Appointed/elected
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced additional board appointments. Terri Graham Wallace of Poquoson, owner of Graham & Rollins Inc., was appointed to the Marine Products Board. Crystal Salmons of Virginia Beach, owner of Salmons Inc., was appointed to the Small Grains Board. Dana Childress of Chesapeake, assistant professor at Old Dominion University, was appointed to the Virginia Interagency Coordinating Council. Stephen Rodriguez of Chesapeake, inspector at Virginia Department of Transportation, and Ann Templeman of Hampton, senior business support analyst for Virginia Natural Gas, were reappointed to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District Commission. Rodriguez was first appointed to the commission in 2012, serving as chair since 2022. Templeman previously served on the commission from January 2017 until May 2019. She was again appointed in 2021.
Awards and honors
U.S. Oral Surgery Management announced its surgeon partner N. Ray Lee of Oyster Point Oral & Facial Surgery in Newport News received the Frank DiPlacido Humanitarian Service Award. The award, given by the Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, is not bestowed annually. It is merit-based and awarded only to members who demonstrate “exemplary humanitarian efforts.” Dr. Lee is one of only seven people to receive the award since its establishment in 2008. Lee is the founder and board chairman of Operation Restore Oral Health, a nonprofit organization that provides pro bono dental and oral surgery services not covered by Veterans Affairs to honorably discharged U.S. veterans. Operation Restore Oral Health also provides wisdom teeth extractions to children of U.S. Special Forces soldiers who were killed in the line of duty. Lee is a board-certified expert in oral and maxillofacial surgery with particular expertise in dental implant surgery, wisdom tooth removal, corrective jaw surgery and facial cosmetic procedures, as well as diagnosing and treating facial pain, injuries and fractures. With more than 40 years of experience treating patients, Lee began his career as a combat medic and dental specialist in the Air Force. Lee is the designer and developer of the Genial Bone Advancement Trephine Surgical Procedure and the medical instruments used for the surgery in conjunction with Stryker Leibinger Corp. He also designed and developed the OSA Plating System in cooperation with the OsteoMed Corp. He has written a variety of publications and has lectured internationally on sleep-related breathing disorders.
Three Bon Secours Hampton Roads hospitals received the Partner for Change Award from Practice Greenhealth in recognition for their achievement and innovation in health care sustainability. Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News and Bon Secours Southampton Medical Center in Franklin were recognized for superior performance and ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability.
Chesapeake Regional Healthcare recently honored four nurses during its annual Nurse Exemplar Awards ceremony. Haley Hammond, a labor and delivery nurse, is this year’s Nurse Exemplar, which recognizes the most exceptional nurse in the organization. She received a $1,000 scholarship from the Chesapeake Hospital Auxiliary to further her nursing education. This year’s Rookie Award winner is Ashlynn Harnage, an intensive care unit nurse who began her career less than two years ago. She also received a $1,000 scholarship. Cathy Mason, nurse manager of 5 West, a 28-bed high-acuity medical-surgical unit, and 6 West, a 30-bed telemetry unit focusing on neuroscience and stroke care, is this year’s Outstanding Leader. Mason received a $500 scholarship. This year’s Legacy Award recipient is Jennifer Schmitt, a labor and delivery nurse since 2011 and a charge nurse who began as a care partner. Schmitt received a $500 scholarship.
Nine Pender & Coward attorneys were included in the 2024 list of Virginia Super Lawyers. They include Dave Arnold, focused on eminent domain and right of way condemnation matters for government and business entities; Jeff Gray, business litigation; Annie Lahren, immigration, family law, labor and employment and litigation; Jeff Rosen, civil litigation, local government, employment and insurance defense matters; Bob Samuel, workers’ compensation and personal injury litigation; and Diane Thompson, estate and probate. Rising Stars include Ra Hee Jeon, family law and immigration matters; Bryan Peeples, maritime and riparian law, environmental law and worker’s compensation; and Kerry Stolz, workers’ compensation, insurance defense and civil litigation.
Gloucester County’s Deputy County Administrator Steve Wright was recently awarded the Julian F. Hirst Award for Distinguished Service by the Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. The award is given each year to a Hampton Roads public administrator who holds an exceptional record of public service. Wright has nearly 20 years of public sector experience, including leadership positions in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Since coming to Gloucester in 2022 and taking on the deputy role, Wright has worked to revamp and improve key performance indicator measurements for all county departments. He has also implemented several programs to foster employee development and professional growth within the organization.
The National Apartment Association announced S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. as a winner of the 2024 NAA Top Employers Awards, which recognize member organizations that foster environments of collaboration, innovation and hard work.
Sade Allsbrook, an executive housekeeper at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach/Norfolk Airport team, was honored with an award in the housekeeping category at the National Travel and Tourism Week Awards Ceremony in Virginia Beach. Nominated by the hotel’s director of sales, Allsbrook’s outstanding leadership, integrity and dedication have consistently exemplified the core values of Legendary Capital. Her exemplary service and attention to detail have significantly contributed to enhancing guest experiences at the Homewood Suites.
Jon and Amy Paul and Trey Parks, franchise owners of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, were awarded the Meyera E. Oberndorf Award for exemplary service to senior citizens on May 29 at the Mayor’s Commission on Aging Senior Showcase event at the Princess Anne Recreation Center in Virginia Beach.
The Navy Exchange Service Command Hospitality Group presented its 2023 hospitality awards on May 16. Bruce Williams, guest services representative at Navy Lodge Little Creek-Fort Story, was selected as Navy Lodge Associate of the Year. Williams was recognized for his leadership, empathy, personal touch and training and mentoring new staff members. Margaret Winfield, Navy Gateway Inns & Suites Yorktown-Cheatham Annex guest service representative, received the Department Lead of the Year award for her outstanding leadership qualities and problem-solving skills. Winfield improved security and accountability of hotel assets and volunteered to help housekeeping staff clean rooms. Queen Weaver, NGIS Hampton Roads, was named Housekeeping Attendant of the Year. Weaver connected with both long-term and short-term guests and was proactive in communication with management about facility and maintenance concerns to ensure they were quickly addressed. She also trained colleagues.
Contract
Illinois-based KemperSports, a leading golf, sports, entertainment and hospitality company, was selected by the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority to manage the Williamsburg Sports & Events Center. The facility, which is currently being designed, is scheduled to open in 2026. The authority is a partnership between the city of Williamsburg, James City County and York County. Once complete, the facility will include more than 200,000 square feet of recreation space, including 12 basketball courts that can be converted to 24 volleyball courts and 36 pickleball courts, conversion turf capabilities with enough space for one football field or six five-on-five soccer fields, a climbing wall, meeting space and food and beverage areas. KemperSports Venues develops and manages youth, amateur and recreation sports facilities nationwide.
Education
The Virginia Board of Education approved the establishment of another lab school partnership between Old Dominion University and Suffolk Public Schools. The STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School‘s goals are to design an innovative science, technology, engineering and math learning environment for students, create a learning hub for educator preparation and development and provide a research setting for both university faculty and K-12 educators.
Funding
Magazine Jukebox Inc. in Norfolk successfully closed its seed round in May, raising $2.7 million thanks to investments from angel and institutional investors. The company launched services in January 2022 and has six full-time employees.
The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority announced Virginia has been approved for $4.1 million in technical assistance grant funding under the federal State Small Business Credit Initiative program. 757 Collab in Norfolk was one of four recipients that split the total pool of money. This program will provide legal, accounting and financial advisory services to companies preparing for support from state and/or federal small business programs and connect companies directly with supported capital programs. This program fills a critical gap in the ecosystem and we will actually be paying for attorneys and accountants to coach participants, said Paul Nolde, 757 Collab managing director.
Grants and donations
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded Vitus a $10 million loan for Stuart Gardens II Apartments in Newport News to support energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced more than $3.27 million in matching grant and sponsorship funds will be awarded to 268 tourism programs as part of Virginia Tourism Corp.’s Marketing Grants programs. Awards include $13,000 for Onancock Main Street, $4,000 for North Street Market in Accomack County, $11,000 for Cape Charles Goes Social, $9,000 for Gloucester Arts Festival, $15,500 for Virginia Wine Camp in Gloucester, $6,500 for Girlfriend Getaway in Gloucester, $11,250 to The Cook Foundation for Museum Week in Gloucester, $4,100 to the Phoebus Partnership in Hampton, $13,140 for the Supernova International Ska Festival in Hampton, $2,920 for the Commemoration of the 1619 First African Landing in Hampton, $5,840 for the Hampton Jazz & Music Festival, $14,600 for Sea to the Stars ticket promotion in Hampton, $11,700 for Smithfield & Isle of Wight, $6,570 for Military Through the Ages in James City County, $32,500 for Call of the Wild at the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, $3,500 for the Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival in Newport News, $29,250 for Norfolk Festevents, $45,000 for Virginia Arts Festival in Norfolk, $32,500 for VisitNorfolk, $13,500 for Hampton Roads Pride in Norfolk, $29,000 for Patriotic Festival in Norfolk, $13,140 for Norfolk Harborfest, $14,600 for Virginia International Tattoo in Norfolk, $5,000 for Barrier Islands Center in Northampton, $10,000 to Moonrise Jewelry in Northampton, $8,482 to Fig Street Inn in Northampton, $43,850 to Portsmouth Museums and Tourism, $13,870 to Genuine Website redesign in Smithfield, $9,000 to Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach, $11,680 for 68th Annual Virginia MOCA Boardwalk Art Show, $42,390 for Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, $5,750 for Jackalope marketing in Virginia Beach, $10,000 for Virginia Oyster Trail in Virginia Beach, $5,000 for The Nature Bus in Virginia Beach, $11,700 for Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, $13,140 for Virginia Beach North American Sand Soccer Championships, $2,920 for Juneteenth at the Beach, $11,680 for East Coast Surfing Championships, $3,285 for Warbirds Over the Beach, $3,285 for SonRise Music Festival in Virginia Beach, $9,750 for Silver Hand Meadery in Williamsburg, $4,387 for Williamsburg Farmers Market, $30,244 for York County Tourism and $6,570 for Yorktown Tea Party/Maritime Heritage and Sea Shanty Festival.
Newport News-based Drucker + Falk employees voted to support Stop AAPI Hate ($670), National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum ($630) and Asian Americans for Equality ($360) in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula received a donation of 92 iMac computers from ibex, a global provider of business process outsourcing and AI-powered customer engagement technology solutions based in Washington, D.C. The new computers will be integrated into the club’s educational programs, including helping with homework, digital literacy and creative projects.
Norfolk-based PRA Group sponsored two massive cisterns, each capable of holding about 5,000 gallons of water, under the Elizabeth River Project’s newly opened Pru & Louis Ryan Resilience Lab. Recently named a River Star Business, PRA is a publicly traded global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans. The cisterns allow the facility to collect and recycle rainwater, collected directly from the lab’s green roof. The cisterns provide the lab’s non-potable water, which is ultraviolet-filtered on-site. If the cisterns are empty when a flood hits, bolts anchor them deep into the ground to protect the building and safety of the surrounding community.
Marketing campaign
HII, parent company of Newport News Shipbuilding, launched a hiring campaign called “Build It” to spotlight the contributions and rewards of building ships for the Navy. The campaign targets workers of all ages and skill levels and highlights paid training and development at its shipyards. The campaign will appear on social media, digital and display advertising and local television. HII expects it will complement a current national advertising campaign launched by the Navy.
Mergers and acquisitions
Virginia Beach-based Groundworks, a foundation and water management solutions company, announced its second location in Canada. The company acquired Edmonton, Alberta-based PolyLevel Alberta Corp. Groundworks now operates over 70 offices across 35 states and two countries.
Chesapeake-based Dollar Tree acquired designation rights for 170 leases of 99 Cents Only Stores across Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. Dollar Tree Chief Operating Officer Michael Creedon Jr. said, “The portfolio complements our existing footprint and will provide us access to high quality real estate assets in premium retail centers, enabling us to rapidly grow the Dollar Tree brand across the western United States, reaching even more customers and communities.”
Openings
Inspire Life Therapy opened at 4 San Jose Drive off J. Clyde Morris Boulevard in Newport News on June 7. The facility provides couples, family and relationship counseling, child and adolescent services and treatment for depression, anxiety and trauma, according to its website.
A Portsmouth-headquartered tech service provider named aion. started serving the Hampton Roads area on June 1. The business provides repair and troubleshooting services for phones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, game consoles and more — performed in-home or on-the-job by a Wireless Industry Service Excellence-certified technician. Most repairs are completed in an hour or less and come with a one-year parts and labor warranty. The company also offers a range of Smart Home services and solutions for businesses and educational institutions, tech protection plans and a web store for a variety of tech accessories and certified pre-owned devices. For more info, visit www.aion.is.
Starbucks opened a location with indoor and outdoor seating and drive-thru at 3019 George Washington Memorial Highway in Hayes.
VitalCare of Suffolk opened at 1520 Breezeport Way on June 13. The privately owned company, led by Marcie Parker, has been at the forefront of expanding access to high-quality infusion therapy. VitalCare offers patients care in the comfort of their homes through their dedicated and trained staff.
Partnership
TitleQuest and the law firm of Pender & Coward in Hampton Roads formed a closing agent alliance to enhance the accuracy, efficiency and legal support for buyers, sellers and their agents. This partnership offers a seamless solution for both real estate closings and related legal support. The idea is that clients don’t have to choose between title companies and law firms for their transactions. Title companies focus on closings and insuring the title to the property while law firms can offer legal support in working out legal conflicts between the parties.
Retirement
The Breeden Co. announced Frank Wiley, the company’s executive vice president, is retiring after a 49-year tenure. Wiley drove significant innovation and accomplishment across a range of divisions within the Breeden organization. He managed all pre-construction and construction services for commercial and residential projects. He started with the company in 1975 as a field superintendent responsible for managing construction sites and subcontractors. Over the course of his career with Breeden, he worked in several departments including commercial leasing, property management and property sales of condominiums and single-family homes. Wiley, who lives in Virginia Beach, helped design and develop almost 20,000 multifamily units along with 2 million square feet of commercial and retail space.
Sale
The Wine Seller at 4680 Monticello Ave. in Monticello Marketplace in James City County near Williamsburg is for sale for the second time in 26 years. It was previously acquired in 2020 from its founder Bill Moore. For more information, contact Sean Ryan at 703-477-8689.
