Newsroom Archive for 04/6, 2010

Ken Bernstein (PLP 08) has been named a 2010 recipient of the Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award, which is presented each year by the Washington Post Educational Foundation.

Congratulations Ken!

Click here for the article.

Name: Paul A. Miller
Age: 41
Born: Racine, Wisconsin
Current Digs: Clifton, Virginia
Occupation: President/CEO of Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies, LLC
Favorite part about the job: Interaction with some many different types of people on a daily basis
Your first job ever? I was a paper boy in Racine, WI.  I had the job, but my parents did most of the work so I could go to basketball and soccer practices.
Favorite book? Vince Flynn Novels
Favorite movie? Godfather Series
Comfort food? Don't really have one
What's in your car CD player right now? To many on the iPod to list. Noting in the car - mainly listen to talk radio - Sports Junkies.
Next journey? I'd like to go on an African safari
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown area
First political memory? I think for me there are two.  First going to vote with my Dad.  The second when I was a little older watching the hostages being released right after Reagan was elected President.
Whom do you admire and why? Ted Leonsis. He built a successful company the right way including community.  He is one very successful businessman who has not forgotten where he came from and the people, who have helped him and who make his success possible. He is very accessible to the public and I appreciate that as a business owner and sports fan.
Best advice you ever got? If someone tells you something's not possible, work harder and prove them wrong.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Former VA Governor Linwood Holton. His experiences are fascinating to me.  We had a chance to hear him speak recently, and I couldn't get enough of the stories he had about his early days. I have a lot of respect for him as a man who stood by his convictions and moved the Republican party forward in VA.
Describe a perfect day. Spending it with my two incredible little girls Taylor and Alexis.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you?  I'm really not sure.  This was the hardest question for me. I guess I'll have to leave that for everyone else to answer.
Ambition, political or otherwise? To continue to grow a successful business. I would also like to take our Hoops For Youth Foundation and make it a nationwide program that helps at-risk kids all across the country.  Play a role in my community.

Name: Lawrence L. Muir, Jr., known as "Chip"
Age: 32
Born: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Current Digs: Richmond, Virginia
Occupation: Assistant Attorney General, Computer Crimes Section
Favorite part about the job? When parents of young children learn that I prosecute child pornography cases, they thank me. It's a wonderful reminder of the true nature of public service.
Your first job ever? When I was 12 years old I referreed pee-wee soccer games. And yes, parents will even argue calls with a 12-year-old.
Favorite book? It took me 120 days of reading to complete it, but I read the Bible cover to cover and after that, regular books don't really compare. I usually read spy fiction or history books. My favorite history book is Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough, about the young Theodore Roosevelt.
Favorite movie? Hoosiers
Comfort food? Walker's shortbread cookies and sweet tea
What's in your car CD player right now? Metallica Black Album, "Enter Sandman." I only listen to an iPod when I exercise.
Next journey? I honestly do not know.
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? Colonial Williamsburg and northern Rockbridge County
First political memory? Ronald Reagan's second inauguration
Whom do you admire and why? They aren't my bosses any longer, so I can honestly say that I admire both Bob McDonnell and Bill Mims. As exceptionally intelligent and high-profile as they both are, they can both relate to anyone they meet. Both are honest men of integrity. I have learned a lot from both of them simply by observing the way they conduct themselves.
Best advice you ever got? Never, ever compromise your integrity.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be? Drew Brees,quarterback for the New Orleans Saints.
Describe a perfect day. No day is perfect. The important thing is that at the end of the day, you made that day count. Do something to improve yourself, be kind to people, do something good for someone and tell your family you love them.
Ambition, political or otherwise? I'd love to be Governor of Virginia one day.

Name:  Nicholas Smith (Nick or Nicholas)
Age:  33
Born: I was born at Fairfax Hospital.  I lived in Alexandria, VA until I was 2, then I moved to Lower Merion, Pennsylvania (just outside of Philadelphia).  In fifth grade I moved to Newtown, CT (Upper Fairfield County, 20 minutes from the New York State border).
Current Digs: I live and work in Westmoreland County.
Occupation: I am a captive insurance company manager by profession, but I supplement by working in my father’s law firm (not as an attorney).
Favorite part about the job: My favorite part of the captive insurance work is forming the captive.  I enjoy the creativity of structuring the risk management and the company structure.
Your first job ever? I worked as a clerk in a pharmacy starting at age 16.
Favorite book? Catch-22 and Lonesome Dove in a tie.
Favorite movie? The Departed
Comfort food? Lasagne
What's in your car CD player right now (or favorites on your iPod)? The Virginians Men’s Chorus learning CD.
Next journey? Glacier National Park
Favorite Virginia vacation spot? The Northern Neck, of course!
First political memory? Playing Ronald Reagan in a class debate.
Whom do you admire and why? I was really impressed with Governor Holton. I never knew much about him until I saw him speak at the Sorensen opening dinner.  He was, and is, a man ahead of his time, as well as a noble and courageous figure.  I wish more of today’s politicians were like him.
Best advice you ever got? Brevity is the key to persuasive argument in writing.
If you could have dinner with any one currently living, whom would it be and why? Bill Clinton, because I admire him. He is an excellent conversationalist; he has a vast array of experiences and acquaintances; and he could give me guidance on a wide variety of topics.  Plus, he seems cool.
Describe a perfect day. Play golf at 8:30.  Have lunch with my wife at 12:00.  Sail to an out-of-the-way bay and snorkel for an hour or two.  Moor the boat and kayak up a river to a campsite.  Dinner by the campfire with my wife.  Sleep with the rainshield off of the tent and a view of the stars.
One thing most people might be surprised to learn about you? Most people are surprised when they learn that I sing in two choirs.
Ambition, political or otherwise? I would like to be chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, and run my county the right way from the Board of Supervisors.