Delegate Joe T. May - winner of the Chairman’s Award: Visionary leadership to promote technology in the region

A successful business owner and engineer, Delegate May has devoted much of his life to support technology across Virginia. Delegate May has served Virginia as the Chairman of the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) and has led the state’s efforts within JCOTS and as a member of the Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Commission (VRTAC) where he has been instrumental in orchestrating legislation to support the growth of technology in Virginia.  He has also been a leading supporter of the development of Technology Councils across the Commonwealth.  Seven years ago Delegate May served on a committee that escorted Virginia’s first Secretary of Technology, Don Upson, across the state to view Virginia’s technology infrastructure.  He provided professional introductions, but he also promised to continue to pursue potential developments in our region to advance the growth of technology.  In 2005, Delegate May announced not only his commitment as a State representative, but also his firm’s private sector commitment to the Southern Piedmont Region with their plans to develop Electronic Instrumentation and Technology, EIT South, as the nation’s first lead-free circuit board manufacturer in Danville, Virginia.  Delegate May has expanded his achievements into Danville, Virginia and the Southern Piedmont Region.  Del. May joined with Michael Duncan, investing in TWM Solutions and committing to a $12.3 million investment that would create 120 new high tech jobs for the area.  Already, they are expanding the existing operation, and have machining and cabling divisions, ExpressIT 2 printed circuit assembly operations and have subsequently announced the EIT Center for Advanced Manufacturing which will house lead-free printed circuit board design and assembly operations. Already they have developed working relationships with DCC, IALR, and the public school systems, recently donating a spectrophotometer to the Galileo Magnet High School to provide opportunities for learners of all ages to grow and develop through new technology based experiences. Delegate May’s brings to Danville a deeply seated friendship with local Delegate Danny Marshall, a history of establishing a long tenured and committed workforce in Northern Virginia where turn-over is a frequent problem for other employers, and the promise of expanding his commitment to Virginia to our area for many years to come.

Mid Atlantic Broadband Cooperative - winner of the Leadership in Telecommunications Infrastructure Award: Significant contributions to the enhancement of the region’s telecommunications infrastructure

Mid Atlantic Broadband Cooperative was formed to support last-mile private sector partners who can provide the connections required to provide open-access to competitive wholesale broadband services within rural communities in the Southern Piedmont region. Tad Deriso manages the design and construction of the 700-mile fiber backbone spanning five cities, 20 counties and 56 industrial parks. Mid Atlantic Broadband Cooperative has linked 14 private sector firms and is progressing with the vital link that will ensure the adaptability of broadband across the Southern Piedmont Region. MBC has already formed partnerships with a number of local IT service providers, further expanding the capacity to provide local solutions where possible to satisfy the development of broadband solutions. MBC has contracted with Dewberry, in Danville VA, and Adesta, LLC, in Forest, VA, for the engineering, design and construction management for the overall project. RACO Construction in Gretna, VA is the prime contractor for the installation of the fiber optic project. MBC markets the Southside region and all industrial parks and connected sites in our region to regional, national and international economic development groups. Deriso has also taken an initiative to educate communities about how MBC’s network can increase economic growth. MBC has highlighting the unique nature of this project and value that the Southern Piedmont region can bring when attracting new companies and industries to the Commonwealth.

Buentec LLC - winner of Leadership in Outreach Award: Innovative uses of technology for regional support services and outreach

Buentec has found innovative uses of technology for regional support services and outreach. David Parrish, is the founder and CEO of Buentec, which is a name coined from the words BUsiness ENabling TEChnology.  Parrish returned to our region from the UK, where he owned and operated a web strategy management consultancy following a career with 3COM wherein he managed the Asian and European offices of 3-COM.  Buentec has extended outreach through the development of a web planning portal that is open to area businesses.  Parrish developed the website www.OnTheDan.com as a showcase of technology solutions available to businesses in the area.  This outreach has enabled companies to go online and experiment with the latest web strategy solutions. He has also extended his outreach to the development of a web site for the Dan River Business Development Center and tenants served by the area incubator.  Buentec has also launched a product line for small business called RapidSite that enables companies to use a website building wizard that simplifies web development, and provides a low cost solution for small businesses to enter the world of e-business and eventually e-commerce. David has volunteered assistance to provide clinics for small businesses, developed a portal for StartUp Businesses for the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce, and is volunteering assistance for an Entrepreneur’s web resource, furthering the development of the region. His e-commerce sites have incorporated bilingual sophistication that enable area businesses to have a global outreach, bringing sales into the regional economy through e-commerce to enhance the economy of local businesses.

The City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Danville Public Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools - winner of Leadership in Government Award: Technological advances in government operations and functions

The City of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Danville Public Schools and Pittsylvania County Schools have provided technological advancements in government operations and functions through a collaborative effort to bring high-speed internet connectivity to the local governments and schools. These four entities pooled together their internet purchases to jointly acquire a robust OC-3, 155 megabits per second, tier one service from MCI through the Virginia Information Technology Agency (VITA). Internet connectivity to Danville municipal buildings and each of Danville’s public schools is delivered over nDanville network, the City of Danville’s fiber optic Municipal Area Network, and from the Multimedia Service Access Point (MSAP) facility located at the Galileo Magnet High School to Pittsylvania County via the Future of the Piedmont’s eDan network. The County schools are connected through Pittsylvania County Schools’ Microwave network. Project partners are working with VITA to secure the authority to expand use of this high-speed internet connection to others for economic development and community education purposes. This endeavor has dramatically improved internet bandwidth for each location to enhance computer applications in both government offices and City and County schools. 

Halifax County Public Schools - winner of Leadership in Education Award: Use of technology to promote and enhance educational opportunities

Halifax County Schools has enhanced their educational opportunities by developing Academies to increase not only the student’s learning experiences, but also provide opportunities for their teachers and administrators.  The commitment of a school system to enhance the technology infrastructure is epitomized by the development of seven career academies, or smaller learning communities. The academies utilize a comprehensive approach to provide K-12 students with a specialized academic environment. These academies are the S.T.E.M. Academy, The Motorsports Academy, the Environmental Science Academy, the Health and Human Services Academy, the Law and Leadership Academy, the Fine Arts Academy, and the International Academy of Business and Culture. There is also a Virtual Academy for first-grade through twelfth-grade students. After launching the academies, Halifax Public Schools has experienced an increase in students taking Dual Enrollment classes with local Community Colleges than any other system in the State. There is also an academy devoted to professional development of the County’s teachers and administrators. The Continuous Improvement Academy offers professional development opportunities concentrating on the use of data for curriculum, instruction and assessment decisions.  Halifax County has also developed a global “sister school” program, to include the exchange of educational culture information through various means of technology. Through this program, elementary and high school students can engage with students from every continent in the world in research projects. This allows them to better prepare for jobs in the global economy and introduces them to wonderful cultural experiences. Superintendent, Paul D. Stapleton has been a key player in moving the school system beyond minimum standards to a more challenging academic rigor with career-based relevance. Stapleton has extended the school systems reach into the community by collaborating with organizations like Southern Virginia Higher Education center, community colleges and local businesses to ensure local education is feeding the needs of economic development and the future workforce.

Applied Felts - winner of Leadership in Manufacturing Award: Implementing technology to positively impact and improve manufacturing processes and applications

plied Felts is a Martinsville based manufacturer of rehabilitative pipe liners and an excellent example of transforming our region’s existing strengths in textiles and materials with research and development to create new markets that draw from these areas.  Applied Felts created a CIPP process for felt liners that enables the transformation of an infrastructure without destructive revitalization.  Applied Felts has attracted scientists like Charlie Mattox from the Office of Naval Research into the Martinsville area. As General Manager, Mr. Mattox recognizes the importance of ISO certification, partnering with research partners like the Advanced and Applied Polymer Processing Institute (AAPPI) and working with the Virginia Philpott Manufacturing Partnership. In a collaborative project, VPMEP and AAPPI provided the necessary engineering and technical expertise to provide Applied Felts with the ability to determine, evaluate, develop, and design suitable new bonding processes for the felt and thermoplastic polyurethane outer layer bonding construction. Applied Felts is now one of the leading independent felt liner manufacturers in the world with more than 40 million feet of liner installed across the United States. Working in an environment that draws from textile technology, they build with excellent research and engineering capabilities in materials. Their integration of existing applied strengths in these areas with state of the art chemical and material processing research make them a model for future manufacturers in our region.

Luna nanoWorks - winner of Leadership in Science and Technology Award: Developing the use of technology in science and research

Luna nanoWorks, a division of Luna Innovations Incorporated, is a leader in nanotechnology. Their focus is on the manufacturing and application of cost-effective carbon-based nanomaterials, which are needed for research and development for new defense and industrial applications. Luna has developed a proprietary nanotechnology called TRIMETASPHERE™ carbon nanomaterials that they believe provide performance characteristics that will open up new horizons in imaging capabilities. Luna Innovations has been recognized as the third highest recipient in the nation of Small Business Innovation Research awards with the United States research organizations at a conference on Capital Hill.  They have also been recognized by many awards from NASA Tech Briefs and numerous organizations, but in Virginia, Kent Murphy, Founder and COO of Luna Innovations, is known as the Virginia Industrialist of the Year because of his commitment to transform the state with his developments in nanotechnology that have created companies across the state, and the first US owned nano-manufacturing facility in Danville, Virginia. Luna nanoWorks opened in Danville with a goal to transform the Southside economy by promoting a high-technology image for the region and opening “new economy” jobs. Virginia has achieved national recognition in nanotechnology and Luna nanoWorks is further establishing Virginia as an international leader in the industry. One of the goals of Luna nanoWorks is to educate the community about the importance of nanotechnology. Luna has been working with Danville Community College to develop a technician training course in the Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program for students who want to work in the nanotechnology industry. Since arriving in Danville, employees of Luna nanoWorks have given many presentations to high school and college students in the area. They also presented nanotechnology lectures to senior citizens at the Institute of Advanced Learning & Research. Kent Murphy has attracted world renowned scientists and engineers to Luna Nanoworks. His team including Bob Lenk, Stephen Wilson, Charlie Gause, Kenneth Walker, Steven Joslin and Ben Plowman, has placed our region in the technology spotlight. More importantly, he has demonstrated his belief that we have the applied knowledge and know-how on which he will continue to build and develop his research and technology infrastructure to ensure the successful development of processing and manufacturing technologies that will enable the ultimate success of nanomaterials in the world’s economy.

Telvista - winner of Leadership in the Service Industry Award: Utilizing technology to deliver exemplary service and enhance customer relations

Based on technical service to inbound callers, Telvista has invested $2.5 million into their Danville, Virginia technical support center and has provided employment to 750 local employees. With an initial goal of hiring 500 employees, the company has now committed additional resources and an additional 250 jobs.  The company provides training for employees who provide technical support on hardware, software, and other technical operations. Eric Allen manages the local operations, which now expands beyond the training of technical advice and guidance and is concentrating on bilingual skills, to better prepare employees to handle the global service industry. It is a long term benefit to the region, to enhance technical, global, and professional development skills of area employees, for which the region will reap long term benefits.  Bringing expertise from their Dallas facilities, Telvista entered the area with a management team of highly skilled computer and networking workers, who immediately orchestrated wireless networks, teleconferencing and technical support teams.  When they moved into their newly finished building in the spring of 2005, they donated computer hardware and furnishings to equip a lab for the local incubator with a pledge to support additional technical development in the region.