Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments

Corner of 12th and Marshall. VCU MCV Campus; Richmond VA (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.

Secretariat of Transportation

Ronique Day, Policy Analyst

Prior to her appointment, Ronique worked at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as a Procurement Policy Analyst to the Director of the Administrative Services Division. She began her tenure there as a Core Development Associate, a program designed to build a leadership pipeline. In addition, she has adjudicated social security disability cases for the Commonwealth and worked several years as an immigration paralegal at Challa Law Offices. Ronique holds a Bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from the University of Richmond and a Master’s in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Board Appointments

Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Board

·       The Honorable Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond* of Virginia Beach, Councilwoman, City of Virginia Beach

·       Sandra F. Price-Stroble of Harrisonburg, Retired, Counselor and Teacher, Page County Public Schools

Board of Counseling

·       Cinda Caiella, LMFT of Richmond, Goochland-Powhatan Community Services

Board of Dentistry

·       John M. Alexander, D.D.S. of Richmond, Clinical Professor and Adjunct Faculty, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Virginia/VCU

Board of Directors of the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program

·       Vicki W. Harris, J.D.  of Glen Allen, Claim Attorney and Legislative Liaison, State Farm Insurance

·       Neal C. Schulwolf, J.D.* of Virginia Beach, Kalfus and Nachman, P.C.

Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers

·       R. Thomas “Tommy” Slusser, Jr. of Clifton Forge, Funeral Director, Owner and Manager, Nicely Funeral Home, Inc.

·       Junius H. Williams, Jr.* of Portsmouth, State and Local Affairs, Virginia/North Carolina, Dominion Virginia Power

Board of Physical Therapy

·       Allen Jones, Jr., DPT, PT of Newport News, Owner/CEO, Dominion Physical Therapy

Board of Social Work

·       Maria Eugenia del Villar, LCSW of Fairfax, Administrator and Counselor, Arlington Public Schools; Therapist, Multicultural Clinical Center

·       Yvonne P. Haynes, LCSW* of Midlothian, Mental Health Director, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority

·       Dolores Sweeny Paulson, Ph.D., LCSW of McLean, Director, The Ashford Center for Psychiatry and Mental Health

Board of Veterans Services

·       Captain William G. Haneke* of Chesterfield, USA (Ret.)

·       Susan Hippen of Virginia Beach, MCPO, United States Navy (Ret.)

·       The Honorable Jim Icenhour of Williamsburg, Major, US Air Force (Ret.)

·       Donald B. Kaiserman* of Glen Allen, Civilian and Military (Ret.)

Center for Rural Virginia

·       Andrew D. Whitley of Chilhowie, Political Consultant

Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission

·       Jeffrey K. Walker of Northampton, Retired airline pilot

Commission for the Arts

·       Robert (Bob) Behr of Chincoteague, Founder & Past President, Chincoteague Cultural Alliance, Owner, Island Cottage Collection, Artist, Educator/Administrator and  Community Activist

·       Dorothy Blackwell of Lexington, Graphic Artist and Painter, Founding member and treasurer, Rockbridge Studio Tour, Founder, Cooperative Gallery of the Nelson Gallery

·       Lorita Daniels of Spotsylvania, Former Education Services Specialist, Department of the Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany

·       Jay H. Dick of Alexandria, Senior Director of State and Local Government Affairs, Americans for the Arts

·       Jo Hodgin of Annandale, Past Director, Planning and Initiatives, Wolftrap Foundation for the Performing Arts

·       John V. Rainero, P.E. of Bristol, Assistant General Manager, Permatile Concrete Products Company, Inc., Chair, Bristol Convention and Visitors Bureau, Past President  -Birthplace of Country Music Alliance

·       The Honorable Grace Han Wolf of Herndon, Member, Herndon Town Council, Immediate Past President, Council for the Arts of Herndon

Commonwealth Transportation Board

·       Alison DeTuncq* of Charlottesville, President and CEO, University of Virginia

  Community Credit Union

Council on Virginia’s Future

·       Michael J. Cassidy of Richmond, President & CEO, The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis

·       Aneesh P. Chopra of Arlington, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, Hunch Analytics

Longwood University

·       David H. Hallock, Jr. of Richmond, Senior Advisor to U. S. Senator Mark Warner

Science Museum of Virginia Board of Trustees

·       Eucharia “Ukay” Jackson of Richmond, Marketing Consultant

·       Linda Nash of Richmond, CEO, Board Member, PartnerMD/Markel Ventures

·       James T. Roberts of Glen Allen, Vice President, Advantus Strategies, LLC

State Board for Community Colleges

·       William C. Hall, Jr. of Richmond,  Retired Vice President of External Affairs & Corporate Communications and President of The Dominion Foundation, Dominion Resources

Veteran Services Foundation

·       John D. Lesinski of Washington, Colonel, USMC (Ret.) and Senior Vice President, Colliers International

·       Matice J. Wright of Dunn Loring, Independent Consultant

Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority

·       Bittle W. Porterfield, III of Roanoke, President, Rice Management Company

·       Kay Sears of Vienna, President INTELSAT General Corp.

Virginia Fires Services Board

·       H. Lee Day, III of Forest, Retired, Past Deputy Director, Amherst County Department of Public Safety

·       David E. Layman of Ark, Fire Chief, City of Hampton

·       Bettie Reeves-Nobles of Carrolltown, Retired, Former Assistant Chief, Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue

·       Peter C.  Svoboda of Richmond, Administrator, Waldorf School, Adjunct Instructor, Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy

·       Binh Nguyen, M.D., F.C.C.P. of McLean, USUHS/Walter Reed National Military Medical Center: Assistant Professor of Radiology

Virginia Outdoors Foundation

·       John L. Richardson of Delaplane, Principal, John L. Richardson, P.L.L.C.

·       Thomas G. Slater, Jr. of Richmond, Special Counsel and Chair Emeritus of the Litigation, Competition, and Labor Group, Hunton & Williams

Virginia Port Authority

·       Dr. Faith B. Power of Winchester, Professor of Management, Shenandoah University

Virginia War Memorial Board

·       April C. Cheek-Messier of Bedford, President, The National D-Day Memorial Foundation

·       Bernard L. Henderson, Jr. of Richmond, President, Woody Funeral Home

·       Bert W. Holmes, Jr., MD* of Virginia Beach, Medical Director, Hampton University Student Health and Medical Liaison, Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute

·       Joe Punaro* of Arlington, President, IronArch Technology

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Governor McAuliffe Announces The V Foundation for Cancer Research

 (Photo credit: mdfriendofhillary)

Governor McAuliffe Announces The V Foundation for Cancer Research, Virginia Wine Partnership To Fund Major Cancer Research Initiative

“Virginia Vine: The Commonwealth Crushes Cancer” to take place April 2015; Kick-off Event Today at Executive Mansion

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe  announced that Virginia will partner with The V Foundation for Cancer Research to host “Virginia Vine: The Commonwealth Crushes Cancer,” a weekend event to be held in April 2015 at Trump Winery and other locations in Charlottesville.  The V Foundation, one of the nation’s leading cancer research foundations, is partnering with the Virginia wine industry, the University of Virginia (UVA) Cancer Center and the Massey Cancer Center at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to raise critical funds for cancer research.  Governor McAuliffe will host a kick-off event tonight at the Executive Mansion.

Speaking about the new partnership, Governor McAuliffe said, “I am honored to welcome The V Foundation in Virginia to highlight two of our most unique assets – our renowned cancer research programs at UVA and VCU and our highly acclaimed wine industry.  Everyone has been touched in some way by the harsh realities of cancer and I’m certain that this partnership and the “Virginia Vine: The Commonwealth Crushes Cancer” event will provide a new platform to lend our support to tireless efforts to find a cure for cancer and to honor the memory of Coach Jim Valvano and the mission of The V Foundation. This partnership highlights my administration’s effort to make Virginia a global leader in healthcare innovation and will benefit our long-term economic success by working to keep our population healthy and our growing agricultural industry thriving.”

The “Virginia Vine: The Commonwealth Crushes Cancer” event will take place April 17-18, 2015 and will include a Friday evening wine festival and a Saturday afternoon cancer information symposium.  The weekend will conclude with a dinner gala, featuring Virginia wines and local food products, on Saturday evening at Trump Winery.  Each event will focus on funding for cancer research, while highlighting Virginia’s burgeoning wine industry.  More details on the weekend events and the dinner gala, including the announcement of entertainment, will be provided in the coming months. 

“The V Foundation is honored to be a part of Virginia Vine,” said Susan Braun, Chief Executive Officer of The V Foundation.  “Our mission to end cancer is only possible with excellent partners, and this is an extraordinary partnership.  We’re very grateful to Governor McAuliffe and the many people responsible for Virginia Vine!”

Virginia’s efforts to recruit and partner with The V Foundation began in the summer of 2013 during outreach led by Trump Winery, Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry Todd Haymore, Secretary of Health & Human Resources Bill Hazel, and key public and private sector leaders in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.  The outreach led to a series of meetings where The V Foundation found that the Commonwealth’s widely recognized cancer centers at UVA and VCU, growing reputation for producing high quality wines, and mid-Atlantic location, where more than 60% of the nation’s population lives within a day’s drive, would provide a unique opportunity to create a new annual cancer research fundraising event on the East Coast that would highlight Virginia’s acclaimed wine and wine tourism industries.

Secretary Haymore noted, “The Commonwealth’s wine industry has experienced tremendous growth both in quantity and quality in recent years and we’ve been proud to support the industry from the Governor’s office.  That support has allowed Virginia wines and winery tourism to raise their profile both here and abroad.  It has also allowed us to help create new opportunities, such as the “Virginia Vine”partnership with The V Foundation, where we can continue highlighting our outstanding wines and wineries while truly promoting and supporting an outstanding cause, eradicating cancer, a disease that has affected the lives of so many.”

Secretary Hazel added, “This event will allow the Commonwealth to leverage our research assets and investments to help raise important dollars for cancer research through The V Foundation.  University of Virginia Cancer Center and VCU Massey Cancer Center are Virginia’s only two National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers, placing them among the top five percent of all cancer centers in the U.S.  These partners are a natural fit for The V Foundation and the“Virginia Vine” event will bring more awareness to our collective ongoing efforts to prevent, detect, treat, and control cancer to enhance the quality of life of all those affected by this disease.”

In order to create the foundation for a successful annual event, work is already underway for next year’s Virginia Vine celebration.  Beginning with the kick-off event today, Governor McAuliffe, Secretary Haymore, Secretary Hazel, the Virginia Wine Marketing Office, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, local chefs and restaurants, Virginia’s best-in-class cancer centers, and others will be working in tandem to promote the event over the course of the next year at various wineries across the Commonwealth.

About The V Foundation for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $115 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations to cancer research and related programs. Due to generous donors, the Foundation has an endowment that covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on The V Foundation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

About the Virginia Wine Industry

Sales of Virginia wine reached a record high in fiscal year 2013 with more than 511,000 cases, or more than 6.1 million bottles, sold. Virginia currently ranks fifth in the number of wineries in the nation with 250 wineries. Virginia is also tied with Texas as the nation’s fifth largest wine grape producing state.  Virginia wineries experienced more than 1.6 million visitors during 2012, the last year where full data is available.  According to a recent economic impact study, the Virginia wine industry employs more than 4,700 people and contributes almost $750 million to the Commonwealth’s economy on an annual basis.  For more information on the Virginia wine industry, please click here.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments

English: Map of regions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (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.

Secretariat of Public Safety and Homeland Security

Curtis Brown, Chief Deputy State Coordinator, Virginia Department of Emergency Management

Curtis Brown has homeland security and emergency management policy experience at the federal, state, and local levels.  Most recently, he served as the Emergency Management Administrator for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC), where he worked with federal, state, and local homeland security and emergency management officials to promote seamless coordination, build capabilities, and develop preparedness plans.  Prior to joining the HRPDC, Curtis served as Professional Staff on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, where he was responsible for oversight of several Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency initiatives, including emergency communications, preparedness grants, and homeland defense.  Additionally, he served as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Tim Kaine in the Office of Commonwealth Preparedness with responsibility for developing emergency preparedness policies for state agencies.  Curtis received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Radford University, his Master of Public Administration from Virginia Tech, and his Master of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness from Virginia Commonwealth University.  He is also a graduate of the Virginia Executive and Commonwealth Management Institutes.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Board of Conservation and Recreation

·       Patti Jackson of Mechanicsville, Senior Director, Partner Relationships, American Cancer Society

·       Andrew C. Jennison of Vienna, Deputy Director, Governmental Relations, H&R Block

·       Isaac J. Sarver of Dublin, Western Virginia Political Director, Mark Warner for Virginia

Board of Directors of the Virginia Resources Authority

·       Thomas L. Hasty, III, CRP* of Chesapeake, Senior Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Risk Management Committee, TowneBank

Board of Medicine

·       J. Randolph Clements, DPM of Roanoke, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Carilion Clinic,  Associate Professor of Surgery, Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine, Residency Director, Podiatric Medicine and Surgery

·       Maxine Lee, M.D. of Roanoke, Staff Anesthesiologist, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke Ambulatory Surgery Center, Past Vice President for Medical Affairs, Carilion Medical Center

Cemetery Board

·       Enid Butler of Williamsburg, Adjunct Professor, VCU Department of Gerontology

·       Armistead W. Dudley of Norfolk, Bureau Manager of Cemeteries, City of Norfolk

Small Business Commission

·       E. Dana Dickens, III, of Suffolk, Realtor, William E. Wood

·       Paul A. Miller of Clifton, CEO, Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, LLC

·       Atif M. Qarni of Manassas, Mathematics Teacher, Prince William County Public Schools

Small Business Financing Authority

·       Nicholas T. Jordon of Arlington, Owner, Capitol Bridge Holdings

·       Gail L. Letts of Midlothian, Chief Lending Officer, Richmond Region President, Head of Commercial Banking, C&F Bank

State Child Fatality Review Team

·       Jessica T. Pickett of Stafford, EMS Technician, Firefighter/Medic, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

Virginia Aviation Board

·       Derek M. “Dak” Hardwick of Alexandria, Director for International Affairs, Aerospace Industries Association

·       Daniel G. “Bud” Oakey of Henrico, Chairman and Managing Director, Advantus Strategies, L.L.C.

Virginia Energy Council

·       The Honorable Maurice Jones of Richmond, Secretary of Commerce and Trade, Commonwealth of Virginia

·       The Honorable Molly Ward of Richmond, Secretary of Natural Resources, Commonwealth of Virginia

·       Cynthia Adams of Charlottesville, Executive Director, Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP)

·       Kristen Hughes Evans of Richmond, Founder, Sustainable Chesapeake

·       Alleyn Harned of Harrisonburg, Executive Director, Virginia Clean Cities

·       Chelsea Harnish of Richmond, Policy & Campaigns Manager, Virginia Conservation Network

·       Francis Hodsoll of Reston, Founder, Virginia Advanced Energy Industries Coalition

·       Steven Jumper of the District of Columbia, Director, Corporate Public Policy, WGL Holdings, Inc.

·       Irene Kowalczyk of New York City, Director, Global Energy Sourcing & Policy, MeadWestvaco

·       Vishwa Link of Richmond, Partner, McGuire Woods

·       Bernard Lamoureux of Boydton, Data Center Operations Manager, Microsoft

·       David Lawson of Norfolk, Vice President, Coal, Norfolk Southern Corporation

·       Robert Matthias of Virginia Beach, Chair, Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority

·       Ann Blair Miller of Roanoke, Director, Project Management, Roanoke Regional Partnership

·       Laurie Moran of Danville, President, Danville Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce

·       Dr. Ganapati Myneni of Yorktown, Senior Scientist, Jefferson Labs

·       Dr. Kenneth Newbold of Harrisonburg, Director of Research and Innovation, James Madison University

·       Archie Pugh of Roanoke, Managing Director, Transmission, Appalachian Power Company

·       Donald Ratliff of Big Stone Gap, VP States – Government Affairs, Alpha Natural Resources

·       Jack Reasor of Glen Allen, President & CEO, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC)

·       Sandy Reisky of Charlottesville, Chief Executive Officer, Apex Clean Energy

·       Stephen Walz of Fairfax, Director, Environmental Programs, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

·       Mike Ward of Richmond, Executive Director, Virginia Petroleum Council

·       Dan Weekley of Richmond, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Dominion Resources

Virginia Horse Industry Board

·       David Lamb* of Gordonsville, Owner, Oakland Heights Farm

·       Harold C. McKenzie, III, DVM, MS, DACVIM* of Blacksburg, Associate Professor of Large Animal Medicine, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

*Indicates reappointment

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