Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Senator Creigh Deeds

2009 Gubernatorial Candidate: Creigh Deeds (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this morning following news from Bath County that State Senator Creigh Deeds has been seriously injured in a morning altercation. Senator Deeds is currently being treated at U.Va.

“In this tough and sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with the Deeds family. The news from this morning is utterly heartbreaking. Creigh Deeds is an exceptional and committed public servant who has always done what he believes is best for Virginia and who gives his all to public service. He cares deeply about Virginia, and the people of Virginia care deeply for him. I urge all Virginians today to join me in praying for a full and complete recovery for Creigh and for many more years of his public service to the Commonwealth. At this moment, our state unites in prayer for Creigh Deeds and his family.”

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Governor McDonnell Announces Appointments to Norfolk State University Board of Visitors

Norfolk, VA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell announced today the appointments of three board appointees to fill vacancies on the Norfolk State University Board of Visitors. The three appointees are: Lt. General Michael Rochelle (Ret.), Dr. Deborah DiCroce, and Mr. Bryan Cuffee. 

Speaking about the appointments, Governor McDonnell noted, “Today I have made three appointments to fill vacancies on the Norfolk State University Board of Visitors.  Each appointee brings unique strengths and experiences to the board that will be vital to carrying out an innovative, strategic path for the University’s future.  Norfolk State University has a history of academic excellence, outstanding alumni, and strong community support. I have no doubt the University can overcome its current challenges and become a leader again in placing graduates in competitive, in-demand careers.  I commend interim President Eddie Moore, Rector Tom Chewning, the administration, faculty, and the Board of Visitors for the steps already being taken to move the school forward.”

The Governor added, “In addition to these appointees, I have asked two individuals to serve as senior advisors to the board and administration on an as-needed basis.  Jim Dyke, as a former Secretary of Education in Virginia, can provide the board and administration with counsel on an array of matters, assist the university with strategic implementation, and work with the administration to address SACS concerns.  Professor Ervin Jordan, alumnus of Norfolk State and current professor at the University of Virginia, can provide counsel to the administration and faculty on matters related to the academic environment and lend expertise on academic excellence at NSU.”

            Biographies of each of the board appointees are below:

Michael D. Rochelle (LTG, USA, Ret.) of Manassas, Founder, President, and CEO of MDR Strategies, LLC

Michael Rochelle is Founder, President, and CEO of MDR Strategies, LLC, a strategic human capital consulting and executive coaching firm. Rochelle retired from the US Army after 37 years. Rochelle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Language Education from NSU in 1972 and a Masters in Public Administration from Shippensburg State University in 1994. He is a member of the Academy of Distinguished Alumni for NSU and a member of the Boys and Girls of America Hall of Fame.  Rochelle was honored as an NAACP “Barrier Breaker” award recipient in 2008.

Deborah M. DiCroce, Ed.D. of Chesapeake, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation

Dr. DiCroce is President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. She has thirty-five years of experience in Virginia higher education, serving as President of Tidewater Community College for 14 years until 2012 and previously as President of Piedmont Community College in Charlottesville for nine years.

Dr. DiCroce is a past Trustee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and past member of the SACS Commission on Colleges.  She has taught at the University of Virginia, The College of William and Mary, and Old Dominion University.  Before her appointment to the NSU Board of Visitors, she served on the Board of Visitors at Christopher Newport University and Governor McDonnell’s Commission on Economic Development & Job Creation. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from Old Dominion University and a doctorate in Higher Education from The College of William & Mary. Very active in the Hampton Roads region, the Chesapeake Rotary Club named Dr. DiCroce First Citizen of Chesapeake in 2012.

Bryan Cuffee of Virginia Beach, Vice President of Development for Gold Key/PHR Hotels and Resorts

Bryan Cuffee has worked at Gold Key/PHR Hotels and Resorts since 1995 and currently serves as Vice President of Development. He serves as an appointee to the Virginia Beach Development Authority, the Virginia Beach Resort Advisory Commission, and the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance.  He is also a member of the Norfolk Middle Town Lions Club and a charter member of the United Way African-American Leadership Giving Initiative. Cuffee earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Norfolk State University and a Masters in Business Administration from Old Dominion University. 

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Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Passing of Former Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr.

Harry F. Byrd Jr. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Governor Orders State Flags to Fly at Half-Staff Friday and Saturday

WASHINGTON D.C.- Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement this morning regarding news that former Virginia Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., America’s oldest living former senator, has passed away at 98 at his home in Winchester. In addition, the governor has ordered all state flags to fly at half-staff Friday and Saturday in memory of the senator.

“This morning, Harry F. Byrd, Jr., America’s oldest living former senator, passed away at his home in Winchester. This is a sad day in the Commonwealth. A chapter of our history has concluded; we’ve lost a good and decent person and a dedicated public servant.

Senator Byrd was a son of the Valley. He was born in Winchester. While he would go on to attend school at VMI and UVa, serve our nation in World War II, represent the area in the State Senate, and then serve three terms in Washington as a United States Senator, it was always true that in spirit and in soul, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. never left the Valley that he loved.

Senator Byrd was an iconic figure in Virginia history. He lived through a century of immense change, both here at home and abroad, and he never sat on the sidelines. From his time in public office to his long career in journalism, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. was at the center of the great debates and policy discussions that marked our nation’s path forward. He made his mark as a strong fiscal conservative, always committed to ensuring that taxpayer dollars be wisely and conservatively utilized.

I had the great opportunity to visit with the senator several times over the past few years at his home. His mind was sharp, and he was quick with stories from growing up in Virginia’s Executive Mansion in the 1920’s to his experiences as the first person ever elected and re-elected to the United States Senate as an independent. The senator was rightly known for his civility, candor and wit, and those attributes remained with him until the very end. As governor, there were a number of times I would receive a carefully handwritten letter from the senator, well into his 90’s, letting me know how he felt about legislation and policy discussions in Richmond. He lived to participate in the public discourse and he cherished democracy and civic engagement. That was the common thread that ran from his time in public office to his editorials and columns in The Winchester Star and The Harrisonburg Daily News-Record.

Virginia will mourn the passing of Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr.”

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Performance of Virginia Universities in Forbes Annual Report

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

– University of Virginia and William and Mary No. 2 and No. 6 Public Non-Service Academy Colleges in America–

5 Virginia Public and Private Institutions in Top 100; 9 in Top 200

RICHMOND - Governor McDonnell issued the following statement following the release of Forbes' annual “America’s Top Colleges” report, which found the University of Virginia and William and Mary ranking No. 2 and No. 6 for public non-service academy colleges. Virginia Military Institute also ranked among the top public schools at No. 17.   The University of Virginia improved 7 positions in the overall rankings to No. 29 this year. While Washington and Lee (No. 21), College of William and Mary (No. 44), Virginia Military Institute (No.87), and the University of Richmond (No.88) all ranked in the nation’s top 100.  Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Hampden-Sydney College and George Mason University all ranked in the nation’s top 200. All together, 22 Virginia schools were included in the “America’s Top Colleges” report. The Forbes rankings are based on 'quality of teaching, great career prospects, high graduation rates and low-levels of debt.’

“Virginia’s higher education system is one of the best in the nation and the world. I congratulate the University of Virginia and the college of William and Mary for once again proving to be leaders among our nation’s public non-service academy colleges. I applaud the work of all of our college presidents who have recognized that Virginia schools must continue to improve in order to remain national leaders in public higher education. Together with the General Assembly and our great college presidents we have made significant new investments in higher education that will reap benefits for Virginians for years to come. After years of double-digit tuition increases and cuts in state funding, we have invested more than $200 million into higher education funding and our colleges have responded by last year posting the lowest average yearly tuition increases in a decade. At the same time, they are expanding accessibility and have added 3,800 new slots for in-state undergraduate students in just the last two years. Virginia’s colleges continue to become more affordable and accessible for Virginia’s students. We know that a high quality education is essential for the high quality, high paying jobs of the future. We must continue to invest in higher education while implementing smart reforms and innovations to ensure that Virginia’s distinguished colleges and universities will continue to lead the nation.”

Governor McDonnell Announces Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program Reaches Major Milestone

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

V3 Certifies 103 Virginia employers who committed to over 4,000 jobs for Virginia’s Veterans; 2,487 Veterans have already been hired.

Regional employer training events to be held in August

RICHMOND— Governor McDonnell announced today that the Department of Veterans Services’ Virginia Values Veterans Program (V3) certified 103 Virginia employers in its pilot year who have committed to providing over 4,000 jobs for Virginia’s Veterans; 2,487 Virginia veterans have already been hired.V3 is a best practice initiative developed in support of Governor McDonnell’s goal of positioning Virginia as the most veteran-friendly state in the nation. The V3 program is a Commonwealth-wide approach to creating employment opportunities for veterans.

            Speaking about the announcement, Governor McDonnell commented, “The program is unique in that it aims to build vital public-private partnerships by leveraging state and federal agencies and industry leaders to share resources and educate employers on how to tap into the exceptional pool of talented Veterans, National Guard and Reservists in Virginia’s workforce. We owe it to our brave men and women in uniform to do everything we can to ensure that there are opportunities for them when they return home. ”

            Secretary of Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security Terrie L. Suit remarked, “Virginia is committed to helping our returning service members as they transition from active duty to civilian life.  This program teaches employers the value of bringing these brave heroes into their organization.  It is the least we can do for the men and women who have done so much for us.”

            Paul Galanti, Commissioner of Veterans Services, said, “The V3 program blankets the Commonwealth by offering Training Conferences for employers and supports Job Fair Recruiting Days for Veterans across the state.” 

            Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates, Kirk Cox of Colonial Heights added, “The Commonwealth has invested in V3 to expand this program because of the tremendous support it provides Virginia employers to help them hire and retain Veterans.”

Upcoming Employer Training Events

What: Small Business Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Training Day

Where: Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, Charlottesville

When:  August 7, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

What: Virginia Values Veterans Conference

Where: The Inn at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg

When: August 20, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

            Both events focus on teaching organizations how they might develop a system to recruit, train and retain Veterans. 

            Individuals or organizations interested in learning more about these and additional V3 events should visit:www.virginiavaluesveterans.com. The V3 program is largely supported through private donations and sponsorships to augment the training services provided by the Commonwealth. Support inquiries may be made through the Veterans Services Foundation, Contact Jack Hilgers, Executive Director at 757-481-4164,jack.hilgers@dvs.virginia.gov.