Danfeng Yao

An assistant professor at Virginia Tech has received a $450,000 grant to research cyber security. Danfeng “Daphne” Yao, assistant professor of computer science at Virginia Tech received the grant from the Office of Naval Research. The three-year grant will help Yao detect abnormalities in Department of Defense computers, mobile devices, command and control servers, and embedded systems in hopes to  decrease cyber attacks and cyber espionage.

Here is the press release from Virginia Tech.

BLACKSBURG, Va., March 20, 2013 – Danfeng “Daphne” Yao, assistant professor of computer science in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has received a three-year, $450,000 grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for research on cyber security.

Specifically, Yao will quantitatively detect anomalies in Department of Defense (DOD) computers, mobile devices, command and control servers, and embedded systems.

Read more »

Paula Bolte, aka “The ToyLady,” owns Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co., which sells kid’s toys and furniture. The store will celebrate its 16th anniversary in March. Photo by Mike Shaw | The Burgs.

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly named the store. The text and headline reflect the correct name of the business.

Paula Bolte, owner of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co. in Blacksburg has been selling toys and kid’s furniture for almost 16 years. Bolte cites focusing on a child’s imagination, having a great staff and  the support of loyal customers  for the success of the shop located on south Main Street.

Our Mike Shaw asked Bolte a few questions on why she enjoys running Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co., giving back to the community and more.

The Q&A can be found here.

Robert Sumichrast | photo courtesy Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business will have a new dean beginning in July.

Robert Sumichrast will be the college’s next dean following the retirement of current Pamplin dean, Richard Sorensen.

Sumichrast is currently serving as dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.

Our Tonia Moxley asked the new dean a few questions about  Sorensen, the duties of a dean and the challenges that Pamplin graduates may face.

The Q&A with Sumichrast can be found here.

Dr. Shawna Klahn (left) and Dr. Nick Dervisis (right) have begun a new oncology program. “Bootsie” (left) of Blacksburg, Va., and “Josie” (right), a West Virginia native, are in treatment for cancer.

A new oncology program has been launched at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg. The new facility offers biopsies, imaging, treatment and surgery. New assistant professors, Dr. Nick Dervisis and Dr. Shawna Klahn will oversee the oncology program.

Here is the press release from Virginia Tech.

BLACKSBURG, Va., Dec. 18, 2012 – The fight against animal cancer has received a powerful boost at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine with the launch of a new oncology program.

Under way at the college’s flagship facility at Virginia Tech, the program provides a full range of care for four-legged patients with and without a cancer diagnosis, including biopsy, imaging, treatment, and surgery. Read more »

Recipients of Women of Achievement Awards.

Thirteen women were recognized today during the 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards. DePaul Community Resources honored the women during a luncheon at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel and  Conference Center.

Women who received the awards are: Janet M. Johnson, arts; Liz Belcher, government and politics; Vivian Sanchez-Jones, equality; Sandra Boatman, health and science; Tindal Snider, religion; Megan Brown, law; Joey  Coakley Beck, business; Trula L. Byington, education; Bettie Jennings, foster parenting; Joy Carter Parrish, human relations; Betty Etzler, social services; and Helen Elizabeth Davis and Nancy L. Goehring, volunteerism.

To see a full list of this year’s nominees, visit www.depaulcr.org.

Here is the press release from DePaul Community Resources.

ROANOKE, Va. (Oct. 2, 2012) DePaul Community Resources announces that the following individuals are recipients of the 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards in the following categories:

•    Arts: Janet M. Johnson
•    Government / Politics: Liz Belcher
•    Equality: Vivian Sanchez-Jones
•    Health / Science: Sandra Boatman
•    Religion: Tindal Snider
•    Law: Megan Brown
•    Business: Joey  Coakley Beck
•    Education: Trula L. Byington
•    Foster Parenting: Bettie Jennings
•    Human Relations: Joy Carter Parrish
•    Social Services: Betty Etzler
•    Volunteerism:* Helen Elizabeth Davis
•    Volunteerism:* Nancy L. Goehring

*Tie for Volunteerism Read more »

Correction: The headline and text had the date  Oct. 12. These have been changed to reflect the Oct. 2 date.

Women who have made significant contributions to their community will be honored Oct. 2. The 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards luncheon will honor 47 nominees and recognize 12 winners from Roanoke, the New River Valley and Lynchburg. A list of nominees can be found below.

Hosted by the DePaul Community Resources, the event will take place at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center from noon to 2 p.m. The cost to attend the luncheon is $45 per person, $80 for two people and $300 for a table of eight. To buy tickets and get more information, visit depaulcr.org or call 265-8923.

Here is the press release from DePaul Community Resources.

ROANOKE, Va. (September 18, 2012) DePaul Community Resources will honor 47 nominees  and recognize 12 winners at the 10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards luncheon set for Tuesday, October 2 from 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center. Nancy Howell Agee, President & CEO of Carilion Clinic will be the keynote speaker for the luncheon.

The Women of Achievement Awards recognize women of Lynchburg, the New River Valley and the Roanoke Valley who have made significant contributions to the community through career, leadership and volunteer activities. Read more »

Farmers Group Inc. District Manager, James Ringer has been made  a member of its 2012 President’s Council. Ringer achieved this distinction based on his overall performance. Being named a member of the President’s Council is the company’s highest award given to district managers and agents. According to the press release from Farmers Group, about 1 percent of district managers and agents are named to the council.

Here is the press release from Farmers Group.

Roanoke, VA (Grassroots Newswire) September 11, 2012 – James Ringer of Roanoke, District Manager for Farmers Group, Inc.(r), has achieved the company’s highest award to district managers and agents for “outstanding overall performance.” Ringer joins a select group of fellow achievers as a member of the 2012 prestigious President’s Council.

Farmers President of Distribution Mhayse Samalya announced the selection of Ringer at Farmers’ Los Angeles-based home office.  Presidents Council members were honored at a conference held September 5th to 9th, 2012.

“Council selections are based on outstanding customer service, sales production in all insurance lines, overall professional competence and maintenance of the highest quality standards,” explained Mr. Samalya.

“The prestigious President’s Council membership is attained by only a small percentage of district managers and agents (1 percent) serving Farmers’ customers throughout the United States.  This year, 161 individuals earned the distinct honor to attend the conference,” he added.

Farmers’ senior management meets annually at the President’s Council with their top agency force members to review and discuss key issues affecting customers and the insurance industry.

Ringer represents Farmers’ member companies in automobiles, homeowners, specialty, life, financial products and business insurance.

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies is a leading U.S. insurer of automobiles, homes and small businesses and also provides a wide range of other insurance and financial services products.  Farmers Insurance is proud to serve more than 10 million households with more than 20 million individual policies across all 50 states through the efforts of over 50,000 exclusive and independent agents and nearly 24,000 employees.

Farmers is a trade name and may refer to Farmers Group, Inc. or the Farmers Exchanges, as the case may be.  Farmers Group, Inc., a management and holding company, along with its subsidiaries, is wholly owned by the Zurich Insurance Group. The Farmers Exchanges are three reciprocal insurers (Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange and Truck Insurance Exchange), including their subsidiaries and affiliates, owned by their policyholders, and managed by Farmers Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information about Farmers, visit its Web site at www.farmers.com or at www.Facebook.com/FarmersInsurance.

Ben Grove of Blacksburg has been named to the inaugural class of the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results or VALOR program. The program teaches selected agricultural leaders to engage in all parts of the Virginia agricultural community, creating solutions and promoting agriculture. Click here to learn more about the VALOR program.

Here is the press release from Virginia Tech.

BLACKSBURG, Va., Aug. 29, 2012 – The Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results (VALOR) Program has selected its inaugural class, which comprises 11 outstanding individuals from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The VALOR Program is designed to develop leaders who can effectively engage all segments of the Virginia agricultural community to create collaborative solutions and promote agriculture inside and outside the industry. Read more »

Case Clinger, owner of the Pizza Inn in Floyd, was recognized  for his contributions to the company. Pizza Inn presented him with the Culinary Pizza Challenge Award at its national convention in Destin, Fla. Clinger was recognized for his Krazy Chicken Pizza recipe.

Here is the press release from Pizza Inn.

FLOYD, VA (August 21, 2012) – Pizza Inn, Inc. (NASDAQ:PZZI) recently hosted its 2012 National Franchise Convention in Destin, FL, where franchisee Case Clinger, owner of the Pizza Inn location in Floyd, was recognized for his contributions to the company. Read more »

The Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce invites all first responders and AEP employees to attend Mingle at the Market on Aug. 11. The event is to show appreciation to those who served the area after the derecho that swept through the Roanoke Valley on June 29. See the press release below from Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce for more details.

Earlier this month, the Vinton and broader Roanoke Valley area suffered one of the more destructive weather events we’ve had in a while.  In appreciation of those that served our needs during that time and those that serve these needs daily, the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce would  like to invite all first responders
AND AEP Employees to attend and receive free admission to the event with proper identification as a first responder and AEP Employee”…

This is a 21& older event .
ID required!!
(both proof of age and proof of employment)

Mingle at the Market
Vinton Farmer’s Market
August 11th, 2012  7-10pm
Side Show Band
No Pets/ Bring your own seating
For more information call the
Chamber office
540-343-1364
or
aclewis19@vintonchamber.com

Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce
116 S. Poplar Street, Suite 1A
Vinton, Virginia 24179
540-343-1364