Akers signing off > Diane Akers, President of the Blacksburg Partnership, will retire from her role after almost 19 years at the helm in June. As its first director, and later as president, Akers helped launch the public private economic development group in 2002. It was founded as a partnership between the Town of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech, and the local business community. Akers developed major signature gatherings like Fork and Cork, Brew Do for beer lovers, the Virginia Cheese Fest, Blacksburg Restaurant Week, and the Blacksburg Partnership Collaborative for the Arts. During her tenure, the Blacksburg Partnership has grown from 22 member organizations to more than 70. The Partnership also organized and continues to lead the NRV Passenger Rail Initiative seeking to return passenger rail service to the New River Valley (see related story elsewhere). Akers says, “I am so proud of all we have accomplished as an organization and all that we have done together to further the economy and quality of life in Blacksburg and the region.” Prior to working with the Blacksburg Partnership Akers ran her own consulting firm, ComBiz Solutions in Roanoke, and worked for the City of Roanoke, including as Acting Assistant City Manager, Director of Economic Development and Budget Administrator.
Blacksburg Partnership
Courtesy photo
Bank of Fincastle heads towards possible merger > The Bank of Fincastle reported an unaudited quarterly net income of $345,680 for the first quarter of 2021, with assets of $272.1 million and total liabilities of $241.4 million. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our daily lives, we are nonetheless encouraged to see local economic activity returning to more normal levels and improvement in our financial performance.” Regarding the announced merger with First National Corporation, Scott Steele says, “I am pleased to share that things have been progressing on schedule and we are planning a special meeting of the shareholders in mid-June whereby shareholders will have an opportunity to vote for the merger.” Pictured L-R: the Executive Management Team; Peter Sackett, Vice President and Chief Credit Officer; Mike Jasper, Chief Financial Officer; Scott Steele, President and CEO; Sandra Craft, Vice President of Commercial Banking.
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