Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments

  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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

Office of the Governor

Carrie Henderson Caumont, Director of Scheduling

Carrie served as the Executive Scheduler to the President of University of Richmond for the past six years. Previously, Carrie served in the scheduling office for Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Carrie earned her B.A. from James Madison University.  She is a native of Richmond and resides in Glen Allen with her family. 

Secretariat of Education

SOL Innovation Committee

·        Grace Chung Becker of Fairfax, Parent, Fairfax County Public Schools

·        Susanna Burgos of Newport News, Teacher, Newport News Public Schools

·       Kim Paddison Dockery, EdD of Fairfax, Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, Fairfax County Public Schools

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Board Appointments

Advisory Board on Genetic Counseling

·       Heather A. Creswick, MS, CGC of Richmond, Genetic Counselor, Clinical Faculty, Genetic Counseling Training Program, Virginia Commonwealth University

·       Marilyn Jerome Foust, MD of McLean, Foxhall OB/GYN Associates, P.C., Washington, DC

·       John M. Quillin, PhD, MPH, MS of Mechanicsville, Genetic Counselor, Assistant Professor, Human and Molecular Genetics, Family Medicine and Population Health,  Virginia Commonwealth University             

·       Lori Swain of Alexandria, Executive Director, National Cancer Registrars Association

·       Matthew J. Thomas, ScM, CGC of Charlottesville, Genetic Counselor, Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Virginia School of Medicine

Advisory Board on Respiratory Care

·       Sherry Compton of Mechanicsville, Distance Education Coordinator, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

·       Lois A. Rowland, MSc, RRT-NPS of Midlothian,  Director of Respiratory Care and Pulmonary Lab Services, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

·       Daniel Rowley* MSc, RRT-ACCS, NPS, RPFT, FAARC of Charlottesville, Therapy Services Coordinator, Pulmonary Diagnostics & Respiratory Therapy Services, University of Virginia Health System

·       Bruce K. Rubin, MD, MBA, FRCPC of Henrico, Jessie Ball duPont Distinguished Professor and Chair, Dept. of Pediatrics, Professor of Biomedical Engineering Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Physician in Chief, Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU

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

·       Chris Stone of Virginia Beach, President, Clark Nexsen

Board of Medicine

·       The Honorable Jasmine Gore of Hopewell, Vice-Mayor, City of Hopewell

Board of Physical Therapy

·       Sarah C. Schmidt of Palmyra, Physical Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapy @ACAC, Charlottesville

Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative Advisory Board

·       Scott Dickens of Richmond, President & CEO, Rocket Pop Media

Council on Aging

·       Valerie L’Herrou, JD of Richmond, Director of Public Sector Career Development, University of Richmond School of Law

·       Shewling Moy of Virginia Beach, Commissioner, Development Authority; Realtor; Former Registered Nurse

·       Roberto Quinones* of McLean, Executive Director, UNITY – Journalists for Diversity; former Senior Development Officer, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

·       Veronica E. Williams, JD of Hampton, Owner, Virginia LifeCare Planning, The Center for Elder Law & Estate Planning

·       Dr. Sandra Williamson-Ashe of Chesapeake, Assistant Professor, The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University

Criminal Justice Services Board

·       John Anthony Manuel Boneta of Vienna, Managing and Founding Partner, Law Offices of John A. Boneta & Associates, PLLC

·       Jeffrey S. Brown* of Disputanta, Director of Public Safety, Chief of Police, Hampden-Sydney College

·       The Honorable Vanessa Reese Crawford of Petersburg, Sheriff, City of Petersburg

·       The Honorable Michelle R. Mosby of Richmond, Member, Richmond City Council, 9^thDistrict

·       Kevin Pittman of Manassas, Deputy Sheriff, Fairfax County

·       Bobby Russell* of Roanoke, Superintendent, Western Regional Jail

·       The Honorable Kelvin L. Wright of Chesapeake, Chief of Police

·       Stephanie M. Wright, MSW of Alexandria, Co-Founder of Together We Bake, a nonprofit designed to serve women in need who are transitioning from the corrections system

Governor’s Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates

·       Nancy Howell Agee of Salem, President and CEO, Carilion Clinic

·       Scott Blackley of Leesburg, Executive Vice President – Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, Capital One

·       William G. Crutchfield of Charlottesville, Founder & CEO, Crutchfield Corporation

·       Albert J. Dwoskin of McLean, President and CEO, A.J. Dwoskin & Associates, Inc.

·       Thomas Farrell* of Richmond, Chairman, President & CEO, Dominion Resources, Inc.

·       B. Keith (BK) Fulton* of Richmond, Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Region, Verizon Communications

·       William M. Grace* of Yorktown, President and CEO, Grace Industries, Inc.

·       Robert D. Hardie* of Charlottesville, Managing Director, Level One Partners, LLC

·       James A. Hixon* of Norfolk, Executive Vice President, Law and Corporate Relations, Norfolk Southern Corporation

·       C. Burke King* of Richmond, President, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

·       Jeffrey M. Lacker* of Richmond, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

·       Robin S. Lineberger of McLean, Principal, Deloitte Aerospace & Defense

·       Stephen C. Movius of Falls Church, Corporate Vice President and Treasurer, Northrop Grumman Corporation

·       Jonas E. Neihardt* of Alexandria, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Hilton Worldwide

·       Mike Petters* of Newport News, President & CEO, Huntington Ingalls Industries

·       C. Larry Pope of Williamsburg, President and CEO, Smithfield Foods, Inc.

·       Mitchell N. Schear of Arlington, President, Vornado/Charles E. Smith

·       The Honorable Jody Wagner of Virginia Beach, President, Jody’s Inc.

Governor’s Task Force for Local Government Mandates

·       The Honorable Mimi Milner Elrod, PhD of Lexington, Mayor, City of Lexington

·       Gary Larrowe of Woodlawn, County Administrator, Carroll County

·       Marcus J. Newsome, EdD of Chesterfield, Superintendent, Chesterfield County Public Schools

·       Wyatt Shields of Falls Church, City Manager, City of Falls Church

·       The Honorable George E. Wallace of Hampton, Mayor, City of Hampton

University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors

·       Carlos Del Toro of Stafford, President and CEO of SBG Technology Solutions, Inc.

Virginia Cave Board

·       Michele Baird* of Virginia Beach, Astronomy Teacher, Granby High School

·       David Ek of Catlett, Environmental Planner, Fauquier County

·       Steve Lindeman* of Saltville, Land Protection Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy of Virginia

Virginia Port Authority

·       Deborah C. Waters of Suffolk, Attorney at Law and Proctor in Admiralty

Virginia Public School Authority Board of Commissioners

·       Walt Mika of Fairfax, Retired Teacher

*Denotes reappointment

Governor McAuliffe Announces First Shipment of Poultry Exports to China from Virginia in Seven Years

National emblem of the People's Republic of China (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ China Lifted Long-Standing Ban on Virginia Poultry Products in May; Commonwealth Estimates at least $20 Million in New Exports to China in 2014 ~

NORFOLK – Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that after almost seven years Virginia poultry exports resumed to the People’s Republic of China, with the first shipment leaving Perdue Foods Incorporated’s cold-storage export facility in Norfolk.  This shipment from Perdue’s facility includes chicken wing tips, which will leave the Port of Virginia on Friday, and is expected to arrive in Shenzhen, Guangdong State, China on August 3^rd.  The Governor, who witnessed the poultry products being loaded at the Perdue facility, was joined by Perdue Foods Vice President, International Carlos Ayala and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore.  Perdue anticipates increasing its volumes shipped from Virginia by roughly 35% this year as a result of the ban being lifted.

Commenting on the now-resumed poultry export business to China, Governor McAuliffe said, “I am thrilled to see poultry products being exported from Virginia to China for the first time since 2007.  I made having the long-standing ban removed a top economic priority of my administration, so I wanted to be in Norfolk to witness firsthand the vessel being loaded.  The resumption of business means more trade and revenue generation opportunities for Virginia’s poultry industry and the many related businesses that work to move product from our family farms into the global marketplace.  This will also bring significant benefits to the Port of Virginia, an entity that I want to become the East Coast capital for agricultural and forestry product exports.”

In 2007, following an isolated case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) reported on a single farm in Virginia, China placed a ban on all poultry produced in Virginia, poultry transiting through Virginia, and poultry that is exported from any port in Virginia.  Virginia and federal officials contended that China’s ban was not justified by scientific data, as the isolated LPAI occurrence did not pose a food safety or poultry health risk.  Because of the ban, Virginia had been excluded from taking advantage of business in this high growth market.  China is currently one of the top foreign markets for U.S. poultry, purchasing more than $416 million last year, with Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina as leading suppliers. 

Secretary Haymore noted, “Today’s shipment marks a great day for Virginia’s poultry industry and Virginia’s growing relationship with China, our largest export customer of agricultural and forestry products.  We estimate conservatively that Virginia will see at least $20 million in poultry exports to China during the first full year the market is open, but we’re hoping to far exceed that number. We have great assets that will allow us to accomplish that goal including: Virginia’s existing business with China; the Governor’s commitment to expanding that business; our agricultural trade representative in Shanghai working to generate new sales leads; and an aggressive poultry industry producing high quality and wholesome products. I am confident that we have the infrastructure in place to quickly re-establish Virginia as one of China’s top poultry purchasers.”

On May 5, Chinese and U.S. officials notified the McAuliffe Administration that the ban, instituted in July 2007, was rescinded by China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and China’s Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).  From January until late April, Governor McAuliffe and Secretary Haymore met and worked with numerous partners to lift the ban, including: Chinese Ambassador to the U.S. Cui Tiankai; U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus; U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; and U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Michael Froman.  The McAuliffe administration’s focus on resolving this trade issue built upon work that Virginia officials, including former Governor Bob McDonnell, Senator Mark Warner, Senator Tim Kaine, Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA 7^th), Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA 6^th), and Congressman Robert Hurt (R-VA 5^th), among others, did over the last seven years to re-open the Chinese market to Virginia poultry.  Hobey Bauhan of the Virginia Poultry Federation and Jim Sumner of the U.S.A. Poultry & Egg Export Council were also instrumental in Virginia’s work with U.S. authorities and Chinese government officials.

China ranked as the number one market for Virginia’s agricultural exports in 2013 with more than $580 million in purchases.  However, the country’s market has remained closed to Virginia poultry products for the past seven years.  The total value of Virginia poultry exports exceeded $186 million in 2013, with China absent as a major potential market for Virginia.  Agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia reached a record high of $2.85 billion in 2013.

The poultry industry is the largest individual sector of Virginia’s agriculture industry.  With annual farm cash receipts in excess of $950 million, poultry accounts for more than 30 percent of all Virginia's cash receipts from agriculture.  Virginia's poultry industry depends on fair access to foreign markets in order to support continued prosperity.

According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry, generating more than $52 billion per annum. The industry also provides more than 310,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Resumption of Virginia Poultry Exports to China

National emblem of the People's Republic of China (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that after almost seven years Virginia poultry exports will resume to the People’s Republic of China.  The McAuliffe administration learned earlier today from Chinese and U.S. officials that the ban, instituted in July 2007, has been rescinded by China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and China’s Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).

“This is outstanding news for Virginia’s poultry industry and the many related businesses that work to move product from our family farms into the global marketplace,” said Governor McAuliffe.  “Strengthening Virginia’s economy is my number one priority and the lifting of this ban is certainly good news for Virginia’s economy.  Poultry is the largest individual sector of Virginia’s agriculture industry and increased exports will help support farm, processing, and transportation related jobs in the Commonwealth. This will also bring enormous business benefits to the Port of Virginia at a critical time for that entity.”  

In recent months, Governor McAuliffe and Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore have discussed the issue with top officials from China’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., including Ambassador Cui Tiankai; the newly appointed United States Ambassador to China, Max Baucus; United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack; and United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Michael Froman.  The McAuliffe administration’s focus on resolving this trade issue built upon work that Virginia officials, including former Governor Bob McDonnell, Senator Mark Warner, Senator Tim Kaine, Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA 7^th), Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA 6^th), and Congressman Robert Hurt (R-VA 5^th), among others, have done over the past several years to re-open the Chinese market to Virginia poultry.  Hobey Bauhan of the Virginia Poultry Federation, Jim Sumner of the U.S.A. Poultry & Egg Export Council, and others in the private sector have been instrumental in Virginia’s work with U.S. authorities and Chinese government officials.

“Addressing China’s ban on Virginia poultry has been a real team effort,” added Governor McAuliffe, referencing work conducted by staff from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) in coordination with federal officials from the United States Department of Agriculture Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).  “The USTR and USDA made resolution of this issue a priority and worked closely alongside Virginia’s individual efforts to address the matter.  I also want to thank Ambassador Cui and the Chinese Embassy staff for their attention and work to resolve this important issue.”

Since 2007, following an isolated case of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) reported on a single farm in Virginia, China has maintained a ban on all poultry produced in Virginia, poultry transiting through Virginia, and poultry that is exported from any port in Virginia.  Virginia officials have long contended that China’s ban was not justified by scientific data, as the isolated LPAI occurrence did not pose a food safety or poultry health risk.  Because of the ban, Virginia had been excluded from taking advantage of business in this high growth market.  China is currently one of the top foreign markets for U.S. poultry, purchasing more than $416 million in 2013, with Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina as leading suppliers. 

Virginia’s work to resolve the ban with federal and Chinese officials began in late 2007 under then-Governor Kaine.  During Virginia trade missions to Asia in 2011 and again in 2013, then-Governor McDonnell and Secretary Haymore held meetings with government officials in China regarding the poultry ban.  As a result of discussions with Chinese officials, in March of 2013, Virginia worked with federal officials from USDA APHIS and USTR to host a technical delegation from the Chinese regulatory agencies that were responsible for the ban.  The technical delegation conducted site visits and meetings in Virginia, examining farm and food safety protocols and testing.  This work, along with other efforts over the last seven years, ultimately led to the resolution of the ban.

“Based on China’s current poultry purchases from other nearby states, we believe that Virginia stands to gain $20 million or more in export sales each year,” stated Haymore. “China is a good market for certain items that are not of high value in the domestic market, but can be an important income generator for poultry processors.  Chicken feet and wing tips are considered a delicacy in some parts of China.  Reopening the market to these Virginia products adds commercial value to the product.  Chicken feet and wing tips may be worth a few cents per pound in the domestic market but can sell for many times this amount in China.”

China ranked as the number one market for Virginia’s agricultural exports in 2013 with more than $580 million in purchases.  However, the country’s market has remained closed to Virginia poultry products for the past seven years.  The total value of Virginia poultry exports exceeded $186 million in 2013, with China absent as a major potential market for Virginia.   Agricultural and forestry exports from Virginia reached a record high of $2.85 billion in 2013.

The poultry industry is the largest individual sector of Virginia’s agriculture industry.  With annual farm cash receipts in excess of $950 million, poultry accounts for more than 30 percent of all Virginia's cash receipts from agriculture.  Virginia's poultry industry depends on fair access to foreign markets in order to support continued prosperity.

According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry, generating more than $52 billion per annum. The industry also provides more than 310,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments (Updated)

English: The state seal of Virginia.  (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 grow Virginia’s economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.

Alcoholic Beverage Control Board

Judy Napier, Commissioner

Judy Napier served most recently as Director of Business Development for the information technology firm CGI Group’s Virginia sector.  Before that she served as Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Technology in the administrations of Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Judy is a Portsmouth native and graduated from Old Dominion University.

Commonwealth Transportation Board

John Malbon, Board Member

John Malbon is the President and CEO of PAPCO Inc., a Virginia Beach Oil Distribution Company that opened the region's first public biodiesel pump in 2006. John is the co-chair of the Envision Virginia Beach 2040 Committee, which focuses on the 30-year future of the city, and serves as the vice chair of the board of directors for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. John is a graduate of James Madison University.

Office of the Governor

Jamie Radice, Communications Director

Jamie Radice served previously as Senior Communications Adviser at the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Communications Director to Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter and Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Darryl Holt, Special Assistant for Constituent Services

Darryl Holt served previously as an Office Assistant in the Richmond City Department of Social Services. She also served as a Field Representative in the Office of U.S. Senator Jim Webb, and a Special Assistant to the Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade under Governor Tim Kaine.

Virginia Legislative Office

Maribel Ramos, Director

Maribel Ramos served previously as Legislative Assistant to Senator Tim Kaine, where she advised the Senator on policy areas including education, economic development, housing, federal employees and appropriations. Before that she served as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Jim Webb, and as a Special Assistant for Policy to then-Governor Tim Kaine. Maribel holds a Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Denise Burch, Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Commonwealth

Denise Burch previously served as Director of Constituent Services and Scheduling to former two term Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.  Prior to this service, she served as Sen. Bolling’s Legislative Aide in the Virginia Senate.  In 1998, she was appointed as Confidential Assistant to Governor Jim Gilmore. 

Lana Westfall, Director of Gubernatorial Appointments

Lana Orme Westfall held the position of Director of Constituent and Legislative Services in both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates for a total of 16 years.  In 2008, she established a government relations and issue advocacy firm, bringing a wide array of experience on issues related to the environment, education and veterans’ affairs.

Secretariat of Education

Jennie Moline O'Holleran, Deputy Secretary

Jennie Moline O’Holleran most recently served as Director of Virginia Relations at the George Washington University, where she worked with government and community leaders to promote GW’s Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn. She previously served in Governor Tim Kaine’s policy office. Jennie grew up in Alexandria. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from the George Washington University.

Dietra Trent, Deputy Secretary

Dietra Trent served most recently as Deputy State Director in the Office of Senator Mark Warner. She previously served as Deputy Secretary of Education in Governor Tim Kaine’s administration, and as Director of Constituent Services and Director of the Council on Human Rights under Governor Mark Warner. Dr. Trent earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Hampton University, and completed her master’s and doctoral degrees in Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University.   

Secretariat of Technology

Anthony W. Fung, Deputy Secretary of Technology

Anthony Fung served previously as CEO of technology consulting firm GovInsight, LLC and as majority owner of Catapult Consultants, LLC, a firm that specializes in financial, acquisition, healthcare and information technology management. Anthony holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Information Science from the University of Pittsburg.

Secretariat of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security

John Newby, Deputy Secretary

John Newby previously served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as an aviator aboard the Boeing B-1B Lancer strategic bomber and as a special operations forward air controller in support of U.S. Army Special Operations Command.  Following his military service, Newby served as an attorney at private sector law firms and an international defense contractor.  He also served as a member of former Senator Jim Webb’s Service Academy Selection Board.  Newby graduated and received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Adam Thiel, Deputy Secretary

Adam Thiel has served as Fire Chief in the City of Alexandria since 2007. Previous to that, Adam served in a range of key positions at fire departments in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Arizona. In 2002 Governor Mark Warner appointed Adam as the Executive Director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs within the Secretariat of Public Safety. Adam holds undergraduate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Maryland University College. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University.

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