The Alleghany Foundation, based in Covington, welcomes Ward H. Robens, Jr. as its new interim executive director. Here is a news release from the foundation:

Ward H. Robens, Jr. has been named interim executive director of the Alleghany Foundation.  The appointment comes after the recent death of Elizabeth (Beth) Webb, who had been the organization’s executive director since January 2007.

“Ward’s experience and his knowledge of the community will be very beneficial while we search for a new executive director” says Charles W. Kahle, president of the board of the Alleghany Foundation.  “Beth Webb’s passing is such a great loss to the Foundation; but we are committed to continuing our mission to improve the quality of life in the Alleghany Highlands,” he adds. Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Boucher has announced that Federal-Mogul workers in Blacksburg who lost their jobs as a result of layoffs are eligible for federal benefits. Here is a news release from the Congressman:

U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced today that, at his urging, the workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the layoffs at Federal-Mogul in the Powertrain, Seals and Bearings Division in Blacksburg will be eligible to receive federal Trade Readjustment Assistance, commonly known as ATRA, from the U.S. Department of Labor. The benefits will assist secondarily affected workers with job retraining and health care premium payments.  Any worker who lost his or her job on or after May 19, 2008 is eligible to receive the TRA assistance.

The displaced workers will also be eligible for healthcare benefits through the Health Care Tax Credit which will provide laid off workers with 65 percent of the cost of health insurance premiums.  The remaining 35 percent of premium cost will be paid by the employees.

The U.S. Department of Labor will provide job outreach services, career counseling,  job search and job development assistance, classroom training (including adult basic education and GED completion) to those workers affected by the workforce reduction.  Other services which can be provided under Trade Readjustment Assistance include on-the-job training and transportation assistance.  In addition, Alternative Trade Act Assistance (ATAA) will be provided to those workers who qualify. Read more »

A.C. "Buzzy" Coleman, Jr.

Janet G. Hickman, M.D.

Malcolm K. Sydnor

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The Centra Foundation, based  in Lynchburg,  has added three new members to its board. Here is a news release from Centra:

Three new members have joined the Centra Foundation Board of Directors. They are: A.C. (Buzzy) Coleman Jr., Janet G. Hickman, M.D., and Malcolm K. Sydnor. Read more »

The United Way of Central Virginia is holding a reception on Jan. 7 to inform women about the new Women’s Leadership Council program. Here are more details from United Way:

United Way of Central Virginia’s Women’s Leadership Council will hold an informational reception January 7, 2010. The reception will take place at United Way of Central Virginia, 1010 Miller Park Square, Lynchburg, VA, from 5:30-7pm.

Women are encouraged to attend and learn about this new United Way program that promotes philanthropy, leadership, and community activism. Together, Council members will identify critical needs in the area, raise funds to meet these needs and decide how the funds will be distributed. It is a great way to see first hand how direct involvement can truly impact and improve lives in Central Virginia.

To register or request more information about this event, please contact Margie Lippard, Director of Development, United Way of Central Virginia, (434) 455-6913, by January 4, 2010.

Thalhimer, a commercial reals estate company, has announced the sale of a restaurant facility in Lynchburg.  Here is information from George Lupton, CCIM of Thalhimer:

Thalhimer, a Member of the Cushman & Wakefield Alliance, is pleased to announce the sale of 610 Commerce Street in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Dudley Consulting, LLC purchased the approx. 1,600 sf property from Storehouse Properties, LLC for $155,000 and plans to open a restaurant at this location.

Representative Rick Boucher has announced federal benefits that will assist workers that lost their jobs as a result of Xaloy layoffs in Pulaski. Here is a news release from the Congressman:

U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced yesterday that the workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the layoffs at Xaloy in Pulaski will be eligible to receive federal Trade Readjustment Assistance, commonly known as ATRA,@ from the U.S. Department of Labor. The benefits will assist secondarily affected workers with job retraining and health care premium payments.  Any worker who lost his or her job on or after June 2, 2008 is eligible to receive the TRA assistance.

The displaced workers will also be eligible for healthcare benefits through the Health Care Tax Credit which will provide laid off workers with 65 percent of the cost of health insurance premiums.  The remaining 35 percent of premium cost will be paid by the employees. Read more »

Local Roots Cafe will change locations in Roanoke’s Grandin Village. The health food restaurant is moving from its current location at Grandin Gardens to 1314 Grandin Road, next to Grandin Theatre. The restaurant hopes to be in its new location by April.

Business writer Jenny Boone of The Roanoke Times has more information on her blog, The Storefront.

Anthony Nevins, ESI Service Technician, and filled backpacks for food banks

Electronic Systems, Inc. employees raised money and collected food for food bank backpack programs during this holiday season. The Roanoke/Lynchburg team filled 50 backpacks for the Southwestern Virginia Food Bank. Here is a press release from ESI:

Throughout the months of November and December, the employees of Electronic Systems, Inc. (ESI) raised money and held food drives to support local food banks in several communities throughout Virginia.

Employees collected kid-friendly food to support the food banks’ backpack programs which are designed to ensure that children do not go hungry over the holiday break when school is out of session and there is no access to free breakfast and lunch at school.

In November, individual ESI employees pledged to fill a backpack, and shopped for nutritious items that would fill a bag, and then brought those items in to work.  ESI donated the nylon backpacks, and groups of ESI employees sorted all of the donated food, and filled the bags at their offices.  The company then distributed the backpacks that were filled with healthy food to at-risk children at community sites on the last day before holiday vacation.

Over 250 backpacks were distributed by the company’s regional offices.  The Virginia Beach office filled 133 backpacks for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, while the Hampton office filled 75 for the Foodbank of the Virginia Peninsula, and the Roanoke/Lynchburg team filled 50 for the Southwestern Virginia Food Bank.  In addition, volunteers delivered 248 pounds of additional donated food that could not fit in the backpacks, and over $1300 in cash from various fundraising activities that included a chili cook-off, and silent auction.

Walter Grewe III of Long & Foster Realtors has recently earned a new certification that will help buyers and sellers in distressed sales. Here is a press release from Long & Foster:

Walter Grewe III, Realtor with Long and Foster Realtors has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS^® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS^® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures.  For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction.  REALTORS^® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. Read more »

Wayne Flippen

The Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center welcomes Wayne Flippen as its new director. Here is a release from the chamber:

Wayne Flippen has joined the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center (RRSBDC) as director of the agency. As director of the Roanoke Regional SBDC, Flippen counsels new and existing small businesses, offers training to small business owners, and works to secure local funding partners for the RRSBDC.

Flippen, a Virginia Tech graduate with a degree in industrial engineering and operations research, has over 35 years of technical, managerial and operational experience, and most recently was employed as general manager at John C. Nordt Co., Inc.

The Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center was established in 1990 and is a program of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. It provides free business counseling, training, and a resource center to support the growth of small businesses.