Joseph F. Verser, Esq., partner with Heath Verser, has been named to the Peninsula Regional Board of Old Point National Bank. Verser is a trial lawyer with the firm.
Top sales agent of Coldwell Banker Traditions for January was Lelani Clayton.
Virginia Peninsula Community College received a contribution of $99,000 from Sentara Health to assist with providing affordable education in health-related fields. The donation will be used to establish the Gators Finish and Forward initiative, with a goal to help low socioeconomic students overcome barriers to social mobility to achieve academic and career success.
Myra Legg has been named director of development with Mariners’ Museum. With more than 25 years in fundraising, management, marketing, membership, cultivation and solicitation, Legg brings experience in higher education, K-12 education, museums and historic preservation to the museum. A graduate of Longwood University, Legg holds Bachelor of Science degrees in social work and in sociology. She has served in high-level advancement roles at institutions such as Widener University, Randolph-Macon College and the Virginia Living Museum. She also served as executive director of Virginia PTA and the Newport News Education Foundation.
Alan Witt, Dean of the Luter School of Business, received the 2024 Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce First Citizen Award.
Dr. Roberta Thayer-Smith, Shardell Gerald and Lakisha Leeks have been named to the board of directors of FirstSpark (formerly Smart Beginnings). A retired elementary administrator from Newport News Public Schools, Thayer-Smith works part-time as a state systems coach for the Virginia Department of Education. She spent 22 years in Queensland, Australia, as an early childhood teacher, curriculum developer and administrator. Gerald is chief of prevention and self sufficiency services with the City of Newport News, Department of Human Services, where she oversees a variety of adult, youth and early childhood programs. She has 33 years of diverse social work experiences. Leeks is a local entrepreneur committed to early childhood education. She is owner of Amazing Childcare and Learning Academy. Her program’s mission aligns with FirstSpark to help children become Kindergarten-ready by providing a quality foundational and educational experience, focusing on social emotional development, early literacy skills and real-life exploration. Leeks is also author of an early learning ABC book and cartoon, Proud of Me ABC.
Patrick McCormick has joined the Hampton Roads brokerage team of Colliers as an associate. McCormick will be primarily a Peninsula-based agent, servicing Newport News, Hampton, York County, Poquoson, and Williamsburg to expand the Colliers presence in the area. As he trains with the Norfolk office leasing and sales team, he will collaborate with both the Norfolk and Newport News offices. He has also joined the listing team for City Center at Oyster Point project, accompanying Perry Frazer, managing director and Brian Davidson, vice president. McCormick is a native of Poquoson. Prior to joining Colliers, he wrestled for the University of Virginia and served as volunteer assistant coach for Poquoson High School wrestling and the Peninsula Wrestling Association.
PBMares LLP has won the ClearlyRated’s 2024 Best of Accounting Award for providing superior client service. This is the second consecutive year the accounting, tax and advisory firm has earned this recognition. In addition to the 2024 Best of Accounting Award, PBMares was recently recognized as one of America’s Most Recommended Tax and Accounting Firms in USA Today. Harvey Johnson is partner and CEO of PBMares.
