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BAE Systems hires general manager for Radford Army Ammunition Plant
Arlington-based defense contractor BAE Systems Inc. has hired Kirk Johnson as general manager of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, effective March 29. Johnson comes to the position with seven years of experience at Lubrizol Corp., a Berkshire Hathaway specialty chemicals company, where he served as managing director for specialty and industrial additives and then as […]
Blacksburg Partnership president retiring
After 19 years as the founding leader of the Blacksburg Partnership, Diane Akers announced Friday that she will retire on June 30 from her position as president of the private economic development group. Akers was hired as the Blacksburg Partnership’s founding director in 2002, helping launch the organization that was esta[...]
Northam seeks to include part-time workers in state IRA fund
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has proposed a change to a bill to allow part-time employees to participate in a newly created state-administered retirement fund for workers without 401(k) access, the governor’s office announced Friday. Northam also has signed legislation expanding an existing broadband pilot program to increa[...]
Va. wedding venue loses suit against governor
On Friday, a federal judge ruled against Franklin County wedding venue Belle Garden Estate and its owner Charles Russell, who sued Gov. Ralph Northam in an attempt to expand the number of people who could attend a wedding under the state’s COVID-19 restrictions. Under current executive orders, businesses can host only 25 people outdoors if […]
Data center air systems manufacturer announces $36M plant in Botetourt
Munters Group AB, a Sweden-based manufacturer of air treatment and cooling systems for data centers and other industrial applications, will invest $36 million to relocate its Buena Vista operations to Botetourt County, company and county officials announced Thursday. Munters will begin construction in April on a 365,000-square-f[...]
Torc Robotics names chief transformation officer
Blacksburg-based Torc Robotics has hired Eddie Amos, a former Microsoft and GE Digital executive and software developer, as its chief transformation officer, the company announced Thursday. In a statement, Amos said his new job is to “translate the lessons learned in 35 years of software disruption into best practices for [...]
Virginia Tech replaces economic development office
On Wednesday, Virginia Tech announced that it was replacing its Office of Economic Development with a new Center for Economic and Community Engagement, as part of its commitment to improving the lives of others. The new university-level center will engage with internal and external partners to drive economic growth, address workforce needs and interact with […]
U.Va.-Va. Tech researchers develop promising coronavirus vaccines
Athletic rivals Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia are working together on two new coronavirus vaccines, and their research has shown early promise in protecting people from existing and future variants of COVID-19, according to the universities. Created by U.Va. Health Professor Steven L. Zeichner and Virginia Tech Di[...]
RBTC president leaves for new job
John Philips, president of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council, has resigned from the post to join Pulaski County-based GALA North America as vice president, RBTC’s board announced Friday. His last day is March 31. Phillips, who holds degrees from Virginia Tech and Virginia Military Institute, joined RBTC in Septembe[...]
Virginia Tech joins Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance
Virginia Tech has joined a group of universities, government agencies and national labs in the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance, the university announced this week. Led by the University of Maryland, the 24 members of MQA “are building a vibrant and diverse ecosystem designed to foster U.S. and regional leadership in the coming quantum technology revolution,” including […]
Salem construction contractor names project manager
Salem-based general construction firm R.L. Price Construction Inc. announced March 9 that Ben Price has been promoted to project manager. Price has been with the firm, which was founded by his father and grandfather, for eight years. Founded in 1990, the firm’s work has included The Roanoke Times press building, multiple projects at Roanoke College […]
Mack Trucks’ Salem manufacturing facility sells for $12.7M
An Argentinian private equity partnership purchased a 280,900-square-foot manufacturing facility in Salem for $12.7 million. Located at 6450 Technology Drive, the property is leased to the Mack Trucks Inc. division of AB Volvo Group. Mack Trucks employs 250 people at the Roanoke Valley Operations facility in Salem, where it̵[...]
