsby has an eagerness for knowledge and adventure that precedes her, and she is welcomes new experiences and people through this opportunity with PathNorth.