Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments (Because More Have Left)

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration today. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will build a new Virginia economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Board Appointments

Aerospace Advisory Council

• Peter Bale of Chincoteague, Senior Vice President, Sentinel Robotic Solutions
• Matt “Race” Bannon of Virginia Beach, Director, Strategy & Marketing, Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC)
• Oktay Baysal of Virginia Beach, Professor and Dean of Engineering, Old Dominion University
• Charles R. Chambers, Jr. of Alexandria, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, National Safe Skies Alliance
• Stephen G. Jurczyk of Williamsburg, Director, NASA Langley Research Center
• James C. McDaniel, Jr., PhD of Albemarle, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia
• Rose Mooney of Baltimore County, MD, Executive Director, Virginia Tech Mid Atlantic Aviation Partnership 
• Dale K. Nash of Virginia Beach, Executive Director, Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority
• Daniel Tani of Fairfax, Vice President, Advanced Programs Group, Orbital Sciences Corporation
• William A. Wrobel* of Accomack, Director, NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
• Todd McGregor Yeatts of Arlington, Manager, Government Operations, The Boeing Company

Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services

• Kay Johnson Smith of Arlington, President and CEO, Animal Agriculture Alliance

Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects

• Cameron C. Stiles, CID, FASID, LEED AP of Ashland, Vice President, KSA Interiors
• Michael Zmuda, P.E., L.S. of Mechanicsville, Survey Manager, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT)

Potomac River Basin Commission of Virginia

• Paul A. Holland of Arlington, Senior Analyst, Marstel-Day, LLC

Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board

• Naila Alam of Herndon, Founder/CEO, Express Care
• The Honorable James F. Almand of Arlington, Retired, Circuit Court Judge, 17^th Judicial Circuit;  former member,  Virginia House of Delegates
• Paul G. Izzo, JD of Richmond, ThompsonMcMullan, P.C.
• George McAndrews, JD of Vienna, Assistant City Attorney, Alexandria
• James P. Talbert of Hampton, President/Owner, T-N-T Concrete Express, Inc.
• Cathy V. Thompson of Roanoke, Director of Older Adult Services, Family Service of Roanoke Valley
• Veronica Williams, JD of Hampton, Owner, Virginia LifeCare Planning, The Center for Elder Law Estate Planning

State Rehabilitation Council

• Tonya Fowler of Danville, Executive Director,  The Arc of Southside, Inc.
• Shannon M. Haworth of Richmond, Project Manager, ASD Early STEP, Partnership for People, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Samantha M. Hollins, PhD of Roanoke, Director, Office of Special Education Program Improvement, Division of Special Education and Student Services, Virginia Department of Education
• Delores Ann Johnson of Harrisonburg, Executive, T. J. Maxx
• Sally J. Thompson*of Hampton, Education and Training Technician,  United States Navy

Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission

• Cecil E. Shell of Kenbridge, Owner and Operator, Shell’s Farm
• Richard L. Sutherland of Elk Creek, Director, District 2, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors

Virginia Air and Space Center

• Alan K. Archer of Newport News, Assistant City Manager, City of Newport News
• Patrick E. DeConcini of Hampton, Principal, DeConcini & Associates, LLC
• Dave Leichtman of Arlington, Advisor, Microsoft Campaign Tech Services
• Kimberley L. Martin of Hanover, Enterprise Data Governance Consultant, Owens & Minor; CEO of KLM Scholarship Foundation

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities

• Travis Webb of Norfolk, Peer Mentor, Endependence Center of Norfolk

Virginia Economic Development Partnership

• The Honorable Lee Coburn of Glade Spring, Mayor and Councilman, Town of Glade Spring and Owner, Coburn Creative and Political Dogs

*Denotes reappointment

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Federal Grant to Bolster Virginia’s Supports and Services for Residents with Dementia

Dementia (film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that the Commonwealth has secured a federal grant that will strengthen and expand services for Virginians experiencing dementia.
The $441,131, three-year grant from the federal Administration for Community Living will allow the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services to implement a caregiver intervention program in the greater Charlottesville and Williamsburg areas. Department leaders hope to expand the program into other areas of the Commonwealth in the future.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that the number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease in Virginia could jump 46 percent, from 130,000 in 2014 to 190,000 in 2025. Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, and as its population ages, Virginia must support sufficient training for care providers, first responders and family caregivers to adequately address this growing demand.

“Today’s population of older Virginians is expected to double by 2030, a trend that is likely to be accompanied by an increase in the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This grant represents a timely and significant opportunity for the Commonwealth to expand services to people with dementia and their families,” said Governor McAuliffe.

Dementia presents a significant challenge for family members who are thrust into the role of caregiver. In 2013, an estimated 447,000 family caregivers provided 509 million hours of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Virginia. The grant aims to help family or informal caregivers feel more confident in their role, increase satisfaction with their social and emotional support networks, reduce depression that can often hit caregivers, and help caregivers assess and comfortably respond to behaviors that can sometimes affect people with dementia.

Virginia is striving to address these intertwined issues. In response to the Dementia State Plan, the General Assembly created the position of state dementia services coordinator to review existing programs, identify gaps, reduce duplication and work with agencies to more effectively deliver services to Virginians with dementia.

“People with dementia and their caregivers don’t have to battle this cruel disease alone,” said Dr. William Hazel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources. “This grant will do much to reinforce social support networks and to offer crucial assistance to caregivers. The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services is well prepared to make the most of this opportunity, thanks to the decision last year to hire a dementia services coordinator.”

Partnering with DARS’ Division for the Aging on the pilot program are the University of Virginia Memory and Aging Care Clinic; Jefferson Area Board for Aging; Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health; Peninsula Agency on Aging; and theAlzheimer’s Association Central and Western Virginia Chapter andSoutheastern Virginia Chapter.

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Governor McAuliffe Declares October as TechTober

RICHMOND – In an effort to highlight Virginia’s technological innovation and raise awareness about high performing industries, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe today declared October to be TechTober, a statewide celebration of Virginia’s high-tech sector.

“The tech sectors will play a significant role in building a new Virginia economy centered on innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Governor McAuliffe. “We need to do everything we can to retain, recruit and grow these industries to ensure that Virginia continues to be a leader in the global economy.  This starts with equipping Virginia’s students and workforce with the skills and resources they need to succeed in these rapidly expanding sectors.”

TechTober activities will focus on new and emerging industries in the Commonwealth, including information science, biotechnology, cyber security, advanced materials, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, energy, health and environmental technologies.

Virginia has the highest concentration of high tech jobs per capita in the nation. With TechTober, Governor McAuliffe and his administration aim to leverage that strength by hosting informational, hands-on events, highlighting tech activities happening during TechTober, and launching a new mentor program for students.

The Governor also announced the launch of “Mentors for Momentum,” a new program designed to connect  businesses, organizations, educators and other professionals with students interested in studying and experiencing technology. These mentors will help inspire students by sharing job experiences, providing internships and supporting school, college and university activities.

To sign up for the Mentors for Momentum program or to view TechTober events, please visit Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson’s homepage: www.technology.virginia.gov.

Read the proclamation here.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments (If He Could Only Maintain A Few People)

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced additional appointments to his administration today. The appointees will join McAuliffe’s administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will build a new Virginia economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.

Secretariat of Veterans and Defense Affairs

John Newby, Commissioner, Department of Veterans Services

John L. Newby II served as Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs.  Son of a retired Army Sergeant Major from Isle of Wight County, Mr. Newby served in Iraq as an aviator aboard the Boeing B-1B Lancer strategic bomber and commanded an Air Force special operations forward air control unit supporting the U.S. Army’s 3rd and 7thSpecial Forces Groups (Airborne). Following his military service, Mr. Newby served as an attorney at private sector law firms and an international defense contractor, where he specialized in government contracts, intellectual property and cyber security matters. He also served as a member of former Senator Jim Webb’s Service Academy Selection Board. As Deputy Secretary, Mr. Newby assised the Secretary with oversight of all veteran-related issues in Virginia, and supports Governor McAuliffe’s initiatives focused on relationship building with our nation’s military services and our active duty military communities. Mr. Newby received his commission and Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy, and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.  He, his wife Reba and daughter Jillian reside in Richmond.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Board Appointments

Advisory Board for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

• Shantell Lewis AuD, CCC-A* of Richmond, Audiologist, Virginia Professional Hearing Healthcare Center and Virginia Professional Hearing Aid Center
• Deborah L. Pfeiffer, EdD* of Yorktown, Director, Outreach Services, Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind

Board of Trustees of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

• Paul D. Koonce* of Richmond, CEO, Energy Infrastructure Group, Dominion Virginia Power
• Nancy Robertson McNerney of McLean, Owner, McNerney Picklers, LLC
• Fred D. Thompson, Jr.* of Ashburn, Chief Administrative Officer, Thompson Hospitality

State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Vision Impaired

• John C. Bailey* of Fairfax, past President, Fairfax Chapter, National Federation of the Blind, software developer and specialist on anti-terrorism applications,  ManTech International, Inc.
• Wanda Barnes Council of Newport News, Education Coordinator/Specialist for Special Education, Virginia Department of Education
• Isaac Crisp of Toano, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
• Valerie Augburn Walker* of Newport News, Real Estate Analyst, City of Virginia Beach

Statewide Independent Living Council

• Mary-Margaret Cash of Bon Air, Assistant Commissioner for Community Based Services, Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services
• Christopher O. Grandle of Stuarts Draft,  Senior Engineer, Materials and Components Engineering, Northrop Grumman Maritime Systems Division
• Cindy Gwinn of Chesterfield, Community Resource Manager, Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist and Individual & Family Support Program, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
• Ivy Kennedy of Virginia Beach, Disability Advocate, Moms in Motion
• Ronald L. Lanier of Richmond, Agency Director, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
• Dr. Rick Mitchell, CRC, Deputy Commissioner for Services, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
• Petrina Thomas of Culpeper, Consumer Directed Service Facilitator disAbility Resource Center, Fredericksburg
• Bernard R. Werwie, Jr. of Fredericksburg, Contract Specialist, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation

Veterans Services Foundation

• Kathleen Levingston of Chesapeake, Assistant Professor and Faculty Advisor for the Student Veterans Association, Old Dominion University

Virginia Board for Asbestos, Lead and Home Inspectors

• Sandra Baynes of Chesapeake, CEO/CFO, Retnauer Baynes Associates, L.L.C.
• Erich J. Fritz of Richmond, Nuclear Safety Analysis Engineer, Dominion Resources, Inc.
• Gene E. Magruder of Newport News, Tradesman, Newport News Shipbuilding and Member, Board for Contractors

Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth

• Valerie L. Bowman, MD, FAAP of Richmond, Pediatrician, Developmental Assessment Clinic Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital
• Glory Gill, RN of Hampton, School Nurse, Hampton City Schools; Member, Virginia School Nurses’ Association
• Sarah Bedard Holland of Richmond, Executive Director, Virginia Oral Health Coalition
• Ritsu Kuno, MD, FCCP of Midlothian, Pulmonary Associates of Richmond, Inc.
• Robert Leek* of Williamsburg, Senior Physician Liaison, Sentara Healthcare
• Sarah Tollison Melton, PharmD* of Bristol, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University
• Kristina N. Powell, MD of Williamsburg, Pediatric Associates of Williamsburg; Member, Virginia Academy of Pediatrics
• Vineeta Shah, MHS, RD of Richmond, Independent Consultant, Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School, Virginia Commonwealth University

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Leaders Applaud Governor McAuliffe’s Efforts to Curtail Prescription Drug and Heroin Abuse in Virginia

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Terry McAuliffe today signed Executive Order 29 establishing the Governor’s Task Force on Prescription Drug and Heroin Abuse.  The task force will recommend immediate steps to address a growing and dangerous epidemic of prescription opioid and heroin abuse in the Commonwealth.

This executive order has received praise from leaders across the Commonwealth:

  

Attorney General Mark Herring:

"Too many families are losing loved ones and too many communities across Virginia are confronting a terrible rise in opiate and heroin abuse and overdose fatalities. The Governor's task force, along with efforts initiated by my office and the outstanding work of local law enforcement, shows that the Commonwealth is taking this problem seriously and responding aggressively. It will take a combination of prosecution, treatment, education, and prevention to turn the tide, and strong partnerships between federal, state, and local authorities, and the recommendations of this important task force, will be key."

Senator Don McEachin, Henrico:

"I commend the governor's initiative on heroin and prescription drug abuse -- problems that have brought terrible pain and cost to Virginia families. Attorney General Herring also recently announced a plan to address these  issues; I look forward to working with both the governor and the attorney general to remedy these problems."

Senator Bill Carrico, Grayson:

“I applaud Governor McAuliffe for his actions today to make Virginia communities safer and healthier. The creation of this task force is a significant step towards curtailing prescription drug and heroin abuse in the Commonwealth.”

Delegate John O’Bannon, Henrico:

                                                    

“I commend Governor McAuliffe for tackling this issue head on and I am in complete agreement that Virginia must curtail this unfortunate epidemic. The steps the governor announced today will put Virginia on a pathway toward building safer and healthier communities."

Delegate Keith Hodges, Middlesex:

“As a practicing pharmacist and legislator, I am proud of this bipartisan effort to address the prescription drug and heroin abuse epidemic.  Governor McAuliffe’s multi-faceted approach will go a long way in curbing this epidemic and ensuring the future health and safety of our families, communities and neighborhoods.”

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