Newsroom Archive for 04/30, 2010
Apr 30 2010 - 9:22am
WHERE WILL YOU BE MONDAY NIGHT?
On Monday evening May 3 at 7pm the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and Sorensen's Charlottesville-area Alumni Association will host a discussion exploring politics and policy in Virginia today.
We will bring together veteran members of the Virginia political press corps who cover the General Assembly. Panelists will include: Bob Lewis (AP, Richmond Bureau), Chelyen Davis (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star) , Christina Nuckols (Virginian-Pilot), Adam Rhew (NBC 29), and Anita Kumar (Washington Post). The event will be moderated by former political reporter and columnist, the Sorensen Institute's Bob Gibson.
This event is FREE and OPEN to the public. The Forum will be held at the V. Earl Dickinson Building, Main Stage Theatre at Piedmont Virginia Community College. This event is sponsored by State Farm.
A reception for panelists, Sorensen alumni and board members will be held from 6-7pm at the theatre.
See you on Monday!
Apr 30 2010 - 10:45am
Today at noon public radio WHRV 89.5 FM in Hampton Roads will broadcast and webcast our General Assembly Legislative Review event from Wednesday evening.
The event was hosted by the Sorensen Institute, Public Radio WHRO/WHRV and the Center for Public Policy at CNU. It was sponsored by State Farm.
The broadcast of the event will take place today, Friday April 30, from 12 to 1pm on 89.5 FM in Hampton Roads.
CLICK HERE to listen to the webcast online or visit www.whrv.org.
The discussion focused on politics and policy in Virginia today. Panelists included Delegate Robin Abbott, Delegate John Cosgrove, Delegate Lynwood Lewis, Senator John Miller, Senator Ralph Northam, and Delegate Glenn Oder.
Tune in and check it out!
Apr 30 2010 - 11:11am
Susan Spears (PLP 2008) has been unanimously elected as the President of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. Congratulations Susan!
The press release follows:
FREDERICKSBURG, VA – The Board of Directors of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce announced today that it has chosen Susan Spears to serve as the Chamber’s President. Chairman Woody Van Valkenburgh said board members unanimously elected Ms. Spears take the reins of the organization.
“Susan has been with the Chamber for six years as a vice president responsible for several of the Chamber’s key initiatives. The Military Affairs Council and Leadership Fredericksburg have both seen tremendous success due directly to Susan’s leadership of the process. Over the recent four months as Acting President, Susan has demonstrated her commitment to the Chamber and her grasp of the leadership necessary to serve as President. She has risen to the task. She has led our small staff to rise to the task as well.”
The appointment of Ms. Spears as President comes at a strategic time for the Chamber. The Chamber’s board, working with the Chamber staff, and, most importantly, the membership, is devising new ways to serve current members via networking opportunities and educational forums that benefit existing business owners. Ms. Spears also worked closely with the Next Generation of Business Leaders group to ensure they have a vibrant environment for young professionals to network in, thus strengthening the odds that they will put down roots in the Fredericksburg Region.
“This is an exciting time to be working on behalf of our business community,” she said. “Our members are dedicated to building up both our economy and our quality of life. It is an honor help lead this fine organization that represents so many hard-working individuals who make this region the crown jewel of Central Virginia.”
Susan Garnett Spears grew up in Fredericksburg, graduated from James Monroe High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition from Virginia Commonwealth University. After many years in retail management, she joined the Chamber staff in 2004.
Ms. Spears is founder and president of MORE - Multicultural OutReach Effort – which strives to promote racial and cultural harmony in the Fredericksburg Region. She is an active member of the Fredericksburg Rotary Club. She currently serves on the City of Fredericksburg Planning Commission and its Historic Preservation Task Force. In 2008, she was honored with the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of Virginia’s “Women of Distinction” Award in the category of Community Service. She is a graduate of the Thomas C. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia and the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Institute.
She lives in downtown Fredericksburg with her husband, Richard, and their dog, Eddie.
Apr 30 2010 - 11:39am
Name: Pam Brown
Age: 47
Born: Indianapolis, Indiana
Current Digs: Norfolk
Occupation: Lead Configuration Analyst (Amerigroup Corp)
Favorite part about the job? Making a difference with Texas Medicaid and helping 10 states save many millions of dollars on Medicaid costs. States can budget on a fixed per-recipient, per-month amount.
Your first job ever? My first job at 16 was in a fabric shop. I learned to sew well from my grandmother and made many of my own clothes in high school.
Favorite book? All books by James Michener & Tom Clancy
Favorite movie? Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, The Sound of Music
Comfort food? Potatoes
Favorite part about the job? Making a difference with Texas Medicaid and helping 10 states save many millions of dollars on Medicaid costs. States can budget on a fixed per-recipient, per-month amount.
Your first job ever? My first job at 16 was in a fabric shop. I learned to sew well from my grandmother and made many of my own clothes in high school.
Favorite book? All books by James Michener & Tom Clancy
Favorite movie? Gone with the Wind, Ben Hur, The Sound of Music
Comfort food? Potatoes
What's in your car CD player right now (or favorites on your iPod)? Oldies (60’s), Roy Orbison, Elvis, Rock Instrumentals. Brain food music on headphones at work—1812 Overture, Thchiakovsky, Jim Brickman Piano, Hooked oj classics
Next journey? Would love to take a cruise to Alaska.
Next journey? Would love to take a cruise to Alaska.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Hot Springs—The Homestead
First political memory? A picture at 16-years old sitting in the desk chair of Congressman Paul Trible at Presidential Classrooom & Washington Workshop.
Whom do you admire and why? Former Congresswoman Thelma Drake, and Ward 5 Norfolk City Councilman Randy Wright. We have a lot in common. They have proven that politics and elected office is not beyond anyone who really wants to work hard accomplish something.
Best advice you ever got? Work hard, persevere, Think for yourself, and depend on yourself. Set goals and work toward them. Keep your word and commitments.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Newt Gingrich. He is one of America’s deepest thinkers on Healthcare. Years ago he wrote a book—Saving Lives and Saving Money— that will get everyone thinking about the healthcare issues being discussed today. He founded the Center for Health Transformation.
Describe a perfect day. When the America I love returns to the principles that made it great. Hard work & perseverance, not dependence & subsistence.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I worked for 13 years as a mobile disc jockey, used to do 40 weddings a year plus a lot of corporate events/parties and bar mitzvahs. I was a finalist in American Disc Jockey Awards in Las Vegas in 2000. I DJ’d all of the Bush/Cheney Rallies, Bob McDonnell Rallies and donated this to other candidates.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Continue on present track, progress in IT Health Informatics career and Republican Leadership. Regain seats lost in 87th House and/or 6th Senate. If timing is right, run for 87th or local office.
First political memory? A picture at 16-years old sitting in the desk chair of Congressman Paul Trible at Presidential Classrooom & Washington Workshop.
Whom do you admire and why? Former Congresswoman Thelma Drake, and Ward 5 Norfolk City Councilman Randy Wright. We have a lot in common. They have proven that politics and elected office is not beyond anyone who really wants to work hard accomplish something.
Best advice you ever got? Work hard, persevere, Think for yourself, and depend on yourself. Set goals and work toward them. Keep your word and commitments.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Newt Gingrich. He is one of America’s deepest thinkers on Healthcare. Years ago he wrote a book—Saving Lives and Saving Money— that will get everyone thinking about the healthcare issues being discussed today. He founded the Center for Health Transformation.
Describe a perfect day. When the America I love returns to the principles that made it great. Hard work & perseverance, not dependence & subsistence.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I worked for 13 years as a mobile disc jockey, used to do 40 weddings a year plus a lot of corporate events/parties and bar mitzvahs. I was a finalist in American Disc Jockey Awards in Las Vegas in 2000. I DJ’d all of the Bush/Cheney Rallies, Bob McDonnell Rallies and donated this to other candidates.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Continue on present track, progress in IT Health Informatics career and Republican Leadership. Regain seats lost in 87th House and/or 6th Senate. If timing is right, run for 87th or local office.
Apr 30 2010 - 11:50am
Name:Thomas Walton Eppes, Jr
Age: 58 with a December 28 birthday
Born: Farmville, Va. and moved to Amelia, Va. age 3 where I graduated from Amelia Academy, a school formed as a part of massive resistance to integration in the 60's. Went to William and Mary 70-74 BS in Chemistry, UVA 74-78 for my MD, residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospitals.
Born: Farmville, Va. and moved to Amelia, Va. age 3 where I graduated from Amelia Academy, a school formed as a part of massive resistance to integration in the 60's. Went to William and Mary 70-74 BS in Chemistry, UVA 74-78 for my MD, residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospitals.
Current Digs: I have resided for 29 1/2 years in Forest, Va, a bedroom community for Lynchburg.
Occupation: I am a family doctor that still does house calls seeing patients cradle to grave. The biggest span was a newborn followed that evening with a house call for a 115-year old.
Occupation: I am a family doctor that still does house calls seeing patients cradle to grave. The biggest span was a newborn followed that evening with a house call for a 115-year old.
Favorite part about the job? There is nothing more thrilling and challenging than to impact daily lives of countless patients. There is never a dull day.
First job ever? First job after cutting grass was a soda jerk in my father's drug store.
Favorite book? For knowledge and inspiration, The Bible; for fun, the Harry Potter series that I read with my daughter.
Favorite movie? The Black Stallion done in about 1981 by Coppola. It was a wonderful visualization of the book read to me at each lunch in the fourth grade.
Favorite movie? The Black Stallion done in about 1981 by Coppola. It was a wonderful visualization of the book read to me at each lunch in the fourth grade.
Comfort food? ice cream
What's in your car CD player right now (or favorites on your iPod)? The latest audio book or the Great Courses with the current one "Utopia and Terror in the 20th Century."
Next journey? Zambia for a mission and South Africa for the World Cup.
Favorite Virginia Vacation spot? Williamsburg, but my favorite site is Burkes Garden in Tazewell County.
First political memory? 1960 presidential debates
Whom do you admire and why? Historically, Martin Luther for his questioning of authority and pushing back against the establishment when he knew he was right. Currently, Lacy Putney for being a gentleman legislator that sticks to his principles and works with all.
Whom do you admire and why? Historically, Martin Luther for his questioning of authority and pushing back against the establishment when he knew he was right. Currently, Lacy Putney for being a gentleman legislator that sticks to his principles and works with all.
Best advice you ever got? Know who you are and whose you are.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Chuck Colson--What an amazing walk from rouge to a devoted minister to the prisoner; Rave Zacharias born a Hindu now a international apologist for the Christian faith that emphasizes understanding your faith,
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Chuck Colson--What an amazing walk from rouge to a devoted minister to the prisoner; Rave Zacharias born a Hindu now a international apologist for the Christian faith that emphasizes understanding your faith,
Describe a perfect day. Doing something that I have never done in a place I have never been with family to enjoy it all.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I cook a mean apple pie and only from scratch including crust and all.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Possibly the Assembly if Putney ever retires.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Possibly the Assembly if Putney ever retires.
Apr 30 2010 - 11:59am
Name: Gary W. Tanner
Age: 49
Born: Appomattox county
Current Digs: Native of Appomattox County
Occupation: Training Specialist, Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group in Lynchburg
Favorite part about the job? Training over 2600 employees annually gives me a chance to meet some very interesting people.
First job ever? Working on my Grandfather’s farm, included feeding cows, pigs and working in the fields planting and harvesting corn, hay, wheat and tobacco.
Occupation: Training Specialist, Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group in Lynchburg
Favorite part about the job? Training over 2600 employees annually gives me a chance to meet some very interesting people.
First job ever? Working on my Grandfather’s farm, included feeding cows, pigs and working in the fields planting and harvesting corn, hay, wheat and tobacco.
Favorite book: Bible
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Comfort food: Steak
What’s in car CD player right now? AC/DC and Boston
What’s in car CD player right now? AC/DC and Boston
Next journey? Wherever life takes me!
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Virginia Beach!
First political memory? JFK assassination
Whom do you admire and why? Ronald Reagan, he was able to energize people and reach across boundaries to accomplish the unthinkable ( Tear down that wall!)
Best advice you ever got? Always be honest, it’s easier to explain the truth than defend a lie
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? President Obama, I would like to get a better understanding of the hot button issues that he is driving i.e. healthcare and if he really thinks that middleclass America can weather the tax storm that looms.
Describe a perfect day. Spending time with my family, yard work, gardening and sometimes a day hunting or a round of golf.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I had major back surgery less than a year ago ( 4-wheeler accident) and I’m still hunting, playing golf and basketball with guys half my age. They never believe me when I tell them about the titanium rods and screws in my back.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Get re-elected next year ( Appomattox County Board of Supervisors ) and a possible run for the House of delegates when my representative retires.
Whom do you admire and why? Ronald Reagan, he was able to energize people and reach across boundaries to accomplish the unthinkable ( Tear down that wall!)
Best advice you ever got? Always be honest, it’s easier to explain the truth than defend a lie
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? President Obama, I would like to get a better understanding of the hot button issues that he is driving i.e. healthcare and if he really thinks that middleclass America can weather the tax storm that looms.
Describe a perfect day. Spending time with my family, yard work, gardening and sometimes a day hunting or a round of golf.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? I had major back surgery less than a year ago ( 4-wheeler accident) and I’m still hunting, playing golf and basketball with guys half my age. They never believe me when I tell them about the titanium rods and screws in my back.
Ambition, political or otherwise? Get re-elected next year ( Appomattox County Board of Supervisors ) and a possible run for the House of delegates when my representative retires.
Apr 30 2010 - 12:45pm
Kristie Helmick (PLP 2008) has accepted a new position as Member Support Manager for the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Congratulations Kristie!
