Coming home
As a kid growing up in Virginia Beach, “Scotty” Gray saw military aircraft so routinely that he wanted to become a pilot. Today he is U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Christopher (still “Scotty”) Gray, commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, where he oversees an area that stretches from Wisconsin to North Carolina and includes 14 installations — […]
Under construction
Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Hampton and Norfolk Construction is underway along 10 miles of the Interstate 64 corridor from Hampton to Norfolk on the $3.9 billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel expansion project. In June, crews on the South Island began reassembling Mary, the 430-foot, $70 million tunnel boring machine (TBM) that was delivered to the Port of […]
Rudee Loop getting a fresh makeover
One of the East Coast’s most prime pieces of undeveloped real estate, Virginia Beach‘s Rudee Loop, could soon find new life. In August, the city released four proposals that could turn the 11-acre site from what Vice Mayor Rosemary Wilson described as a concrete-strewn “mess” into a multiuse destination for surfers, anglers and other tourists. […]
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 […]
Va. Beach-based Fortis acquires Illinois packaging company
Virginia Beach-based packaging manufacturer Fortis Solutions Group LLC has acquired Montgomery, Illinois-based Identi-Graphics Inc., the company announced Tuesday in a news release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Identi-Graphics manufactures pressure-sensitive labels and flexible packaging for the snack, bakery, cosmetic and chemical markets in the United States and Canada. It specializes i[...]
DroneUp appoints second Walmart exec to board
Virginia Beach-based DroneUp LLC has appointed David Guggina, Walmart Inc.’s senior vice president of innovation and automation, to its board of directors, the commercial drone delivery and flight services company announced Monday. “DroneUp has been a key player in making customer delivery via drone a reality for millions of customers across the country,” Guggina said […]
Cabbies cry foul over Va. Beach’s free ride service
Lynne Johnston’s business, All City Cab Co., took a hit from the pandemic. But when the city of Virginia Beach started offering free door-to-door rides in one of her busiest zones — the Oceanfront — during tourist season, it was like another punch to the gut. This year, Virginia Beach contracted with Miami-based microtransit service […]
Va. Beach’s DroneUp to add 655 jobs
Virginia Beach-based DroneUp LLC is adding 655 jobs as part of a $27 million expansion that will include establishing a drone testing, training and research and development center at Richard Bland College, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced during a news conference Wednesday at the Executive Mansion in Richmond. DroneUp, which specializes in commercial drone delivery and […]
Choice Financial Group names new president, COO
Virginia Beach-based insurance company Choice Financial Group has named Michael J. Andersen its president and chief operating officer, the company announced Tuesday. Andersen, who has started at his new post, has more than 37 years of experience in the insurance industry, according to a news release. He most recently served as president of AssuredPartners’ New Jersey-based […]
BMK Ventures to move, expand in Va. Beach
Virginia Beach-based BMK Ventures Inc. plans to invest about $6.9 million in a new headquarters elsewhere in the city and add 20 jobs. The company, which provides medical supplies to government customers including the military, first responders and others, will move from its location at 1112 Jensen Drive to Corporate Landing Business Park, between General […]
Va. Beach honors Ramon W. Breeden Jr.
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer proclaimed Aug. 9, 2022, as Ramon W. Breeden Jr. Day, in honor of the real estate mogul. Since starting The Breeden Co. in 1961 out of the trunk of his Pontiac convertible and the back room of a grocery store, Breeden has led his company to be a vertically integrated […]
Norfolk’s Military Circle Mall headed for wrecking ball
Norfolk’s Military Circle Mall will close by the end of the year to make way for its demolition in the first quarter of 2023. The decision to close the mall came after Norfolk Economic Development Authority members toured the aging facility on Wednesday, Norfolk Economic Development Director Jared Chalk told Virginia Business. EDA members voted […]