Summer dreams
Hospitality industry hopes for stronger 2022
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Tournaments at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Events at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. A busy Oceanfront boardwalk. That was the scene in Virginia Beach during just one weekend in mid-March. And it was the perfect “prelude” to the summer travel season, says John Zirkle, general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach. “The
100 People to Meet in 2022
Our annual list of Virginians you should get to know
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Even as the seemingly never-ending COVID-19 pandemic continues to accelerate hybrid and virtual work, one thing doesn’t change — your need to build social capital. Whether you’re Zooming or returning to in-person events, this third annual list of Virginians to meet in 2022 will introduce you to a variety of innovative, impactful businesspeople and trendsetters
100 People to Meet in 2022: New Folks
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They might be new to their positions, but they bring decades of expertise and new vantage points to the table. Here’s a sampling of Virginians — some fresh faces, others familiar — who have recently taken on significant new leadership roles. Stephen Ambrose Chief climate scientist, Science Applications International Corp. Reston Hurricane Agnes slammed
100 People to Meet in 2022: Rainmakers
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Through their efforts, these are people who attract and grow businesses and funding, making the commonwealth wealthier. Traci Blido Executive director, Virginia Career Works —Central Region Lynchburg Traci Blido hadn’t been looking for a new job. After a decade as Bedford County’s economic development director, she still found the work challenging. “When you have
100 People to Meet in 2022: Impact Makers
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Whether battling climate change, fighting for diversity, equity and inclusion, or volunteering their leadership skills to make a difference in their communities, it’s all in a day’s work for these impactful Virginians. Traci J. DeShazor Deputy secretary of the commonwealth, director of African American outreach Richmond Being a part of Gov. Ralph Northam’s push
100 People to Meet in 2022: Innovators
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Representing industries ranging from retail and fitness to tech and biosciences, these creative, visionary trendsetters and entrepreneurs keep the Old Dominion new and relevant. Lisa Alcindor Program element monitor, U.S. Air Force Alexandria Lisa Alcindor starts rapping in the middle of the Pentagon’s courtyard: “Prepped my plane, call it Rocket Ship. I’m outer space,
100 People to Meet in 2022: Builders
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From architecture to construction, these are the professionals who are building Virginia’s future and leaving legacies in steel, brick and glass. Corey Clayborne Executive vice president, American Institute of Architects Virginia Richmond Corey Clayborne confesses that he did not make all A’s in his architecture design studio as a college student at Virginia
100 People to Meet in 2022: Go-Getters
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High achievers all, these Virginians are well-rounded leaders in their fields and their communities, sharing their expertise and moving the needle for growth and progress. Buffy Barefoot President Virginia Beach, TowneBank Virginia Beach Born and raised in Hampton Roads, Buffy Barefoot hasn’t strayed far from the ZIP code she grew up in. After attending
100 People to Meet in 2022: Public Faces
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From helping the Washington Football Team rebrand itself to safeguarding the legacy of a beloved painter for a new generation to launching a $1 billion university campus, these are the people who lend their faces and voices to high-profile endeavors. Franki Fitterer Director of communications and marketing, Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Alexandria Franki Fitterer
Heads in the cloud
Data centers are prime gets for Va. localities
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Compare economic development wish lists across Virginia, and you’ll find one item in common. It’s not a specific manufacturer, a large health care system, or even a lucrative brewery. It’s a data center — or two, or three. These massive warehouse-like structures, full of computers, servers, and other digital equipment, hold the keys to internet