George H. V. Cecil
George H.V. Cecil(1925-) Is the owner and operator of Biltmore Farms. He is the grandson of George Washington Vanderbilt II, the founder of the Biltmore Estate. George H.V. Cecil was educated in Europe and served in the British Navy from 1942-1946 during World War II before returning to Asheville where he took on leadership positions with Carolina Power & Light, Memorial Mission Hospitals, UNC Hospitals, Multimedia, Inc., and First National Bank and Trust, a predecessor to First Union National Bank, which recently merged with Wachovia Corporation. He has contributed significantly to the community in Asheville and throughout North Carolina.
Upon the passing of his mother, Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, George, as the oldest son, was given the choice of taking over Biltmore Farms (the family diary) or the Estate. Leaving the Estate for his brother William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil, George chose to take ownership of Biltmore Farms which, at the time, was much more profitable. Goerge has continued to grow Biltmore Farms, transforming it into a profitable Real Estate, Homebuilding, Commercial and Hospitality business that serves the Asheville area.
He has a distinct legacy as a direct descendent of both William Henry Vanderbilt and, on his father's side, William Cecil, the chief advisor to Queen Elizabeth the 1st in the 16th century.