December 12

Alan Shugart began his career at IBM, where he led the development of the first floppy disk drive. In 1979, he founded Shugart Associates to commercialize floppy technology and later co-founded Seagate Technology in 1978. Under his leadership, Seagate became a global leader in hard disk drives, setting industry standards for storage capacity and reliability. Shugart's vision and technical expertise drove major advancements in data storage solutions. He authored multiple patents and was honored with numerous awards throughout his career. After retiring, he remained a mentor and investor in technology startups. His contributions laid the foundation for the modern data storage industry.

Joe Allbritton took control of Riggs Bank in 1969 and transformed it into a leading international banking institution. He later diversified into media by creating the Allbritton Communications Company, acquiring local television stations including WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. Allbritton's strategic vision drove expansion in banking, publishing, and broadcasting. A committed philanthropist, he donated to educational institutions such as the Catholic University of America and Baylor College of Medicine. Allbritton served on several corporate and nonprofit boards, championing philanthropy in higher education and healthcare. In recognition of his contributions, he received numerous honors including the Papal Knight of St. Gregory. His family's foundation continues his philanthropic legacy.