Business notes for the week of May 20

Awards and honors

Zhite Yu earned his doctorate in theoretical high energy physics at Michigan State University and continued with the research as a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News. For his thesis work, he was awarded the 2024 J.J. and Noriko Sakurai Dissertation Award in Theoretical Particle Physics in April. Yu showed how better to assess the partonic structure of the proton and proposed a pathway for new physics by measuring the flatness in jets of gluon particles produced when smashing protons together. Yu noticed that when gluons have a spin perpendicular to the direction they are moving, the jet will flatten in the direction of the spin of its mother particle.

ODU Community Care, a part of Old Dominion University’s School of Nursing located in Virginia Beach, earned a 2024 Silver Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics’ Quality Standards Program. Standards assessed include policies and procedures related to: administrative, clinic/pharmacy responsibilities, credentialing and privileging systems, patient care and risk management systems. For more information, visit communitycare-odu.com.

Virginia Beach-based Chartway Credit Union received Energage’s 2024 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence award for innovation, work-life flexibility, compensation and benefits, leadership, purpose and values. The credit union was also named to the Top Workplaces USA list. Top Workplaces awards are based on feedback from a research-supported employee engagement survey. Chartway was also named a 2024 Top Virginia Employer for Interns by The Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership. This year marks the fourth year for Chartway’s 10-weekslong, paid summer internship program.

Malasia Cherry of Virginia Beach was named Virginia Tech’s Outstanding Senior for the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design. She majored in creative technology and art history and graduated in December. She is pursuing her master’s degree at Academy of Art University in San Francisco and is pursuing 3D animation and gaming.

Certification

Arne, a certified woman-owned small business and aviation company based in Suffolk, was awarded a Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 operating certificate after a rigorous three-year process. Arne Aviation, home of Skydive Suffolk, works directly with the Transportation Security Administration to maintain the highest safety and security standards possible. The business started in 2015 to provide specialized aircraft for civilian and military parachute training. The certification means the company is now able to transport cargo and hazmat materials and can participate in disaster relief services.

Education

More than 80 school counselors and career and technical education coaches attended a panel discussion and received the new Virginia Maritime Association’s Maritime Career Guide during four outreach sessions hosted April 9-12 in Newport News and Norfolk by the association’s Education and Training Committee. This effort was designed to develop meaningful partnerships with area educators and counselors so they can share opportunities available in the maritime and supply chain logistics industry with their students and families. Industry leaders shared information about jobs in marine terminal operations, shipbuilding and ship repair, vessel operations, offshore wind, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, trucking, warehousing and distribution, as well as with the U.S. Coast Guard and Virginia Port Authority. The guide is available at VAmaritime.com under the resources tab in the career center section and will be updated regularly.

The Virginia Board of Education approved the establishment of two Lab Schools developed by Old Dominion University in Newport News and Chesapeake. ODU developed a proposal for a Maritime Engineering and Environmental Studies Academy in collaboration with Newport News Public Schools. It focuses heavily on student-guided and experiential learning, including internships and job shadowing opportunities, to prepare students for a world of digital engineering. The academy aligns with ODU education, research and innovation efforts around maritime engineering and the Virginia Digital Maritime Center, designed to enhance the region’s maritime workforce. ODU also developed a Computer Science Lab School in collaboration with Chesapeake Public Schools’ Oscar Smith Middle School. Its mission is to empower underrepresented middle school students through transformative opportunities and experiences with an innovative focus on computer science principles. CSLS is designed to prepare students for the technology talent pipeline with a regional focus that aligns with workforce needs and increases the number of K-12 teachers prepared to teach computer science.

Expansion

Norfolk-based Magazine Jukebox Inc. expanded to Australia in March with the addition of a new commercial partner, The Tumble Club. The Tumble Club Laundries are 11, 24/7 self-serve laundromats with some locations providing wash, dry, and fold services. The laundromats, with three more coming soon, are completely cashless, offering kiosk or QR code payment options. Magazine Jukebox offers a digital entertainment platform with popular magazines, games and trivia for commercial spaces without having to download an app. Visitors access the entertainment by scanning a geo-fenced QR code with a personal smart phone or tablet. The digital subscription is paid for by the business and made available to customers for free.

The Cannabist Co. expanded its partnership with Airo Brands to sell Airo’s vapor systems, including AiroPro and AiroSport batteries, AiroX All-In-One and AiroPod cartridge oil formulations at its Cannabist locations in Virginia, including in Norfolk, Suffolk, Hampton, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.

Virginia Beach-based Kinum Inc., formerly Fidelis Asset Management, launched its newest product, AI Collections, after several months of testing and compliance review. With no additional cost, it will help recover debt for clients by giving consumers better options to communicate via texting, email and consumer payment portal services to set up payment arrangements. Kinum is committed to compliance with all federal, state and local laws.

Fundraiser

Harris Teeter launched its annual Support the People Who Serve round-up campaign to benefit the USO. Through July 16, shoppers can round up their transaction to the nearest whole dollar at checkout with 100% of funds raised donated to local USO locations throughout Harris Teeter’s marketing areas. The campaign is held in support of active-duty military and their families as well as wounded service members, those transitioning back to civilian life and families of the fallen. In 2023, the round-up campaign raised more than $1.1 million, bringing the total raised since 2012 to more than $13.6 million.

Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer partnered with The Life Ring Foundation for the first quarter of 2024 through the Thalhimer Gives program. The Roanoke-based foundation is an organization dedicated to fighting pediatric cancer. For the first time in its six-year history, all seven Thalhimer offices joined together to donate $8,487.50 matched by Thalhimer for a total of $17,000 to the foundation. Chili cook-offs hosted in Thalhimer’s offices raised $1,295 raised for Life Ring. A companywide March Madness bracket yielded 114 brackets and $1,140 raised through bracket entry fees. Thalhimer offices sourced gifts and created 50 care packages for patients and caregivers of Carilion Roanoke’s pediatric cancer center. Associates donated over $2,180 for the items to fill the packages. Thalhimer associates participated in a Cards for Kids quarter-long activity and created over 125 handmade cards of encouragement for patients and caregivers of Life Ring participants.

New treatment

Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group, a network of over 240 physicians and advanced care providers in over 85 locations across the Tidewater area, announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Akebia pharmaceutical’s Vafseo (vadadustat) tablets, a drug used for the treatment of anemia from chronic kidney disease in adults on dialysis. Beginning in February 2019, the TPMG Clinical Research Division in Newport News conducted clinical trials for this drug to test the efficacy of stimulating the body’s physiologic response to achieve and sustain target hemoglobin levels. Anemia is a common issue for individuals undergoing dialysis. The majority of approved treatments for CKD-related anemia must be administered as an injection at dialysis centers. The oral tablets are easier and more accessible for patients.

Openings

Carter Machinery’s newest Carter Rental store opened at 201 Suburban Drive in Suffolk, the city announced. Carter Machinery is the authorized Cat dealer for Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia, offering products for various industries including construction, earthmoving, landscaping, specialty trades, paving and more. Carter Rental’s extensive inventory of top-quality tools, machinery and equipment is a valuable resource for contractors, homeowners and professionals.

Rise Yoga and Wellness, a Christian-based hot yoga studio in Grafton Square at 4740 George Washington Memorial Highway in York County, celebrated its opening in May after three months. Owner Amanda Clarke is a long-time resident of York County.

Cabinets To Go opened at 13751 Warwick Blvd. in Newport News in May.

Café Davina, a coffee and crepe café, opened a storefront in downtown Suffolk on April 30 after gaining fans for its mobile coffee trailer started last fall. The cafe is operating in an indoor space at the entrance of the Pinner House historic property, operating as a bed and breakfast at 231 Pinner St. The menu boasts an array of sweet and savory crepes, including classic favorites like Nutella and strawberry. The cafe will host vendor fairs, providing local artists a platform to showcase their talents. Cafe Davina is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Visit Facebook.com/PHCoffeeBar.

Twisted Crab Seafood & Bar opened at 4066 Victory Blvd. in Portsmouth on April 19, serving Cajun-style seafood dishes, such as crab legs, shrimp, clams, mussels and more.

Bloom Coworking and The Portsmouth Partnership opened Bloom Market at 719 High St. in Portsmouth on March 28 to help early-stage businesses grow while selling a collection of quality, locally made products not found elsewhere.

Milk Panda Café opened at 2268 York Crossing Drive in Hayes in April. It sells Boba tea, milk tea, frozen frappe, hot and cold drinks and pastries.

Rededication

Naval Medical Center Portsmouth celebrated 25 years for its Charette Health Care Center, originally dedicated on April 30, 1999. The center was the third addition built to form a medical center between historic Buildings 1 and 3. The 1 million square foot, five-story medical building contains 17 operating rooms, 300 exam rooms, 298 total capacity beds, 140 special treatment rooms and 26 elevators. The center is named for Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William R. Charette, who served with the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War where he came under hostile fire while helping the wounded. Despite his own injuries, he continued to treat and save the Marines he served alongside. In January 1954, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Sustainability

Town Center Cold Pressed introduced a Reuse Movement to help eliminate disposable cups and plastic waste and use eco-friendly coffee cups called HuskeeCups. Those in the program can bring in their clean HuskeeCup into a participating cafe, place their order and receive their new drink without negatively impacting the environment. Town Center Cold Pressed aims to be 35% plastic-free by the end of 2026. The business sells juices, coffee and health-conscious food items. Various quantities of reusable tactical black cups will be donated to all first responders at no charge, and first responders get 10% off refills. Locations are at Town Center at 168 Central Park Ave. and Red Mill at 1676 General Booth Blvd. in Virginia Beach, 1902 Colley Ave. in Ghent, Hilton Norfolk (The Main) at 100 E. Main St. in downtown Norfolk and at William & Mary at 200 Stadium Drive in Williamsburg.