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Education & Workforce, Government & Citizens, Military Bastion

Apr 04

Layoffs in Hampton Roads

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Over 300 jobs will be lost in Hampton Roads thanks to recently declared layoffs by major defense contractors, according to an article in HRMilitary. Lockheed Martin has notified the Commonwealth that they will be letting go of 150 employees, 92 in Norfolk and Suffolk, in addition to 65 in Hampton, while Luke and Associates will most likely layoff 182 at Langley Air Force Base.

Craig Quigley, Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, insists that these job losses are not an ominous precursor to others yet to come, but rather the expected result of the U.S. Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) closure. “These actions represent arriving at something of an equilibrium from the disestablishment of Joint Forces Command. When that organization ended in August 2011, no existing contracts were cancelled. Rather, they were allowed to run their course and some of them are now ending. One of four things will happen as contracts expire: the work will be re-competed, the work will be done in-house, the work will be transferred elsewhere, or the work will no longer be done.”

An article on the job losses in The Virginian-Pilot said that 1,200 military personnel and civilians, and about 700 private contractors work in Joint Staff Hampton Roads. For those seeking new work during these job losses, a transition center, funded by a DoD grant, was set up in Suffolk a year ago.

Read the complete HRMilitary article here.

Read the complete Virginian-Pilot article here.

Click here to visit the JFCOM Transition Center website.

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Jan 25

Hampton Roads at the White House

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Region executives meet with Obama

By Bill Cresenzo for Inside Business, originally posted on January 20, 2012

A group of Hampton Roads businesspeople met with President Obama and administration officials at the White House to talk about the federal government’s role in job creation and the policies that affect Hampton Roads businesses.

The White House Business Council and Business Forward, a Washington-based consortium of businesses that works for pro-business polices, hosted the event.

“Since the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area relies so much on defense contracting, and the Department of Defense is anticipating spending cuts, many business leaders are concerned about what to expect regarding the cutbacks,” said Britney Sussman, a Business Forward spokeswoman.

“We believe the area is an important part of the Virginia economy, and deserves to be engaged and give feedback since they rely so heavily on government spending.”

The execs talked about the effect defense spending cuts would have on the local economy, access to capital, infrastructure development, education and workforce readiness, and America’s overall competitiveness, Sussman said.

The group included executives from Tymark Enterprises, Zel Technologies, E.L. Hamm & Associates Inc., Virginia Port Authority, Klett Consulting Group Inc., Vox Optima, Q10 Government Contracting, Virginia Company Bank and Cox Communications Virginia. Also participating were representatives of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Virginia Medical School, the Hampton Roads Partnership, as well as Hampton Roads entrepreneurs including Allen R. Jones, president of Dominion Physical Therapy and Associates.

“The Obama administration is on the cutting edge with innovative technology and applications and the reduction of health care costs,” Jones said. “They are focused on technology leading us into the 21st century for growth.”

Jones cited a conversation about a test model health care clinic in St. Louis that lets doctors use smartphones to connect with their patients.

“It’s a matter of keeping the patients out of the office and treating them with prevention and wellness,” he said.

Mike Petters, CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries, spoke about workforce readiness, according to Sussman, saying that the shipbuilder plans to hire 10,000 people over the next five years, and while most of the jobs won’t require college degrees, they do require math skills.

Jack Ezzell, president of Zel Technologies, was impressed.

“I was very upbeat about the administration’s plans to address a broad range of economic issues,” he said. “It was very positive. I thought it was well done. Modeling and simulation, I think, is a key piece for us.”

Tags: Chamber, Government, Hampton Roads, HRP

Jan 14

The Virginia General Assembly’s New Faces

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The 2012 General Assembly looks a little younger these days. Members taking their seats for the first time also are more likely to be men and less likely to have been born in Virginia.

That’s according to an analysis by the Virginia Public Access Project of how 20 new legislators have changed the overall demographics of each chamber. Get photos, demographic information for each new Delegate and Senator at vpap.org.

Here are some facts about the 2012 General Assembly:

There are 115 men and 25 women, down from 27 women in the 2011 General Assembly.
Incoming legislators average 43 years in age, compared to 55 years for the 2011 General Assembly.
In the Senate, there is a second 20-20 split between native and non-native Virginians. Over in the House, the number of Virginia-born will remain unchanged: 54 native Virginians and 46 members born outside the state.

Visit vpap.org for a closer look at the new faces of the General Assembly.

Tags: Government, Virginia

Jan 12

Two of Top Ten Best-run cities in U.S. are in Hampton Roads

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24/7 Wall St. completed its first annual ranking of the best-run and worst-run cities in America, reviewing the local economies, fiscal discipline and standard of living of the 100 largest cities by population to determine how well each is managed. Based on these data, 24/7 Wall St. ranked the 100 cities from the best to worst run. Two of the top ten are located in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia: The best-run city is Virginia Beach, Va. The sixth best is Chesapeake, Va., beating out the likes of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Seattle, Washington.

1. Virginia Beach, Va.
> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 1.88 (8th lowest)
> Poverty rate: 7.5% (3rd lowest)
> Adult population graduated from high school: 93.1% (5th highest)
> Credit rating: Aaa (negative outlook)
> Population: 439,172

Virginia Beach is, by our measurement, the best-run city in the U.S. Located on the eastern shore of Virginia, the city is one of the most prosperous in the country. Out of the 100 largest cities, it has among the 10 lowest violent crime, unemployment, and poverty rates, as well as among the 10 best for median income, high school graduation and health insurance coverage. Moody’s listed Virginia Beach’s three main strengths as a “large and diverse tax base stabilized by the presence of military bases,” the city’s “strong and carefully managed financial position,” and “comprehensive financial policies and conservative budgeting approach.” The city’s credit rating is a perfect Aaa.

6. Chesapeake, Va.
> Violent crime per 1,000 people: 3.84 (19th lowest)
> Poverty rate: 7% (2nd lowest)
> Adult population graduated from high school: 90.8% (14th highest)
> Credit rating: Aa1
> Population: 222,986

The city of Chesapeake was founded in 1963, although the area itself has had people living there since the late 17th century. Chesapeake is located on the southern edge of of the City of Norfolk. It is also within striking distance of the city of Virginia Beach, which itself is among the best-run cities. These two adjacent cities provide sources of employment for Chesapeake residents. With few urban areas, Chesapeake has relatively low crime and unemployment, as well as the second-lowest poverty rate in the U.S. However, the city has a credit rating of Aa1, rather than Aaa, and is not in the top 20% for health insurance coverage.

About 24/7 Wall St.

Tags: Chesapeake, Government, Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach

Jan 12

Ethics in Local Government

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The Hampton Roads Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration invites you to attend a Forum on Ethics in Local Government.

WHEN: Thursday, January 19, 2012; 6:00 – 7:15 p.m.

WHERE: Marker 20, 21 Queensway in Downtown Hampton VA (http://marker20.com)

Special Guests: Cynthia Hudson, Hampton City Attorney, and Lyndon Remias, City of Virginia Beach Auditor

There is no cost for the event, but registration is requested at: www.aspahr.org

Directions: Marker 20 is 3 minutes From I-64. Take exit 267 off the Interstate on to Settlers Landing Road toward Downtown Hampton. Cross over the Booker T. Washington Bridge, then turn Right at the 2nd light on to Wine Street. Go one block and turn Left on to Queens Way. You can’t miss us with our outdoor deck on the right.

Tags: Government, Hampton Roads

About Hampton Roads, Business & Economy, Education & Workforce, Government & Citizens, Innovation, Military Bastion

Jan 09

The year ahead: What’s in store for Hampton Roads

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By Bill Cresenzo for Inside Business, posted January 6, 2012

2012 – 2011 redux? As Hampton Roads begins another year, Inside Business asked the region’s business, government, civic, educational and community leaders to give readers an idea of what they would like to see happen in the year ahead and what they expect to see.

Leaders such as Greg Grootendorst, the chief economist with the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, who said, “The economic outlook for the coming year is likely to be one characterized by very modest growth.

“Hampton Roads remains entrenched in the process of recovering from the great recession,” he said. “The region has lost in excess of 50,000 jobs since payroll employment peaked in July of 2007; regional employment is now at the same level as it was in 2001.”

Vinod B. Agarwal, an economics professor at Old Dominion University, concurs with Grootendorst. The author of an annual regional economic forecast, Agarwal will present his findings at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 25 at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott at the annual economic forecast event. To register, call (757) 683-5138.

Agarwal said he expects the economy to pick up slightly in 2012, but it will continue to be a “jobless recovery.” While the economy might grow some, unemployment rates will remain steady or rise.

But there are other, exciting things on the business horizon. From Hampton Mayor Molly Ward to Jerry Bridges, the executive director of the Virginia Port Authority, to Dana Dickens, president of the Hampton Roads Partnership, inside this issue you’ll find what the region’s leaders believe 2012 will bring, as well as what they hope it will bring.

Recently seen on the Twitterverse: What’s your wish for Hampton roads in 2012? See what Dana Dickens and other local leaders think. http://insidebiz.com/news/inside-business-story-257

The Year Ahead: E. Dana Dickens III President and CEO, Hampton Roads Partnership

My one wish for 2012 is that the many years of work in regional cooperation and collaboration by the Hampton Roads Partnership translate into true regional consensus, with significant results in growth and in greater diversification of the economy of Hampton Roads.

We can accomplish this if:

Entrepreneurs have better access to capital, supported via a multimillion dollar fund organized by investors to promote “grow your own” economic development in the region.
Taxpayers enjoy enhanced government services and lower taxes, supported via implementation of shared public services identified during the pilot program launched in 2011 with Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake.
Local government implements improved efficiencies and savings, supported via more Hampton Roads cities – and counties – joining in shared services projects across the region.
Startup businesses achieve explosive growth thanks to mentors, supported via coaching provided by the region’s proven business leaders, both retired and active.
Growth-oriented companies realize their entrepreneurial goals, supported via a cultural shift enabled by Innovate!HamptonRoads and its “Economic Gardening Network,” a suite of high-end, high-speed business growth resources.
Serious networking and marketing happens for entrepreneurs, supported via successful events like Start Norfolk, active local entrepreneurs, metropolitan-focused academic institutions and the groups championing the region’s technology clusters of aerospace, bioscience, coastal energy, modeling and simulation, robotics and unmanned systems and sensors.
Education in STEM/STEAM moves forward rapidly, supported via the various regional efforts such as a full-time boarding school, a governor’s school and curricular/extracurricular activities for public schools tied to Virginia’s standards of learning. [STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering and applied math.]

Tags: Business, Economy, Education, Hampton Roads, Military Bastion, Workforce

Dec 21

“A regional study with a real reason,” says Virginian-Pilot

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Efficiency and cost-cutting are always watchwords during a recession, but they should be the goal even in the best of times. So should something else: cooperation.

Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake announced this month that they would work with leaders from the largest local businesses to find ways to save money by collaborating. They expect to turn up a dozen or so services that can be made better and cheaper by combining municipal efforts.

The initiative is under the umbrella of the Hampton Roads Partnership, a local coalition of government, business and academics. The study runs through March.

SEE: Hampton Roads CEOs team up with three cities to explore pilot shared services project

Regional cooperation is certainly not a new idea, but it remains a good one.

The group can almost certainly find economies of scale -those three cities serve more than 880,000 people. That negotiating leverage will only increase if the other cities of Hampton Roads are included.

Virginia Beach Councilman Glenn Davis suggested fuel and Internet services could present opportunities to save. Expect to hear about combining services – like police dispatch or library administration – and joint purchases of supplies and equipment.

The focus on efficiency and savings may finally encourage cities to do what they should’ve been doing for years – working together to solve the problems that affect everyone who lives here.

Regional cooperation has been a goal of local leaders since the first land grants by the king. “Hampton Roads” exists as a region to encourage cooperation among its municipalities. Most recently, the cities announced plans to work together to create a “road map” to economic prosperity.

Two city-based philanthropic groups have merged to form a powerhouse regional partnership: the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. Last year Gov. Bob McDonnell created a panel to find ways to help city and state governments work together more effectively.

Hampton Roads’ history is littered with reports on regional cooperation. If the pilot program produces only another, it will add to inefficiency rather than eradicate it.

The key – as it always has been – is following through. The recession and its lingering effects provide every reason to do so.

Tags: Government, Hampton Roads, HRP

Business & Economy, Government & Citizens

Dec 12

Hampton Roads cities teaming up with industry leaders

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Click here to take POLL: Should Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach explore combining some operations and programs to cut costs?

THE PLAN: Officials from Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach and executives from Amerigroup, Dollar Tree, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Norfolk Southern and Smithfield Foods have begun discussing ways the three cities could team up to reduce expenses.

THE IDEAS: While the group has not made any recommendations, officials said “everything is on the table.” Some of the services they could consider combining include 911 service and trash pickup. Cities could also merge some business operations or buy products, such as fuel, together.

By Josh Brown for The Virginian-Pilot, December 12, 2011

Faced with budgets strained by flagging tax revenue, cities in Hampton Roads could soon combine some government operations and programs to cut costs.

A coalition of the region’s three largest cities and five of the largest locally-based corporations have launched a pilot program to examine ways that the municipalities can share services.

Officials from Chesapeake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach already have begun meeting with executives at Amerigroup, Dollar Tree, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Norfolk Southern and Smithfield Foods.

The Hampton Roads Partnership, a regional organization of business, political and academic leaders, is spearheading the project, which runs through March. Its $150,000 cost is being split among the cities and the businesses.

“Everything is on the table,” said Dana Dickens, president and CEO of the partnership. “They’re interested in looking at anything that would generate efficiencies, whether it’s sharing a service or purchasing widgets or trucks or fuel or IT services or picking up garbage.”

Preliminary discussions about cities working together began in February, as officials searched for ways to trim tight budgets.

“Things that might have been difficult a few years ago – to think across city lines – now have become more of just a way to do business,” said Marcus Jones, Norfolk’s city manager. “Can you be more efficient with the way you deliver services? More is being asked of us to collaborate.”

Jones said Norfolk officials already had been looking at ways to Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Chesapeake, Hampton Roads, Leadership, Norfolk, Virginia Beach

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Dec 09

World Affairs Council 2012 Great Decisions Series

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The World Affairs Council of Greater Hampton Roads is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization whose mission is to promote a greater understanding and interest in matters of international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy. Its goals are to inform and educate the Hampton Roads community based on the belief that a well-informed public is essential to the conduct of foreign policy in a democracy.

Great Decisions is a program developed by the Foreign Policy Association that provides the local community a unique opportunity to learn about issues of global importance in an engaging and interactive format. Lectures are delivered by well respected experts in the foreign policy field.

Great Decisions in Hampton Roads begins in January 2012 and runs for eight consecutive Saturday mornings, 10 a.m.-12 noon, at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, 2200 Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA. Register for single sessions or the entire series at: http://hrwac.org/Great_Decisions.html

2012 Great Decisions Series Topics and Dates

Saturday, 14 January, 2012: “Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq and What It Means for Joint & Coalition Warfighting” with MG Fred Rudesheim, Deputy Director Joint Staff J7 Joint & Coalition Warfighting. Ten years after September 11, 2001, the U.S. is winding down its military commitment in Iraq and slowly pulling out of Afghanistan. What exit strategy will help Afghanistan and Iraq build stable democratic nations? How can the U.S. continue to achieve its counterterrorism goals? What is the role of the U.S. in the future of the Middle East?
Saturday, 21 January, 2012: “Energy geopolitics” with Dr. Steve Yetiv, University Professor of Political Science, Old Dominion University. The energy markets have been shaken by the instability of Middle East oil and the vulnerability of nuclear power. Moreover, developing countries like China are becoming bigger energy consumers, while energy producers like Russia see the opportunity to widen their influence. In this changed landscape, how will the U.S.’s energy needs affect its relations with other nations?
Saturday, 28 January 2012: “Mexico” with Dr. Francis Adams, Professor of Political Science and International Studies, Old Dominion University. Mexico’s border with Central America, as well as the border it shares with the U.S., has been a pathway for people, goods, crime and contraband in both directions. How can Mexico address these transborder challenges? What is the future of Mexico’s relations with its northern and southern neighbors? How will Mexico’s foreign relations affect its domestic politics?
Saturday, 4 February 2012: “Promoting Democracy” with Dr. Caleb Verbois, Assistant Professor, Government, History, and Criminal Justice, Regent University. The U.S. has had a history of advancing and supporting democracy around the world. What place does democracy promotion have in U.S. foreign policy today? With a choice of tools ranging from economic aid to military force, what are the appropriate yet effective methods that the U.S. should use to promote democracy?
Saturday, 11 February 2012: “Middle East Realignment” with Dr. Debra Shushan, Assistant Professor, International Relations, The College of William & Mary. The popular revolts and upheaval of the Arab Spring have radically changed the face of the Middle East. What lies ahead for the Middle East’s transition to democracy? What are the prospects for the governments that have held out in this new order? With many longtime U.S. allies ousted, how will the U.S. recalibrate its relations with the new regimes?
Saturday, 18 February 2012: “State of the Oceans: Why is Arctic Ice Melting So Fast?” with Dr. Victoria Hill, Asst. Research Professor, Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University. The world’s oceans are essential to life on earth, and are tremendously sensitive to global climate change. What are the consequences of climate change on oceanic factors like biodiversity, sea levels and extreme weather systems? How can the U.S. and its international partners address the emerging challenges to this shared resource?
Saturday, 25 February 2012: “China and Its Economy” with Dr. David Selover, Associate Professor of Economics, Old Dominion University. It’s vitally important to understand China and its economy, especially the international economic, political, and military influences. The talk will include a little about Chinese geography, history, and culture, and a lot about the Chinese economy and the problems they face. Will the Chinese GDP surpass that of the United States? When? Why is it important?
Saturday, 3 March 2012: “Cybersecurity” with Willie Session, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, National Security Branch Federal Bureau of Investigation. We are building our lives around our wired and wireless networks. The question is, are we ready to work together to defend them? The securitization of cyberspace has caused a sea change for both governments and the private sector, faced with new threats, new battlegrounds and new opportunities. Faced with challenges such as international cybercrime and authoritarian control of networks, how will the U.S. and its democratic allies approach the cyber frontier? How does this new domain figure in U.S. strategic interests?

Tags: Citizenship, Hampton Roads, Leadership, World Affairs