Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Industries

Mariah Simmons went from studying computer science at Virginia State University to teaching as an adjunct professor. Photo by Shandell Taylor
Jan 30, 2022

STEM-ming the tide

Mariah Simmons arrived at Virginia State University in 2016 with a dream of becoming the first computer scientist in her family. The week before school started, she enrolled in an on-campus mentorship program called Project Knowledge, which provided her a road map for navigating college. Simmons, now 23, heard stories from stude[...]

Chrysler Hall is “a financial engine” for Norfolk, says John Rhamstine, director of SevenVenues, which manages the theater. Photo by Mark Rhodes
Jan 30, 2022

Chrysler Hall plans $76M upgrade

The Broadway blockbuster “Hamilton” generated more than $1.2 million in admissions taxes for Norfolk during its monthlong engagement at Chrysler Hall in December 2019. However, city officials warn that similar productions could bypass Norfolk unless the theater undergoes major renovations. City Manager Chip Filer has propose[...]

Pharrell Williams speaks during a panel discussion at his November 2021 Elephant in the Room economic conference at Norfolk State University. Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images
Jan 30, 2022

The Visionary

The online version of this article includes additional material from Virginia Business’ interview with Pharrell Williams.  Pharrell Williams is a 13-time Grammy winner, an Oscar nominee, a fashion designer, a film producer, a music superstar and innovator. He’s also a native Virginian — a point that comes across stron[...]

“Climate change is causing the state as a whole to deal with flooding and flood-related issues. It impacts a lot of people,” says Michael Vernon, CEO of Flood Insurance Hampton Roads. Photo by Mark Rhodes
Jan 30, 2022

Watershed moment

Hampton Roads is besieged by hurricanes, nor’easters and full moon tidal surges, but it’s not just coastal Virginia homes and businesses that are threatened by increased flooding. “Climate change is causing the state as a whole to deal with flooding and flood- related issues. It impacts a lot of people throughout the state[...]

“CEOs have an obligation to use profit to do positive things in the community,” says Byron L. Boston, CEO of Glen Allen-based Dynex Capital Inc. Photo by Caroline Martin
Jan 30, 2022

Great responsibility

“Business can be a force for good. I absolutely believe it,” says Byron L. Boston, CEO and co-chief investment officer of Glen Allen-based real estate investment trust Dynex Capital Inc. “CEOs have an obligation to use profit to do positive things in the community.” Boston and 11 other prominent Black business and no[...]

Altria Group Inc. employee Jackie Juergens added a specialty master’s degree to her MBA to switch career paths. Photo by Caroline Martin
Jan 30, 2022

Quick change

Jackie Juergens wanted to move from Altria Group Inc.’s strategy division to its fast-growing advanced analytics division, but she needed to brush up on her tech skills. Although she had an MBA, the mother of three and senior manager opted for William & Mary’s business school’s online master’s degree in business anal[...]

Jan 30, 2022

Directory of business schools in Virginia

Public colleges & universities (nonprofit, based in Virginia) CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY Joseph W. Luter III School of Business Newport News | 757-594-7215 cnu.edu/schoolofbusiness GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY School of Business Fairfax | 703-993-1880 business.gmu.edu JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY College of Business Harrisonburg | 540-568-2785 jmu.edu/cob LONGWOOD UNIVERSITY College of Business & Economics Farmville | 434-395-2042 lo[...]

America is “dangerously dependent on foreign sources for some of our most critical essential medicines,” says Phlow CEO Dr. Eric Edwards (L), who co-founded the Richmond-based pharmaceutical startup with Frank Gupton (R).
Jan 30, 2022

Economic healing

Over the years, Petersburg has become accustomed to bad economic news. After Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., Petersburg’s largest employer for decades, left the city in 1985, Petersburg suffered an economic downturn from which it’s never quite recovered. More recently, in 2016, Petersburg city government had a roughly [...]

Virginia State Capitol. Courtesy Virginia Department of Historic Resources.
Jan 28, 2022

Va. bills advance to halt minimum wage increases

RICHMOND, Va. – Two bills introduced by Republicans to halt future minimum wage increases have advanced to the House floor. Minimum wage in Virginia increased to $11 an hour on Jan. 1 and is set to increase to $12 next January. The House Commerce and Energy committee approved House Bill 320, introduced by Del. Nicholas [&helli[...]

Christopher D. Kastner will become president and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries on March 1. Photo courtesy HII.
Jan 28, 2022

HII names new president and CEO

Christopher D. Kastner will become president and CEO of Newport News-based Huntington Ingalls Industries, the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, on March 1. Mike Petters, who has served as the Fortune 500 company’s president and CEO since Northrop Grumman Corp. spun off its shipbuilding division in 2011, will bec[...]

Jan 27, 2022

Hilb Group founder to lead acquisitions for Virginia Beach firm

Robert “Bob” Hilb will lead mergers and acquisitions at Virginia Beach-based insurance agency Choice Financial Group and continue to serve as a senior adviser and board member, the company announced Wednesday. “Bob’s experience and knowledge assisted my agency in achieving 700% growth from 2018 to 2021,” Richard Braun,[...]

Jan 27, 2022

Port of Va. had $100B+ economic impact in FY21

Amid some of the toughest months of the pandemic, the Port of Virginia set cargo records, processing more than 3.2 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, and generating more than $100.1 billion in ancillary economic impact, according to the port’s fiscal 2021 economic impact repor[...]

YOUR NEWS.
YOUR INBOX.
DAILY.

By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.