Recent Articles from Kate Andrews
VW named to Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies list
Volkswagen Group, with its North American operations based in Herndon, was named this week to Time magazine’s inaugural 100 Most Influential Companies list, receiving accolades for its move into electric automobiles. The German automotive corporation has set aside $54 billion for electrified vehicles over the next five years, with plans for six new battery factories and […]
Modine expands Va. footprint, will invest $7M in Rockbridge County
Modine Manufacturing Co. will invest $7 million to convert its Rockbridge County warehouse into a manufacturing plant that will produce data center cooling solutions, creating 60 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Thursday. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Modine specializes in building thermal management systems and components and saw $2 billion in revenue last year. Modine has had […]
Commonwealth Cyber Initiative funds $1M for student cybersecurity projects
The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative has allocated $1 million toward experiential cybersecurity projects for students at universities across the state, the organization announced Thursday. The seven projects involve student researchers from George Mason University, Longwood University, Marymount University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wil[...]
Va. new jobless claims up 171%
For the April 19-24 filing week, 37,356 Virginians submitted initial unemployment claims, a 171.6% increase from the previous week, but a 48.4% decrease from this time a year ago, when jobless claims were near a peak during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Virginia Employment Commission reports that last week’s number of initial claims has reverted to […]
Virginia Business wins four VPA awards
Virginia Business received four Virginia Press Association journalism awards this week, including two first-place prizes for news writing and magazine cover design in the specialty publications division. Deputy Editor Rich Griset placed first in the news writing portfolio category for three stories he wrote in 2020, including: Firing up Fairfax, a profile of Fairfax County […]
UVA Health taps chief ambulatory operations officer
UVA Health has named John C. Bennett its new chief ambulatory operations officer, overseeing all UVA Health clinical outpatient operations effective July 1. Bennett comes from PeaceHealth, a nonprofit health care system with facilities in Alaska, Oregon and Washington, where he was chief executive of ambulatory services. “UVA Health provides significant outpatient services throughout the [&helli[...]
New president and CEO of Towne Financial Services Group named
Brian K. Skinner has been named president and CEO of Towne Financial Services Group, which includes all financial divisions of Suffolk-based TowneBank other than the bank itself. Skinner, currently the company’s chief banking officer, starts his new role effective May 1, TowneBank announced Thursday. His new duties include overseeing the company’s mortgage, insurance, realty and [&hell[...]
Traeger Grills plans $3M facility in Wythe County
Traeger Grills, manufacturer of the world’s top-selling wood pellet grill and signature hardwood pellets product, plans to build a $3 million manufacturing operation in Wythe County, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday. The company plans to purchase wood products exclusively sourced from Virginia and create 15 jobs in Wythe, the governor’s office said. Salt Lake City, […]
Luna Innovations Inc. taps new COO
Roanoke-based Luna Innovations Inc. has named Brian J. Soller its new chief operating officer, effective immediately. He was previously senior vice president and general manager of Lightwave, Luna’s largest division. The fiber optic tech company, which manufactures products for the aerospace, automotive, communications, defense, energy, infrastructure, security and silicon photonics industri[...]
VCU names two vice presidents
Matthew A. Conrad and Karah L. Gunther will become vice presidents starting May 1 at Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU Health System, the university announced Wednesday. Conrad has been named vice president for government and external relations for VCU and VCU Health System, a promotion from his previous position as executive director of government […]