Here is a reminder from the Roanoke Regional Chamber about Thursday’s Economic Summit:

The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce will host “Economic Summit VIII: Where do we go from here? Moving forward in a changing economy” with keynote speaker Virginia Lt. Governor Bill Bolling on Thursday, June 2, 7:30-11 a.m.  at the Washington Lecture Hall at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.

Contact:
Pennie Anderson
210 S. Jefferson St.
Roanoke, VA 24011
540.983.0700 x227

panderson@roanokechamber.org

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will meet June 5-6 in Blacksburg. Here is a press release from Tech:

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors will hold its quarterly board meeting at 1:15 p.m. Monday, June 6, in the Board Room of Torgersen Hall (Room 2100) on the Blacksburg campus.

On Sunday, June 5, an information session for the full board will be held from 2 to 3:34 p.m. in the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute Conference Center Auditorium.

Following the information session, the Research Committee will meet in open session from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Executive Conference Room at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute. Read more »

Gary Schirr

Radford University marketing professor Gary Schirr is creating a social media marketing course for students this fall. Here is a press release from RU:

Social media marketing is new, exciting and, according to Radford University’s Gary Schirr, “a hard one to get on top of.”

Schirr, an assistant professor of marketing in RU’s College of Business and Economics, has been working at getting a handle on the dynamic phenomena. He was recently recognized by Social Media Marketing Magazine as one “who gets it,” and was rated number three on its 92-name list of top marketing professors on Twitter. Read more »

Governor Bob McDonnell has announced more speakers and panelists for upcoming Southern Growth Policies Board Chairman’s Conference June 12-14. Governors Barbour, Haslam, and Perdue will join Governor McDonnell for the manufacturing conference. Here is a press release from the Governor’s office:

Governor Bob McDonnell today announced the full agenda for the upcoming “Our History, Our Future: Manufacturing in the South” conference to be held June 12 – 14 in Roanoke, Virginia.

Governor McDonnell serves as Chairman of the Southern Growth Policies Board and as chair he is responsible for hosting the annual conference. Governor McDonnell selected this year’s theme to focus on advanced manufacturing and job creation in the South.

“As governor, I am focused on job-creation and economic development and believe that the South is primed to capture the potential of the manufacturing industry,” Governor McDonnell said. “The United States is the world’s largest manufacturing economy, producing 21 percent of global manufactured products. Manufacturing creates sustainable, value-added jobs, and Virginia is open for business and is working to attract additional expansion of its manufacturing job base.” Read more »

According to AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), 5,872 doctorates were earned in the 1995-1999 period, compared with 5,687 in the 2005-2009 period.

Virginia Tech will hold its fourth “bridge-to-business” program this summer to help prepare participants for new careers as faculty members in the business school. Here is a press release from Tech:

A group of six faculty members will begin classes next week in the fourth annual post-doctoral summer program launched by the Pamplin College of Business to help alleviate the critical national shortage of business-school faculty.

The Pamplin College is among four U.S. business schools that have launched “bridge-to-business” programs to prepare individuals with Ph.D.s in non-business, but related, disciplines for new careers as business faculty members. The programs are approved by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the accrediting organization for business schools worldwide.

Pamplin’s bridge-to-business program runs for eight weeks (May 31 – July 29) and currently offers three tracks: finance — for those with doctorates in economics — marketing, and management, both of which are aimed at individuals with doctorates in psychology, sociology, statistics and other related disciplines. Read more »

The Department of Defense has asked that employers fill out a survey measuring the guard and reserve impact on the workforce by July 6. Here is a press release from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve:

The Department of Defense is asking employers to submit their responses to its national survey by the July 6, 2011 deadline. The Department of Defense National Survey of Employers was provided to 80,000 employers of every size and industry, across America. The DoD is using the survey to gain insight into how the service of Guard and Reserve members has affected America’s employers, who provide remarkable support to their military employees. The July 6 deadline affords employers the opportunity to provide comprehensive replies. Officials are encouraging all survey recipients who have not yet submitted their responses to do so today to ensure the study captures reliable results. Read more »

Kangaroo Express stores are working towards a $1 million fundraising goal to support the USO, Wounded Warrior Project and National Guard family assistance programs. Here is a press release from The Pantry Inc., who operates the stores:

The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, today announced the “Salute Our Troops” campaign inviting customers in more than 1,600 Kangaroo Express convenience stores across 13 states to demonstrate united support for military personnel and their families.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Kangaroo Express, along with Salute Our Troops presenting sponsor PepsiCo, will invite store guests to make donations toward its $1 million fundraising goal. Funds will support the USO, celebrating 70 years of delivering programs, entertainment and other services to the military; Wounded Warrior Project, honoring and empowering injured servicemen and women; and National Guard family assistance programs in five states. Read more »

Delegate Ward Armstrong will testify at a hearing about APCo’s electric utility rate increases. Here is a press release from Armstrong’s office:

Delegate Ward Armstrong will attend the public hearing by the State Corporation Commission (SCC) on APCo’s latest rate increase request this evening in Rocky Mount.  Armstrong will testify before the Commission that electric utility rate increases have had a devastating effect on both consumers and businesses in the APCo service area.

“Unfortunately, the General Assembly has tied the hands of the SCC, limiting their ability to control electric rates,” remarked Armstrong.  ”The SCC must enforce the rules that are given them by the legislature. Although it is important to continue to testify before the Commission on the impact of these rates increases, until the General Assembly is prepared to step up and reform electric utility rate regulation, consumers and businesses alike will not likely see any relief from high electric rates.” Read more »

Virginia Tech technology products will be showcased at Techstorm on June 2 in Fairfax, where they could be possible matched with entrepreneurs and licensing professionals. Here is a press release from Virginia Tech:

Virginia Tech technologies to be showcased at Northern Virginia event

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties Inc. (VTIP) will showcase Virginia Tech cyber security technologies, mobile communications, therapeutics, and more at the inaugural TechStorm on June 2 at the Mason Inn in Fairfax, Va.

TechStorm is the first national event focused exclusively on matching innovative university technologies with entrepreneurs and seed funding opportunities, The technologies being exhibited by VTIP will include

*   Privacy-aware data loss prevention;
*   Wireless and mobile communications technologies;
*   Vortex-assisted electroporation;
*   Manipulation of platelet aggregation;
*   A fiberoptic micro-needle device; and
*   Power monitoring to detect unauthorized software running on a device. Read more »

U.S. Cellular’s Calling All Communities campaign will return in September with more chance for schools to share $1 million. Here is a press release from U.S. Cellular:

U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) announced today that its Calling All Communities campaign will return in September with exciting changes that will spread the impact of its $1 million prize to more schools across the country. For the third year, the campaign will challenge schools to rally community support for the chance to enhance students’ learning opportunities any way they see fit. This year, instead of 10 schools, 18 schools that garner the most community votes will win a share of $1 million.

“We wanted to give even more schools the opportunity to receive needed funds and reap the intangible benefits the program can bring, like building lasting connections between neighbors, and community pride,” said Dee Taylor, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in the Mid-Atlantic. “Our proven commitment to education through Calling All Communities is just one of the reasons we have the happiest customers in wireless.” Read more »