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FOR THE UP AND COMING AND ALREADY ARRIVED $3 • ISSUE 26 • NOVEMBER 2010 vbFRONT.com

Mary Miller, NCTC president

WELCOME to the FRONT

With the November issue of Valley Business FRONT, we initiate a monthly Economic Indicators page that will give you a statistical look at business in the Roanoke and New River regions. Veteran statistical analyst Anne Piedmont, who worked for the Roanoke Economic Development Partnership for 18 years specializing in just this kind of analysis, will put the statistics together. We will organize them into a pleasing graphic format, giving you a great deal of information quickly and eﬃciently.

Anne, who calls herself a “numbers geek,” recently left the partnership to open her own shop, Piedmont Research Associates, oﬀering her services to private businesses. She talks excitedly about statistics and that enthusiasm will be at the center of this revolving analysis, which will look at the issues most important to the business community. Anne will take a look at a variety of issues including housing (a special focus on foreclosures), air travel, freight, employment, utility costs, job creation among many others.

We are thrilled to have a professional at Anne’s level performing this service for you. It is yet another in a continuing eﬀort to remain relevant and in FRONT of the media mob in the region.

Tom Field Dan Smith

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 3

CONTENTS Valley Business FRONT COVER STORY DEPARTMENTS TheRoyal Court 8 FRONTList 2010 TRENDS business etiquette 18 workplace advice 19 business dress 20 FINANCIAL FRONT 23 LEGAL FRONT 24 WELLNESS FRONT 26 TECH/INDUSTRY FRONT 29 Designer-Competitors Page 29 DEVELOPMENT FRONT 34 RETAIL FRONT 36 SENIOR FRONT 39 EDUCATION FRONT 42 CULTURE FRONT 44 REVIEWS & OPINIONS dan smith 48 tom ﬁeld 49 Made in China letters 51 Thought up Here book reviews 52 Page 39 FRONT’N ABOUT 54 ECONOMIC INDICATORS 57 EXECUTIVE PROFILE 58 FRONTLINES career front 60 front notes 62 patrons 68 Fabric-European Style Page 34

vbFRONT.com Cover photography of Mary Miller morefront.blogspot.com by Greg Vaughn Photography.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 5 NOVEMBER

Susan M. Ayers Anne Giles Clelland

P.O. Box 1041 Salem, VA 24153 (540) 389-9945 www.vbFRONT.com Staff Publisher / Tom Field Creative Director tfi[email protected] Janeson Keeley Gene Marrano (540) 389-9945 Editor Dan Smith [email protected] (540) 556-8510 Account Executives Jane Dalier (540) 239-2610 Jo Lynn Seifert (540) 589-1439 Graphic Designer Nicholas Vaassen Kathy Surace Nicholas Vaassen nvaassen@berryfield.com Production Berryfield, Inc. Biographies and contact information on PO Box 1041 each contributor are provided on Page 50. 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 serve as a sounding board throughout the 18 month rotational term that will turn over every year and a half. (540) 389-9945 The board will be given the task of vbFRONT.com helping FRONT understand the issues morefront.blogspot.com and develop coverage. “We’re journalists,” © Copyright 2010; Valley Business FRONT, LLC. says Editor Dan Smith, “and not business All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of this experts. This group of distinguished publication in whole or in part without written business professionals—whose range in permission is prohibited. Information within age, experience, level and specialty is Valley Business FRONT is obtained from impressive—will give us a solid handle on sources considered reliable, but cannot be guar- how business runs and what the primary anteed. Opinions expressed are not necessarily issues and key players are in this region. those of the ownership. Valley Business FRONT My guess is that our coverage of business is primarily distributed to subscribers by mail will be especially useful because of this and select locations throughout the Roanoke group of people.” Valley, New River Valley, and western Virginia. CONTRIBUTORS

Jane Dalier Donna Dilley Tom Field Rachael Garrity Becky Hepler

Michael Miller David Perry Anne Piedmont Jo Lynn Seifert Dan Smith

Greg Vaughn Joel S. Williams ”being thankful “ helps to 2009 / 10 Members

Laura Bradford Claire V (Retail) improve both Kim Bratic Jeﬀerson Center (Culture) Nicholas C. Conte Woods Rogers (Legal) Warner Dalhouse Retired (Seniors) physical and Cory Donovan NCTC (Tech/Industry) John Garland Spectrum (Development) Nancy Gray Hollins University (Education) Ellis Gutshall Valley Bank (Finance) emotional Nanci Hardwick Schultz-Creehan (Tech/Industry) George Kegley Retired (Seniors) Nancy May HCA Southwest (Wellness) health Stuart Mease Rackspace (Tech/Industry) Mary Miller IDD (Tech/Industry) Ed Murphy Carilion (Wellness) — Page 18 Ed Walker Regeneration Partners (Development) John Williamson RGC (Tech/Industry)

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 Web site: www.vbfront.com more than we know about your business—or you certainly Facebook: vb front Twitter: @vbfront should—and that inside knowledge shared with our Blog: morefront.blogspot.com readers will make us all better at what we do. Editor's blog: editrdan.blogspot.com

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 7 The Royal

Greg Vaughn Photography With Valley Business FRONT’s annual FRONTLeader Awards, the operative word is “responsibility.” It’s ours. We take full Mary Miller plays a formidable queen as responsibility for the accuracy or the oversight involved in our our FRONTcover model annual awards and, frankly, we’ll put them up against anybody’s. and 2010 FRONTList representative. We consulted our Editorial Board, whose members are at the top levels of the region’s business establishment, and a few other knowledgeable regional business people, but when it came time to decide who got what, we made the selections because, frankly, we’ve been around this region long enough to know who’s who and what’s what.

Here’s what we came up with:

FRONTList Executive FRONTLeader His thumb print is all over 2010: A downtown Roanoke: the Valley Ed Walker, downtown Bank Building (and the homes winning developer upstairs), Hancock Building, Patrick Henry Hotel, Cotton hand > Like so many serious Mill and the renovation of the entrepreneurs, Ed Walker entrance to Old Southwest, tends to argue that this is not all major projects that are the year to judge his work. helping re-shape the city. He Executive Summary: Next year would be so much even played a major role sev- Our 2010 FRONTList is not better. Fact is, though, that eral years ago in bringing unlike the game of poker. just about any year Ed Walker back the Grandin Theatre It takes more than a high has worked over the past 10 from the dead and creating card or two to produce a would be equally impressive. an economic engine for the winning hand. Walker is the downtown Raleigh Court neighborhood Roanoke developer (and that is cited as a grand example lawyer, and music guru and of “city center” development. economic development By Dan Smith innovator and Roanoke Beyond the development— and Tom Field Citizen—with a capital “C”) which is being done with whose innovative renovations sensitivity at every level, to historic buildings have including making some of given new life to the center the housing available to of the most important city those who can aﬀord a little— west of Richmond. Walker has become a walking

8 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT COVER STORY

Who Made The 2010 List > (FRONTLeaders only— read the story for the complete list ourt • Alternative medicine • Ron Blum • Bridgewater Pointe • Community banks C • Community College FRONTList 2010 • Craigslist • Beth Deel • Droid smart phone / Android operating system clinic in creating community Company FRONTLeader and he has been especially • Facebook Fan Pages sensitive to involving young Virginia Tech Carilion School • Laura Godfrey people in projects. of Medicine and Research • Goodwill Industries Institute is an idea whose • Governor’s School of Science & Technology Walker, who is almost painfully time is finally here with the • Nancy Gray shy of publicity, insists that induction recently of its first he has very little to do with class. The intent of the college • Hollins University all that is transpiring, that is to improve health and life • Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center the team he has put together quality “by providing leadership • Inn at Virginia Tech deserves most of the credit. in medical education and • River Laker Simple fact is that if you ask biomedical and clinical • Mary Jean Levin that team, you’d get the same research.” answer you get from the • Liberty University business community: Ed Walker Leaders in the region have • Liberty University Law School is the leader. His ability to put almost unanimously hailed • Local Colors together teams of talented, VTC as a new economic engine • Luna settlement ambitious, creative people whose potential is nearly • Chip Magee is widely valued and the fact limitless and as a visionary that he does what he does effort that re-defines the • Marginal Arts Festival for the right reasons is Roanoke and New River • Mary Miller equally applauded within Valleys economically. The • MedCottage the community. institute will combine science • Steve Musselwhite • NanoSonic Inc. • Novozymes Biologicals • Roanoke County K A Recreation Center • Roanoke Higher Education Center • Roanoke Regional Airport • Ray Smoot • Sarah Elizabeth Timmins • Virginia Tech-Carilion • Virginia Tech-Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute • Virginia Tech football

skybox

• Ed Walker K Dan Smith Dan Smith A • Yukon Pocahontas Coal Ed Walker VTC School of Medicine Company victory and Research Institute

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 9

Q A 9

9 Q Dan Smith A Dan Smith Laura Godfrey Hollins University Bridgewater Pointe

research from Tech and clinical understand IT problems and expertise at Carilion to increase helped implement use of the potential for both. technology across state agencies. Board Member FRONTLeader For the Right Reasons Mary Miller, as president of the FRONTLeader NewVa Corridor Technology Council, led the NCTC to Laura Godfrey, who owns attendance and membership Claire V and Polished in records and to greater Roanoke, a couple of woman- recognition during her term. centered retail outlets, has She has been a dynamic leader, built her businesses by being successful business owner kind to those whose lives have (Interactive Design and been ﬁlled with challenges Development), member of most of us could not imagine. the Virginia’s Information Her purses for Claire V are Technology Investment Board made in Southeast Asia by and served her community and women who have been the region in an astonishingly victimized by mines in an area impressive number of where war has been a way of capacities. She was recently life for decades. Polished is inducted into the Virginia run by recovering addicts and Tech College of Engineering alcoholics, given a chance by Academy of Engineering Laura when almost nobody Excellence (one of 97 members else would. from 55,000 living engineering alumni). Laura Godfrey is truly a woman who is doing business for the She is widely regarded as right reasons: in service of her a valued mentor and has community and her country. accomplished a number of “ﬁrsts” for women. Her company, developed at Virginia Board of Directors Tech, has been named one FRONTLeader of the Top 100 Multimedia Developers in the country. Hollins University. The She has worked closely for university’s endowment is more than 20 years with the best managed in Virginia Virginia governors in helping (according to a survey) and

10 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT COVER STORY

10 J J

10 J Dan Smith J Dan Smith Novozymes Ray Smoot Scott Sexton Biologicals

one of the best managed in was little money to give back the entire country. While other to the school, and it has had universities were losing their to be creative. It now has a pants, Hollins was simply law school and a college of hemming its skirt. A startling engineering. accomplishment in a truly awful economy where sophisticated and knowledgeable people Work Environment lost fortunes and Hollins held FRONTLeader its ground. Novozymes Biologicals in Roanoke County is an FRONTDeal of the Year international company (U.S., Denmark, China, Brazil, Bridgewater Pointe sale. Switzerland) with a superb Sold out 48 condos in one day reputation as a great place to after sitting in bankruptcy work. Novozymes combines for three years. Impressive a purpose (creating marketing and execution of environmentally-friendly this real estate deal, along enzymes) with an outstanding with a reduction of price of training program and nearly 65 percent, led to the consensus-based decision- rush to buy and a lesson in making. It leans on personal selling in a bad economy. accountability and reward. The units sold at between Forward-looking in every sense. $200,000 and $535,000 after originally being priced on the top end to nearly $1 million. Most Underappreciated Executive Honorable mention to Liberty University, which Ray Smoot, COO and has purchased an airport, a secretary-treasurer of the manufacturing plant and a Virginia Tech Foundation. shopping center, among other Smoot has quietly and things, as a way to build its forcefully maintained an endowment at a time when economic powerhouse with most universities’ endowments the foundation, which provides were being clobbered in the money to supplement state stock market. Liberty grads in funding. He oversees the the past have generally gone money end of the foundation, into church work, where there which doles out ﬁnancial aid

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 11 and funds projects like the Sayers in Roanoke, Luna J Corporate Research Center Innovations is back to doing and NewVa Capital Partners what it does best: technological (venture capital for local innovation. The company, entrepreneurs). The foundation which lost a $36 million law owns—through related suit to a company in California institutions—the Hotel that said Luna stole secrets, Roanoke & Conference Center, could easily have been folded the Pete Dye River Course without the agreement. It (golf), WVTF Public Radio, was a long, tough case. and the Center for European Studies and Architecture in

Switzerland. FRONTLeading Invention Dan Smith J Smoot is on the boards of Focal Lens, Ron Blum. Chip Magee First National Bank, FNB Corp., This is just the latest in Warm Hearth, the Virginia a string of inventions by College of Osteopathic Roanoke’s ocular Edison. Medicine and Carilion In a region where high- J Health System. level invention is almost commonplace (think “Virginia Toughest Legal Case Tech”), Blum is a star. FRONTLeaders FRONTLeading Economic Tie: Luna settlement; Yukon Developement Idea Pocahontas Coal Company victory. Virginia Tech-Carilion collaboration. This is being Scott Sexton led a Gentry hailed as the new economic Locke Rakes & Moore team engine for the entire region

(along with a team from by some heavy-hitting J Grundy) in a tedious, difficult business people who know Ron Blum case (so hard Sexton went the real thing when they fishing for a couple of months see it. It represents health when it was over) that pitted care, education, employment, Yukon Pocahontas Coal physical and fiscal 10 Company, et al. v. Consolidation improvements and a lot of Dan Smith Coal Company, et al., Island high-level employees and Creek Coal Company, Consol students who could make Energy and CNX Gas Company. this a better place to live He won a cash settlement of over the coming years. $75 million, one of the largest of its type ever. Consolidation Honorable mention Roanoke Coal Company had been Higher Education Center secretly dumping billions of (10th Anniversary). Roanoke’s gallons of waste water from own college system. Heavily its Buchanan mine into used and a true benefit to the neighboring mines where region.

the plaintiﬀs’ coal had been 10 mined by Island Creek. Governor’s School FRONTLeading New Because of an imaginative Business Device and creative settlement arranged by Chip Magee of Droid smart phone / Android Magee Foster Goldstein & operating system. Apple /

12 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT COVER STORY

iPhone lovers will never The ones who skip grades in admit it, but the Droid is not college. K only a worthy contender, it outscores the iPhone in the (Quickest Program Rise) most important categories, according to leading technical Liberty University Law review sources. School has gone from being unaccredited to become one of the most respected in the Most Underapprecited country in a few short years. Regional Asset The chancellor of the university is a graduate of The grumbling about Harvard Law, so the rise is

Roanoke Regional Airport is not surprising. constant, but the fact is that it Dan Smith K is a fine, small-market airport Steve Musselwhite with full service that includes Best Dressed Executive excellent general aviation service and a regional hub for Man: Steve Musselwhite, air freight. The airport is an Musselwhite & Associates. Q attractive first impression for Always immaculate, visitors in the visual sense and appropriate, fashionable is operated efficiently. It is not and high-end. One imagines LaGuardia, but this region is Steve gardening in an ascot. not New York City. Woman: Mary Jean Redon Levin, Halifax Fine Furnishings. FRONTLeading New Mary Jean dresses with Business Trend sometimes astonishing— but always tastful—flare. Facebook Fan Pages for Her bright colors and soft

companies and organizations. materials ﬁt well and are It’s here, it’s now and it’s hot. always the ﬁrst thing you Dan Smith Q If you don’t have a Fan Page, see when you walk into a Mary Jean Levin you’re not a player. Dude. room full of people. Business-Friendly Education Business Entertainment FRONTLeaders FRONTLeaders 9 (Best Education Trend) (Best Place to Take a Client/Prospect)

Community College system Virginia Tech football credit transfers to universities. skybox. Nothing else is close This was a long time coming if you’re looking for impact. and it not only makes a lot of Try a Thursday night ESPN academic sense, it saves game for extra eﬀect. Throw strapped families a lot of in a little lightning if you can money. Good idea whose manage that.

time ﬁnally came. (Best Arts Organization Virginia Tech 9 (Best Place To Educate Your Kids) for Business to Support) Skybox at Virginia Tech Governor’s School of Science Local Colors. Pearl Fu’s annual & Technology. The smart kids event, and the mini-events go here. The really smart kids. that occur throughout the

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 13

Q 9 10 Dan Smith

9 10 Dan Smith Q Dan Smith Pearl Fu Marginal Arts Goodwill Industries Festival

year, has given Roanoke an raised $36,000. air of sophistication and international flavor. It is a spectacular celebration of Best Meeting Facilities diversity. FRONTLeader (Novel Arts Event) Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center and the Inn at Virginia Marginal Arts Festival. This Tech (tie). They set the one is so novel that many standard in the region and consider it quirky, eccentric both of them stay booked, and oddball even for the arts. reflecting that standard. The idea of Brian Counihan of Community High School, it allows art to be itself and Industry FRONTLeaders promotes that as a positive concept. Valley Business FRONT covers nine industry fronts each month. The following list Non-Profit FRONTLeader presents the FRONTLeaders in each sector: Goodwill Industries is the pick in an outstanding field that includes the Rescue Financial FRONTLeader Mission (with its new restaurant and general Community banks. The merchandise store on region has a full complement Williamson Road) and TAP, of locally-based, small banks which is always a force in specializing in working with generating money from small business loans that the something besides big banks often ignore. contributions. The one These banks, most often, thing they all have in have boards of directors common is that they who are well known and operate like sophisticated active in their communities businesses. Goodwill has and who know the customers had an especially good on a first-name basis. Of year, capped with an late, many have been more imaginative runway reluctant than usual to loan fashion show that money, but they have been

14 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT COVER STORY

10 K A

10 A Inn at Virginia Tech Rick Claus of K MedCottage NanoSonic

a stalwart of support for the this country, but its small business community presence is being felt. for many years and when the current mess clears, they should be "old Tech / Industry FRONTLeader dependable" again. NanoSonic Inc. is one of the region’s leading-edge high tech Legal FRONTLeader companies, concentrating on advanced materials and Chip Magee, Magee Foster & employing 50. Founded Goldstein, who helped Luna by Rick Claus (Virginia’s reach a settlement in its Outstanding Scientist in lawsuit (in which it lost a $36 2001) in 1998, NanoSonic is million decision) that saved the overall leader in a 13-state the company. It was an study of the strength of the impressive piece of legal industry, bringing in more work, counseling, dealing, than $10 million and totaling reasoning and working 39 grants. The company has toward a solution that a 18 patents and in 2006 was judge and both companies named to the Nano50 by could love. NASA. The company recently moved into EcoPark in Giles County in a 30,000-square- Wellness FRONTLeader foot building as the park’s first tenant. The company Alternative medicine. An is a spinoff of Virginia Tech’s in-depth explanation of Colleges of Engineering why this is important is and Science. coming in the form of a cover story in the December issue of FRONT. For the Development FRONTLeader moment, though, suffice it to say that many people are MedCottage, Salem’s Rev. turning to it to get the kind Kenneth Dupin’s, solution to of treatment they believe taking care of an infirm family is best (and much less member at home without expensive) for them. It being in the main house. This will likely never overtake is a small, temporary structure traditional medicine in you can put in your back yard

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 15 and install your sick relative a professional … well … we A during her declining years. haven’t figured that out yet. Simple, affordable to many But she is with the Water and sensible. The Virginia Heater, an all-over-the-place General Assembly likes them arts organizing outfit and she so much it passed a law organized other things, as overriding local zoning laws well. Her impact on arts in this prohibiting MedCottage region has been dramatic, installation. exciting and often controversial. But never dull. Likewise River Laker, who—officially, Retail FRONTLeader anyway—is with the Roanoke City Library as a promotions

Craigslist. This will drive guy. The library’s image has A every local retailer in the never been better and its Nancy Gray region nuts, but Craigslist is reputation as the cool place the changing face of retail. to be is improving daily. River It hasn’t yet changed all the is an Energizer Bunny on a way, but Craigslist’s impact bike and he’s teaching the Q is felt down the line: The age old guard how it’s done. Dan Smith of building-less shopping is upon us. Sarah Elizabeth Timmins of the movie “Lake Eﬀects” deserves a mention here for Recreation FRONTLeader raising enough money to make a movie at Smith Roanoke County Recreation Mountain Lake, for getting Center. An impressive—and the community involved expensive—recreation facility and for ﬁnishing the project. had those who don’t want the government spending money

in spasms, but its success Our Own Categories Q shows the public loves the Beth Deel facility. Readers’ Choice FRONTCover “Senior bike babe” Evelyn Education FRONTLeader Blake, on a Harley (February K 2010) won the top spot. Nancy Gray, Hollins University Eating her dust, but not too president. You root for Nancy far behind, was “Betrayed” Gray because she’s just so Ed Couvrette (December dang nice, but you follow her 2009) and “Superman” Victor because she’s a leader and an Ionello (November 2009) impressive executive. What she’s done with the endowment and the Hollins budget has Readers’ Choice raised a lot of eyebrows. What FRONTCoxntributing Writer she has done with Hollins’ reputation and image in the Alison Weaver brought us a

community is no less so. lot of heavy hitters, including Dan Smith J “The Frat Pack from ITT”, River Laker “The Jobs Issue”, “The New Culture FRONTLeader Builders” and “Immigrants in Business”. Beth Deel, River Laker. The odd couple of the arts. Beth is

16 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT COVER STORY

J O K E

in FRONT R

Not R

and Other Awards E

Clumsiest Exit Absolutely the Very Worst O Gwen Mason lost a bid for Cellular Service J the General Assembly; left her seat on Roanoke City Council; AT&T. Nobody’s even second. When you can’t get a signal in Pilots flying into took a job as director of the Roanoke may soon Clean Valley Council; left that the center of the largest city be required to play in the region, there’s a prob- putt-putt every almost immediately and took weekend for training what was at the time some lem. One that AT&T ignores. certification. mysterious job with some mysterious federal agency Oh, Let’s Just Tear It Down, (turned out to be community liaison with the Justice Nobody’ll Notice Department, one of the ﬁrst jobs of its type in the Green Memorial United country). Methodist Church’s decision to raze the historic Ropho On Second Thought Award Building. Developer Larry Vander Complete Lack of Maten, who kept Roanoke County guessing for several Originality and Ethics years about his development plans for Explore Park, Prototype Media, the decided he didn’t have Lynchburg “agency” called any after all. the FRONT, collected all it’s media information, then apparently copied everything Let’s Not Even Talk About Him about it. (see Letters, page 51) Spanky Macher, Renaissance Shame, shame. man. Not So Business-Friendly Worst Reason To Oppose Town Council

Something of Value Blacksburg merchants have The claim that wind turbines resorted to cardboard signs, on Bent Mountain would rather than dealing with hamper aviation. excessive fees and regulations. Businesses have had to delay grand openings. Mayor avoids An Idea Whose Time Is Gone ribbon-cuttings. The complaint Shell buildings. list goes on and on.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 17 The value of a short note >

While Thanksgiving comes once a year, being thankful and appreciative are traits that can be practiced daily. Having an attitude of gratitude will foster good will and build better relationships with business associates, as well as friends and family. One simple and eﬀective way to show sincere appreciation is with a thank-you note.

In business, it's appropriate to send a thank-you note or letter in the following situations:

• After a job interview

• After receiving a promotion

• When a manager/supervisor has provided a recommendation

• After a business lunch or dinner

• After a contact is helpful in a telephone conversation or e-mail

• After a contact is helpful in a career fair

A recent survey found that nearly 15 percent of hiring managers would reject a job candidate who neglected to send a thank-you note after the job interview. More than 30 percent would still consider the thankless candidate but the opinion of him would Business be diminished.

Etiquette For a thank-you note to be effective in any situation, it must be sent promptly. A thank-you note should be sent within 24 hours of a job interview. Be sure to spell the interviewer’s name correctly. According to Virginia Tech Career Services, the By Donna Dilley thank-you can be hard copy typed, handwritten or e-mailed. Hard copy thank-you letters are the most formal and are always appropriate after an interview. A handwritten note is more personal and can be appropriate for brief notes to a variety Executive Summary: of individuals. E-mail is appropriate when the contact has Your mama always expressed a preference for e-mail, but should be followed told you to write up immediately with a hard copy. thank-you notes. She was right. Do it! A simple formula for a concise and effective thank-you is to employ the acronym t.e.c. In the first sentence or two, thank the individual. In the next segment or sentence, elaborate on how much the action has meant. In the final section, compliment the benefactor sincerely.

Expressing gratitude in a thank-you letter does more than create positive impressions. UC-Davis researchers Robert Emmons and Mike McCullough demonstrated in multi-year studies that being thankful helps to improve both physical and emotional health. Writing thank-you notes may be a practice that leads to a longer and happier life.

(E-mail [email protected] with etiquette and customer service related questions.)

18 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT TRENDS It’s about the advice, not the choice >

Dear Getting a Grip: I am a professional in residential real estate and I have a question that could apply to people in a number of professions where their advice and direction is sought. I have a client who simply will not listen to me. She is paying a lot of money for my advice in selling her home, but she goes for advice to her family, her friends, her employer, even the person next to her in the grocery line, then comes to me with the advice as if it were the ﬁnal word in real estate. Usually, it is illogical, illegal or simply stupid. How do I get control of a situation that has gone awry? ______

Dear Last in Line: When our friends ask us for advice, we give it for free, tending to let go of the outcome. When a client hires us for advice, we tend to attach ourselves to the client taking action on our advice because we believe our advice is important to the success of the client’s enterprise. For our clients’ well-being, for our own professional ethics, and for the sake of our future business with clients or for the clients’ referrals, we want clients to do what we think is best for them.

Clients ultimately have the right to choose what they think is best for them, sometimes in accord with our advice, sometimes not. Negotiating up front that the value we provide in exchange for hire is the expertise behind the advice, not the outcome, can leave both parties satisﬁed with the give-and take of the transaction. Attempting to give advice, then control a client’s choice, usually results in frustration and resentment on both sides. Workplace

When clients question or challenge our advice, it’s either personal Advice or not personal. If it’s personal, clients have doubts about the quality or value of the advice we provide. That requires an up front, right-now conversation. “Your satisfaction is what’s most important. If you’re satisﬁed with the value I’m providing By Anne Giles Clelland you, let’s continue working together. If not, may I refer you to one of our other agents that may better serve your needs?”

When clients consult others and then quote that advice to us, Executive Summary: it’s usually not about us. When people are uncertain about an When you are hired to action to take, they seek a “Yes, but…” from as many sources give advice, don’t get as they can ﬁnd to justify waiting, even stalling. That requires too upset if the client an invitational conversation. “You seem to be gathering advice doesn’t take it. from lots of sources. Are you concerned about proceeding?”

And, frankly, bad clients happen, or bad ﬁts between clients and advisors happen. Time spent advising and re-advising one Need to start “Getting client doubtful of the value you oﬀer could be time spent with a Grip” on a personal two clients who appreciate your expertise. problem at work? E-mail your question to Getting a Grip: When an individual is hired by another [email protected]. individual to give advice, whether as an agent, attorney consultant, accountant, coach or counselor, the advisor’s job description is this: Give advice. This is not in an advisor’s job description: Make the client take the advice.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 19 Small business smarts >

Since the economy took a nosedive in October 2008 and large corporations downsized, thousands of small businesses have Business been launched. Competition is strong for business accounts and even small details of a company’s business strategies can Dress win business—or lose it. Professional attire is one detail that can make a big diﬀerence in the image a company projects and can contribute to its success.

By Kathy Surace Small business owners have the freedom to determine their own dress code—or lack of it. A professional appearance is an easy way for a small business to establish credibility. Professional attire can vary from a uniform to a polo shirt and Executive Summary: khakis, to a sports jacket and open collared shirt, depending If you think you’re dressing on the type of business. Increased competition for business only for yourself in business, opportunities makes it essential for small businesses to think again. This could project an image of reliability and expertise. aﬀect your bottom line. Additionally a professional appearance can eliminate many workplace problems, especially for young entrepreneurs and small business owners.

20 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT TRENDS Dressing appropriately can:

• Gain existing employees’ respect and increase morale.

• Attract talented, valuable new employees.

• Establish credibility and professionalism with clients.

• Create a positive professional reputation with competitors.

Tom Tanner, a professional business counselor at the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center, has shepherded many small businesses to success.

His experience leads him to conclude that, “Starting oﬀ in a new business, appearance (which also includes shoes, hair, shave, earrings, tattoos, etc.) is even more important because ﬁrst impressions count. The new customer does not know you or the quality of your service or product. Be sure that you look professional to the customer. If you are sloppy, or poorly dressed, you will probably not get the job.”

He goes on to say, “You need to look at business attire as part of marketing and branding, just like your logo, advertising, the condition and cleanliness of your facilities, vehicles, etc. Customers make perceptions on the quality of your services— whether right or wrong—on the way the owner, and employees look, on the appearance of the facility, or the look of the company vehicles.”

So, if you want an edge in a competitive market consider the beneﬁts of dressing professionally for your business type. Certainly it’s not enough to merely appear professional—solid products and services are essential—but professional attire helps clients and employees focus on the value and expertise your company already provides.

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 21 Coming Up... December 2010 Alternative Medicine It may not be mainstream, but it’s sure gaining momentum. Practitioners of alternative medicine and wellness boutiques are popping up all over our region—and in December the FRONT schedules a visit. January 2011 Success in Hard Times It never hurts to have a reminder that there are businesses thriving—even in these tough times. The time for that reporting is now. Join the FRONT in January for a special compilation of successful proﬁles. FRONTguide2010 People are buzzing about FRONTguide! Not just a book-of-lists or directory. In classic and progressive FRONTstyle, we’re presenting the businesses, products and services you need most at your ﬁngertips. Compact and easy to use. It’s like having your own little black book! Call Jane or Jo Lynn (below) to advertise.

Call Your Account Executive for more information... Jane Dalier: 540-239-2610 540-389-9945 Jo Lynn Seifert: 540-589-1439 vbFRONT.com

22 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT FINANCIAL FRONT

Financial planning successful idea and that retirement funding will take care of itself. The for entrepreneurs > “myth” as revealed by Gerber is that entrepreneurs do not start their own business for great financial gain, Executive Summary: rather to control their own destiny. If you own a business, get a They expect financial gain to come … retirement plan. It’s good for whenever. you and for the economy. 3. From my observations, many entrepreneurs do not have a plan. By Joel S. Williams There are plenty of business owners between 60 and 80 who are just as stressed today about the survival of Wikipedia defines an entrepreneur as their companies and the need for someone who “has possession of a new them to continue working. enterprise, venture or idea and assumes significant accountability for the inherent The message here is two-fold: risks and the outcome.” 1. If you are a business owner, your We should be thankful for men and women retirement will not be automatically of such courage because about 70 percent of planned for you. This is not a fault the jobs are created by small- to mid-sized of the entrepreneur; most businesses and 50 percent of the gross professionals are not inclined to plan. national output is produced by the firms Procrastination is the single biggest of these entrepreneurs. reason for Baby Boomers having to continue to work. The entrepreneur Unfortunately, because of their creative is simply at more risk because there spirit and tenacity, this group of laborers is no process in place to provide the does a relatively poor job of planning for automatic planning. their eventual retirement or exit from the businesses they created. This is compared 2. In many cases for older entrepreneurs, to other professionals such as doctors, plans can be devised to prevent the lawyers, professors and executives of deterioration of small business value. major corporations. It requires as courageous a decision as it did to start the business. Why? Here are two reasons for this situation: This is a problem not just for the 1. Financial planners did not come to entrepreneur. It is a concern for all of realize until recently that the America, because academic studies are entrepreneur faces a different set of showing that approximately 75 percent of challenges than does, say, the small- to midsized businesses are losing university professor. value. The job engines of our economy cannot continue sputtering into a decline. 2. The entrepreneur as described in As citizens of our economy we can help Michael Gerber’s classic, “The by supporting our local businesses and E-Myth,” is forever creating the next policies that strengthen them.

Read the FRONT online vbFRONT.com Also get more stories and pictures at morefront.blogspot.com

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 23 Jeff Krasnow: “They call because they are unhappy with what Dan Smith their attorney is doing with the case, or not doing with the case.”

Lawyers suing lawyers > Roanoke [Valley]” as part of his practice.

In many cases, says Krasnow, people call Executive Summary: prematurely to inquire about a lawsuit against The Krasnow Law Firm takes on cases an attorney. “They call because they are other law ﬁrms are not especially unhappy with what their attorney is doing comfortable with: suing colleagues. with the case, or not doing with the case.”

Krasnow says most of the legal malpractice By Gene Marrano issues that clients have with their attorneys involve situations where that lawyer has “blown the statute of limitations” by not Call it professional courtesy—or maybe not— filing a lawsuit on time. “It’s generally an but finding an attorney who takes on legal administrative screw-up in their offices,” malpractice cases by suing another lawyer is says Krasnow, who has volunteered his rare. It’s a thorny challenge and The Krasnow services as an expert witness in legal Law Firm in Roanoke is willing participant. malpractice proceedings.

Jeff Krasnow accepts those types of In most circumstances clients cannot sue cases when they are related to the fields he for malpractice until the trial is over and the practices in, personal injury and medical case is lost, says Krasnow. He prefers a direct malpractice. “There are relatively few approach: sit down and talk to your lawyer, lawyers in Virginia willing to handle legal “Let [him] know you are unhappy with the malpractice cases,” says Krasnow. “I think progress in the case.” that’s unfortunate and its one of the factors that prompted me to accept cases Clients can discharge their attorney at any in that area.” Krasnow has taken on legal time if they are not satisfied, something malpractice clients from “well outside the Krasnow believes many are not aware of.

24 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT LEGAL FRONT

He is not a proponent of ethical,” says Krasnow. “I think it’s misleading.” changing lawyers in mid-case, however, and suggests Lawyers can purchase malpractice insurance, hashing out any differences. much the same as physicians can for their line of work. The overwhelming majority of Virginia has no guidelines attorneys carry malpractice insurance, requiring that an attorney according to Krasnow. That’s good news for must have experience in a clients: “The purpose of being able to sue for particular area of the law legal malpractice is to be able to put the client when he takes on a client back into the situation [he] would have been with a related case. Krasnow in, if the case had been handled properly.” has gone after an attorney for legal malpractice in that Krasnow estimates he has handled legal circumstance. malpractice cases for more than 20 years. In that time he cannot recall any of the cases For a referral fee, some going to trial, with a settlement typically firms that advertise having worked out beforehand. “Lawyers are like experience in a particular everybody else. From time to time we make legal field simply pass on mistakes,” says Krasnow. “When that those inquiries to law firms happens all we can do is hope it’s not a that actually have that serious mistake and that no one suffers a background. “I don’t think it’s serious financial injury as a result.”

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 25 Dr. Dan Harrington: “These are all things that would not have Gene Marrano happened if the medical school had not come about.”

Juggling medical working there. The Roanoke-based regional health care giant has also been host for students > third year medical school students from the University of Virginia.

Executive Summary: Now there’s a new wrinkle, with the just- The new medical school at Carilion Clinic does opened Virginia Tech Carilion School of not have the only medical students at the facility. Medicine nearby, those students will also wind up inside Carilion Clinic as part of the medical education process during their By Gene Marrano junior and senior years.

Dr. Daniel P. Harrington is Carilion’s vice Carilion Clinic has long had an internal president for academic aﬀairs, overseeing education program, designed to sharpen the Graduate Medical Education program, and broaden the skills of the physicians which includes residencies in various

26 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT WELLNESS FRONT disciplines, post-residency fellowships (up will lead to more “cutting edge” healthcare to three years long) and other continuing breakthroughs. education tracks. Harrington believes the Graduate Medical The faculty physicians recruited to teach in Education program may not be fully the Carilion program are “some of the best understood by many in the Roanoke Valley. and brightest,” says Harrington. “That’s been “For the last 40-plus years, Carilion has been a drawing point for many of the [physicians] training physicians in various specialties.” That that come to work at Carilion.” post medical school training is mandatory before licensing, he emphasizes. Having the Graduate Medical Education component in place at Carilion also made The graduate program continues to evolve, it more feasible to start the medical school with fellowships added in pulmonary joint venture with Virginia Tech. Harrington medicine and several other disciplines over says the panel that accredited the medical the past few years. Pending are applications school was impressed by the number of for a new residency in emergency medicine residencies at Carilion and the fact that it and fellowships in cardiology, critical care was already training third year students and pediatrics, among others. from other schools. “These are all things that would not have Harrison says that sharing resources with the happened if the medical school had not Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute on come about,” says Harrington, who is a the same campus as the new medical school liaison between Carilion and the new

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 27 medical school. “[That] has given us a He hopes to see Virginia medical students catalyst to add to our training programs.” continue to do their clinicals in Roanoke. “We have a long standing relationship with Harrington hopes many of the Virginia Tech the University of Virginia,” says Harrington. Carilion School of Medicine graduates will elect Virginia Commonwealth School of Medicine to do their residencies for Carilion. Having in Richmond has been sending third year some go off to places like Harvard and Johns students to Carilion, which has dorms on site. Hopkins for their residencies won’t hurt either Harrington, a 20-year Carilion veteran, is because it "really spreads the reputation and a UVa Medical School graduate and did shows what great training they got.” a double residency in psychiatry and internal medicine. Harrington acts as the senior associate dean to the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Having students from several different schools next door. Those students (the first freshmen in the mix can be a good thing. “They really class numbers 42) will spend their third year learn from each other,” says Harrington, doing clinical rotations at Carilion Roanoke “[and] medical students are competitive. Memorial Hospital, which is just down the It raises the bar.” block on South Jefferson. One benefit of providing that training to Even in their freshmen and sophomore students from schools based elsewhere: years, Harrington is matching students with many of the younger physicians opt to stay physicians at Roanoke Memorial, where they in the region, which is especially important will spend some half days at the hospital in some more rural parts of southwestern observing. Carilion doctors will also teach Virginia. “That’s been a phenomenal hands-on skills like patient examinations. resource for the area,” says Harrington.

28 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT TECH/INDUSTRY FRONT

This Tech team won third place in the Solar Virginia Tech Decathlon Europe with Lumenhaus.

Ready, set, build! > of these creative resources is provided by recent graduates from universities such as Virginia Tech. Real-world experience Executive Summary: has become a prerequisite to real-world Architecture and engineering students employment in many leading edge are heavily involved in competitions companies. throughout the year. What’s the value? ABET Inc., the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied By Michael Miller science, computing, engineering, and technology, requires graduating seniors to have an “independent design experience” What do bricks made of moondust, robot in order to provide exposure to working in a warriors, steel bridges and renovation of team environment on a practical application 15-story hotels in Hawaii have in common? of their skills. In addition, most engineering students will take internships during their They are all projects won by Virginia Tech time at the university, providing additional student teams in national and international experience in the working world. competitions. Student competitions provide another In the modern world where new, high tech important opportunity to broaden the products like computers and cell phones educational experience. During any given hardly have time to warm up before they year at Virginia Tech 50 or more student become obsolete, it has become led teams are working on projects that test increasingly important for companies to their design and engineering skills in real- employ highly creative teams in order to world situations, competing with other remain competitive. A signiﬁcant proportion teams in national and international venues.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 29 The 2009-2010 Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team of Virginia Tech (HEVT) Virginia Tech witnessed delivery of a 2009 crossover SUV donated by General Motors, which will be re-engineered for the EcoCAR Challenge.

The competition teams are not just ad build and operate the EcoCar, the team also hoc working groups. Large programs with employs the services of communications and significant outside sponsorship, such as the marketing students to raise money and recent Solar Decathlon/Lumenhaus and satisfy the DOE requirement for outreach. DARPA Urban Challenge programs, are multi-year efforts and so the team structure Designing and building a new hybrid has to extend far beyond the classroom. automobile or solar house isn’t cheap. Virginia Tech provides a small budget to some teams, Each team functions essentially like a small but it is not nearly adequate to support the corporation. For example, in the Virginia work required even though much of the Tech Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team (HEVT) labor is voluntary. which recently finished second in the EcoChallenge competition sponsored by the In some cases, such as the EcoChallenge, Department of Energy (DOE) and General the sponsor provides financial support and/or Motors, senior mechanical engineers serve in-kind funding. GM provided a vehicle to as Program Manager (Chief Executive) and each of the 16 university teams across Finance Officer, the two most critical roles North America, and the DOE provides found in an early stage small tech startup. budget for certain directed team activities In addition to the engineering students who such as student travel to conferences and

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30 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT TECH/INDUSTRY FRONT outreach activities, which are a major objective of the project.

Graduate student Patrick Walsh is one of two team members who provides the outreach function. Walsh’s graduate teaching assistantship is funded by the DOE, which means that he has to provide normal graduate assistance to his faculty supervisor in addition to his function as a public relations leader for the team.

“I still have to grade papers before I work on the project,” says Walsh, “but it’s worth it.” Marketing and communications team members provide both public relations and fund raising functions for the team.

Walsh, like all of the members of competition teams at Virginia Tech, sees the experience as Virginia Tech indispensible to his Keith Van Houten (right) of General Motor talks with career development. engineering students Lynn Gantt (left) and Patrick Walsh Even though at times (middle), members of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team. team members may have to spend 80-100 hours per week in addition to their normal class Successful teams attract sponsors eager to work building and testing the vehicle to piggyback on the publicity of the team, and make a deadline, they willingly put in the their participation provides exposure for time. the team members to impress potential employers. Walsh says many of his friends “It’s so rewarding to put what you have who served on the team have been hired by learned in class to work and see a tangible sponsors. The opportunity to be a part of a result,” says Walsh. Comparing the team successful team also attracts top students experience to an internship, Walsh says to Virginia Tech. that while internships introduce students to the professional working environment, Virginia Tech’s remarkable success rate in “it’s a much more autonomous environment routinely placing at or near the top of these with the teams. We make the decisions national and international competitions and get the job done. It’s a great feeling may not seem as exciting as winning a of accomplishment.” national collegiate football or basketball championship, but because of their experience, Of course, the team experience has other these students will be the next generation beneﬁts beyond the competition itself. of technology leaders.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 31 Have you ever seen an image, article, or site design on the Web and thought, "That is really cool. I could use that on my Web site!"? If so, you're not alone. With the advent of the Web, its vast array of resources, and the ease of downloading images, page copy, and designs, the temptation to "borrow" from other Web sites can be very strong. It is, however, a temptation that you should be very wary of, because doing so may constitute copyright infringement, which can result in legal action against you.

Dave Cohan, attorney with Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore (also cited in the June, 2010 issue of FRONT, "You paid for it, but you you own it?") answers some questions here that were posed by business owners, do-it-yourself Web developers, and Web professionals. Dan Smith Janeson Keeley Can I use images that appear in Google Images on my Web site? "Just because images are on the Internet doesn't mean netFRONT they are free to use. Your use of Internet images may be copyright infringement, regardless of whether you give credit to the copyright owner." Copyrights and wrongs > Can I publish articles on my Web site that were written by others? "This would be Executive Summary: considered copyright infringement if you Be careful what you “steal” from the Web for do not have the written permission of the your own use. You could be violating copyright. copyright owner. However, reprinting quotes or short passages, especially if they are for fair use purposes such as review of or By Janeson Keeley comment on the articles or news reporting, would not be considered infringement."

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32 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT TECH/INDUSTRY FRONT

Can I borrow a page template and change Articles (www.ezinearticles.com) and a few things to make it mine? "Under the IdeaMarketers (www.ideamarketers.com). doctrine of 'substantial similarity,' a work can be found to infringe copyright even if Find a page template you like? Many the wording of text has been changed or free templates are available for blogs at visual or audible elements are altered." sites like SkinPress (www.skinpress.com). There is a nice choice of HTML templates Given all these restrictions, is there anything at Free Layouts (www.freelayouts.com). you can use from the Web? Yes! You may be able to alter these templates. If you aren't sure, contact the designer Need images for your Web site? Free photos or Web site administrator for clarification. and clip art images are available to Microsoft Office license holders at Microsoft Clip Gallery The Internet gives us easy access to Live (office.microsoft.com/en-us/images). others' work, but that ease of access WikiMedia (meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Free_ does not imply permission to use what image_resources) provides a list of sources we find and present it as our own. for free images, and there are low-cost However, there are also many sources royalty-free stock photo sites, such as for free or low cost images, content, or iStockPhoto (www.istockphoto.com) and design templates. Read and follow the Fotolia (us.fotolia.com). Terms of Service for each site, and if something you want to use has a Need content for your Web site? Check copyright notice on it, either get written out syndicated article sites such as Ezine permission or keep looking.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 33 Owners Lizi and David Gilkeson. all photos: Dan Smith

Work David has a bachelor’s degree in business and has managed several restaurants. He worked Spaces in sales for 20 years, but he has had a lifelong interest in French and English antique furniture, which influences what is sold at The French Creativity Thistle. David can help a customer design a new sofa or reproduce an old one. from scratch > The French Thistle has classic styles and upholstery in an atmosphere of warm Executive Summary: ambiance and elegant refinement. At the French Thistle you can design your own furniture, copy a classic “I quickly access what the customer wants or ask the experts for advice. to do color-wise and find out what the project is,” says Lizi. “If the customer has no idea about colors, I ask her to clear her By Susan Ayers mind of any preconceived ideas and encourage her to pick fabrics she likes and in doing that she can see her color palette Upholstery and fabric shop owners have a and it delights her.” tendency to focus primarily on the technical side of the business rather than building Usually what a person is wearing tells Lizi relationships with the customer. Not so for what that customer will like. By the process David and Lizi Gilkeson who in September, of elimination, Lizi is able to figure out the 2006, purchased The French Thistle from the fabrics that will go with what has been owners who were in the process of retiring. chosen and decide what fabric goes where. The store was Prime Fabrics at the time. Lizi suggests to the customer that she paint after picking the fabrics. The French Thistle began with the two of them and they hired Ann Williams as manager and “The most important thing we can do is to sales associate. “We’re creative people. We’re listen to the customer,” says Lizi. “If we don’t not organizers. Ann does that and more,” do that, we’ll push our own ideas. I will guide says Lizi. them. It’s all about building trust.” Lizi loves to help customers put fabrics together The store’s name is derived from the national because sometimes it can be overwhelming flower of Scotland, where Lizi lived for four for the customer. She is an artist and her years, and David’s love for French antiques. passion is color.

34 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT DEVELOPMENT FRONT

Fabric piled up.

Exterior

Lizi graduated with a ﬁne arts degree from West Surrey College of Art and Design in the United Kingdom. Some of her paintings are displayed for sale throughout the store. Studying sculpture has helped with the three-dimensional aspect to her work. Khambay Chanthavixay is a Laotian David handles all the custom work, which immigrant, who works the sewing machine. is typically done in the back of the store. He inspects everything before it leaves the shop. “I never thought I would be an owner of a fabric store,” he laughs. “This business is in the baby stages. We will probably put a lamp shade shop in next.”

Until the last year, the upholstery work was farmed out. The business now has two full-time upholsterers, two full-time seamstresses, three to four tear-down people, two part-time sales associates selling fabrics and one full-time sales associate/store manager. The results of a lot of work.

If a customer has paid for the fabric and needs upholstery work done, it normally takes 4-6 weeks for cushions and pillows and 6-8 weeks for furniture. Upholstery work is paid for when completed.

The French Thistle creates custom bedding, headboards and window treatments, outdoor cushions, pillows, custom lampshades and much more.

“The down-turned economy has actually helped. It’s a less expensive way to change Rolls and rolls of fabric. a whole look,” says Lizi.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 35 Rachael Garrity Floored owner Jimmie Blanchard with a customer.

Resourcefulness: “Obstacles,” Henry Ford said, “are those frightful things you see when you take your A clinic > eyes oﬀ the goal.”

Meet Jimmie Blanchard, a Christiansburg Executive Summary: entrepreneur who almost literally puts legs Floored owner Jimmie Blanchard has taken on that philosophy and makes it run. Where small lessons every step of the way and others see risk, Blanchard sees it, too, but wound up with the business he wants. then goes looking for what can be—the potential.

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36 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT RETAIL FRONT convinced his parents to invest with him in a plot of land, and when, after four years, the snarl of red tape still hadn’t been unwound, sold it at signiﬁcant proﬁt.

While real estate development with a focus on adaptive re-use was his dream as an undergraduate, he quickly learned that his lack of experience stood in the way of, well, getting experience (Real World 101). These brick-like tiles are made But, wait! Working in a flooring warehouse, from recycled bottles. he’d started a new profit center by saving, binding and selling carpet remnants that juncture of Highway 11 and Depot Street had once been headed for the trash. With in Christiansburg he found an old movie that experience behind him, he went with theater that had morphed into a food a wholesale distributor managing accounts store and then settled into several years in Virginia and West Virginia, then took a of disrepair. By May, he had opened the position managing a store in Roanoke, and doors on a clean, bright new showroom, eventually offered to buy out the owner. with administrative offices upstairs in what was once the projection area. When the buyout fell through, he searched for a location that would be geographically “Yes, I guess you could say the timing is a central, affordable and appealing. At the bit courageous,” he admits. “But remember,

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 37 I was managing a store that was still doing formaldehyde free, and stocks some that are quite well. And, while I surely welcome made from corn and some that have a silver working with custom homebuilders and new ion added especially for allergy-sufferers. construction, as well as commercial clients, Hardwood choices include lyptus, which is I see this business as focusing on the people a hybridized eucalyptus grown in South who want to replace what they have.” America that is harder than oak and, when cut, re-grows from the same trunk. One As the Floored – a name chosen by entry to the showroom features iridescent Blanchard’s wife, who is a technical writer – tile manufactured from recycled bottles— brochure explains, there is no single floor just one of many such choices. that is perfect for everyone. Since the typical customer purchases flooring of some sort Blanchard’s knowledge about all this is about every seven years, knowing how and encyclopedic. In addition to full installation what to choose is an important part of the on all that he sells, he offers consulting services process. to those who want to install themselves.

Blanchard’s early interest in adaptive re-use Customer focus, positive attitude and solid is alive and well, too. “This is a big-ticket planning set the stage. And this businessman purchase for people,” he argues. “I want to has a particular impetus at work, too. His older make sure they know about all of the choices brother, Scott, died before Blanchard turned they have, and take a real leadership position 16, and therefore never had the opportunity on helping them ﬁnd things that are green to deliver a poem written for the occasion. and sustainable.” When Blanchard discovered it sometime later, he took the closing words to heart: “Dive in Floored carries only carpets that are headﬁrst and challenge your days.”

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38 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT SENIOR FRONT

Carol Patterson: “I'm talking about innovation.” David Perry

Getting inventions Not far from where Carol Patterson attended college, a sign on a steel bridge to market > spanning the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey reads in bold neon, “TRENTON MAKES—THE WORLD Executive Summay: TAKES.” The letters, installed in 1911, Sometimes getting those inventions reﬂect a time when America was the manufactured means sending the information world's manufacturing center. to China and dealing with a whole new world of understanding and misunderstanding. Fast forward to 2010. Today, China is Carol Patterson can help. quickly becoming the place that makes what the rest of the world takes. And Carol, who earned a bachelor's degree from By David Perry Philadelphia's Drexel University, wants to

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 39 make sure that American innovation is Carol helps inventors hone their ideas into driving what those Chinese factories something marketable. produce. “I get a customer who brings something to “Innovation is the key to the United States' me, and I say, 'Can we fix it for you?'” she kids. success,” she says from her home office near Smith Mountain Lake in Hardy. “Because Before a product enters the manufacturing we have been brought up free, we have a stage, it has to pass muster with Carol. freedom of thought that's unique to the “Anybody can copy something and send world.” it in FedEx and tell the factory to make it. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm Carol's company helps people with good talking about innovation.” ideas turn them into reality. After clearing that quality control hurdle, “They may have an idea, but they don't the next step is translating the idea into know how to get it made. What we do is something a Chinese factory can make. get it made,” she explains. A career in design and working with Home Shopping Network “You must be very clear,” Carol says. helps her understand what people want. “First, there's a language barrier. In negotiations, sometimes things get “All the buyers are under pressure from their blurred. So what we do is make very clear bosses to find something new,” she says. drawings, schematics and specifications

40 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT SENIOR FRONT sheets, both in English and Chinese.” In Brief She adds, “The drawings are the third Name: Carol Patterson language. It's not English, it's not Chinese—it's design.” Age: 60 Company: The C.P. Group Inc. The language isn't the only barrier. Cultural and business norms are diﬀerent, too. Location: Hardy and Hangzhou, China Type of International China consultants “Working with Americans, I understand the business: American way of doing business,” says Carol. Title: President/Product Development “But it's not the same way of doing business as in China. We have a motto in our company: History: This Pennsylvania native with a 'Most businesses go to China and try to do distinctive northeast accent has business in a western way. We go to China made her home in the Roanoke and do western business in a Chinese way.'” Valley after falling in love with the scenery while in town on a Once the next great thing is manufactured, business trip for Home Shopping it hits the marketplace. Inventors “can do it Network. Her mother, a Texan, one of two ways: they can either license it taught her about being a and get a royalty, or they can sell the exact southern lady, and she says product and ship it right from China.” she loves the region's ambiance. A design degree from Drexel And that means shipping it not just to University led to a career in America, but anywhere. fashion that took her to New York, Los Angeles and ultimately “There are 225 countries out there that Hangzhou, China, where she could get that product as well, so between directed her company's overseas licensing and selling it on the Internet, office. When she's not finding there’s a whole new world out there of outlets for innovation, she enjoys international marketing,” she says. learning about technology, cooking, sailing and entertaining. Carol is proof the concept works—she designs and licenses her own line of jewelry on the side and understands the Says Carol, “People have ideas. They frustrations of someone with a great shouldn't be afraid that they can't get product who doesn't know where to turn. them done.”

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 41 Worker goes through an on-site "lab" for a VWCC course. Gene Marrano

A custom education > “Our job is to go out ﬁnd out what they need, and either develop it or refer them appropriately [to regular college courses]. Most of what we Executive Summay: do is customized training.” Hendrick says What speciﬁc employers need in all community colleges in Virginia have a employees is increasingly a focus workforce development center or a liaison among community colleges in Virginia. to local industries of some sort.

At New River Community College,Dr. By Gene Marrano Mark Rowh, Vice President for Workforce Development and External Relations, says the school “has a long history of working Virginia’s Community College System often with companies and organizations in the has a different mission than do the four year New River Valley.” That includes offering schools. For many, the Commonwealth’s two credit and non-credit courses. year institutions of higher learning are a fast track to a better job. “We respond to their needs and we also create new programs that are of interest to While that could mean an associate’s them,” says Rowh. Case in point: NRVCC has degree or a certificate program focusing on created several courses for Volvo Trucks in a particular skill, in some cases it may involve Dublin. Other on-campus offerings are more customized curricula of various lengths, in basic, like helping to prepare young students classes held on campus or at the place of for the workforce. employment. “We call them transitional programs,” adds The community college system is all ears Rowh, who calls the workforce development when it comes to working with employers courses offered by New River Community in the Roanoke and New River Valleys. Ruth College “broad based.” That ability to adapt Z. Hendrick, until recently the Workforce to industry needs—on campus or on site—is Development Coordinator and the Career often music to the ears of local companies. Center Coordinator for Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, says VWCC’s At VWCC four coordinators work full time workforce program “is pretty much the with employers in the Roanoke area on liaison with businesses for the college.” everything from computer skills to

42 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT EDUCATION FRONT

leadership training and foreign language (priced like an in-state college credit course for businesses. The average custom program at $115 per credit hour) were offered the might involve 5 to 15 hours, according to chance to walk at the ceremony with other Hendrick. The Workforce Development Center on-campus Virginia Western graduates. is now based within the business, engineering “Those guys stuck with it—we’re talking and technology division at VWCC. about two years before or after work,” notes Hendrick. The cost for workforce Hendrick says local economic development programs priced as non-credit courses organizations looking to lure businesses to can vary widely. the area often tout the Workforce Development Center and the services it offers, like specific The Department of Professional and skills training for new hires and incubator Occupational Regulation (DPOR), a state space (at the Greenfield Center in Daleville) agency which licenses qualified individuals for firms looking to settle here. Two Botetourt and businesses that meet certain standards, County companies, LiteSteel and All Tech approved the wiring certificate program. Industries, spent time at the Greenfield It’s part of the process needed to obtain a incubator before putting up plants. journeyman’s electrical license, something that the Roanoke Cement employees who Virginia Western crafted a custom on-site took the VWCC courses are still working on. program for Titan America/Roanoke Cement in Botetourt County, which wanted to train Chris Bayne, the electrical maintenance maintenance personnel for future jobs that manager at Roanoke Cement, says the require electrical background and licensing. company wants “to train our next Virginia Western adapted its campus-based generation of electricians, as we seek to wiring certificate program and taught it in a fill those spots in the future.” Right now Roanoke Cement meeting room. those who took the workforce courses are used elsewhere at the plant, but Bayne “We used some of their equipment for labs,” notes that the electrical maintenance notes Hendrick, “[so] that we could customize positions “are some of the most sought it for their job.” The entire Roanoke Cement after jobs, in terms of reimbursement.” program involved about a half dozen classes, taught one at a time, stretched over a Roanoke Cement requires 13 electricians two-year period. The first was a remedial with journeyman’s licenses on two shifts; math class, which helped when reading Bayne says 10 made it through the entire schematics and deciphering Ohm’s law. two year VWCC program and are working towards licensing, which requires up to Those who went through the program six years of training.

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 43 Over the years, the Library had lovingly built a microﬁlm collection, usually funded by grants from the C.E. Richardson Foundation of the local paper, The Southwest Times, that spanned from 1916 to the present. The Friends of the Library bought the microﬁlm reader and every day the library was open, you could be assured someone was using the resource. “Since we are a public library,” said Warburton, “we felt it was important to have our local newspaper available to people here in the library.”

The reader was computer- based, so people could make digital files of the material taken from the microfilm that they could save to a disk, e-mail to themselves, or print. Still, there was only the one Becky Hepler machine, so one person at a time could use it and like so Carol Smith and Sally Warburton of the Pulaski County Public Library system: “We felt it was important to have much computer technology, our local newspaper available to people here in the library.” the software was not easy to upgrade. In fact, Smith knew the machine was on its last Keeping history legs and would need to be replaced. That would cost around $14,000. current > More important, the material wasn’t indexed, so there was no easy way to find Executive Summay: specific articles except plowing through the The files of Pualski County’s local newspaper, entire paper. The trend is toward Web-based which are always a valuable local resource, resources that are available to any patron were updated with a group effort and some with a computer and not just people who fancy technology. come to the library. So Smith did more research and found a company that would scan all of the library’s microfilm, turn it By Becky Hepler into pdf files, then through OCR (optical character recognition) software, make the entire paper—including the ads—searchable A community on a mission is a powerful by keyword. All these resources would be thing. Just ask Sally Warburton and Carol available to anyone with Internet access for Smith, director and technology coordinator free. The cost to the library: only $11,000 respectively, for the Pulaski County Library more than the machine. System. They called on their locality and it responded in high volume, giving the Still that $25,000 was more money than community a valuable digital resource. either the paper or the library had and the

44 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT CULTURE FRONT

time frame wasn’t conducive to foundations and the grant process. Says Smith, “We decided if we could raise the money from the community or anyone who was interested in this, we could make this happen,” and that’s exactly what they did. Starting in April and running until July, the committee created to solve this problem used every option at its disposal to get the word out.

Becky Hepler In a small town, people Kay Kline of The Southwest Times: “A wide swath of the community who feel a kinship wear a variety of hats with the paper’s legacy.”

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 45

CULTURE FRONT

“We were particularly impressed that this goal was met, not by just a few contributors we felt it was important to have but a wide swath of the community who our“ local” newspaper available to feel a kinship with the paper’s legacy.” people here in the library. The library and the paper worked with Heritage Microfilm from Iowa, a subsidiary —Sally Warburton of Newspaper Archives, the company that works with newspapers of various sizes to convert story content to digital files that are and the chairman of the fundraising part of a subscription database, usually sold committee, Jim Graham was also very to libraries. So working in a partnership with active in organizing the Dublin High School a newspaper and a library and offering reunion. He joined forces with the person the content for free was definitely a organizing the Pulaski High School reunion unique event. and those databases of addresses were invaluable in getting the word out to ex-pats. “The State Library of Virginia had started a project like this where they were trying In the end, they raised the entire amount to digitize local newspapers as a historical from almost 200 donations, coming from resource but ran out of money,” said 10 states and in amounts from $25 to $5,000. Warburton. “I’m glad we got our paper Says Kay Kline, of the Southwest Times, done.”

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 47 Setting a standard > My View

By Dan Smith Editor

BLOG: [ fromtheeditr.blogspot.com ]

It is embarrassing to feel the need to gush over a business person whose ethical investment is as high as that of Laura Bradford’s. The delighted surprise is more a statement about our overall values than it should be.

Laura is the winner of our ﬁrst “For the Right Reasons” award in this month’s FRONTLeader Awards cover story, a category created with her in mind. She is not, of course, the only ethical, giving and caring business person in the region, but Laura sets a standard of assuming that caring for others is her responsibility.

I think most of you know the story of Laura establishing factories to manufacture the Claire V purses she sells (they’re hot in Hollywood and with women who know trends everywhere), but you may not know that her new Polished by Claire V personal care salon on Roanoke City Market is run by women in recovery from a variety of substances and circumstances.

These are the people who need a boost of conﬁdence and a chance that is hard to come by in a society consumed with spotless resumes and education levels that are absurd for the tasks they are required to perform. Laura has seen the possibility in people in a way that we seem to have forgotten.

When I went to work for a daily newspaper in Roanoke in 1971, just about half the people in the newsroom (including me) didn’t have college degrees. Several had no college at all. They were good reporters, good writers, excellent journalists, people who were trained within the organization and performed at a level many of our younger, better-educated journalists today don’t understand.

My guess is that it was that way in many ﬁelds where today only the people with advanced degrees are allowed through the front door and many people who are capable—even outstanding prospects—begin without a chance.

Laura wants to give a chance to those at the bottom, whether it is a land mine victim in Vietnam or an abused and confused alcoholic in Roanoke. She’s doing it for the two-pronged right reason: she gets a good employee who will be loyal and hard-working; the employee gets a chance nobody else will give her. I admire the hell out of that level of commitment and ability to stare down risk.

With all that in mind, I’m going to request something I rarely ask of you. For all of us, support Laura’s businesses. This holiday season, she’s oﬀering up a novel way to cater a holiday party (as well as birthdays, bridal parties and others) and you can ﬁnd out a lot more about it at www.polishedbycv.com.

Laura Bradford deserves your support because of the standard she is setting for all of us.

48 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT REVIEWS & OPINION Shouting for civility > On Tap

By Tom Field from the Pub Publisher

BLOG: [ ontapfrompub.blogspot.com ]

Ah, election time. It’s just mid-term, no doubt, but let’s consider some proper and well- called-for political etiquette, shall we?

If you’re frustrated, settle down, my friend. If you’re angry, take a chill pill. If you object to what your president is doing or saying, be respectful, hold your tongue, and give the man a chance. If you’re not happy with the system of government, remember that the system is the very best thing we have to provide solutions to our problems, if we would only unite behind it. If you feel like shouting, let’s not do it in public—you look ridiculous. If you want to protest, reconsider your signs and your bumper stickers—you look ignorant, particularly when they’re misspelled. And if you want to march on Washington, don’t do it in such a demanding way. In fact, laugh. Have a “mock march.” Let’s make fun of the silliness of it all. There’s no real reason for a march... come on, you silly ol’ goose, admit it!

And who’s giving this sound advice?

Hint: It’s not the people and voices who have always remained quite, respectful, civil, and polite.

It’s the same people who SCREAMED at injustices perpetrated on the disadvantaged segments of our society. It’s the same people who MARCHED on Washington, college campuses, and town halls, in staunch opposition to our involvement in wars. It’s the same people who REFUSED to tolerate the system, demanding change, showcasing in front of cameras with unruly crowds, misspelled banners, and truly uncivil demonstrations. And it’s the people who lambasted our president, continuously and incessantly, with charges of stupidity and lying— in full volume and with absolutely no hesitation.

Yes, it’s people who did exactly what they were supposed to do in a free society. Making their voices heard.

Rightfully so.

But isn’t it ironic that protest is only honorable when... well, when you don’t disagree with it?

There are times when disagreement is just not warranted. There’s even a name for it. It’s called an oppressed society.

Left, right. Liberal, Conservative. Or, completely radical. It’s not such a preposterous thing to speak your mind. At least we should all pray that it should never be so.

Is it time to raise your voice? Are you alive? Why, then, there’s never been a better time.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 49 CONTRIBUTORS

Susan M. Ayers is a Becky Hepler lives and Jo Lynn Seifert is an Roanoke-based freelance works as a high school librarian Account Executive for FRONT. writer who has written articles in Newport. She has been Her experience in regional on a wide array of topics that writing for more than 20 years. market media sales is diverse have been published in various [ [email protected] ] and strategically applicable. media. As a former mortgage [ [email protected] ] banking executive, she has Janeson Keeley is the experience in technical writing owner of JTKWeb in Roanoke, Dan Smith is editor and and business correspondence where she specializes in Web co-owner of Valley Business including white papers, site development and search FRONT. A native of Asheville, management briefings, engine optimization. She is N.C., he has been a journalist systematic analyses, awards also founder of TweetVA for more than four decades programs, performance (www.tweetva.com, @TweetVA), and has won many journalism Michael Miller standards and responses to "Virginia's Twitter Directory". awards (writing, photography correspondence of a sensitive [ [email protected] ] and design). He was recently OCTOBER 2010 > and confidential nature. named to the Virginia Contributor of the Month [ [email protected] ] Gene Marrano, a former Communications Hall of Fame sales and marketing executive and was a 2009 recipient of the Valley Business FRONT Anne Giles Clelland in various manufacturing fields, Perry F. Kendig Literary Award. congratulates Michael is the founder of business is one of the most prolific He was Virginia’s Business Miller, who has quietly news site Handshake 2.0 journalists in the Roanoke Journalist of the year in established himself as a (handshake20.com) and the Valley. He not only writes for 2005. He is the founder of force in writing about president and CEO of several publications, but he the Roanoke Regional Writers technology in the Handshake Media, Inc., a new has a television show Conference. media PR firm and member (“Interview With Gene [ [email protected] ] Roanoke and New River company of VT Knowledge- Marrano” on Cox Channel 9) Valleys. The strength of Works in Blacksburg. She has and a radio show (“Studio Kathy Surace is FRONT his writing, reporting and master’s degrees in education Virginia,” WVTF Public Radio). Business Dress columnist, an understanding of the and in counseling and is part of [ [email protected] ] image consultant and owner issues and companies has a team organizing the inaugural of Peacock Image in Roanoke. led to his selection as New River Valley Triathlon. Michael Miller is senior She was a fashion consultant October’s Contributor [ [email protected] ] licensing manager for Virginia for a major clothing chain for of the Month for FRONT. Tech Intellectual Properties in a number of years. Miller is a business owner, Jane Dalier is an Account Blacksburg. His consulting [ [email protected] ] senior licensing managaer Executive for FRONT, with company is Kire Technology. for Virginia Tech extensive experience in With more than 25 years Nicholas Vaassen is a Intellectual Properties, publication sales and small as an inventor and technology graphic designer with 12 years an inventor and a business ownership. consultant, working with experience, specializing in consultant. In October [ [email protected] ] Fortune 500 companies and publications. His design projects he wrote about Valley startups, he screens businesses include FRONT, lifestyle, real Energy Consultants, and Donna Dilley is the for the World’s Best Technology estate, municipal, classified you can read that story founding director of the Showcase and mentors tech sales and cultural organization or previous stories at National League of Junior startups through Development magazines in the Roanoke and Cotillions in Roanoke Valley, Capital Networks and the southwestern Virginia markets. vbFRONT.com We speaker and workshop leader National Science Foundation. [ nvaassen@berryfield.com ] congratulate Michael on civility, business etiquette, [ [email protected] ] and thank him for his international protocol and Greg Vaughn is an award- efforts. customer service. Her office David Perry, who works winning Roanoke area is in the Jefferson Center. for the Western Virginia Land photographer for more than [[email protected]] Trust, is an accomplished 30 years whose work freelance writer. He is a native has appeared in local and Tom Field is a creative of Blacksburg and a James international publications. director, marketing executive Madison University Graduate. [ greg@gregvaughn and owner of Berryfield, Inc. His writing has appeared in photography.com ] in Salem, and the new Valley Blue Ridge Country and the you must Business FRONT magazine. Roanoker, among other Joel S. Williams is founder ” He has written and produced “ publications. and Managing Principal of programs and materials for [ [email protected] ] Joel S Williams & Associates be very local and international in Blacksburg, specializing in organizations for more Anne Piedmont is the assisting the wealthy with clear than 30 years. president of Piedmont wealth and estate plans. He is — Page 40 [ tfield@berryfield.com ] Research Associates, a a Certified Financial Planner marketing communications and graduate of of the Certified Rachael Garrity is the firm she has started after Investment Management owner of Penworthy LLC, working for the Roanoke Analyst program at the a New River Valley-based Regional Partnership as Wharton School. He has a publications services and director of research for more Ph.D. in economics from the consulting firm. than 18 years. She's also University of Florida. [ penworthyllc.gmail.com ] worked in public relations [ www.JoelSWilliams.com ] and journalism. She loves numbers and wants them to make sense for you. [ [email protected] ]

50 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT REVIEWS & OPINION

Letters

People I know Copy Cat

Waiting in line at Wachovia—a copy of On a recent trip to Lynchburg I ran across a vbFRONT was on a table beside the line—I magazine by another name that looks exactly really, really enjoyed the wait thanks to your like Valley Business FRONT. Same format, mag. Love a mag that has people I know in it. same concept, same structure, same ad sizes The design is great—something about it just and placements. When I was introduced to the makes you want to look at that mag… FRONT in 2008, I was struck by how original and creative it was. Are you now publishing this Amanda Pauley Salem other magazine in the Lynchburg market as a separate product?

Kurt Navratil Clarification Roanoke

In a cover story on angel investors in the The Publisher and Editor respond— October issue of FRONT, Bob Summers was quoted as saying angel investors last year We are disappointed in Prototype Media Inc., "put more money to work than Virginia Tech." which appears to have copied our product in Summers says he was misunderstood and nearly every respect. Equally disturbing is meant to say that the investors put more that a business that claims to be “creative” money to work than venture capitalists. would attempt to replicate someone else’s original work; right in the same market. We applaud competition; but of all businesses, publishers and ad agencies should know better than to copy to that Send letters to [email protected] extent. The most informed and connected or any FRONT contact of your choosing businesses and organizations in the (page 6). Submissions may be edited. greater Lynchburg market will likely notice You can see, read, print any current or the ethical breech; so we’ll keep doing back issue online at www.vbFRONT.com what we’re doing, and serve our community in solid, reputable, and proper fashion.

There’s no better audience than readers of the FRONT. Reach Selling a Business? the region’s most-engaged, progressive business prospects right here—each and every month and online 24/7. Call your Account Executive for more information.

Jane Dalier: 540-239-2610 540-389-9945 Jo Lynn Seifert: 540-589-1439 vbFRONT.com

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 51 Books @ the FRONT >

Following are book recommendations from our publishers and business people in the Roanoke and New River Valleys who are inveterate readers. Readers are invited to submit 125-word reviews of books you’ve read during the past six months. Our goal is to recommend good books on any topic and in any genre. Send reviews to Editor Dan Smith at [email protected]

The great escape keep you entertained without burdening you with too much science. You may need The Rembrandt Aﬀair by Daniel Silva (Putnam to reach for a blanket, however, and turn up Adult, $26.95) eﬀectively weaves together the thermostat a few degrees. art, history, culture and modern day Nazi war crimes into a fast-paced assassin-artist novel. —David Perry

In keeping with earlier books involving the same central characters, Gabriel Allon, an Israeli art restoration expert, finds himself Gambling in Georgia pulled from a quiet cottage vacation with his wife to find a missing virtually unknown Back when I used to travel extensively, I Rembrandt. The twists from various continents, developed the knack for selecting books intelligence services and financial institutions that would last me through the trip. George meld into a chess match quality intrigue with Dawes Green’s Ravens (Grand Central a satisfying, yet somewhat predictable Publishing; $14), is good for a very short trip. ending. Great for escape reading. Short flight down, an overnight with just an hour or so in your hotel, short flight back. —Joyce Waugh Not only is it a quick read, but it’s best for that trip when you have a lot to do—and just need a lightweight story. Fun, but not a lot of required attention. Winter’s coming An entertaining premise: Win the lottery— Cold by Bill Streever (Little, Brown and Co., and it’s all downhill from there. But you’ll be $24.99) chronicles a year in the life of a man asked to suspend your disbelief a bit more obsessed with the tiny numbers at the than what should be customary. Two grifters bottom of the thermometer. Set against take a Georgia family hostage until they can Streever's travels to various Arctic locales swindle half of the jackpot. Plausible, right? over the course of 12 months, Cold is a What’s implausible is Green’s version of such rambling collection of anecdotes on how life a story. The scheme is overreaching for two on Earth copes with cold weather. losers, who happen to be passing through, stopping at a convenience store. They’re Aimed squarely at the Discovery and History suddenly competent enough to run wire Channel audience, Cold is equal parts “Man vs. taps, hack into computers, trick the police Wild” and “Planet Earth,” a story of survival, and national media, and spend quality time not just of our species but of eons of living with their victims, fishing, playing cards, and things that have fought to stay warm. Whether winning over some of their hearts. Streever is describing how thawed woolly mammoth tastes, explaining the chemistry The opportunities for escape and resolution behind frozen frogs in the bottom of a lake, are impossible to ignore. And even if you or freezing caterpillars in his icebox, Cold will accept this barrage of improbabilities, the

52 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT REVIEWS & OPINION

timeframe is simply ludicrous: seven days. building up a few of science's unsung heroes Ok, so I’ve decimated the plotline. Unlikely along the way. constructions bother me, especially when too many improbabilities stack up. It’s still —David Perry a fun read. Interesting characters. Buy it for that reason. Odds are 1 in 195,249,054 of you will consider it a classic. Made up —Tom Field Take one Horatio Alger hero, throw in two world wars, the stock market crash of 1929, the depression, gangland Chicago during Shattering myths Prohibition, and you have the mixings for The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Sam Kean's The Disappearing Spoon: And Dynasty Behind It. Part novel, part history, Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the and part memoir, this is a tale of a larger- History of the World from the Periodic Table of than-life man who founded a cosmetics the Elements (Little, Brown and Co., $24.99) empire and became the family patriarch reveals the dirty little secrets behind the men at the same time. and women who discovered and organized the periodic table, that iconic collection of Written by Sharrie Williams, the great elements that hangs in every chemistry granddaughter of Thomas Lyle Williams, the classroom in the country. story moves rapidly through decades of boom and bust, happiness and sadness, drunkenness From lowly hydrogen and helium (which and drug use, unspoken and outlawed make up 90 percent and 10 percent of the homosexuality, tragedy and glory, yet few universe, respectively; everything else is a people know the Williams family name or its rounding error) to radioactive oddities that history. Phrases such as “and soon, he would exist only for ﬂeeting microseconds in a lab need all the inspiration he could get” pepper at U.C. Berkley, The Disappearing Spoon the text and weaken the presentation. This blends history, gossip, romance, intrigue is a saga that deserves to be told better. and politics with just enough hard science to keep things respectable. —Betsy Ashton

Kean delves into how the 100-plus elements were discovered, often by accident and sometimes erroneously, and how our (The reviewers: Joyce Waugh is president of knowledge of the universe's most basic the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. building blocks grew over time. In the end, David Perry works for the Western Virginia he tears down some of the greats of science Land Trust and is a freelance writer. Betsy and leaves them looking like people, full Ashton is a writer who lives at Smith Mountain of pride and prone to make mistakes, while Lake. Tom Field is FRONT publisher.)

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 53 Green groundbreaking >

Brandon Oaks became the first retirement community in the Roanoke Valley to be certified as a Cool Green Biz Oct. 7 when ground was broken for the construction of “The Pines,” Brandon Oaks’ sustainably designed residence, and the retirement community. Those breaking ground are (from left): Sam Lionberger III, Chris Morill, Skip Zubrod, Charles Norfleet, Bonnie Allison, Andy Dickinson and David Underwood.

photos: Dan Smith Chamber biz awards >

Alan Turner of Magnets USA accepted the award as the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Oct. 5 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Sam English of CIE Partners in Roanoke (holding a cutout picture of his angel investor character from the October 2010 FRONT), was named the Small Business Advocate of the Year.

Valley Business FRONT is FRONT’n About at many events each month. Check the blog links at www.vbFRONT.com for more coverage.

54 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT FRONT’N ABOUT

photo: Tom Field Lights, camera, synergize >

Over 150 small business owner / operators and independent professionals gathered for Super Synergy, a business educational symposium directed by Lynda McNutt Foster and underwritten by Wheeler Broadcasting. The multi-level and regional Synergy program runs all year, culminating in an annual showcase, which was produced this year in Roanoke on October 21.

Internet futures >

A panel consisting of FRONT Editor Dan Smith (from left), WDBJ7 Internet News Manager Tracie Gilmer and Roanoke Times Editor Carole Tarrant discussed how the Internet is being used by news organizations at the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America's monthly meeting Oct. 14 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 55 FRONT’N ABOUT Prosperity advisor >

Ali Velshi, chief business correspondent for CNN and author of Gimme My Money Back spoke at the Roanoke Regional Forum in Roanoke on October 18. On the economy, Velshi said it’s “not a crisis if photo: Tom Field there’s a solution.” After winning the lottery or marrying rich, he said we prosper by increasing the value of our property, income, and investments. The audience agreed the best treat of the night was the time Velshi gave in taking questions after only speaking for a half-hour.

Digital ‘mad man’ >

Christopher-Ian Reichel, a Madison Avenue digital ad specialist, spoke to the AAF / Roanoke ad club (formerly AdFed) at its monthly lunch program on October 20. His advice for 21st Century advertising vocation? Keep your options open, diversify your work, and seek clients who need the most help.

photo: TJ Wells

Inclusive >

Building Specialists' owner Bob Fetzer has learned how to get the neighbors on board with construction projects by including them at the planning stage. On Oct. 7, Building Specialists held an open house at the site of the new Valley Bank in order to let local merchants, residents of Raleigh Court and subcontractors see the plans. About 50 people showed up.

56 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT ECONOMIC INDICATORS

The experts may have declared the up 7.2 percent from September 2010. recession over, but for some of us it might not feel that way. Economic indicators in Roanoke Regional Average Home Prices the Roanoke and New River Valleys show HOME PRICES month-to-month ups and downs, but Sept. 2009 Aug. 2010 Sept. 2010 general improvement over the year. $194,327 $213,944 $208,332

Unemployment/Employment The prices may be up over the year locally, but the number of homes sold fell September to That is true for one of the most familiar September. indicators: unemployment. Both the HOMES SOLD Roanoke and Blacksburg Metropolitan Sept. 2009 Aug. 2010 Sept. 2010 Statistical Areas registered improvement from August 2009 to August 2010. 352 263 261 Blacksburg’s rate dropped from July to August, perhaps reﬂecting the return of Sources: National Association of REALTORS students to Virginia Tech and Radford and Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS University, while Roanoke’s remained unchanged. Taken as a whole, the broader On the other side of the coin, foreclosures region has seen improvement over the in the Roanoke MSA bucked the state and month and the year. national trends, falling slightly (3.8 percent) from August to September. Nationally, foreclosure activity rose 3 percent in UNEMPLOYMENT September. Statewide, jump was 9.4 Aug. 09 July 10 Aug. 10 percent. FORECLOSURES Blacksburg 8.5% 8.4% 8.1% Sept. 2009 Aug. 2010 Sept. 2010 Roanoke 7.8% 7.5% 7.5% Blacksburg MSA 23 26 34 Combined 8.7% 8.5% 8.3% Roanoke MSA 138 158 152 Combined 161 184 186 The number of people employed in the two MSAs is up very slightly from 2009 and 0.2 Source: RealtyTrac percent from July to August. EMPLOYED Air Travel August 2009 July 2010 August 2010 219,488 218,945 219,366 As the economy starts to improve, ﬂyers start to return to the skies. The Roanoke Source: Virginia Employment Commission Regional Airport reports that passenger boardings are up both year to date over 2009 (4.04 percent) and September to September. Real Estate BOARDINGS Another set of indicators that hit close to Year To Date 2009 Year To Date 2010 home involves real estate: prices, number 221,575 230,531 of homes sold and foreclosures. The Roanoke Region’s housing market has stayed Sept. 2009 Sept. 2010 relatively healthy during the downturn compared to the national market. Prices 25,259 25,847 of homes sold in the Roanoke Region rose 7 percent from August 2009 to August Source: Roanoke Regional Airport 2010, while national prices rose during the same period by 2.9 percent. Though local —By Anne Piedmont, prices fell slightly in September, they are Piedmont Research Associates

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 57 Tom Field Cyrus Pace, mixing business with art: that’s not a music score on the stand—it’s a spreadsheet.

A pacesetter in (not just performing a concert, which he also did). “That’s something!” art and business > “We were able to offer Emmylou Harris tickets at $40! Forty dollars, now, that’s something!” Executive Summary: Cyrus Pace, the Jefferson Center’s new There’s plenty to celebrate, apparently, as executive director, brings right and Pace describes the ongoing activities at the left-brain competency to the table. Jefferson Center, a non-profit organization and facility presenting performance art and educational programs in the downtown west By Tom Field area of Roanoke. (A major renovation project of the original Jefferson High School, the center first opened as an arts venue in 1993.) Cyrus Pace likes to celebrate. Not even two But for every moment of celebration, there full weeks into his new job as executive seems to be at least 100 moments of hard director of the Jefferson Center, he apologizes work to get there. Pace celebrates the staff that his office isn’t completely set up, and then and the board, which he says do an amazing smiles. His 13-week old child (at the date of job in figuring out how to remain sustainable this interview) just slept through the night amidst a recession and an economic climate for the first time. that is not currently throwing tons of money in the arts. He cites people like Dylan Locke “That’s something to celebrate,” he says. and John Levin, who secure grants and sponsors to get ticket prices down to less The new director speaks in those terms than half of what they would actually cost. frequently, muses philosophically, and sounds And the Roanoke Valley native celebrates like a professor in an Art Appreciation class. the very mission of the Jefferson Center, which, despite all the possible lavish and “We had Chick Corea at our Music Lab,” highbrow descriptions, he likes to remind

58 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT EXECUTIVE PROFILE people, “is really a community center.” In Brief “The things I believe in personally are the same as the Jefferson Center,” he says. “Continue Name: Cyrus Pace to be relevant and give our community access Age: 38 to a diversified and a deeply artistic—no, Hometown: Salem / Roanoke Valley make that meaningful—experience.” Family: Married, Amber (works for U.S. As a musician, Pace could face skepticism Attorney’s Office); Child, Louis in his ability to manage what is essentially— (5 months old, named after and some would argue, first and foremost— Louis Armstrong) a business. Aren’t artists supposed to be Background: Salem High School; U.S. Navy rebels, anti-establishment, unpredictable, Band; M.M., Manhattan School performing their best only when the muse of Music, NY; B.A., Roanoke strikes? A little left-brain is OK; but doesn’t a College; Emory University; Fine respectable institution like Jefferson Center arts coordinator, Roanoke City need a right-brain person? Will this guy even Schools; Executive Director, be able to get up on time? Jefferson Center; Active musician and jazz ensemble “I don’t think there’s a dichotomy,” Pace instructor, Patrick Henry High answers. “I have survived as an artist because School I do get up on time. The most creative people Personal “Prepare the child for the path, in the world are the hardest working. I believe Philosophy: not the path for the child” (also in inspiration; but successful people really don’t engraved on a stone on Rita sit around waiting for ‘creativity’ to strike.” Bishop’s desk, Roanoke City Schools supervisor) In less than 10 seconds, Pace rattles off a dozen names of recording artists who he says have to write every day. They’re always working. In the end, Pace says “’the arts’ is center].” He expresses concern for the really a product, like anything else. Artists people who work so hard, put in so many sometimes want you to believe their craft is hours, even though the foundation of the something different than that, but it requires organization is very strong. sustainability like any business endeavor.” “Do something you believe in, then figure At the top of his list of objectives as the new out how to make that successful,” Pace executive director of Jefferson Center, Pace quips. issues a declaration: “We all need to have honest conversations about the level of A purely left-brain person wouldn’t fret support [required to sustain this community about things like that.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 59 Career FRONT

FINANCIAL to its volunteer board of Blacksburg, have FRONT directors. English is the earned their National founder and managing Apartment Leasing partner of CIE Partners Professional certifications in Roanoke and from the National Marasco is director of Apartment Association. U.S. Sales for Sandoz.

Keller also is a Certified DEVELOPMENT Public Accountant. FRONT Simmons

Insurance Margaret Ann (Megan) Brown has joined the Dianne Simmons Roanoke law firm of Eric Fansler has been named vice Gentry Locke Rakes & president at Charles Moore as an associate Lunsford Sons & attorney in the firm’s Associates in Roanoke. plaintiff’s practice group. Brown is a registered nurse and Zielske a lawyer. LEGAL FRONT Tom Fansler Law Firms WELLNESS FRONT Roanoke law firm Prudential Waterfront Woods Rogers PLC Pharmacy Properties has has named J. Andrew announced that Eric Keller executive Fansler, Tom Fansler, CMR Institute, the Linkous director. Keller has leading independent, Carolyn Pruett and been executive director not-for-profit provider Real estate Michelle Turner have at law firms in Denver, of biopharmaceutical earned the professional Tallahassee and sales representative Amanda Zielske and designation, Fine Atlanta. The University education, has elected Suzanne Linkous, Homes Specialist, of North Carolina- Sam English and leasing consultants for conferred by Prudential Chapel Hill graduate Dominic A. Marasco CMG Leasing in Real Estate Affiliates.

60 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT FRONTLINES Career FRONT Have a career announcement?

Send announcements to [email protected]. Photos should be color, 300dpi. A contact / source must be provided. Inclusions are not guaranteed and all submissions are subject to editing.

EDUCATION Board has recognized Franklin County Pruett FRONT professionals and Schools, Workforce businesses who have Educator of the Year. made contributions to the local workforce system in the last year. Those honored were: Sherrie Hammerstrom of Franklin County IT, Program Participant of the Year; Catherine “Kitty” Lambeth of the Turner Willcox Virginia Employment St. Clair Colleges Commission and Clark Nexsen, which Debbie Melvin of the Chambers has an office in Dr. Jan Willcox has Virginia Department of Roanoke, has named been promoted to vice Business Assistance, Maria St.Clair has Thomas T. Winborne dean for Virginia Workforce Professionals been named vice CEO of its six offices Campus of the Via of the Year; Franklin president of business and 520 employees. College of Osteopathic County Administrator development and Winborne replaces Medicine in Blacksburg. Rick Huff, Partner of member services of Kenneth G. Stepka, the Year; Jennifer the Roanoke Regional who will serve as board Unroe, retired from Chamber of Commerce. chairman. Gregory J. Virginia Cooperative She had been Hall, has been named Extension Service in employed the Taubman CFO and William R. OTHER Alleghany County, Museum of Art as Keenis the new COO. FRONTS Workforce Community the membership Christopher M. Stone Advocate; McAirlaids and annual fund remains president. Awards Inc. of Rocky Mount, coordinator. The Western Virginia Business of the Year; Workforce Development Jo Anne Lempeck,

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 61 FRONT Notes

is also a former president of Appalachian Power. He will be a professor of Vipperman spent his physics with an affiliation entire career with with the School of Appalachian Power and Biomedical Engineering its parent company, AEP. and Science at Virginia Vipperman served as a Tech. Montague is the mentor to Dan Carson, Brown Foundation of Roanoke, who also Professor of Neuroscience recently retired as vice and professor of psychiatry president of Appalachian in the Menninger Power. Carson was Department of Psychiatry instrumental in securing and Behavioral Science the funding commitment at Baylor College of from the AEP Foundation. Medicine in Houston, Carson, also a Hokie, is a where he founded the former member of the Human Neuroimaging Virginia Tech College of Laboratory and the Engineering Advisory Computational Psychiatry Board, and 1971 civil Unit, the first of its kind in engineering graduate. the world. The Association ______of University Research Parks (AURP) has Carilion hires top selected the Virginia Vipperman pictured with his wife. neuro doc Tech Corporate Research Center (above) as the Tech gets $1 million Virginia Tech, and a Leading brain researcher 2010 Outstanding retired executive vice P. Read Montague will Research Park in the American Electric Power president of AEP. join the Virginia Tech United States. has pledged a $1 million Carilion Research Institute ______gift to Virginia Tech’s The AEP Foundation’s Nov. 15. Montague will Institute for Critical gift will support the be a senior professor CRC named best Technology and Applied sustainable energy and and will lead programs Science in honor of clean coal technology in human neuroimaging The Association of Joseph H. Vipperman, focus areas within the and the new field of University Research a 1962 electrical research institute. computational psychiatry Parks (AURP) has engineering alumnus of Vipperman, of Moneta, at the research institute. selected the Virginia Read the FRONTonline vbFRONT.com Also get more stories and pictures at morefront.blogspot.com

62 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT FRONTFRONTLINES NETWORK

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 63 FRONT NETWORK FRONT Notes

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> Internet Futures for the PRSA > Advance's Credit Upgraded to Investment Grade So much > Funds Reduction Causes Extension Restructuring > Ground Broken for Green Community > In 10 Years, Center Has Had Heavy Economic more. Impact > Virginia Tech Ranks 44th in Research Expenditures vbFRONT.com > Magnets USA Chamber's Small Business of the Year > Tech Study Finds Vets 'Slipping Through the Cracks' morefront.blogspot.com > New Twist & Turns Opens Friday at Valley View So many > AEP Gives Tech $1 Million in Vipperman's Name FRONTreaders just can’t get > Law Firm Celebrates Local Foods, Kicks Off enough in our Harvest With LEAP monthly magazine. > Carilion Research Institute Hires Top Man in “Give us more!” Neuroimaging they say. Well, > Tech's CRC Recognized as Nation's Best we say, “OK.” Read more stories > Radford U., Carilion To Offer PhD in Physical and latebreaking Therapy updates on our moreFRONT blog. and much more (of course; hence, the name)

64 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT FRONTLINES

Have an announcement about your business? Tech Corporate The Outstanding Research Center as Research/Science Park Send announcements to the 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award [email protected] Research Park in recognizes parks that A contact / source must the United States. excel in bringing be provided. Inclusions technology from the are not guaranteed and The awards recognize laboratory to economically the achievements of viable business activities, all submissions are outstanding research promoting the growth of subject to editing. parks and industry businesses, jobs and veterans and encourages public revenue. The the development of best Virginia Tech Corporate working with Carilion and resources with practices among research Research Center (CRC) Clinic and Jefferson Jefferson College of and science parks. "AURP has developed 120 acres College of Health Health Sciences. recognizes exceptional adjacent to the Virginia Sciences in Roanoke will leadership in innovation Tech campus. team to offer a doctorate Carilion Clinic Chief by honoring university ______degree in physical therapy Operating Officer Nancy research parks, individuals next year. The DPT Agee says, "We have and companies who are Radford, Carilion program will be located a long history with RU, driving innovation in their offer PhD in Carilion Roanoke working together in health communities," says AURP Community Hospital, professions education. President Harold Strong. Radford University, sharing space, services We’re pleased to be able

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 65 FRONT Notes

to jointly bring this new center for health million federal grant, million in spending and doctoral program to the professions and medical enables nTelos to build a economic development. Roanoke Valley. The education here in the "future proof" fiber optic three-year program will Roanoke Valley." network to serve the Highlights from the admit 25 students per ______needs of Alleghany economic impact report year for a total of 75 citizens for decades include: students at full enrollment. Rural broadband set to come. ______• The Roanoke Higher "It will not only help us Waynesboro-based Education Center and meet an important patient nTelos has announced Higher Ed Center the operations of its need, [but] it sets the stage its implementation plan boosts economy institutional members for future opportunities to for a $16 million federal directly support 103.1 collaborate. With these broadband stimulus award The Roanoke Higher jobs throughout the doctoral students joining to bring broadband Education Center today regional economy. The our JCHS Nursing and services and infrastructure released an economic induced and indirect Health students, Virginia to underserved households, impact report highlighting impacts add an Tech Carilion and businesses, and community its financial contributions additional 35.4 jobs. University of Virginia facilities in the Alleghany to the regional economy. The total impact of the medical students, Carilion Highlands of Virginia. The study, released at the center’s operations and Clinic Medical Education center’s 10th anniversary those of its institutional residents and fellows, we The award, which required celebration, shows an members represents a are building a remarkable nTelos to match the $8 annual stimulus of $32 $13.4 million dollar

66 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT FRONTLINES

impact on regional programs. The Krull UN case study an occasional columnist sales. spending resulting for FRONT, says, "We are from increased Krull & Company, a very excited to have our • Student spending earnings among alumni socially and environmentally investment strategy induced through who remain in the responsible financial selected as a case study participation at the region contributes an services firm with a number for the 2010 progress center’s programs adds additional $16 million of clients in the Roanoke report. We welcome the an additional $2.3 and more than 135 Valley, has been selected opportunity to share our million and supports jobs. as a case study for the policies and procedures roughly 35 service- United Nations Principles for the greater good of sector jobs. • The total impact is an For Responsible Investing the responsible investing annual stimulus of 2010 Report on Progress. community.” • The survey sought to nearly $32 million. This The firm was an early ______quantify the increase in activity supports nearly signatory of the principles personal earnings 310 jobs earning an in 2006 and continues to Compiled by Dan Smith attributable to average of $35,142 be an implementation completion of one of per year. leader. Peter Krull, president the center’s academic ______of Krull & Company and

FRONT Notes posted daily online at moreFRONT.blogspot.com. Read extended versions of items listed above, plus photos and many more current listings each day on the moreFRONT blog, also available by link at vbFRONT.com.

vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 67 FrontLine Patrons Access Advertising/PR* Ed Champion East West DyeCom, Inc. Hall & Associates Dana C. Ackley, Ph.D., Emily Paine Carter Eastern Motor Inns, Inc. Bunny Hancock, TAP EQ Leader, Inc. Shari Caston, Adecco Ted Edlich, TAP Handshake 2.0 Anne Adams, Publisher, Employment Service Edward Via Virginia College of John Harlow, SCI-MED The Recorder Center for Arts at Virginia Tech Osteopatlic Medicine Kathleen Harvey Harshberger Advantus Strategies, LLC Ron CharpiaITT Technical Institute William D. Elliot School of Protocol AECP Melinda Chitwood Entre Computer Center, Tucker Harvey, Damon Co. Nancy Agee,** Carilion Citizens Barton J. Wilner Mayor Roger Hedgepeth (Retired) Allegheny Brokerage Co., Inc. City of Roanoke Environmental Services & Rebecca Hepler, Melanie Almeder Claire V. Consulting, LLC Blacksburg High School Beverly Amsler Clark Nexsen Evergreen Basement Systems, Hollins University Tracy Anderson, American Rob Clark, MKB Realtors Shauna Parsons Linwood Holton, former governor General Life & Accident John and Mary Clarke Ewing Building & Remodeling, Inc. HomeTown Bank Amy Ankrum, CCS, Inc. Clay Corner Inn Ewing Cabinet Company Dewey Houck, Rural Appalachian Anonymous (38) Clean Valley Council, Inc. Express Employment Professionals Improvement League, Inc. Anstey Hodge Advertising Group Click & Pledge Debbie Howard, MLA, Bank of The Arts Council Bill Cochran Fan/friend of Dan Smith America Mortgage of the Blue Ridge Cogent Management Resources Ebo Fauber, architect Howlin Dog Designs Astonish Antique Restoration Cole & Associates CPA’s LLC Georgia Willis Fauber Jon Hulak Fred & Judy Smith Colley J. E. Fauber, III, AIA, Architects Patti Smith Barretta Gina Collins, Multi Business Forms Fee-Only Financial Planning, LC In The News, Inc. Bartlett Trees Commonwealth Door and Hardware Fran Ferguson The Inn at Virginia Tech Vanessa Bartley, Gateway Realty Communicate Consulting Ferris Properties, LLC Innovative Academic Solutions Thomas Becher, tba Public Community Housing Partners Robert Fetzer, Building Interactive Design & Development Relations, Advertising & Marketing Cox Business Services Specialists, Inc. Berryfield, Inc. Betty Conduff Craig Jim & Alicia Field Bobby & Martha Jackson Alan Bible, BENTECH Controllers Etc., Susan Culbertson Keith Finch, The Creekmore Ginny Jarrett, Davenport & Kate Bixby, [email protected] David Crawford, Rainwater Law Firm, PC Company Blacksburg Partnership Management Solutions First Citizens Bryce Jewett, Jewettemachine.com Melody Blankenship, TAP The Creekmore Law Firm, PC G. Franklin Flippin jobzcafe.com Blue Ridge Copier Crockett Home Improvement, Inc. Deborah Kirk Flippo, Edward Jones Sara R. Bohn, Northwestern Custom Designs by Mary Lu Clark Draper Aden Associates Mutual Financial Network Rupert Cutler Floored KD Capital Solutions, Art Duncan Brian Bongard, Edward Jones CVCC Richard Formato Janeson T. Keeley, JTKWeb Bonomo’s Women’s Clothier Fralin & Waldron George Kegley Rex Bowman Dale Carnegie Training Mr. & Mrs. William C. Kendig Nell Boyle LEED AP Warner Dalhouse G & H Contracting Incorp. John Kern Margaret Boyes Jesse Dalton’s Professional Garrett’s Menswear King Law Group Chad Braby Painting, Inc. Mike Garrison Kitchen & Bath Gallery Branch Management Linda J. Danielle, President, Gateway Realty Kathleen Coxe Koomen Brambleton Imports Transitions Consulting Generation Green Cleaning Krull & Company Cabell Brand Laura DeBusk Teresa Gereaux, Roanoke College Breakell Department of Social Services: Glass Odyssey, Christiansburg Paul Lancaster Building Consultant Services, Inc. Foster Parenting & Adoption Glenn, Robinson & Cathey, PLC Landford Brothers Company, Inc. Building Specialists, Inc. Design Marketing Rob Glenn, Issues Management Anna Lawson Richard Burrow, MKB Realtors Kevin Devine, Devine Building Group LeClairRyan Scott Burton, Cox Media Services Bob Goodlatte, congressman Jim & Lucy Lee Diane Poff interiors, LLC Goodwill Industries Rick Lewis, Jr., Tom Cain Donna and John Dilley Grandin Theatre Foundation, Inc. Apple Garth (FARM) Cathy Calloway Dixon, Hubard, Feinour & Brown Elizabeth Graves, Gateway Realty Liberty University Carilion Cory Donovan, NCTC Steve Gregory, National Jim Lindsey Dennis Carroll, Creative Duncan Acura Audi Property Inspections Lionberger Construction Company Masonry, Inc. Duncan Mazda Lincoln Mercury Gwyn & Harmon Karen List, CPA, LLC Carpet Factor Outlet Michael Duncan, EIT South Rob Logan Real Estate

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68 t NOVEMBER 10 / vbFRONT Lorie Long NRV Gateway Realty Brooke and Court Rosen John H. Turner, Jr., Miscellaneous Lotz Funeral Home Rubicon Planning, LLC Concrete Products Luna Innovations, Inc. Bud Oakey, Advantus Rural System J. M. Turner & Company, Inc. Chas Lunsford Strategies, LLC Tim Luttrell, At Work Oakeys Pet Funeral Home & Kelly Sandridge, Goodwill UXB International Personnel Services Crematory Industries of the Valleys Deborah A. Oehlschlaeger, Sands Anderson Marks & Miller Valley Bank Mac & Bob’s Restaurant Plunkett & Oehlschlaeger PLC Linda M. Scarborough Greg Vaughn Photography Christine MacConnell Mark Owczarski, Virginia Tech Pro-Media Works J. Scott Vaughan, National City Marty Martin, SEOserpent.com Office of Economic Development Lisa W. Schenk, Bankers Mortgage Marizel’s Flowers Insurance, LLC Vinton War Memorial Mason’s Laundromat Micki Patrick Senator Elliott S. and Rosel H. Virginia Prosthetics, Inc. R. Lee Mastin, MKB Realtors Peacock Image Schewel Virginia Tech Terry Mazeika Ben Pearman, Pearman & Schultz – Creehan Holdings, Inc. Virginia Tech Foundation McCall Insurance Agency, Inc. Company Jim Schweitzer, Vision Point Virginia Veterans Care Center Sharyn McCrumb James E. Pearman, Jr. Systems, Inc. Virginia Western Community Granger Macfarlane Pearson Hall, Inc. SEOSerpent.com College McLeod & Company CPAs Pella Windows & Doors, Shelley Sewart, Architectural Tommy Meadows Dave Bonesteel Alternatives, Inc., archalt.com Wachovia Bank Stuart & Allison Mease Pest Defense, PestDefensellc.com Jim Shaver, Goodwill Industries Waldvogel Commercial Properties Janie R. Meggers, Secretary/ Pheasant Ridge Office Buildings of the Valleys Christine Ward Treasurer, Transitions Consulting Pigeon Photography, Inc. Jim and Margie Shaver Lynn Ward, Thor, Inc. Roy Mentkow Andy Pitzer, Pitzer Transfer Sherwood Memorial Park Nicole Ward, flygirlshopping.com Greg Miller, Professional Network Plant Culture, Inc. The Shires, Joyce Beliveau Mark Warner, senator Services, PNSInc.net Play by Play Debbie Sinex Michael E. Warner MKB Realty, Curtis Burchett William B. Poff Simon & Associates, Inc. Douglas C. Waters John Montgomery, Play by Play Priscilla Richardson International Skyline College Jim Webb, senator Millie Moore, Ph.D, Professional Therapies Sleep EZ Center Wheelock Orthodontics Retail Real Estate Christina Koomen Smith Donald Wetherington Law Firm MK’s Gourmet Pizzeria and Quality Coffee, Mountain Springs, Mac Smith, IPC Technologies WFIR Shoppe Darte Vending Sandy Smith Seminars W. Michael Whitaker, Moran Broadcasting Quantum Medical Business Richard E. Sorensen, Pamplin Customized Computers Perry Moretz, Moog Service College of Business Chum White, Damon Co. Component Group South Main Chiropractic Neil Wilkin, Optical Cable John T. Morgan Roofing & Radford Shopping Plaza SW Virginia Second Harvest Corporation Sheet Metal Radford University FoodBank, SWVAFoodBank.org Wiley & Wilson Paul M. Morrison, Jr. Rakes & Associates, Inc. Southwest Settlement & Woods, Rogers PCC Laura Keaton Morrison The Ratliff Group, LLC Title Agency, Inc. Tamea Franco Woodward, Catherine C. Mosley Willie Ratliff, ITT Speak Advertising Group East West DyeCom, Inc. Mountain Lake Hotel David Rakes***, HomeTown Bank Donna Wertalik Mary Wright, BROKER Moyer Consulting Services Williams R. Rakes, Partner, Gentry, Spectrum Design Roland Wright, REALTOR Muneris Locke, Rakes & Moore Dana Spraker, Shiloh Properties Wytheville Meeting Center Barry Murante ReMax, Tom Stover Star-Spangled Specialites Sandra Murray, Building RGC Resources, Inc. State Farm Kathy Baske Young, Specialists, Inc. Priscilla Richardson International Stellar One Blue Ridge Resources Marty Muscatello, CCS, Inc. Richard Rife, Rife + Wood SunTrust Bank, Ed Lawhorn Wayne Myers, Custom Tool & Richfield Retirement Ziiva Machine Ride Solutions Tanglewood Mall Roanoke Arts Festival James P. Tate, III * First Corporate Deborah Nason Roanoke Cement Company Taubman Museum of Art Subscriber (08/01/08) National College Roanoke College tba PR + Advertising Kurt Navratil Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op Total Action Against Poverty, ** First Individual NCB, Inc. Roanoke Public Library Planning Department Subscriber (08/01/08) Neathawk Dubuque & Packett Roanoke Stamp & Seal Co. Transitions Consulting NewVA Corridor Technology Roanoke Valley Concierge LLC John & Donna Travis, J &D *** First Advertiser (08/07/08) Council Dick Robers Builders, JandDBuilders.com Novozymes Biologicals, Inc. Rogers Realty & Auction

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vbFRONT / NOVEMBER 10 u 69 ADVERTISER INDEX

Advantage Resource Group ...... 63 and Creamation Service ...... 63 Building Consultant Services ...... 63 Pheasant Ridge ...... 60 Carilion Clinic ...... BC Premier Transfer and Storage . . . . .20 Claire V ...... 41 Renaissance Computer Service . . . .64 Controllers, Etc...... 63 Ride Solutions ...... 37 Creekmore Law Firm PC ...... 27 Rife + Wood Architects ...... 43 Davis H. Elliot Company ...... 63 Roanoke Natural Foods Co-Op . . . .26 Energy Healing ...... 63 Roanoke Regional Chamber Evergreen Insulation ...... 63 of Commerce ...... 66 Ewing Cabinet ...... 63 Salem Civic Center ...... 46 Fantasy Creations ...... 63 Send-Out Cards ...... 64 First Citizens Bank ...... 71 The Shires ...... 64 Floored ...... 32 Sir Speedy ...... 30 Fortune Hi Tech Marketing ...... 63 South Main Chiropractic ...... 64 Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore ...... 28 StellarOne ...... 59 HCA / Lewis Gale ...... 4 Table 50 ...... 45 Hethwood Market ...... 36 Tanglewood Mall ...... 3 Hunting Hills Country Club ...... 65 TAP ...... 67 IDD ...... 70 Valley Bank ...... 2 Lotz Funeral Homes ...... 39 Virginia Veterans Care Center . . . . .38 Megs Specialty Womenswear . . . . .21 WFIR ...... 47 Northwest True Value Hardware . .33 Woods Rogers ...... 25 John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Wordsprint ...... 40

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