PLP Alumni News
Apr 12 2011 - 2:50pm
Marion "Bo" Trumbo (PLP 2009) was recently appointed to the Secure Rural Schools Virginia Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) by United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determinaition act of 200, reauthorized by Congress in 2008, the RAC will recommend funding for projects on federal lands, or that will benefit resources on federal lands, in participating counties (Alleghany, Amherst, Bath, Rockbridge, Smyth, Wythe). Committee members are appointed to four-year terms. Congratulations Bo!
Apr 12 2011 - 1:40pm
Aubrey Layne has been reappointed to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Commission. Aubrey is the President of Great Atlantic Management in Virginia Beach and a member of the current Political Leaders Program class.
Apr 12 2011 - 1:33pm
On April 8, Gov. McDonnell announced additional appointments to his administration. Cathie France (PLP 2005) joins the Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy as the new Deputy Director for Energy Policy. Previously she served as the Director of Government Relations at Virginia Natural Gas.
Cathie also serves on the Sorensen Institute's Hampton Roads Regional Board.
Apr 11 2011 - 9:40am
The Sorensen Institute would like to welcome the Political Leaders Program Class of 2011 to the Sorensen family! We recently updated our website to include their class under the Political Leaders Program Alumni section. On the PLP 2011 class page, you'll find detailed biographies for each of our 34 participants. The class has already met in Williamsburg and Richmond. They will next meet in Martinsville this May.
Apr 11 2011 - 9:28am
Political Leaders Program Class of 2009 alumnus Art Major currently serves as President of GearClean, Inc. This past week, GearClean was recognized by Governor Bob McDonnell as a recipient of one of the 2011 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards. GearClean, headquartered in Winchester, was recognized in the Environmental Project Small Business category for their work in the Deepwater Horizon response. GearClean introduced a revolutionary decontamination process to help clean contaminated vessels. During the project, GearClean was able to remove contaminates from vessels without the use of solvents and cleaners and without producing secondary waste.
The Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards recognize significant contributions of environmental and conservation leaders in three categories: environmental projects, environmental programs and land conservation. They can be awarded to businesses and industrial facilities, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies and individuals. Additional information on the Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards is available here. Sorensen congratulates Art and GearClean!
Mar 23 2011 - 8:49pm
On Thursd
ay March 24, 2011, the Women's Leadership Forum will award of $60,000 in scholarships to local high school students and present their 2011 Women's Leadership Award. This year, the award will honor Ms. Melanne Verveer. Ms. Verveer currently serves as Ambassador-At-Large for Global Women's Issues and is co-founder of Vital Voices. The mission of the Woman's Leadership Forum is to encourage all women to be active in government, public issues, and policy debates concerning their community. Ms. Verveer will deliver a keynote address and will then present the Emily Couric Leadership Scholarship to an outstanding female high school student. Those students from Albemarle County and Charlottesville are invited to apply.
The Scholarship's name-sake, Emily Couric, served as a two-term Virginia State Senator. In addition to this, Ms. Couric was a member of the Sorensen Institute's first Political Leaders Program Class in the Spring of 1994. A rising star in Virginia Politics, Ms. Couric was in the midst of her campaign for Lieutenant Governor when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Emily passed away in October of 2001 as a result of her disease.
Mar 8 2011 - 11:00am
Scarlett Marie Alcorn was born Friday evening, March 4, weighing 8 pounds. "She was born with a full head of dark Alcorn hair and a healthy set of lungs," said James. Mom and baby are home and doing fine.
Congratulations James and Kathy!
Jan 21 2011 - 12:10pm
Joe Walton, a member of the Political Leaders Program Class of 2008, has been elected Chairman of the Powhatan Board of Supervisors by his colleagues on the board. Walton was nominated to the position by Supervisor Robert Cosby and was elected in a 3-1 vote and abstained from voting on his own nomination. Walton has served as the board's Vice Chairman during 2010 and will succeed Cosby; who served as Board Chairman for 30 years.
For more information, please read the article posted on Powhatan Today.
Jan 20 2011 - 4:39pm
Chris Fairchild (PLP 2008), Chairman of the Sorensen Institute's Charlottesville Regional Alumni Chapter, has been named to the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors to fill the vacant Rivanna District seat. Elected unanimously, Fairchild will serve out the remainder of the term until December 2011.
Fairchild was nominated by Supervisor Joe Chesser. When asked why he wanted the postition, he stated, “I’m here because I care a great deal about our county.” In December 2010, the Rivanna Disctict seat was left vacant by Gene Ott. The Board of Supervisors voted yesterday, 5-0, to seat him. His first meeting will be Feb. 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Congratulations Chris!
Jan 14 2011 - 11:56am
In a statement this week, Gov. McDonnell appointed Jean Jensen (PLP 1996), member of the Sorensen Institute State Advisory Board, to the new Independent Bipartisan Advisory Commission on Redistricting.
Jean served as Deputy, then Secretary of the State Board of Elections from 2001 to 2007, appointed by Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. During her time of service, she had the unique opportunity to initiate the implementation of the mandates of the federal Help America Vote Act that allocated $60 million to improve the electoral process in Virginia.
The Independent Bipartisan Advisory Commission on Redistricting "will create and review proposed redistricting plans for the Virginia House of Delegates, Senate of Virginia, and Congressional districts. The Commission will then recommend plans that meet the required criteria to the General Assembly."
Gov. McDonnell has also appointed Sean O'Brien, Executive Director of the Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier and former Executive Director of the Sorensen Institute.
Dr. Quentin Kidd of Christopher Newport University, longtime faculty member for Sorensen's Youth Programs, will be among those supporting the Commission's work in an advisory capacity.
