Accenture Federal Services wins $118M State Department contract
Arlington-based Accenture Federal Services has won a $118 million contract from the State Department to help the Bureau of Consular Affairs reduce fraud and handle data replication for passports and visas. The five-year contract includes work supporting a department database that serves as a hub for information between other government branches in support of homeland security. […]
Rising interest rates not enough to deter homebuyers
Even the Federal Reserve hiking interest rates likely won’t be enough to cool down the hot real estate market in Virginia, experts say. In an attempt to slow the highest inflation rates in 40 years, Fed officials voted on March 16 to raise the benchmark federal funds rate by a quarter percentage point to a […]
Va. Beach insurance agency taps CFO
Shawn McArdle is Choice Financial Group’s new chief financial officer, the Virginia Beach-based insurance agency announced Wednesday. “Shawn’s ability to provide financial leadership allows Choice’s senior management team to focus on identifying the right partners for the platform,” Choice President Ric[...]
HOME of Virginia announces next president and CEO
Richmond-based nonprofit Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Virginia Inc. announced that Thomas Okuda Fitzpatrick will serve as its next president and CEO starting April 6. “I am profoundly honored to have been selected to lead this storied organization, and I look forward to continuing in the proud tradition of aggres[...]
Feb. statewide hotel revenues were 6.1% lower than 2019
February hotel revenues in Virginia were 6.1% lower than those recorded in February 2019, according to data released Monday by STR Inc., a division of CoStar Group Inc. that provides market data on the U.S. hospitality industry. Hotel rooms sold decreased by 5% last month, compared with 2019 levels. The average daily rate (ADR) [...]
MainStreet Bancshares president to retire
Charles “Chris” Brockett announced Friday that he’s retiring as president of MainStreet Bancshares Inc., parent company of Fairfax-based MainStreet Bank, effective March 31. Brockett has served as MainStreet Bancshares’ president since January 2017. He will remain a member of the board of directors. “We are[...]
Jason El Koubi named VEDP’s permanent president, CEO
Jason El Koubi will stay on as the permanent president and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the state economic development authority announced Friday. El Koubi was named interim president and CEO at the beginning of the year after Stephen Moret left the organization to become president and CEO of Indianapo[...]
Mountain Lake Lodge promotes general manager to CEO
Mountain Lake Lodge, where 1987 hit movie “Dirty Dancing” was filmed, announced Thursday the promotion of Heidi Stone to president and CEO. Stone has served as the Pembroke hotel’s general manager since 2013. “Heidi Stone is a talented hotelier whose proven leadership and commitment is reflected through her [...]
ODU and IALR to launch manufacturing engineering tech degree
Old Dominion University will launch Virginia’s first four-year degree in manufacturing engineering technology (MfgET) at its Norfolk campus and a satellite campus at The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, the university announced Thursday. “This partnership reinforces Old Dominion University’s[...]
College sports wagering bill wasn’t good bet
RICHMOND, Va. — Six Virginia men’s and women’s basketball teams made it into March Madness, but state law prevents fans and bettors from placing wagers on their favorite in-state college teams. Lawmakers attempted to change that law this session. Sen. Monty Mason, D-Williamsburg, introduced Senate Bill 576 that would a[...]
Dominion Energy solar, storage expansion projects approved
Dominion Energy Virginia has gotten the go-ahead for 15 new solar and energy storage projects that are expected to increase the typical residential customer’s monthly bill by $1.13. The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved several projects Tuesday that will provide nearly 1,000 megawatts of carbon-free electricit[...]
Action sports festival coming to Va. Beach
One of Canada’s largest action sporting events, the Jackalope Festival, will make its U.S. debut in Virginia Beach in June 2023, Mayor Bobby Dyer announced Wednesday at the annual State of the City address. “Get ready for Jackalope!” Dyer shouted enthusiastically before a crowd of about 1,000 people gathered at[...]