Appointed/elected
Jaclyn Ruelle of Atlanta was elected to the Virginia Wesleyan University board of trustees. She is a 2004 graduate of the college and is vice president and head of brand for Papa Johns. A former senior vice president and managing director for The Martin Agency, Ruelle is a 20-year marketing and public relations industry veteran and has represented brands including Stihl, JetBlue, DoorDash and UPS.
Awards and honors
Missouri-based Veterans United Home Loans, which has an office in Virginia Beach, was named a 2023 People Companies That Care by Great Place to Work and People magazine. This is the company’s fifth time being named to the list, coming in at No. 34 in the nation.
Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis PC announced that Norfolk office managing principal and office litigation manager Kristina H. Vaquera was listed in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the employment law-management category.
The Virginia State Police Help Eliminate Auto Theft program presented awards to three Virginia police departments and 15 individuals to recognize their efforts in reducing vehicle theft and theft of vehicle parts across the commonwealth. The awards ceremony took place on Sept. 11 during the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation held in Norfolk. Detective Mark Lowery with the Norfolk Police Department was an individual winner for departments serving a population of more than 100,000. Virginia State Police Special Agent Bryce Meekins of the Chesapeake Division was also a winner. Among the individual finalists for departments serving populations of more than 100,000 was Detective Ryan Crowder of the Norfolk Police Department.
Grants and donations
Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center purchased and filled 150 backpacks with school supplies during its annual school supply drive. The backpacks were given to Portsmouth elementary schools, including Park View Elementary, Brighton Elementary and Westhaven Elementary.
The latest grants from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund were announced. Three projects will receive $127,500 in competitively awarded matching grants for new community infrastructure development projects that support local food production and sustainable agriculture. The city of Virginia Beach received $27,000 in funding to support Cullipher Farm with a new freezer and additional irrigation equipment for its orchards and vineyards. Applications for the next round of this grant program will be accepted in the spring of 2024. Information about the program is available at vdacs.virginia.gov/agriculture-afid-infrastructure-grants.shtml.
Williamsburg Community Foundation is offering Capacity Building Grants to support small, emerging and grassroots nonprofits. Organizations can request up to $1,500 and can apply once per year. The goal of this grant is to strengthen organizations so that they can ultimately apply for larger grants. Apply online by Oct. 15 at WilliamsburgCommunityFoundation.org. Awards will be announced after Nov. 16. For information, contact Ginny Gasink at vgasink@williamsburgcommunityfoundation.org or 757-259-1660.
Expansion
Newport News-based IV safety company ivWatch announced further expansion of its technology offerings in the United Kingdom via a multiyear, exclusive partnership agreement with Healthcare 21 Group, a UK medical device distributor that will sell, distribute and serve on the front lines supporting the company’s clinical evaluations and implementations in the UK and Ireland.
Fundraisers
Chesapeake Regional Health Foundation hosted its annual Bra-ha-ha 5K on Chesapeake Regional Medical Center’s campus on Sept 9. About 600 runners of all ages attended. All net proceeds provide screening mammograms and breast health services for uninsured and underinsured people throughout Hampton Roads. First place trophies were awarded to Shawn Marek of Chesapeake (men); Ashleigh Kennedy of Smithfield (women); and Brennan Marek of Chesapeake (12 and under). Those interested in a free mammogram can call 757-312-6536 to schedule an appointment.
Mergers and acquisitions
Virginia Beach-based Commonwealth Lodging Management was awarded management of the Courtyard by Marriott in Princeton, New Jersey. An existing client of the firm purchased the hotel and plans to complete a comprehensive renovation next year. The hotel opened in 1999 and features a Courtyard Bistro, 154 guest rooms and an event room, all of which will be upgraded to offer the company’s latest design package, technology and amenities.
Partnership
Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton announced the appointment of Savor as its exclusive food and beverage partner. The company is a leader in food service with an innovative approach to menu development.