IALR's July 2023 Newsletter

The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program is actively recruiting instructors and technicians. Available positions span all five program tracks (welding, additive manufacturing, CNC machining, non-destructive testing and quality control inspection/metrology) and include first, second and third shifts.

These positions are crucial to ATDM's growth. By 2025, the program will train 800–1,000 qualified candidates annually to fill critical vacancies across the defense industrial base.

IALR announced Dr. John H. Hughes IV as Executive Vice President, Operations, effective June 1. Most recently serving as the Assistant City Manager for Lynchburg, Va., Hughes brings nearly two decades of experience in government operations, administration and service.

“With its state-of-the-art facilities, innovative programs and dynamic people, IALR positively influences Southern Virginia and beyond,” Hughes said. “I look forward to contributing to that mission of continued, tangible impact.”

IALR’s Vice President of Economic Development, Linda Green, joins 36 other executives as one of the winners of this year’s Virginia Business Women in Leadership Awards. Green has served in her current role as well as the Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance (SVRA) since 2016.

Virginia Business editors selected awardees from more than 320 nominations submitted by readers. According to the media outlet, “editorial staff considered factors such as overall professional accomplishments, civic engagement, mentoring and breaking glass ceilings.”

Since mid-June, IALR has hosted a number of STEM camps, which provide opportunities for K-10 students to gain hands-on experience in various fields. These camps feature engaging activities from designing and racing robots to exploring creativity through Legos.

In upcoming camps, participants will be viewing STEM through film, inspecting the world of cybersecurity, learning about local government and more.

“My two sons and two nephews had a FANTASTIC camp with all of the staff."
- Amy Scott

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce held its 2023 Annual Awards Banquet, recognizing organizations, businesses and individuals for their contributions. Todd Yeatts, IALR Executive Vice President, Manufacturing Advancement, served as the event’s keynote speaker.

At the 2023 Brownfields Conference, organized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, economic development leaders talked about challenges and opportunities related to the development of brownfields — which are properties with perceived or real environmental contamination.

The Partnership for Regional Prosperity unveiled the results of “The Big Sort” at IALR. During four previous regional workshops, 37 teams of local citizens shared their thoughts and ideas regarding the future of the Dan River Region.

Renowned author and entrepreneur Clifton Taulbert spoke to an audience of more than 250 at an “Evening with Clifton Taulbert: the Entrepeneurial Mindset.” The Pulitzer nominee shared the hardships he endured and the keys to his success This event was funded and supported by various regional economic development partners.

Leaders from Kegerreis Digital Marketing shared insights into billboard advertising at the Southern Piedmont Technology Council's (STPC) Tech at Lunch: The Power of Digital Marketing event.

IALR is hosting two computer training workshops in July. Learn the basics of Microsoft Excel on July 13 or get familiar with online graphic design tool
Canva on July 21.

IALR is hosting AgBio on July 19, a half-day conference organized by Virginia Bio and NCBIO that will bring forth innovative solutions of bioscience and technology to agriculture.

The Southern Piedmont Technology Council (SPTC) is hosting a free virtual event, the Expansion of Broadband Across the Region, July 13 at 12:00 p.m.

The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Summit East, a conference that joins industry, academia and producers, will take place at IALR September 19-20. Co-hosts include Indoor Ag-Con and Virginia Tech.

The Wonder Community of Lifelong Learning is hosting four different events - including three workshops and a tour of the Danville Science Center - during the month of July.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a $1.15 million grant award for Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers ( GO TEC™) Career Connections Labs in GO Virginia Region 4. This includes Dinwiddie and Surry Counties and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg. With funding from GO Virginia and collaboration with other organizations, IALR is expanding the GO TEC Framework across GO Virginia regions 1, 4 and 5. GO TEC began in GO Virginia Region 3.