ITT Corp. terminated today “less than 45″ salaried employees at its ITT Night Vision division in Roanoke County and attributed the job cuts to a realignment of defense segment divisions first announced earlier this year.

Reporter Duncan Adams of The Roanoke Times has more on this story.

Hughes Network Systems, headquartered outside Washington D.C., has been awarded a contract allowing the company to offer satellite broadband service to public sector organizations authorized to use state contract vehicles in Virginia. Here is a press release from Hughes:

Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite network solutions and services, today announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), allowing the company to provide satellite broadband technology to public sector entities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. This multiple award contract is for a term of one year with four additional one-year renewal options. Read more »

On April 22 and 29, Gentry Lock Rakes & Moore law firm will present full-day seminars to address labor and employment laws for area businesses. Here is more information from the firm:

Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore will present full-day Labor & Employment Law Symposiums in Roanoke and Lynchburg on the following dates:

Thursday, April 22, 2010, 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. – Hilton Garden Inn, Lynchburg

Thursday, April 29, 2010, 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. – Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center

The 2010 Symposium will provide up-to-date, practical advice on maintaining a sustainable and compliant workplace, while helping area businesses make sense of evolving laws from Washington. Topics will include latest updates on changes in ADA and FMLA regulations, immigration and government contracting, healthcare policy updates, legal ramifications of social media, and an overview of key developments and trends which will likely impact employment law. Read more »

Several staff members have been conferred the “Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus” title by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. This title may be awarded to retired professors, associate professors, administrative officers, librarians, and exceptional staff members that are recommended to the board by the university president. The following people have received emeritus status:

• Charles Bostian, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
• Dixon Hanna, associate vice provost of academic planning, resources, and space in the Office of the Provost
• G. Don Taylor, head of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, president-elect of the Institute of Industrial Engineers
• Edward Green, professor of mathematics, College of Science
• George Simmons Jr., Alumni Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences, College of Science
• J. Michael Kelly, former dean of College of Natural Resources
• James Holub, professor of mathematics, College of Science
• Michael Vorster, David H, Burrows Professor of Construction Engineering, College of Engineering
• Owen Hughes, professor of aerospace and ocean engineering, College of Engineering
• Roger Ehrich, professor of computer science, College of Engineering
• Royce K. P. Zia, professor of physics, College of Science

Virginia Tech has received its first LEED certification for the Theatre 101 and Henderson Hall renovation. Here is a press release from the university:

Virginia Tech’s Theatre 101 and the Henderson Hall renovation project has been awarded LEED® Gold certification as established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

LEED, which stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” was designed by USGBC to encourage and facilitate the development of more sustainable buildings, and it is the industry standard for green buildings. Two USGBC LEED Gold certification plaques will be unveiled on Earth Day 2010, Thursday, April 22. Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger will participate in the celebration on the steps of Theatre 101 at 11:30 a.m. Read more »

OMNITECH Engineering & Manufacturing Inc. of Lynchburg has achieved a dual certification for quality management. Here is a press release from OMNITECH:

OMNITECH Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc. is pleased to announce the achievement of dual AS9100:B / ISO 9001:2008 Certification. Acquiring the AS9100:B / ISO 9001:2008 Certification confirms OMNITECH’s commitment to provide products and services of the highest quality.

AS9100 is widely adopted in the aerospace industry as a standardized Quality Management System. Instituted in October 1999 by the Society of Automotive Engineers and the European Association of Aerospace Industries, AS9100 was adopted shortly thereafter in Japan and Asia through a cooperative effort of the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG). The AS9100 standard fully incorporates the entire current version of ISO 9001, while adding 80 additional requirements and 18 amplifications specific to quality and safety in the aerospace industry. All major aerospace manufacturers and suppliers worldwide require compliance and/or registration to AS9100 as a condition of doing business with them. Read more »

Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia received a grant from Rent-A-Center to support financial literacy programs for students in the Roanoke Valley. Here is a press release from JA:

Junior Achievement of Southwest Virginia announced today that it has received a grant to provide local K-12 students with JA financial literacy programs in 2010, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Rent-A-Center (RAC). The $4,400 grant is one of 35 that RAC is awarding U.S. Junior Achievement operations this year to support the expansion and implementation of financial literacy education, a critical need for our nation’s economic growth, the community’s stability and the individual citizen’s success. Read more »

The Bedford Chamber of Commerce recognized Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s retreat home and now a national landmark, as the Bedford area “NonProfit of the Year.” Here is more information from Poplar Forest:

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest was recognized as Bedford Area NonProfit of the Year by the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 26, 2010.

The award recognizes Poplar Forest’s successes in 2009, including Governor Kaine’s visit to unveil the completed architectural exterior restoration of Jefferson’s retreat, the launching of GPS-guided handheld tour units to explore the grounds, a special performance by the Richmond Symphony, the success of the inaugural Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival, and a 50% increase in annual visitation. In 2009, Poplar Forest celebrated the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s first visit to his retreat after his retirment from a lifetime of public service. Read more »

Former Patrick Henry graduate, Roanoker and current Luna Innovations employee Dr. Christopher Kepley is one of two nominees for the PhARF 2010 Award. Here is more information from PhARF:

Two nominees have been chosen for the PhARF 2010 Award – The most prestigious Award in the field of Allergy!

PhARF (Phadia Allergy Research Forum) is a collaboration between Uppsala University and Phadia AB. The objective of PhARF is to encourage progress in allergy research by recognizing outstanding younger investigators. Currently this personal and unrestricted award amounts to USD 50,000. Read more »

The SCC has ruled that Old Dominion Power Company’s fuel rate be lowered, saving the average customer $7.31 per month. Here is a press release from the SCC:

A State Corporation Commission (SCC) hearing examiner has ruled that a further reduction in the fuel rate for Kentucky Utilities Company, doing business in Virginia as Old Dominion Power Company, will be placed into effect for service rendered on or after April 1, 2010. The Commission is expected to act promptly on the ruling.

The fuel rate is the portion of the electric bill that pays for the fuel used to generate electricity and the costs associated with power purchased by the utility company to serve its customers. Read more »