ANNOUNCEMENTS
County ranks high in training and development

Chesterfield County has been named one of Training magazine's Top 125 for 2007, an annual ranking of organizations leading the way in employee training and development. Training magazine is a 41-year-old professional development publication that advocates training and workforce development as a business tool.

The rankings are based on how an organization fosters its employees' learning, development and relationships within the organization. Past recipients of these awards include companies such as Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, Ritz-Carlton, Ernst & Young, Capital One Financial, Lockheed Martin, General Mills and Wachovia.

Chesterfield County will learn its exact ranking on Feb. 25, as well as the status of its Best Practice Awards and Innovative Training Initiatives applications.

Village Bank held a grand opening for its ninth branch last week in Powhatan County. The South Creek location - on Route 60 about five miles west of Route 288 at the South Creek Shopping Center - is the bank's second location outside of Chesterfield County.

"We're growing fast because of our people," said President Tom Winfrey. Last year, the Chesterfield County Chamber of Commerce named Village Bank as its Business of the Year.

According to Winfree, this summer the bank will open a new location on Three Chopt Road in western Henrico and move its branch bank on Alverser Drive across the street because the co-located corporate headquarters needs more office space. The bank is looking to establish a new branch in Mechanicsville.

The newest branch will be run by "Tuck" Pulliam who moved to Powhatan to be closer to family members who live in Brandermill.

Janet Barnes Goodman and her husband Coleman of Midlothian donated $25,000 to refurbish the men's and women's lounges of Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia. The money will provide new furniture and carpeting, improved lighting and flat screen televisions with DVD players. Ms. Goodman attended the college in the early 1960s.

Fifteen teachers working for Chesterfield County Public Schools have achieved National Board Certification, one of the highest credentials in the teaching profession. They are: Sharon L. Austin (Midlothian HS), Leah D. Claudio (Hopkins Road ES), Cynthia V. Dante (Clover Hill HS), Laura Davenport (Bailey Bridge MS), Debbie Davis (Wells ES), Lori E. Donovan (Thomas Dale HS), Deborah M. Floyd (Chester MS), Terri Henshaw (Enon ES), Alyce A. Hannon (Chester MS), Sharon Hoffert (James River HS), Veronica C. Mattera (Clover Hill HS), Rebecca C. Miller (Cosby HS), DeAnna Moreau (Bellwood ES), Amy B. Petin (Alberta Smith ES) and Patricia D. Radigan (Thomas Dale HS).

Virginia State University's School of Business has earned international accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the premier global accrediting body for schools that offer undergraduate, master and doctoral degrees in business and accounting. VSU joins an elite group of 540 institutions worldwide that have earned accreditation for their business schools.

John Tyler Community College celebrated the achievements of its fall nursing graduates during a pinning ceremony last month. The pinning of 65 graduates identifies the school of nursing where the students earned their clinical experience, achieved academic credentials and began their socialization into the profession.

Four county students have been selected for participation in the Virginia Commonwealth University L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Virginia Capital Semester program. They join 38 others spending at least 20 hours a week as interns for state lawmakers during the 2007 General Assembly session. They are: Richard Bean of Chester, who is majoring in international studies at Virginia Tech and is working with Del. Harvey B. Morgan (R-98th); Amanda Davis of Chesterfield, who is majoring in international studies at Virginia Tech and is working with Del. Michele B. McQuigg (R-51st); Anne Lojek of Chester, who is majoring in biology at Sweet Briar College and is working with Del. Harry R. Purkey (R-82nd); and Garima Prasai of Chester, who is majoring in accounting and business management at VCU and is working with Del. Brian J. Moran (D-46th).

Southside Music has obtained 501(c)(3) status from the federal government and hopes to find funding through grants, corporate partnerships and tax-free donations to open a facility later this year for residents of the Hull Street Road corridor.

William John Barrow, a student at Clover Hill High School, has been selected as a 2007 Horatio Alger National Scholar winner. The Horatio Alger National Scholars Program assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives and used their experiences and college degrees in service to others.