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Tag: Manassas

The Hilb Group acquires Medicare-focused firm, six Va. companies

Henrico-County based insurance company The Hilb Group LLC finalized its acquisition of Health Quote of Rhode Island Inc. on July 1, it announced Tuesday.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Health Quote specializes in Medicare offerings, and its clientele will join THG’s Medicare practice.

THG CEO Ricky Spiro said in a statement, “Our strategic approach to growth is focused on continuing to build on the services and expertise that we bring to our customers. We are pleased to expand our Medicare business and offerings, as we see tremendous opportunity here for the future, and we know that we can have a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.”

The company has been focused on acquisitions in recent years and announced four in April.

The group also recently announced several acquisitions in Virginia that became effective on July 1. They include:

  • Mechanicsville-based Easley Hedrick Insurance & Financial
  • Salem-based Ryan Harris Insurance and Financial Services Inc.
  • Roanoke-based Keith Ghaphery and Associates Inc.
  • Manassas-based Harvey Insurance Agency
  • Virginia Beach-based Mayo Insurance Agency Inc. and Williamsburg Insurance Agency LLC
  • Richmond-based Ronnie Shriner Insurance Agency

All agencies’ principals and teams will join THG’s Mid-Atlantic regional operations.

THG was founded in 2009 and has been a portfolio company of Washington, D.C.-based investment management company The Carlyle Group since 2019. Across its more than 100 offices in 21 states, the company employs more than 900 people. THG has acquired more than 100 companies.

Calif. drone company moves headquarters to Arlington

AeroVironment Inc., a producer of drones and robotics systems, announced Tuesday it has relocated its corporate headquarters from Simi Valley, California, to Arlington.

“The greater Washington, D.C., area is where many of our key customers are located, and expanding our presence in the region will further our access to decision makers, influencers and talent,” AeroVironment President and CEO Wahid Nawabi said in a statement. “Our recent acquisition of Progeny Systems ISG and our new Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center expand our footprint near the Beltway and build on our momentum as we continue to grow our portfolio and global scope.”

In February, AeroVironment acquired Manassas-based Progeny Systems Corp.’s Intelligent Systems Group (ISG) for $30 million in cash. Although at the time of the acquisition, the company said it would operate the ISG facility in Manassas as its Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, the new headquarters is on South 18th Street in Arlington’s Crystal City area, near the Reagan Washington National Airport.

Prince William chamber taps new COO

The Prince William Chamber of Commerce has promoted Ross W. Snare IV to chief operating officer, effective April 1.

Snare started with the Manassas-based business chamber in April 2018 as director of communications and government relations. He became senior director of operations and government affairs two years later.

The chamber, which counts more than 1,200 members, cited Snare’s leadership and pro-business advocacy as factors in the promotion. A year ago, Snare created a daily COVID Alert email that “proved to be a lifeline and amazing resource to all businesses in our region,” Chamber President and CEO Debbie Jones said in a release.

Snare is a 2013 graduate of Christopher Newport University. Before working at the chamber, he served as a political aide to federal, state and local officials in Virginia. He also serves on the boards of SPARK the Education Foundation for Prince Willam County Public Schools, the Hylton Performing Arts Center Development Committee, the Manassas Regional Airport Commission and the Manassas Business Council, for which he serves as vice chair.

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Manassas IT consultant acquires N.C. tech firm

Manassas IT consulting services provider ARG Inc. has acquired North Carolina-based tech advisory firm NextWave Technology Providers, ARG announced last week. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Adam Carreno, NextWave’s principal and founder, will join ARG as a principal. Before founding NextWave in 2020, Carreno was a cloud and technology specialist at Illinois-based technology company CDW Corp.

“This is the latest in a string of acquisitions and investments we will continue to make. NextWave Technology Advisors is a prime example of the high-performing, high-potential firms we’re targeting as part of our growth strategy in 2021 and beyond,” ARG cofounder and CEO Greg Praske said in a statement. “Add to the mix the leadership strength we gain in appointing Adam Carreno to our executive bench, and this acquisition is a home run.”

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Calif. company buys Progeny Systems division for $30M

Simi Valley, California-based unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) company AeroVironment announced Wednesday it has acquired Manassas-based Progeny Systems Corp.’s Intelligent Systems Group (ISG) for $30 million in an all-cash transaction.

ISG develops artificial intelligence-enabled computer vision, machine learning and perceptive autonomy technologies for the Department of Defense and intelligence community. The company reported more than $10 million in 2020 revenues and employs 40 people. All employees will continue in their current roles under the acquisition.

ISG will become part of AeroVironment’s MacCready Works Advanced Solutions team, which focuses on research and development.

“Acquiring ISG will enhance the intelligence of our growing, multidomain robotic systems portfolio, increase customer-funded research and development revenue and deepen our relationships with strategically important customers,” AeroVironment President and CEO Wahid Nawabi said in a statement.

The ISG facility in Manassas will operate as AeroVironment’s Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center, where the company will work on new AI capabilities.

 

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Manassas company lands $124.1M Navy contract

The U.S. Navy awarded Manassas-based government contractor LTM Inc. a potential five-year, $124.1 million contract to work with the branch’s Naval Aviation Enterprise group, the Department of Defense announced Tuesday.

Under the contract, LTM will help the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East integrate maintenance and supply functions. It will also perform logistical, technical and maintenance scheduling work, according to the DOD.

A majority of the work on the contract will be performed in North Carolina, with an additional 5.45% in Virginia, 3.63% in San Diego, 1.36% in Maryland, and 1.37% in Arizona.

Founded in 1993, LTM offers project management, engineering, supply chain and logistics services to government customers.

 

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NOVA, Manassas, Prince William, local groups launch workforce program

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) announced Monday it is partnering with the city of Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia Career Works and the SkillsSource Group to launch the $1.9 million ELEVATE Program to provide free education and workforce services. Funded by federal CARES Act funding, the program will also help businesses to upskill their workforces.

Participants in the weekslong program can start their free training at NOVA in areas including information technology, health care, professional education and English language skills. Most courses will be offered online due to COVID-19, but some courses in health care may be offered in person with restrictions in place at NOVA’s Manassas campus.

“We already have one of the strongest, most innovative, and productive workforces in the country,” Christina Winn, Prince William County Department of Economic Development executive director, said in a statement. “These resources will not only help residents get back to work, but also return to the workforce armed with new skills and abilities that will help them advance in their careers, be more productive, and help make our economy more resilient.”

Examples of training options. Infographic courtesy Elevate program

The partnership includes funding for free education and certifications as well as transportation, stipends and job placement services. Some programs will also include guaranteed interviews with local employers.

The grant cycle will run from September through the end of December and funding will continue until exhausted.

“By removing cost as a barrier and adding supportive services, the city can best help residents get jobs,” Economic Development Director Patrick Small said in a statement. “By helping people get jobs we help businesses meet their workforce needs.”

 

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Va. Main Street Merit Award winners announced

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) on Thursday announced the 2020 Virginia Main Street Merit Award winners, with businesses and projects in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern, Southern and Southwest Virginia recognized.

Below are the 2020 award recipients:

  • Best Downtown Public Improvement Project: town of St. Paul for the Downtown Comprehensive Infrastructure Project
  • Best Adaptive Reuse Project: Seven Sisters Brewery in the town of Wytheville
  • Outstanding Business: Grizzly’s Hatchet House in Danville; Lineage in Harrisonburg
  • Best Downtown Business Promotion: Historic Manassas Inc. for the Sip and Shop; town of Strasburg for the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Festival
  • Volunteer of the Year: Holly Redding for Winchester’s Old Town Advancement Commission

The VMS program, which provides assistance and training to communities for economic development of their downtown commercial districts, currently has 26 designated communities in the state and more than 90 commercial affiliates. Last year, VMS communities generated more than $115.5 million in private investment through 523 rehabilitation projects, which created 732 jobs.

“Virginia’s Main Street organizations are continuing to transform our downtowns into vibrant communities through downtown revitalization, entrepreneurial support and innovative events that highlight what makes each community unique,” DHCD Director Erik Johnston said in a statement. “These winners are shining examples of how to do community development right and are on the front lines assisting our main streets and their businesses through the COVID-19 recovery and reopening process.”

 

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