Alexis Swann, TowneBank Peninsula and Williamsburg president, was recognized by Virginia Business magazine with the story featuring 2024 Black Business Leaders Awards, honoring distinguished leaders from across the Commonwealth during Black History Month.
Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group (TPMG) Urology-Newport News is among the first to offer aquablation to the Hampton Roads community and surrounding communities. Aquablation is an advanced, minimally invasive therapy for men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The one-of-a-kind therapy uses the power of a heat-free water jet and ultrasound imaging to successfully remove excess prostate tissue. TPMG urologist Eric C. Darby, MD, FACS and Ifeanyi Ani, MD are the only urologists within a 150-mile radius trained in this specific procedure.
Top listing agent for December at Coldwell Banker Traditions’ Peninsula office and the company overall was Lelani Clayton.
Chrissy Selleck, regional asset protection specialist for 7-Eleven, has joined the board of directors of Virginia Peninsula Crime Stoppers (VPCS). VPCS manages the crime line (1-888-LOCK-U-UP and P3 App), giving anonymous tipsters the opportunity to report criminal activity for the seven cities and counties on the Virginia Peninsula.
Honored at Peninsula Sports Club (PSC) Milestone Night for service in mentoring and coaching Peninsula student athletes for more than 25 years were (left photo, from left) Greg Bicouvaris, Kelly Alford and Pat Thompson.
Peninsula Sports Club also presented a donation of $1,000 to Christopher Newport University (CNU) golf and $500 to the CNU batting facility. Jeff Johnson, PSC president (right photo, center) presented the check to (from left) Jamie Coleman, CNU men’s golf head coach; and Johnathan Howard, CNU women’s golf head coach.
The Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue office has launched its RestauranTIPS program, enabling Newport News staff to visit with restaurant owners to present and provide them with a free audit review to ensure their compliance with Newport News business and tax regulations. Restaurant owners may also visit online to see dates for upcoming presentations or question-and-answer sessions to address other concerns that arise in the restaurant community. Shown here are (left to right) Celanie Haley, deputy commissioner; Tiffany Boyle, commissioner of revenue; Bob McKenna, CEO, Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce; Rosalie Lopez, information business analyst; Malaika Wainwright, administrative services manager; Scott Motley, compliance supervisor; and Naketcha Moore, deputy commissioner.
Don Buckless has been appointed chief banking officer in addition to chief lending officer with Old Point National Bank. He will oversee the retail banking division as well as the lending division. Buckless has been with Old Point for 12 years, serving as executive vice president and chief lending officer for the past eight years.
Old Point National Bank has formed a strategic alliance with Tidewater Home Funding, LLC, based in Chesapeake. As part of the alliance, Old Point will transition the processing of mortgage loans to Tidewater Home Funding while maintaining the branding of its mortgage division as Old Point Mortgage and continuing to underwrite and service select portfolio mortgage products through its retail and private banking arms. This alliance will allow the bank to expand its mortgage product offerings. Sherry Thacker, executive vice president and mortgage director with Old Point, will continue to lead the bank’s mortgage loan production efforts.
Joseph R. Witt, CPA, president, financial services and chief strategy officer for Old Point National Bank, has been elected chair of the Virginia Association of Community Banks (VACB). Headquartered in Richmond, VACB works with locally owned and operated banks to provide advocacy at the federal level, targeted educational programming and opportunities for collaboration among members. Witt will lead the executive committee and the 17-member board of directors, the policy-making bodies for the association, covering government relations in Washington, D.C., and Richmond; banker training and education and opportunities for collaboration.
Four Heritage High School “Hurricanes” competed in February in the Virginia Regional Science Bowl, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, which leads to the National Science Bowl. Jefferson Lab hosted 12 teams from six cities. Heritage was the only Newport News high school represented. The team consisted of (from left) Jacole Hendrick, coach and Heritage chemistry teacher; Tasean Wilson; Wyse-Solomon Brown, captain; A’Kyra Buckley; and Anna Winbush. This is the first year this team has competed, and members were skilled in answering free response and multiple-choice questions from chemistry, biology, math, physics, earth science, general science and astronomy.
Christopher Newport University and Virginia Peninsula Community College signed the VPCC Bridge to CNU Program, an academic agreement to make it easier for students to enroll at CNU after attending VPCC. Seated are (from left) William G. Kelly, CNU president and Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, VPCC president. Standing from left: Capt. Chris, CNU mascot; Lisa Duncan Raines, CNU’s vice president of enrollment and student success; Quentin Kidd, CNU’s provost and executive vice president; Dr. Kerry Ragno, VPCC’s vice president of academic affairs; and Daniela Cigularova, VPCC’s vice president of enrollment management and student services.
Mariners’ Museum has added to its staff Sherri Fosdick and Max Knowlton. Fosdick has been named individual philanthropy officer. She previously served in fundraising roles at Augusta Health and Riverside Health System. Knowlton is a 2021 graduate of Christopher Newport University who started his professional career in development at the RainMakers in Northern Virginia, where he managed direct mail projects, worked with donors and assisted with managing donor records. Luisa Vázquez-López has been promoted to chief of staff. In her new role, she will work closely with Howard H. Hoege, museum president and CEO, on stewarding the board of trustees, streamlining the organization’s fiscal management tools and driving earned revenue through a targeted retail strategy. Sabrina Jones has been promoted to senior director of advancement. She will lead the Mariners’ team in executing an integrated development, marketing and multimedia effort, sustaining Mariners’ impact in the community.
Christopher Newport University’s LifeLong Learning Society and Grounds Department will host its 25th anniversary Gardening Symposium on Saturday, April 6, at the David Student Union. This year’s symposium will spotlight “Gardening: Stewardship of Nature!” and will feature workshops, plant sales, vendors and an optional buffet lunch. To register and obtain additional information, visit the website cnu.edu/gardening or follow the event on Facebook facebook.com/CNULLS.
Coastal Laser Center, Inc. has opened offices at 720 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Suite 110, offering laser tattoo removal. Matthew Gular is the center’s laser tattoo removal specialist.
Busy Nothings Coffee Company has opened at 2170 William Styron Square, South, serving crafted artisanal coffees, specialty teas and natural plant-based energy drinks. This Jane Austen-themed coffee shop features locally roasted coffee. Debra Carroll is owner.
Top January agents for CENTURY 21 Nachman Realty’s Peninsula office were Chaz Fiscella, top listing and top closing agent; Rose Matthews, top selling and top producing agent; and Jamie Coldsnow and Dee Karlsson, top referring agents.
February was American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day to raise awareness for women’s heart health. As a proud AHA partner, Bon Secours celebrated with some of its tiniest patients. Bon Secours–Mary Immaculate Hospital let newborn babies in on the fun by dressing them in red.
