Business Partners Online Videos

Previous videos include:

• The June 2020 show begins by speaking with Debbie Melvin, assistant vice president of Talent Solutions with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, who shared details about VEDP’s workforce program. Next, we connect with Ramain Gohar, business service manager with the Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity. He shares business insight for recovery strategies and steps for reopening. Lastly, we hear from Cecile Newcomb from the Roanoke County Planning Department, who shares updates on the Hollins Plan and what to expect next. June 2020
• The May 2020 show starts out by speaking with Annette Patterson, president of The Advancement Foundation, who will share details about how the annual Gauntlet competition has gone virtual. Next, we connect with Bob Archer, chairman and CEO of Blue Ridge Beverage, who sheds light on the pandemic’s impact on the food and beverage industry and how his company has pivoted accordingly. Lastly, we’ll hear from Amanda Forrester, director of the SBDC, about the resources and programming they are developing for small businesses as we approach recovery. May 2020
• On the April 2020 show, we start out at the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority as president, Frank Smith, announces Fiber to the Home, a new initiative to bring broadband to lesser served areas of the Valley. He tells us more about what RVBA can do for residents and businesses and how new technology will transform internet access across the region. Then, we connect with Amy Fulton, the HR Director at Medeco, who speaks with us about how the apprenticeship continues to support their business through talent acquisition and the process they used to find the best apprentices for their company. April 2020
• On the March 2020 show, we start out at P1 Technologies where Sales Manager, Drew Bratton, tells us about P1’s recent name change and its participation in the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s VALET program, which supports businesses in expanding to an international market. Next, we meet with Nate Day, International Trade Manager with VEDP, who explains how the organization helps companies find international opportunities, as well as its work with P1 in the VALET program. Lastly, we attend the Roanoke County Public Schools Apprenticeship Showcase to speak with Jason Suhr, Director of Career and Technical Education. He shares more about the efforts made by RCPS to prepare students for the workforce through apprenticeship opportunities with local businesses. March 2020
• On February’s Roanoke County Business Partners, we start with the exciting announcement that Mack Trucks will be opening a facility in Salem. We speak with Mack’s president, Martin Weissburg, who shares background about the investment and what to expect from this move. We also visit with Annette Patterson, president of The Advancement Foundation, about the Foundation’s GAUNTLET program-Virginia’s largest business competition, which starts February 4. Lastly, we meet with Bill Hunter, Director of Communications & IT for Roanoke County, who explains Roanoke County’s efforts to increase broadband accessibility and shares details about the broadband survey for businesses and residents. February 2020
• On January’s Roanoke County Business Partners, we speak with Mayor Bradley Grose of Town of Vinton after his State of the Town Address. He shares some exciting developments of 2019 and what to expect for Vinton in 2020. We also visit with Ryan Schirmer and Laura Warren as they celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of their new store, Your CBD Store Roanoke. In this segment, Ryan and Laura tell about some of the benefits of CBD, and the products available in their store. Lastly, we hear from Debbie Custer of Coeus Research, who serves as the hemp industry expert for the Innovation Mill. Debbie shares insight into the hemp industry as a whole, as well as how the region can tap into this burgeoning industry.  January 2020
• On the December Roanoke County Business Partners show, we start by visiting with Dr. Terry Kahn, owner of Roanoke Neuromuscular and runner-up of Virginia’s largest business competition, The Gauntlet. Terry shares about her experience competing and how her company has grown since The Gauntlet. Then, we speak with Dr. Michael Friedlander, executive director of Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, who tells us more about the upcoming plans for the Reimagine 419 project and how VTC will play into the future of our community. Lastly, we meet with Beth Doughty, executive director of the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority, who will shed light on the future of development on Wood Haven Road. December 2019
• On the November Roanoke County Business Partners show, we start by celebrating the grand reopening of Bricks 4 Kidz in Oak Grove Plaza with owner Shelly Whitaker, who tells us more about her business and its role in the neighborhood. Then, we’ll learn more about the new Billy Byrd redevelopment in the Town of Vinton where we’ll speak with David McCormack, president of Waukeshaw Development, Inc., about his company’s efforts to revitalize the historic William Byrd High School and how it will transform Vinton. Lastly, we’re showing off Virginia Western’s latest addition, the new STEM building, at the facility’s grand opening. Dean of STEM, Amy White, tells us about the development project and how the new state-of-the-art building is already playing an instrumental role in students’ education. November 2019
• On the October Roanoke County Business Partners show, we take you to Career Quest where we speak to Brad Stephens of Virginia Career Works - Blue Ridge. He shares more about the event and how it plays a role in the future of our region’s workforce and economic development. Then, we learn more about the new project bringing Carilion Children’s to Tanglewood Mall. We speak with Dr. Kim Dunsmore, Chair of Pediatrics with Carilion Clinic, who shares the details about the project and what we can expect from the new Carilion Children’s center. We also check in with John Abernathy, president of Blackwater Resources which owns Tanglewood Mall. He discusses Tanglewood Mall’s role in the new Carilion Children’s project and how it plays into the future vision for the mall and the 419 Corridor as a whole. October 2019
• On the September Roanoke County Business Partners show, we start by visiting with Pete Peters, Assistant Town Manager of Vinton, to learn about the latest developments in town and what we can expect in Vinton’s future. We then check in with Erin Burcham of the Roanoke Regional Partnership who speaks to us about the organization’s focus on talent solutions, along with some new projects and events aimed at increasing job recruitment in the area.  Lastly, we meet with Frank Smith, president of the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority who shares his insight into Bent Mountain’s new internet provider, MtnNet, and sheds light on the future of broadband in Roanoke County. September 2019
• On the August Roanoke County Business Partners show, we celebrate the grand opening of VFP Inc.’s new corporate headquarters on Fallowater Lane, and learn how this 50 year old company is growing their footprint in Roanoke County. We interview Scott Fife, Vice President of VFP, and learn how they have successfully transformed their 50,000 sf. facility into multi-tenant office space in the 419 Plan area.  This redeveloped property will also remain the home of Cox Communication’s operations. Next, we speak with Jeff Merritt, Roanoke Market Vice President for Cox Communications who will tell us how the company has successfully transitioned from being building owner to tenant, and how Cox has proudly served the Roanoke market for 43 years, providing robust services to their customers. August 2019
• On the July Roanoke County Business Partners, we interview Chris Carey, President of Metis Holdings at the grand opening of Metis Plaza - the redevelopment of the former Allstate building into a multi-tenant office complex that includes a fitness facility and restaurant. Next, we speak with Philip Thompson, Deputy Director of Planning for Roanoke County, to learn about the latest on the draft plan for Oak Grove Center and how Metis Plaza serves as a catalyst for redevelopment in Oak Grove. Lastly, we participate in the grand opening of the Bank of Botetourt standalone full-service office located at Cave Spring Corner, which includes an ATM with deposit capabilities and will house the Bank’s mortgage company, Virginia Mountain Mortgage.  July 2019
• In the June edition, we interview George Child, President and CEO of Richfield Living, so he can tell us about their expansion. We also reveal three Roanoke County Businesses that were Gold Division Winners in the Gauntlet Business Plan Competition. - June 2019
• Business Appreciation Month is the topic of the May episode. - May 2019
• The April episode shows how business is thriving throughout Roanoke County. - April 2019
• On the March show, we learn about the new Institute for Entrepreneurial Learning at Hollins University. Next we find out what the Career Development Department at Hollins University is doing to address the needs of students and employers of the 21st century. Lastly, we get an update on how the Gauntlet Business Program and Competition is going now that it is well underway. - March 2019
• In the February 2019 Roanoke County Business Partners, we participate in the ribbon cutting for a new wireless internet service that will deliver quality internet access for residents and businesses located in the Bent Mountain area of the County. Next, we talk with Meredith Hundley, Program Director for the Valleys Innovation Council, and learn what the council’s mission is and their new involvement with the Star Tank Summit. Finally, we meet with Thomas Osha, Keynote speaker for the Star Tank Summit and learn his perspective on how community stakeholders can work together to support an innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem. - February 2019
• On January 2019 show, we celebrate the grand opening of Macado’s in Vinton and learn what makes this Macado’s unique. Next, Shari Henry, Director of Library Services for Roanoke County, tells us about a free online tool offered through the libraries and explains how it can be used by businesses large and small to train staff, develop managers and leaders, and much more. Finally, we are off to the races for a ground breaking ceremony to kick off the renovation a former off track betting facility in Vinton that will become Rosie’s Gaming Emporium, and will offer satellite wagering and feature a new restaurant and bar. - January 2019
• Welcome to Roanoke County Business Partners. On December’s show, we celebrate the grand opening of the Tru by Hilton, a new hotel brand for the area and a new development in the Hollins study area. Next, Annette Patterson tells us about what is new for the 2019 Gauntlet business plan competition. Finally, we visit with the Director of Talent Acquisition for Carilion Clinic and a student in the new Certified Nursing Assistant program at Roanoke County Public Schools. - December 2018
• On November’s show, we learn about the 50 year history of Medeco Security Locks. Next, we celebrate the progress that has been made on the improvements on Plantation Road by attending a ribbon cutting. Then, we talk with Kevin Meade of American National Bank and Trust to learn how their recent acquisition of HomeTown Bank will leverage the strengths of each community bank. - November 2018
• On October’s show, we learn about a Couture Unicorn, which is a mobile boutique specializing in women’s fashions and a 2018 Gauntlet. Next, we talk with Keith Hartman, Director of the Roanoke Regional Small Business Development Center to learn about the various business assistance programs available in the Roanoke Region. Then, we learn how Glenvar High School students are making and marketing G-BEES 100% natural products from the student garden and bee hives. - October 2018
• On the September show, we hear from Dina Lyons, Registered Apprenticeship Consultant, to learn how employers and employees can participate in the Registered Apprenticeship Program. Next, we visit Garret Farms in Glenvar to learn the history of the farm, what they are doing today on the farm, and their future plans. Then, we get an overview of Economic Development projects in the Town of Vinton that Roanoke County and the Town of Vinton have been working on for the last few years. - September 2018
• On the August show, we attend the ribbon cutting for the first new facility along the Plantation Road shared use path, Parkside Storage. We speak with Bob Archer to learn about Blue Ridge Beverage’s current expansion project. Finally, we celebrate the grand opening of Farmburguesa, which is a business that participated in the Gauntlet Business Plan Competition, to hear about their experience in the competition and their fresh take on burgers. - August 2018
• On July’s show, we meet with Donnie Martin of Magnets USA to learn about their participation in the Virginia Leaders in Export Trade Program and the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. We also speak with Pete Peters Assistant Town Manager and Director of Economic Development for the Town of Vinton to learn about efforts to redevelop the former Gish Mill property. Finally, we will attend the Grand Opening of Total You Health, which is a business that participated in the Gauntlet Business Plan Competition, so we can learn about their health care service that is a first of its kind in the Roanoke Valley. - July 2018
• On June’s show, we attend the "signing day" for 25 Roanoke County Public Schools students participating in the Student Registered Apprenticeship program and talk with Ted Puzio owner of Southern Trust Home Services which is employing three student apprentices. We also speak with a few of the competitors in the 4th annual Gauntlet business plan competition to hear about their new ventures and their experiences while competing over the last 4 months. - June 2018
• On the May 2018 show, we attend the ribbon cutting of the first Zagster Bikeshare station in Vinton and discuss how companies can get involved in this new program. We get an update from one of the student apprentices at the Western Virginia Water Authority and hear from his father why it’s been beneficial for his son to participate in the program. Finally, Pete Eschelman with Roanoke Outside talks to us about what the opening of Gander Outdoors means for the region’s outdoor brand. - May 2018
• On the April show, we attend the first community meeting for the Reimagine Oak Grove planning study and talk to businesses and residents about the future of the area. We meet Erin Burcham, the director of talent solutions for the Roanoke Regional Partnership, to learn what she has been doing and what she has planned for the future. Finally, we participate in the second meeting for the Reimagine Hollins plan and hear from the community about the importance of this effort in the Hollins area. - April 2018
• On the March show, we attend the rededication of the renovated Dana Science Building at Hollins University to learn how it will improve the science education at the university. We explore an exciting new partnership between Roanoke County and Roanoke College for high school students to participate in a summer innovation and entrepreneurship camp. Finally, we visit Valley Cryotherapy, a new, hi-tech medical therapy business that uses nitrogen to lower skin surface temperature to stimulate natural regulatory functions of the human body. - March 2018
• On the February show, Roanoke County’s Director of Economic Development, Jill Loope, gives us a snapshot of what happened in the county in 2017. We speak with the Pete Peters in the Town of Vinton to learn about what has been going on in the town and what is to come in 2018. Finally, we attend the grand opening of the LewisGale Cave Spring ER, a standalone ER which is the first of its kind in the Roanoke Valley. - February 2018
• On the January show, we attend the lighting ceremony for the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority and learn why broadband is important to the Roanoke Valley. We speak with the president of ValleyStar Credit Union at the grand opening of their first Roanoke Valley location. Finally, the president of The Advancement Foundation, Annette Patterson, tells us about the 2018 Gauntlet business plan competition and how businesses and entrepreneurs can get involved. - January 2018