Showing posts with label County commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label County commission. Show all posts

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Governor McAuliffe Names 5 Members to Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners

English: Former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe spea...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Today at a news conference in Norfolk, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that he has named 5 Virginia business and transportation leaders to the Virginia Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners. The Governor has asked the incoming members, who will serve the unexpired terms of 5 previous members of the board, to act swiftly to improve the port’s fiscal management and return it to profitability.

The Port of Virginia is one of the Commonwealth’s most important economic assets, and improving its performance is one of my top priorities,” said Governor McAuliffe. “This team of Virginia leaders has the right experience and vision to strengthen the Port financially and put it on the path toward long-term, sustainable growth.

“I know they are just as eager as I am to work alongside the dedicated men and women of the Port Virginia to make it stronger and better prepared to succeed in a 21st Century economy.”

The new members of the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners and their brief bio’s are below:

G. Robert Aston, Jr., Portsmouth
 The Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of TowneBank, which he founded in 1998,  Bob Aston is a professional banker with forty – nine years of successful leadership in community banks and a super regional bank, including twenty – nine years experience as  President and CEO. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of BB&T of Virginia from January 1995 to June 1998 and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Bank from April 1985 to January 1995.  Mr. Aston began his career at Citizens Trust Company in 1964 and rose through the ranks to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1981 to 1985.

 Aston also has long record of community service which includes time as past Director of Virginia International Terminals, Inc. Currently, Aston serves on a host of boards and foundations in the community including as the President and Chairman of the Eastern Virginia Medical School Foundation and as a Fort Monroe Authority trustee. Aston is a graduate of the National Installment Lending School at the University of Oklahoma and the Graduate School of Retail Banking at the University of Virginia.

Alan Diamonstein, Newport News
Alan Diamonstein has an outstanding record as a former elected official representing the Virginia Peninsula for more than 30 years, and as an attorney and statewide leader for initiatives that have improved every community in the Commonwealth.

 As a partner in the Patten, Wornom, Hatten, Diamonstein law firm, he specializes in public policy issues and project finance, economic development law and real estate ventures. Major projects in which he has been involved include large commercial and retail properties, planned housing communities and the location and development of successful solid waste management facilities in the southern regions of the United States.

 He is a past member of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, and has served as chairman of the internationally recognized Mariners’ Museum in Newport News.
 As a senior member of the Virginia House of Delegates, he served as the chairman of several key legislative committees, and was a budget conferee on the Appropriations Committee for many years. He is widely recognized for his support of Virginia’s college and university system and the housing industry. He served on several Presidential Commissions and led the Virginia Housing Study Commission for more than 20 years.

 He attended the University of Virginia, and, after completing a tour with the U.S. Air Force, received his B.S. degree in commerce. He earned his law degree at the University of Virginia Law School. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Christopher Newport University and an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the College of William and Mary.

 Gary T. McCollum, Virginia Beach
 Gary T. McCollum is the Senior Vice President and General Manager for Cox Communications. He was appointed to oversee all Cox operations in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia & Roanoke in February 2010.  Cox Virginia’s network reaches approximately 777,000 homes through the Commonwealth and has approximately 2,300 employees.

 Gary joined Cox Communications in 1989 as a manager trainee in Hartford, Connecticut, and was later promoted to a variety of management roles, including Plant Operations Manager, Director of Network Development, and Vice President of Customer Care.  Gary went on to serve as Vice President and General Manager for Cox’s Roanoke, Virginia cable system, spearheading efforts to bring the Information Superhighway to all segments of the community. In 2000, Gary was promoted to Vice President and General Manager of Cox’s newly acquired Northern Virginia system.  In 2006, Gary was promoted to lead the Cox Hampton Roads system and then led the consolidation of all locations into one Virginia operation.

 Prior to joining Cox, Gary served eight years on active duty as a military intelligence officer for the U.S. Army and is currently a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves.  During his active duty military career, he served with the elite U.S. Army Rangers.

 Born in a housing project in Richmond, VA, Gary was the first member of his family to graduate from college.   He graduated from James Madison University with a BA in Russian Studies and Political Science, and from the University of Connecticut with an MBA, where he concentrated on telecommunications. 

Val McWhorter, Fairfax
Val McWhorter is a founding partner of the Tysons  Corner based law firm of Smith, Patcher, McWhorter. McWhorter has focused his practice in the area of Construction law for 30 years. His practice has included representing contractors in large, complex claims arising under federal, state, and local government contracts, as well as contracts between private parties.  Mr. McWhorter has engaged in substantial litigation before various Federal Boards of Contract Appeals, Federal Courts and State Courts. He has also served as an advocate in the mediation of construction contract disputes before numerous mediators involving a wide variety of projects.

McWhorter served on the Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments under Governor Tim Kaine and on the State Council of Higher Education during the administration of Governor L. Douglas Wilder. He is also a former member of the George Mason University Board of Visitors.
McWhorter received his Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate from Washington & Lee University.

 John G. Milliken, Arlington
 Mr. John G. Milliken serves as a Partner with Venable LLP. In 2013, Milliken Co-Chaired Governor – Elect Terry McAuliffe’s Transition Committees on Commerce and Trade and Transportation.  Mr. Milliken served as the Director of Transition for former Governor Mark R. Warner.  He is a former Secretary of Transportation and formerly served on the  Board of Commissioners at Virginia Port Authority from 2002 – 2011. Milliken served on the Arlington County Board from 1981 -1990 and was the Chair in 1984. Milliken is also a former member of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Milliken is a graduate of Haverford College and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law.
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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Comprehensive Virginia International Terminals Audit

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in .
English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today issued the following statement upon completion of a comprehensive audit of the Virginia Port Authority (VPA)’s operator, Virginia International Terminals (VIT).  The audit was initiated following the decision earlier this year to terminate the Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) process for port operations.

“In April, when the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the PPTA process for port operations and instead initiate a corporate restructuring of the VPA’s relationship with its operator, VIT, I called for a comprehensive audit of VIT prior to the VPA’s assumption of all liability over port operations.  The results of this audit confirmed many of the challenges identified in prior reviews and studies of the port, including the recently completed Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) review.  The audit identified concerns over a lack of proper internal audit controls and complete financial reporting mechanisms, inadequate procurement policies and procedures, executive compensation, a lack of communication and transparency between the VIT and VPA Board under the former organizational model, and increased costs and inefficiency.

The Port of Virginia is ripe with opportunity.  As the only East Coast port currently capable of handling post-Panamax class cargo vessels, Virginia is at a tremendous advantage in seizing a sizeable portion of what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates to be over 30 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of growth on the East Coast by 2030.  To seize upon this opportunity and grow cargo volumes and create jobs, it is imperative that the Port of Virginia be as cost-effective and efficient as possible.

“The reforms implemented by our Administration and the Board of Commissioners are making great progress towards this aim.  In calendar year 2012, the port had its second highest year on record, with just over 2.1 million TEUs passing through its terminals.  Further, the port’s revenues are improving, and nearly every month this year setting new cargo volume records.

“Many of the challenges identified through this audit are already being addressed through the corporate restructuring.  However, as the audit shows, much work remains to be done.  I am supremely confident that the Board of Commissioners and recently selected Executive Director Reinhart are up to the task.  I look forward to working with them throughout the remainder of my term in office to make the Port of Virginia the number one port on the East Coast.”
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Saturday, November 2, 2013

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Selection of John F. Reinhart as New Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority

Port of Virginia's Norfolk International Termi...
Port of Virginia's Norfolk International Terminal (NIT) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today regarding the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners’ selection of John F. Reinhart as the VPA’s new Executive Director.

“In April, following consideration of the PPTA proposals for port operations, I stated that one of the first tasks the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners must complete was to install a permanent management team and select a new Executive Director to oversee the reorganization of the VPA’s relationship with its operator Virginia International Terminals.  Today, I am pleased that the Board has completed this step with the selection of John Reinhart as the VPA’s new Executive Director.

John brings a wealth of experience to the Port of Virginia, having served in a variety of executive level capacities within the maritime industry over the past 20 years.  Most recently, he served as President of Maersk Line Limited (MLL). From 2000 to 2004 he served as Chief Executive Officer of MLL.  MLL – headquartered in Norfolk – is the largest employer of American mariners.  John began his career with Maersk in 1991, before leaving to serve as General Manager of Maintenance and Repair, General Manager of Operations and eventually President of Universal Marine Services. He returned to Maersk in 1996 as a Regional Director and then as Senior Vice President.  During this period, he was responsible for commercial activities of the company, including sales, customer service and marketing for North America.

John is also actively involved in the Hampton Roads community and knows the area and its challenges and opportunities well.  He currently serves as First Vice President of the Greater Norfolk Corporation and is on the board of the Hampton Roads Partnership.  John is involved with a number of maritime associations and has received numerous awards for his service to the industry.

John’s vast experience in the maritime industry, and his longstanding involvement in the Hampton Roads community, make him ideally suited to lead the Virginia Port Authority.  The reforms implemented by our Administration and the Board of Commissioners are beginning to pay dividends, as the port continues to see record growth.  However, much work remains to be done to ensure that the Port of Virginia is the most cost-effective and efficient port on the East Coast so that we can utilize its natural advantages to grow cargo volumes and create more good jobs.

John is the right person for this critically important position, and I look forward to working with him throughout the remainder of my term in office.”
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