DEVELOPMENT FRONT The Branch Group has appointed its Chairman of the Board Mr. Ron Oakley as interim CEO effective July 1st. This comes after the resignation of CEO, Will Karbach. Oakley assumes the day to day responsibility for running the Branch Group. The presidents of the four operating companies as well as the CFO and CHRO will report directly to Oakley, who brings over 45 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry.
WELLNESS FRONT
only community-based, not-for-profit hospice, has appointed Karen Brubaker Miller as Chief Strategy Officer. “As we begin to broaden our services to the community, Karen is going to be invaluable in developing programs,” explained Aaron Housh, Good Sam’s CEO. “She brings a wealth of knowledge on advanced illness care and community partnerships.” Miller is a native of Coastal Georgia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Davidson College and a Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and began her hospice career as a social worker in 1994.
EDUCATIONAL FRONT
Miller
Good Samaritan Hospice, the Roanoke and New River Valley’s
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Carla Finkielstein, a cancer researcher and an associate professor of biological sciences in Virginia Tech’s College of
t AUGUST 2020 / vbFRONT.com
Finkielstein
Science, has joined the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC. Finkielstein, whose research focuses on the molecular basis of how circadian rhythms influence cancer initiation and progression, will move her research program and laboratory to the Virginia Tech research institute campus in Roanoke. Finkielstein is a founding member of the Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance (VTCRA) – a cohort of more than 25 research teams studying brain, breast, colon, lung, liver, and bone cancers in humans and animals Melinda West has been appointed interim assistant vice president for finance and university
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controller for the Virginia Tech Controller’s Office. She brings more than 24 years of financial and accounting experience, and institutional knowledge to the position. West has served as university bursar since 2010. She now leads financial management and accounting operations, including accounts payable, payroll, internal accounting control, accounts receivable, financial reporting, fixed assets, and insurance programs. West replaces Ken Miller, who became vice president for finance in April. She will report directly to Miller. Anthony-Samuel LaMantia, a developmental
