Manufacturing 2023: NEIL D. WILKIN JR.
Under Wilkin’s leadership, Optical Cable made a strong finish at the end of fiscal year 2022, with $69.1 million in revenue, up nearly $10 million from the previous year. A three-time graduate of the University of Virginia, with undergraduate, MBA and law degrees, Wilkin was an attorney at McGuireWoods and Kirkland & Ellis before joining […]
Law 2023: THE HON. MICHAEL URBANSKI
Born in Italy, Urbanski received his bachelor’s degree from William & Mary and his law degree from the University of Virginia. He started his legal career in 1981, clerking for Judge James Clinton Turk of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. From 1982 to 1984, he worked in Vinson & Elkins’ […]
Riverdale project could be ‘transformative’
Partnering with the city of Roanoke, developer Ed Walker started redevelopment of 100 acres encompassing the sprawling, former campus of American Viscose, a rayon plant that closed in 1958. “This is a chance we have as a community to really do something transformative,” Roanoke Economic Development Director Marc Nelson says. Located in the city’s southeast […]
Growing the talent pool
For tech worker Courtney Proffitt, summer 2020 was a transformative time. After roughly a decade away from her native Virginia, she found herself in an Airbnb rental on the outskirts of downtown Roanoke. “I was ready to try a new city after 10 years in Charleston,” recalls Proffitt, who earned her master’s degree from the […]
Carilion Clinic promotes COO Arner to president
Carilion Clinic has promoted its executive vice president and chief operating officer, Steve Arner, to president of the Roanoke-based nonprofit health system. He will remain COO while taking on new duties as president, Carilion said in its announcement Tuesday. Nancy Howell Agee, who has served as CEO and president since 2011, will also continue as […]
Convenience products distributor to double size in Salem
Layman Distributing, a woman-owned wholesale distributor of convenience and grocery store products, will invest $6.8 million to expand in Salem, adding 42 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday. The company will relocate to a facility at 2157 Aspersion Drive, doubling its current square footage and operational capacity. Founded in 1948, the company is currently located […]
Roanoke medical building sells for $2.8M
The Asthma and Allergy Center medical office building in Roanoke has changed hands. The 9,120-square-foot building, built in 2000 and sitting on a nearly 1-acre parcel at 1505 Franklin Road SW, was acquired by HKM LLC, which will lease it back to the asthma and allergy practice. Clay Taylor of Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer’s […]
Roanoke apartment complex sells for $1.1M
The Eastgate Apartments in Roanoke have been sold for $1.1 million, Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer announced Monday. Restoration Turnkey Investments LLC acquired the community on March 28 from Rafan LLC. The buyer is planning extensive interior and exterior renovations. The complex, built in 1977, has 14 townhouse-style apartments and is three miles from downtown […]
Carilion announces chair for new neurosurgery department
Dr. John A. Jane Jr. will be the first chair of Carilion Clinic’s newly formed neurosurgery department beginning June 19, the Roanoke-based health system announced Tuesday. “Dr. Jane will join a strong neurosurgical team at Carilion,” Dr. Daniel Harrington, Carilion’s interim chief medical officer, said in a statement. “We’re excited to continue expanding our progra[...]
Innovation, capital key to rural growth, Barkin and Warner say
There’s hope for economic growth in rural areas despite their challenges, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President and CEO Tom Barkin and U.S. Sen. Mark Warner said Wednesday during the Fed’s 2023 Investing in Rural America conference in Roanoke. Rural areas could overcome economic development challenges, particularly housing shortages and lack of broadband access, with innovation, [...]
Goodwill of the Valleys names philanthropy exec
Donna Stucker is the new chief philanthropy officer for Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. Stucker assumed her role April 3, according to a news release. She will lead a new capital campaign and associated donor development and will plan and manage an effort to grow donations for the Roanoke-based Goodwill chapter, which serves 35 counties […]
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[...]




















