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Women In Business 2009



Women In Business 09
FOR SEVEN YEARS, Inside Business has been recognizing women in Hampton Roads for their business acumen. It’s an effort to honor their achievements and encourage other women to trust in their abilities, strengthen their self-confidence and actively participate in the economic growth of the community. The 20 women we honor were selected from nominations we received from the public. A panel of judges reviewed and scored the nominations. The judges then met to confer and make final selections. We greatly appreciate the efforts of our judges, who are listed on this page. They selected a diverse group of women who have overcome adversity and built successful careers. They work for major corporations, nonprofits, law firms or operate their own business. They advise people on their finances, help them find business or land a job. They have big plans for the future, and we hope this honor encourages them along that path. We are proud to introduce them to you here if you don’t already know of their many contributions. Because, as I’ve said in the past, these are women who mean business.
– Carol Lichti, Editor of Inside Business
Scroll down to meet the honorees.
Learn more about each honoree by clicking on her name or photo.

  • Ann Kiley Crenshaw

    Posted: December 10, 2009

    Partner at Kaufman & Canoles PC in Virginia Beach

    Home and family 
    Virginia Beach; husband Clarke, sons Clarke and Gordon.
    What you do in your job 
    Practice in the areas of real estate development, land use, commercial real estate, bankruptcy, creditor’s rights and commercial litigation.
    Education  
    AB, Sweet Briar College; JD, College of William and Mary.
    Career progression 

    Read more  

  • Carol W. Olsen

    Posted: December 10, 2009

    Executive director, Lee’s Friends: Helping People Live with Cancer, serving Southside Hampton Roads through its Norfolk office

    Home and family
    Norfolk husband Clark; sons Walker, 15, and Patrick, 13; parents Bill and Heike Walker; brother Mike Walker.
    Your job
    I oversee an award-winning nonprofit providing free resources to the cancer community in Hampton Roads. 
    Education
    Norfolk Collegiate; University of Virginia, BA; and the College of William and Mary, MBA.
    Career progression 

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  • Cathy Harris

    Posted: December 10, 2009

    Director of cost segregation at Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer PC in Norfolk

    Home and family
    Norfolk with two furry cats; my son Jason lives and works in Virginia Beach, and my mother and sister live on the Peninsula, where I grew up.
    What you do in your job
    I help building owners save income taxes through a depreciation strategy called cost segregation. My team of CPAs and engineers basically dissect property into pieces that depreciate for taxes.
    Education
    BS in accounting, Old Dominion University.
    Career progression

    Read more  

  • Cheryl Thomas-Everton

    Posted: December 10, 2009

    President of C.H. Smith Appliances in Portsmouth

    Home and family 
    Portsmouth; husband Don and Lab Maggie.
    What you do in your job 
    As a small business owner, I do everything from being the sales manager and accountant to making deliveries and service calls.
    Education 
    I’ve taken business college classes and participated in workshops given by Whirlpool Corp., Portsmouth Department of Economic Development.
    Career progression 

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  • Delceno C. Miles

    Posted: December 10, 2009

    President/CEO of The Miles Agency in Virginia Beach

    Home and family 
    Virginia Beach; husband Athens Holloway.
    What you do in your job  
    I’m responsible for sales, project management, development and implementing growth strategies.
    Education 
    AB in psychology, Stanford University.
    Career progression 
    I founded the public relations firm in 1989 with a partner. I bought him out in 1995 and renamed the firm The Miles Agency.
    Proudest business achievement 

    Read more  

  • Jeanette M. Cochran

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Laundry business manager at Chesapeake Service Systems Inc. in Portsmouth

    Home and family 
    Suffolk; brother Charles Williams Jr.; sisters Jackie Alston and Joan Williams; and brother-in-law Chester Alston.
    What you do in your job 
    Create and maximize employment opportunities for people with severe disabilities.
    Education 
    BS in education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
    Career progression 

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  • Jennifer Lynn Raines

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    “Chick-in-charge” of Kinks, Quirks & Caffeine LLC in Williamsburg and Yorktown

    Home and family 
    Williamsburg; parents Jim and the late Jean Raines; sister Teresa Bassett; dog Zack.
    Your job 
    I own two handcraft galleries and gift boutiques and an online store.
    Education 
    MS in management, Troy University; BA in management, Virginia Wesleyan College.
    Career progression 

    Read more  

  • Jennifer W. Moore

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    President and CEO of The Moore Group in Norfolk

    Home 
    Norfolk
    What you do in your job  
    Manage a defense, federal and commercial contracting firm that provides change management and implementation solutions through software training, development and program management.
    Career progression 

    Read more  

  • Kim S. Curtis

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    President and CEO of Tidewater Home Funding LLC in Chesapeake

    Home and family 
    Virginia Beach; husband W. Keith and cats Mikie and Mattie.
    What you do in your job 
    Overall responsibility of production and operations functions for a local community mortgage lending company. 
    Education 
    BS in business administration with a concentration in real estate finance from Old Dominion.
    Career progression 

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  • Lane Shea

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Managing director of Harbor Group International LLC in Norfolk

    Home and family 
    Newport News; husband Lt. Cmdr. Ashley C. Rose, daughters ages 4 and 6; a Labrador Retriever and an English Pointer.
    Your job 
    I provide oversight and review of a commercial real estate and real estate-related securities portfolio and manage capital transactions in the portfolio.
    Education 
    BSBA in finance and economics from American University, Washington, D.C.
    Career progression 

    Read more  

  • Linda Whitley-Taylor

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Executive vice president, human resources, Amerigroup, in Virginia Beach

    Home and family
    Virginia Beach; husband David Taylor, daughter Whitley, 11, and son Harrison, 8.
    Your job 
    I am responsible for the company-wide strategic oversight of all human resources functions including recruiting, talent management, succession planning, compensation and benefits, as well as the overall business planning processes. 
    Education 
    BA in psychology, Radford University
    Career progression 

    Read more  

  • Liz Moore

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    President of Liz Moore & Associates in Williamsburg

    Home and family 
    Williamsburg; husband Roger, 17-year-old son Grayson and an Airedale Terrier, Winston.
    What you do in your job 
    Oversee the operations of a boutique real estate brokerage; marketing, technology and sales management.
    Education 
    BA from University of California at Berkeley.
    Career progression 

    Read more  

  • Mary Thomesine Draper

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Vice president of national accounts for the Overseas Service Corp. in Suffolk

    Home and family 
    Suffolk; husband Bobby; daughter Mary Yvonne Draper Faulkner; son-in-law Mack Faulkner; grandsons Draper, 8, Jake, 6, and Rett, 2.
    What you do in your job 
    Sales representative for Overseas Service Corp., a worldwide military broker. My responsibility is selling to the Defense Commissary Agency, Fort Lee, representing national companies, performing top-to-top meetings and business reviews.
    Education 

    Read more  

  • Maryellen Baldwin

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Executive director of the Hampton Roads Council of the U.S. Navy League in Norfolk

    Home and family
    Virginia Beach; sons Patrick, Christopher and Billy and daughters-in-law Heather, Rachel and Tracey; grandchildren Jake, Haley, Jack, Billy, Maddy and Tommy.
    What you do in your job 
    I oversee the mission of Navy League here in Hampton Roads supporting the Sea Services, which include Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine.
    Career progression

    Read more  

  • Nicole Bernadette Carry

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Professional services senior engineer at Electronic Systems Inc. in Virginia Beach and owner of two Anytime Fitness lcoations

    Home and family 
    Norfolk; partner Angie French and dogs Suki and Dolce.
    What you do in your job 
    At ESI I consult with businesses regarding information technology systems.
    Education 
    Numerous high-end technical certification schools, professional conferences and courses.
    Career progression 

    Read more  

  • Nora A. Barnes

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Senior vice president, UBS Financial Services Inc. in Norfolk

    Home
    Norfolk.
    What you do in your job  
    I’m a wealth adviser and government bond portfolio manager.
    Education 
    BA, Old Dominion University.
    Career progression 
    I have been in the investment industry for 28 years. I began as a bond specialist and, although I still manage bond portfolios, I am part of a wealth advisory team that specializes in helping our clients preserve and grow their wealth. 

    Read more  

  • Sandy Dumont

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Owner/founder of The Image Architect in Norfolk

    Home and family 
    Norfolk; husband Stefaan Braem and  sisters Sylvia and Sherrie.
    What you do in your job 
    I travel across the country and to Europe presenting corporate workshops and offer image coaching.
    Education 
     John Robert Powers Fashion & Finishing School, Washington, D.C.; counseling and crisis management at the Institute for Deep Therapy, Brussels, Belgium; Cordon Bleu School, London; and the Joseph Albers Color Course,  Belgium.

    Read more  

  • Sarah Sager

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Director of marketing and development, The Arc of Virginia Peninsula in Hampton

    Home and family 
    Yorktown; parents Gary and Julie; sisters Katie and Meghan; brother-in-law Brooks; fiancée George Bowman.
    Your job  

    Read more  

  • Teresa C. Peters

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    President, Stanton Partners Inc. of Norfolk

    Home and family
    Chesapeake; husband Cliff.
    What you do in your job
    Oversee all operational aspects of the company including the asset management of approximately 1 million square feet of retail properties throughout Southeastern Virginia and Eastern North Carolina.
    Education
    Business management degree from Tidewater Community College and the Certified Property Manager designation.
    Career progression

    Read more  

  • Terrie L. Suit

    Posted: December 11, 2009

    Government affairs director at Williams Mullen in Virginia Beach

    Home and family 
    Virginia Beach; husband Tom and a ragtag band of rescue cats.
    Your job
    Government relations consulting and business development.
    Education 
    AS from Tidewater Community College and BS in political science from Old Dominion University.
    Career progression 
    Financial services industry (banking, lending and investing), member of the Virginia House of Delegates, and now a consultant with the law firm of Williams Mullen.

    Read more