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FOR THE UP AND COMING AND ALREADY ARRIVED $3 • Vol I: ISSUE 5 • FEBRUARY 09 Richard Wells: The Godfather } of niche publications

The Employee Free Choice Act AluminumMeet Ms. try hypnosis FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:53 PM Page 2 Valley Bank selected to participate in U.S. Treasury program. Aprogramdesignedtoutilize healthy financial institutionsto help stabilize the financial system and increase lending for the benefit of the U.S. economy.

As the Valley’s bank, we feel it is In these uncertain times, we incumbent upon Valley Bank to invite you to call or come by and take a leadership role in embracing talk with your locally owned, the Treasury’s program in support locally staffed, community bank. of improving our local economy. This economic stimulus program gives us the framework to extend $200 million of new loans that we would would not have been able to do without this capital. That’s over and above the $150 million in new loans Valley Bank makes each year in business loans, consumer loans, home Member FDIC equity and mortgage loans. EQUAL HOUSING LENDER 342-BANK (2265) FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:53 PM Page 3

WELCOME to the FRONT Sticking to the basics > It’s the talk of the water cooler, the loading dock, the mail room and the board room these days, but talk and worry and making dramatic change without good reason won’t solve the problems in the economy. We’re seeing a wide variety of responses to the challenges facing business these days, but the reactions that impress us most are the steady, careful, measured reactions based on solid understanding of the business model and how it relates to the economy, especially the local economy. The three investment advisors the FRONT uses on a regular basis to share their insights with you (Andy Hudick, Pete Krull and Joel Williams) are consistently telling you to be patient, believe in the basics, don’t do anything stupid, irrational or out of your comfort zone. That’s good, basic advice for business in general these days. There simply is no need to change a model unless the model isn’t working because of a deficiency within it. Be certain if you’re making a dramatic change that it would be made in a good economy for a good reason. People have a lot of questions when anything familiar becomes something different and they have suspicions about those changes. The strong, the steady, those who believe in themselves will emerge from today’s troubles stronger and steadier if they stick to their basic values, the ones that made their businesses successful in the first place.

Tom Field Dan Smith

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Coming Up...March 2009 Edition Entrepreneurs! An All Star Team from your home field like you’ve never seen them before See back issues online at vbFRONT.com

More business stories. More people profiles.

Now, how can you miss that? Call 540-400-7332 or go online at vbFRONT.com to get your own snappy copy FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:54 PM Page 5

CONTENTS Valley Business FRONT

COVER STORY DEPARTMENTS 88 evidently, media matters TRENDS business etiquette 18 workplace advice 20 business dress 21

FINANCIAL FRONT 23 LEGAL FRONT 28 Page 72 WELLNESS FRONT 32 Forget the tin TECH / INDUSTRY FRONT 36 man. Here’s the DEVELOPMENT FRONT 40 aluminum woman. RETAIL FRONT 46 RECREATION FRONT 51 EDUCATION FRONT 53 CULTURE FRONT 57

REVIEWS & OPINIONS dan smith 62 tom field 63 letters and commentaries 65, 68-69 The Employee book reviews 66 Free Choice Act: Page 30 So Many FRONT’N ABOUT 70 Questions EXECUTIVE PROFILE 72

FRONTLINES career front 74 front notes 76

calendar 79 Cover photograph of Richard Wells by patrons 80 Greg Vaughn Photography

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FEBRUA

Rod Belcher Anne Giles Clelland Main Office

28 Kirk Avenue PO Box 585 Roanoke, VA 24011 Roanoke, VA 24004 tel: (540) 400-7332 fax: (540) 400-0645 www.vbFRONT.com

Staff Bobbi A. Hoffman Tim W. Jackson

Publisher / Tom Field Creative Director tfi[email protected]

Editor Dan Smith [email protected]

Account Executive Jane Dalier (540) 239-2610 [email protected] Leigh Ann Roman Dan Smith

Production Berryfield, Inc. PO Box 1041 Salem, VA 24153 (540) 389-9945 Editorial Advisory Board Departmental Contacts Valley Business FRONT has organized an Advertising [email protected] Editorial Advisory Board in order to help Subscriptions [email protected] direct coverage. FRONT selected a group News / Releases [email protected] of 16 diverse business professionals, who Admin / Ops [email protected] will meet as a group periodically during the 18 months of the first board’s service. It will turn over every year and a half. (540) 400-7332 The board will be given the task of vbFRONT.com helping FRONT understand the issues c Copyright 2009; Valley Business FRONT, LLC. and develop coverage. “We’re journalists,” All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of this says Editor Dan Smith, “and not business publication in whole or in part without written experts. This group of distinguished permission is prohibited. Information within business professionals—whose range in Valley Business FRONT is obtained from age, experience, level and specialty is sources considered reliable, but cannot be guar- impressive—will give us a solid handle on anteed. Opinions expressed are not necessarily how business runs and what the primary those of the ownership. Valley Business FRONT issues and key players are in this region. is primarily distributed to subscribers by mail My guess is that our coverage of business and select locations throughout the Roanoke will be especially useful because of this Valley, New River Valley, and western Virginia. group of people.” FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:54 PM Page 7

RY CONTRIBUTORS

Jane Dalier Donna Dilley Jill Elswick Tom Field Rachael Garrity

Gene Marrano John A. Montgomery Linda Nardin Deborah Nason David Perry

Biographies and contact information on each contributor are provided on Page 50.

Kathy Surace Greg Vaughn Alison Weaver

I’ll do anything 2008 / 09 Members “” Nancy Agee Carilion Laura Bradford Claire V but work bingo. Warner Dalhouse retired banker, community activist Cory Donovan NewVa Corridor Technology Council Nanci Hardwick Schultz-Creehan Ed Hall Hall Associates Most of those George Kegley retired journalist, community activist Terri Jones Access PR Cynthia Lawrence Design Marketing Stuart Mease Roanoke City Mary Miller Interactive Design & Development little old ladies Bill Rakes Gentry, Locke, Rakes and Moore Court Rosen Walnut Creek Development, Roanoke City Council Jay Turner J.M. Turner Construction — Page 27 Ed Walker Regeneration Partners cheat... John Williamson RGC Resources

You will note that the Board is comprised of experts in many different business / industry “fronts.” This is intentional, as we are reporting on all the areas that affect our regional economy and are important to you. In keeping with our policy of being “the voice of business in the valleys” we ask each reader to join us as an editorial partner by calling or e-mailing us your ideas. You know more than we know about your business—or you certainly should—and that inside knowledge shared with our readers will make us all better at what we do. vbFRONT / JANUARY 09 7 FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:55 PM Page 8

courtesy Leisure Publishing Look what you started! If the economy is taking a toll on Roanoke’s smaller Richard Wells wasn’t the first niche publisher in the region, newspapers and magazines, the publishers aren’t letting on but few would argue his about it. status and rise to success in introducing the first, quality special interest magazines At least 26 weeklies and monthlies have carved out—or hope with true staying power. to carve out—their niche in the Roanoke and New River Valley The feat drew national attention as Roanoke was markets. That figure doesn’t include shopper, real estate or considered ‘too small a trade publications. market’ in comparison to others at the time. “It’s very unusual to have so many publications in a city this And yes, that’s Wells as the “Godfather” of niche-----our size. It remains to be seen how many will make it,” says Karl February FRONTcover model. Phillips, publisher of City magazine and a self-taught veteran of the publishing industry.

By Alison Weaver The Roanoke Times, the region’s largest publication (about 100,000 weekly circulation, though there have been reports it has dipped below that number for the first time in years) and a daily newspaper, has occasionally and forcefully reacted to the changing landscape. Executive Summary: If you think there are a About 11 years ago, it bought the Blue Ridge Business Journal. lot of print publications A couple of years ago, it purchased Laker Magazine, a glossy blossoming in this region— publication at Smith Mountain Lake. It has reacted to weekly at a time of dire warnings publications by creating special editions for Botetourt County, of the death of print— South Roanoke County and Salem, three hot-spots for you’re right. And there’s weeklies. It has a daily publication in the New River Valley a good reason for it. (Current, created after an aborted attempt at a weekly some years ago). It created its weekend entertainment section, Inside Out, at least partly in response to the

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COVER STORY

a look at the Niche Pubs > (Here is a list of most popular special interest niche publications in Roanoke area and New River Valley, } publications market including the owner, niche served, date founded, and website. Don’t stop at this success of City Magazine and it has sent reporters to intensive page---it keeps going!) training for the young mother demographic it has identified as a target audience, one that Bella favors. 16 Blocks Hart Fowler Phillips began preparing for possible leaner times at City entertainment months ago. “I changed presses and slightly reduced the 2007 16blocksmagazine.com overall size” of the monthly entertainment publication. The changes save him 25 percent to 30 percent in printing Bella costs, money that he reinvests in the magazine in terms Joey Beck of glossy covers and other upgrades. “I cut my costs in women printing without cutting the quality.” 2006 beckmediagroup.com Phillips says that so far he hasn’t seen a decrease in City advertising revenue. “Some advertisers have been with us Karl Phillips for over 10 years. They’re loyal because they believe in the entertainment publication and because it meets their advertising needs.” 1996 citymagazineonline.com John Montgomery, who had been an advertising executive for The Roanoke Times and general manager of the Blue Leisure Publishing* Richard Wells Ridge Business Journal, followed a longtime dream when lifestyles he founded Play By Play, the region’s sports monthly. 1972 Montgomery had run the Sports Journal when it was a leisurepublishing.com companion of the Business Journal, but when The Times folded it, he left the Journal to start his monthly with the * Roanoker Magazine, Blue Ridge Country Magazine, small, but loyal following. Mountain Homes.

Says Montgomery, "The value of doing something that you enjoy doing for a living cannot be overestimated. I love putting each issue of Play by Play together: assembling the components from the writers, the photographers, and the advertisers;

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Dan Smith Bella’s Joey Beck meeting with the designer to develop the layout; choosing the cover art; arranging the printing; handling the distribution. Then I get to begin all over again.

“Sixty-two issues down and I still find the process exciting. I have a feeling that I always will." Knock on wood, we’re ”doing better With 36 years in the publishing business, Richard Wells, than“ this time founder of Leisure Publishing, has weathered other economic last year. downturns. The company, which publishes glossy magazines such as The Roanoker and Blue Ridge Country, has become —Joey Beck one of the largest niche publishers in the Southeast.

“Despite the widespread alarm bells tolling the death of today’s newspaper industry and print media in general, the city/regional magazine segment has remained strong,” Wells says. “Independent, community publications are an important and otherwise nonexistent outlet for local and regional content; they create and sustain the community.”

Wells emphasizes that Leisure’s publications have something in common with many of the new, local publications: Their revenue stays in the area. “These alternative media are all homegrown,” he says. “Take a look at the larger, established media outlets and see where the revenues from Roanoke businesses end up. Look at The Roanoke Times, all three network television stations, our cable media providers, even our major radio stations and you’ll see dollars flowing out of our market. While many of these established media are excellent corporate citizens, at the close of business each day, their

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16 Block Publisher Hart Fowler Sixty-two issues (left) with website down ”and I still find creator the“ process exciting. Dave Williams —John Montgomery

Dan Smith revenues flow from the area into corporate coffers Play by Play’s elsewhere.” John Montgomery Niche Pubs > Revenues are based on circulation figures and those are notoriously suspect, since few of these niche publications’ Main Street** claims of circulation are audited. Professed circulation Wilson Koeppel numbers can often be taken with a grain of salt, particularly weekly papers for publications that are set out on racks and don't have a 2000 ourvalley.org specific subscriber list. There simply is no accurate way to count readers. Mailed publications’ circulations are readily NRV Magazine verifiable. Phillip Vaught lifestyle Washington & Lee Journalism Professor Doug Cumming, 2007 who has graded many of the region’s publications as an nrvmagazine.com accompanying part of this story, says the niche publications Play-By-Play here generally are not strong on news content and rarely John Montgomery seem to tackle controversy. Of City, he writes, “Vague sports puff-pieces snuggle next to ads about the same event” and 2004 of Bella (which he gave a B+), “It makes little effort to go playbyplayonline.net beyond its formula of writing-workshop women breezily talking to the ‘bella girl’ reader about their lives, feelings, Prime Living PR Publishing relationships—almost anything except Southwest Virginia.” elderly 1998 Of Main Street Newspapers, which publishes several weekly primeliving.net papers in the region, Cumming says, “Ads litter the front pages. Their idea of community news is a church bulletin, and ** Cave Spring Connection, even these might require a correction. This third-rate Christiansburg News-Messenger, Fincastle Herald, New Castle journalism is particularly Record, Radford News-Journal, dismaying in a time when Salem Times Register, Valley hyper-local is supposed Sports, Vinton Messenger. to be the salvation of

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Like Wells and Phillips, publisher Stuart Revercomb Take a look at the larger,” established media says that niche publications outlets“ and see where the revenues from can survive if they truly Roanoke end up. Look at The Roanoke fill a void. Times, all three network television stations, our the news business. I read in… Quill magazine that feisty, cable media providers, independent startups are finding success in the boondocks. even our major radio Watch out, Main Street Newspapers.” stations and you’ll see dollars flowing out of Like Wells and Phillips, publisher Stuart Revercomb says that our market. niche publications such as his weekly Roanoke Star-Sentinel, —Richard Wells which has a decidedly conservative bent, can survive if they truly fill a void. “We opened in the teeth of tough economic times” in November 2007, mailing to specific households, Revercomb says. “In spite of the tough market conditions, it’s gone really well.”

According to Revercomb, the number of subscribers has “gown nicely” and the paper is now available at 120 locations, but he is no longer blanket mailing the publication. “We felt the market was ready for a really positive, community- focused newspaper. We knew we wouldn’t be covering all the car wrecks and the cocaine deals gone bad.”

Joey Beck, publisher of Bella magazine, is keeping a wary eye on the economy but says, “Knock on wood, we’re doing better than this time last year. Each month gets better.”

Beck launched Bella, an oversized monthly magazine for women, in 2006. “It was the perfect timing for me to start Bella. [Roanoke] didn’t have anything like it for women.” Beck, who is several months pregnant, says, “It’s my third boy. And I own a women’s magazine.”

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Like Wells and Phillips, publisher Stuart Revercomb I cut my costs says that niche publications in printing” without cutting“ the quality. can survive if they truly —Karl Phillips fill a void.

courtesy of Karl Phillips Beck notes that local, niche publications generally offer CITY’s lower ad rates that are appealing when budgets tighten. Karl Phillips Bella markets itself by sponsoring events targeted at women. Niche Pubs >

The newest arrival on the local media scene, Roanoke Valley Roanoke Times*** TV Spectator (about a month newer than Valley Business Landmark FRONT, which first published in October), owes its existence various to one man’s frustration. Chuck Denison, a wallpaper hanger 1886 roanoke.com and remodeler by trade, was trying to find out when a History Channel show was going to air so he could record it. Roanoke Tribune Claudia Whitworth “I used to buy Saturday’s paper to get the Spectator,” a black long-running TV listing supplement in The Roanoke Times, 1939 Denison says. “When they stopped printing it, I thought, theroanoketribune.com ‘How are people supposed to know what’s on TV anymore?’” RV TV Spectator Chuck Denison Flying in the face of conventional technology, which gives television TV listings readily on cable TV stations and the Internet, 2008 Denison launched Roanoke Valley TV Spectator with a 30,000 print run. Roanoke Valley Home Julie Pierce and Colleen Dougherty Denison is confident enough about the new tabloid that lifestyle he’s quitting his day job as a remodeler. In early December 2007 he started a major bathroom remodeling project. “That’ll westwillowpublishing.com probably be the last job for me.” *** Blue Ridge Business Journal, (Editor Dan Smith contributed to this story.) Botetourt County, Laker Magazine, Laker Weekly, Southwest County, So Salem, Roanoke Times

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one critic } reviews them

Grading the region’s publications >

Blue Ridge Country Grade: A Thick and slick, this 20-year- old magazine is conservative in the best sense. The layout, photographs, editing, sense- of-itself: everything seems restrained, tradition-loving and, well, almost dull until you spend some easy time with it. The editors, writers, and photographers obviously love this ancient geological saddle ridge of the American South, and love this magazine like blood kin.

CITY Grade: C+ This full-color, un-slick arts and leisure monthly lacks anything like actual coverage of arts and leisure. Vague puff-pieces snuggle next to ads about the same event. Local personalities smile in text and pictures, but we get no good storytelling or Dan Smith Doug Cumming background. It’s not clear what any of the articles is By Doug Cumming about. A focused headline or a pull-quote might help. Executive Summary: An extra copy-editor would Valley Business FRONT help, too. If you like the ads commissions a professor and the listings, it’s worth of journalism to “grade” the price: Complimentary. niche publications in our region.

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COVER STORY

Niche Pubs >

Senior News Washington & Lee University journalism professor Doug Jeffrey K. Williams Cumming,a former journalist and magazine publisher, was Ellen Deaton asked to grade the most prominent of the region’s periodicals. elderly He did not judge them against each other, but on their own 1994 niches. He was not asked to judge the region’s largest roanokevaguide.com publication,The Roanoke Times, concentrating instead Smith Mt. Eagle on the alternatives. His report is presented here, in no Womack Publishing particular order. weekly paper 1985 smithmountaineagle.com

Star Sentinel Stuart Revercomb weekly paper 2007 Bella New River Valley Magazine theroanokestar.com Grade: B+ Grade: A- Valley Business FRONT “B” is for beautiful, or the An upscale bimonthly Tom Field & Dan Smith Italian bella, and the plus is lifestyle magazine for the business for having so many fine region can’t be criticized for 2008 writers fill this highly being pretty, practical, local, vbFRONT.com formatted, colorful tabloid. easy on the eyes, and clean But it falls off my “A” list in the hands. The problem is because it makes little effort that a good magazine needs to go beyond its formula of a personality, and this means writing-workshop women something distinctive in the breezily talking to the “bella front and back of the book. girl” readers about their lives, No distinctive columns or feelings, relationships— calendars give this publication almost anything except the character. The design is region. minimalist. Decent articles If you want more in-depth and ads, for the most part, coverage about the publications are all you get. in our region, check out the 16 Blocks moreFRONT blog at vbfront.com Grade: A – where you’ll get: As a monthly alternative Blue Ridge Business Journal paper on the thin side, 16 Grade: B • An Interview with Roanoke Blocks rocks. It mixes short Business Digest, People and Times Publisher Debbie articles on local oddities with On the Record courthouse Meade, the first she has given columns such as an “Ethos” squibs give it the look of the • A timeline for The Times over feature and an ironic political business fortnightly of the the past two years of staff cuts, “rant.” And it keeps its region. But this is awfully going on the block, changes editorial content separate pale tea. It you want to see from its ads, each on their what a good metro business • Grading the Web sites of own pages. journal should look like, various publications, by see the thick weeklies that Keith Ferrell, former editor bigger cities enjoy, and in of Omni Magazine competition, not bed, with • A listing of the region’s their local daily paper. 26 publications

(Note: Cumming did not grade Senior News or Prime Living because “They just didn't seem worth mentioning.” The Roanoke Times’ specialty tabs ”or supplements or whatever they are—I didn't see the point in judging them as magazines or periodicals.”)

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Valley Business FRONT The Roanoke Star-Sentinel Salem Times-Register, Cave Spring Grade: A- Grade: D Connection, Vinton Messenger, It is, you’ll notice, curiously Trying to counter a relatively New Castle Record, Radford News small. Seems to have a lot liberal opinion page of of contacts with local Roanoke’s pretty darn good Journal, News Messenger entrepreneurs and writers, newspaper with this weekly (Christianburg) and Fincastle Herald a lot of energy, and a pro- ragamuffin of wasted & Botetourt County News business zeal that animates pulpwood makes no sense. Grade: D + it. The witty, color-coded It actually puts conservatism One or two or these weeklies organization makes for a in a bad light, but not seem a bit better than a D+ good read or good riffling because of any extremism (Salem and Fincastle), but (if you just want to read the in this flimsy sheet. This is they all seem under the same “Executive Summary” atop simply bad community dreary spell of owner each story). The gung-ho journalism—random news Main Street Newspapers, slant for business and an judgment, dull guest determined to see how little editorial advisory board columns, blurry and poorly money it takes to put out a comprised of business framed photos and graphics. community paper and bring people worry me a bit. in piddling ad revenue. But if the editor’s This third-rate journalism is modest demurrer—“We’re Play by Play particularly dismaying in a journalists”—is taken to Grade: A- time when hyper-local is authorize an independent A regional monthly on supposed to be the salvation watchdog role, then the sports—now there’s a niche of the news business. advice and consent from I wouldn’t have thought of. business can only help. Play by Play can’t compete with daily scores, or match Smith Mountain Laker national sports mags in Grade: B The Roanoker appearance—it is pretty A ritzy community, Grade: B+ shabby except on a few conversely, can underwrite The Roanoker is a good city four-color pages. But the a nice-looking magazine magazine journalistically, but long articles connect, telling like Smith Mountain Laker fails to show any signs of interesting sports stories thanks to real estate ads. having been inspired by loaded with history and Real estate-sponsored the 1960s city magazine people. journalism has never been revolution: impious, snobby, about real community, nor graphically wild, creatively was it ever in danger of written, and lifestyle-useful— The Roanoke Tribune foreseeing the collapse of much less updating or Grade: B the real estate market. localizing it. It does borrow It may not look like much, Esquire’s “Dubious but the Tribune deserves Achievement” award, but respect as an authentic Roanoke Valley Home the magazine feels like survivor of an embattled Grade: A something out of the 1950s. form of community This glossy upscale shelter journalism, the African- magazine debuts at a thin American press. Its 52 pages, with a cover story journalism comes out of on the art of table napkin a history of segregation. presentation for the civilized Good black weeklies like Southern home. Like a this (founded 1939) were tasteful table setting, it advocates of equality comes close to a flawless and recognition, not little home and garden “objectivity,” while giving quarterly. Black social life and religious faith the respect they never got in the mainstream (white) press. The Tribune still serves its community.

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COVER STORY one } newcomer examined demographic. We believe we cater to the 16 Blocks: readership between the [Tech’s] Collegiate An evolution > Times and [Radford University’s] Tartan, which are read and written by college underclassmen, and the Roanoke Times, which is read by Baby Boomers. Executive Summary: Blacksburg’s hip new entertainment magazine sets a high standard. Talk about the founders and those who are running the mag.

I founded the magazine and am a Tech alum. By Dan Smith Dave Franusich is a fifth year architecture student at Tech and Christina O'Connor is an alum. Amy Splitt works for the art 16 Blocks is a year-old arts and culture department and came aboard as editor magazine published in Blacksburg by a after writing some great pieces for us. young, eager group of newsies. We posed Dave Williams is also a Tech alum and he's a few questions to founder and publisher been running 16blocksmagazine.com Hart Fowler and here are his replies: since we went live last January. Recent recruit Will Boyar has nearly completed his computer engineering degree [at Tech] What's the magazine's background and his handling of the marketing and (when, how, who)? advertising for the magazine, freeing me up to work on events, as well as on new I'd worked as a freelancer in the area since and innovative content ideas. graduating from Virginia Tech and really thought there was a niche in the New River Valley. I was writing a lot, and was becoming Give an overview of the magazine tired of writing articles nobody read. (and its Web presence) and talk about I decided I was going to try publishing where you hope to be in five years. my own magazine, and called Christina O'Connor, a freelance photographer I In one year, we have evolved more than we worked with for the Roanoke Times. could ever have imagined. I am, and always have been, a writer, but now I found myself It turned out her fiancé, Dave Franisuch, involved in so many more things through was a graphic designer. They loved the idea 16 Blocks Presents. [We recently sponsored] and I had a dedicated and talented core a fashion show showcasing student from the beginning. Advertisers signed on designers and rock-show that featured without us even having a magazine because four local bands and we're working on a of the great team I put together and the downtown space where we can have art interest in the idea itself. events. We have 100 people who have contributed to the magazine.

What's the intent and the projected Maybe in five years I'll have a found a audience (both in size and demographic)? nice town on the beach that needs what this area needed with 16 Blocks and We're here to celebrate local arts and pass on the magazine to someone else. culture, and to emphasize the wealth of I don't know. But right now it seems to talented young people here. There's over be all about the moment and the next 40,000 people from 18 to 44 who live issue and the next event. in the New River Valley, and that's our

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TRENDS Proper etiquette for the electronic highway >

Business owners, companies, and consumers understand the value of marketing as an important component to increase sales for a company, product, or service. Within recent years, the easy access to broadcast e-mail, and other new technologies in global telecommunications has become an easy advertising medium.

Low-cost use becomes abusive. Today, consumers in-boxes are filled with unsolicited SPAM and junk email.

Most companies want to properly use the Internet, telephone and fax as legitimate methods for their sales and marketing strategy. The three leading advertising trade groups—the Direct Marketing Association, The American Association of Advertising Agencies, and The National Advertisers—have agreed to the following guidelines for use of e-mail.

E-Mail Advertising Guidelines

• The subject line of an e-mail must be honest and not misleading.

• Senders should include a valid return e-mail address and physical address. Firms should also use their company or brand names in their Business domain address and throughout the message. • The e-mail should identify the sender Etiquette and the subject at the beginning.

• All commercial e-mail should provide customers with a clear electronic option to opt out that is user friendly.

By Donna Dilley • A company with multiple affiliates should offer notice and opt-out for each separate brand, or those that the consumer is likely to perceive.

• Firms should not acquire e-mail addresses Executive Summary: surreptitiously. Marketers are prohibited from As in all practices, use using the dictionary attacks or other mechanisms common sense when for fabrication e-mail addresses without communicating providing notice and choice. electronically. • Opt-out requests must be honored in a reliable and prompt way.

• E-mail lists should not be shared with third parties unless consumers have been given notice and choice.

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• A commercial e-mail should contain the sender's privacy policy in the body of the message or via a link.

These e-mail guidelines are part of federal law, effective in 2004. With this information, you should to take the time to adjust your marketing messages and clean-up your database by doing the following:

For businesses

• Review the items in the law to verify you are in full compliance with the information you send consumers. Make necessary adjustments to properly identify your business and to allow the receiver the choice to be removed from your contact list.

• Consider telling customers you are updating your database and want permission to continue sending your information.

• Identify yourself at the onset of a cold call and tell where you got the name and contact information.

• Keep track of those on a "Do Not Call" list and don’t call them.

• Be professional in the manner in which you address people. A proper greeting is "Mr. or Ms" until you are invited to use the first name. Mrs. can be used for married women.

• Have additional marketing literature for potential buyers. Without it, the company gives the impression of being sneaky in its approach. A reluctance to send written information is unprofessional behavior.

PutPut a CCommunityommunity BBankank withwith PPeopleeople YYoYouou KKnownooww andand TrustTTrrust BBehindehind YYoYou.ou.

Excellence. Partnership. Service.

888.785.5271 • www.StellarOne.comwww.StellarOne.com MEMBER FDIC FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:57 PM Page 20

The underperforming saint >

Dear Anne: My new hire has a strong résumé and a sort of goodness that makes me feel I’m in the presence of a saint. He’s really that nice. You can guess the problem: His work product is below standard. He doesn’t fully follow specs, doesn’t fully meet the specs he does follow, and completes them after deadline. Asking him to redo the project is problematic, because he will improve it, but it takes a while. Whether coached or confronted, he’s very, very nice. What do I do with this guy? ______

Dear Saintly Witness: The problem of underperforming, deadline-missing employees is common and frustrating. When they’re surly, how to proceed seems clearer than Workplace when they’re very, very nice.

Advice When we see someone under-perform at work, the natural tendency is for us to assume he has a work problem. By Anne Giles Clelland Probably not. People tend to be consistent and the odds are good your saint is sub-par at work, at home and as a citizen. Regardless of the historical or psychological reasons for Executive Summary: your employee’s inability to fulfill your expectations, he’s Got a personal problem ultimately supposed to make money for your company. at work? Get to “The Heart Time you spend tending him is time you could spend making of It” by e-mailing your money yourself or mentoring someone who could. question to: theheartofit@ handshake20.com The Heart of It: If your employee is capable of growth, and he may or may not be, people often achieve insights through experiencing the consequences of their actions or inactions. Withholding natural consequences from the people in our lives compromises us and robs them of chances to grow. Set a standard and a deadline. If he doesn’t meet it, and he’s consistent, he’ll be very, very nice about being let go to grow.

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TRENDS Custom-tailored fashion >

The advantage of ordering a custom-tailored suit is that the fabrics are more luxurious than those in off-the-rack clothing and the garment is unique, with a perfect fit.

Before the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the tailor shop was the place to get a new set of clothing. All clothing was made to fit the measurements of the customer, from a three- piece suit and overcoat down to underwear and socks.

Today the number of tailor shops has dwindled and the average person relies exclusively on ready-to-wear garments from storefronts. However, we should consider how the remaining tailors could help us build and maintain a flattering, useful and efficient wardrobe.

The advantage of ordering a custom-tailored suit is that the fabrics are more luxurious than those in off-the-rack clothing and the garment is unique, with a perfect fit. Custom clothing is usually classic in style without extreme design features. If these clothes are cleaned as needed and stored properly, a suit can last 10 or even 20 years. Resting the suit between wearings will retain the shape and extend the life of the garment.

This year Roy Prusak of J.P. Tailoring in Roanoke celebrates the 50th year of the tailoring business his father started. His tailoring services range from simple alterations to custom suits that are interlined with canvas, hand-shaped and hand- stitched for a perfect fit. He also reweaves fine fabrics and redesigns quality garments when styles change. Business Roy orders his fine wool, wool-blend, cotton and linen fabrics Dress from England and each fabric is priced individually by the yard. It takes three months to produce a custom tailored suit at J.P. Tailoring because of the extensive amount of hand By Kathy Surace stitching involved.

In Roanoke County at Berkovic Tailoring, Buba Berkovic, Executive Summary: offers similar services. A native of Bosnia, she studied tailoring Custom clothing is pricy, in high school. After a stint in Paris dressmaking shops, she but you’re getting a whole has stitched for 40 years alongside her husband and daughter. lot more than a simple Buba uses wool, silk, linen and cotton from Italy and Asia. suit of clothes with the Her fabrics arrive in less than a week and her custom suits tailor-made look. are ready in 4 to 6 weeks.

The average cost of a custom-tailored suit from Roy is $1,400 to $1,800. Pants cost an average of $425 and shirts about $135, with a price break for larger orders.

The prices of Berkovic’s custom garments are determined by the price range of fabric the customer chooses: classic, premium, exclusive, and deluxe. As a result, one of Buba’s custom-tailored suits can range from $490 to $870. Her custom shirts range in price from $90 to $130. Altering a suit is much less expensive at each shop. The cost depends on the part of the suit needing adjustment and how many sizes it

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must change. The shoulders and armhole on the jacket and the hips in the pants are the areas that are time-consuming and difficult to adjust. To reduce costs, make sure these areas fit when selecting an off-the-rack suit.

At both tailor shops most clients are high-level professionals or CEOs, as expected. Some clients Dan Smith Roy Prusak of J.P. Tailoring in Roanoke: are hard-to-fit sizes, falling outside 50 years of building wardrobes the average range of sizes. Occasionally the custom suit order is a gift.

At J. P. Tailoring, however, many custom suit customers are ordinary people who come to Roy for the special occasions in their lives. They order a custom-fitted suit in anticipation of getting married—and getting buried. So if you think a custom-made suit is too expensive to splurge on yourself, according to Roy, you can take it with you.

look no further 800-342-8522 qualitycoffee.com Southwest Virginia’s Preferred Suppliers

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FINANCIAL FRONT

Dan Smith

Despite downturn, CRA still a loan force > We are making fewer” exceptions Executive Summary: to“ policy. The legislation that made minorities —Ellis Gutshall part of our financial system could be vulnerable in the current crisis.

to the CRA’s mission through periodic By Gene Marrano audits by federal agencies—although there are no concrete, specific criteria as to what constitutes compliance. The act does not The Community Investment Act was made require banks to make high-risk loans and law more than 30 years ago because bankers compliance takes into account each were being unfair to the poor—especially the particular environment in which that African American poor. Over the years, it institution exists. has made a significant difference in credit availability to underserved populations and Roanoke-based Woods Rogers attorney helped those minorities create businesses, Neal Keesee keeps an eye on banks; he buy homes and take part in the American says individual financial institutions handle promise. most CRA compliance in-house although it can become an issue when there is an The question now, in these tough economic acquisition. “That’s one thing [the buyer] times, with credit harder to come by: are will look at.” banks being given a pass, or being told by the Feds that they can back off on making Keesee doesn’t buy the argument put forth loans to certain low or moderate income by some commentators and editorial applicants? writers, that defaulted loans pushed under the CRA program were a main cause of the The quick answer answer in this region mortgage meltdown. “That’s [nonsense],” appears to be “no, it is business as usual,” says Keesee, noting problems with bad with perhaps lenders doing a bit more to sub-prime loans across several market make sure applicants across the board at segments. various income levels meet all requirements. “I’m not aware that the rules are being The CRA initially included low and moderate relaxed at all,” Keesee says. income neighborhoods where the discriminatory lending practice known as Virginia Bankers Association president “redlining” were used, passing over those in and CEO Bruce Whitehurst says members the literally redlined on a local map areas. of that trade group are proceeding as usual when it comes to doling out money, Tweaked several times over the years, even if it means following the letter of most recently in August 2005, depository the law more closely on loan applications. institutions are monitored for adherence He says the CRA is a broad law: “It doesn’t

continued Page 25

vbFRONT / FEBRUARY 09 23 FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:57 PM Page 24 Proxy • “Richmond-based Media General Inc. said Media General > yesterday that it has reached new debt-agreement terms with its bank lenders to give the company more flexibility as the economic downturn cuts into Compiled by Deborah Nason advertising revenue.” [ TimesDispatch.com, 12.11.08 ]

Executive Compensation Overview: As of 30 Dec 2006 (basic compensation plus “other” Media General, Inc. provides news, compensation): information, and entertainment through Name Title Total three segments: O. Ashe Jr. COO, EVP $3,338,960 J. Stewart Bryan Chairman of the Board $3,407,570 • The Publishing segment offers daily and George Mahoney VP, General Counsel $1,261,040 Sunday newspapers in Virginia, Florida, Marshall Morton CEO, President $4,168,520 North Carolina, Alabama, and South John Schauss CFO $1,026,440 Grahan Woodlief VP, Pres. Pub. Div. $2,247,900 Carolina. It publishes 24 daily news- James Zimmerman VP, Pres. Brdcst. Div. $1,303,040 papers, including The Tampa Tribune, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and Winston- Board of Directors Salem Journal; and approximately 275 Name Primary Company Age weekly newspapers and other targeted Marshall Morton Media General, Inc. 62 publications. O. Ashe Jr. Media General, Inc. 59 J. Bryan III MG Operations, Inc. 69 • The Broadcast segment owns and Walter Williams Media General, Inc. 72 operates 19 network-affiliated television Rodney Smolia Media General, Inc. 55 stations, including WSLS in Roanoke. Thompson Rankin Media General, Inc. 67 C. Wortham III Davenport Asset Mgmt. 63 Diana Cantor NY Private Bank & Trust 50 • The Interactive Media segment primarily Charles A. Davis Stone Point Capital 59 provides online news, information, and entertainment. This segment comprises Institutional Stock Ownership approximately 75 interactive enterprises, Over 91% of outstanding shares are held by institutional as well as a minority investment. investors---a greater percentage than at almost any other company in the newspaper industry. The company has a strategic alliance [ Source: businessweek.com ] with Yahoo, Inc. to deliver classified advertising to consumers. Media General,Inc. was founded in 1879 and Top 10 Non-Institutional Holders is headquartered in Richmond. o. The founding Bryan family, led by chairman J. Stewart [ Source: businessweek.com ] Bryan III, has more than 80% voting control of the company. [ Source: hoovers.com ] Market Commentary and Headlines • “Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Name Shares held MediaNews Group Inc.'s debt ratings further into junk status, out of concerns that advertising sales J. Stewart Bryan III 1,376,348 declines at its daily newspapers will be more Marshal N. Morton 352,823 prolonged than previously expected.” O. Reid Ashe, Jr. 188,539 [ Associated Press, 12.12.08 ] Charles A. Davis 44,410 H. Graham Woodlief, Jr. 137,865 • Media General Inc. has reported losses of $85.5 John A. Schauss 49,890 million in the fourth quarter on an impairment Thompson L. Rankin 18,171 charge and a steep drop in publishing profits due Coleman Wortham III 19,268 to declining advertising sales. The company’s Diana Cantor 4,162 shares dropped 24 percent and it announced it is Walter E. Williams 14,721 suspending dividends. Publishing profit fell 68 percent to $8.5 million from the prior year. Sources [ Yahoo.com ] [ mediageneral.com ] / [ investing.businessweek.com ] [ reuters.com ] / [ finance.aol. com ] / [ hoovers.com ] • “Media General Inc. (MEG) Chief Operating Officer [ timesdispatch.com ] / [ smartmoney.com ] Reid Ashe said Wednesday he expects the [ forbes.com ] company to book $7 million in revenue this year from its partnership with Internet search giant Note Yahoo Inc.” This article is meant for information purposes only [ Dow Jones ] and is not intended as an investment guide.

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FINANCIAL Proxy FRONT

get into products and services. It doesn’t to those census tracts. The credit granting really reach to what the credit standards process should be across the board.” are.” The Federal Reserve Bank has typically Instead the CRA monitors what institutions conducted examinations at ValleyBank for might be doing to serve particular CRA compliance every few years says communities, like having branches in low Gutshall, using tools like the Home Mortgage to moderate-income neighborhoods. Disclosure Act. That law requires banks to “The bank needs to demonstrate… [that track every mortgage application and follow effort],” says Whitehurst. Most are in no it to the end. Those are the only types of position nowadays to turn away from loan applications that can legally ask for reliable sources of revenue, either. information on race and gender, data that “There’s plenty of good business across makes it easier to gauge compliance to the economic spectrum,” Whitehurst says. the CRA.

Smaller financial institutions like ValleyBank Rest assured says Ellis Gutshall, loans are (based in Roanoke with eight branches, $600 being carefully examined: “We are making million in assets) have to be especially fewer exceptions to policy.” But, he says, careful with their money these days, “We’re still going to be charged with making according to president/CEO Ellis L. Gutshall. sure we identify… opportunities. If the He explains the CRA this way: “Wherever numbers don’t make sense they will not [deposits originate], you should be lending criticize you for declining a loan.”

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Dan Smith

The steady hand of corner of the store. The family lived in an Melinda Chitwood > apartment below, and “when it got busy, my father would stomp on the floor to summon my mother to come up and help,” Chitwood recalls. Executive Summary: Everything about this CPA screams rural Rural life revolved around church, swimming except for the fact that she’s one of the best in the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and most respected accountants in Virginia. and going to grandma’s farm. “It was a fun childhood. Simple times,” she says. “Sunday lunch was a big weekly event, and you fought with your brother and sisters for By Alison Weaver entertainment.”

From an early age, Chitwood and her siblings helped out in the store, running Melinda Chitwood isn’t afraid of change, the cash register, sweeping and stocking but she also isn’t afraid to stay the course. shelves. But when she took a bookkeeping class in her senior year, she was smitten. She grew up in Fulks Run, a tiny community She loved working with numbers and liked in Rockingham County about 35 miles from the way things balanced. “I knew I wanted Harrisonburg. Her ancestors, the Turners, to be a CPA at 17.” moved in before the Revolutionary War and literally chased the Native Americans out. Chitwood left home for Virginia Tech, where she earned an accounting degree during “I’m the first direct descendant in eight the school year and worked summers at her generations to live more than five miles father’s store. Always focused on her dream from the homestead,” she says. job, she interviewed with Brown, Edwards & Company in December of her senior year Her father ran a grocery and served as and began working in the firm’s Bluefield, postmaster at a post office built into a W.Va., office three weeks after graduation.

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FINANCIAL As fate would have it, a fellow she’d met a FRONT year before happened to end up in Bluefield as well. “We met on a double date, although he wasn’t my date. When he came to Bluefield, I caught him between girlfriends and had my chance.” I’m the first direct descendant” in eight The couple wed in 1979 and moved to generations“ to live Roanoke in 1981. Three decades later, more than five miles Chitwood is still working for Brown, Edwards from the homestead. and is still married to same guy. —Melinda Chitwood Although Chitwood’s employer has stayed the same, the company has changed dramatically over the years. In November, the firm joined with S.B. Hoover & Company of Harrisonburg and Chambers, Paterno & In Brief Associates of Charleston, W.Va. With seven Name: Melinda T. Chitwood offices, 24 partners and a total of about 200 employees, Brown, Edwards is the state’s Age: 53 largest accounting firm west of the Blue Company: Brown, Edwards & Ridge Mountains. Company, CPA Title: Partner A partner since 1988, Chitwood still thrives Community Virginia Tech Acounting on accounting. “We have a great firm,” she Service: Department Advisory says, and the merger “provides even more Board (10 years); resources for our clients; more people who Grandin Theatre Foundation know more about each area. It’s a great (6 years); Kiwanis (10 years); opportunity for us.” past president of the local chapter of Virginia Society But no matter how prestigious the job, of CPAs. when summer rolls around Chitwood knows Family: Married to Dan Chitwood, she’ll be back in Fulks Run, volunteering at a landscape architect, the annual “lawn party” fundraiser. musician and artist; daughter Jenna, 23; son, Adam, 26; “Oh, it’s mandatory. I’ll sell tickets to rides, daughter-in-law Britney; and make ham sandwiches,” she says. “I’ll do granddaughter, Cayden, 4. anything but work bingo. Most of those little old ladies cheat, and I can’t say anything because I’m related to most of them.”

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of his first day at work he rushed into his American Inn father's office, and said, "Father, in one day of Court: promoting I broke the accident case that you've been working on for 10 years!" professionalism > His father responded: "You idiot, we could live on the funding of that case for another 10 years!" (old lawyer joke) Executive Summary: This old, British-based organization Everyone has heard the jokes about attempts to dent some of the lawyer jokes attorneys—a preoccupation with money by creating an atmosphere of high ethical over the best interests of the clients, the standards and practices. crassness, etc. "The first thing we do," said a character in Shakespeare's “Henry VI,” is "kill all the lawyers." By Gene Marrano An organization founded almost 25 years ago on a British model, the American Inns of Court Foundation is designed to bring The lawyer's son wanted to follow in his attorneys, judges and law students together father's footsteps, so he went to law school. in a more collegial setting, to promote skills, He graduated with honors, and then went professionalism and ethics between the home to join his father's firm. At the end bench and bar.

XgZVi^k^in intellectual property FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:57 PM Page 29

LEGAL FRONT

In the Roanoke and New River Valleys the Strickland, now a Ted Dalton American Inn of Court chapter mediator who still (named for a late prosecutor, state legislator substitutes on the and U.S. District judge) meets about eight Circuit Court times a year, with Roanoke College serving bench in Roanoke, as host. District Court Judge Glen Conrad, was a major force nominated last year for a U.S. Appeals in getting the Ted Court position, is the current president. Dalton chapter off the ground. Roanoke Attorneys Bill Poff and William She cites the Rakes helped found the Ted Dalton chapter “educational about six years ago, along with now-retired component,” and judge Diane Strickland, current District an opportunity Court Judge James Turk and Lawrence for students and Koontz, a member of the Virginia Supreme young lawyers Court. to seek out mentors as major Poff, a lawyer with Woods Rogers and a reasons why the member of the governing board for the American Inns of Ted Dalton chapter, says a “variety of legal Court concept is programs,” are discussed, with a theme for worthwhile. the year typically established. “The concept goes back to the common law of England,” There’s more time notes Poff. for camaraderie at the Ted Dalton Membership in the American Inns of Court chapter meetings is divided along several categories and is than at the typical limited to 80 per chapter: Masters of the bar association Bench—judges, experienced lawyers, and monthly luncheon law professors; Barristers—lawyers with notes Strickland, some experience who do not meet one reason she requirements for Masters; associates and likes the American An opportunity for law students. There are about 25,000 Inns of Court. social ”contact [and] members nationwide. an“ opportunity for Ethical debates, lawyers to get to Aspiring attorneys from Washington and mock trials or know judges, in an Lee Law School—Poff’s alma mater—are programs that informal setting... members of the Ted Dalton American Inn of focus on opening —Bill Poff Court, along with a faculty representative. statements and closing arguments Sitting down to break bread with judges have all been “doesn’t happen in any other setting, other part of the mix. than the [local] bar association meeting “It gives the students once a month,” says Poff. and associates a hands-on opportunity While some judges prefer to avoid mingling to learn.” with lawyers they may have to deal with in court, Poff sees where getting together has Strickland has seen where the program helped round off some of the sharp edges has made a difference, especially between between the two groups. “Unquestionably, attorneys in some of the situations she it does. It is an opportunity for social contact mediates: “The bar [members] seem to [and] an opportunity for lawyers to get to get along very well with one another. know judges, in an informal setting. I think Rarely do I see any animosity in these it’s a good thing.” cases between counsel.”

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Restoring the 100-year-old Free choice or just more Center in the Square confusion? > facility is a privilege.

Executive Summary: A new labor law which could pass the Senate and be signed by new President Obama, will present challenges for businesses. Dan Smith Here’s what it’s about and what you need to do. Would EFCA also affect the concept of negotiation with a union in good faith and possibly bring negotiations to impasse without an agreement? Labor lawyer Bayard Harris serves on the faculty of the Business Department at EFCA requires ”interest arbitration” to have Roanoke College in Salem where he teaches a third party arbitrator write the parties’ Labor Relations, Human Resource agreement if there is an impasse. After 120 Management. and Business Law. He is also days from certification there will be a forced Conceptual drawing a working attorney with Woods Rogers in two year union contract. Labor contends Roanoke. that the campaign period before the election Like all of Spectrum Design’s projects, is used by employers to threaten and coerce this one is poised to make an impact. A native of D.C., he joined Woods Rogers in votes against the union at the election. 1973. In 1991, Harris founded The Center for Unions also blame the election process on Employment Law and was president until the dramatic decline in labor's penetration Embracing both science and creativity, the roof at Center in the Square 1998. He earned his law degree in 1973 of the workforce over the past 50 years. will be a regional destination. Cutting-edge walk-through exhibits will (cum laude) from the University of South Card check recognition, according to labor, Carolina where he served as an author and is the only viable remedy to these ills. allow visitors to experience the sustainable power of nature, observe editor on its Law Review. His A.B. degree is from UNC Chapel Hill. Will EFCA be enacted? hundreds of butterfly species in a two-story glass habitat, and enjoy a first-class sculpture garden. The Employee Free Choice Act has been a This law passed the House last year, the new hot topic since Barack Obama was elected Senate seems to be poised to pass it and our On track to be a LEED-certified facility, when all president in November and has raised a new president has promised to sign it. number of questions in the business is said and done Center in the Square will What do I need to do community. We asked Harris five of them have one of the “coolest” rooftops along and, in not-very-typical Harris fashion, he to get my business ready? was short and to the point. the East Coast. Stay tuned… Because the card signing could start at any What Is EFCA? time and be done by any union, it is vital to educate employees early and often in the It is federal legislation that would require process of labor organization and collective employers to recognize a labor union as bargaining. An educated employee may the exclusive bargaining agent for their decide not to sign the authorization card employees without a secret ballot NLRB when approached. election. It would be based solely on authorization cards the union gets by any Where do I get help to plan my means it can. This dramatically change 80 response and the needed education? years of American labor law. Employ an experienced labor attorney. Ask what the attorney has done, since there are many pretenders in the field without experience, but a good appearance. Lay consultants do not have the protection of the attorney client privilege. Roanoke Office: 540.342.6001 | Marion Office: 276.783.5133 | www.spectrumpc.com 30 FEBRUARY 09 / vbFRONT FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:57 PM Page 31

Restoring the 100-year-old Center in the Square facility is a privilege.

Conceptual drawing Like all of Spectrum Design’s projects, this one is poised to make an impact.

Embracing both science and creativity, the roof at Center in the Square will be a regional destination. Cutting-edge walk-through exhibits will allow visitors to experience the sustainable power of nature, observe hundreds of butterfly species in a two-story glass habitat, and enjoy a first-class sculpture garden. On track to be a LEED-certified facility, when all is said and done Center in the Square will have one of the “coolest” rooftops along the East Coast. Stay tuned…

Roanoke Office: 540.342.6001 | Marion Office: 276.783.5133 | www.spectrumpc.com FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:58 PM Page 32

Heart Alert Door to Balloon Time Transport Specialist, Target = less than 90 minutes Kevin A. Kissner, R.N., N.R.E.M.T.-P. 100 90 95 89 80 83 85 77 76 77 74 70 70 63 60 59 59 utes 52

Min 40

20

0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 05 05 05 05 06 06 06 06 07 07 07 07 08 08 When it Comes to Heart Attacks, Every Second Counts And every minute saves lives

Ifyou’rehavingaheartattack,speed en route to the hospital. Through the matters. In fact, the American College of alert, the medical team springs into Cardiology sets a standard of 90 minutes action and initiates a fast-track process from the time you that gets you treated an average of 30 Signs of a Heart Attack: arrive at a hospital minutes faster than the national hospital until you receive the standard. And, with Carilion’s Lifeguard •Chestpain critical treatment medical helicopters, you can rest assured •Dicultybreathingor you need. By work- that no matter where you live, you’re get- shortness of breath ingwithEmergency tingthefastestcareavailable. •Paininarms,backorneck Medical Service You always hear that seconds count. But (EMS) professionals when you have a health partner working •Coldsweat,nausea throughout the or vomiting with your community to give you a area to establish the half-hour advantage, that’s a life-saving Heart Alert™ pro- di3erence. If you experience symptoms gram, Carilion Clinic is getting heart attack of a heart attack, do not attempt to patients to cath labs at Carilion Roanoke drive yourself to the hospital. Call 911 Memorial where arteries can be unblocked immediately. in an average of 60 minutes or less. For more information on Carilion Clinic’s Usingspecialequipment,EMSproviders Heart Alert™ program, please call can diagnose your heart attack at your 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482. home and then contact physicians and sta3 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial while FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 3:58 PM Page 33

WELLNESS FRONT

It helps them “to substitute” one behavior for another. —Linda Coulter Tim W. Jackson Transport Specialist, Kevin A. Kissner, R.N., N.R.E.M.T.-P. ‘You’re getting very sleepy…’ > Coulter uses hypnotism mostly to assist people in practical applications: weight loss, stress management, pain control, smoking Executive Summary: cessation. The relief can make for healthier Linda Coulter of Successful Thinking and happier employees who will have fewer Hypnosis Center wants employers to better sick days, fewer health insurance claims understand the practical uses of hypnosis. and will be more productive.

When it Comes to Heart Attacks, Every One area hypnosis can help is in the pain that comes with some jobs and in workman’s Second Counts By Tim W. Jackson compensation cases. “There are so many And every minute saves lives Americans who suffer from chronic pain,” Coulter says. “Even if they’re medicated, sometimes they can’t take enough to Ifyou’rehavingaheartattack,speed en route to the hospital. Through the If you mention hypnosis, the imagination alleviate your pain and still function matters. In fact, the American College of alert, the medical team springs into often runs wild. People think they’ll be made in society.” Cardiology sets a standard of 90 minutes action and initiates a fast-track process to cluck like a chicken or become the next from the time you that gets you treated an average of 30 Manchurian Candidate. Perhaps an old Coulter works with clients to essentially Signs of a Heart Attack: arrive at a hospital minutes faster than the national hospital bearded guy will wave a pocket watch and “turn down their pain.” She says she treats until you receive the standard. And, with Carilion’s Lifeguard say, “You’re getting very sleepy.” clients with problems such as arthritis, •Chestpain critical treatment medical helicopters, you can rest assured fibromyalgia, cancer pain or an injury like •Dicultybreathingor you need. By work- that no matter where you live, you’re get- “People get all that stuff from the a torn rotator cuff. shortness of breath ingwithEmergency tingthefastestcareavailable. media—from movies and TV,” says Linda •Paininarms,backorneck Medical Service You always hear that seconds count. But Coulter, a certified clinical hypnotist at Stress can lead to errors, accidents, (EMS) professionals when you have a health partner working Successful Thinking Hypnosis Center, which forgetfulness and irritability at work. •Coldsweat,nausea is one half of the Rejuvenation Center found Coulter uses hypnosis to bring down the throughout the with your community to give you a or vomiting area to establish the in Fairlawn. Her business partner is Sean baseline level of stress. half-hour advantage, that’s a life-saving Terry, a massage therapist. Heart Alert™ pro- di3erence. If you experience symptoms gram, Carilion Clinic is getting heart attack Most of the time Coulter sets up a plan of a heart attack, do not attempt to Coulter stresses that hypnosis is a patients to cath labs at Carilion Roanoke with the client, and sometimes works with drive yourself to the hospital. Call 911 medically approved health and wellness the client’s physician to establish that plan. Memorial where arteries can be unblocked immediately. program accepted by the American Medical A big part of the strategy for success is to in an average of 60 minutes or less. For more information on Carilion Clinic’s Association since 1958 and its practitioners have the client simply avoid that initial urge Usingspecialequipment,EMSproviders Heart Alert™ program, please call are professionals. to eat or smoke or engage in undesirable can diagnose your heart attack at your 540-266-6000 or 800-422-8482. behavior. home and then contact physicians and Coulter says she hopes the public will sta3 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial while understand there is no black magic “For instance,” Coulter says, “we might surrounding hypnotism. Instead, hypnosis have a person to think that instead of allows the client to enter a state of deep accepting that urge to smoke, he should relaxation. Once in this state, the wash the dishes or go get some exercise. subconscious begins to move to the front. It helps to substitute one behavior for A hypnotist is then able to communicate another to get his mind off the behavior with the client’s subconscious. he wants to avoid.

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allows the primary Hospitalist: care physician to Built-in concentrate on his outpatient practice, efficiency > without running back and forth to the hospital.”

Executive Summary: Hospitalists are with Hospitalists are stationed the patients from the at the hospital and beginning of their become a vital extra set stay through of hands and eyes for the discharge. They take primary care physician. a detailed medical history, keep the primary care physician in the loop, By Alison Weaver communicate with the family around the clock and prepare the discharge summary. You’re in the emergency room with your elderly “It helps reduce the mother. The ER doctor length of stay and is says your mother needs more efficient. to be admitted, and the Because we’re based next thing you know in the hospital, we you’re shaking hands can come see the with a hospitalist. Dan Smith patient four or five times a day,” Patolia A what? explains. “The nursing staff can be hesitant to interrupt a doctor at his office where he The term “hospitalist” didn’t even exist has a roomful of patients waiting, but they until 1996. Now, a dozen years later, every can contact us at anytime. That’s what we’re hospital in this region has physicians trained here for.” in the specialty. Patolia acknowledges that some people “Hospitalists are physicians whose duty, first have reservations about seeing a new face and foremost, is the primary care of patients when they’re at their sickest, “but they who are in the hospital,” says Dr. Harsukh quickly understand that we’ll be their Patolia, a hospitalist at Lewis-Gale Medical attending physician in the hospital and Center in Salem. then they’ll be released to the care of their primary health care provider.” Hospitalists serve as the attending physician for patients admitted through the ER and In larger cities, some doctors or HMOs for patients who are hospitalized with an contract with hospitalists to provide ailment such as pneumonia but who have after-hours care on nights, weekends or complicating issues like high blood pressure, holidays. In the Roanoke area, most congestive heart failure or diabetes. hospitalists are employees of the hospital. Patolia says that as an employee of HCA, After serving a residency at East Carolina Lewis-Gale’s parent company, it allows University, he arrived at Lewis-Gale in 1997 him to practice medicine without being to set up a hospitalist program, one of the concerned about the financial side. first in Virginia. “We don’t care if they’re insured or Lewis-Gale now has 10 of the specialists uninsured. They’ll get the same care. on staff, and is looking for more. “There are I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction many, many factors as to why the specialty with what I do.” developed,” Patolia says. “One reason is it

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WELLNESS FRONT Making the best of ‘a restless nature’>

Executive Summary: Ellyn Roberts sees opportunities in all the diversity of task she’s seeing at work these days and she’s loving every minute of it.

By Leigh Ann Roman

If you want to make Ellyn Roberts happy, Dan Smith just give her a challenge. rooms). We had to keep people out of the way of the wrecking ball.” The expansion Maybe you could ask her to keep a hospital was 300,000 square feet. In addition to that, running smoothly while you build five floors Roberts served as facilitator of the move of on top of it. Or maybe you could get her to patients from Community Hospital to help you move a hospital full of patients into Memorial last year. “It’s the best time in another hospital. This Carilion Clinic nurse my life,” she says. has done both since joining the hospital staff in 1995. In November, Roberts made another change and took the job as regional practice director “Nursing, No.1, and Carilion, No. 2., has for surgery for Carilion Clinic. “The new job been able to give me all of the opportunities will help us move one step closer to the new for growth and professional excitement,” clinic mode, a physician model of care where says Roberts, 45. “Not just development, patients come first,” she says. but the thrill of pulling off a big project where everyone has contributed and played Agee, the COO, also worked as a nurse early an active role.” in her career. “One thing about Carilion is that we have a real passion around nurses After doing clinical nursing for three years, and the important role they have. Roberts became a nursing supervisor who Being a large organization, there are oversaw day-to-day operations and patient many opportunities,” she says. “Ellyn is flow at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital an example of someone whose restless and Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital. nature and organizational skills and broad When Roberts asked for more opportunities, background have enabled her to take Carilion COO Nancy Agee assigned her to advantage of opportunities across the be a consultant in building the Mountain organization.” Pavilion while still working as a nursing supervisor. Roberts became a nurse because of an early experience she had at Carilion. When Roberts completed that project— When her son was two weeks old, he and her master’s degree in business caught bacterial meningitis and was in administration—she became clinical Carilion for three weeks. He is now consultant for project management for in college. Carilion in Roanoke. “My responsibility was to keep patient care and in-house operations “I remember the doctors and nurses and going while we were building on top (of the care he got here,” Roberts says. Memorial),” she says. “We moved units “I chose nursing because I knew that I around or would close ORs (operating could do anything.”

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For TMEIC, “I am … cautiously it’s time of plenty > optimistic about our immediate future,” says Guidry, the president and Executive Summary: CEO of TMEIC, The former GE Drive Systems in Salem an international works with industries across the globe who integrator of need its products and need them now. industrial drive systems.

By Rod Belcher Guidry has good reason for his positive outlook. When many companies in the region are downsizing and closing, TMEIC is looking at a surplus of work that will carry At a time when the majority of those in the it over well into the next year. business community, locally, nationally and globally, are pulling out their umbrellas and “Over 50 percent of what we are doing in bracing for the coming storm, Dale Guidry’s 2009 is backlog,” Guidry says. “The economy sky isn’t falling. At least not yet. hasn’t had as great an impact on the

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TECH/INDUSTRY FRONT industries we supply and our global basis helps as well. We export 60 percent of what we do here around the world.”

Dan Smith It’s been a year Rod Belcher since the company, which began life in 1955 as General Electric’s drive system operation in Salem, moved to its new headquarters in the former Atlantic Mutual building in Roanoke County. In that year, GE’s involvement in the company, with We’re going controlling partners, Mitsubishi Electric ” after Brazil. and Toshiba, has decreased, changing the “ company’s brand to TMEIC, from the former —Dale Guidry TMEIC GE. Guidry recently returned from a business summit in Japan where the “We’re going after Brazil,” he says. “There company’s new logo was unveiled. were some factors down there that were looking closely at and we think now is the “We still work closely with GE,” Guidry time to move into that market.” explains. “But it now has a minority voting interest in the company.” The TMEIC office in Roanoke handles much of the company’s engineering development Globalization continues to be integral and Guidry, a former engineer himself, says to TMEIC’s business strategy. New that his employees have been less impacted industrialization in places like China, India by the current economic trends in the area, and South America has been less affected but that there is still an element of by the global economic downturn. The uncertainty, even in his workforce. industrial drives that TMEIC designs and produces are essential to industrial processes “We’re seeing some employees delaying like steel production, cement manufacturing retirement right now,” he says. “We’re not and papermaking and are still in demand in seeing cancellations of projects, but we are those regions of the globe. seeing more projects being delayed. We’re working to accommodate clients with their Guidry, who has been on the forefront of changes in scheduling.” developing business relationships with China for almost 20 years, says that it’s not luck As an international company with an that they TMEIC is positioned in these emphasis on the Japanese business model, markets, but rather the fruition of a long- TMEIC has a long view of employment, term corporate vision. Guidry says. “While we don’t guarantee lifetime employment to anyone, when you “We planned globally. We wanted to be in are hiring, you are looking at that process as China,” he says. “All of the major economies a potential life-long relationship. Likewise, are anticipated to have a negative GDP next the success or failure of this company is year. However The BRIC countries—Brazil, viewed as the direct responsibility of my Russia, China and India are expected to have team and myself.” positive GDP growth next year.” That kind of direct cause-effect responsibility In the last 12 months, TMEIC has won may be a different model than how many numerous contracts in India, China and companies are structured, but in economic Mexico and Guidry says that in 2009 they times like these it seems a sound business are targeting South American markets. model; and it’s hard to argue with success.

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A new dynamic Americans in moving > in general are moving at a lower rate than Executive Summary: they have The decision to move involves a lot more since the than simply calling a movers these days Census because of an economy that forces you Bureau to make some hard decisions. began keeping track in 1940, By Rachael Garrity according to the New York Times. John Phillips and Page Warner A bleak financial forecast can hardly be A poll by described as news these days, but how a Current prescient business owner adapts to ride out Population the storm certainly is. For John S. Phillips, Survey discovered that just 12 percent of president of Premier Transfer and Storage, Americans have moved since 2007. That’s “ride” is the operative word. down a percentage point from 2006 and it compares to 20 percent in the 1950s and In today’s residential real estate market, 1960s. sales that a year or so ago were completed in a matter of weeks or even days may now With an MBA from the R. B. Pamplin College take months or years. That means planning of Business at Virginia Tech and experience a move, even when there is a job transfer in the local banking industry, followed by a involved, can be a nightmare. stint as director of economic development for Virginia Tech, Phillips is no stranger to the “Look,” says Phillips emphatically, “moving business climate in the region. He set about is pure stress to just about everybody. diversifying his services by adding both Our job is to make it as smooth as it can be— corporate and military accounts, a move that and that goes beyond being sure nothing is has made a significant difference this year. broken. If you know you’re moving but you can’t go until the house sells, then we can “Sure, our residential work has slowed, work with you on the schedule.” but the corporate has increased at the same time, so our total sales are really only Specifically, a cost estimate that last year marginally off,” he reports. “And we’re also was good for 30 days now may be now serving a much larger geographic area– guaranteed for 90 days. “And if that’s not Bristol, Bluefield, Lynchburg, Martinsville– enough, we’ll talk about how to make it fit so the base of operations is greater, too.” what you need,” he adds. This does not mean, Phillips hastens to add, That kind of customer focus is obviously that the company is in any way turning away good business, but it also is possible because from local moves. Indeed, he bought the Phillips has built an enterprise that can Salem-based Akers Transfer and Storage tolerate flexible timing. earlier this year. The current operation is roughly 50 percent local residential, 40 “In 2002 when I bought the company percent corporate and 10 percent military. (then operating as Blacksburg Transfer and Included are a full range of projects, from Storage) I knew part of the reason the transferring equipment when the VT football then-owner was in a selling mood was that is on the road to moving a large—and the 2001 recession had been a tough go,” delicate—piece of sculpture from the he recalls. “My idea was to find a way to university to the new Taubman Art Museum prepare for such times.” or managing laboratory moves that involve transferring multimillion dollar pieces of

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TECH/INDUSTRY FRONT

Rachael Garrity Rachael Garrity

equipment with what he calls “zero tolerance.”

“This industry is changing. Technology means more efficiency, better service— as in, for instance, a GPS system that lets If you” know you’re customers essentially ‘watch’ the truck with “moving but you can’t their stuff in it. This year, for the first time, go until the house sells, we’ve hired a marketing manager. We know we can work with you that keeping a strictly operational focus is on the schedule. not enough. Yes, the economy is in decline. —John Phillips What that means to us is every opportunity is golden.”

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DEVELOPMENT FRONT

Virginia Tech students’ innovative Habitat for Humanity home

A new kind Williamsburg, and Brandon Lingenfelser of Habitat home > of Blacksburg—two recent graduates of the School of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech. Adam Elsea, a fifth-year architecture student from Roanoke, is among others who Executive Summary: helped with the structure. Faculty advisors Tech students and faculty worked to create were Joseph Wheeler and Robert Dunay. a model that is not only custom-made for the customer, but also for Habitat for Humanity. The design includes two modules fabricated at the school's research facilities. Each module was completed with as much of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing Special to the FRONT work as possible in place prior to transport to the home site. The home was designed so that little professional skilled work needed be done on-site, which helps to It’s a prefab. It’s a custom-designed home. best use the volunteers who are involved It’s a floorwax. in the construction of Habitat for Humanity houses. Forget the floorwax with apologies to Saturday Night Live, but take a close look at The design-build research into prefabrication the prefabricated custom designed home employs techniques to maintain superior put together by a couple of recent Virginia quality control, stays within severe funding Tech students working with faculty limits, and reduces time of construction on members. the open site. It is intended to provide a house of unique statue and image while They’ve taken competing styles and merged remaining true to the Habitat for Humanity them into a workable and attractive home spirit of building. for those who normally wouldn’t even dream of being able to live custom.

The house was moved from its construction site at the Tech College of Architecture to Montgomery Street in Christiansburg in December and is part of the undergraduate thesis project of Dan Gussman of

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Work It could be argued that nobody in retail knows customers better than those is in the fabric business. It is a hands-on operation— Spaces literally and figuratively—and one that works best if there is lots of space, but still a sense of coziness.

Fabric quest Two New River Valley owners have found a in the NRV > solution that provides just the right mix, and at the same time preserves a sense of history and place that those same customers Executive Summary: treasure. The stores are Sew Biz in Radford Old buildings, new fabrics and Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd. and a lot of interested customers. Marianne Beeson originally opened her fabric store in downtown Radford in 1981, with 800 square feet. Within a couple of By Rachael Garrity years, she expanded into an adjacent area that had been used as an office, and the business continued to grow.

In the early 1990s she learned that the Central Depot building, an historic structure built in 1891 as a hotel for railroad passengers, was available. Carefully renovated by owners Luther

all photos: Rachael Garrity

Radford’s Sew Biz, in the old Central Depot, is filled floor to ceiling with fabric; Marianne Beeson relaxes (bottom center)

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DEVELOPMENT FRONT

and Helen Dickens to preserve not only His mother, Clester Duncan, opened her the front porch and the Palladian windows, business in 1971, renting what had been but also the wood details on the inside, the the first grade classroom in the Floyd building offered plenty of space, great light Elementary School, built in 1911 and in the front for demonstrating state of the closed in 1962. By 1985, Jerry’s parents art sewing machines, rooms for classes and had purchased the entire building, and sewing groups—the gamut. they, like Jerry, saw the value in preserving as much of the original structure as Today, the store inventory includes 3,000 possible. bolts of fabric. What was a separate building housing the hotel kitchen has been joined to “The slate blackboards are still here, the the main building and become a teaching floors are original,” Jerry proudly points out. studio. Because the renovation was originally “I would even have kept the pot-bellied for a client planning to operate a tearoom, stoves, but safety rules wouldn’t allow it.” Marianne points out happily on her Web site that: “Sew Biz is perhaps the only fabric All six of Jerry’s employees are family store in the world with both a wine cellar members. There is ample testimony to the and an herb garden (we use the wine cellar fact that the charm of the school—and of for box storage).” the family—creates no small amount of the appeal. Like Marianne Beeson, Jerry Duncan has seen his business move from the one his Like Sew Biz, it is on the list for traveling mother founded that focused on home sewn quilters. As one happy stitcher put it, having garments, to a Mecca for quilters, as well as posted a picture of the building on her blog: others involved in related crafts or home “Isn't this a lovely old school building. décor. Best part is it is filled with fabric.”

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David Perry Bill Elliot was thrust into the president’s chair of his father’s business in 1982 and has thrived since

Bill Elliot is a liberal in a conservative Always playing business. against type > After all, how many top executives do you know with degrees in philosophy and conflict resolution, who volunteer for Executive Summary: charities promoting religious tolerance and Bill Elliot has rarely lived life by somebody international artistic health resources? else’s prescription, but he’s living it quite well, thank you very much. Elliot's family shares his progressive leanings. His wife Diane is a licensed minister who teaches spiritual inquiry classes and performs weddings and blessings. By David Perry She also teaches Sufi, the inner and mystical dimension of Islam, and performs cranio-sacral therapy, which involves connecting with the rhythm of her client's cerebral spinal fluid for healing purposes. Son Rives runs the Local Roots Cafe in the

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DEVELOPMENT FRONT Grandin Gardens Center, which serves In Brief locally-raised foods from organic and sustainable farms. Name: William Davis Elliot Age: 62 It makes you wonder how a self-described social liberal like Bill Elliot came to head up Company: Davis H. Elliot the Davis H. Elliot Company, Inc., a major Location: Roanoke Roanoke-based electrical company. Type of Power line construction business: and maintenance; utility “I try to be fiscally conservative,” says Elliot maintenance with a laugh. Title: President and chairman Davis H. Elliot is not some run-of-the-mill of the board home wiring company. It specializes in History: Born in Lynchburg. Attended power line and utility construction and Episcopal High School in maintenance throughout the southeast, Alexandria and Gresham’s and has about 1,450 employees. Founded by School in Norfolk, England. Elliot's father, Davis, in 1946, the company Earned a bachelor’s degree began with one crew and one customer— in philosophy from Trinity Appalachian Power. Today, clients include College, a law degree from the likes of AEP and the city of Nashville. Washington & Lee, and a master’s degree in conflict resolution from Eastern Throughout his youth and college years, Mennonite University. Joined while attending some hoity-toity schools, his father’s company in June Elliot worked summers at his dad's company. of 1982 as vice president of After completing his law degree, Elliot sales and development and returned to Roanoke, where he practiced law became president and for eight years. Shortly after his father died chairman of the board in in 1979, his uncle took over the company, October of 1983. and Elliot became vice president for sales and development. To his surprise, his uncle retired 15 months later. fun, but I'm finding watercolor to be the more difficult of the two.” Elliot suddenly found himself as the new president and chairman of the board in 1982. But Elliot's first love seems to be trout Today, he counts the company's repair work fishing, which he's done since his dad, who after the recent spate of hurricanes as some helped found the local Trout Unlimited of its most important. chapter, taught him to fish as a boy. Elliot has taken a fly fishing trip out west Elliot completed a master's degree in every summer since 1984. Among his conflict resolution through the conflict favorite streams is Idaho's Henry's Fork, transformation program at Eastern “a graduate school river for fly fishing. Mennonite University in 2001. He volunteers I've come away from there humbled many with the Center for Religious Tolerance, times. They're very highly educated fish,” based in Sarasota, FL, and the Storydancer says Elliot. Project in Santa Fe, NM, which focuses on improving women's and girl's health through His best fish tale? While trying to land one dance and storytelling. on Henry's Fork, he caught his foot in a rock and fell face first in the water, struggling to Elliot also finds time for art. He recently right himself. “I didn't lose the fish, but I lost spent four months in New York at the my wedding ring. I looked forever for it.” National Academy School of Fine Arts Bracing himself for his wife's wrath, he studying drawing and painting, and is going phoned home, only to find a large maple back for four more in 2009. “That was really tree had just fallen on the house during a a lot of run, extremely challenging and a lot thunderstorm. says Elliot, “She was more of hard work,” says Elliot.” He prefers “oil concerned about the tree, and so was I for the serious approach and watercolor for after I heard that.”

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‘This year has just really collapsed’ >

Executive Profile: It’s a hard world out there for automobile sellers. “Dealers are tightening their belts [and] streamlining operations, focusing on their core business to ride this out,” says one official.

By Gene Marrano

If numbers don’t lie then Virginia’s new car and truck dealers were hit upside the head with statistics in 2008, experiencing a Vinton Motors closed its doors after 77 years precipitous drop in sales from 2007. Blame gloomy economic forecasts, job loss or fear thereof, and tightened credit standards. November ’08 vs. 346 one year earlier. Internationally, Toyota posted its first loss So says Michael Allen, director of public in history in 2008. In both cases, domestic affairs for the Virginia Automobile Dealers and foreign, the November numbers showed Association (VADA) in Richmond. “This is a much sharper drop off than did October’s. our fourth [straight] year of decreases,” Passenger truck sales were also down: 128 in Allen points out. “This year [2008] has really November ’07, compared to 76 in November just collapsed.” New car sales will drop ’08. Some SUV’s and minivans get lumped about 18 percent for 2008, trucks (including into the truck category. some SUV’s and minivans) more than 30 percent. Allen says no one region of the state is doing much better than another. “They’re Using numbers supplied by the Department all suffering equally.” In the past year 20 of Motor Vehicles, based on where they are dealerships statewide have gone out of garaged, domestic new car sales in Roanoke business. He recalls just one failure during City, Roanoke County, the City of Salem and his previous 10 years with VADA. Others Montgomery County plunged from 325 units in financial distress have sold out to in November 2007 to 132 in November 2008. competitors. Consumer confidence, or the lack of it says Allen “is the inherent underlying issue.” Family-owned Vinton Motors (77 years in the business) packed it in last summer, citing He also says a perception that credit is slow sales of its Ford product line. Allen, still very hard to come by is dampening a Martinsville native, points out that car enthusiasm. Some banks have ratcheted up dealerships are often the “biggest small their requirements, once again requiring business in town,” supporting Little League larger down payments, higher Beacon teams, print shops, media outlets and other scores, etc. “Traffic in to the dealerships concerns. is being reduced by overall consumer confidence,” notes Allen. “Most dealers are tightening their belts [and] streamlining operations,” says Allen, Foreign auto dealerships in the region “focusing on their core business to ride this (Toyota, Honda, etc.) suffered much the out.” They’re taking a wait-and-see attitude same fate: 144 units registered by DMV in on what positive impact the Obama

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RETAIL FRONT

We expected more “dealerships” to go out of business. —VADA’s Michael Allen

GM makes 20 vehicles that average more than 30 mpg, but many don’t know that.

Haley Toyota in Roanoke is indicative of many car dealerships: holding on, trying to Dan Smith keep people employed. General Manager Chuck Baker says the service department has been a positive note: “Thank goodness business there has been very, very steady.” Administration might have. Recent VADA town hall meetings held around the state Baker says many dealerships are price dealt with topics like bankruptcy and closing reductions on new cars and light trucks: dealerships. “It is a buyer’s market [if] you can afford to buy. I think it will be a while until we’re back Domestic car sales nationwide were down to where we were, but I see things getting 40 percent in 2008; Toyota and Honda better. I’m an optimistic guy.” weren’t far behind in the mid 30s. “The market’s finally caught up to [the imports],” “These are troubled times, not everyone is says Allen, noting that domestic carmakers going to make it through,” warns VADA’s also suffer from the gas-guzzler image Michael Allen. “Unfortunately we expect problem. more dealerships to go out of business.”

WithWith 15% of FortuneFortune 500 companies blogging,blogging, how’show’s a regionalregional companycompany with : a regionalregional budget and national aspirations Q toto competecompete online? ANDANDSSHAKESHAKHAKE SignatureSignature WWarmarm HandshakHandshakee It’sIt’s still who youyou know.know. LetLet BloBlogg DDivaivivaa kknow.noww.. HandshakeHandshake 2.0’s2.0’s SignaturSignaturee WWarmarm HandshakHandshakee AnneAnne Giles Clelland offersoffers youyou a lolow-cost,w-cost, high-high-qualityquality wayway toto President,President, Handshake MMedia,edia, IInc.nc. showcaseshowcase youryour companycompany in a blog without [email protected]@handshake20.com : www.handshake20.comwww.handshake20.com the high costs of maintaining youryour ownown blog.blog. A 540-808-6334

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Dan Smith Alejandro’s Moises Nucamendi

Good food, "I always thought of doing something on my good attitude, own," says Nucamendi. "So I said, 'Let's do it and see what happens.'" What happened good response > was that Alejandro’s was so successful that it begged for more. And now there is more. Nucamendi recently opened the second Alejandro’s at the corner of Williamson Road Executive Summay: and Peters Creek Road and he is look into Moises Nucamendi has found the the future at other potential locations— philosophy that is working wonders Salem mentioned prominently. for his restaurants: “Be nice.” The Mexican restaurant's standout feature is its all-you-can-eat salsa and chip bar, with many varieties of salsa: mild, hot, green, red, By Jill Elswick and creamy, 15 in all at the new restaurant. Nucamendi worked with a cook to come up with the dishes, including chimichangas, Moises Nucamendi had long dreamed of enchiladas, and the spectacular fish tacos. opening his own restaurant. A 16-year veteran of Wendy's International, he began "My customers have the most diversity," his career as a crew member and worked his says Nucamendi, noting that they range way up to district manager in Sacramento, from business people to local artists and Calif. musicians.

He moved to Roanoke with his family a few But because of the downtown restaurant's years ago to accept the same position with relatively small space–it seats 50 people– the fast-food chain. "We moved here customers have sometimes had to be turned mainly because we wanted change," says away at the door on crowded occasions. Nucamendi. Many of them started asking Nucamendi if he would open a larger restaurant. But when that job didn't work out as He decided he would and started looking at planned, Nucamendi decided to go into buildings in Roanoke's Grandin Village and business for himself. In November of 2007, Salem's Main St. But he settled on a space he opened Alejandro's on Campbell Ave. that seats 250 people. "It was a good in downtown Roanoke. The restaurant is opportunity, so we couldn't just let it go," named for his brother. It sounded catchy, says Nucamendi. "It was only a 15-month he says. lease, so why not give it a shot?"

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RETAIL FRONT

But Nucamendi has a recipe for success: "Just be nice. If that were on the menu, it would be your most-selling item. When you go into a place and they make you feel good, that's where it starts." Just ”be nice. Even in a troubled economy, Nucamendi “If that were on the says, people will eat out enough to keep menu, it would be moderately priced restaurants like your most-selling Alejandro's in business. item. —Moises Nucamendi "I would like to keep going as far as I can go," he says. "If [Wendy’s founder] Dave Thomas started with one restaurant and now has more than 7,000, why not?"

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CONTRIBUTORS

Rod Belcher is a busy Bobbi A. Hoffman is a David Perry works for the Alison Weaver is a Roanoke-based freelance freelance writer, copyeditor Western Virginia Land Trust, Roanoke native and freelance writer, whose work appears in and proofreader who lives in and is an accomplished writer. She contributed to and state and regional publications. Roanoke. She is an editor at freelance writer. He is a native was a staff writer at the Blue He is also a science fiction Virginia Tech, where she of Blacksburg and a James Ridge Business Journal in the writer of some note. Web site: received her master’s degree. Madison University Graduate. 1990s before working as a copy [ www.rsbelcher.net ] [ Bobbi@HoffmanEditorial.com ] His writing has appeared in editor at The Roanoke Times Blue Ridge Country and the for 8 years.. Roanoker, among other [ [email protected] ] Anne Giles Clelland Tim W. Jackson is a publications. is the founder of business Radford-based freelance [ [email protected] ] news site Handshake 2.0 writer and editor of the online (handshake20.com) and the publication New River Voice president and CEO of and teaches as an adjunct Leigh Ann Roman is a Handshake Media, Inc., a new instructor in Media Studies veteran freelance writer based media public relations firm at Radford University. He in Vinton. A recent transplant and member company of is host of the radio show from Tennessee, she has VT KnowledgeWorks in “The Listening Room,” on worked as a staff reporter for Blacksburg. She has Master’s WVRU in Radford. The Tennessean newspaper in degrees in education and in [ [email protected] ] Nashville and for the Memphis counseling and is part of a Business Journal. She is team organizing the inaugural married and has two children. New River Valley Triathlon . Gene Marrano is a former [ [email protected] ] [ [email protected] ] sales and marketing executive Greg Vaughn in various manufacturing fields, JANUARY 2009 > and one of the most prolific Dan Smith is editor and Contributor of the Month Jane Dalier is an Account journalists in the Roanoke co-owner of Valley Business Executive for FRONT, with Valley. He not only writes for FRONT. A native of Asheville, Valley Business extensive experience in several publications, but he has N.C., he has been a journalist FRONT congratulates publication sales and small a television show (“Interview for more than four decades. Greg Vaughn, who business ownership. With Gene Marrano” on Cox He spent 20 years as editor receives the Publisher’s [ [email protected] ] Channel 9) and a radio show of the Blue Ridge Business Choice and Editor’s Choice (“Studio Virginia,” WVTF Journal, and was Virginia’s for our “Contributor of Public Radio). 2005 Small Business Journalist the Month” including a Donna Dilley is FRONT [ [email protected] ] of the Year and has been “One Who’s in the FRONT” Business Etiquette columnist, nominated for the 2009 class certificate and special gift. and owner of ProtoCorp in of the Virginia Communi- Salem. She has been an John Montgomery has cations Hall of Fame. He has Greg photographed our etiquette consultant for years. lived in Roanoke for 40 years, been nominated four times as January “Food Fight!” [ [email protected] ] and is the publisher of Play by the Roanoke Regional cover, which featured Play, a local sports monthly. Chamber’s Business Advocate a food-splattered, real- [ [email protected] ] of the Year (his wife, Christina, life chef. While FRONT Jill Elswick is a veteran calls him the Advocate’s Susan creative director Tom freelance writer living in Lucci). He has won many Field started to gingerly Roanoke. She is a former Linda Nardin owns an journalism awards (writing, place items of food on the senior editor at Employee advertising, marketing and PR photography and design), cover model, including Benefits News and worked consultancy at Smith Mountain several awards for Public Radio assorted vegetables, in media relations at Lake. Previously, she worked essays. He is married, has noodles, and even a fish---- Virginia Tech. She has a in business communications two grown children and a he says, “I knew we master’s degree in English management roles for IBM, grandchild. had a truly dedicated from N.C. State University. Pillsbury and Green Giant [ [email protected] ] photographer when I saw [ [email protected] ] Company. him actually ‘wind up’ [ blueskypublicrelationsllc@ to throw the food. yahoo.com ] Kathy Surace is FRONT Fortunately, I was able Tom Field is a creative Business Dress columnist, an to jump out of the way... director, marketing executive image consultant and owner and at least he did ask and owner of Berryfield, Inc. Deborah Nason writes of Peacock Image in Roanoke. our model to close his in Salem, and the new Valley for national, statewide and She was a fashion consultant eyes. Greg helps us Business FRONT magazine. regional publications, focusing for a major clothing chain for get the best out of our He has written and produced on emerging business issues. a number of years. concepts.” programs and materials for She has owned several small [ [email protected] ] local and international businesses, has an M.A. If you missed it, you can organizations for more than in Management and HR see it online (January 09 thirty years. Development, and is an active Greg Vaughn is an award- issue) at vbFRONT.com [ tfield@berryfield.com ] member of the American winning Roanoke area Society of Business Publication photographer for more than Editors, the Society of 30 years whose work has Rachael Garrity is the Professional Journalists, and appeared in local and inter- owner of Penworthy LLC, the Society of Business Editors national publications. a New River Valley-based and Writers. [ greg@gregvaughn- NOTE: Look for this page publications services and [ [email protected] ] photography.com ] of bios and contacts in consulting firm. each issue of the FRONT [ penworthyllc.gmail.com ] as Contributors change.

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RECREATION FRONT

Triathlon offers that working out on a consistent basis can executives stress serve as a much-needed salve to stress-, anxiety- and fatigue-related difficulties. relief > For many executives, the exercise of choice is triathlons, a combination of distance running, swimming and biking. For some Executive Summary: type-A personalities, the lure of triathlons Here’s how to push yourself to your is the competition. For others, it’s a form of absolute physical limits… in order to relaxation. And for all, the mental diversion relax and enjoy life. and the physical therapy are attractive.

The YMCA of Roanoke Valley and Virginia Amateur Sports have staged successful By John A. Montgomery triathlons at Smith Mountain Lake State Park in recent years, and the inaugural New River Valley Triathlon is slated in October (originally it was July 12, but it was There once was a time when company moved) at the Christiansburg Aquatic leaders, intense entrepreneurs and Center, a venue profiled in the January confirmed workaholics swore off athletics issue of Valley Business FRONT. and exercise in general, subscribing to a The aquatic center is to open this spring. philosophy that all work and no play was the high-percentage path to financial The NRV event is a “sprint” triathlon, where independence—or at the very least, a more the distances covered are shorter than the secure future. Ironman series. Part of the Virginia Series, the July event will feature a 400-meter Today, that attitude has become as passé swim in the new 50-meter Olympic pool, as the upward spikes of yesteryear’s stock a 13-mile bike ride through the surrounding market. countryside and a 5K run on residential streets. When the President of the United States, a former member of a high school state Initiated by FRONT columnist Anne Clelland, championship basketball team, can find time owner of Handshake 2.0, the NRV triathlon to shoot hoops regularly with his cabinet— is open to newcomers and veteran amidst the most depressed national triathletes alike, and the early registration economy in 75 years—it’s a clear bellwether list released in mid-January, six moths prior

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...a fabulous “spectator” experience. —Anne Clelland

For some type-A personalities, the lure of triathlons is the competition. For others, it’s a form of relaxation. Competing or relazing, Sycom’s Gordie Zeigler celebrates (below).

to the event, reflects a wide array of ages Airport and Glenn Skutt, 46, president of and triathlon experience. VPT Energy Systems in Blacksburg. David Cutter from TORC Technologies, another Twelve names on the list of 70 are older than Blacksburg-based operation based in the 50 years of age (including Clelland, who just Corporate Research Center, is entering turned five-oh); nine are teenagers. While a squad in the Valley Cup (a team most of the field is from a 15-mile radius of competition), and has issued a challenge Blacksburg, there also are entries from to other companies. Forty-year-old Maryland, North and South Carolina, Gordie Zeigler, former director of the Tennessee and Louisiana. Two-thirds of the NCTC and now a SyCom Technologies registrants to date are female. account executive is another of those anticipating heated competition. An executive with Set Up Events Inc. the organization overseeing the competition’s The proceeds from the event go to logistics, says that for a first-time event to the Mental Health Association of the have 70 sign-ups—including four teams, New River Valley. where three individuals each compete in one leg and then pass the baton to a For more information, go to teammate—six months in advance is newrivervalleytriathlon.com. impressive. The overall field could burgeon to as many as 600.

Clelland brought the concept of a triathlon to the NRV after attending one in Lynchburg two years ago, where her future husband, Iain Clelland, was competing. “It was a fabulous spectator experience,” Clelland says. “I wanted to have one at home.”

Anne Clelland has since become a triathlete herself, although she dismisses her abilities as “average.” But as a professional who works long hours, she recognizes the value of exercise and stress relief and is encouraged that a number of New River Valley executives concur—as evidenced by their commitments.

Among those already signed up are Michael St. Jean, 54, director of the New River Valley

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EDUCATION FRONT

Dan Smith Roanoke Higher Education Center’s Tom McKeon Higher Ed Center: designed to allow students, fresh from Striking a balance > high school all the way to workers looking at retirement, to jump-start a new careers or move to the next level of their current career with continuing education and Executive Summary: advanced degree programs. Roanoke’s Higher Education Center is a beehive of activity, educating students The heart of the facility is the 15 member and reacting to the needs of the business institutions, organizations that share the community. center’s facilities. Those facilities include more than 57 available classrooms, a 2,100 square-foot meeting room, four smaller meeting rooms and computer technology By Rod Belcher and video conferencing facilities.

McKeon says that new programs are A university campus is a living, breathing selected by the member organizations thing—a constant dance of scheduling based on perceived need. classes, lectures, seminars and conferences. Keeping it running smoothly is a massive “Each member organization does its own undertaking. market research,” he says. Members “look at national and local trends and determine Now imagine scheduling 15 colleges, what they want to offer in Roanoke, what universities and workforce training the region needs.” organizations, all under one roof and with one set of classrooms and conference Recently Old Dominion added a Public centers. That is the daily mission of Health Masters program and James Madison Tom McKeon and his staff at the Roanoke decided to include a Master of Public Higher Education Center. Administration degree to their offerings at the center, presenting new vocational The Roanoke Higher Education Center is one opportunities for the area. of a statewide system of these institutions, with centers in Virginia Beach, South Boston, McKeon says he and his staff listen closely Sterling and Abingdon, as well as Roanoke. to the local businesses community and offer advice about programs when there is an McKeon, the center’s director says that the interest. “We stay active with community facility is host to more than 200 programs organizations and try to keep our ear to the

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ground” he says. “We keep in touch with education increases. Right now is no economic development groups and try exception to that rule. to look for new programs.” “We are expecting to see a spike in our One example of this process is the spring enrollment,” he says. development of the culinary arts program at Virginia Western Community College. “There had been inquires for a program like RHEC Member this for a while,” McKeon says, “and we saw a national trend developing. Virginia Western Institutions began the program with 80 students and it has grown to 160 currently.” Averett University Bluefield College James Madison University Besides acting as a facilitator for new Jefferson College of Health Sciences educational development, the center also Hampton University does a brisk business as a business Hollins University conference center. Coordinating the Mary Baldwin College scheduling for the various meetings and Nova Southeastern University seminars can also be challenging, McKeon Old Dominion University admits, but his staff and the member Radford University organizations work together to keep Roanoke College scheduling running as smoothly as possible. TAP-This Valley Works job training programs University of Virginia “The meeting rooms are handled by the Virginia Tech center, “he says. “But we coordinate with Virginia Western Community College the member groups and offer the meeting spaces to organizations on a first come, first serve basis—everyone understands that. Most of what we do here involves local companies. Companies are cutting back on travel, but we are seeing more day Companies are conferences and meetings.” “cutting” back on travel, but we are McKeon says that while the economy seeing more day has many businesses seeking to maximize conferences and expenses, they have seen no more meetings. cancellations of business events that normal. —Tom McKeon He also says that traditionally in economic downturns, enrollment in continuing

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EDUCATION FRONT

Bobbi A. Hoffman Dan Smith John Hunter Tom Tanner

Tough love welcomes—and needs—active or retired for tough times > middle managers, small-business owners, IT specialists and others willing to share their expertise. Hunter retired after a 30-year banking career in New York. Executive summary: A tanking economy means less business SCORE’s new maxim is Counselors to startup and expansion, but counselors at America’s Small Businesses. Free counseling SCORE and the Roanoke Regional Small —whether face-to-face, by phone or via Business Development Center stay busy e-mail—is SCORE’s forte. helping area companies in trouble. “A large percentage of our current clients are coming to us because they’re in trouble. They may be getting phone calls from banks By Bobbi A. Hoffman and creditors,” Hunter says. “They need help with budgeting, negotiating with creditors, cost control and surviving in a down economy.” John Hunter wears dungarees to his volunteer job as chairman of the SCORE Not keeping up with technology is a chapter covering southwest Virginia. common problem Hunter sees. “Many He thinks his casual attire is less intimidating times they’re coming in looking for to clients who come to SCORE needing help marketing assistance. There are a lot of to start, expand or resuscitate a business. old timers around that are having trouble maintaining their business volume. “Not many people come in here wearing They don’t know how to use the computer; a shirt and tie,” he says. they’re not familiar with Internet marketing; they don’t have a grasp of the possibilities Hunter says the economy has curtailed the of using an Internet site.” creation and expansion of area businesses and caused greater demand from The Roanoke Regional Small Business established businesses that are having Development Center (RRSBDC) also offers problems. Calls to SCORE have increased counseling services, but the organization since the economy tanked. focuses on training. Classes include marketing for small budgets, social SCORE stands for Service Corps of Retired media, easy website development and Executives, but you won’t find any mention understanding financial statements. of “retired executives” on its Web site Class fees run $20–$45. When entrepreneurs or literature. The all-volunteer group face difficulties, RRSBDC’s paid staff

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performs financial diagnostics – analyzing financial statements to see how companies can work more efficiently. The organization uses a computer program that analyzes various business scenarios and compares them to industry benchmarks. For example: There” are a lot of old timers What happens to a company’s bottom line if “around that are having trouble it raises prices by X-percent? What if it could maintaining their business reduce collection time by X-number of days? volume. They don’t know how to use the computer; they’re “This is a good time for people to find new not familiar with Internet niches, look at cost control, maybe merge marketing; they don’t have with other companies… to make their a grasp of the possibilities of business stronger,” says Tom Tanner, using an Internet site. professional business counselor at RRSBDC. —John Hunter

And despite the state of the economy, Tanner points out that for some, this may be an opportune time to pursue a long-held dream. “When the economy gets bad, people who lose jobs think about other options. One is starting a new business.” When” the economy Both groups stress the importance of “gets bad, people who business plans. “We may tell someone in lose jobs think about business for 15 to 20 years to update their other options. One is business plan,” Hunter explains. “Many starting a new business. times they don’t have one, so we say, —Tom Tanner ‘Well, it’s time you do.’”

“We get a lot of calls where the bank is going to call their note, or they’re losing sales and they don’t have enough cash to stay in business... We make suggestions— painful ones—but they work,” says Hunter.

“We practice tough love for the benefit of our clients. We don’t want to see them get in trouble.” FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:00 PM Page 57

CULTURE FRONT

There is “no reason” to throw up your hands and panic. —Jan Smyth

Dan Smith Judy Clark and Jan Smyth of Opera Roanoke

Arts surviving significant hit of what may be several to the stock market, too > come occurred place in mid-January when Mill Mountain Theatre announced it was closing for at least year. The theater has been riding on the financial edge for some Executive Summary: time now and it finally fell off, a victim of As Mill Mountain Theatre closes after diminished donations, weak attendance and 40 years of operation, arts organizations, the economy. (See accompanying story.) faced with declining contributions from the wealthy, whose wealth has fallen with “The greatest impact is just on the the stock market, are finding they must psychology of philanthropy,” Dalhouse says. be more creative to survive. “When the Dow was at 14,000 it was easy to satisfy a $10,000 contribution by giving a few shares of stock. The psychology of a 40 percent decline in the value is just By Leigh Ann Roman overwhelming.’’

With an impressive array of arts organizations, Roanoke is easily the cultural Warner Dalhouse has done more center of this end of Virginia. “This is fund-raising than most. not a rich community, but it is a generous community,” Dalhouse says. “Over the last Since he retired as chairman and CEO of 25 years we have managed to put in place Dominion Bancshares a dozen years ago, an opera, a ballet, a symphony, and all of Dalhouse has been involved in capital the organizations at Center in the Square.” campaigns that have raised about $30 million for local endeavors including the reopening It’s time to get back to the basics of fund- and renovation of the Hotel Roanoke, the raising—donor relations, says Jan Smyth, creation of the Higher Education Center, and who was hired as development director of the opening of the Taubman Museum of Art. Opera Roanoke this summer. “At times like this there is no reason to throw up your But he has never seen anything like the hands and panic,” Smyth says. current national economic meltdown, and he believes we have yet to see its full impact Studies of philanthropy show that, in good on the arts and other organizations that rely times and bad, donors continue to give to on donations from the community. The first organizations in which they believe. And

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Dan Smith Dan Smith Georgeanne Bingham Laura Rawlings

We are doing Imagine Roanoke now “everything” we can “with” these economic times to get people if the [Taubman] art museum in the door. hadn’t been here. —Georgeanne Bingham —Laura Rawlings

the overwhelming majority of donations— people visited the art show in a two-hour about 80 percent—come from individuals, period the first day, but a typical Saturday she says. for the art show would have been about 20 people. One way to stay in touch with donors and make new contacts is to get the “It really showed that the rising tide organization’s board more directly involved raises all the boats,” Rawlings says. in fund-raising, Smyth says. The Taubman provides venues for Dalhouse agrees that board members will performances by other local arts have to pound the pavement for those donor organizations. The first weekend in bucks. “Raising money is just plain hard December, for example, offered three work, and they are going to have to use different concerts in the museum—one their own social and business influence for of them free. “We are doing everything the organizations they support... and make we can to get people in the door. In the phone calls and buy the lunches and order to do that you have to offer them make the case,” he says. something special to want to come in here,” says Georganne Bingham, The situation in Roanoke could be worse, executive director of the Taubman. says Laura Rawlings, executive director of The Arts Council of the Blue Ridge. “What we are trying so hard to do is to offer things to the public so that it will be “Imagine Roanoke now with these a place that is almost like a sanctuary or economic times if the [Taubman] art haven,” she says. museum hadn’t been here. We wouldn’t have seen these new businesses coming While some express concern that the in and the redevelopments with the lofts,” Taubman’s expenses have drawn donations Rawlings says. away from other organizations, supporters point out that the $54 million already raised As an example of the museum’s impact, for that museum came from fewer than 200 she cited the opening of the Roanoke City people in the Roanoke Valley, which is home Art Show, which happened the same week to more than 200,000 people. that the Taubman opened. About 125

58 FEBRUARY 09 / vbFRONT FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:01 PM Page 59

CULTURE ‘Intermission’ for FRONT Mill Mountain Theatre

Roanoke's professional theater, Mill Mountain Theatre, will cease operations in order “to focus on reorganization of the theater's productions and business operations.” The board of directors announced the decision because of "sharply declining income, reduced state funding, lower than expected donations, changes in consumer entertainment choices and the effects of today's challenging economy." The board has not decided whether to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection an official said.

The theater has considerable existing debt and its income has been much lower than projected for recent productions. It has been an especially difficult economy for theaters nationally and a number the size of MMT have closed in recent months. They include theaters in Ohio, Florida, Minnesota and Boston, according to an MMT release. In the Roanoke area, funds have been especially scarce with the recent opening of the Taubman Museum of Art, a facility which has already absorbed more than $50 million, and will have an operating projected at more than $3 million a year.

The loss of Mill Mountain Theatre, even for a year, would be yet another strain on Center in the Square, which houses the theater and a number of other arts organizations. Center has struggled in recent months.

In a joint statement, the board released this: “Our traditional business model no longer works. We want to be responsible stewards of our community's long-standing financial support, so we are taking a break from business-as-usual to reinvent Mill Mountain Theater. We are taking

an intermission and plan to re-emerge stronger photos: Dan Smith and better than ever.” An “S.O.S” prop sits outside the back stage door (top), while a patron attempts a conversation The board and staff will work with local officials under the partly closed ticket and contributors to create a new model and an window (bottom) “aggressive fund-raising campaign, based on a new business plan, will begin upon the announcement of the plan's details.”

The release says that “Mill Mountain Theatre This is not a rich is doing the responsible thing and securing its “community,” but it is future by reinventing and reinvigorating how we a generous community. do business.” The first production of the revamped —Warner Dalhouse season can be expected during the 2009 holiday season, officials say. Season ticket holders will receive vouchers for the canceled plays. They will be good for next season's plays.

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Floyds Artworks: is Runk & Pratt’s SML Blending paint and Retirement Village in the Westlake area of Moneta. business > The family is also known for its sign painting Executive Summary: business, catering to A Smith Mountain Lake family continues to hundreds of Wendy’s and provide artistic touches for homeowners, even McDonald’s restaurants though the economy is not exactly friendly. in 22 states.

Husband Dale Floyd By Linda Nardin and their 16-year-old son, Jesse, prepare the site, provide base painting Last summer, Dale and Lisa Floyd of Moneta duties before the artwork planned to sell their country home on a pond is added. They do final in Bedford County and return with their two clean-up, as well. Father children to North Carolina, an area rich in and son manage the familial ties. business.

The economy went south before the family The family was recently could, and with the slump, the Floyd’s plans commissioned to add a were interrupted. The economic downturn cheery visual landscape seems to have only made a minor dent in to the Roanoke Ronald the family business, Floyd’s Artworks, a McDonald House family customized mural painting enterprise. lounge. Subsequently, it developed the local Lisa Floyd, a commercial artist and marketing charity’s Christmas card, professional with 30 years’ experience, replete with a dreamy devises realistic and fanciful landscapes. scene of the Star City Her partner is her 18-year-old home- after a fresh snowfall. schooled daughter, Julia. Even in a challenging economy, says Lisa, The duo’s detailed work adorns a wide the family continues to receive requests to variety of homes, offices and restaurants paint. The Floyds charge a flat rate of $100 around Smith Mountain Lake and beyond. per hour once they begin the painting The most recent addition to their portfolio process.

Dale and Jess Floyd prepare surface for mural (above); Lisa Floyd (below); The Ronald McDonald Christmas card was a gift from the Floyds (center); Julia Floyd touches up a scene (right); Julia and Lisa with new mural (far right)

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CULTURE FRONT

In adding aesthetic one of the café’s walls. pleasures to an everyday wall, room, “He was flabbergasted when he saw what or entire home or we had done in so little time,” she says. place of business, Lisa remembers him saying, “I expected a Lisa Floyd becomes mural of maybe 3-by-4-feet… nothing of philosophical: “Sooner this magnitude.” or later, hard times come along and times The artists consult in great detail, looking can get tough. But for “whatever is meaningful to [the client]; innovative business we’re happy to [that] incorporate into their owners see the work mural.” Complexity of the assignment we do as a way matters not—only the number of 10-hour to pique people’s days the Floyds require to complete an curiosity and draw interior or exterior space. On average, more customers most murals are completed in 1 to 3 days. in a subtle way— through art.” That little buy-and-run coffee shop quickly became the talk of talk of the town and Lisa recalls a client now “it’s one of those special places people who had purchased a love to meet at, sip coffee and linger,” small, non-descript Lisa says. coffee shop. The owner concluded he Contact Floyd’s Artworks at 540-296-5552. “needed something to bring people into his place and to keep them there for more than a quick cup of Sooner” or later, hard times coffee on the run,” “come along and times can get says Lisa. tough. But innovative business owners see the work we do His $500 budget as a way to pique people’s allowed for a half-day of the Floyd’s time. curiosity and draw more She and her daughter set to work, gathering customers in a subtle way---- some ideas from the café owner and within through art. his budgeted half-day painted a 6-foot-by- —Lisa Floyd 18-foot mural of the Tuscan countryside on FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:02 PM Page 62

REVIEWS & OPINION Delicately handling our industry’s story > My View

By Dan Smith Editor

Blog: [ fromtheeditr.blogspot.com ]

Executive Summary: Writing about niche publications required a lot of thoughtful planning and discussion—because that’s us.

The package of stories we’ve put together for this issue of FRONT on niche publications was a good bit more delicate a project for us than the garden variety cover story. We’re telling you about our own industry and this is one story that we know a lot more about than we’re telling.

There’s a fine line we had to toe in backgrounding, formulating, assigning, writing and presenting the story. One of the most difficult decisions was whether to include ourselves and, if so, how to direct the writers in writing about us.

The three writers who did these stories—Alison Weaver, who had the major role; Keith Ferrell, who evaluated Web sites; and Doug Cumming, the college professor who rated most, but not all, of the publications—were given different sets of instructions. Keith and Doug, a couple of veterans whose judgment is excellent, were asked to do the ratings, and to include us. We told them to be straightforward, fair and to spare nobody—especially us—with their criticisms. They didn’t.

Alison had the difficult task of bringing a massive amount of information (we’re talking about 26 publications here) into focus and giving you a story that has some meaning for you. We talked a good bit about the importance of The Roanoke Times in all this. Alison had recently left The Times news department. FRONT Publisher Tom Field and I had worked for a division of The Times for years (and I actually worked for the paper for 10 other years) before starting this publication. Could we be neutral?

No, we couldn’t. But we could be fair. We went to the extraordinary length of publishing—on our Web site only—an unedited interview with Times Publisher Debbie Meade. She insisted that the interview run without editing and we complied because we wanted to be as fair as possible. This is against our company’s policy and, frankly, I doubt seriously if The Times would ever do that, since it means giving up control of the story. I think the interview is almost useless as far as good information is concerned, reading like a careful press release built by committee, but it’s there, as requested.

There is also the strong temptation, as an editor, to shape coverage by criticizing the opposition. There’s a lot to criticize because some of these pubs are amateurish, most are poorly written, almost none has any real journalistic ethic and few have any depth. But there are some strong points here, some real innovation. Blue Ridge Country, for example, is as good a publication of its type as exists. Another publication has revolutionized advertising in the region; yet another continued Page 64 62 FEBRUARY 09 / vbFRONT FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:02 PM Page 63

REVIEWS & OPINION The spirit of the game > On Tap

By Tom Field from the Pub Publisher

Blog: [ ontapfrompub.blogspot.com ]

I believe it was Monty Python who said, “In accordance with our principles of free enterprise and healthy competition, I'm going to ask you two to fight to the death for it.”

Melodramatic? Maybe. But that’s not so dissimilar to the reaction I heard when some people got wind of our cover feature this month.

“You’re doing what?”

“Is that really a good idea?”

We try not to let the cat out of the bag. But when you have reporters of one media outlet showing up at another shop with notebook in hand—or making phone calls, sending e-mails, or scheduling interviews— it doesn’t take long to divulge the secret. Especially in this town.

We simply wanted to do a story on niche publications. Yeah, we’re one of ‘em. So what?

“But you’re putting a competitor on your cover?”

“Oh, I see... you have a trick up your sleve. A sinister motive.”

Yup. You caught us. We’re gonna call out all the other niche publications—and show how bad they are. Decades of coverage, thousands of issues, and hundreds of thousands of readers.

The truth is, you don’t ever really create a market. You can only serve a market. We may be the new kid on the block, but we’ve worked on other publications long enough to know a bit about the business. If a niche doesn’t serve a market—it goes away. Simple as that.

So, I’m all for the spirt of competition. Let the best pubs win. The others... can go away. Our illustrious cover model, Richard Wells, first launched a little pub he entitled, Ski South. Ski South! What’s next? Sunbathing North? Midget Gangsters with Three- Legged Dogs?

The mainstream press can continue with its uphill battle. I’ll grab my little paw-challenged puppy and ski on down to Georgia. Niche pubs rule.

But if you just have to have a conspiracy... if you insist that we must have an ulterior motive... I’ll confess. It all comes back to our cover theme. With my apologies to the Godfather of Niche: We’re simply keeping our friends close. Our competitors closer.

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REVIEWS & OPINION Smith / My View from Page 62

has a state-of-the-art Web site and all of merging news and editorial copy. them give you something The Times doesn’t. Bella and City magazines appear to That’s why they exist and may well outlive be in partnership with advertisers, the elephant in the room. Bella working it a little less obviously. Main Street Newspapers runs ads on As Richard Wells of Leisure Publishing points the front page, something unheard of out so eloquently, The Times is owned by in the U.S. in the past. The Blue Ridge outsiders and most of these niche pubs are Business Journal, whose staff is almost owned locally (Main Street Newspapers all female, has a new design and a being a notable exception). new direction, both of which strongly reflect that women are in charge. Here are a few observations from me and I Leisure Publishing has made a lot of think they have some value since I’ve not just money over the years with side jobs, been at this for a while, but that I’ve been but it recently lost the lucrative contract doing it here since 1971. with the Virginia Division of Tourism.

• The Times is a good newspaper in • The change I believe most dramatic, general, especially when it is covering though only in its infancy, is the steady breaking local news and local sports, emergence of the Web site as a part of but I have heard for years from those what you get when you read the pubs. in the business community that The We are making our first incursion into Times simply doesn’t get business. putting fresh content on the Web with The explanation I’ve heard from this story. Some publications get the those at The RT is, “We don’t have the value of the net, some don’t. All will resources,” which is an absurd excuse. need to if they are to survive.

• There have been some dramatic And that’s the point in a very, very changes in the way publications are crowded field.

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REVIEWS & OPINION Letters

Editor: him think about Editor: Editor: herbicide use. From The executive there he began his I appreciat the Thank you for summary on the effort to ban nise article on my designing such herbicide story in the herbicide use in enduction into the an integrated [January 2009] issue the county. Every Virginia Sports Hall publication that of Valley Business herbicide expert of Faim (A Hall of really show cases FRONT says: ”People who's weighed in on Famer outdoors, the variety of our living along Crystal this issue—VT, EPA January FRONT), region. Creek are up in arms and our own have but I think you caried about the spraying stated that the dead it to far when you I really enjoy reading meant to eliminate deer is a coincidence implyed that I am this new publication. cutting brush, but at best. Some have a poor speler. It is a quality piece— AEP insists it is said the animal online and in hard perfectly safe. The would have likely Your Frend, copy. dead deer says died from overeating otherwise.” before it could have Bill Cochran Karin Clark, Catawba Luna Innovations, Inc. consumed enough Blacksburg It appears that of the herbicide to someone at FRONT kill it. determined that herbicides killed the I truly expect more deer. Even David factual reporting Send letters to [email protected] Barudin didn't say from FRONT. or any FRONT contact of your choosing conclusively that (page 6). Submissions may be edited. herbicides killed the Todd Burns Appalachian Power You can see, read, print any current or deer. He carefully Corporate Communications back issue online at www.vbFRONT.com said he saw the deer Roanoke acting sick a few weeks after we sprayed and it made

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REVIEWS & OPINION Books @ the FRONT >

Following are book recommendations from our editor and business people in the Roanoke and New River Valleys who are inveterate readers. Each month, we will ask readers to submit two or three well-crafted paragraphs about a good book they’ve read lately (we don’t read the bad books, thank you) and would like to recommend.

Iron Maggie Try Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Claire Berlinski has crafted an intriguing— Son's First Year (Fawcett Columbine, 1993). and very sympathetic—portrait of former Or Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in (Pantheon Books, 1999), and Plan B: Further There Is No Alternative: Why Margaret Thoughts on Faith (Riverhead Books, 2005). Thatcher Matters (Basic Books, $27.95). Her Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing If you are of a certain age, you will remember and Life (Anchor, 1995) offers sage words Thatcher as the hard-nosed free enterprise not just for writers: allow yourself to create advocate who rescued Great Britain from the a truly, uh, "poopy" first draft. Her newest very edge of the precipice of socialism and is Grace (Eventually): Thoughts on Faith restored its rightful place as capitalist leader (Riverhead Trade, $14 paperback). All the of the European Union. earlier books are available, but you’ll have to look. For some readers this book will conjure memories of the great communist menace Lamott's wit-and-wisdom should have you t’other side of the Iron Curtain and how it shrieking Yes! Perfect! Nailed it!—alarming was neutralized by Thatcher and American to the cats, but that's part of the fun. President Ronald Regean. Other readers— those who have read British history—might —Emily Paine Carter, Salem raconteur recognize Thatcher’s temperamental similarity to Sir Winston Churchill.

There are lots of entertaining anecdotes Just pictures including one that turned out to be Emily J. Salmon and John S. Salmon, a apocryphal. Thatcher was aware that couple of Library of Virginia veterans and Britain’s contributions to the EEU were out authors of a book on the bicentennial of of balance with its benefits. As other heads Franklin County, among several, have of state pretended to ignore her, she recently turned out Historic Photos of slammed her purse on the table and said, Virginia (Turner Publishing, $39.95). “I want my money back!” I say “turned out,” rather than “written” because this is a book of photos and —Michael Ramsey captions with no context for any of them. It’s as if they’d found a large box of pictures with inscriptions on the back and decided they had a book. It didn’t happen that way, Lamott’s wit, wisdom but it has just about that much depth. Anne Lamott is danged funny—yet substantive. She struggles honestly with As an exercise in aesthetics, however, it is a questions of theodicy, daily challenges worthy book and the pictures can be studied (take single mom-hood and recovery from for a long time. The entire state is covered addictions, please) and ever-so-strong in a random fashion, so that just when political views. you think you’ve landed on something interesting, it’s over. I would strongly suggest

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REVIEWS & OPINION

that any of the Arcadia-published local Lurking dangers photographic histories make more sense Lawyer and law professor Stephen M. (and are a heck of a lot less expensive), but Goldman offers his broad and deep if you must have a big, splashy book of understanding of the legal issues that can Virginia photos, this one will do. make the office a dangerous place to be in Temptations in the Office (Praeger —Dan Smith, FRONT Publishers, $39.95). Goldman, using solid teaching techniques and plenty of prescient examples, leads the reader through this potential minefield and offers ways of Wolfe examined avoiding problems and facing these Thomas Wolfe, with whom I share a challenges. It’s a solid lesson in company hometown and a writer I believe to be one culture that few of us don’t need. of the five or six best in America’s history, continues to be a fascinating study. There —Dan Smith has been a spate of latter-day studies of the man, his times and his works of late and Wolfe scholars Arlyn and Matthew J. Bruccoli have added to it with their newly-edited Moving? The Four Lost Men (University of South New-age economic developement guru, Carolina Press, $21.95). This short book of Richard Flora, shows “how the creative 21,000 words has evolved from the original economy is making where to live the most Scribner’s Magazine 1934 piece (Matthew important decision of your life” in Who’s Bruccoli is a Scribner’s expert), which was Your City: How the Creative Economy Is later abridged for a 1935 anthology. Making Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life (Basic, $26.95). The book is something of a reminiscence by Wolfe, looking at his dying father and the It's all about place and then the job and rich stories he told, especially of four Flora’s data backs it up. Among all the data Republican presidents: Garfield, Arthur, tables, statistics and maps, perhaps the most Harrison and Hayes, Civil War generals all. interesting is how he divides all people into They were men his father greatly admired five categories—singles, professionals, and the young Wolfe shows his own families with children, empty-nesters and admiration throughout. retirees—and ranks all metropolitan statistical areas. Generally for the Roanoke The Bruccolis have previously put together MSA, the older you get, the better Roanoke an unabridged version of the classic Look ranks. Roanoke cracks the top five in two Homeward Angel and this new volume is metrics of regions between 250,000 and a worthy follow-up. 500,000 population on "best buy" for retirees and gays and lesbians. It's a must read if you —Dan Smith, FRONT are thinking about relocating.

—Stuart Mease, Roanoke City Special Projects

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REVIEWS & OPINION

Dan Smith Mark Lawrence

Approaching the Why is being in touch with the General Assembly > legislative process in Virginia important to the individual business person?

If you accept the premise that “All politics is Executive Summary: local,” then what happens in Richmond has a In a year when there will be “no money,” far greater potential to impact local business says lobbyist Mark Lawrence, being heard than issues at the federal level. Wise business by your representative will be increasingly people weigh in with legislators on issues of important. importance to their businesses.

How does the business person Mark S. Lawrence is vice president of affect the system and how does governmental and external affairs for Carilion that same person gain influence Clinic. He has been involved in Virginia with legislators? governmental and legislative affairs for almost 20 years and is the principal Legislators want to hear from business representative for Carilion with the Virginia people about issues of importance to them General Assembly and the U.S. Congress. and their businesses. We have a citizen He is involved in numerous regional and legislature and state legislators do not have state community organizations. He spent an office full of policy research staffers 20 years with American Electric Power/ to determine the impact of each piece of Appalachian Power. The Galax native and legislation on their districts. They welcome Virginia Tech graduate is married to Cynthia input from constituents. Legislators want to Lawrence, owner of Design Marketing in understand the issues they are addressing, Roanoke. particularly the issues that come before the policy committees on which they serve. At the approach of this year’s General Business people gain influence by making Assembly session, we asked him five the effort: a phone call, writing a letter, questions. sending an e-mail, going to Richmond or Washington.

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REVIEWS & OPINION Guest Commentary

The reality is there will be no extra money available in the upcoming session. The Governor is suggesting a budget revenue Speak loudly. shortfall in the $range of $2.9 billion. “This” will not be a That number could grow even worse. session for the timid. I believe it will be more important than ever —Mark Lawrence that organizations with a vested interest in the state budget pay very close attention to what budget cuts are proposed, and how How important is it to belong they will be impacted. Speak loudly. This will to groups that seek to influence not be a session for the timid. We’re hearing the legislative process and from everyone that everything will be on how much say would an individual the table in crafting a balanced budget. have in those groups? This could impact everything from K-12 and higher education, healthcare, public Very important. The key is to find the right safety, economic development incentives, fit for your business. This is true for both transportation, research funding, technology large and small businesses, but especially and more. so for small business owners as they have to wear many hats on a daily basis and typically don’t have the time (or the resources) to What important business legislation do become experts on the General Assembly you anticipate being considered by the and how it works. 2009 General Assembly session and what vital bills do you expect to emerge? Business and professional organizations (like the Regional Chamber of Commerce The 900 pound gorilla will be the biennial or the various trade associations) often budget, and addressing the revenue devote significant resources to monitoring shortfall. That has the potential to impact a and participating in the legislative process, lot of areas, and in fact, all other issues will and many are very good at it. pale in comparison. We could see close to 3,000 pieces of legislation that will be Some organizations have more introduced in the 46-day session, so there influence than others because they are will be lots of “stuff” with the potential to better organized, more engaged and impact business. knowledgeable about the legislative process. They are good at mobilizing their I expect a number of energy-related memberships on issues of importance proposals this session and some are hoping to their lines of business and are good at for a comprehensive transportation package, communicating a clear, concise, consistent but I think that’s unlikely. Look for legislation and accurate message to our legislators. on employment and workplace-mandated insurance benefits, sales tax, worker’s comp, as well as tourism, broadband and The General Assembly session telecommunications legislation, education is one in which there is little extra funding and others. The budget will drive money to spend. Is there a best everything else. way to see that the goals of a specific individual or group We should also not forget that healthcare are accomplished during these and higher education are the economic down times? drivers of our region, and actions at both the state and federal level have the potential to impact these areas.

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photos: Dan Smith Carilion CEO Ed Murphy (left) and Collette Edwards of Cigna (right) await their turns to speak at the Community Health Forum at the Hotel Roanoke in January. That’s Steven Aldana of Wellsteps giving his talk and stressing that lifestyle’s effects on major illnesses is dramatic. He said that diet, exercise and tobacco use are instrumental in 71 percent of cancer deaths, 70 percent of strokes, 82 percent of heart-related deaths, and 91 percent of deaths resulting from diabetes. Even as Aldana spoke, the Hotel laid out a breakfast spread that would hardly have been recommended by the speakers (or, for that matter, those in the audience, very few of whom were overweight in a nation where 67 percent of the population is obese, according to Aldana).

Co-owner Tim Rowland goes over menu choices with Roanoke City Manager Darlene Burcham during the official opening for Geonetti's Specialty Subs, located on Campbell Avenue downtown (where Mill Mountain Coffee used to be). Rowland, who moved from Ohio to open Geonetti's here, is in partnership with Roanoke real estate broker Rhonda Thomas. Burcham was looking at the salads; she's been on a low-carb diet and was closing in on her target weight before the early January ribbon cutting.

Gene Marrano

photos: Dan Smith Bev Witt, Brent McIntyre and Glen Bratton of Hollins University were helping unload electronic waste at the annual e-Waste Pickup at the Roanoke Civic Center parking lot in early January. The event, sponsored by Cox Communications, Hollins, Synergy and the City of Roanoke, collected tons of compluters, printers, copiers and the like that would have been bound for the landfill. Much of it will be rehabbed or reused in some other way.

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FRONT’N ABOUT

Pierre Vimont (left), France's Ambassador to the United States, is led on a tour of the Taubman Museum of Art in January by Board of Trustees Chairman John Williamson. Former Advance Auto Parfs chairman Nicholas Taubman and his wife, Jennie, who donated $15 million or so towards the Taubman project, were also on hand. Vimont, in town for a United Way dinner, noted how the construction of an avant-garde art museum in Bilboa, Spain, became a major economic development engine for that small, seaside town.

Gene Marrano

Valley Business FRONT and Hollins University teamed up to sponsor the Roanoke Regional Writers Conference in late January and drew nearly 150 people to the two-day event. The conference presented a $1,500 scholarship to Horizon student April Drummond and offered a wide variety of writing- related classes in its second year of existence. Top: FRONT contributor Alison Weaver teaches a class on editing; Center left: Novelist Sharyn McCrumb talked to a large crowd in the Hollins auditorium; Center right: Hollins librarian Maryke Barber gives a lecture on internet research techniques; Bottom: Presenter Cara Modisett of Blue Ridge Country Magazine chats with student Michael Abraham of Blacksburg

photos: Dan Smith

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David Perry Tamea Franco Woodward

“When I got into watch making, it was a Going back to dying trade. I was still in the romantic age,” her earthy roots > she says. Her first job was working at her uncle's jewelry store in West Virginia, and an opening Excecutive Summary: for a watch maker at Henebrey's Jewelers at From jewelry and watches to anodized Valley View Mall brought her to Roanoke. aluminum, Tamea Franco Woodward But she was yet to discover her true calling. continues to polish her business for success. Woodward was taking a class in metal- working in Gatlinburg, Tenn., when she discovered anodized aluminum. Maybe it By David Perry was Woodward's previous experience with jewelry plating, but something about that material and her clicked. “I thought, ‘I've “I'm an old earth mama,” says Tamea Franco found my calling,’” she says. Woodward of Roanoke-based EastWest DyeCom, Inc. Later, when a position at another jeweler in town began to sour, she had an epiphany Right. And how does an “old earth mama” about her future in aluminum finishing. “I become president/CEO and operations needed to commit to this or not do it,” said manager of a custom metal finishing Woodward. She took the plunge and started company? her company in her home. “All I had was $1,300. It wasn't three months after I started It makes perfect sense to Woodward. EastWest Dyecom that I realized 'I'm sinking. “I'm always fixing something or making I can't do this.'” something look better. That's the gift I've been given,” she says. Her mechanical knack Undaunted, Woodward took part-time jobs, led Woodward to attend the Joseph Bulova including a stint pumping gas, to stay afloat School of Watchmaking in New York. while she built her fledgling business.

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EXECUTIVE PROFILE In Brief She was working on a lathe at the John C. Name: Tamea Franco Woodward Nordt plant in Roanoke when a big order came in at EastWest Dyecom. She decided Age: 50 to focus exclusively on her dream and never Company: EastWest DyeCom, Inc. looked back. Location: Roanoke The early going was rough. A pair of Virginia Type of Customized metal finisher Tech MBA candidates used her business for Business: specializing in aluminum a case study. “They said, 'You're going to go Title: President / CEO and broke,'” said Woodward. “But I'd never know Operations Manager if I don't try it.” Background: An army brat born in Georgia, but home is Sometimes, she didn't know her own wherever mom is. capabilities. “ITT came over during the first Attended trade school gulf war with this big casting and said, in New York, then 'We hear you anodize aluminum, can you worked as a watchmaker do this?'” says Woodward. “I said I can't do and jeweler. Started it, I don't have the thickness testers, I don't EastWest Dyecom in have the controls on my tank, I've never her home in 1987. done it.”

“And they said, 'Can you just put an insulated Fast forward to 2008. Now that the company surface on it?' and I said, 'Oh yeah, I can do is successful, working for a mix of metal that!'” artists and industry, what's next for the “old earth mama?” Veggies. Other rookie mistakes included purchasing 3,000 pounds of aluminum for a great price— In January, she attended a “detox” center “I couldn't get rid of it. I hadn't developed in Texas, where she fasted and ate organic, the market enough,” says Woodward—and raw vegetables for two weeks to cleanse offering customers too many options. A body, mind and soul. And next year, she marketing consultant reviewed Woodward's plans to attend a raw food culinary school business model, and “in 30 minutes I in California. changed the whole direction of the company,” says Woodward. “I went from “When I got out of watch making school, a $50 minimum to a $250 minimum. I went my big investment was a Troy-Bilt tiller,” from 5,000 products to 31. From 30 colors says Woodward. “I'm going back to to 13.” those roots.”

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Career FRONT

FINANCIAL LEGAL WELLNESS DEVELOPMENT FRONT FRONT FRONT FRONT

Investments Law Firms Dental Architecture / Engineering William Clingempeel Frith Anderson & Peake ETS Dental, a has been named in Roanoke has named recruiting and Chad Nixon of Hurd & regional portfolio Timothy Mattson an placement firm for Obenchain in Roanoke manager for BB&T associate. dentists in Roanoke, has become a Wealth in Roanoke. has promoted LEED Accredited Marcia Patterson Professional. He is an Greystone Financial and Marsha Hatfield- electrical engineer and Group in Roanoke has Elwell to account the company’s seventh named Matt Mowles executives. LEED accredited and Justin Harris professional. financial services Eldercare representatives. Real Estate Warm Hearth Village Banking in Blacksburg has Zach Caldwell, announced that several Walter Grewe III, King Beth Hatcher has of its employees have Jackie Dobbins and been named vice passed the Registered Jenny Hartwell have president and loans Medication Aide joined Long & Foster operation manager for examination. They Real Estate North in HomeTown Bank in are Elizabeth Spicer, Roanoke. L&F’s Ronaoke. Annetta Martin, Ann Sharman has Lee White, earned the designation Martha Vanover, Accredited Buyer Angela Perkins, Representative by the Delores Cook, National Association of Ingle Lynda Hawley, Realtors. In the New Jamie Dadras, River Valley, Long & Woods Rogers in Rosie Alderman, Foster’s Skip Slocum Roanoke has named Kristi Woolwine, and Rachael Hogan B. Webb King and Kathy Davis, have won the Good Nicole Ingle, Bridget Perfater and Neighbor Award from Thomas principals in the firm. Cindy Epperly. the NRV Association of Realtors. J. Michael Thomas, Medical has been named CEO Jenifer Poff Cooper for Lynchburg-based Roanoke Heart Institute has been named Select Bank. Thomas Director John executive assistant at has been with the bank Shumate has been the New River Valley since it opened in 2007. designated Diplomat Homebuilders of the Certification Association. Board of Cardio- vascular Computed The Roanoke Valley Tomography. Association of Realtors has named Mary Brothers Dykstra of RE/MAX Valley Realtors its Spilman Thomas & TECH/INDUSTRY Realtor of the Year. Battle in Roanoke FRONT has named Carter R. Brothers Communications to its estate planning RETAIL and administration, U.S. Cellular in FRONT taxation, bond finance, Roanoke has named and corporate law Jim Spencer wireless Have news about a team. business consultant for career development in the Southwest Virginia the retail front? and Western North Send it to Carolina areas. [email protected]

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FRONTLINES

Career FRONT Have a career announcement?

RECREATION is for the Send announcements to [email protected] FRONT development Photos should be color, 300dpi. A contact / source of methods must be provided. Inclusions are not guaranteed Have news about a that will better and all submissions are subject to editing. career development in prepare faculty the recreation front? and graduate Send it to students [email protected] for interdisciplinary CULTURE research. FRONT

Radford Have news about a EDUCATION University has named career development in FRONT Michael Moore editor the culture front? of the Virginia Journal. Send it to Colleges Douglas Mitchell and [email protected] Cynthia Creighton Maura Borrego, an have been named Drew assistant professor founding chairman in the Virginia Tech and founding director OTHER Funeral Service College of of clinical education FRONTS Engineering's for the master’s of Oakey’s Funeral Department of occupational therapy Government Service & Crematory in Engineering Education, program. Dennis Roanoke has named has received a Grady has been H. Wyatt Walton III Nicole R. Drew as Presidential Early named director of the of Bedford (Thomas manager of its Career Award for sustainability steering Rutherfoord Inc.) has AfterCare Services. Scientists and committee. been named to the Engineers. The award, Virginia Board of the first of its kind, Contractors.

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FRONT Notes

Bingham: Her job Creative economy earnings were down loss of $898,000, four is done 32 percent and revenue cents per diluted share. The City of Roanoke rose just four percent. ______Taubman Museum is seeking to identify 30 ______Art Director volunteers who will Hirings Georganne Bingham, become what it’s calling Closings in announcing her “Creative Connectors,” FedEx will enter the plans to retire by the people who will help Goody’s Family New River Valley with end of the year, drew a transform the city. The Clothing, which has 60 new jobs when it good bit of praise for goal is sustainability 287 stores nationally, builds a large operation finishing what she and livability. The plans to close all of in Pulaski County, started: the opening volunteers will spend them, affecting as replacing its Radford of the region’s high- several hours a week many as 10,000 facility. The facility will profile, expensive new for the next 12 months workers nationally. be 376,000 square feet art museum. as part of the Creative Goody’s has two stores and will cost $4 million. Communities Leader- in the Roanoke Valley It will be three miles Said Bingham, “I am ship Program (CCLP), and stores in from I-81 and should ready to enjoy the which was launched Christiansburg, open by the fall. pleasure and time of by the Creative Class Martinsville, Danville, ______retirement, and I look Group (CCG), an South Boston, Galax forward to the opportu- advisory services firm and Wytheville. It Labor contract nity to travel, pursue associated with Richard recently emerged from new interests, and visit Florida, he of the clear Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Kroger’s employees in family and friends.” mind when talking but its liquidation sale Virginia, West Virginia The board will hire an about urban solutions. is expected to be and Tennessee have outside firm to find a “Creative Connectors” completed by late approved a four-year replacement and will involve working with March unless a buyer contract, about 95 Bingham will work with the community to build for some of the better- percent of them in this the firm. “a more authentic and perfroming stores can region voting in favor. prosperous region be found. The local union Bingham was brought through the creation of represents 3,000 on board in August sustainable projects,” Macy’s, which has a workers in this region. of 2003 to lead the according to its store in Roanoke, plans The contract runs for museum’s building literature. The CCLP to close 11 stores in four years. project, the 81,000 will be launched at a nine states (not the ______square foot facility two-day seminar for the Roanoke store or any which opened on Nov. selected leaders March other Virginia store). Layoffs 8, 2008 and is 30 and 31, where the expected to eventually Creative Class Group Walgreen Company, As the economy in cost more than $60 will work with which has drugstores the region continues to million ($54 million has volunteers to build an throughout the region, struggle, firms are been rasied). The understanding of the plans to trim 1,000 jobs announcing layoffs and annual operating creative economy, the by the middle of the jobs reductions. Here’s budget is more than community’s 4Ts year. Those cuts will the latest round: $4 million. Bingham (Talent, Technology, come in corporate and helped increase Tolerance, and Territory management levels. Advance Auto has museum membership Assets), identify ______laid off 19 full-time from 500 households to strategic economic employees at the more than 3,000. The goals, and develop a Earnings Centre for Industry museum’s permanent framework of projects ande Technology collection has grown to engage the Roanoke Norfolk Southern, facility. Those layoffs under Bingham, with community. Go to which has seen fuel are expected to be over 310 new pieces www.roanokeva.gov/ prices drop and its temporary, but if the added to the collection. creative to apply. prices increase has economy doesn’t turn, ______reported a two company officials say, “I love the museum, percent—2.5 billion— they could be perma- and this community,” Adjustments increase in earnings for nent. Advance, which is Says Bingham. the fourth quarter. NS based in Roanoke, has “I am lucky to be able CSX Corporation, earned $452 million, 1,500 employees in the to end my working which has facilities in $1.21 per share. Roanoke Valley. career in Roanoke, this region, plans to where I plan to remain.” increase rates and cut StellarOne Corp has Orvis, which only ______rates. Fourth-quarter posted a fourth-quarter recently was at a jobs

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FRONTLINES

FRONT Notes Have an announcement about your business? fair recruiting workers, and engine service was to have laid off crews are down from about 30 people at its 12,380 to 11,622. Send announcements to distribution center in [email protected] Roanoke at the end of The Roanoke Times A contact / source must January. The center reacting to decreased be provided. Inclusions employs 480 people. revenues has frozen are not guaranteed and wages for 2009 and all submissions are About 650 workers told employees they have been laid off by must take off five subject to editing. Volvo’s plant in Dublin unpaid days between on top of 1,000 January and June. furloughed in May. Times offices will be Pennsylvania factory), of the Roanoke office. Declining demand for closed on five Mondays but also reports a He is a Roanoke native the company’s large during those months. backlog of orders. and a former football trucks gets the blame. Publisher Debbie player at VMI. Copty & Meade says the spread Clear Channel, which Company has nine Two years of losing misery is an effort has radio stations in employees, who will money has been "to be as fair and this region, plans to be retained, and Copty enough for the textile equitable as possible.” eliminate 1,850 jobs at manages about dye company Fred some of its 800 radio 375,000 square feet Whitaker Company in Corning Inc., which stations nationally. of space. Roanoke. It plans to has a large plant in The cut represents ______close at the end of Christiansburg that nine percent of the march, leaving 136 manufactures a variety company’s workforce. Expansion questions people out of work. of filters, plans to lay The layoffs will be The company was off 3,500 workers across the board: radio, Expansion plans at founded in 1917 and worldwide (13 percent billboards, corporate the Hotel Roanoke has occupied 443,000 of its workforce), about offices. are in the hands of square feet at the half in its U.S. facilities. Milwaukee-based former American About 500 of the total Home Shopping Kahler Slater as of the Viscose plant (it is the were laid off in the fall. Network has trimmed first of the year and largest tenant in the Corning, a specialty nine jobs at the call there are hopes its Roanoke Industrial glass maker and the center in Bonsack. drawings will be Center) in southeast world's largest maker There are about 900 completed by the Roanoke since 1962. of liquid crystal display employees at the spring. There is some The company plans to glass, announced the center. Company-wide, question about the sell its assets. cutbacks as its fourth- there were 110 jobs effects of the economy quarter profit plunged cut. on the expansion, Wells Fargo & Co., 65 percent to $249 ______which includes 125 the new owner of million. new guest rooms, a Wachovia, says it will Copty & Co. purchased spa and wellness trim 35 jobs in the MeadWestvaco, which center, and 15,000 Roanoke Valley, most has a major plant in Richmond-based- square feet of meeting in retail loans. There Covington, is looking at Thalhimer has space, according to are 1,800 employees closing or restructuring purchased Copty & published reports. in the Roanoke Valley. 12 of its 14 plants and Company, a ______Wells Fargo’s fourth laying off about 2,200 commercial real estate quarter loss is $2.55 of its 22,000 workers. company in Roanoke, Home sales down billion. Officials would not founded 17 years ago speculate on the future by Bob Copty. The Roanoke Valley Norfolk Southern has of the Covington facility. Thalhimer is a member Association of indicated that the six of the Cushman & Realtors says home percent workforce Freight Car America Wakefield Alliance and sales dropped 20 reduction of the past in Roanoke plans to has offices throughout percent in 2008, eight months is not trim 120 of an esti- Virginia. It is the leasing compared to the the end of it. The mated 300 person agent for Towers and previous year. A total company’s profit during workforce by March 14. Towne Square of 3,962 homes were the fourth quarter is up The company has shopping centers in sold. 13 percent, but that reported losses for Roanoke, among other ______came with higher 2008 (partly based on clients. Copty will shipping costs and a $51 million cost for remain as senior vice lower fuel costs. Train shutting down a president and manager

vbFRONT / FEBRUARY 09 77 FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:04 PM Page 78

FRONT Notes Calendar

Institutes merge Incubator 2008 by Battens’ gift will support Good Samritan moves the Science Alliance Hollins' Batten Leader- The Virginia Bio- Conference on Best ship Institute, create in Good Samaritan informatics Institute Practices in Science- 2002. It provides an Hospice has moved at Virginia Tech has Based Incubation, array of programs and into a larger head- established a new a world-wide initiatives focusing on quarters on Electric partnership with the organization. students. Road in Roanoke Mathematical Bio ______County. At 10,000 Sciences Institute. square feet, the new The partnership will Technology Lab in a box office is double the size provide VBI rsearchers of the previous location with further educational The National Center for The National Science and features more and research opportu- Defense Manufacturing Foundation recently training rooms, nities. The new and Machining has awarded the College additional meeting initiative supports the named Schultz- of Engineering at and office space and development and Creehan of Blacksburg Virginia Tech an natural light. "It's our application of mathe- an alliance partner. almost $500,000 four- mission that defines us, matical, statistical, and The NCDMM alliance year grant to expand its not our office," says computational methods partnership group Lab-in-a-Box program Sue Ranson, executive for solutions to is comprised of for electrical and director. "Yet, our new problems in the bio- established technology computer engineering space makes our mis- sciences. companies, precision classes to reach online sion easier, with more ______manufacturers, students, while helping room for family and universities and Blacksburg students group meetings, a RRMM anniversary government labs and with after-hours comfortable environ- emerging technology questions. ment for our staff, and RRMM Architects, developers. Partnership ______a place where hospice which has an office in with NCDMM provides care will be more Roanoke, is celebrating several benefits such Financial reports visible and accessible its 20th anniversary. as advanced training to the community." The firm was formed opportunities to MainStreet Bank- ______in 1988 as Cederquist enhance current manu- Shares has suspended Rodriguez Ripley, facturing capabilities. its five cents dividend Lens patent merged in 2002 with ______after losing $561,180 Motley & Associates of during the fourth Roanoke-based Pix- Roanoke, a firm owned Gift for Hollins quarter of 2008. elOptics, an optical by the successor of technology company, Roanoke’s 72-year old Frank Batten, retired The interest rebate has introduced an design firm, Smithey & chairman and CEO of program at Roanoke alternative to bifical, Boynton. Landmark Communica- Valley Credit Union trifocal and progressive ______tions in Norfolk (owner returned $54,031 to its addition lenses and of The Roanoke 1,501 members at the the patent has been Promising incubator Times), and his wife, end of 2008. approved. The patent Jane, have given $3 ______also covers a lens Blacksburg-based VT millionn support of being developed that KnowledgeWorks has The Hollins Campaign focuses automatically. been named Most for Women Who Are The company’s Promising New Going Places. The president is Ron Blum,

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80 NO- FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:04 PM Page 79

FRONT Notes Calendar

Roanoke Regional Chamber Tourism Development Cosmopolitan Club of Commerce / Business After Council Meeting of Roanoke Hours March 26 Contact: 540-772-2778 March 4 Montgomery Regional Chamber ______5:00 - 7:30pm of Commerce conference room Holiday Inn - Valley View [email protected] American Business Women Roanoke ______Contact: 540-443-9832 [email protected] ______Flourishing in Tough Economic Times Roanoke Toastmasters NCTC Lessons in Leadership March 27 540-342-3161 March 4 8:00 - 10:00am Valley Easy Speakers 1:00 - 5:00pm Taubman Museum of Art 540-389-3707 Hotel Roanoke & [email protected] Blue Hills Toastmasters Conference Center ______540-983-9260 [email protected] Talk of the Town ______Your Business Looking Ahead 540-562-4276 March 31 Franklin County Toastmasters Understanding Mold in the 8:30 - 10:00am 540-484-5537 Restoration Industry Roanoke Regional Chamber of Christiansburg Toastmasters March 18 Commerce conference room 540-231-6771 8:30am [email protected] Blacksburg Toastmasters Salem Civic Center ______540-231-6771 Community Room Virginia Tech Toastmasters [email protected] Kiwanis Club of Roanoke 540-231-6771 ______Contact: 540-344-1766 ______

who has a long history say. Carilion lawyers program. The program to report directly to him. of innovation. have been seeking is called ”Job Quest” Wade is responsible for ______permission to use the and features a Advance's customer- PET/CT scanner for news-style format with focused and sales- Imaging equipment a specific, limited anchors, feature and driving functions and purpose that would news stories. will lead the execution Lewis-Gale Medical not interfere with ______of the Company's Center has received a Lewis-Gale’s intent. Commercial recommendation from ______Executive changes Acceleration and DIY the state agency in Transformation charge of such things Team for jobs Roanoke-based strategies. Freeland is to add new imaging Advance Auto Parts responsible for the day- technology equipment WBRA, Blue Ridge has named Jim Wade to-day management of at the center. Public Television, and president and Kevin Advance's operational Permission for the a number of media Freeland as Chief functions. Wade is equipment for Carilion partners are teaming Operating Officer. based in Roanoke, Clinic is expected to be up to present jobs Darren Jackson will Freeland in granted. The Virginia information to people retain the title of CEO Minneapolis. Commissioner of in this region in a and Wade and Health has the ultimate monthly, hour-long Freeland will continue

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 08 81 FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:04 PM Page 80

FrontLine Patrons

Access Advertising/PR* Margaret Boyes David Crawford, Rainwater Environmental Services & Dana C. Ackley, Ph.D., Chad Braby Management Solutions Consulting, LLC EQ Leader, Inc. Branch Management The Creekmore Law Firm, PC Ewing Building & Remodeling, Inc. Anne Adams, Publisher, Brambleton Imports Crockett Home Improvement, Inc. Ewing Cabinet Company The Recorder Cabell Brand Custom Designs by Mary Lu Clark Express Employment Professionals Advantus Strategies, LLC Breakell Rupert Cutler AECP Building Consultant Services, Inc. Fan/friend of Dan Smith Nancy Agee,** Carilion Building Specialists, Inc. Dale Carnegie Training Fee-Only Financial Planning, LC Allegheny Brokerage Co., Inc. Scott Burton, Cox Media Warner Dalhouse Fran Ferguson Melanie Almeder Jesse Dalton’s Professional Robert Fetzer, Building Beverly Amsler Tom Cain Painting, Inc. Specialists, Inc. Tracy Anderson, American Cathy Calloway Linda J. Danielle, President, Jim & Alicia Field General Life & Accident Carilion Transitions Consulting G. Franklin Flippin Amy Ankrum, CCS, Inc. Dennis Carroll, Creative Department of Social Services: Deborah Flippo Anonymous (38) Masonry, Inc. Foster Parenting & Adoption Richard Formato Anstey Hodge Advertising Group Ed Champion Design Marketing The Arts Council Emily Paine Carter Dixon, Hubard, Feinour & Brown Garrett’s Menswear of the Blue Ridge Shari Caston, Adecco Cory Donovan, NCTC Mike Garrison Employment Service Draper Aden Associates Gateway Realty Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Barretta Melinda Chitwood Duncan Acura Audi Teresa Gereaux, Roanoke College Vanessa Bartley, Gateway Realty City of Roanoke Michael Duncan, EIT South Glass Odyssey, Christiansburg Thomas Becher, tba Public Claire V. Glenn, Robinson & Cathey, PLC Relations, Advertising & Marketing Clean Valley Council, Inc. East West DyeCom, Inc. Bob Goodlatte, congressman Berryfield, Inc. Click & Pledge Eastern Motor Inns, Inc. Elizabeth Graves, Gateway Realty Alan Bible, BENTECH Bill Cochran Ted Edlich, TAP Steve Gregory, National Kate Bixby, [email protected] Fred & Judy Smith Colley Edward Via Virginia College of Property Inspections Sara R. Bohn, Northwestern Commonwealth Door and Hardware Osteopatlic Medicine Mutual Financial Network Communicate Consulting William D. Elliot Hall & Associates Bonomo’s Women’s Clothier Cox Business Services Entre Computer Center, Handshake 2.0 Rex Bowman Betty Conduff Craig Barton J. Wilner John Harlow, SCI-MED Challenging Economy…

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80 FEBRUARY 09 / vbFRONT FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:04 PM Page 81

FrontLine Patrons

Tucker Harvey, Damon Co. Perry Moretz, Moog RGC Resources, Inc. J. M. Turner & Company, Inc. Mayor Roger Hedgepeth (Retired) Component Group Priscilla Richardson International Linwood Holton, former governor John T. Morgan Roofing & Richard Rife, Rife + Wood Valley Bank HomeTown Bank Sheet Metal Richfield Retirement Greg Vaughn Photography Dewey Houck, Rural Appalachian Paul M. Morrison, Jr. Roanoke Arts Festival J. Scott Vaughan, National City Improvement League, Inc. Laura Keaton Morrison Roanoke Cement Company Mortgage Debbie Howard, MLA, Bank of Catherine C. Mosley Roanoke College Vinton War Memorial America Mortgage Muneris Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op Virgnia Prosthetics, Inc. Howlin Dog Designs Barry Murante Roanoke Public Library Virginia Tech Jon Hulak Sandra Murray, Building Dick Robers Virginia Western Community Specialists, Inc. Rogers Realty & Auction College In The News, Inc. Marty Muscatello, CCS, Inc. Brooke and Court Rosen Innovative Academic Solutions Wayne Myers, Custom Tool & Waldvogel Commercial Properties Interactive Design & Development Machine Sands Anderson Marks & Miller Christine Ward Senator Elliott S. and Rosel H. Nicole Ward, flygirlshopping.com Bryce Jewett, Jewettemachine.com Deborah Nason Schewel Mark Warner, senator jobzcafe.com National College Schultz – Creehan Holdings, Inc. Michael E. Warner NCB, Inc. Jim Schweitzer, Vision Point Douglas C. Waters George Kegley NewVA Corridor Technology Systems, Inc. Jim Webb, senator Kathleen Coxe Koomen Council SEOSerpent.com W. Michael Whitaker, Krull & Company NRV Gateway Realty Jim and Margie Shaver Customized Computers Shelley Sewart, Architectural Chum White, Damon Co. Paul Lancaster Bud Oakey, Advantus Alternatives, Inc., archalt.com Neil Wilkin, Optical Cable Anna Lawson Strategies, LLC Debbie Sinex Corporation LeClair Ryan Mark Owczarski, Virginia Tech Simon & Associates, Inc. Wiley & Wilson Liberty University Office of Economic Development Christina Koomen Smith Woods, Rogers PCC Lionberger Construction Company Mac Smith, IPC Technologies Tamea Franco Woodward, Karen List, CPA, LLC Peacock Image Sandy Smith Seminars East West DyeCom, Inc. Rob Logan Real Estate James E. Pearman, Jr. Richard E. Sorensen, Pamplin Mary Wright, BROKER Lorie Long Pearson Hall, Inc. College of Business Roland Wright, REALTOR Luna Innovations, Inc. Pella Windows & Doors, SW Virginia Second Harvest Dave Bonesteel FoodBank, SWVAFoodBank.org Ziiva Mac & Bob’s Restaurant Pest Defense, PestDefensellc.com Southwest Settlement & Marty Martin, SEOserpent.com Pheasant Ridge Office Buildings Title Agency, Inc. R. Lee Mastin, MKB Realtors Pigeon Photography, Inc. Spectrum Design McCall Insurance Agency, Inc. Play by Play Dana Spraker, Shiloh Properties * First Corporate Sharyn McCrumb William B. Poff Star-Spangled Specialites Subscriber (08/01/08) Granger McFarland State Farm Tommy Meadows Quality Coffee, Mountain Springs, ** First Individual Stuart & Allison Mease Darte Vending James P. Tate, III Subscriber (08/01/08) Janie R. Meggers, Secretary/ Taubman Museum of Art Treasurer, Transitions Consulting Radford Shopping Plaza tba PR + Advertising *** First Advertiser (08/07/08) Roy Menthow The Ratliff Group, LLC Transitions Consulting Greg Miller, Professional Network Willie Ratliff, ITT John & Donna Travis, J &D Services, PNSInc.net David Rakes***, HomeTown Bank Builders, JandDBuilders.com John Montgomery, Play by Play Williams R. Rakes, Partner, Gentry, John H. Turner, Jr., Miscellaneous Moran Broadcasting Locke, Rakes & Moore Concrete Products

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vbFRONT / FEBRUARY 09 81 FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:04 PM Page 82

ADVERTISER INDEX

Carilion 32 Cox Business 83 Crockett Home Improvement 49 Editors, writers, Davis H. Elliot Company 39 ” Hall Associates 44 “ Handshake 2.0 47 IDD, Inc. 56 and photographers jobzcafe.com 80 Krull & Company 65 Liberty University 36 obviously love New River Valley Home Builders Meet Jeanie. Association 27 Pheasant Ridge 3 this ancient Jeanie serves more than lattes Postive Radio Group 82 at her popular café. She offers Quality Coffee / Mountain Springs / customers FREE wireless Internet Darte Vending 22 geological so they can do business, study Rife + Wood Architects 73 or surf while they sip—made Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op 20 possible by Cox Business. Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce 64 saddle ridge Sands Anderson Marks & Miller 40 Spectrum Design 31 StellarOne 19 of the American Valley Bank 2 V2 / Greg Vaughn Photography 75 — Page 14 Woods Rogers 28 South...

“ Cox Business saved me money, time and stress by combining my phone and high-speed internet.” ”I’ll grab my little paw-challenged puppy – Jeanie, Owner, Daily Grind “ Coffee House and Café and ski on down to Georgia. — Page 63

      
At Cox Business, we help local businesses like the Daily Grind Coffee House and Café connect to their community. Jeanie’s Cox representative visited the Daily Grind for an extensive survey of the site and to identify Jeanie’s business needs. By bundling her cable, Internet and phone service, Jeanie found the right  

     communications solutions to turn her café into a haven for the neighborhood.

Not only did Jeanie experience Cox’s award-winning customer service—her   
  customers enjoy a reliable high-speed connection that transformed the Daily Grind 
  gospelmusic&talk into a new local hotspot.   Discover how Cox can help your business. Contact us now to   receive a FREE month of service! 
 
 Call 283-3870 or visit www.coxbusiness.com for more information.    
!  

 ")&%*(*0#")+( 0    *Offer valid until March 31, 2009 to new commercial subscribers of Cox Business Telephone, Cox Business Internet or Cox Business Video in Roanoke Cox-wired serviceable locations. Free month is a one-time credit applied to first monthly bill. Minimum 3-year service contract required. Offer does not include Cox Optical Internet or Cox Digital Telephone Long Distance services. Free month credit is only applicable to one new product credit per account. HDTV sets and other consumer-owned devices equipped with a CableCARD may require a digital set- top receiver in order to receive all programming options offered by Cox Digital Cable. Installation charges may apply. Number of digital outlets may be limited. All programming and pricing are subject to change. Programming may vary by location. Additional costs for installation, extending the point of demarcation, construction, inside wiring and equipment may apply. Offer does not include applicable taxes, surcharges or fees. Discounts are not valid on other packages or in addition to other promotions. Telephone modem equipment required. Modem uses electrical power to operate and has backup battery power provided by Cox if electricity is interrupted.Telephone service, including access to e911 service, will not be available during an 82 FEBRUARY 09 / vbFRONT extended power outage or if modem is moved or inoperable. Cox cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free Internet service, or the speed of your service. Rates and bandwidth options vary and are subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Other restrictions apply. Services provided by Cox Business, a division of CoxCom, Inc. Telephone services are provided by Cox Virginia Telcom, Inc. ©2008 Cox Communications Roanoke, LLC. All rights reserved.

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      FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:05 PM Page 83

ADVERTISER INDEX

Meet Jeanie.

Jeanie serves more than lattes at her popular café. She offers customers FREE wireless Internet so they can do business, study or surf while they sip—made possible by Cox Business.

“ Cox Business saved me money, time and stress by combining my phone and high-speed internet.”

– Jeanie, Owner, Daily Grind Coffee House and Café

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RatesRates aandnd bbandwidthandwidth optionsoptions vvaryary aandnd aarere ssubjectubject ttoo change.change. SServiceservices nnotot availableavailable inin allall areas.areas. OtherOther rrestrictionsestrictions apply.apply. SServiceservices pprovidedrovided bbyy CoxCox BBusiness,usiness, a ddivisionivision ooff CoxCom,CoxCom, Inc.Inc. TTelephoneelephone servicesservices areare providedprovided bbyy CCoxox VirginiaVirginia TTelcom,elcom, IInc.nc. ©2008©2008 CCoxox CommunicationsCommunications RRoanoke,oanoke, LLC.LLC. AllAll rightsrights rreserved.eserved. FRONT_0209:FRONT_1008 2/5/2009 4:05 PM Page 84

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