Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments

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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 State Inspector General

June W. Jennings, State Inspector General

June W. Jennings has over 25 years of experience in the Commonwealth of Virginia overseeing and conducting audits and investigations of state agencies. Since July 2012, she has served as the Office’s Deputy State Inspector General and was recently appointed as the acting State Inspector General. Prior to joining the Office of the State Inspector General, June was Inspector General for the Virginia Department of Corrections. She is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Inspector General, a member of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors, and the Association of Inspectors General.

Secretariat of Administration

Edgardo Cortes, Commissioner of the Department of Elections

Edgardo Cortes worked for the Virginia State Board of Elections updating the state’s Help America Vote Act State Plan and Voting System Certification program.  He is the former General Registrar of Fairfax County, responsible for administering elections in the largest county in Virginia.  Cortes has served as the Grants Director and then Deputy Director for Policy for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).  He began working on voting issues as director of a national non-partisan voter registration program focused on Puerto Rican and Latino voters. Cortes holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in political management from the George Washington University.

Secretariat of Health and Human Resources

Robert “Bob” Brink, Deputy Commissioner for Aging Services, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services

Bob Brink has served in the Virginia House of Delegates for 17 years. He is a member of the Appropriations Committee and its Health Subcommittee, and has been a member of the Joint Commission on Health Care since 1998.  He is the ranking Democrat on the House Privileges and Elections Committee and serves on the Transportation and Education Committees. Prior to his election to the House of Delegates, Bob served for 15 years as counsel to two Congressional committees and four years as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Department of Justice. 

Virginia Lottery

Paula I. Otto, Executive Director, Virginia Lottery

Paula Otto has spent more than 25 years in public service, including 15 years at the Virginia Lottery. Otto was first appointed executive director of the Lottery in 2008 and since then has overseen significant technology upgrades, a new branding effort and record sales and profits.  The Lottery will turn over more than $500 million in profits for FY14 to support K-12 public education.  Otto served as the Lottery’s first communications director when the Lottery was created in 1988, then went to VCU where she was an associate professor and associate director of the Robertson School of Media & Culture. Otto earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from West Virginia University and a master’s degree in Public Communication from American University.

Secretariat of the Commonwealth

Board Appointments

Art and Architectural Review Board

·       Sanford Bond of Richmond, Architect, 3North

·       Robert S. Mills of Richmond, Principal/Architect, Commonwealth Architects

·       Faithe Norrell of Henrico, Library Media Specialist/Painter, Richmond Public Schools

·       Burchell Pinnock of Richmond, Principal/Architect, Baskervill

·       Helen A. Wilson of Albemarle, Landscape Architect, University of Virginia

Board for Barbers and Cosmetology

·       Daniel Jones of Roanoke, Owner, Asylum Studios Tattoo and Body Piercing

·       Robert D. Jones, II of Richmond, Owner and Master Barber, Parkside Barbershop & Grooming Lounge

·       Anne R. McCaffrey of Richmond, Director of Development and Scholarships, Virginia’s Community Colleges

·       Jonathan W. Minor* of Quinton, Master Barber and Cosmetology Salon Owner, JT’s Barber and Beauty

·       Lonnie Quesenberry of North Tazewell, Retired Cosmetology Teacher

·       Tony Williams of Mechanicsville, Master Stylist, Karina’s Salon

Board of Coal Mining Examiners

·       Bennie B. Johnson of Lebanon, Shift Supervisor, Alpha Natural Resources

Board for Housing and Community Development

·       John W. Ainslie, Jr.* of Virginia Beach, President of Construction, Ainslie Group, Inc.

·       Shekar Narasimhan of Dunn Loring, Managing Partner, Beekman Advisors and Chairman, Papillon Capital

·       Thomas I. Shields, Jr.* of Waynesboro, President, Shields Construction Co., Inc.

Board of Directors of the Virginia Tourism Authority

·       Paul H. van Leeuwen of Virginia Beach, President – Professional Hospitality Resources, Gold Key/PHR Hotels & Resorts

·       Terry L. Stroud of Midlothian, Chief Operating Officer, In Your Ear Studios

Capitol Square Preservation Council

·       Annie Kasper of Richmond, Chairman & Shareholder, Kasper Mortgage Capital, LLC

Commission on Youth

·       Deirdre (Dede) Goldsmith, of Abingdon, Drug Awareness Advocate

Governor’s Commemorative Commission Honoring the Contributions of the Women of Virginia

·       Krysta N. Jones of Arlington, Outreach Director, U. S. House of Representatives

Poet Laureate of Virginia

·       Ron Smith of Richmond, Writer-in-Residence and George O. Squires Chair of Distinguished Teaching, St. Christopher’s School

Real Estate Board

·       Jennifer Boysko of Herndon, Staff Aide, Dranesville Supervisor John Foust        

·       Antonio M. Elias of Charlottesville, Student, University of Virginia School of Law

·       Sandra W. Ferebee* of Norfolk, Chairman Emeritus, Prudential Towne Realty

·       Joseph K. Funkhouser, II* of Harrisonburg, President, Funkhouser & Associates, Inc.

Southern Virginia Higher Education Board of Trustees

·       Douglas E. Lee of Lynchburg, Vice President, B&W mPower Engineering, The Babcock & Wilcox Company

·       Charlette T. Woolridge of Brunswick, County Administrator, County of Brunswick

State Board of Corrections

·       John F. Anderson, Jr. of Winchester, Retired, Senior Probation Officer, Virginia Department of Corrections

·       Reverend Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs of Richmond, Pastor, Sixth Baptist Church

·       Phyllis J. Randall of Lansdowne, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Therapist

·       Bobby N. Vassar, JD of Richmond, Assistant to the President, Bay Aging; former Chief Counsel to the Minority Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, House Judiciary Committee

State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board

·       Michel B. Aboutanos, MD MPH FACS of Richmond, Professor and Chief, Division of Acute Care Surgery, Medical Director VCU Trauma Center, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

·       The Honorable Sherrin Cherrell Alsop of Newtown, Member, Board of Supervisors, King and Queen County

·       Gary Critzer* of Waynesboro, Director, Department of Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Services, City of Waynesboro

·       Valeta C. Daniels of Richmond, Emergency Medical Services Liaison, Henrico Doctors Hospital, Parham Doctors’, Retreat Doctors Hospitals, West Creek and Hanover Emergency Centers

·       Lisa M. Dodd, DO of Mechanicsville, Emergency Medicine Physician, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (MCV)

·       Jason D. Ferguson of Daleville, Division Chief, Fire and EMS Operations, County of Botetourt

·       S. Denene Hannon of Salem, EMT-I and Paramedic Volunteer,  Salem Rescue Squad

·       Jon Henschel of New Market, Battalion Chief, Winchester Fire and Rescue Department

·       H. David Hoback* of Roanoke, Chief,  CFOD, EFO Roanoke Fire-EMS Department

·       Sudha Jayaraman, MD, MSc of Richmond, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Trauma, Critical Care and Emergency Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University

·       Jason Jenkins of Haymarket, Battalion Chief, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

·       Cheryl Lawson, MD, FACEP of Newport News, Medical Director of EMS – Peninsulas EMS

·       Marilyn McLeod*, MD, FACEP, of Lynchburg, Medical Director of Centra One Air Services/Medflight, Regional Medical Director, Blue Ridge EMS

·       Christopher L. Parker, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, NRP, CCEMTP of Lynchburg, Lynchburg General Hospital; EMS Flight Nurse, Centra One; Educator, Faculty, Central Virginia Community College

·       Anita Perry*, RN, MSN, CEN, AAS/NREMT-P, CMTE of Abingdon, System Director of Flight Services, Wellmont Health System

·       José V. Salazar, MPH, NREMT-P of Sterling, Deputy Chief of EMS and Training, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue

·       Daniel C. Wildman of Fredericksburg, Vice President/Owner, LifeCare Medical Transports, Inc.

Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

·       Steven R. Staples of Williamsburg, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Virginia Department of Education

Virginia Housing Development Authority

·       Lemella Y. Carrington of Richmond, Environment Service Specialist, Bon Secours Health Care

·       Timothy M. Chapman* of Reston, Managing Member, Chapman Development LLC

Virginia Marine Resources Commission

·       Chad Ballard, III of Norfolk, President, Ballard Fish & Oyster Co., Inc.

·       Captain John E. Zydron, Sr. of Chesapeake, United States Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officer

Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority

·       Mary C. Doswell* of Richmond, Senior Vice President of Retail and Alternative Energy Solutions, Dominion Resources

·       Phillip S. Green of Falls Church, President, Green Powered Technology

·       Deborah E. Miller of Annandale, Principal, Green Strategy Associates

Virginia Port Authority

·       J. William Cofer of Virginia Beach, President, Virginia Pilot Association

·       John Pullen* of Henrico, Chief Growth Officer, Luck Companies

Virginia Public School Authority Board of Commissioners

·       Jay Bhandari of Vienna, President, Jay Insurance

Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board

·       Jerry L. Ingle* of Jonesville, President, New Image Fencing, Inc.

·       Stephen Lohr* of Broadway, Owner and Operator, Endless View Farm

*Denotes reappointment

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Governor McAuliffe Announces Submission Period Open for Governor’s Technology Awards Entries

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~ Submissions highlight IT-driven improvements in government efficiency ~

RICHMOND -- Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson and Chief Information Officer of the Commonwealth Sam Nixon today officially invite entries to the 2014 Governor’s Technology Awards. For 17 years, the prestigious program has recognized the success of public sector information technology (IT) projects that improve government service delivery and efficiency.

Nine award categories recognize the work of local, state and educational entities. Submissions focus on improvements in the business of government made possible by strategic use of IT. All entries must be submitted by a Virginia public body. Entries must be submitted by July 24.

Nominations will be evaluated by a committee of judges that includes IT leaders from state agencies, localities, the legislature, the courts and education. Awards will be presented to honorees at a special ceremony during the Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) slated Sept.3-4. Executive summaries of winning entries will be posted online to provide inspiration and best practice examples to peers and partners.

Full program details and a list of last year’s winners are available on the event website,

www.covits.virginia.gov; follow @COVITS and #TechinVA on Twitter for news and updates.

The 2014 Governor’s Technology Awards categories are:

·    Cross-Boundary Collaboration on IT Service Delivery Initiatives: Recognizes the innovative use of IT to share data easily across boundaries, create knowledge-sharing

      culture, support common business processes or promote innovative partnership programs. Entries should be submitted jointly by at least two government entities.

·    IT as Efficiency Driver - Government to Citizen: Recognizes the innovative use of IT to improve citizen access to and service from governmental entities. Included are projects which improve citizens' electronic interaction with government, promote availability, usability and/or transparency of information and increase public awareness and adoption of services.

·    IT as Efficiency Driver - Government to Business: Recognizes the innovative use of IT to promote efficiency by improving business access to and service from governmental entities. Included are projects to improve business' electronic interaction with government, promote availability, usability and/or transparency of information and increase business awareness and adoption of available services.

·    IT as Efficiency Driver - Government to Government: Recognizes the innovative use of IT to promote efficiency in government. This category promotes projects that enable organizations to do more with less. Results realized may include a dollar return on investment, realignment of staff time and/or newly transparent processes/information.

·    Innovative Use of Technology in Local Government: Recognizes the innovative use of IT to solve a business problem at the local level. This category is open to any local government entity, including social services, first responders and GIS practitioners.

·    Innovative Use of Technology in Education: Recognizes the innovative use of IT to support the unique missions of Virginia's schools, colleges and universities. Cooperative projects between educational institutions and other governmental entities, including research and development programs, fall into this category.

·    Innovative Use of Big Data and Analytics: Recognizes the innovative use of technology in collecting, storing, retrieving and analyzing a variety of structured and unstructured data sources.

·    Innovative Use of Open Data: Recognizes the innovative use of technology and transparency in making data available to citizens, businesses or other government entities. Preference will be given to those projects that encourage and facilitate creative and low-cost utilization of information to expand and enhance citizen services and engagement.

·    Best Citizen Portal: Recognizes the innovative use of an online portal that demonstrates innovation, functionality, attractiveness, efficiency and ease of use. Open to any Virginia government organization, agency or jurisdiction that is citizen-facing.

Criteria for Evaluation

Entrants should illustrate how the submitted initiative meets the following benchmarks; equal weight will be given to each:

•    Business proposition: A clear statement of the business problem, its target audience, and how the new solution leverages IT tools to solve the problem.

•    Innovation and technological merit: What tools were used? What makes this solution innovative?

·        Value: Note quantitative metrics such as usage, transaction times, cost savings/avoidance and return on investment; also note qualitative benefits such as improvements to citizen and/or employee experience. Include collaboration if applicable.

•    Success: How well did the project attain the stated business goals and objectives?

      Clearly link the outcome to the business proposition set at the beginning of the project.

Eligibility for Awards

·        All entries must be submitted by a recognized Virginia public body. All entered projects must now be in use and have quantifiable outcomes.

·        Private sector organizations may assist in the development of an application for a government partner but will not be officially recognized in the awards ceremony unless noted in the category.

·        Submissions should focus on improvements in the business of government and go beyond a description of a private sector solution to describe the business need that necessitated the project and how the project succeeded.

·        Entries should portray projects that currently are providing service. Subsequent phases may be mentioned, but the measured success of the live phase is judged.

·        Public bodies may submit multiple projects, but only one entry per category will be accepted from each. The same program should not be submitted in more than one category.

·        Collaborative applications representing partnerships between governmental entities are strongly encouraged.

Prior Governor's Technology Award winning projects are not eligible.

All nominations must be received by July 24, 2014, using the online submission form at

www.covits.virginia.gov.

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McAuliffe Administration Announces SOL Innovation Committee Members

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McAuliffe Administration announced the members and first meeting date for Virginia’s Standards of Learning Innovation Committee.

Building on the work that began with legislation passed during the 2014 General Assembly Session, the Standards of Learning Innovation Committee will take a comprehensive look at Virginia’s Standards of Learning system. After an exhaustive review of stakeholder recommendations and applications, the Committee members were selected by Virginia Secretary of Education Anne Holton.  They will be charged with making recommendations to the Board of Education and the General Assembly on ways to further reform SOL assessments, student growth measures, and encourage innovative teaching in the classroom. 

“Virginia’s education system is one of the best in the world, and continues to grow stronger every day. I am proud that during the 2014 legislative session, my administration and the General Assembly worked together in a bipartisan way to make significant progress on one of my top priorities-reforming the Standards of Learning.  This is the first step in ensuring that our education system works for Virginia's students, teachers and families," said Governor McAuliffe.  “While we have already reduced the amount of SOL tests, the real work begins with enacting reforms to our educational system that will prepare our students for jobs of the 21st Century. I look forward to working with this group to make Virginia a leader in creativity and innovation in the classroom.”

“This Committee has the opportunity to truly shape the next generation of Virginia’s Standards of Learning,” said Holton. “The membership represents diverse perspectives from around the Commonwealth. I am confident that the Committee will develop both short-term and long-term recommendations to better align our education system with the needs of the 21^st century economy.”

The first meeting of the Committee will be held in Richmond on Tuesday, July 15, 2014.

Members of the Committee are as follows:

Dr. Shawnrell Blackwell of Chester, Director of School Improvement, Petersburg City Public Schools

Kelly Booz of Alexandria, Member, City of Alexandria School Board

Jeffrey Bourne of Richmond, Member, Richmond City School Board

Terri Breeden of Fairfax, Assistant Superintendent, Fairfax County Public Schools

Dabney Carr of Richmond, Partner at Troutman Sanders Law Firm

Dr. Jared Cotton of Henry County, Superintendent, Henry County Public Schools

Karen Cross of Washington County, Teacher, Bristol Public Schools

Veronica Donahue of Essex, Teacher, Essex County Public Schools

Dr. Jenny Sue Flannagan of Virginia Beach, President-elect, Virginia Association of Science Teachers

Deborah Frazier of Spotsylvania, Principal, Spotsylvania County Public Schools

Sarah Gross of Richmond, Parent, Richmond City Public Schools

Meg Gruber of Prince William, Teacher, Prince William County Public Schools

Dr. Roger Hathaway of Norfolk, Head of Education, NASA Langley Research Center

Lillie Jessie of Woodbridge, Member, Prince William County School Board

Dr. Tarannum Lateef of Manassas, Parent, Prince William County Public Schools

Dr. Susan Magliaro of Blacksburg, Director of VT-STEM, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Dr. Brian Matney of Virginia Beach, Principal, Virginia Beach City Public Schools

Laurie McCullough of Charlottesville, Director, Virginia Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

Dr. Stewart Roberson of Mechanicsville, Chairman, Moseley Architects

Dr. Alan Seibert of Salem, Superintendent, Salem Public Schools

Karen Thomsen of Bridgewater, Principal, Rockingham County Public Schools

Dr. Christine Walther-Thomas of Midlothian, Professor and Dean, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education

Jeion Ward of Hampton, retired teacher, Hampton City Public Schools

Dr. William White of Williamsburg, Vice President, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Wade Whitehead of Roanoke, Teacher, Roanoke City Public Schools

Benjamin Williams of Roanoke, Director of Testing, Roanoke County Public Schools

Sanford Williams of Manassas, Member, Manassas City School Board

Renee Zando of Henrico, Guidance Counselor, Henrico County Public Schools

Additionally, the Committee will have representation from the General Assembly. Four members of the House of Delegates will be appointed by the Speaker of the House and two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.

Members of the Virginia House of Delegates are as follows:

Delegate Thomas A. Greason

Delegate Roxann Robinson

Delegate Jim LeMunyon

Delegate Rob Krupicka

Members of the Senate of Virginia are as follows:

Senator Creigh Deeds

Senator John Miller

Dr. Steven Staples, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction; Christian Braunlich, President of the Board of Education; and the Secretary of Education will serve as exofficio members.

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Governor McAuliffe Announces 25 New Jobs in the City of Charlottesville

Official seal of Charlottesville, Virginia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~Leading Online Grocer Relay Foods to Invest $735,000, Increase Sales of Virginia-Sourced Agricultural Products by $3 Million Over Next Three Years~

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced in the City of Charlottesville that Relay Foods (www.relayfoods.com) will expand its corporate headquarters and Charlottesville fulfillment center to accommodate increased local demand for its products and to support the company’s entry into new markets, including those beyond Virginia.  The company, a leading online grocery store and farmers market, will invest more than $735,000, create 25 new jobs in the City, and increase its Mid-Atlantic sales of Virginia-sourced meats, produce, dairy products, and value-added foods by $3 million over the next three years.  The Commonwealth of Virginia is partnering with the City of Charlottesville and Relay Foods on this project through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID).

Speaking at the company’s site in Charlottesville about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “We continue to realize the benefits of fully integrating agriculture and forestry into the state’s strategic economic development platform.  Relay Foods’ announcement today not only creates quality new job opportunities for residents of Charlottesville, it strengthens the ties that this innovative and fast-growing company has to the Commonwealth.  Supporting entrepreneurs with unique and exciting business models is another way for Virginia to grow and diversify our economy, especially with the variety of agricultural producers across the Commonwealth.”

Relay Foods seamlessly integrates more than 200 local farmers and artisan, organic, and conventional producers to deliver high quality, local and gourmet foods and groceries directly to customers.  The company offers a unique and powerful resource for small food producers in Virginia trying to access the market by providing ready access to consumers in the Washington D.C., Richmond and Charlottesville metro areas.  This expansion will allow the company to further meet the growing demands of its consumers.

“I am pleased to see the continued success of the AFID program working with localities and businesses such as Relay Foods, a company that is so focused on promoting Virginia’s fresh, locally-sourced agricultural products, to create new jobs at its operations and new revenue streams for our growers,” said Todd Haymore, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “This project will allow Relay Foods to enjoy an even wider reach to markets where the exposure of Virginia-grown products will increase and Virginia’s agricultural producers will continue to benefit from new sales opportunities.”

The company, in partnership with Virginia and Charlottesville, will invest in updates to its Charlottesville corporate facility and fulfillment center, the main location for the aggregation, storage, packaging and distribution of all local Virginia meat, cheese and dairy products.   These improvements will strengthen the company’s competitive position in the fast-growing online grocery market.

“Relay Foods has rapidly developed a new approach to putting food on the table here in Charlottesville and beyond,” said Satyendra Singh Huja, Mayor of Charlottesville.  “We are proud of the company’s success and its ability to deliver innovation to the marketplace."

Governor McAuliffe approved a $50,000 grant from the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) to assist the City of Charlottesville with the project.  Relay Foods is also committing to purchase at least $350,000 worth of meats, produce, dairy products and other foods from Virginia producers over the next three years.  Through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, Relay Foods will receive additional funding and services to support its training and retraining activities.

“At Relay Foods, our goal is to strengthen the local food economy in every community we serve, and we have been able to grow and thrive in Virginia based on our strong partnerships with producers across the state,” said Zach Buckner, Co-founder and CEO of Relay Foods. “We look forward to using this AFID grant to continue exploring innovative ways to connect our customers with the fresh and local foods produced by Virginia growers and artisans.“

"Coming from bucolic Virginia, I know the importance of a strong agricultural supply chain and appreciate the dedication to local, small producers in this region," said Senator Creigh Deeds, D- Bath County.  “The Governor’s continued support and partnership on economic development opportunities like the AFID program help communities across Virginia, and I am particularly pleased about the positive regional impact this announcement has today.”

Delegate David Toscano, D-Charlottesville, added, “Today’s announcement is a testament to the work the Governor and my colleagues in the General Assembly have done to diversify our economy and foster strong companies like Relay Foods in Virginia.  Their continued investment in Charlottesville and the ripple effect to the agricultural community and regional customer base are an exciting win for Virginia today.”

According to a 2013 economic impact study conducted by the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia, agriculture and forestry are two of Virginia’s largest industries with a combined economic impact of $70 billion annually.  Agriculture generates more than $52 billion per annum, while forestry induces over $17 billion.  The industries also provide more than 400,000 jobs in the Commonwealth.

About the Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund

The AFID Fund was created during the 2012 session of the General Assembly and is being embraced by the McAuliffe Administration as an important tool in growing the Commonwealth’s agriculture and forestry sector and helping to make Virginia the leading exporter of agricultural and forest products on the East Coast.  More information about the AFID grant, which has the flexibility to assist projects large and small throughout Virginia, can be found at http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/agribusiness/afid.shtml.

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