HISTORIC TRIANGLE — Business news and notes from in and around the Historic Triangle.
Williamsburg Landing CEO Announces Retirement
Greg Storer, President & Chief Executive Officer of Williamsburg Landing, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2024.
Storer joined Williamsburg Landing in 2016 and has been credited with the community’s success and growth, including the expansion of Independent Living housing, the area’s first medical model for Adult Day Services, and the opening of Namaste, the commonwealth’s first program specifically designed for advanced stages of dementia. Under his leadership, Williamsburg Landing achieved the A.V. Powell Seal that designates a client’s actuarial results in the top tier among peers.
In addition to his work at Williamsburg Landing, Storer currently serves as Chairman of the LeadingAge Virginia Board of Directors and is a member of its Middle Market Housing Cabinet. Additionally, he has served on several local boards including Hospice House of Williamsburg, James City County Workforce Housing Task Force, and Chesapeake Bank’s Advisory Board.
The Board of Directors is forming a search committee and will retain an executive search firm for his successor.
Norfolk International Airport Reports on January 2024 Activity
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) reported a 10.6% increase in passenger activity for the month of January with 303,453 passengers, compared to a January 2023 passenger count of 274,443.
January was the 12th straight month of record-setting passenger activity, it said.
In addition, according to the airport, 3,293,197 pounds of cargo were shipped in and out during January, a 32.3% decrease compared to January 2023.
Michael Kimball Appointed to Virginia Wineries Association Board
Consociate Media Partner and Chief Brand Strategist Michael Kimball has been appointed an Associate Director to the Virginia Wineries Association (VWA) Board of Directors, effective immediately, Consociate Media announced.
The VWA is a wine community that shares ideas and resources to benefit everyone in the Virginia Wine Industry, according to Consociate Media. The nonprofit, formed in 1983, promotes viticulture and vintner practices that ensure the highest quality wine production among its member wineries.
Kimball has held multiple positions at one of Virginia’s largest wineries, including vice president. In January 2024, he judged the preliminary round of the 2024 Virginia Governor’s Cup competition. He has served as Chairman of the Williamsburg Tasting Trail, as a Board Member of the Colonial Virginia Wine Trail and on the Virginia Oyster Trail Management Team as well as participating in the marketing advisory group for the Williamsburg Area Destination Marketing Committee.
This is the second time that Kimball has been a member of the VWA Board, having previously served as Vice President.
ABNB Awards $3,000 to Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
ABNB Federal Credit Union recently donated $3,000 to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, part of its grand opening celebration at its new Wards Corner branch in Norfolk.
The credit union’s Regional Branch Manager, Deon McGill, officially presented this funding award.
Virginia Credit Union League Announces Interim President/CEO
The Virginia Credit Union League Board of Directors announced that Karima Freeman, current Chief Operating Officer for the organization, will serve as Interim President/CEO effective March 1 following the departure of Carrie Hunt.
Freeman is a 23-year employee of the League, and currently manages membership services, working directly with credit unions on dues and other membership and affiliation issues. She also oversees the League’s accounting, human resources and information technology functions.
The Virginia Credit Union League is the state trade association representing the 102 member-owned, not-for-profit credit unions headquartered in the Commonwealth. The League Board has engaged D. Hilton Associates Inc. to coordinate the search for a permanent successor to Hunt.
York County Is Hosting Its First-Ever Restaurant Week
Area restaurants are invited to participate in York County’s first restaurant week Feb. 26 to March 3.
Interested restaurants need only to create a lunch and/or dinner three-course special (or discount offer) and send a restaurant menu flyer or link to specials live online to tourism@yorkcounty.gov by February 20. York County Economic & Tourism Development will post the offer(s) at visityorktown.org/
Restaurants can learn more at visityorktown.org.
Nominations Open for York County 2024 Small Business of the Year Award
The opportunity is now available to nominate a small York County business for the 2024 Small Business of the Year Award, according to the York County Chamber of Commerce.
The purpose of the award is to recognize a small York County business that has demonstrated outstanding business achievements in the past year, the chamber said, with the winner to be recognized at York County’s Distinguished Business Affair on March 14.
All nominations are due to the the York County Chamber of Commerce office no later than Wednesday, Feb. 21. Download an application here.
Sentara Health employees contributed nearly $2.3M in the 2023 United Way giving campaign
Sentara Health’s employees contributed $1,498,262 during its 2023 United Way campaign, it announced.
Employees could further increase their charitable giving by using the Sentara Charitable Matching Gift Program, where gifts are matched 100% up to $1,500 each year per employee. As a result, Sentara donated an additional $782,657.
The nearly $2.3 million raised is the most impactful United Way campaign that Sentara has conducted in its history, it said.
For the second consecutive year, foodbanks received the second-highest contribution across all Sentara service areas.
Tax-time donations benefit biodiversity conservation, outdoor recreation
As one-third of animal and plant species face extinction nationwide, Virginia taxpayers have a chance to help the commonwealth make a difference, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
This tax season, those who are passionate about biodiversity conservation and outdoor recreation may contribute to the Open Space Recreation and Conservation Fund by donating all, or a portion of, their 2023 state tax refunds, it said.
Half of the fund generated by the state individual income tax check-off program is used to buy land for conservation and recreation, including the Virginia Natural Area Preserve System. More than 20 natural area preserves across the state offer public access for hiking, water access, bird-watching, nature photography and other low-impact recreation opportunities.
The other half is used for outdoor recreation grants to localities for projects that increase access to safe open space in Virginia’s communities, including the Trail Access Grants program, which funds projects that increase access to trail opportunities for people with disabilities.
To choose the Open Space Recreation and Conservation Fund, enter Code Number 68 on Schedule VAC (Virginia Contributions Schedule), Section II (Other Voluntary Contributions). This form accompanies the state individual tax return Form 760.
For more information, go to dcr.virginia.
