Top July agents for Coldwell Banker Traditions’ Peninsula office were Lelani Clayton, top selling agent, and Angela Lee, top listing agent.
The cities of Newport News and Hampton’s joint 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Awards entry earned a Gold recognition from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving a membership of more than 4,300 economic developers. Newport News and Hampton were honored in September at the IEDC 2025 Annual Conference in Detroit, Michigan in the “Regional or Cross-Border Partnership” category for their collaboration on Liebherr Mining Equipment Newport News Co.’s expansion.
Working with VersAbility Resources are John Rodenberg, vice president of marketing and development, and Keltie Bransford, marketing and development manager. Rodenberg is a senior fundraising executive with more than 25 years of experience. Most recently, Rodenberg was vice president of Foundation at United Way South Hampton Roads. He studied at the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California; received a certificate in fundraising management from Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; and a MDiv from Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Kentucky, and a BA from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. Bransford brings eight years of experience in marketing, public relations and communications to her role. With a strong background in strategic communications, event fundraising and advertising, she is responsible for crafting impactful campaigns to elevate mission-driven work and build lasting community connections.
Amiyr Gordon, 16, son of Tonya Johnson-Gordon of Gordon Wellness, has competed in international karate competition, ranking first in his group as Sports Illustrated’s Youth Athlete of the Year. Gordon began karate training at age 4. He received two gold medals at age 12, when he traveled to Romania for the World Competition, and in 2024, received two additional gold medals at the World Competition in Mexico. Since age 12, Gordon has represented the United States in Romania, Japan, Scotland, Sweden, South Africa, Bahrain and Mexico. Gordon is a martial arts instructor.
Eoghan “Owen” Miller has been promoted to Newport News deputy city manager. Miller, who has served in numerous leadership roles with the city since 2014, most recently held the position of chief strategy officer and acting assistant city manager. Miller oversees the departments of Planning and Codes Compliance, offices of Sustainability and Neighborhood Services and the city’s ongoing housing initiatives. He will also continue to lead the city’s Choice Neighborhood Initiative, a nationally recognized program that transforms housing and neighborhoods by rebuilding communities. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College (Missouri) and dual Juris Doctor and Master of Public Affairs degrees from the University of Missouri. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and has completed Leadership ICMA, a premier program for local government executives.
Christopher Newport University has appointed Dr. Anna W. Hickey dean of the Joseph W. Luter, III School of Business, following the retirement of Alan Witt, who served in that capacity. A retired U.S. Coast Guard captain and accomplished academic leader, Hickey most recently served as vice provost and dean at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where she oversaw academic administration and led programs in leadership and management.
TowneBank completed its merger with Old Point Financial Corporation, the parent company of Old Point National Bank of Phoebus and Old Point Trust & Financial Services effective September 1. Old Point National Bank locations will operate as “Old Point National Bank, a Division of TowneBank” until February 2026, when the core systems and operations of Old Point National Bank are scheduled to be converted into those of TowneBank. Old Point Wealth Management will continue to offer its products and services as an addition to the TowneBank family of companies. Robert F. Shuford, Jr., former Old Point chairman, president and chief executive officer, was appointed senior executive vice president and will serve as chairman of the TowneBank Peninsula Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2026.
TowneBank and Raleigh-based Dogwood State Bank signed a merger agreement with TowneBank acquiring Dogwood State Bank. TowneBank’s current market position will be expanded into Raleigh, Greensboro–Winston Salem, Greenville and Charlotte, North Carolina. Additionally, the merger will increase the bank’s footprint along the Eastern North Carolina coast from the Outer Banks to include Morehead City, Greenville, Fayetteville and Wilmington, along with a new location in Charleston, South Carolina. Steve Jones, chief executive officer of Dogwood, will continue in a key leadership role within the combined company and will join TowneBank as president of its North Carolina and South Carolina banking operation and be a member of the TowneBank corporation management team. G. Robert Alston, Jr. is executive chairman of TowneBank.
Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) and Newport News officials, along with project partners, broke ground on a new skills trades center in Southeast Newport News in August. VPCC’s third trades center, the project is the direct response to two area needs, one from businesses and the other from residents. The estimated $9 million facility, located at 520-21st St., is roughly 16,000 square feet. W.M. Jordan Company is overseeing construction of the facility designed by RRMM Architects. The center is a collaboration among VPCC, which will train the students; the City of Newport News, which donated land and is supporting site preparation; and Newport News Economic Development Authority, manager of the project. VPCC, the City of Newport News and the Maritime Industrial Base are funding it.
