Executive Discussion Series

#13 - Spring 2012
Is Hampton Roads on the right track

How important is passenger rail to Hampton Roads? Passenger rail service is being expanded to Norfolk in addition to service now available to Newport News. But no funding has been specifically designated for passenger rail. Many local residents have advocated for high-speed rail service to link the area to other parts of the country, especially Washington, D.C., which would be an important connection for defense-related industry. But Virginia has only received a small portion of the money available for high-speed rail expansion. Shipping is an important part of commerce for the region. What will additional passenger rail service mean for the area and its competitiveness? What would it mean for future development? Join us to discuss these issues and others involving rail development with our panel of experts.

Panelists
Thelma Drake
Virginia Director of Rail and Public Transportation
John Friedmann
Vice President for Strategic Planning, Norfolk Southern
Ray Taylor
Rear Admiral, USN (retired)
Chairman of the Board, Future of Hampton Roads

Additional panelists will be announced as they are confirmed.

Moderated by Cathy Lewis
Host/Executive Editor, WHRO

March 13, 2012
7:30-8 a.m.Networking & Breakfast
8-9:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

Founders Inn
5641 Indian River Rd., Virginia Beach

Free admission * Space is limited
Registration is not yet open.

For more information contact us

#12 - Winter 2011
New Tools - New Rules - New Year

Improve your bottom line by improving your decisions in 2012. Whether it’s through new technology, processes, behavior modeling, lessons from the military or using the input of many to enhance your business, hear what our panel of experts has to say about what innovative developments are available in Hampton Roads to propel your company through the 21st Century. Don’t be left behind.

Panelists:
Melvin Ferebee Jr.
Space Technology Office Manager, Exploration and Space Operations Directorate, NASA Langley Research Center
Capt. Chuck Hollingsworth
Commanding Officer, Center for Personal and Professional Development, U.S. Navy
José J. Padilla Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center at Old Dominion University
Tom Walker
President, Web Teks

December 13, 2011
7:30-8 a.m.Networking & Breakfast
8-9:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

Chesapeake Marriott
725 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake

Free admission * Space is limited

New tools, new rules, new year

Post-event coverage

Embrace social media and other suggestions for the new year

#11 - Fall 2011
Research-related job growth in Hampton Roads

Construction is under way for a new research facility for LifeNet Health in Virginia Beach. The new Proton Therapy Institute at Hampton University is treating patients. Advances continue in research at Eastern Virginia Medical School and the Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center in Suffolk. These research-related organizations are growing and offering new opportunities in the market. Cox Business and Inside Business will present an expert panel discussing the importance of these organizations for the future of our regional economy and what can be done to stimulate further success.

Panelists include:
Dana Dickens
President and CEO, Hampton Roads Partnership
Dr. William R. Harvey
President, Hampton University
Karen Jackson
Deputy Secretary of Technology, Commonwealth of Virginia
Ralph Powers, Jr., DDS, CTBS
Senior Product Manager, LifeNet Health
Dr. John A. Sokolowski
Executive Director, Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Visualization Center, Old Dominion University
Dr. William J. Wasilenko
Associate Dean for Research, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Moderated by Cathy Lewis
Host/Executive Editor, WHRO

September 27, 2011
7:30-8 a.m.Networking & Breakfast
8-9:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

Norfolk Waterside Marriott
235 E. Main St., Norfolk

Free admission * Space is limited
Registration for this event has closed.

#10 - Summer 2011
Workforce Challenges

Many industries including ship repair, ship manufacturing and transportation expect to face a wave of retirements as the baby boomers start leaving their jobs. Other industries, such as health care and financial services, anticipate job growth because of growing demands. Within each of these industries are special technology needs that workers with the right skills must address. Cox Business and Inside Business will take a look at the challenges these industries face. What are they doing to be able to prepare for these changes and remain competitive, and what can other businesses learn from them? A panel of industry representatives in health care, financial services, transportation, shipbuilding and ship repair will be assembled. We hope to learn if these companies are hiring and, if so, for what type of jobs. What type of skills are they looking for and what will these jobs pay?

Panelists:
Juan Cunningham, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources
Norfolk Southern Corp.
William B. Downey, President
Riverside Health System
Matthew James, President and Chief Executive Officer
Peninsula Council for Workforce Development
Don Scott, Senior Vice President
KRA Corp.
Rob Shuford Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Old Point National Bank
Michelle Tomaszewski, Director of operations
Virginia Ship Repair Association

Moderated by Cathy Lewis
Host/Executive Editor, WHRO

June 14, 2011
7:30-8 a.m.Networking & Breakfast
8-9:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina
700 Settlers Landing Rd., Hampton VA 23669

Free admission * Space is limited
Registration Deadline: June 7

Post-event coverage

Business leaders discuss future workforce

#9 - Spring 2011
Money, Money, Money - Raising It, Making It and Hanging On To It

Access to capital and being able to hold on to it is an on-going challenge for businesses. In lean economic times, it is even more of a struggle, especially in the aftermath of the mortgage loan crisis. Cox Business and Inside Business have assembled a panel of financial experts from Hampton Roads to discuss the issues to help the business community.

Panelists:
Richard Ash, Clinical Professor, Entrepreneurship and Private Equity; Executive Director
Alan B. Miller Center for Entrepreneurship, College of William and Mary Mason School of Business
Delphine G. Carnes, Esq., Partner
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, PLC
David A. Durham, Executive Vice President
SunTrust Bank
Brad E. Schwartz, CPA, Chief Executive Officer
Monarch Bank & Monarch Financial Holdings, Inc.
Alan S. Witt, CPA, Chief Executive Officer, Partner
Witt Mares PLC

Moderated by Cathy Lewis
Host/Executive Editor, WHRO

March 15, 2011
7:30-8 a.m.Networking & Breakfast
8-9:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk Hotel & Conference Center
5655 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach VA 23462

Free admission * Space is limited
Registration Deadline: March 8

Post-event coverage

To get money, you've got to have the right plan

#8 - Winter 2010
Leadership in Tough Times

Panelists:
Edward L. Hamm Jr., President & CEO, E.L. Hamm & Assoc.
Capt. Mary M. Jackson, Commanding Officer, Naval Station Norfolk, US Navy
Rebecca Stewart, Vice President, Submarines & Fleet Support, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding
J.R. Locke, Executive Director, Hampton Community Development Corporation, Hampton University Business Incubator
Alvin J. Schexnider, Ph.D., President, Thomas Nelson Community College

Moderated by Cathy Lewis
Host/Executive Editor, WHRO

December 14, 2010
7:30-8 a.m.Networking & Breakfast
8-9:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

Marriott Chesapeake
725 Woodlake Dr., Chesapeake, VA 23320

Free admission * Space is limited
Registration Deadline: December 7

Post-event coverage

#7 - Fall 2010
Health Care Reform

What it means for businesses in Hampton Roads

Health care reform continues to be a controversial subject. The Health Care Reform Act, passed earlier this year, was signed into law on March 23, but debate and attempts to repeal it continue. While the debate goes on, we are putting together a panel of experts to talk about changes in health care and give examples of things businesses have done to control costs and still provide for the health care needs of their employees.

Panelists
Gary R. Brandt - Chairman and CEO, American Maritime Holdings (AMH)
Philip Clarke - VP of Human Resources Operations, Amerigroup Corporation
Richard C. Keatley - Principal, Mercer
Victoria Lucente - Assistant Superintendent for Budget and Finance, Chesapeake Public Schools
Cher E. Wynkoop - Employee Benefits Lawyer, Willcox & Savage

Moderated by Cathy Lewis
Host/Executive Editor, WHRO

September 22, 2010
7:30-8 a.m.Networking & Breakfast
8-9:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina
700 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton

Free admission * Space is limited
Register by September 15

Post-event coverage

Health care reform panel focuses on the employer

#6 - Summer 2010
Growth at the Port of Virginia

What the Port's growth means for the Hampton Roads economy

The Heartland Corridor, a rail upgrade to allow trains to double-stack containers on a route to the Midwest, is expected to open in September. Work is under way to widen the Panama Canal to allow for bigger ships to travel to ports on the East Coast. And the Virginia Port Authority has plans to expand operations on Craney Island. What do these developments mean for the business community of Hampton Roads? What do they mean for transportation in the region? What new opportunities for economic growth will result?

Catherine Carney
Vice President/Director of Customs Compliance, The Hipage Co. Inc.
John E. Crowley
General Counsel, APM Terminals
Greg Grootendorst
Chief Economist, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Jeff Heller
Group Vice President of International Intermodal Marketing, Norfolk Southern
J.J. “Jeff” Keever
Senior Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs, Virginia Port Authority

Moderated by Cathy Lewis
Host/Executive Editor, WHRO

June 15, 2010
7:30-8 a.m.Networking & Breakfast
8-9:30 a.m. Panel Discussion

The Founders Inn
5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach

Free admission * Space is limited
Register by June 8