MicroStrategy CEO draws fire for denying COVID-19 is health crisis
Michael Saylor, the CEO of Tysons-based tech company MicroStrategy Inc., wrote a later-redacted three-page memo to his 2,400 employees this week arguing that COVID-19 is not a public health crisis and saying he refused to close down MicroStrategy’s offices and shift to teleworking unless he was legally required to do so. In the letter, he […]
SAIC wins $950M DoD contract
Reston-based Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) announced Thursday that it has been awarded a $950 million contract from the Defense Logistics Agency — a combat support agency of the U.S. Department of Defense that includes more than 26,000 civilian and military personnel. SAIC will take over supply chain management of paints, preservation and sealing compounds […]
Metro closing stations to deter cherry blossom visitors
In order to prevent use of the Metrorail for recreational visits to the cherry blossom trees around the Washington, D.C., Tidal Basin during the COVID-19 crisis, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is closing the Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery Metro stations at 5 p.m. on Thursday March 19 until further noti[...]
Herndon-based Learning Tree names new CEO
Herndon-based information technology and management training course provider Learning Tree International Inc. on Wednesday named David Brown as its new CEO and a member of the board of directors. Brown most recently worked as the global head of sales and services for information services company Clarivate Analytics. He also prev[...]
Falls Church company sends text from space satellite to phone
Falls Church-based wireless network company Lynk Global Inc. said Wednesday that it has sent a text message from a satellite in space to a standard mobile phone on Earth. “This is a game-changer for the billions of people who own a mobile phone, for the billions who do not have affordable connectivity, and for the […]
Richmond ad agency launches website to help restaurants during crisis
Richmond-based advertising agency Familiar Creatures launched a website this weekend called “Keep Calm and Nom Nom RVA,” where Richmonders can buy gift cards from local restaurants to support the businesses during the coronavirus crisis. On Tuesday, Gov. Ralph Northam issued a statewide mandate for restaurants to “signific[...]
Philip Morris USA employee tests positive for COVID-19
A Philip Morris USA employee has tested positive for COVID-19, said Steve Callahan, managing director of communications, at Henrico County-based Altria Group Inc., the tobacco manufacturer’s parent company. Altria sent a message to all employees late Tuesday night notifying them about the matter, Callahan says. “For [...]
Richmond restaurateurs closing dining rooms to slow COVID-19
A coalition of Richmond-area restaurant owners led by Richmond Restaurant Group (RRG) announced in an email early Tuesday morning that they will close their dining rooms to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. “We have been doing all we can to keep our people working, while also keeping you as our guests healthy and safe,” […]
U.Va. staff member tests positive for COVID-19
University of Virginia President James E. Ryan announced late Monday that a U.Va. Women’s Center staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. “Given the progression of the virus, it is not a surprise to discover a local case, but we know it will heighten anxiety,” Ryan said in the statement. The individual is[...]
Markel to acquire newly merged company
A subsidiary of Henrico County-based Markel Corp., a specialty insurer and diversified financial holding company, will purchase Richmond-based Lansing Building Products and Harvey Building Products following the merger of the two companies, Lansing Building Products announced Monday. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Lansing Building Products is a national supplier of exterior building […][...]
Dominion Energy donates $1M to coronavirus aid, suspends service disconnections
The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has donated a total of $1 million for coronavirus aid, which will go to the American Red Cross and local organizations in the 18 states where Dominion operates. It has more than 7 million energy customers. The charitable foundation for Richmond-based Dominion Energy has specifically committed $250,000 to the American […]
Va., Maryland and D.C. request federal funding for COVID-19 test sites
As coronavirus cases in Virginia continue to rise, Gov. Ralph Northam, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser sent a letter to President Donald Trump Sunday requesting that the National Capital Region — which includes Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. — be added as a priority location for federal funding to […]