Branch Group promotes SVP to chief HR officer
Roanoke-based construction firm The Branch Group Inc. has promoted Tina Pfalzgraf to chief human resources officer, the company announced Wednesday. Pflazgraf previously served as senior vice president of human resources. Her department established corporate initiatives in employee development, retention, benefits and recruitment that resulted in record employee retention rates and record employee[...]
Noblis promotes VP, chief people officer to senior VP
Reston-based Noblis Inc. is expanding the role of Vice President and Chief People Officer Deborah Drake by promoting her to senior vice president, the not-for-profit federal contractor announced Tuesday. Drake leads Noblis’ human resources and organizational development, including talent recruitment, total rewards system and employee engagement. “Over the past few years, Deb has helped to [...]
TowneBank promotes HR chief to COO
TowneBank has promoted R. Lee Clark from chief human resources officer to chief operating officer, the Suffolk-based bank announced Thursday. In this role, Clark will continue to oversee human resources and will be responsible for bank operations. He’ll also become a member of the corporate management team. “Throughout his career at TowneBank, Lee has led […]
Commonwealth Lodging hires corporate HR director
Virginia Beach-based Commonwealth Lodging Management has hired Claire Larkin as corporate director of human resources, the hospitality management and consulting firm announced Thursday. “Claire enjoys building strong relationships with clients and co-workers, often serving as a mentor and coach to help people grow in their career goals,” Commonwealth Lodging Managing Director Duane Gauthier sa[...]
Stihl hires HR exec from HII
Virginia Beach-based Stihl Inc. has named Melody Doleman as its new vice president of human resources, effective Sept. 6. She will be responsible for overall strategic management of human resources for the chainsaw and outdoor power equipment manufacturer. Stihl employs more than 3,000 workers in the United States and supplies the majority of Stihl products […]
PRA Group promotes exec to chief HR officer
Norfolk-based international debt acquisition company PRA Group Inc. has promoted executive LaTisha Tarrant to chief human resources officer. Tarrant will start her new role Aug. 15. She currently serves as senior vice president, deputy general counsel and corporate secretary for the global financial services company. She has worked for PRA Group since 2016. “Talent recruitment, […]
Virginia companies weigh office returns
Many companies in Virginia are taking a flexible approach on whether employees must return to work in offices or continue working remotely or via hybrid models. For instance, Capital One Financial Corp., the McLean-based credit card company, is planning to reopen its U.S. offices in a hybrid model on Sept. 6. Capital One delayed its […]
Future shock
As companies across Virginia continue to adjust to workplace changes created by the COVID-19 pandemic, many human resources managers say one thing is clear: The way people work has changed for good. “This is a new work environment — the workplace has changed now,” says Kirstin Shelton, vice president of human resources for Octo Consulting […]
Amazon HQ2’s Ardine Williams retires — again
Ardine Williams, vice president of HQ2 workforce development for Amazon.com Inc., has retired — again — Amazon confirmed this week. Williams, who had been one of Amazon’s most high-profile Virginia executives, was leading the effort to hire 25,000 workers by 2030 for Amazon’s multibillion-dollar HQ2 East Coast headquarters in Arlington. So far, about 5,000 HQ2 […]
Performance Food Group promotes three executives
Goochland County-based Fortune 500 food products distributor Performance Food Group Co. promoted three senior leaders to executive vice presidents on Wednesday. Chief Information Officer Don Bulmer, Chief Human Resources Officer Erika Davis and General Counsel and Secretary Brent King became executive vice presidents of Performance Food Group. All three continue to report to the company’s [&[...]
Capital One to reopen offices in September
McLean-based Capital One Financial Corp. will return to U.S. offices in a hybrid model on Sept. 6, CEO Richard Fairbank announced Wednesday. Capital One has delayed planned hybrid reopenings twice, from September 2021 to November 2021, and then indefinitely when the company announced its decision to postpone again in October 2021. “As we get closer […]
Judge dismisses Trigiani lawsuit against New Peoples Bank
A federal judge issued a summary judgment last week, dismissing all claims in former executive Mary Y. Trigiani’s lawsuit against Russell County-based New Peoples Bank for discrimination and wrongful termination. Trigiani’s complaints of a “cultlike office culture” did not hold up to judicial scrutiny, U.S. District Judge James P. Jones ruled. A Big Stone Gap […]





















