Appalachian Power issues RFP for solar, wind projects
Appalachian Power Co. on Monday issued a request for proposals (RFPs) for up to 300 megawatts of solar and/or wind generation resources. This is the first in a string of RFPs that the company will issue this year to comply with the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which requires that the company achieve 100% carbon-free energy […]
Radford’s Brian Hemphill named new ODU president
Radford University President Brian Hemphill has been hired as Old Dominion University’s ninth president, ODU announced Friday. He will succeed John Broderick, the Norfolk university’s president of 13 years, who is retiring this year. Hemphill, who has led Radford since 2016, will join ODU this summer, according to a [...]
Carilion Clinic to form diversity, equity, inclusion office
Roanoke-based Carilion Clinic announced Monday it will establish an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and has named Nathaniel L. Bishop, the former Jefferson College of Health Sciences president, to lead it. The office will work with community leaders to address equity and social justice as it relates to health care in t[...]
Christiansburg industrial building sells for $6.5M
The former Dish Network call center in Christiansburg sold for $6.5 million, Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group announced last week. The 101,500-square-foot industrial building sits on more than 19 acres in Falling Branch Corporate Park at 400 Technology Drive. Motion control manufacturer Moog Inc. purchased the property in order[...]
Virginia Tech’s advancement division announces leadership changes
As Virginia Tech revs up its $1.5 billion Boundless Impact fundraising campaign, the university’s advancement division announced Tuesday changes to its leadership structure, effective Feb. 16. Virginia Tech’s Advancement Division, which oversees the university’s fundraising, communications, marketing and alumni engagement,[...]
Roanoke County launches economic development strategic plan
Roanoke County Economic Development announced Monday it has launched Elevate Roanoke County 2026, a five-year strategic plan focusing on the county’s economic development program . The Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development will work with Roanoke County Economic Development, which is also funding the project in partnership with Appalachian Power. “Developing a strategic plan is […][...]
‘Fauci effect’ spurs med school applicant growth
It just got even more competitive to win a spot at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, which saw a 48% increase in applications last year. By the Dec. 1, 2020, application deadline, the medical school had received 6,374 applications for the class of 2025, which has a mere 49 openings. Last year, the […]
Virginia Tech names strategic initiatives VP
Virginia Tech announced Thursday that Lisa Wilkes has been named as vice president for strategic initiatives and special assistant to the president. Wilkes, who has worked at the university for 26 years, most recently served as the vice president for business affairs and special assistant to the president. In her new role, she w[...]
Virginia Tech receives $10M gift for AI center, other programs
With a $10 million gift from Mehul Sanghani, CEO of Reston-based Octo Consulting Group, and his wife, Hema, Virginia Tech has renamed its Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics in the couple’s honor. The Sanghani Center will move its headquarters to Virginia Tech’s $1 billion Innovation Campus, which will be u[...]
Roanoke Regional Partnership names new executive director
The Roanoke Regional Partnership announced Tuesday that John Hull has been named as its executive director. He succeeds Beth Doughty, who retired in December 2020 after 22 years with the organization. Hull has worked with the partnership since 2010, most recently serving as its director of marketing intelligence. He was previous[...]
Roanoke clears path for more downtown development
Roanoke developer Lucas Thornton hopes to break ground this summer on a multimillion-dollar renovation project that will transform what is now Campbell Court Transportation Center, the city’s rundown bus station, into an office tower and another building with apartments and retail space. Thornton’s $35 million development, t[...]
Virginia Tech announces new foundation CEO
Virginia Tech announced Monday that Elizabeth McClanahan, a former Supreme Court of Virginia justice, has been named CEO of the Virginia Tech Foundation, which manages the university’s endowment. She succeeds John Dooley, who announced his retirement in August. “The foundation is deeply involved in realizing the university�[...]