Richmond airport CEO to chair national board
Perry J. Miller, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Commission, which includes Richmond International Airport, has been elected 2023-24 chair of the American Association of Airport Executives, the world’s largest professional organization representing individuals who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. Miller, who started his term Monday, succeeds Mark [...]
Hampton Roads Shipping Association taps new president
The Hampton Roads Shipping Association has named Jeremy Bridges its new president, effective May 1. Bridges will succeed Roger Giesinger, who has led the nonprofit, Norfolk-based trade association for the past 28 years. Giesinger, who announced his retirement last year, will stay on as president emeritus for a brief transition period. Bridges comes to HRSA […]
April 2023 Top Five
The top five most-read daily news stories on VirginiaBusiness.com from Feb. 14 to March 13 included an update on the Lego Group’s Chesterfield County factory, which is expected to begin production in 2025. 1 | Lego to hire 500 Chesterfield employees by year’s end The Danish toymaker expects to create more than 1,760 jobs at […]
At max capacity
Supply chain and logistics executives used to joke that no one knew or understood what their jobs were — that is, until the COVID-19 pandemic upended how goods were transported to warehouses and ultimately to customers. “Until you start to look behind the scenes, you don’t know how all of this gets to your door […]
McLean startup raises $75M for air taxi network
Fritz Lang’s 1927 film “Metropolis” predicted cities with flying cars, while Hanna-Barbera followed that vision 35 years later with “The Jetsons” and its commuter “skyways.” Now, however, air taxis are close to becoming reality. The industry could generate up to $16 billion in new business investments in Virginia and carry as many as 66 million […]
A sampling of Virginia’s major road projects
HAMPTON ROADS Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project Work continues on Virginia’s largest highway construction project, the $3.9 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) expansion. The contract ends in November 2025, but the contractor — Hampton Roads Connector Partners, a joint venture led by Dragados USA Inc. — was about 11 months behind in January, according to […]
Torc names regulatory, safety SVP
Blacksburg-based Torc Robotics has named Michelle Chaka as senior vice president overseeing safety and regulatory matters, the self-driving truck company announced Wednesday. Chaka, who most recently has worked as a director for safety assurance and standards for Pittsburgh-based autonomous trucking solutions firm Locomation Inc., will oversee and coordinate safety across the company, including it[...]
Aument to step down from AECOM leadership role
Jennifer Aument, AECOM’s transportation chief executive, plans to step down from her job this spring, a decision she reached after surviving breast cancer. Based in Arlington County, Aument said in an interview this week with Virginia Business that she is now healthy, while adding, “It it hard to fully recover and get back your strength […]
Fourth generation is now driving Estes Express Lines
Richmond-based Estes Express Lines, now entering its 92nd year, has promoted Webb Estes to president and chief operating officer, while his father, former president Rob Estes, will continue as board chairman and CEO of North America’s largest privately owned freight carrier. Billy Hupp, another family member who previously was vice president and COO, has transitioned […]
Fed’s Fifth District economy expands slightly
The economy in the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District (a multistate region including Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Maryland) has expanded slightly since October, according to the latest edition of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, released Wednesday. Published eight times per year, the Beige Book is based on anecdotal information about economic conditions g[...]
Noblis names VP for federal civilian sector
Reston-based Noblis Inc. has named Lisa Gardner as vice president of its federal civilian solutions sector as well as to Noblis’ executive council, according to a news release. Noblis is a not-for-profit corporation that delivers technical and advisory strategies and solutions to federal government clients. Gardner will direct strategy, business development and program execution in [&hel[...]
Sharing the wealth
Virginia small businesses are getting a piece of the biggest highway construction pie ever baked by the Virginia Department of Transportation: the $3.9 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion project. Since April 2019, VDOT has awarded 313 contracts worth a collective $455 million to companies that qualify under the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small, Women-owned, […]