Roanoke Business- Dec. 2014 by Virginia Business

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DECEMBER 2014

SERVING THE ROANOKE/BLACKSBURG/ NEW RIVER VALLEY REGION

Growing the economy In 2014, the region saw more expansion, jobs and investment from overseas

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CONTENTS

6 December 2014 SERVING THE ROANOKE/BLACKSBURG/ NEW RIVER VALLEY REGION

F E AT U R E S COVER STORY

Growing the economy

In 2014, the region saw more expansion, jobs and investment from overseas. by Mason Adams and Jenny Boone

CONSTRUCTION & ARCHITECTURE High-tech and green

Using new technology and repurposing old buildings are two building and design trends. by Donna Alvis-Banks

WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY Making connections

WoTech offers networking and evangelizing for women in STEM fields. by Beth Jones

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT Balance and stability

After years of tumult, Roanoke City Council seems to be settling down – and that may be good for business.

14 25

by Mason Adams

D 28

COMMUNITY PROFILE: SALEM

M 32

by Beth Jones

SALEM AT A GLANCE

DECEMBER 2014

NEWS FROM THE CHAMBER

Only the best Salem maintains its independence but doesn’t always work alone.

Homestead Creamery named Small Business of the Year Chamber champions/Event sponsors/New members Member news and recognitions

Banking services and products that rival the biggest. Personal customer care that surpasses all. Member FDIC

EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

Are YouWithValley Yet?

FROM THE EDITOR

Measuring success

SERVING THE ROANOKE/BLACKSBURG/ NEW RIVER VALLEY REGION

by Tim Thornton

his month’s cover story introduced me to a new economic measurement. Well, it’s not exactly new, but it was new to me: GMP. GMP is gross metropolitan product. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis explains it is “the sub-state counterpart of the nation’s gross domestic product … an inflation-adjusted measure of each area’s gross product that is based on national prices for the goods and services produced within the metropolitan area.” The Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area, it turns out, has the second-largest GMP drawn completely from inside the commonwealth, just over $13 billion. But Virginia’s largest MSAs bleed into neighboring states, so Roanoke has the fourth highest GMP in Virginia – at least, it did in 2013, the year tracked by the latest figures from the BEA. The three ahead of Roanoke on the list are Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, Virginia Beach-NorfolkNewport News and Richmond. The Virginia Beach MSA includes a piece of North Carolina. The Washington MSA includes the District of Columbia and parts of Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. It’s worth noting that the sum of the second, third and fourth largest GMPs in Virginia amount to about 37 percent of the Washington metro area’s GMP. Nevertheless, four is a pretty good number, especially when Roanoke’s GMP was the second-fastest growing in Virginia. According to the BEA, the GMP rose in 292 of the country’s 381 MSAs. Collectively, the country’s metropolitan areas’ GDP rose 1.7 percent in 2013, down from a 2.6 percent increase in 2012. The Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford MSA is a good bit smaller than Roanoke’s — a little more than $5.8 billion — and it fell 0.29 percent in 2013. But that slight decline came after a string of increases: 1.68 percent in 2010; 3 percent in 2011; and 5.61 percent in 2012. What do all those numbers mean? They seem to mean we’re doing pretty well. But there’s more than statistics compiled in Washington to support that theory. When Jenny Boone and Mason Adams went looking for economic development success stories, they didn’t have any trouble finding them. From Pulaski to Daleville to New Castle to Rocky Mount, they turned up international investment, new manufacturers and expanding businesses. They found positive things happening in technology, tourism, music and minor league baseball. Brian Hamilton, Montgomery County’s economic development director, thinks 2014 was a year that saw the release of pent-up demand. Wayne Strickland, executive director of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, thinks regional cooperation is paying off – and is about to pay off even more. Whatever’s driving it, I’m looking forward to the next GMP report.

DECEMBER 2014

Vol. 3

DECEMBER 2014

President & Publisher Roanoke Business Editor Contributing Editor Contributing Writers

No. 12

Bernard A. Niemeier Tim Thornton Paula C. Squires Mason Adams Donna Alvis-Banks Jenny Boone Beth Jones

Art Director Contributing Photographers

Adrienne R. Watson Alisa Moody Don Petersen Natalee Waters

Production Manager

Kevin L. Dick

Circulation Manager

Karen Chenault

Accounting Manager

Sunny Ogburn

Advertising Sales

Lynn Williams Hunter Bendall

CONTACT: EDITORIAL: (540) 520-2399 ADVERTISING: (540) 597-2499 210 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke, VA 24011-1702 We welcome your feedback. Email Letters to the Editor to Tim Thornton at tthornton@roanoke-business.com VIRGINIA BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS LLC A portfolio company of Virginia Capital Partners LLC Frederick L. Russell Jr.,, chairman

on the cover Roanoke College’s $37 million Cregger Center is one of Salem’s big economic development wins for 2014. Roanoke Photo by Natalee Waters

COVER STORY

Growing the economy by Mason Adams and Jenny Boone

In 2014, the region saw more expansion, more jobs and more investment from overseas

Construction is underway on a 157-unit apartment building as part of a Roanoke riverside development dubbed The Bridges. The 22-acre project will expand downtown to South Jefferson Street and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute.

DECEMBER 2014

t’s been a pretty good year for economic development. “From a state and federal level,” according to Brian Hamilton, Montgomery County’s economic development director, “2014 has felt like a year when businesses wanted to expand. Everyone was holding back until economic indicators were positive … There’s been some pent- up demand.” In 2014, businesses began to open up those pens. “I would say the past year has been very positive,” says Kevin Byrd, executive director of the New River Valley Planning District Commission, “but not just on the number results of jobs created. We’re seeing growth in the right areas … It’s good to have jobs, and we want to make sure that they are the right kind of jobs. They are decent-paying jobs. We’re not replacing lost jobs with negative earnings.” Aric Bopp, executive director of the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance, says much the same thing, calling the region’s new and expanding businesses “a good diverse mix of projects.” Wayne Strickland, executive director of the Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, points to a federal Bureau of Economic Analysis report that names the Roanoke metro area the second-fastest growing economy in the commonwealth. Unemployment is relatively low, he says, and “our leaders are connecting the dots and collaborating more on many more regional initiatives.” Strickland mentioned the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority, which aims to improve Internet access; the Western Virginia Industrial Facilities Authority, which would allow several local governments to share in the cost of and the revenue from industrial facilities; the Blueways Working Group, which is exploring ways to market the region’s rivers for tourism; and Botetourt County’s efforts to link its greenway to the Roanoke Valley Greenway. In the New River Valley, Byrd sees “a lot of momentum in many of our downtowns in the region ... That’s really important to companies, that our downtowns are doing well ... It makes it easier to retain and recruit our youth.” In 2014, communities around the region claimed successes in fields as diverse as manufacturing, mixed use development and minor league baseball.

Photo by Natalee Waters

ROANOKE BUSINESS

cover story

Here’s a sampling. Franklin County Roanoke Progress continues at The Bridges, a development intended to expand the definition of downtown Roanoke. The project along the Roanoke River will mix parks, businesses and apartments for an estimated build-out value of $150 million. The first residents have moved into a new apartment building; a coffee shop and restaurant are opening in a historic lumber warehouse; and JDS Uniphase Corp., which designs and manufactures optics, is taking space in a former trolley barn. The city saw the infill of key properties. A site on Orange Avenue was targeted in the middle of the last decade as a possible amphitheater site, but that venue eventually wound up in Elmwood Park. The Orange Avenue site was sold instead to Haley Toyota. Additionally, Carilion Clinic is buying the former Ukrop’s store on Franklin Road for a new regional clinic. A Mellow Mushroom restaurant plans to locate nearby.

The Burnt Chimney water line, which extends Western Virginia Water Authority service from Westlake up Virginia 122 to Homestead Creamery, has been completed. The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center named Homestead the 2014 Small Business of the Year. Homestead is in the midst of a $1.1 million expansion that will create 20 new jobs. Harvester Performance Center opened and became a major regional entertainment venue in Rocky Mount. The town-owned center serves as the eastern starting point on the Crooked Road Heritage Music Trail. Booked by Gary Jackson, who helped book Roanoke’s Kirk Avenue Music Hall, it has become a hot spot for performances by nationally known musicians such as the Indigo Girls and the Wailers.

Salem Roanoke County The county enjoyed a growing international presence with the 2013 announcements of new manufacturing facilities owned by Ardagh Group and Canline Systems and the continued growth of TMEIC (companies from Luxembourg, Netherlands and Japan, respectively). The two plants opened this year. The total project cost of the Ardaugh Group’s project was $93.5 million, the largest manufacturing announcement in Virginia in 2013. It will produce 4.5 million cans per day, 5 percent of the country’s food packaging cans. The factory will create 96 full-time jobs with an average annual salary of at least $40,000. Meanwhile, TMEIC has steadily grown over the past year with high-paying jobs in engineering-related positions. The county also retained Allstate Insurance as an employer and the 500 jobs it provides. Allstate plans to build a new threestory office building at the intersection of Interstate 81 and Virginia 419 that represents a $16.7 million investment in real estate and business personal property.

DECEMBER 2014

Lake Region Medical provides outsourced manufacturing and engineering services to the medical device industry in the specialized cardio and vascular and advanced surgical markets. The company is renovating the former 20,000-square-foot JDSU building in the Apperson Drive Industrial Park to house a larger controlled environment room and provide additional space for the expansion of their machining operations. Roanoke College began work on the $37 million Cregger Center in the spring. The new center will include a performance gym with a 2,500-seat capacity and a field house with a 200-meter indoor track, as well as event seating space for 3,500, which will allow the college to host outside speakers and events.

Floyd County Hollingsworth & Vose has expanded its R&D Center of Excellence in Floyd and is working on adding a new line. The company provides advanced filtration media for uses ranging from clean rooms and hospitals to engines to window treatments. The Floyd County Future Farmers of America School Farm gives scores of high school students experiential learning, including business management skills. The farm has been incorporated into career and technical education and is supported in part by a USDA Farm to School grant.

Alleghany County In June, Clifton Forge opened its Co-Working Center/Business Incubator, offering work space and conference rooms with video capabilities, wifi, fax and copiers. The center is aimed at entrepreneurs, freelancers and startups and will be supported by a staffer from the Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corp. MeadWestvaco has seen its fortunes swing up and down within the several years. The Fortune 500 paper and packaging company, however, signaled its intention to remain a large presence in Alleghany County, where it employs more than 1,000 people, by building a $285 million biomass boiler in 2012. The Wholesale Tire Companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expansion and relocation to Cliftondale Park permitted the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vacated space in downtown Clifton Forge to be redeveloped into the Clifton Forge School of the Arts and the Masonic Amphitheatre.

Graphic by Adrienne R. Watson

ROANOKE BUSINESS

cover story

Botetourt County Altec Industries, a manufacturer of products for telecommunications, electric utility, lights, signs and tree care, plans to expand its facility and workforce at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield. The move represents about a $3 million investment. Altec, at the center since 2001, purchased a 30.8-acre land parcel this year and plans to spend $1 million to expand its facility. The company will spend an additional $2 million for new tools and machinery. Altec, one of the largest employers in Botetourt County, plans to add at least 100 full-time jobs by December 2016. Botetourt County beat out a site in China in a quiet competition for Capco Machinery Systems’ latest expansion. The manufacturer of roll grinding machines, used in rolling mills to produce foil, sheet and plate for certain metals, completed a $4.2 million expansion at its manufacturing plant in EastPark Commerce Center this year. Initially, the company had considered opening a new facility in China. With the Botetourt County expansion, Capco created 30 new jobs for engineers, machinists and mechanical and electrical technicians. These new jobs pay an average of $60,000 a year.

Pulaski County Pulaski’s minor-league baseball scene scored a big win for the area’s economic development this year. A new owner acquired the team and landed a Major League affiliation. Pulaski’s team, previously the Mariners, now is an affiliate of the New York Yankees. With the change, the team’s new owner, Shelor Automotive Group in Christiansburg, plans to give the ballpark, Calfee Park, a $4 million face-lift by adding new seating, replacing the clubhouse and press box and upgrading other areas, such as concessions. Plans also are in the works to add a three-story hotel in the town of Pulaski to house visiting and home baseball teams. John White, economic developer for Pulaski, says the New York Yankees affiliation and ballpark investments are expected to draw crowds of at least 1,500 people per game, while also boosting Pulaski’s economy with an influx of visitors and other activity. James Hardie Building Products, an international manufacturer with a Pulaski production facility, plans to increase its capacity with a $25 million expansion over a three-year period. The company, which manufactures fiber cement siding for the construction industry, also will add 69 new jobs and a new production line. James Hardie has not yet announced its new line. The company currently employs 400 people in Pulaski. Volvo Trucks North America announced in June that it will spend $69 million to upgrade its Dublin plant and add new equipment. The work will include energy-efficient upgrades to its paint facility that will increase paint capacity and other services. The plant also will add new racking and storage systems, docks and lifting devices to improve material delivery. It is unclear if the company will hire additional employees as a result of the upgrades. Alexander Industries, a firearms manufacturer, said in early 2014 that it planned to relocate from Radford to Pulaski County, expanding into a 25,000-square-foot facility in the Dublin Industrial Park. The $2.88 million move will triple the company’s workforce, creating 64 new jobs due to increased manufacturing capacity. A $150,000 Governor’s Opportunity Fund grant helped Pulaski beat competing areas in Texas and South Dakota and keep Alexander Industries in the New River Valley.

Montgomery County Wolverine Advanced Materials announced last month it will invest $10.6 million to expand its specialty rubber coated materials manufacturing operations and create 93 new jobs. A manufacturer of software, motors, generators and power electronics for electric vehicles said this year that it plans to open its first U.S. facility in Blacksburg. InMotion, a subsidiary of Italy-based Zapi S.p.A., will move into the Technology Manufacturing Building, investing more than $5 million. Zapi S.p.A purchased InMotion, which was a Radford division of a company called Kollmorgen. The company said it expects to grow to 80 employees over the next three years. Rackspace Hosting, a global cloud management company with a location in Montgomery County, extended its footprint this year by opening a new 31,435-square-foot office space in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. The company invested $5.5 million and added approximately 100 new employees, for a total of 200.

DECEMBER 2014

Background photo: RackSpace Hosting, photo courtesy Virginia Tech

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cover story

Craig County The Jefferson National Forest makes up more than half of the rural Craig County. Tourism – in the form of outdoors and agricultural activities – is a growing focus for this small county in its efforts to drive economic activity now and in the future. In the past year, Craig County’s Tourism Commission has partnered with the Craig County Business Association to sponsor festivals and promote various entertainment events in the county. That and other factors likely are the drivers of a slight increase of 0.6 percent in the county’s tourism revenue in 2013 from 2012, according to a report this year by the Virginia Tourism Corp. More tourism development is in the works for 2015, including the creation of a promotional push to market the county’s trails as a way to attract hikers, campers, mountain bikers and horseback riders, says Amy Bryson, chairwoman of the Craig County Tourism Commission. The commission also wants to build its agri-tourism industry. This involves working with the county’s farms to promote everything from grass-fed beef farms and visits to blueberry picking spots and places to purchase farm-grown foods,

Giles County This fall marked the completion of a nearly two-year project and an approximately $150 million investment at Celanese Corp’s Giles County plant. The company, which manufactures cellulose acetate tow, replaced its coal-fired boilers with natural gas-fired boilers in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy. Celanese, which has operated in Giles County since 1939, is the county’s largest employer and taxpayer. It employs about 1,100 people, including contract workers. Celanese added approximately 22 new jobs and 200 construction positions as a result of the boiler project. “This investment is a clear indication of the company’s continued commitment to the community,” says Chris McKlarney, Giles County administrator.

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CONSTRUCTION & ARCHITECTURE

High-tech and green Using new technology and repurposing old buildings are two building and design trends

Todd Morgan’s company, MB Contractors, has been involved in downtown renovation projects that include the City Market Building.

by Donna Alvis-Banks

hat’s new, hip and cool in the world of architecture and construction? Local experts say cutting-edge technology is having an impact at construction sites, environmental consciousness is on the rise, customer friendliness is at the fore-

DECEMBER 2014

front of design planning and the favorite color is definitely green. Todd Morgan, the 45-year-old co-owner and president of Roanoke’s MB Contractors, says an intelligent model-based process called BIM (Building Information Modeling) is changing his

construction business in a positive way. “What that entails is putting drawings into three dimensions in the software instead of two. It’s really limitless as to what you can do,” he says, explaining that the new process assists in “clash detecPhoto by Natalee Waters

tion,” the identification of potential construction problems. “The old way, you cannot see conflicts. A lot of times BIM helps you find problems before you start building and helps with coordination of the various trades. It can help you find problems before you get into the field, which can help save money.” Morgan says construction workers and supervisors are also using mobile technology in the field. Tablet computers are replacing the cumbersome roll of drawings of bygone days. Likewise, the iPad serves as a tool when problems arise, especially for the endof-job punch list. “With the iPad, you can take a picture of a problem and save it to that location … It allows you to tie the plans, pictures and words together to accurately describe what needs to be corrected,” he says, noting that words alone often result in miscommunication. Morgan’s company – which he co-owns with partner Mike Cagle – has been involved in downtown Roanoke renovation projects such as the City Market Building. He says they enjoy working on renovating and repurposing old structures. “We love it – it’s fun. There’s something invigorating about using old stuff instead of sending it to a landfill. The trend of people moving back downtown has been phenomenal. In many cases, they’re moving to buildings that were sitting empty,” he notes. Architect Bill Hume can understand Morgan’s appreciation. Hume runs Interactive Design Group with his wife, Jill, and a staff of four from the renovated Roanoke Fire House No. 3 at 301 Sixth St. The building, built in 1909, is a great place for being creative and resourceful. The 49-year-old Hume says the architecture business is seeing new movement. “From a commercial standpoint, there’s a lot more interest now in open collaborative spaces,” he says, noting that businesses are using break rooms and even out-

door space for meetings. “They’re letting the office flow outside.” With a large banking clientele, Interactive Design Group creates accessible space, Hume says, both visually and spatially. “In the financial industry, it’s more of a collaborative effort where you walk into a bank and employees come to you so you don’t stand in a teller line. It’s just better customer service,” he explains, adding that executives mingle with worker bees to collabo-

rate on projects. Interactive Design Group’s local banking projects include the Member One Federal Credit Union, Salem VA Credit Union and Freedom First Credit Union buildings. Hume said the firm is also seeing the open-space trend in medical, industrial and corporate settings. The green building movement aimed at energy efficiency and environmental friendliness

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ROANOKE BUSINESS

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is nothing new for architect Steve Sunderman, but he is glad to see it becoming more mainstream. “I’ve had a passion for many years for energy conservation,” says the 65-year-old Sunderman, who helped design the Williamson Road Fire Station, Roa- Sunderman noke’s first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) project. “Architecture,” he notes, “is more than just a building. It’s how we impact our community and engage the site.” Now president of Terrazia PC, a company he formed in 2004, Sunderman is doubling his focus on green design. He welcomed the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s more stringent stormwater regulations that became effective in July, noting that his company prepares site designs that allow low-impact development. “There’s so much discharge that has been harmful to our environment, so much impervious area,” he says. His company is committed to reducing harmful discharge through improved design and use of innovative products such as pervious paving materials. “A building needs to accommodate the environment,” he says. “A building needs to be viewed as part of a community.” To that end, Sunderman also advocates for high-performance buildings, which drastically cut energy consumption. The German Passivhaus design process, he says, is the best strategy for achieving the ultimate goal – a net zero-ready building, or one that produces its own energy. The common belief that highperformance equals high cost is gradually changing, Sunderman believes, as customers realize the longterm savings versus the initial investment in such buildings. “We pay more for the envelope but we pay less for the mechanics,” he says. “People are starting to take notice.”

construction & architecture

Building and design resources A to Z COMPANY NAME

ADA Specialties Inc.

DESCRIPTION

TELEPHONE

WEBSITE

Roanoke firm providing in-home renovations and additions for senior and disabled citizens

540-985-9160

www.adaspecialties.com

Design and construction projects in the Roanoke and New River valleys

540-966-3635

www.alamdesigngroup.com

Alfred O. Cheavlier Jr.

Architectural firm in Christiansburg

540-382-2804

Althaus Design Studio

Roanoke architectural and design services

540-989-8737

Appalachian Architect

Bent Mountain studio of Eldon Karr, in practice since 1978 and known for urban design projects

540-929-4532

www.appalachianarchitect.com

Roanoke full-service general contractor

540-904-1293

www.aloufcustombuilders.com

Alam Design Group and Family Builders LLC

Alouf Custom Builders Inc. Arcadian Design Studios LLC

Salem-based architectural design and drafting studio providing service to the Roanoke Valley

www.arcadiandesignstudio.com

Blacksburg architecture and engineering firm specializing in university, commercial and residential projects

540-951-4853

Blacksburg architectural firm specializing in sustainable design, commercial and residential projects and community planning

540-552-1300

Maryland firm with an office in Union Hall doing design projects in the Smith Mountain Lake area

540-576-1110

Roanoke architecture firm offering new construction and renovation services

540-793-3339

Christiansburg company specializing in remodels

540-381-0880

www.atmospherebuilders.com

Roanoke full-service building company

540-982-3558

www.avisconstruction.com

Planners, engineers, architects and surveyors with offices throughout Virginia, including Roanoke and Christiansburg

540-772-9850 (Roanoke) 540-381-4290 (Christiansburg)

www.balzer.cc

One of Virginia’s oldest and largest full-service architectural and engineering companies, established in 1897, has a Roanoke office

540-777-1200

www.baskervill.com

Roanoke design/build focusing on commercial construction.

540-342-7203

www.blakebuilt.com

Full-service Blacksburg-based custom design and remodeling

540-951-3505

www.blueridgehi.com

New company serving the Roanoke, Salem and Blacksburg areas

540-389-8193

www.bgthomes.com

Roanoke home construction and additions

540-257-1138

www.bowtieconstruction.com

Branch & Associates Inc.

Roanoke full-service design/build construction company providing LEED and sustainable construction

540-989-5215

www.branch-associates.com

Building Specialists Inc.

Roanoke and New River Valley design/build offering a variety of commercial and residential projects

540-982-8200

www.bsiva.com

Salem-based construction company

540-537-9488

Christiansburg new home construction and commercial renovations

540-381-5676

www.builtrightinc.net

Small Roanoke firm offering design/build and remodeling services, active in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Southwest Virginia Chapter

540-525-9543

www.burtisci.com

Pearisburg building contractors

540-921-3052

Narrows residential and commercial contractor

540-726-7203

Blacksburg architect

540-953-2080

Roanoke-based home builders

540-774-3407

www.simpsonhomebuilders.com

Christiansburg-based regional architecture firm promoting socially and environmentally responsible building processes and affordable housing

540-382-2002

www.communityhousingpartners.org

Blacksburg architectural firm

540-951-4853

Founded in 1920, one of Virginia’s oldest and largest full-service architecture firms with an office in Roanoke

540-982-0800

www.clarknexsen.com

National architectural firm with an office in Roanoke

540-206-3871

www.cr-architects.com

Hardy-based company providing light commercial and residential contracting services and marketing/administrative help for licensed and insured smaller contractors

540-339-5279

constructionmarketingllc.com

Wirtz-based architectural company specializing in custom lake homes

540-721-1210

www.conwaydesignbuild.com

Hardy company specializing in Smith Mountain Lake construction projects

540-721-4600

www.coopercontractorsinc.com

Architects Alliance Inc. Architectural Alternatives Architects at Work Architectural Design Service Atmosphere Builders Avis Construction Co. Inc. Balzer and Associates Inc. Baskervill & Son Blake Construction of Virginia Inc. Blue Ridge Home Improvement Inc. Boone Graham Thomas Home Builders and Developers Bowtie Construction

Britstin LLC Built Right Construction Inc. Burtis Contracting Inc. Cantrall Martin Construction Inc. Cast Construction Inc. Charles Comer Charles R. Simpson Inc. CHP Design Studio Clark B. Lentz Architect Clark Nexsen Architectural & Engineering Cole & Russell Architects Inc. Construction Marketing LLC Conway Design-Build Cooper Contractors Inc.

www.architectsalliance.net

www.architectsatwork.net

www.castconstructionva.com

ROANOKE BUSINESS

construction & architecture COMPANY NAME

DESCRIPTION

TELEPHONE

WEBSITE

Cornerstone Builders Inc.

Roanoke design/build firm specializing in custom residential renovations and additions

540-392-6938

www.cstonebuilders.com

Cornerstone Studio Ltd.

Christiansburg full-service architectural firm specializing in commercial, residential and church restoration

540-382-0200

www.cornerstonestudioarchitect.com

Roanoke full-service residential builder

540-343-6265

www.crawfordgc.com

Roanoke architectural services

540-774-5326

Roanoke builder of custom homes and commercial businesses.

540-563-0200

www.ccoinc.com

Roanoke custom home builder and remodeler

540-767-5005

www.davidfrankhomes.com

Custom home builder with an office in Roanoke

540-563-5020

www.davidjamescustomhomes.com

Christiansburg architectural services

540-382-0200

Roanoke-based architectural services

540-772-0800

Blacksburg architectural firm

540-552-6341

Floyd-based design/build company focusing on green, sustainable architecture

540-392-4087

www.designworksconstruction.com

Troutville custom home building and improvements

540-397-3445

www.deweeseconstruction.com

Roanoke-based firm doing residential, commercial, industrial and commemorative architecture

540-345-4040

www.dicksonarchitects.com

Roanoke-based design/build, renovations and restorations

540-765-9700

www.dollmanconstruction.com

Roanoke architecture services

540-366-1888

Blacksburg architectural firm

540-951-7766

Roanoke company doing residential and commercial construction

540-353-8755

Christiansburg construction, remodeling and home improvement company

540-392-2605

Roanoke commercial and residential contractor

540-387-0241

Blacksburg single-family home builder

540-552-8684

Locally owned Christiansburg company serving the New River Valley with remodeling and home repairs

540-357-1454

www.easternformyhome.com

Glade Hill custom home builders and commercial contractor

540-489-3789

www.equitybuildsml.com

Crawford Construction Craighead & Associates Architects Custom Construction Co.Inc. David Frank Homes LLC David James Homes David Shanks Degen Architects PC Dej Design Design Works Construction Inc. Deweese Construction Co. Dickson Architects & Associates Dollman Construction Inc. Donna Hayslett Dunay Architects Duncan Properties & Construction Inc. DWA Construction Inc. E.J. Miller Construction Co. Inc. Earl Smith Contracting Eastern Construction Inc. Equity Builders of SML Inc.

www.ejmillerconstruction.com

F&S Building Innovations Inc. Roanoke commercial construction, remodeling and maintenance company 540-985-9160 www.fsbuildinginc.com Fralin & Waldron Inc.

Residential and commercial properties and historic rehabilitation projects in the Roanoke and New River valleys Blacksburg residential and commercial contractor versed in green and alternative building systems.

540-774-4415

www.fwinc.com

540-641-4886

www.friendlystructures.com

Salem affordable housing, commercial and industrial contractor

540-387-5059

www.ghcontracting.com

Small Christiansburg contractor

540-382-0391

Gilliam Katz Architecture & Design

Roanoke company doing residential and commercial projects

540-206-3397

www.gilliamkatz.com

Glenn Mustain Construction

Moneta-based log and stick home construction company

540-296-0869

www.loghomesbymustain.com

Blacksburg residential contractor

540-951-9624

Pulaski custom home builder

540-674-0294

Floyd-based general contracting services

540-392-4670

www.gnucontractors.com

Blacksburg-based general contractors specializing in custom residential and commercial buildings aimed at energy efficiency

540-605-1150

www.greenvalleybuildersinc.com

Floyd single-family housing contractor

540-392-4601

Elliston-based full-service general construction company since 1974

540-268-2285

www.hcc-va.com

Roanoke general contracting firm specializing in residential construction and remodeling

540-588-9260

www.hamlinbuilders.com

Blacksburg architecture, planning and building services

540-552-1995

www.hewv.com

Radford full-service general contractor

540-639-1617

Haynes Design & Restoration LLC

Small Roanoke general contractor offering restoration, remodeling and design services.

540-312-6485

Highlander Construction & Development

General contracting and design/build services based in the Radford-Christiansburg area

540-382-0824

www.highlanderconstruction.com

Roanoke-based architecture, community planning and historic preservation certified small business

540-342-5263

www.hillstudio.com

Blacksburg home builders, Certified Green Professional

540-921-0002

www.hill-thomas.com

Friendly Structures LLC G&H Contracting Inc. Gary Dunn Building Contractor

Goforth Construction Inc. Goodall Construction Graham, Nolen & Underwood Contractors Inc. Green Valley Builders Inc. Grubb Construction Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Construction Corp. Hamlin Builders Hanbury, Evans, Wright & Valttas Harris Contractors Inc.

Hill Studio Hill-Thomas Builders Ltd.

DECEMBER 2014

COMPANY NAME

DESCRIPTION

TELEPHONE

WEBSITE

Hughes Associates Architects & Engineers Roanoke full-service architectural, engineering and consulting firm specializing in commercial and industrial projects 540-342-4002 www.hughesae.com Hummer Construction Resources

Roanoke’s small certified Woman-Owned Business (WBE) specializing in consulting, home décor and renovations

540-547-0657

www.quality-cost.com

Interactive Design Group Roanoke full-service commercial/residential architecture and interior design firm serving Virginia and surrounding states 540-342-7534 www.idgarchitecture.com Friedman Construction J and D Builders of the NRV J.B. Smith LLC J.W. Barton Construction Jeff Tester Construction Inc. Jennings Construction & Development Inc. Jerome Donald Henschel PC Jerome R. Smith Architect Inc. John Fulton Associates John Harris Architect Jones & Jones Associates Architects Kebo Construction

Blacksburg private contractor specializing in home re-design and repair

540-268-0738

www.friedmanconstruction.com

Full-service building contractor specializing in energy-efficient, stick-built homes

540-616-9401

www.janddbuilders.com

Roanoke land development and construction services

540-580-6526

Boones Mill company doing new home construction and custom renovations

540-206-1000

www.jwbartonconstruction.com

Moneta firm providing custom homes in the Smith Mountain Lake area and Roanoke, Bedford and Botetourt counties

540-537-3679

www.Jtcsmlhomes.com

Blacksburg general contracting services

540-961-3178

Roanoke architecture and interior design firm

540-562-3174

Architecture company in the New River Valley’s Riner community

540-382-0369

Roanoke architectural firm

540-345-8181

Roanoke-based architectural services

540-200-9619

Roanoke architects and engineers

540-366-335

www.jonesandjonespc.com

Custom home builders at Smith Mountain Lake and the Roanoke and New River valleys

540-483-1222

www.keboconstruction.com

Kennedy Construction Co. LLC

Salem general contractors

540-822-0001

www.kennedyconstructionco.com

Kesler Contracting & Property Management

Christiansburg commercial and residential contractor

540-381-8500

www.keslercontracting.com

Floyd general contractor

540-745-3288

Larry Hartman & Son Inc.

Roanoke general contractor offering residential and commercial services

540-989-9729

www.larryhartmanandson.com

Legacy Builders NRV Inc.

Blacksburg custom home builder

540-951-2688

www.legacybuildersnrv.com

Roanoke general contracting services, including new construction and remodeling and additions

540-353-5851

Laramore Construction Co.

Leonard’s Construction Co.

Lionberger Construction Roanoke general contractor with a full range of turn-key services 540-989-5301 www.lionberger.com Lozeau Construction Inc. Martin & Co. Architects MB Contractors MDS Construction & Remodeling LLC M.H. Eades Inc. McClaren, Wilson & Lawrie, Inc. Michael Hedgepeth Architect PLLC Moser’s Construction Inc.

Rocky Mount contractor offering new construction, additions and remodeling Radford company providing architecture and design services for custom residential, commercial and universities Roanoke design/build firm founded in 1912 concentrates on preconstruction involvement, construction management at risk, sustainable LEED construction

540-420-3522 540-731-4474 540-342-6758

www.mbcontractors.com

Green builder based in Blacksburg using recycling procedures to maximize reusable materials

540-250-0541

www.likestobuildstuff.com

Hardy-based custom home builders and remodelers

540-719-4306

www.mheades.com

National architecture and planning firm with an office in Roanoke, specializing in design of sustainable architecture for public safety and forensic sciences

540-343-9500

www.mwlarchitects.com

Blacksburg architecture and engineering

540-953-0577

Christiansburg residential contractor

540-381-2179

Mountain Roofing Roanoke region commercial roofing contractor specializing in all types of commercial roofing and repairs 540-342-9901 www.mtnroof.com Napier Builders LLC Neighbor’s Construction Inc. Olio workshop OWPR Architects and Engineers Parsell & Zeigler General Contractors Inc. Peter Ozolins Architect

Christiansburg single-family housing contractor

540-250-6266

Roanoke business offering general construction and home maintenance services

540-580-4062

Blacksburg company with three women who specialize in design/build projects and interior and graphic design

www.olioworkshop.com

Blacksburg design/build and engineering firm

540-552-2151

www.owpr.com

Roanoke general contractor for homes and multi-family housing

540-342-2272

www.pzhomes.com

Blacksburg firm with a focus on sustainability and international development

540-442-1700

www.peterozolinsarchitect.com

ROANOKE BUSINESS

construction & architecture COMPANY NAME

Pitman Construction Inc. Premier Properties of Southwest Virginia LLC

DESCRIPTION

540-427-2001

Dublin-based contractor specializing in home repair

540-674-8180

full-service company specializing in residential and commercial renovations and Prescott Construction Roanoke custom design/build, Certified Green Professional Price Buildings, Inc.Â Rocky Mount Commercial General Contractor. Metal Roofing and SidingÂ

Progress Street Builders Quantum Architects RA Home Builders

TELEPHONE

Roanoke construction and handyman services

WEBSITE

www.pitmanconstruction.com

540-342-2164

www.prescottconstruction.com

540-483-7226

www.pricebuildingsinc.com

Blacksburg-based custom home builders

540-552-1812

www.progressstreet.com

Roanoke firm designs high performance buildings using Passivhaus technology

540-774-4800

www.quantum-architects.com

Radford general contractors specializing in new home construction

540-382-4109

www.rahomebuilders.com

RAC Construction Co.

Roanoke general contractors and construction managers

540-342-5411

www.racroanoke.com

R&B Contractors Inc.

Bedford-based general contractors providing commercial and residential custom building and remodeling

540-354-6007

www.RandBcontractors.webstarts. com

Radford residential and commercial contractor

540-639-1310

www.rbibuilders.biz

Roanoke architecture services

540-344-1212

Blacksburg home building company

540-951-8342

Troutville design/build and new construction and repair services

540-293-0927

www.rjsbuilding.net

Roanoke-based contractor doing residential, commercial and historic projects

540-563-2947

www.rllucasconstruction.com

Salem general contractor offering residential, commercial and industrial services

540-375-3200

www.rlprice.com

Robinson Construction

National company has a Radford office for apartment building construction

540-731-4833

www.robinsonconstruction.com

Rock Construction Inc.

Roanoke commercial construction services and historic renovations

540-525-2855

www.rockconstructionva.com

Commercial and residential contractors in Dublin

540-239-6346

www.samsbrothers.net

Blacksburg-based residential and commercial construction and renovation

540-953-2080

www.sasbuilders.com

Roanoke-based custom home builder

540-267-3482

www.schumacherhomes.com

Full-service architectural, engineering, planning and design firm with office in Roanoke, specializing in senior living, higher education and public facilities

540-344-6664

www.sfcs.com

Blacksburg building and remodeling services

540-951-3839

Blacksburg-based design/build company specializing in new homes, additions and remodeling with a focus on energy efficiency and environmental friendliness

540-951-0358

www.shelteralternatives.com

International construction group with an office in Blacksburg

540-552-0105 951-3839

usa.skanska.com

Slate Creek Builders

Blacksburg-based design and construction services for residential and commercial

540-449-3284

www.scbhomes.com

Snyder & Associates

Blacksburg-based general contractor specializing in commercial and light industrial projects

540-552-3377

www.snyderandassociates.com

Solid Rock Enterprises Inc.

Salem-based firm specializing in lifespan building and remodeling of homes for all ages and abilities, Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists

540-384-2064

www.solidrockenterprises.com

Glade Hill residential and commercial contractor who does structural repairs

540-576-3846

www.southernvaconstruct.com

RBI Builders R.D. Simpson Jr. Reid Custom Home Builders Inc. RJS Building Services Inc. R.L. Lucas Construction Inc. R.L. Price Construction Inc.

Sams Brothers Inc. SAS Builders Inc. Schumacher Homes SFCS Inc. Shealor Construction Inc. Shelter Alternatives Skanska USA

Southern VA Construction

Spectrum Design Roanoke full-service architecture and engineering firm specializing in schools, museums, municipal buildings and more 540-342-6001 www.spectrumpc.com Star City Construction Sticks & Stones Construction Structures Design/Build Summit Studio T Allen & Associates LLC TAS Design Inc. Tayloe & Co. Builders Taylor Hollow Construction LLC TBS Construction LLC Telling Construction Co. Ten East Church Avenue LLC Terrazia PC Thomas Builders Inc.

Roanoke residential and commercial construction company

540-423-2977

Floyd custom home builder

540-763-2003

Roanoke-based contractors offering everything from new commercial projects to custom homes to energy-efficient Passivhaus structures

540-774-4800

www.structuresdb.com

Roanoke architects and designers specializing in historic and sustainable projects

540-915-1233

www.thesummitstudio.com

540-400-1597

www.tallenandassociatesllc.com

540-400-7889

www.tasdesigninc.com

Roanoke contractors offering residential additions and remodeling, repairs, home inspection corrections Roanoke regional architectural and design for residential, retail, healthcare, military and other projects Blacksburg contractor providing custom home building and house addition engineering Radford-based home builders serving Southwest Virginia with structural insulated panel buildings Moneta-based general contractors specializing in remodeling, design, custom homes, historic renovations and home improvement projects, Energy Star Partner

540-953-2839 540-639-0195

www.taylor-hollow.com

540-484-4752

www.TheBuildingSpecialist.com

Floyd County residential contractor

540-789-7551

Roanoke architectural firm

540-345-8020

High performance building performance consultants and architecture firm based in Roanoke

540-982-0335

Christiansburg building contractor

540-381-2175

DECEMBER 2014

www.starcityconstruction.com

www.terrazia.com

COMPANY NAME

Thomas Douthat Jr. Thomas Koontz Architect PC Thomas M. Thompson Construction Thompson & Litton Thompson Construction Thor Inc.

DESCRIPTION

TELEPHONE

Architecture services in Pulaski

540-980-2429

Blacksburg full-service architectural firm

540-951-4925

Rocky Mount construction and remodeling

540-493-4935

Architects, engineers, surveyors and planners with offices throughout Southwest Virginia, including Radford

540-633-1897

Christiansburg company offering new home construction and remodeling

540-320-0087

Large Roanoke-based industrial and commercial general contractors/engineers providing institutional services, historic restoration and other contracting services Bent Mountain design/build contractor offering aging-in-place services to zoned surge protection

WEBSITE

www.tkapc.com

www.t-l.com

540-563-0567

www.thorconstruction.com

540-312-6540

www.totalhomecareremodeling.com

Third-generation home building company based in Salem

540-444-0556

www.townsideconstruction.com

Trish England

Architectural services based in Hardy

540-719-5600

Tristen Byerly

Roanoke architectural services

540-774-0088

Large full-service contractors serving Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland with offices in Roanoke and Sterling

540-343-6749

www.turnerlongconstruction.com

General contractor based in Roanoke

540-312-4427

www.tylerstradeinc.com

Radford custom residential and commercial construction

540-639-1478

www.unlimitedconstructioninc.com

Copper Hill contractor offering custom homes and green building services

540-537-4698

www.uchva.com

Virginia Building Services of Roanoke Inc.

General contractors specializing in insurance claim handling, restoration and repair in the Roanoke and New River valleys

540-344-5544

www.vbsofroanoke.com

W.M. Jordan Construction

Major Virginia full-service construction firm opened a new Roanoke office this year and is ranked on the Engineering News Record list of Top 400 Contractors

540-685-4747

www.wmjordan.com

Blacksburg-based residential and commercial contractor.

540-961-9200

www.whitebuildersinc.com

540-721-5228

www.thewillardcompanies.com

540-529-8866

www.worthinc.net

540-985-3440

www.ziaconstruction.net

Total Home Care Remodeling Townside Construction Co.

Turner Long Construction Tyler’s Trade Inc. Unlimited Construction Inc. Unique Custom Homes

White Builders Inc. Willard Companies Worth Inc. Zia Construction & Remodeling

Wirtz-based umbrella for Willard Construction of the Roanoke Valley Inc., specializing in building and development at Smith Mountain Lake Roanoke general contractors doing residential, commercial and medical projects for over 25 years Roanoke contractor offers custom homes, renovations, additions

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Consider F&S for your next construction project, large or small. Call today for a free consultation or estimate! (540) 985-9160 or (800) 203-2678 www.fsbuildinginc.com ROANOKE BUSINESS

WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY

Making connections WoTech offers networking and evangelizing for women in STEM fields Ashwini Shukla tells a middleschool audience about her career path into a technology field.

by Beth Jones

shwini Shukla stood before an assembly of fidgety boys and girls at Christiansburg Middle School on a September morning telling how she came to manage a team of developers at the cloud-hosting firm Rackspace — a story that began on another continent. “I was fortunate enough to be born in a family where I could go to school,” Shukla said to the students, “but there were a lot of places in India where girls never got to go to school. It was important to me to make the best of the opportunity I had. If there was a day I missed from school because I was sick, I would be sad.”

DECEMBER 2014

When Sharon Zuckerwar, supervisor of character education at Montgomery County schools, was looking for a professional woman to speak to students, she contacted WoTech, a new group for women in the Roanoke and New River valleys who work with or aspire to work with technology. WoTech connected her with Shukla. “We all live in the world of technology today,” Shukla told students at the end of her speech. “We all know how important it is.” Zuckerwar took the microphone and said she hopes the female students, in particular, heard what Shukla said. “Technology and sciences and maths,” she said,

“that is not just for half the group here. It is extremely important for all of us to remember there are no boundaries.” That message doesn’t seem to have taken hold. Females fill half of all jobs in this country, but hold fewer than 25 percent of jobs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, according to a 2011 report by the U.S. Department of Commerce. That hurts women in their pocketbooks, according to the report, which says women in STEM jobs earn 33 percent more than women in other fields. WoTech organizers hope to chip away at that problem by offerPhoto by Natalee Waters

ing networking opportunities for female professionals and getting out the word about how rewarding careers in technology can be for women. The group, a subset of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council, took shape in 2013 after Barbara Rigatti and Nicole Haskins separately approached Derick Maggard, then executive director of the council, and talked about what they felt was missing from RBTC. “Essentially we independently had some of the same concerns,” says Haskins, director of sales for Paymentus, which offers technological solutions for billing and paying. Both women thought not enough women were showing up for RBTC networking events. “I’ve been doing this for about 20 years and most of the meetings I’m in are very male dominated,” says Rigatti, a business development manager for Presidio, which provides technology infrastructure and consulting services. “There’s really not an outlet for women in the [information technology field] to just kind of network and not be the minority in the room all the time.” Maggard put the two women in touch with each other.

Barbara Rigatti says women need a place “to just kind of network and not be the minority in the room all the time.”

“He said, ‘Why don’t you ... just start something and let’s see what happens,’” Haskins recalls. “I wanted to create an environment where women could share experiences and best practices,” Maggard explains. “The mission behind WoTech is to get these incredible women who are focused in busi-

Nicole Haskins, shown here with project manager James Kim, says WoTech is “about bringing awareness to the fact that other women should get involved in technology ...”

Photos by Alisa Moody

ness and technology and engineering and math to connect with one another so they could help inspire other young females and also be a beacon of light for other women.” Haskins and Rigatti decided to throw a mixer at Haskins’ Blacksburg office. About seven women showed up. Most of them worked for Haskins. “I forced them to come,” she says. They settled on the name WoTech and decided to host a luncheon where a panel of women who work in technology would speak about their experiences. Haskins and Rigatti set a goal of 20 women. Within five days of announcing the luncheon, all 50 spots were full. During that lunch meeting, Haskins and Rigatti asked the women what they wanted from WoTech. One thing they heard was a desire to encourage younger women to go into STEM fields. “The group felt that many times people were scared off by the big words around technology,” Haskins says. “When they’re telling their daughter, ‘That iPad you use for five hours a day is technology. That curling iron with the automatic shut-off valve is technology. This is in everything you do; it’s not that scary.’” Rigatti says, “There are so many cool things that people do, but I think the girls don’t understand what you can do with a math degree or what you can do with a computer science degree.” As the members of WoTech worked to decide what their group would be, Haskins made it very clear what it wouldn’t become. She remembers two members talking about times they’d felt annoyed by male co-workers. “Let’s talk about what we’re not,” Haskins remembers saying. “We’re not about women empowerment … We’re not about bashing the situations we’re in. We chose this field. We’re about bringing awareness to the fact that other women should ROANOKE BUSINESS

women in technology get involved in technology and that they already are.â&#x20AC;? As the group grows, Haskins says she often finds herself repeating that conversation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m constantly bringing that message back when I hear a new member come in,â&#x20AC;? she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nope, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not why weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here â&#x20AC;Ś Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not about feminism.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?Â A diverse group of women have joined the group: information technology workers, coders, school administrators. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The neat thing is this group is just a powerful group,â&#x20AC;? says Jonathan Whitt, who succeeded Maggard as RBTCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s some very high level folks in that group â&#x20AC;Ś The fact that the group is growing rapidly is very good news for us.â&#x20AC;? Janet Novoselich counts herself among the women whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve used WoTech to plug into the local technology scene. She moved with her family from Austin, Texas,

Ashwini Shukla tells girls, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all live in the world of technology today,â&#x20AC;? so technology shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be scary.

to Blacksburg about a year ago so her husband could work toward his doctorate in engineering education at Virginia Tech.

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Novoselich boasts 10 years of experience in marketing communications, strategy development and project management in technology companies and was looking for freelance market research and writing projects. As a newcomer, Novoselich says WoTech made for â&#x20AC;&#x153;a good way to quickly educate yourself about the industries and how things work here because every place is different.â&#x20AC;? Shukla also feels sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made valuable connections with other women in technology through WoTech. She recently left her job at Rackspace to spend some time focusing on her family. Shukla believes when she goes to rejoin the workforce those relationships will come in handy. In the meantime, Shukla plans to stay active with WoTech and is particularly excited to do more outreach with young women. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m curious to see where itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to go,â&#x20AC;? she says.Â

REPRINTS REPRINTS REPRINTS REPRINTS

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DECEMBER 2014

Would you like to know more about reprints? Please contact: Kevin Dick - (804) 225-0433 Photo by Natalee Waters

BUSINESS & GOVERNMENT

Tori Williams, vice president of public policy for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, says the city’s current council gives business issues a good look.

Balance and stability After years of tumult, Roanoke City Council seems to be settling down – and that may be good for business by Mason Adams

ictory Stadium’s death throes threw Roanoke city government into more than a decade of

instability. The political fight over the fate of the stadium, built beside the Roanoke River in 1942, drove the rapid rise and fall of councilmen and women from the early 1990s until 2006. That’s when the stadium was finally torn down after the independent “For the City” ticket

Photo by Don Petersen

swept the council election over two pro-stadium tickets. Today’s City Council seems much more settled. In May, voters re-elected all three incumbents on the ballot, so every council member has won re-election at least once. Two, Sherman Lea and Vice Mayor David Trinkle, have twice been re-elected. That relative stability has largely been welcomed by a business community that seeks predictabil-

ity and transparency from government. “This council’s probably been the most cohesive and been able to get things done more than any other council,” says Wendy Jones, executive director at Williamson Road Area Business Association Inc. “There are still some that would say it’s hard to get through the city of Roanoke to get anything done. I don’t have that experience, but I know how to work the maze. ROANOKE BUSINESS

business & government

Wendy Jones, executive director at Williamson Road Area Business Association Inc., calls this council “the most cohesive” she’s dealt with.

I don’t think it’s anywhere near as bad as it used to be.” Jones cites the city’s recent stormwater fee as an example. Her members would rather not have it at all, she says, but at least the council reworked the fee structure from an initial proposal that would have placed a heavier burden on businesses. Tori Williams, vice president of public policy for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce, says there’s a sense Roanoke City Council will give businesses a fair chance. “From a business perspective – and I don’t think you can separate it from the disposition and temperament of people on council – you know you’re going to get a good look at issues,” Williams says. The council’s stability stems from several factors, not the least of which was the resolution of the Victory Stadium question. Still, spats and disagreements characterized council meetings well into 2009. That year was marked by two 26

DECEMBER 2014

defining events. The Great Recession finally arrived in Roanoke, and City Manager Darlene Burcham announced she would step down the following spring. The recession choked city tax revenue as well as state and federal support, forcing the council to cut services, shrink its capital improvements plan and prioritize its spending. Burcham’s resignation led to the hiring of Chris Morrill, an assistant city manager in Savannah, Georgia, with a global perspective. Roanoke’s system, where council elections are staggered and every member is elected at-large, marked a big change for Morrill. Savannah had nine council members, six representing wards, all elected at the same time. Morrill says the ward system encouraged spending city money evenly among its represented areas, even if one has greater needs. The at-large system facilitates big-picture thinking, he says. It’s also contributed to council’s stability, which Photos by Don Petersen

he sees as good for the economic climate. “Business doesn’t like the unknown,” Morrill says. “Especially when you have major changes in council, it creates an unknown. I think stability is something which helps with business investment and people at least understand the direction you’re going.” Bill Bestpitch and Ray Ferris, the most recent two members of the council to be elected, joined in 2010 (Bestpitch served a term earlier in the decade as well), soon after Morrill came to work in Roanoke. “We had some very frank discussions with Chris prior to being sworn in,” Ferris says. “He was very interested to know what my vision was and the vision that Bill had. It really didn’t differ greatly from the vision the previous council had, and that was we have got to shed this impression, fact or fiction, that Roanoke is not a friendly place to do biz. What we have to do is engage, engage, engage. I don’t think that was a foreign concept to Chris. It fit well with the way he launched himself.” Mayor David Bowers seems to have mellowed in his approach to the job. “My responsibility is to convene and help build a consensus, and one of the ways to do that is not getting out front on some things ...”

Morrill left intact much of the city administration that his p re d e c e s s o r had built, including department heads and the assistant city managers. “He came in, and he did not change a lot, but he has an approach with

us all working together,” Lea says. “If there’s one thing, it’s his style of relating and working with people.” That style infuses city hall, and it’s influenced how council members communicate. Previous councils often followed a maxim coined by Jim Trout, who served 20 years on council spread out over three stints: “Get to four and get off the phone,” or in other words, build the necessary support for a vote and then stop before talking yourself into a corner. That approach has worked in the past, but it could also lead to bitterness with shifting alliances that could take council members by surprise. “I don’t see that lobbying and ‘let’s get our votes lined up’ approach,” says Anita Price, the lone woman on council. “We talk to each other, and that’s important. I just think we’re respectful of one another.” The cooperative approach occurs not just between council members, but also between the council and School Board. The two boards worked together during the reces-

Bill Bestpitch is on his second tour as a member of Roanoke City Council.

sion to pass and market a two-year meals tax increase to generate extra funding for city schools. The evolution of Mayor David Bowers also has played an important role. Bowers served eight years

as a council member before he succeeded Noel Taylor and served another eight as mayor. The combination of a three-way race and the explosiveness of the Victory Stadium issue saw him defeated in 2000, followed by years in the wilderness as he suffered a string of subsequent defeats. After winning election as mayor again in 2008, Bowers was part of a council that experienced its share of spats before starting to calm down and settle into its current state of stability. As part of that shift, Bowers embraced the ceremonial aspect of the job and became less outspoken. “My responsibility is to convene and help build a consensus, and one of the ways to do that is not getting out front on some things, not being the first to speak on an issue,” Bowers says. “If I choose to say something, I can say it at the end.” For all its benefits, there is a thin line between stability and stagnation. Bowers says it’s important to keep new faces in the mix. “For the good of most organizations, stability is a good thing, but it

ROANOKE BUSINESS

COMMUNITY PROFILE | SALEM

Only the best Salem maintains its independence but doesn’t always work alone by Beth Jones

un fact: Most local government employees get all references to “Parks and Recreation,” the TV sitcom that follows the lives of bureaucrats in the fictional small town of Pawnee, Ind. Kevin Boggess, Salem’s city manager, is no exception. Bring up, for example, Pawnee’s fictional neighboring city of Eagleton, an affluent community where only the best will do: jailers serve walnut scones to inmates, and Michael Bublé is kept on retainer to sing at city functions. Gently suggest that – at least as far as perceptions go – if Roanoke is Pawnee, Salem is Eagleton. “Probably not a bad analogy,” Boggess says. While Salem may not smell of

DECEMBER 2014

vanilla the way Eagleton does, Rob Robinson, a real estate agent in the city, works with plenty of people itching to get that 24153 zip code. Typically, he says, they’re drawn to the city for two reasons: Salem has good schools and good services. “I think Salem does a very good job of taking care of their own people,” agrees city council member Lisa Garst. “We’re very proud of that fact.” Salem owns and operates its own water and sewer system and its own electricity distribution system. Salem rarely loses power. After the derecho of 2012, lifelong Salem resident Jen McDaniel had several people from other parts of the valley staying at her house because they didn’t have electricity for days.

Salem real estate agent Rob Robinson says people are drawn to Salem by the city schools and city services. The view helps, too.

Photo by Mike Stevens/City of Salem

ROANOKE BUSINESS

community profile Salem is famous for its efficient snow removal, but it’s not true that the city’s streets are heated.

“Ours might have flickered,” says 27-year-old McDaniel, who balances a full-time job in social services for Roanoke County with coaching cheerleading and selling real estate. She says Salem residents have long joked that the city’s streets must be heated because they’re so rarely covered in snow. In reality, the Street and General Maintenance Department is just quick to plow. Outsiders must have noticed. Salem ranked as the Best City to Live In for 2014 by financial education website CreditDonkey.com. It’s either the eighth safest city in Virginia, according to a list compiled by real estate website Movoto, or the 22nd safest if you ask the folks at

Safewise Report, a website covering home security. Salem ranked fourth on a list of the Best Places for Young Families in 2013 from Nerdwallet, another financial literacy site. Newsweek named Salem High School one of America’s top 2,000 high schools in 2013. In 2014, it had a 90.8 percent four-year graduation rate, according to statistics released by the Virginia Department of Education. McDaniel, who graduated from Salem High School in 2005, says of the school system: “They strive for excellence. That’s their thing.” In other parts of the valley, Salem has a reputation for being

Newsweek named Salem High School one of America’s top 2,000 high schools in 2013. In 2014, it had a 90.8 percent four-year graduation rate.

DECEMBER 2014

a wealthy community, but the median household income is $47,776, significantly lower than Roanoke County’s $61,686. “The perception has Boggess been out there that we were a little better off than perhaps we were,” Boggess says. Robinson feels the bigger Salem myth is the city doesn’t accept outsiders. Garst also deals with that stereotype. While the leaders of Eagleton built a giant fence to keep Pawnee residents from using their park, Garst says Salem welcomes everyone. “I’ve been reassuring people you do not need a passport to get into Salem,” she jokes. The city’s quest to offer topnotch services can be traced back to the late 19th century, according to John Long, director of the Salem Museum and Historical Society, when the Norfolk and Western Railway was looking for a home. “Salem was the biggest community in the area,” Longs says. “A lot of town fathers were pretty confident we would become the railroad center.” Instead, railway executives selected Big Lick, which grew and became the city of Roanoke. Salem remained a small community. “At some point they just decided we’re not going to be the big giant city, so we’re going to concentrate on being the best small town we can be, and through the 20th century, I think they pretty well accomplished that,” says Long. Salem’s independent streak grew stronger in the 1960s, according to Long, when residents heard that Roanoke might annex Salem. In 1967, Salem voted to become a city. A city couldn’t be annexed. Salem took another step toward independence in 1983 when it severed ties with Roanoke County schools. “The Salem City Council said, ‘We’re going to set up a school division. We’re going to do it and we’re going to do it right,’” says Alan Seibert, the superintendent of schools. “Council says, ‘One of Photos by Mike Stevens/City of Salem

the ways we’re going to do it right is we’re going to put the dollars there to recruit and retain the best possible people.’ And so, for the past 31 years we’ve been a school division, we have enjoyed a competitive advantage in terms of salary scale to help us recruit and retain really good people.” Not even Salem was immune to the Great Recession. Local government lost about 50 positions through attrition, Boggess says, while Seibert estimated the number of school jobs lost through attrition to be about 35. For five years, city and school system employees went without what Boggess describes as a “meaningful raise.” Salem City Council voted in August to give city employees a 2.5 percent pay raise and provided the school system with an additional $461,000 for raises. “Eventually you’ve got to put up or shut up,” Seibert says of the salary increases. “Sometimes you’ve got to walk the talk. This community consistently walks the talk. “ With the financial struggles following the recession, Salem leaders also had to rethink their longtime approach of doing things on their own. Salem is a partner of the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority, a group studying the benefits of localities paying to install 60 miles of fiber-optic cable to help bring faster and more affordable Internet to businesses in the valley. A year ago, Salem officials also joined counterparts in Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke counties as well as the city of Roanoke and the town of Vinton to form the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority, a venture that gives localities the freedom to work together on economic development projects. Salem also elected to join Roanoke and Roanoke County in annually giving a portion of its transient occupancy tax to fund the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, the group that markets this region. “Salem was in a position 10 years ago where they could afford to go

Salem at a glance Area 14.31 square miles Population 25,299 (2013 estimate) Percent of population with 88.1 percent high school diploma or higher Percent of population 30 percent with bachelor degree or higher Median household income $47,776 Unemployment 5.7 percent (August 2014) On-time high school graduation rate 90.8 percent (2014) Annual budget $72.5 million (2014-2015) Sources: salemva.gov; United States Census Bureau; Virginia Department of Education; Virginia Employment Commission

on their own,” Boggess says. “I think we’re not in as strong of a financial position to be able to do everything on our own now.” Taking this regional approach hasn’t been universally popular, Garst admits. But she agrees with Boggess that the city simply can no longer afford to go it alone.

When trying to provide the best services with less money gets to be too stressful, Garst says, she thinks about Pawnee and that city’s welldocumented overpopulation of a particularly adorable but bothersome mammal. “At least,” she tells herself, “we don’t have a raccoon problem.”

ROANOKE BUSINESS

SPONSORED CONTENT | Roanoke Regional g Chamber of Commerce

Homestead Creamery named Small Business of the Year “As in years past, the sehe Roanoke Regionlection committee was faced al Chamber of Comwith a very difficult decision merce and Roanoke because of the number of Regional Small Business outstanding companies repDevelopment Center resented in the competition,” have named Homestead said Joyce Waugh, presiCreamery the 2014 Small dent of the Roanoke RegionBusiness of the Year. The al Chamber of Commerce. locally owned and opWaugh continued, “The erated creamery, which Small Business Awards semarkets its products from lection committee was imthe dairy to the table, pressed with Homestead was recognized at the Creamery’s story of preservChamber’s 28th Annual ing two family farms for fuSmall Business Awards Homestead Creamery was named the 2014 Small Business ture generations while using dinner Oct. 2. The anof the Year by the Roanoke Regional Chamber and Small modern technology to pronual awards program Business Development Center. Hiedi Smith, accounting cess their products and still showcases the accommanager, and F. Michael Grisetti, vice president of operadeliver their products doorplishments of the small tions, accepted the award for the business. (Photo by Jim Markey Photography) to-door for their loyal cusbusiness sector, which tomers.” A committee of lorepresents 95 percent of cal businesspeople evaluates nominees in terms of the area’s business community. Founded in 2001, Homestead Creamery has increased sales, employee growth, staying power, marketed its milk directly from the cow to the con- innovativeness and contributions to the community. sumer. Homestead offers a full line of bottled pas- To be eligible for the small business of the year title, teurized milks, premium ice cream, yogurt, butter, companies must meet SBA small business standards and be at least three years old. dips and fresh cheeses.

Award winners by category were: •

Small Business Advocate: Samantha Steidle, The CoLab

•

Small Business Veteran of the Year: Michael Leigh, OpX Solutions

•

Construction/Real Estate: Clark Brothers Welding continues to adapt to the changing business climate and has found new niche markets in order to grow and succeed.

•

Micro-Business (five or fewer employees): OpX Solutions, a performance improvement company, has shown impressive growth in the past two years.

•

Technology: TORC Robotics is a leading provider of unmanned and autonomous ground vehicle solutions for public and private uses.

•

Business-to-Business Services: Protos Security is a nationwide guard management company offering screened and vetted guard services.

•

Business-to-Consumer Services: Generation Solutions provides an integrated program of home care health services allowing their clients to remain in their homes.

•

Wholesale/Retail: Homestead Creamery

DECEMBER 2014

•

Legacy Award (in business for 50+ years): SFCS Inc. was founded in 1920 and has been a leader in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning and interior design.

•

Best New Small Business (in business for one to three years, not eligible for overall award): Doctors Express Roanoke provides patients with quick and convenient access to health care in a family environment seven days a week with extended hours.

•

Not-for-Profit Arts & Culture: Housed in Center in the Square, the Science Museum of Western Virginia ranks among the region’s premier educational centers.

•

Not-for-Profit Health & Human Services: For 90 years, United Way of Roanoke Valley has made strategic investments in the community that improve the lives of all ages. Previous small business of the year winners include Roanoke Natural Foods Coop (2013), EHS Support Services (2012), Interactive Achievement (2011), Magnets USA (2010), Home Instead Senior Care (2009), Virginia Prosthetics (2008) and Luna Innovations (2007).

Roanoke Regional g Chamber of Commerce | SPONSORED CONTENT 2014 CHAMBER CHAMPIONS BB&T Brown Edwards Cox Business Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore LeClairRyan LifeWorks REHAB (Medical Facilities of America) MB Contractors

EVENT SPONSORSHIP

Pepsi Bottling Group rev.net Richfield Retirement Community Spilman Thomas & Battle PLLC Trane Valley Bank Woods Rogers Attorneys at Law

Note: Chamber champions are members who support the Roanoke Regional Chamber through year-round sponsorships in exchange for year-round recognition.

NEW MEMBERS The following businesses joined the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce from Sept. 9 to Oct.9, 2014:

Chateau Morrisette Winery and Restaurant Civitan Club of Roanoke Inc. Clark Brothers Welding Donna Chewning

FASTSIGNS Firefli Media LLC Home Depot 4609 Insight Imaging – Roanoke Jacks

Lutheran Family Services of Virginia Make It Personal Padgett Business Services Rife + Wood Architects Rotary Club of Roanoke

28th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards (Oct. 2) Clear Channel Media + Entertainment First Citizens Bank Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore Cox Business City of Roanoke County of Roanoke Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing Services xpedx U.S. Senate Candidates Forum (Oct. 6) Appalachian Power Cox Business Lanford Brothers Co. Member One Federal Credit Union

Member news & recognitions Advance Auto Parts received one of eight 2014 Head of Class Awards for excellence in company education and training practices from the Auto Care Association Education Committee. The award recognizes companies within the auto care industry that continually invest in enhancing the quality and level of learning and skill development offered to employees.

Conover

Ritorto Cowan

Densmore

Police

Harnish

Winge

Perry

Branscom

CowanPerry PC has announced that four attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in this year’s Best Lawyers in America. The firm’s honored attorneys and practice areas are: James K. Cowan, employment law – management; David E. Perry, employee benefits law and tax law; Douglas W. Densmore, banking and finance law, corporate law, financial services regulation law, and mergers and acquisitions law; and Tara A. Branscom, trademark law. Densmore has also been named by Best Lawyers 2014-15 as “Lawyer of the Year” in Roanoke in banking and finance law and also in financial services regulation law.

Ferrum College has announced the hiring of the following new faculty and academic staff: Cherie E. Bond, assistant professor of biology; David Eichelberger, assistant professor of art; Christopher Robert Harnish, assistant professor of health and human performance; Giuseppe Ritorto, assistant professor of dramatic and theater arts/musical theater; Eric M. Vanden Eykel, assistant professor of religion; Aaron Ray Conover, director of Ferrum outdoors programs; Ursa B. Johnson, director of institutional research and effectiveness; Marina Nasif, Fulbright Program of the Department of State Foreign Language Teaching Assistant; Kimberly J. Police, instructional design and technology and online learning administrator; and Donna Winge, office manager, academic support specialist.

Draper Aden Associates has announced the hiring of William F. Mason-Deese as a staff geologist on the environmental team in the Blacksburg office. Mason-Deese He holds an undergraduate degree in geology from Guilford College and a master’s degree from the University of Georgia. Glenn Feldmann Darby & Goodlatte has announced the hiring of Gary Tegenkamp as an Tegenkamp of counsel and Kozlowski Emma Maddux Kozlowski as an associate at the law firm. The Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results program recently announced the 14 new fellows who will spend the next two years building their leadership skills. Timothy Durham, assistant professor of agronomy and an agricultural science program coordinator at Ferrum College, was among the 14 new fellows. Boyd Johnson, the director of asset management for Hall Associates, has become an associate broker with the firm. He has been in the Top 3 of all firm agents in sales and leasing during his time with the company. The board of directors of Richfield has announced the selection of George “Skip” Zubrod as interim chief executive officer and Jack Wood as interim administrator of the Recovery & Care and Rehab Centers. ROANOKE BUSINESS

SPONSORED CONTENT | Roanoke Regional g Chamber of Commerce

Feldmann

Ziogas

Carroll

Darby

Goodlatte

Beers

Tenzer

Troland

Glenn Feldman Darby & Goodlatte has announced that eight of its attorneys have been selected to the 2014 Virginia Super Lawyers list, a Thomson Reuters business. Included in the Virginia 2014 Super Lawyers are: Mark E. Feldmann, business litigation; Harwell M. Darby, Jr., business/corporate; Maryellen F. Goodlatte, real estate; Robert A. Ziogas, civil litigation defense; Paul G. Beers, criminal defense; David I. Tenzer, business/corporate; Jeremy E. Carroll, state/local/municipalities; and Charles E. Troland Jr., estate and probate. Feldmann, Darby, Goodlatte and Beers were also selected among Virginia’s Top 100 Lawyers. Goodlatte was selected as one of the top 50 women lawyers in Virginia. Three Glenn Feldmann Darby & Goodlatte attorneys also were selected by their peers for inclusion in this year’s ranking of The Best Lawyers in America: Beers, commercial litigation, labor and employment litigation and employment law for individuals; Darby, corporate law and public finance law; Ziogas, commercial litigation; and Goodlatte, real estate law and real estate litigation. Goodlatte was also recognized as a Best Lawyers’ lawyer of the year for real estate law in Roanoke. Hall Associates has announced the hiring of William D. (Bill) Poe as the executive vice president of the commercial real estate firm. Poe will team with Hall Associates President Stuart Poe Meredith and Managing Partner Roger Elkin to continue to expand the firm. 34

DECEMBER 2014

Interactive Design Group has announced the hiring of David Pugh as the director of archi- Stevens Pugh tecture. Dennis Stevens has also been hired as a construction administrator. Jefferson College of Health Sciences has been named a 2015 Military Friendly School by Victory Media, the leader in successfully connecting the military and civilian worlds. The designation and listing by Victory Media provides service members transparent, datadriven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities. Jefferson College of Health Sciences, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Radford University hosted a “wall breaking” ceremony for the new Virginia Intercollegiate Anatomy Lab Oct. 3 at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital. The lab will be located on the eighth floor of the hospital and will house 15 anatomy tables. M. Cecelia “Cece” Currie and Adam Hardy have joined the Poe & Cronk Real Estate group as agents. Currie has more than 30 years of law and real estate experience. Since receiving her Currie state real estate license, she has specialized in the Roanoke Valley and Smith Mountain Lake communities. Hardy specializes in the sale and leasing of commercial and industrial real Hardy estate, as well as vacant land, farmland and multifamily properties. The Presbyterian Community Center, an organization established to help provide basic human needs to the residents of Southeast Roanoke, recently held an open enrollment for their after-school program. Enrollees included 11 high school, 16 middle school, and 11 elementary students. The Roanoke Civic Center is now officially named Berglund Center, as Berglund Automotive Group acquired naming rights. The agreement was finalized at a City Council meeting. The city will receive $1.75 million over 10 years and $50,000 in the first year.

Altizer

The Roanoke County School Board has selected Mike Altizer as the Vinton District member on the board following the recent resignation of former Vinton District member Mike Stovall. Altizer, who recently retired from

the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, will serve on the board until the November 2015 election is certified. Patrick Hilt joined the staff of the Roanoke Higher Education Center as director of facility services in August. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Center’s facilities and related ser- Hilt vices. Virginia Business Systems (VBS) has been named an official approved partner in the Xerox Authorized Dealer program. VBS supports the markets of Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Shenandoah Valley, New River Valley, Roanoke and Tidewater regions.

Abaid

Popular Science magazine has named Nicole Abaid, an assistant professor with the Virginia Tech Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, as one of its 2014 Brilliant 10.

Ramon Arancibia has been appointed assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture and specialist with Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Arancibia Tech.

Bombarely

Aureliano Bombarely has been appointed an assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech.

John Borwick has been named director of information technology services for Virginia Tech’s University Libraries. Borwick

Briggs

Ryan C. Briggs has been appointed an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

Eugene F. Brown, professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of “professor emeritus” by the Virginia Tech board of visitors. Brown Brown has been a member of the Virginia Tech community since 1969.

Roanoke Regional g Chamber of Commerce | SPONSORED CONTENT Harold E. Burkhart, a faculty member in Virginia Tech’s Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, is the recipient of the 2014 World Congress Host Country Burkhart Scientific Achievement Award from the International Union of Forest Research Organizations. Management professor Kevin D. Carlson has been appointed head of the Department of Management in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech after serving as interim head Carlson since July 2013. Katie Carmichael has been appointed an assistant professor in the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech. Carmichael Rebecca Cockrum has been appointed assistant professor in the Department of Dairy Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech.

Kalyan

Rohan Kalyan has been appointed an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech.

Michael D. Kelly has been appointed a clinical associate professor in the Department of Leadership, Counseling and Research in Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts and Human Sci- Kelly ences. Larry N. Killough, KPMG Professor of accounting and information systems in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of “professor emeritus” by the Virginia Tech board of visitors. Jung Eun Lee has been appointed an assistant professor in the Department of Apparel, Housing and Resource Management in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Lee Tech.

David Oehring has been named the new executive chef at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center in Blacksburg. Oehring earned his degree from the Culinary Institute of Oehring America and has more than 37 years of professional cooking and kitchen management experience. Timothy Parrish has been appointed a professor in the Department of English at Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Luke Philip Plotica has been appointed an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Plotica Virginia Tech.

Pruden

Amy Pruden, professor of civil and environmental engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been named associate dean and director of interdisciplinary graduate education in the Graduate School.

Arancibia Cathy Grimes has been named communications manager for the Graduate School at Virginia Tech. In this new position, Grimes will oversee a compreGrimes hensive communications program supporting the Graduate School and graduate education at all of Virginia Tech’s campus locations.

Heflin

Randy Heflin, professor of physics in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, has been named the college’s associate dean for research and graduate studies.

Samuel A. Hicks, associate professor of accounting and information systems in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of “associate professor emeritus” by the Virginia Tech board of visitors. Y. Thomas Hou, professor of electrical and computer engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been named Bradley Distinguished Professor of Electrical Hou and Computer Engineering by the Virginia Tech board of visitors.

McCoy

Andrew McCoy, associate professor and assistant director of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech, has been named a Preston and Catherine White Fellow by the Virginia Tech board of visitors.

Warren E. Milteer Jr. has been appointed an assistant professor in the Department of History in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech. Milteer John F. Moore, retired associate professor and senior director of learning technologies at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of managing director emeritus of Technology-enhanced Moore Learning and Online Strategies by the Virginia Tech board of visitors. Cayce Myers has been appointed an assistant professor in the Department of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech. Myers

Debra A. Salbador, associate professor of accounting and information systems in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, has been named a Martin Junior Faculty Fellow by Salbador the Virginia Tech board of visitors. Webster Santos, associate professor of chemistry in the College of Science at Virginia Tech, has been named the Cliff and Agnes Lilly Faculty Fellow by the Virginia Tech board of visitors. Santos

Shome

Dilip K. Shome, professor of finance in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of “professor emeritus” by the Virginia Tech board of visitors.

Vijay Singal, the J. Gray Ferguson Professor of Finance, has been reappointed head of the Department of Finance, Insurance and Business Law in the Pamplin College of Business. Singal

ROANOKE BUSINESS

SPONSORED CONTENT | Roanoke Regional g Chamber of Commerce Danfeng “Daphne” Yao, associate professor of computer science in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been named the L-3 Communications Cyber Faculty Fellow Yao of Computer Science by the Virginia Tech board of visitors. The Virginia Tech Office of Government Relations reorganized last academic year upon the retirement of longtime director Ralph Byers. Chris Yianilos, formerly director of federal relations, assumed leadership as executive director of government relations. He continues to work out of the National Capital Region office in Arlington. Elizabeth Hooper remains in Richmond as director of state relations, and Natalie Hart, former deputy chief of staff in the president’s office, has been appointed to a new position, director of government affairs. As the Blacksburg anchor of the government team, Hart will work on both federal and state government relations activities.

J. Reese Voshell, professor of entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of “professor emeritus” by the Virginia Tech Voshell board of visitors. Linda Wallace, associate professor of accounting and information systems in the Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Tech, has been reappointed as the John and Angela Emery JuWallace nior Faculty Fellow by the Virginia Tech board of visitors. Christopher Williams, associate professor of engineering education and mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been named the W.S. Pete Williams White Chair for Innovation in Engineering Education by the Virginia Tech board of visitors.

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DECEMBER 2014

James H. Yauger, professor of practice in the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech, has been named Pulte Homes Professor of Practice in Building Construc- Yauger tion by the Virginia Tech board of visitors. Virginia Transformer Corp., a leading manufacturer of custom power electric transformers for the utility, energy, industrial, mining, oil and gas, commercial and other indusVellore tries, has named Shan Vellore its new director of sales and marketing. Celie Holmes has been promoted to sales and leasing agent at Waldvogel Commercial Properties. She has been the marketing and transaction coordinator since December Holmes 2011.

Virginia Western Community College has been a driving force of the Roanoke Regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy for nearly 50 years. Through hands-on training and strong ties with business and industry, Virginia Western is preparing students for long-lasting careers. In Virginia Westernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dual enrollment and academy programs, high school students can learn about ďŹ elds they are interested in and discover career pathways. When they come to Virginia Western, those students are ready to pursue growing areas of study like mechatronics engineering, nursing and culinary arts. Workforce Solutions programs can help working adults get the training they need to move up in a current job or pursue opportunities such as commercial truck driving, welding or as a pharmacy technician.

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