Ruch Installed as Region 3 President for International Association of Emergency Managers
James City County Deputy Coordinator Sara Ruch was recently installed as the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Region 3 President and IAEM USA Council board member, the county announced
The IAEM, which has more than 6,000 members worldwide, is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting the “Principles of Emergency Management” and representing those professionals whose goals are saving lives and protecting property and the environment during emergencies and disasters. IAEM Region 3 includes Virginia, West Virginia, D.C. Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
Ruch’s one-year appointment began at the conference on Nov. 20.
Ruch has worked as the Deputy Emergency Manager for James City County since April 2017.
For more information on IAEM, visit https://www.iaem.org/.
Williamsburg Native Graduates from US Marine Corps Boot Camp
Pfc. Adam J. Drozdowski, 21, of Williamsburg, graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on Nov. 27.
Pfc. Drozdowski successfully completed 13 weeks of intensive basic training at MCRD Parris Island as one of 488 recruits in the 3rd Battalion Lima Company. While in recruit training, Pfc. Drozdowski achieved the designation of rifle expert.
A 2022 graduate of Jamestown High School, Drozdowski is the son of Mark and Kristen Drozdowski of Williamsburg.
Chesapeake Bank Adds Alex Jung as Chief Revenue Officer
Chesapeake Bank announced the addition of Alex Jung as its new Chief Revenue Officer.
Jung previously held roles including Head of Banking at American National Bank & Trust Company, where he focused on the retail network, mortgage, insurance and wealth management, and North Carolina President at Blue Ridge Bank.
Jung’s career also included 25 years at BB&T, holding leadership roles in mortgage, retail and commercial lending and credit risk.
He holds an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University, a B.A. in Economics from Davidson College, and has completed the Stonier School of Banking, as well as earned the designation of Certified Mortgage Banker.
“We are pleased to have Alex onboard in this new position of Chief Revenue Officer,” said Jeff Szyperski, CEO of Chesapeake Financial Shares and Chesapeake Bank. “Alex brings over 30 years of banking experience to us, most recently community bank experience. We look forward to having him as part of our senior management team.”
Jung’s main office will be at the Kilmarnock branch headquarters located at 97 North Main Street.
Virginia ABC Releases Fiscal Year 2024 Profits
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) released its unaudited financial results for fiscal year 2024 after the ABC Board of Directors adopted a budget for fiscal year 2025.
Fiscal year 2024 results show gross revenue of $1.5 billion and $243.4 million in profits, which is $4.0 million greater than the amount set in the Commonwealth’s revised biennial budget, ABC said. ABC revenues include the sale of distilled spirits, Virginia wines and mixers and the collection of license fees and other miscellaneous revenues.
Total sales grew $28.6 million or 2% to a record high of $1.47 billion, although they fell short of the original budget by $44.9 million, ABC added. This is consistent with national trends of declining sprit sales. Sales to retail customers grew to $1.22 billion, while sales to licensees grew to $254.6 million.
Friday was the top day for sales, at $333.5 million, with Saturday at $310 million in second. Sunday sales grew to $122 million but remained the slowest sales day.
ABC’s extensive efforts to control costs throughout the year offset more than $12 million of the lower-than-budgeted store sales.
Including taxes collected, Virginia ABC transferred a record $635.7 million to the Commonwealth. Those funds support health and human resources, education, transportation and other needs for Virginia residents.
Virginia ABC’s final, audited results will be released later this year. For more information about ABC’s sales and revenue, visit abc.virginia.gov.
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