Class of 2008 Travels to Northern Virginia

The Class of 2008 left Northern Virginia following their July session with a greater appreciation for the complex knowledge economy that drives the region's vitality. Visits to Arlington, Loudoun County and through the Dulles Corridor gave many a better sense of the scale of the Greater Washington/Northern Virginia region. Class members put their creative energies to work on Saturday morning with leadership case studies on transportation, health care, housing and education, and enjoyed stepping outside their respective fields to discuss important subject matter with their classmates: "The case study approach is very powerful. It gives us a chance to talk and think together". "The small sessions on Saturday were by far the best session we have had. It gave us all the opportunity to work together, challenge one another and really discuss/debate the issues." Other highlights while in Northern Virginia included visits to Washington Dulles International Airport; Willow Creek Clyde's in Ashburn (Loudoun County - just down the road from the Washington Redskins training camp); the FDIC training facility and Ballston/Clarendon area in Arlington; Booz Allen Hamilton's new office facility in Herndon; Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts in Vienna and Reston Town Center. Rumor has it that some class members caught the midnight debut of "The Dark Knight" movie and still managed to catch the bus the next morning before its 7:30 a.m. departure. Other class members arrived early on Thursday for a golf game at the spectacular new Ritz Carlton Creighton Farms golf course.

Alumni Opportunity

Did you miss a particular class session during your LEAD VIRGINIA class year due to scheduling conflicts or illness? Would you like to make up that lost session and gain the information you missed during your year? If so, LEAD VIRGINIA will make available a limited number of seats in upcoming regional sessions to alumni - for a nominal cost -- to make up that lost session and wealth of information. Contact Amanda Keller at akeller@leadva.org or 804-237-1461 for more information. Southwest Virginia: September 11-13 Hampton Roads: October 16-18 Richmond: November 20-22

Recruitment Outreach for 2009 Class

It's not too early to begin thinking about who you would recommend as a candidate for LEAD VIRGINIA's Class of 2009. We count on current class members, alumni and Board members to help us get the word out about LEAD VIRGINIA. If you would like an ambassador packet sent to a prospective candidate, send their contact information to Amanda Keller, akeller@leadva.org. Speaking opportunities are also a great way to get LEAD VIRGINIA noticed; if you would like to set up a speaking opportunity with a group or organization please let Susan Horne know. Plans are underway for regional outreach efforts this fall in Hampton Roads and Lynchburg. We would like to see every region with a recruiting event scheduled on the calendar this fall. If you would like to assist with this effort, please contact Susan at shorne@leadva.org or 804-237-1465.

Graduation for Class of 2008: Mark Your Calendars

The Class of 2008 will be graduating Friday, November 21 at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. More information will be available as the time gets closer but be sure to mark your calendars now. You won't want to miss this great event to celebrate the Class of 2008 and re-connect with your alumni colleagues. We look forward to seeing you there!

Alumni Gatherings

The Northern Virginia alumni will be meeting again Thursday September 18th, 5:00-7:00PM on the River Deck at Madigan's Waterfront (www.madiganswaterfront.com), 201 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA 22125. If you would like to join please email Bob Steere at Bob@steerepartners.com or Don Zacherl at dzacherl@t3-tigertech.com. Remember that potential LEAD VIRGINIA candidates are always welcome!

Alumni Buzz

Dr. Brian Bates, LEAD VIRGINIA '06, helped uncover a time capsule from 1908 in Buckingham County. Brian is an anthropology professor at Longwood University and a Buckingham County Supervisor. Found in the 100 year old capsule included confederate currency, a copy of General Robert E. Lee's farewell address to the Army of Northern Virginia and a piece of rope from the unveiling of the Robert E. Lee monument in Richmond along with a newspaper clipping from the monument's dedication ceremony. Brian put back a new capsule slated to be opened in 2108. Kate Berger, LEAD VIRGINIA '05, Southside Paralegal Service, is a candidate for Treasurer of Pittsylvania County. Elections are in November, and Kate is hard at work on her campaign. Gina Burgin, LEAD VIRGINIA '05, Meridian Legal Advisors, PLLC, serves on the Board for Richmond's School for the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC) which recently hosted its annual gala at its new-found home and arts facility. The event also marked the opening of SPARC's fully mounted Broadway-style production of "West Side Story." SPARC is a not for profit serving children ages 5-18 with interest and talent in the performing arts. For more information, visit www.sparconline.org. Dr. Patricia Cormier, LEAD VIRGINIA Board Vice Chairman and President, Longwood University, was appointed by Governor Tim Kaine to the Commonwealth's Information Technology Investment Board. Glen "Skip" Skinner, LEAD VIRGINIA '08, has been named Executive Director of the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission. Skip is the former County Administrator for Wise County. He can be reached at P.O. Box 366, Duffield, VA 24244; phone 276-431-2206 or email gskinner @lenowisco.org. Bob Steere, LEAD VIRGINIA '06, Steere Consulting Partners, LLC, has been named to the Leesburg Public Art Commission. Bob also serves on the Loudoun County Economic Development Commission. Alumni may want to check out the Roanoke/Blacksburg Technology Expo hosted by the NEWVA Corridor Technology Council on Friday, September 5 at the Roanoke Civic Center in Roanoke. The event will showcase a variety of small and large tech companies in the region, home to a diverse and thriving technology and entrepreneurial community. Admission is free; for more information visit www.thetechnologycouncil.com. The Tech Expo will precede Virginia Tech's first home game of the season on Saturday, September 6 and includes free admission to a pep rally for the VT football team Friday evening.