Business leaders and policy makers will discuss energy and infrastructure’s role to make Virginia more competitive.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Speakers Include:

The Honorable Shannon Valentine, Virginia Secretary of Transportation
The Honorable Terry Kilgore, Virginia House of Delegates
The Honorable Stephen Newman, Virginia Senate
Nancy Agee, President & CEO, Carilion Clinic
Nick Akins, Chairman, President, and CEO, American Electric Power
Karl Brack, Vice President, External & Customer Affairs, Columbia Gas of Virginia
Larry Cummings, Marketing Leader, Strategic Partnerships, Commercial HVAC,North America, Ingersoll Rand
Jeff Edwards, President & CEO, Southside Electric Cooperative
Dr. Donna Price Henry, Chancellor, UVA-Wise
Steven Jumper, Director, Corporate Public Policy, WGL
Will Karbach, President & CEO, The Branch Group
Todd McReynolds, Vice President, Sykes Wise-Intuit, Inc.
Daniel Menahem, Senior Manager of Project Development, sPower
Stephen Moret, President & CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Bill Murray, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communications, Dominion Energy
Donn Samsa, General Manager, Energy & Infrastructure Solutions Business Unit, TMEIC Corporation
Dr. Tim Sands, President, Virginia Tech
Brooks Smith, Partner, Troutman Sanders
Todd Snitchler, Vice President, Market Development, API
Dennis Treacy, Senior Counsel, ReedSmith LLP
Joyce Waugh, President & CEO, Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
Lee Wilhelm, Chief Executive Officer, McNeil Roofing, Inc. and Chair, Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge

Panel Discussion Topics Will Include:

Blueprint for successful job growth in rural Virginia
Attracting new companies and maximizing job growth is at the top of every economic development commissions’ priority list, especially in rural areas of the Commonwealth. Members of Virginia’s business community will discuss what conditions and resources are needed to improve job creation in rural Virginia and how policymakers can incentivize business investment in a strategic manner.

Creating a competitive energy workforce
As technology continues to advance and new efficiency standards respond to a changing environment, Virginia needs a well-trained, highly-educated workforce that can improve our energy grid from research and development to transmission. Panelists will discuss how businesses and Virginia’s education system are working together to train a new generation of workers in the energy sector and what skills are required to be successful in this everchanging climate.

Role of infrastructure in economic development
Without a well-maintained infrastructure system, business cannot increase productivity, improve growth, or move their goods and services to market. Panelists will discuss what improvements are needed to our current infrastructure systems, which include transportation, broadband, energy, and healthcare, so that all regions of Virginia can attract new development opportunities and allow the business community to reach new markets and hire additional workers.

Competitive energy costs for job growth
Spanning traditional and alternative sources, Virginia’s diverse energy portfolio encourages competitive energy prices that benefit businesses and residents alike. Industry experts will highlight the need for a stable, affordable sources of energy, how that can be achieved in the future, and what businesses are doing to reduce their energy costs and improve energy efficiencies.