Monday, November 17, 2014

 

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.            Lunch & Featured Conversation with Special Guests

 

Welcome:  The Honorable Frank M. Ruff, Jr., Senate of Virginia

 

Moderator:  Joe Jones, Director of External Affairs, Appalachian Power Company

• The Honorable Emmett W. Hanger, Jr., Senate of Virginia

• The Honorable Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry

• The Honorable Maurice Jones, Secretary of Commerce and Trade

• The Honorable R. Steven Landes, Virginia House of Delegates

 

1:00 p.m. – 1:10 pm.               Break

 

1:10 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.              Panel Discussion    

   

Creating and Sustaining Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Rural Virginia

Moderator:  Shannon Blevins, Director of Economic Development, UVA-Wise

• Larry Simpson, President / CEO, The Alvarez Group

• Chris Cook, Executive Director, VAFAIRS  

• Jim Flowers, Executive Director, VT KnowledgeWorks

 

2:20 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.              Break

 

2:30 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.              Panel Discussion

 

Investing in Rural Virginia’s Infrastructure 

Moderator:  Basil Gooden, USDA Virginia State Director, USDA Rural Programs           

• Tim Hassler, Principal, Advantage Capital Partners

• Andrew Jacob, Executive Vice President, CoBank

• Al Puchala, Chief Executive Officer, Capitol Peak Asset Management

• Tad Deriso, President, Mid-Atlantic Broadband Corporation

 

3:40 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.              Break

 

3:50 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.              Panel Discussion                                                                                    

 

Community and Regional Economic Development Programming

Moderator:  Conaway Haskins, Executive Director, Virginia Community Economic Network

• Ken McFadyen, Regional Director, Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority

• Ken Heath, Director of Community and Economic Development, Town of Marion

• Julie Marcowitz, Executive Director, Staunton Downtown Development Association

 

5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.              Break

 

5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.              Networking Reception

 

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.              Dinner with special guest The Honorable Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor of Virginia

 

                                                   Introduction:  The Honorable Emmett W. Hanger, Jr., Senate of Virginia

 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

 

7:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.               Breakfast with The Honorable Karen Jackson, Secretary of Technology

                                               

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.               Break

 

8:45 p.m. – 10:00 a.m.            Panel Discussion   

 

Creating a 21st Century Workforce 

Moderator:  Elizabeth Creamer, Advisor for Workforce Development, Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade

• Gary Larrowe, County Administrator, Carroll County

• Angeline Godwin, President, Patrick Henry Community College

• Sharon Johnson, CEO, Shenandoah Valley Workforce Investment Board

                                               

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.           Break

 

10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.           Panel Discussion

 

Entrepreneurs in Action: Rural Businesses Thriving 

Moderator: Eva Doss, President and CEO, The Launch Place

• Diane Flynt, Owner, Foggy Ridge Cider 

• Joep Paternostre, President, Bloomaker, Inc.

• Travis Croxton, Owner, Rappahannock River Oysters, LLC

• Sarah Baldwin, President, New Ravenna Mosaics

 

11:30 a.m.                               Concluding Remarks, Bryan David, Vice Chair, Council for Rural Virginia