12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 10 Number 5 Around Hampton Roads


Chesapeake Middle School Principal Receives $25,000 Milken


“Eddie Moore is the right leader at the right time for Norfolk State,” asserts Chewning. “His strong leadership skills have been invaluable during a challenging period for the university, and continuity of leadership will allow us to stay focused on key initiatives vital to the future growth of university.”


Educator Award Hugo A. Owens Middle School Principal Amber Dortch has received a $25,000 Milken Educator Award during a surprise assembly at the Chesapeake school. The award was presented by Secretary of Education Anne Holton, Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples, and Milken Family Foundation Senior Vice President Jane Foley in the school gymnasium, which was filled with cheering students and faculty.


Dortch, who celebrated her 35th birthday on December 9, has served as principal of Hugo A. Owens Middle since 2013. Under her leadership, the school has maintained its Fully Accredited rating despite significant increases in the rigor of the commonwealth’s standards and assessments in mathematics, English and science. “Amber Dortch epitomizes the 21st-century instructional leader who inspires her teachers and equips them with the tools, strategies and data they need to improve outcomes for students,” Staples said. “She is a constant presence — in the halls and in the classrooms — always encouraging students to believe in themselves and to make every moment count.”


During 2014-2015, 83 percent of Hugo A. Owens Middle students passed their state reading tests, a 10- point increase from the previous year. Eighty-nine percent passed in mathematics, a six-point improvement over achievement in 2013-2014. “As important as the test results is the school climate that Amber has fostered in which all students are valued and challenged to succeed,” Holton said. “She is a leader and a doer, working together with faculty and students to help the whole school thrive,” said Foley.


Hampton Roads’ Challenges with Rising Sea Levels Topic of


According to Chewning, among Moore’s accomplishments was the recent decision by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to remove NSU from probation. Moore’s oversight of a cross-departmental effort to prepare a monitoring report for SACSCOC successfully addressed administrative and procedural matters at the school, which existed prior to his arrival on campus.


“President Moore set the tone for improvement and change at NSU as Interim President and CEO,” Chewning continues. “He guided us through our accreditation challenges and helped us emerge a stronger institution.”


Before accepting the appointment as interim president and CEO, Moore had recently served as president of St. Paul’s College from November 2011 through June 2012. Previously, Moore served as the president of Virginia State University (VSU) from 1993-2010. Before his tenure at VSU, Moore was treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia, where he served on 18 state boards and had oversight authority for more than $20 billion of Virginia’s assets. He also served as comptroller at the College of William and Mary. Before entering the public sector, Moore had a corporate career with Gulf Oil Corporation, where he worked in accounting.


Discussion at Hampton Museum Hampton, Virginia - Paul B. Olsen, Director, Federal Commonwealth and Municipal Programs, Old Dominion Research Foundation, and Ret. Col. Kevin Felix, U.S. Army, Field Artillery Officer discuss regional challenges to climate change at the Hampton History Museum’s free “Lunch in Time” program, “Dutch Dialogues: Planning for Hampton Roads’ Rising Sea Levels” on Wednesday, January 20 at noon.


The accelerated slowing of the Gulf Stream makes the Hampton Roads region more susceptible to a rising sea level than anywhere else on the East Coast. Making this rising sea level even more dramatic is the region’s sinking coastal land mass. “What New York is facing in 100 years, we’re facing in 50,” Olsen reports. “While no one should be running for high ground just yet, it demonstrates the need to plan for this -More- Hampton Roads’ Challenges with Rising Sea Levels Topic of Discussion at Hampton History Museum Free Lunchtime Presentation January 20 development.”


The Hampton History Museum’s “Lunch in Time” presentation is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag lunch. The museum has free dessert. The Hampton History Museum is located at 120 Old Hampton Lane in downtown Hampton. There is plenty of free parking in the garage across the street from the museum. For information, dial 757/727-1610.


Pass for Newport News Residents and City Employees Provides Free


Admission to All Attractions ~ Available for pickup through Jan. 29, 2016 ~


Newport News, VA – Each year, the Newport News Ambassador Pass program encourages Newport News residents and current City of Newport News employees to be “visitors” in their own hometown. It provides pass-holders with an opportunity to learn more about the wealth of activities available in Newport News so this information can be shared with visiting friends and family. Ambassador Pass holders receive free one-time admission to eight city attractions, valid for two adults and two children. Those requesting a pass will be asked to show proof of current residency or city employment.


Ambassador Passes will be honored at the following two attractions each week throughout the month of January:


January 2-8, 2016 -- Peninsula Fine Arts Center Peninsula SPCA & Petting Zoo


January 9-15, 2016 -- The Mariners’ Museum Virginia War Museum January 16-22, 2016 -- Endview Plantation James A. Fields House January 23-29, 2016 -- Lee Hall Mansion Virginia Living Museum


The passes will be available for pickup from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning at the Newport News Visitor Center, 13560 Jefferson Ave., at the entrance to Newport News Park They can also be picked up between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from the Parks, Recreation and Tourism office in City Center at Oyster Point, 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 320, and from the City Manager’s Office at City Hall, 2400 Washington Ave., 10th floor. P Passes will be available at the three locations for the duration of the program, which ends Jan. 29, 2016.


newport-news.org


NSU Board of Visitors Takes Steps to Appoint Eddie Moore


Moore earned his bachelor of science in accounting from Penn State in 1968 and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh in 1975. He is a certified public accountant in Texas and the Commonwealth of Virginia (inactive). Moore is a Vietnam War veteran, who is a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement. Moore has earned several awards including the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award from the College of William and Mary. He holds honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from VSU and St. Paul’s College. He also received the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Funds Leadership Award, the Dominion Virginia Power Strong Men/Women in Leadership Award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Penn State in 1999 and the U.S. Army Outstanding Civilian Award, in addition to numerous other awards and honors. NSU.edu


New Portsmouth Department Heads


Selected and Announced In an effort to continue to build the New Portsmouth by recruiting the best and the brightest and to enhance service delivery to the citizens, City Manager, Dr. Lydia Pettis Patton, announces the following new City Department Heads:


Mallory C. Butler, Director of Economic Development -- Mrs. Mallory Butler has worked for the City of Portsmouth for nearly 20 years in Department of Economic Development and has also served as our Interim Director. She will serve the New Portsmouth as our Director with nearly 30 years of experience in the economic development field. Mrs. Butler has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council.


M. Elaine Breathwaite, Director of Behavioral Healthcare Services -- Ms. Elaine Breathwaite joined the New Portsmouth in October of 2015, as the Acting Director of Behavioral Healthcare Services. She has been appointed as our new Director with over 30 years of experience in the field. Ms. Breathwaite has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master of Arts degree in Education. She retired with the City of Portsmouth in 2014 and came out of retirement to rejoin the team.


Erin K. Trimyer, Director of Public Utilities -- Ms. Erin Trimyer has worked for the City of Portsmouth for 4 years in the Department of Public Utilities as the Assistant Director and has been serving a dual role as our Interim Director of Public Utilities and Interim Director of General Services. She will serve the New Portsmouth as the Director of Public Utilities with approximately 17 years of experience in the field. Ms. Trimyer has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Geotechnical Engineering and is licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE).


Alice M. Kelly, CPA, Chief Financial Officer -- Ms. Alice Kelly joined the New Portsmouth in July of 2015 as our Interim Assistant Chief Financial Officer. She will serve as our new Chief Financial Officer with 20 years of experience in finance. Ms. Kelly has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She came to Portsmouth from the City of Norfolk having served as their Director of Finance.


Daniel L. Jones, Director of Information Technology -- Mr. Daniel Jones will be joining the New Portsmouth on January 4, 2016 as the Director of Information Technology with over 17 years of experience in the areas of information technology, operations and finance. Mr. Jones has a Master’s of Science degree in Management Information Technology as well as a Master’s of Business Administration degree. He comes to Portsmouth from Kentucky Oil and Refining having served as their Director of Information Technology.


Mark W. Furlo, Director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services -- Mr. Mark Furlo will be joining the New Portsmouth on January 5, 2016 as the Director of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services with over 20 years of experience in the field of parks and recreation. Mr. Furlo has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education with a minor in Health Education and is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP). He comes to Portsmouth from Isle of Wight County having served as their Director of Parks and Recreation and also previously served with the City of Suffolk’s Parks and Recreation Department.


Permanent President Board authorizes Rector to finalize contract and replace interim title


The Norfolk State University Board of Visitors began the process of appointing Eddie N. Moore Jr. as permanent president of the 80-year-old public institution. The Board approved a resolution authorizing Board of Visitors Rector Thomas N. Chewning to negotiate and execute a contract with Moore, replacing the interim title he has held since joining the university in September 2013.


Elizabeth L. Gooden, Director of Human Resource Management -- Ms. Elizabeth Gooden joined the New Portsmouth on November 2, 2015 as the Director of Human Resource Management with over 20 years of experience in the field of human resources. Ms. Gooden has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Master’s in Business Administration. She comes to Portsmouth from City of Newport News having served as their Assistant Director of Human Resources and also previously served as the Assistant Director of Human Resource Management for the City of Portsmouth.


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January 2016


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