Gwen Booth has been named senior property manager with Drucker + Falk. Booth joined the real estate firm in 2009 as property manager at the Village at Stoneybrook apartments. After managing the community for five years, she moved to Four Seasons apartments, where she has been property manager for the past five years. She earned her CAM designation in 2018 and was accepted into the D+F mentorship program in 2019. Booth has 21 years of experience in property management.
Stephen D Keefe, MD, has joined Dr. Timothy A. Queen in his practice of Advanced ENT & Allergy. In addition to the general practice of ENT and allergy, Keefe treats thyroid and parathyroid as well as performs facial plastic surgery procedures, including in-office mini facelifts and laser procedures.
CEO of SOLitude Lake Management Kevin Tucker and his wife, Jennifer, have pledged $125,000 to establish the Tucker Student Venture Creation Fellowship Endowment for James Madison University’s Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship. The Tucker Family Fellowship will contribute $4,000+ annually in perpetuity to a top student from the program’s Summer Venture Accelerator (SVA). The SVA provides student entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop businesses at all stages. Through the 10-week program, student fellows receive funding, workspace, mentorship, business classes, hands-on learning experiences and a final opportunity to pitch their venture against peers across the nation. The SVA is a competitive program—more than 100 JMU students apply each year, but only 20 are selected to participate.
SOLitude Lake Management has acquired Aquatic Systems, Inc. (ASI), a nationwide provider of premium turnkey lake, stormwater pond, wetland and fisheries management solutions. The rebranding of ASI expands SOLitude’s existing operations across 12 Florida offices. Outside of Florida, SOLitude manages aquatic resources in 35 states. SOLitude is the nation’s largest freshwater management firm specializing in sustainable, proactive solutions for communities, golf courses, municipalities, commercial developers and private landowners.
Newport News Green Foundation held its last board meeting with Sharyn Fox, president, finishing her two-year term. She is shown with Neil Martin, vice president; Rick Donaldson, past president; Dan Chenoweth, treasurer; LeeAnn Zeliskener, secretary; Ruth Diebler, resource committee chair; Tami Farinholt, executive director; and Adam Creekmur, Holly Kidd, David Singletary, Michael Poplowski, Rob Lefkowitz, Jim Ericson and Curits Bethany, board members. Not shown are Don Hatchett, J. Scruggs, Macon Whitson and Lindsey Carney.
Kaera Mims has joined Abbitt as a new success coach. An accomplished realtor and associate broker with more than 16 years of real estate knowledge, Mims has a strong understanding of the Hampton Roads market. It is her personal mission to provide continued training and education within the real estate industry and the community it serves. As success coach, Mims will use her extensive background to closely support Abbitt realtors in growing their businesses, using the latest systems and technology trends.



Top November agents for CENTURY 21 Nachman Realty’s Peninsula office were Calvin Coleman, top listing agent; Judy Sawyer, top selling and top producing agent; and Kimi Dornan, top closing agent.
January events scheduled by the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce include Coffee Connection, January 14, and Peninsula Executive Leadership Forum, January 28. For registration and additional information, go to www.virginia
peninsulachamber.com/events/calendar.
Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital was awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s fall 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The designation recognizes the hospital’s efforts in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.
Winners of the 11th “ZOOM IN on Newport News” photo contest, sponsored by Newport News Tourism Office, were Sandra Deans of Hampton, who won the Grand Prize for her entry, “A Girl and Her Dog,” taken at the Hilton Pier in Historic Hilton Village, and Mike Snell of Yorktown, who won the honorable mention for his submission, “Another Great Day Out,” taken in Newport News Park. Deans received the grand prize of $500. Snell received free admission passes for four to all Newport News attractions.
The 19th Annual James River Striped Bass Tournament was held in November. A total of $20,000 was donated to Virginia Living Museum to benefit education and conservation programs and projects. The donation was presented at the Captains Party at the Deep Creek Landing Marina in Newport News. The tournament was coordinated by Randy Abbitt, of National Exterminating Company Inc., and his daughter, Jessica Godfrey. The event sponsor was Kaz Vision Laser Center. Pictured (left to right, front row) are Ella Godfrey, Carter Abbitt and Grayson Godfrey; (back row) Jessica Godfrey, Cole Godfrey (baby), Jason Godfrey, Randy Abbitt, Carol Abbitt and Travis Abbitt.
More than 600 guests enjoyed all-you-can-eat local Virginia oysters, fried flounder, hush puppies, steamed shrimp, assorted desserts, and much more at Virginia Living Museum’s 8th Annual Oyster Roast in November. The event raised $50,289 to benefit the Museum’s educational programs and animal care needs. The oyster roast is an official Virginia Green event. The event featured Chef Hans Schadler and the Waypoint Seafood & Grill team, Mathews Lions Club, Sam Rust Seafood, and desserts from students at the Culinary Institute of Virginia. Shown here enjoying the event are (left to right): Rebecca Kleinhample, VLM executive director; Vicki Hauser, Amy Hauser Hart and Lee Hauser.
On Thursday, November 21, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast recognized seven local Girl Scout alum, leaders in their field and role models for girls today, at the Girl Scout Famous Formers Luncheon. This annual event honors local women who continue to exemplify the values of Girl Scouts through their leadership roles in the community. Shown here are Dr. Lisa Spiller, distinguished professor of marketing in the Joseph W. Luter, III School of Business at Christopher Newport University (second from right), who was among the women leaders recognized. Others are (from left) Barbara Tierney, Girl Scouts board chair; Dr. Patricia Turner of the Norfolk 17, keynote speaker; and Tracy Keller, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast CEO.
Karen R. Wilds, executive director of the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority, was awarded the Hampton Roads Housing Consortium Lifetime Achievement Award, its highest honor. Wilds was honored for her distinguished service in making a significant contribution to the improvement of housing conditions in Newport News. Wilds is shown receiving her award from Brett Sierra, president of the Hampton Roads Housing Consortium.
Brooke Scutt, director of operations and associate broker of RE/MAX Peninsula, was honored as Manager of the Year for the Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors. This prestigious award recognizes one outstanding manager within the association who demonstrates outstanding management skills, knowledge and professionalism.
Attorney Angi Haen has joined the law offices of Cowardin, Kim and Riddle. Kaen has more than a decade of legal experience. Her law practice focuses on helping clients resolve financial difficulties, including bankruptcy filings, negotiation of tax debt, preventing judgments, stopping garnishments and halting foreclosures. Haen received her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Andrea Staskiel, CSA, LNHA, has been named executive director of Riverside Health System’s Warwick Forest Retirement Community. Staskiel first joined Riverside in 2013 as marketing director for Warwick Forest. A Gloucester native, she is a graduate of The College of William and Mary.
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