Friday, September 29, 2023

Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Additional Administration and Board Appointments

Commonwealth of Virginia
Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2023


CONTACTS:



Office of the Governor

Contact: Macaulay Porter

Email: Macaulay.Porter@governor.virginia.gov

Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Additional Administration and Board Appointments

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced additional key administration and board appointments.


 ADMINISTRATION APPOINTMENTS 

 

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

 

  • Nicole Butler, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff


  • Gillian “Gigi” Aiken, Confidential Special Assistant


LABOR

 

  • Carrie Roth, Director, Department of Workforce Development and Advancement


  • The Honorable Kathy Byron, Deputy Director for External Affairs, Department of Workforce Development and Advancement


  • Demetrios “Mitch” Melis, Commissioner, Virginia Employment Commission


  • Kishore Thota, Director, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation

 

NATURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES

 

  • The Honorable John Cosgrove, Deputy Commissioner, Virginia Marine Resources Commission 

 

BOARD APPOINTMENTS


AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY


CHARITABLE GAMING BOARD


  • The Honorable Dirksen Compton of Pulaski County, Member, Board of Supervisors-Draper District, Pulaski County


  • Anthony C. Williams of Petersburg, City Attorney, City of Petersburg


MILK COMMISSION


  • Kevin Craun of Bridgewater, Owner and Manager, Hillview Farm, Inc.


  • Robert Watters of Great Falls, Managing Partner, The Madison Group LLC

 

VIRGINIA BOARD OF FORESTRY


  • Andrew Brown of Appomattox, Environmental Manager, Weyerhaeuser


  • William Godwin of Franklin, Forester, Franklin Lumber, LLC


  • Scott Shallenberger of Concord, Area Procurement Manager, WestRock

 

WINE BOARD


  • Kerem Baki of Purcellville, Owner and Winemaker, Hillsborough Winery, Brewery, and Vineyard


AUTHORITY


VIRGINIA SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT AND ENERGY STORAGE AUTHORITY


  • Robert Birdsey of Richmond, Managing Director, Green Front Energy

 

COMMERCE AND TRADE


VIRGINIA SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING AUTHORITY


  • Vanitha Khera of Mclean, Executive Director, Khera Charitable Fund

 

COMMONWEALTH


VIRGINIA ASIAN ADVISORY BOARD


  • Tony O. Yeh of Vienna, Real Estate Broker, United Realty, Inc.   


COMPACT


WASHINGTON METRORAIL SAFETY COMMISSION


  • Jennifer DeBruhl of Hanover, Director, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

 

EDUCATION


BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION


  • Leslie Sanchez of Alexandria, Founder and CEO, Impacto Group Media

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA HIGHER EDUCATION CENTER


  • April Hamby Crabtree of Abingdon, Small Business Owner and Educator

 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS


  • Loren Brueggen of Alexandria, Principal, Metropolitan Consulting


  • Emily Franklin of Virginia Beach, Creative Designer, Emily Franklin Designs


  • Dr. Pamela Royal of Richmond, President, Royal Dermatology


  • Christina Shin of McLean, Managing Partner, Rowe Weinstein & Sohn, PLLC

 

BOARD OF VISITORS OF JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY


  • Jeff Bolander of McGaheysville, Lieutenant Colonel, US Marine Corps (retired)

 

VIRGINIA COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS


  • Vanessa Thaxton-Ward, Ph.D., of Hampton, Director, Hampton University Museum


FINANCE


ADVISORY COUNCIL ON REVENUE ESTIMATES


  • Shane McCullar of Alexandria, CEO and Operating Principle, KW Metro Center

HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES


ADVISORY BOARD ON SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERISM


  • Jason Ascher of Arlington, Political Director, Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Association


  • Shane Roberts-Thomas of Richmond, Co-owner, Morse Group Corporation (DBA Southern Kitchen)


  • Elizabeth L. Schultz of Richmond, Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Virginia Department of Education

 

BOARD OF DENTISTRY


  • J. Michael Martinez de Andino of Henrico, Senior Counsel (Retired), Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP


  • Jennifer Szakaly, JD, DDS, of Isle of Wight County, Isle of Wight Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, PC (DBA Isle Dentistry) 

 

RENAL DISEASE COUNCIL


  • Dr. Stephen Anderson of Forest, Owner and Pharmacist, Halifax Pharmacy


  • Jennifer Jones of Chesterfield, Resilience Practitioner, J.L. Jones Consulting, L.L.C., Executive Board of Directors, American Association of Kidney Patients

 

  • Dr. Kinjal R. Patel of Lorton, Physician, Virginia Nephrology Group


  • Anthony Reed of Stuarts Draft, CEO, Kidney Trails 

 

STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD


  • Dr. Rebecca Branch-Griffin of Chesterfield County, Retired Director of Health/Counseling Services, Virginia State University


  • Brian Frankel of Fredericksburg, Deputy Chief of EMS, Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department


  • Robert E. Lipscomb, Jr., of Lynchburg, Retired Deputy Fire Chief, Lynchburg Fire Department


  • Beth Matish of Henrico County, CEO, Johnston Willis Hospital.


  • Dr. Patrick McLaughlin of Midlothian, Physician, VCU Health


  • Matthew Rickman of Roanoke, Deputy Chief, City of Salem Fire-EMS Department


  • Torie Smith of Palmer Springs, Flight Nurse, Duke Life Flight


  • R. Bruce Stratton of Concord, Life Member & Hall of Fame Recipient, Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads Inc.

 

STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES  


  • Melvin Roy of Washington, D.C., Founder and CEO, Foster-U 

 

LABOR


BOARD FOR ARCHITECTS, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, LAND SURVEYORS, CERTIFIED INTERIOR DESIGNERS, AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS


  • The Honorable Susan P. Dibble of Glen Allen, Member, Board of Supervisors- South Anna District, Hanover County

 

BOARD FOR ASBESTOS, LEAD, AND HOME INSPECTORS


  • Tripp Costen of Henrico, President, Costen Floors


  • Robert Shackford of Mechanicsville, Vice President, Paramount Builders, Inc.

 

BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL SOIL SCIENTISTS, WETLAND PROFESSIONALS, AND GEOLOGISTS


  • Justin T. Brown of Glen Allen, Environmental Scientist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

 

BOARD FOR WATERWORKS AND WASTEWATER WORKS OPERATORS AND ONSITE SEWAGE SYSTEM PROFESSIONALS


  • Erica Duncan of Hanover, Assistant Division Director, Henrico County


  • Caleb Taylor of Christiansburg, Executive Director, NRV Regional Water Authority

 

COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITY BOARD



  • Deborah Mancoll Casey of Virginia Beach, Attorney, Principle and Vice Chair, Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC
###
Twitter  Facebook  

Monday, September 25, 2023

Amazon to Build Two State-of-the-Art Operations Facilities in Virginia Beach, Creating 1,000+ New Jobs

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 25, 2023


CONTACTS:



Office of the Governor

Contact: Macaulay Porter

Email: Macaulay.Porter@governor.virginia.gov


Virginia Economic Development Partnership 

Suzanne Clark 

Email: sclark@vedp.org 

 

Amazon 

Ian Allen-Anderson  

Email: iaallena@amazon.com

Amazon to Build Two State-of-the-Art Operations Facilities in Virginia Beach, Creating 1,000+ New Jobs

Company to establish multi-story robotics fulfillment center and “last mile” delivery station

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Amazon will launch a new, state-of-the-art fulfillment center and delivery station in the City of Virginia Beach, creating full-time jobs with industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits starting on day one. Amazon will establish a multi-story robotics fulfillment center and delivery station, which will bring more than 1,000 new full-time jobs. The new robotics fulfilment center is anticipated to launch operations in 2025, with the delivery station anticipated to launch in 2024 in time for the holiday season. 

 

“Amazon’s cutting-edge fulfillment centers generate major capital investment and thousands of jobs and strengthen Virginia’s position as a logistics industry leader on the East Coast,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “We see Amazon’s expanding footprint impacting economic growth and innovation across the Commonwealth, and we will continue to compete for additional investment in Virginia.”  


“Virginia’s strengths in the supply chain sector are demonstrated by the ongoing expansion of Amazon fulfillment centers in the Commonwealth since 2006,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “The company’s growth in Virginia is a testament to the power of our workforce and strong business climate.” 


“Virginia is a great state for business and gives us the opportunity to better serve our customers in the region,” said Holly Sullivan, Amazon’s Vice president of Worldwide Economic Development and Public Policy. “We are excited for our future in the Commonwealth, and for what this means for our customers as we continue to grow. We’d also like to thank Governor Youngkin, local, and state leaders for their continued strong support in making another jobs announcement in Virginia possible.” 


“City leadership, stakeholders, and partners are thrilled Amazon is making such a significant investment in Virginia Beach,” said City of Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. “Virginia Beach is the ideal location for Amazon operations facilities due to its strategic location to The Port of Virginia, accessibility, and available workforce. We welcome Amazon to the Virginia Beach community and look forward to a successful partnership.” 


“In the past few years, Amazon has truly embraced the Hampton Roads community, opening facilities in multiple locations and quickly becoming one of the region’s major employers. Today’s announcement marks yet another milestone in Amazon’s investment in and dedication to Hampton Roads,” said Douglas L. Smith, President & CEO, Hampton Roads Alliance. “The Alliance congratulates Amazon, along with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and the City of Virginia Beach, on their continued success and thanks them for their commitment to growing the Hampton Roads economy.”  


“This is great news for the Commonwealth, and especially the residents of Virginia Beach,” said Senator Bill DeSteph. “Amazon has been a valued member of the community for years, and I am grateful for their continued investment in our region. The new robotics fulfillment center and new delivery facility represent a significant expansion of Amazon's operations in Virginia Beach, which will positively impact the area for years to come in creating new job opportunities and economic development.” 


“Amazon’s new facilities will enhance economic vitality for the City of Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads region, bringing capital investment and 1,100 new jobs as well as indirect jobs that create a multiplier effect,” said Delegate Barry Knight. “Amazon is a great corporate partner to Virginia, and we look forward to their continued expansion.” 


Amazon first launched its Virginia fulfillment operations in 2006 with a fulfillment center in Sterling. The new Virginia Beach facilities represent the company’s 14th fulfillment and sortation center in the Commonwealth, as well as the 17th delivery station. In 2021, Amazon announced a robotics fulfillment center in Henrico County, which is anticipated to launch later this fall. In addition to the company’s Arlington headquarters, Amazon also has 15 Whole Foods Markets, 5 Amazon Fresh stores, and three Prime Now Hubs in Virginia Beach, Richmond, and Springfield. 


In the 650,000-square-foot Virginia Beach robotics fulfillment center, Amazon associates will pick, pack, and ship small items to customers such as books, electronics, and toys. 

 

Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than $109 billion in Virginia, including infrastructure and compensation to employees, and has created more than 36,000 direct jobs in the Commonwealth. These investments support an additional 200,000 indirect jobs across the state, in fields like construction and professional services, and have contributed more than $72 billion to the Virginia GDP, on top of the company’s direct investments. 

 

Amazon jobs offer industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits, including full health, vision and dental, 401k with 50 percent company match, and up to 20 weeks of paid parental leave. All Amazon associates go through hours of safety training and ongoing coaching and have access to continuing education opportunities through the company’s upskilling program, Career Choice, in which Amazon will pre-pay tuition for courses related to in-demand fields, regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon. Since the program’s launch, more than 1,000 employees in Virginia have pursued degrees through Amazon’s 13 education partners in the Commonwealth. The company has committed to investing $1.2 billion to help over 300,000 employees in the U.S. further develop their skills by 2025. 

 

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. The City will fund stormwater and road improvements between Dam Neck Road and London Bridge Road to provide access to the facilities. Dominion Energy will provide power to the sites. 


 About Amazon 


Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, Earth’s best employer, and Earth’s safest place to work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. 

###

Twitter  Facebook  

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Advanced Materials Manufacturer to Expand in Virginia

Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2023


CONTACTS:



Office of the Governor

Contact: Macaulay Porter

Email: Macaulay.Porter@governor.virginia.gov


Virginia Economic Development Partnership 

Contact: Suzanne Clark 

Email: sclark@vedp.org 


Hermes Abrasives USA 

Contact: Brad Sorgen 

Email: bradsorgen@hermesabrasives.com 

Advanced Materials Manufacturer to Expand in Virginia

Hermes Abrasives USA to invest $5.6 million to increase capabilities in the City of Virginia Beach, creating 30 new jobs

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Hermes Abrasives USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Germany-based Hermes Abrasives and a global leader in supplying industrial abrasive materials to support production finish, will invest $5.6 million to expand in the City of Virginia Beach, integrating new production lines to increase capabilities. The company will return its narrow belt production line to the facility, which was moved from Virginia Beach to Mexico in 2019. Virginia successfully competed with Mexico for this project, which will create 30 new jobs. 


“Hermes Abrasives has demonstrated a 40+ year commitment to Virginia, and the return of its belt production line from Mexico to Virginia Beach sends a clear message that the Commonwealth has the right combination of assets for manufacturers to locate and grow,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Hampton Roads offers the skilled workforce, logistics advantage, and business climate that international leaders like Hermes need to thrive, and we look forward to their continued success in the Commonwealth.”  


“The expansion of Hermes Abrasives’ flagship facility in Virginia Beach further demonstrates the increasing role Virginia is playing in reshoring manufacturing,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick. “We thank Hermes Abrasives for recognizing Virginia’s advantages and reinvesting in its operation as a long-term corporate partner in the Commonwealth.” 


“Hermes Abrasives has proudly called Southeastern Virginia home for over 40 years. Though we have grown and changed with the times, we are excited about the potential expansion and development that we have planned over the next five years,” said Brad Sorgen, President of North American Operations. “With nearly $6 million in planned capital investment, Hermes is looking to increase its overall manufacturing footprint to better service its hundreds of customers throughout North America.” 


“Hermes Abrasives has been a valued member of our business community since the 1980s, and we are excited to support their expansion in Virginia Beach,” said Mayor Bobby Dyer. “We look forward to seeing their success as they increase manufacturing operations and continue to demonstrate that our City is the best place to do business.” 


“The expansion of an international manufacturer which located to Hampton Roads in 1981 speaks to the stability and growth of the manufacturing industry in Virginia Beach and the region,” said Douglas L. Smith, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance. “I am thrilled for Brad Sorgen and his team on this milestone and look forward to telling our international prospects the success story that is Hermes Abrasives.” 


“We are excited that a global company like Hermes Abrasives will invest an additional $5.6 million to increase its operations in Virginia Beach,” said Senator Bill DeSteph. “With this expansion, Hermes Abrasives brings new jobs to our city and bolsters manufacturing in the United States. Growth like this reinforces the importance of our ‘right-to-work’ laws here in the Commonwealth, and why so many choose to locate in our great state. I am proud to have Hermes Abrasives USA in my district and am grateful for the opportunities it provides our residents.” 


“We are always excited to see Virginia Beach businesses expand, and especially when manufacturing and production lines are being brought back to our country,” said Delegate Anne Ferrell Tata. “Our Governor and Mayor form a formidable team in expanding jobs here at home.”  


Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, Hermes Abrasives manufactures a variety of Coated and Bonded Abrasives and grinding tools. The company has a manufacturing or sales presence worldwide with major offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Singapore, China, Mexico, and the U.S. (Virginia). The company’s Virginia Beach facility, which was established in 1981, currently manufactures 60% of Hermes’ full product portfolio and is the flagship facility for its industrial-scale sandpaper product, primarily used in the automotive and woodworking industries. 


The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads Alliance to secure the project for Virginia and will support Hermes Abrasives’ job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP), which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs in order to support employee recruitment and training activities. As a business incentive supporting economic development, VJIP reduces the human resource costs of new and expanding companies. VJIP is state-funded, demonstrating Virginia’s commitment to enhancing job opportunities for citizens. 

###

Twitter  Facebook  

Monday, September 11, 2023

‼️Correction‼️ This Week in DJ Trivia!

DJ Trivia & DJ Bingo of Hampton Roads
Let's Play Some Trivia!
Welcome to the Summer/Fall Season!
Welcome to week 13

***CORRECTION***
There IS trivia tonight at Manhattans. The previous email was incorrect. Sorry for any confusion.

 
If you are newer to DJ Trivia, to have a chance at the Championship, all you have to do it PLAY!. Each week, play at your home venue. Make sure you use the same Team Name each week so your points can be calculated.

Current Locations Near You!

MONDAY
Manhattan's NY Deli & Pub (Newport News) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)


TUESDAY
Hoss's Deli (Newport News) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)
Stillwater Tavern (Hampton) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)
WXYZ Bar and Lounge (Chesapeake) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)
The Brass Tap (Williamsburg) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)


WEDNESDAY
The Cowboy Sports Grill (York County) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)
IDK Raw Bar Grill & Gaming (Hayes) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)
Smoke BBQ Restaurant and Bar (Newport News) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)


THURSDAY
Burger Theory (Newport News) - 7:00pm (DJ Trivia)


FRIDAY
My Neighbors' Pub (Newport News) - 7:30pm (DJ Trivia)
Search More Locations to Play DJ Trivia!
Search More Locations to Play DJ Bingo!

EMAIL BONUS!

This weeks bonus it the Double Points:
 

To do this, Turn in an answer slip with "Double" written on it and show your host this email. If you get it correct, you will get double points for that question. If you get the answer wrong, you get no extra points. Right or Wrong, you can only do this once per game on any RRQ, so choose wisely. This can NOT be used on the DDD or DOD questions.

 
*Must show this email to your host.
*Only one bonus per team, per game.
*May not be used in conjunction with the Facebook bonus*

Also check out the DJ Trivia Clue of the Day!

Learn about DJ Trivia League Play
DJ Trivia on facebook
DJ Trivia Twitter
www.DJTrivia.com
Copyright © 2023 DJ Trivia LLC, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list