Class of 2009 Updates

In the Shenandoah Valley: The Class of 2009 was in the Shenandoah Valley June 18-20. During their visit, the class met with local leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities as they relate to economic development, education and healthcare in addition to visits to Rosetta Stone, Polyface Farms, downtown Staunton's revitalization efforts, Cross Keys Vineyards and Harrisonburg Children's Museum. The group also heard about Rockingham Memorial Hospital's new Hospital and Health Campus. Regional leaders such as Robin Sullenberger with The Shenandoah Valley Economic Development Partnership; Brian Shull, City of Harrisonburg Economic Development; Kay Harrison, Rockingham Memorial Hospital; Dr. Jerry Benson with James Madison University and Denise Dawson with Harrisonburg City Public Schools provided context on these issues, how they uniquely affect the area and the broader impact on the Commonwealth. The Curriculum Co-chairs were Dr. Karen Wigginton, Vice President for College Relations, Bridgewater College and Dr. John Downey, LEAD VIRGINIA '06, Vice President of Instruction and Student Services, Blue Ridge Community College and LEAD VIRIGNIA thanks them for putting on another successful visit to the region. As a side note, LEAD VIRGINIA offers its hearty congratulations to John Downey on his recent appointment as the new President of Blue Ridge Community College. John will become the fifth president of Blue Ridge Community College and has worked at BRCC for 17 years. His presidency becomes effective August 3, 2009. John's contributions to educational partnerships in the Shenandoah Valley region are well-regarded and we are delighted to offer our warm congratulations. Class of 2009 members on a hayride through Polyface Farm in Swoope, VA. Tour of Rosetta Stone in Harrisonburg, VA. In Northern Virginia: Class members traveled much of the breadth of Northern Virginia in July, experiencing the vast diversity of this important economic contributor to the state's vitality, while seeing first-hand the challenges that go alongside being an economic engine. Starting their visit in Reston Town Center, the class traveled to Reagan National Airport and to Fort Myer. They learned about Northern Virginia's economic profile and performance in both the Greater Washington region and within the Commonwealth, as well as the significant military presence in the region that supports the Pentagon, the Federal Government and the Department of Defense mission throughout the world. Class members toured Micron Technology in Prince William County and learned of the economic significance of the semiconductor industry in Virginia's and the region's portfolio. Class members learned about the expanded technology industry's imprint in the region, as well as education's response to industry workforce needs from Mark Bitterman with Orbital Sciences, Dr. Kevin Moses with Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Farm, Heather Gold of XO Communications, Dr. Robert Templin with Northern Virginia Community College and Dr. Tom Hennessey of George Mason University. Site visits during the region's itinerary included Reagan National Airport, Ft. Myer, Reston Town Center, the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum, George Mason University's Prince William County campus and Breaux Vineyards in Loudoun County. The session's itinerary included a narrated tour of I-495 HOT lane construction and the Dulles Corridor Metrorail project, as well as a discussion on re-planning Tysons Corner into a 24/7 community. LEAD VIRGINIA thanks the Curriculum co-chairs Adrian Chapman, LEAD VIRGINIA '06, currently Vice President Operations, Regulatory Affairs and Energy Acquisition for Washington Gas and soon to be designated President and COO for Washington Gas, and Tracy Baynard, LEAD VIRGINIA '08, Vice President Business Expansion/Government Affairs for McGuire Woods Consulting. Thanks also to Karen Albert, President, Practical Solutions for Public Safety, Inc. and LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2009, Lucy Beauchamp, Director of Development, SciencePort, Northern Virginia's Science Center and LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2008, Heather Gold, Senior Vice President of External Affairs, XO Communications and LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2006, David Goldberg, Administrator, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children and LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2008 and Shawn Kelley, Principal/Owner, Practical Solutions for Public Safety, Inc. and LEAD VIRGINIA Class of 2008 for their assistance in planning the Northern Virginia Session. Our sincere congratulations go out to Adrian Chapman on his new appointment to President and COO with Washington Gas. Adrian's career achievements and effective engagement with the Northern Virginia business community have been a great asset to both Washington Gas and the greater region. Class of 2009 at Micron Technology in Manassas, VA. Lucy Beauchamp, '08, Harriett Whitten, '09, Tracy Baynard, '08, Katie Cook, '09, Debbie Jones, '07 and Tracey White, keynote speaker from HCA Capital Divison.

Good News To Share

Virginia Business has posted pictures of LEAD VIRGINIA's June Alumni Conference in the Northern Neck at http://www.virginiabusiness.com/index.php/multimedia/article/out-about-july-2009/ Jeff Keever LEAD VIRGINIA '05 and Greg Edwards LEAD VIRGINIA '09 announce a new Virginia Port Authority blog which can also be accessed from their webpage - www.portofvirginia.com In the top left-hand corner of the webpage under "EXPLORE," the first link is for the blog. The blog is designed to open an electronic door to customers, allies, stakeholders and interested parties so that you might access real-time updates on the daily business and activities of the Port. The Center for Rural Virginia 2009 Summit September 14-15 in Lynchburg Sharing information and resources, Economic, environmental & social policies for sustainable communities, Rural communities networking for competitive advantages. · Target audience - three levels of elected officials (local, state and national) · A collaborative network of public, private and non-profit leaders · Opportunities of Community Capacity Building · Coordinating Energy Systems development & implementation · Rethinking Food Systems with the goal to promote sustainable rural communities · Gather to advance the dialogue on what's next for community development! For more information contact Thelma Burris at 540-231-8222-VCOM or 276-223-4805-WCC or email tburris@vcom.vt.edu.

Alumni Buzz

Heidi Abbott LEAD VIRGINIA '08 and counsel at Hunton & Williams, LLP was appointed by Governor Kaine to Virginia's Board of Juvenile Justice Heather Gold LEAD VIRGINIA '06 and senior vice president of external affairs at XO Communications was recently appointed by Governor Kaine to Virginia's Broadband Advisory Council. Bishop Jackson LEAD VIRGINIA '08 was interviewed on CBN World News on Friday, July 24. Bishop has recently published a book "Ten Commandments to an Extraordinary Life." For information on Bishop's community building efforts visit:www.bishopjacksonministries.org or follow him at http://twitter.com/ewjsr John Knapp LEAD VIRGINIA '05 director government affairs for Verizon Communications was appointed by Governor Kaine to Virginia's Wireless E-911 Board. LEAD VIRGINIA Board member Hugh D. Keogh, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, was presented the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives at their annual meeting held July 9th in Blacksburg at The Inn at Virginia Tech. The "Lifetime Achievement Award," created by the past presidents of VACCE, honors a colleague who throughout his or her career has made significant contributions to the advancement of the chamber profession as well as to VACCE. Mr. Keogh, the inaugural recipient of the award, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Chamber for the past 17 years. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his leadership of the Commonwealth and the State of Virginia. Don't miss the above-mentioned kudos for Adrian Chapman '06 and John Do