Across the Hampton Roads region, a wave of leadership transitions, infrastructure investments, and community-focused developments is reshaping the local landscape. From boardrooms to municipal government and cultural institutions, these updates reflect a dynamic period of growth and organizational evolution.
Leadership Shifts and Appointments
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation has appointed former Virginia Beach City Council member John Uhrin as its new board chair. Uhrin, a local native who currently serves as director of operations for Burlage Management, will lead the foundation’s efforts in managing exhibits, fundraising, and administrative oversight. The board also expanded its reach by welcoming five new members: Brad Beach, Peter Leddy, Desiree Mitchell, Darrick Wickre, and Mike Sifen.
In the corporate sector, TowneBank has bolstered its board of directors with the additions of Billy Gwaltney Jr. and John O. Wynne Jr. Meanwhile, in the nonprofit space, Wynne is set to take the helm of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, succeeding Sharon Goodwyn. Goodwyn, who made history as the first Black person and first woman to hold the chair position, will remain on the board until 2028. Her legacy of service was recently honored by the foundation with a special art presentation and a charitable grant in her name.
Legal and municipal circles also saw significant moves. Attorney Billy Kass has joined Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers as of counsel, while the City of Suffolk has appointed Wayne Rhoads as its director of capital programs and buildings, and Michael John Miller as the assistant director of public works. Additionally, the Windsor Baptist Church has welcomed T.A. Powell as its new senior pastor.
Infrastructure and Technological Advancements
Federal and state agencies are injecting substantial capital into local aviation infrastructure. Southeastern Virginia airports are the beneficiaries of more than $51 million in federal FAA grants, alongside nearly $40 million in Commonwealth Aviation Fund investments announced by Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s office. These funds are earmarked for critical modernization projects, including taxilane rehabilitation at Accomack County Airport, obstruction removal at New Kent County Airport, and the construction of a new de-icing ramp at Norfolk International Airport.
On the industrial front, the Virginia Spaceport Authority has achieved a major safety milestone. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island was recently awarded the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) STAR designation by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. This elite recognition, held by fewer than 1% of Virginia companies, highlights the facility’s commitment to cutting-edge safety and health management systems.
Cultural and Community Developments
The region’s cultural sector is receiving a significant boost through Virginia Humanities, which has distributed over $267,000 in grants to 29 diverse nonprofit organizations. These funds support initiatives ranging from oral history projects at Hampton University to the preservation of African American history on the Eastern Shore and support for youth programs at the Muse Writers Center.
Community engagement is also reflected in the reopening of key public assets. The Larchmont Branch Library in Norfolk has officially welcomed back patrons following an extensive year-long renovation that updated the facility’s HVAC systems and computing infrastructure. In the hospitality sector, the new City Express by Marriott in Newport News has brought its midscale brand to the Peninsula, while in the agricultural and equestrian space, SunFire Equestrian has reopened its facilities in Suffolk, offering a range of horsemanship services.
These developments, bolstered by both private enterprise and public funding, highlight a concerted effort to modernize local infrastructure, preserve the area’s rich history, and foster community growth through education, arts, and improved public facilities. Whether through the digital tools now available at the renovated library or the physical upgrades at regional spaceports and airports, the region continues to position itself for a technologically advanced and culturally vibrant future.
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