Founder, Chairman, President, Director and CEO of Capital One Financial, Richard D. Fairbank, co-founded the company in 1988 with Nigel Morris. He also chairs Capital One Bank (USA); National Association and Capital One, National Association. His thought process behind the company’s founding was his “belief that the power of information, technology and testing could be harnessed to bring highly customized financial products directly to consumers.” Following his lead the company has shown its strong involvement in charitable and philanthropy efforts, backing up the following programs: DC Cares, the DC College Access Program and Junior Achievement. Fairbank has shown a strong sense of community and industry leadership, which resulted in his being named one of the 10 Top Innovators of the Decade by Bank Technology. In addition, in 2006 the American Banker named him “2006 Banker of the Year”; two years later he was honored as a Washington Business Hall of Fame Laureate; appointed to the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.