Onward NRV Hosts 2024 Annual Dinner

Onward New River Valley held its 2024 Annual Investor Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the Highlander Hotel in Radford. The event brought together key stakeholders from across the region and featured a rooftop networking reception, buffet dinner, awards ceremony, and program. A total of 144 attendees were present.

Onward NRV Board Chair Mark Woolwine opened the evening by welcoming guests and expressing gratitude to elected officials, board members, Chairman-level investors, President-level investors, and event sponsors. He also recognized the 120+ businesses and organizations that support Onward NRV’s mission.

Following dinner, Mark presented Service Awards to former board members and acknowledged their contributions to the economic growth and development of Virginia’s New River Valley through their service. This year’s recipients included Chris Lawrence, Grayson Patterson, and Scott Blankenship.

Executive Director Katie Boswell then presented the 2024 Regional Impact Awards to Camrett Logistics, ESS Technologies, and Great Wilderness Brewing Company. These companies were recognized for their dedication to creating new jobs and investments in the region.

Katie also updated investors on Onward NRV’s strategic plan, Onward 2028, emphasizing the key role investors played in making talent development a priority. She briefly outlined talent-related initiatives of the last fiscal year and highlighted Onward NRV’s focus for the upcoming year.

Bill Torney, Regional Sales Director at Segra, the event’s Annual Dinner sponsor, spoke about Segra’s national fiber network and how it keeps businesses connected. He then introduced the event’s keynote speaker, Dr. David Ayares, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Revivicor.

David shared why Revivicor and its parent company, United Therapeutics, chose Virginia’s New River Valley for their state-of-the-art facilities and discussed the groundbreaking xenotransplantation (the transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another) techniques Revivicor is using to save lives.

Onward Board of Directors Chair Mark Woolwine (left), Dr. David Ayares (middle), Onward Executive Director Katie Boswell (right).

Mark concluded the event with closing remarks, thanking investors for their continued support in making the NRV a premier destination to live, work, and do business.

Onward NRV extends a special thank you to Annual Dinner sponsor Segra, as well as Member One Federal Credit Union and Northpoint Insurance, sponsors of the Networking Reception.

Virginia’s New River Valley: Virginia’s New River Valley is an eclectic mix of interconnected small towns that each offer their own unique vibe and appeal. The region provides an abundance of cultural and social offerings due to the presence of three world-class universities, while retaining the charm and benefits of small town living. The NRV is home to a diverse and innovative business community with companies that range from high-tech startups to foreign-based corporations to specialty agribusiness. These organizations benefit from the collaborative spirit of our region and a loyal, highly-skilled, and educated workforce. The scenic beauty of the region also fosters a deep connection to nature, which is deepened by access to outdoor recreation and the preservation of our natural environment. It’s clear why Virginia’s New River Valley is “A Natural Fit.”

Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.