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| Business Intelligence for Virginia's Entrepreneurial Economy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue... Expansions, Relocations and Launches, Who's Hot, Who's Winning Business, Deals & Partnerships, Innovations, Partnerships & Collaborations, Research & Intellectual Property, Trends, Commentary, Other, Events Click here to forward to a friend or colleague who might like this newsletter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Expansions, Relocations & Launches   | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In Brief... ALEXANDRIA--Fargo Electronics, Inc., a developer of secure technologies for card identity systems, has opened an office in Alexandria - the first outside its Minneapolis, Minn., headquarters -- to serve its expanding federal government business. More. VIENNA--FlatBurger Inc., a company that supports software developers working in modular, open source software environments, has opened "FlatBurgerLabs," a performance and testing lab located in the city of Minsk, Belarus. More. RESTON--Proxicom, Inc., an Internet and IT consulting firm, has opened an office in Bingham Farms, Mich., in the Detroit area, to serve the company's clients in the automotive industry. More. Mental Fitness: Upping the Ante In the third week of my mental fitness program, kSero is homing in on my cognitive limitations... Orange elephants and green dinosaurs... A theta/alpha imbalance... a puzzling reaction to the RNA tablets... Correcting bad habits... by James A. Bacon The orange elephants and green dinosaurs really TICKED me off. In a series of exercises designed to measure my short-term memory and mental processing speed, I flunked a test -- twice! -- that required me to match the color of cows, elephants and other animals with color on the border of the computer screen... Oh, I got all the answers right, but I was too slow. In the first test, I took 1.56 seconds to recognize the pattern and click a mouse button, just shy of the 1.5 seconds needed to pass. The second time, I was even slower. That really frosted me. I still can't believe I took so long. Stinkin' orange elephants! But the computer doesn't lie. And it doesn't forget. The work station at the kSero Corporation office keeps a log of all my test results, so we can measure my improvement (or deterioration) in cognitive performance. Building an empirical database is a critical part of the kSero method. More. Read Part I in the "Mental Fitness" series. Read Part II in the "Mental Fitness" series. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Hot... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MobileAccess Secures $11 Million in Private Equity VIENNA--MobileAccess Networks, a developer of wireless networks, has raised $11 million from Ziegler Meditech Equity Partners, a private equity firm investing in the healthcare IT markets. The capital infusion positions MobileAccess for growth in the rapidly accelerating enterprise wireless sector. Said Sam Cubac, managing director of ZMEP: "MobileAccess is aggressively pursuing the healthcare marketplace, establishing itself as a leader in delivering ubiquitous, reliable, secure wireless coverage in hospitals." More. ServiceBench Raises $7.3 Million FAIRFAX--ServiceBench, Inc., a developer of on-demand service management solutions, has raised $7.3 Million in a Series D round led by Valhalla Partners. The capital will be used to pursue new market opportunities and drive expansion in the U.S. and abroad. More. In Brief... HERNDON--Windward Consulting Group, an operational management consulting and systems engineering firm, grew by 48 percent during the first two quarters of 2006, adding additional client support and technical engineering staff. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Not | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WebMethods Trips over SarBox Regulations FAIRFAX--webMethods, Inc., is extending the deadline for filing its Annual Report, citing difficulty meeting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Stated the company: "Management has concluded that the company had a material weakness related to its failure to maintain effective controls over the accuracy and valuation of its income tax provision, deferred income tax accounts and the related valuation allowances. Specifically, the company did not timely perform an effective evaluation of the continued profitability of certain of its foreign subsidiaries." More. SteelCloud Chairman Resigns HERNDON-Thomas P. Dunne, chairman of SteelCloud, Inc., a manufacturer of specialized servers, has resigned as chairman and from the board of directors. The resignation came in response to an investigation by the Audit Committee of the board relating to Dunne's attempted exercise of employee stock options. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Who's Winning Business... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Raytheon Awarded Satellite-Support Contract NORFOLK--Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC, has received a five-year, $31.5 million U.S. Navy contract to provide logistics support for the USC-38 satellite communications system. Supply support and equipment repair will be performed at RTSC's Norfolk and Chula Vista, Calif., facilities. More. Maryland Firm to Build VITA Complex CHESTER--Corporate Office Properties Trust, a real estate investment trust based in Columbia, Md., has inked a deal with Northrup Grumman Corp. to build the defense contractor a previously announced, 200,000-square-foot office complex in Chesterfield County, Va. The facility, to be located in the Meadowville Technology Park, will house the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. More. Concept Solutions Deploys Airspace Coordinating System RESTON--ConceptSolutions has deployed a new Military Airspace Data Entry system for the Federal Aviation Administration. The Web-based system facilitates coordination between military and civilian agencies, enabling the military to safely and efficiently schedule use of Special Use Airspace, Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace, and Military Training Routes. In Brief... ALEXANDRIA--Michael Baker Jr., Inc., has won a contract to provide program management and individual housing inspection services that are critical in assessing damage affected by disasters of all types. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Deal Makers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Day of Reckoning: Mythic Entertainment to be Acquired by Electronic Arts FAIRFAX-Mythic Entertainment, a developer of massively multiplayer role-playing games, has agreed to be acquired by Electronic Arts Inc., of Redwood City, Calif., an interactive entertainment software giant. Recognized for revolutionizing the online gaming space with Dark Age of Camelot, the studio is currently developing Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Mark Jacobs, CEO of Mythic, will become vice president, general manager of EA Mythic. The company's 175-person development team will remain in Fairfax. More. Orion Acquired by Entrust for $8 Million MCLEAN--Orion Security Solutions, a supplier of public key infrastructure services, has been acquired by Dallas-based Entrust, Inc., for $8 million in cash plus up to $1 million more if performance targets are met. Orion has $4 million in annual service revenues, mainly from federal government agencies. Said Orion founder Santosh Chokhani: "The implementation of public key solutions is spreading around the world, which represents an ideal opportunity to drive global identity architectures building upon key initiatives like ePassports and national ID card programs." More. Acme Sold to Global Imaging ROANOKE-Acme Business Machines, a seller and servicer of office copiers, has been sold to Global Imaging Systems, Inc., of Tampa, Fla. With annual revenues of approximately $2.8 million, aCME will operate as a part of the company's Electronic Systems, Inc., unit, which is headquartered in Virginia Beach. More. WebSurveyor, Perseus Merge HERNDON-WebSurveyor, a developer of online survey tools, has merged with Perseus Development Corporation, of Braintree, Mass., a provider of enterprise feedback management solutions. The entities will be combined under a holding company formed by Austin Ventures. The combined companies are strategically positioned and funded to deliver a complete line of web survey tools, solutions, services and delivery options enabling clients firms to analyze feedback for improved decision support. More. MHI Unloads Williamsburg Hotel WILLIAMSBURG--MHI Hospitality Corporation has entered into an agreement with an unnamed buyer to sell the 137-room Holiday Inn Downtown, located in Williamsburg, for $4.75 million. Said CEO Andrew M. Sims: "The sale of this non-core asset aligns with our strategy to focus on larger hotels in intrinsically strong markets having superior upside potential for well-positioned assets." More. In Brief... HERNDON--Focus Diagnostics, Inc., has sold its interest in Focus Bio-Inova, a pharmaceutical testing business, to Eurofins Scientific, a global leader in bio-analysis. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Innovations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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washingtonpost.com Launches Global Blog ARLINGTON--Washingtonpost.Newsweek Interactive has launched PostGlobal, a panel blog featuring respected thinkers from 30 countries around the world, from Iran and Mexico to Saudi Arabia and India. Twice a week, David Ignatius of The Washington Post and Fareed Zakaria of Newsweek will pose a question to PostGlobal's diverse network of experts with the aim of stimulating a global dialogue on critical global issues. More. Advance Auto Distributes Do-it-yourself Videos through iPod ROANOKE--Advance Auto Parts, a retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, is offering free downloads of instructional car-repair videos through Apple's video iPod technology. More than 20 of Advance's "how to" videos are available, showing do-it-yourselfers how to perform tasks from changing oil to installing shocks and struts. More. PBM Introduces Baby Cereal Brand GORDONSVILLE--PBM Products, LLC, supplier of infant formulas and nutritional products, has expanded its relationship with Wal-Mart Stores, supplying an array of Parent's Choice Baby and Toddler Foods. Said CEO Paul B. Manning: "The launch of baby cereals and toddler foods marks a new stage in our company's history. Parents can now go to their local Wal-Mart stores to find value-priced cereals and foods for their babies and young children under the trusted Parent's Choice brand." Fully cooked and ready-to-serve, Parent's Choice Baby Cereals come in re-sealable bagS that preserve freshness and prevents mess. The cereals are made from 100 percent real fruit and vegetables with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. More. So Much for the Paperless Office... MCLEAN--Visioneer, a developer of intelligent imaging solutions, has introduced two high-speed ADF scanners designed to address desktop and departmental scanning needs for a broad range of government agency applications. Said Don F. McMahan, executive vice president of sales: "Today's public sector is facing a difficult task in managing the large and rapidly increasing volume of paper and electronic information. ... Visioneer's Patriot product-line is designed to improve records management productivity and regulatory compliance requirements." More. McNair Unveils Honeymooner-Driven Travel Site ALEXANDRIA--MacNair Travel Management/American Express has launched a consumer-focused website dedicated to vacation travel and resources. Said Vacation Manager Skip Fortier: "Unique aspects of [our website] include a first-time honeymoon registry to help our honeymoon couples take the dream honeymoon they desire. Friends and family can contribute money toward the couple's honeymoon including airfare, resort accommodations, restaurants, spa treatments and excursions." More. MicroPact Releases Tracking Software HERNDON--MicroPact Engineering Inc., has released entelliTrak, a flexible, easily configurable web-based tracking software for government agencies and mid-to-large size companies. Said President Kris Collo: "What really differentiates entelliTrak is that it can easily be configured by each agency or company, to their own specific needs." In Brief... CHARLOTTESVILLE--ADI Engineering, Inc., a developer of reference platforms and related products for OEMs based on Intel technology, has introduced a new reference platform called "Sidewinder" for the Intel IXP4XX product line. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Partnerships & Collaborations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ZyLAB Partners with LexisNexis VIENNA--ZyLAB, a developer of information-access solutions, has partnered with LexisNexis CaseSoft, of Ponte Verda, Fla., to integrate ZyLAB's ZyIMAGE software with CaseMap, a software used widely in the criminal justice system. Said D. Hamilton Peterson, with the AmtrakOffice of Inspector General's Office of Investigations: "This integrative capability enables our entire investigative team to quickly retrieve and group vast amounts of information and immediately generate hyperlinked case-information spreadsheets and trial presentations." More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | R&D / Intellectual Property | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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VCU Profs Develop Material for Vascular Grafts RICHMOND--Virginia Commonwealth University engineers and scientists have developed a new material that may one day help patients with damaged arteries regenerate new ones. The material is a blend of polydioxanone, a synthetic biodegradable polymer that has been used in suture materials for years, and elastin fibers, used to enhance elasticity and bioactivity of the graft. Said engineering professor Gary Bowlin: "We have created a vascular graft with a combination of strength and bioactivity - two things we need to maintain and regenerate the graft." More. Hokies Launch Biochemical Simulator Software BLACKSBURG--EML Research and the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech have launched COPASI (Complex Pathway Simulator) simulation software, which allows users to model, simulate and analyze biochemical and systems biology networks. Said Ursula Kummer, principal investigator with EML: "Simulation and modeling are becoming increasingly important tools in systems biology research and can be used to test the physical and chemical limitations as well as feasibility of a wide range of biochemical reactions." More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | People | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Luter Passes Smithfield Baton to Pope SMITHFIELD--Joseph W. Luter, III, will relinquish the title of CEO of Smithfield Foods, Inc., after serving for 31 years in that position. Stepping aside for C. Larry Pope, currently president and COO, Luter will focus on acquisitions and long-term strategic development, areas where he believes he can make the greatest contribution to the company. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Trends | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Chmura Economics & Analytics |
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 Auto sales have picked up in Virginia during the last two months, rising from a three year low. However, sales in the state have still declined over the last year, decreasing by 5.1 percent. Auto sales in Virginia peaked last August before hitting a trough in February 2006. As of April 2006, the six-month moving average for auto sales in the state stood at 38,187. Auto sales are a key indicator of consumer spending and comprise roughly 25 percent of total retail sales for any given period. For details and forecasts of economic conditions across Virginia, as well as a list of Chmura Economics & Analytics (CEA) products and services, click here or call 804-649-1107. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Other News | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Guv Signs Bill to Permit Pooling of Health Insurance RICHMOND-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has signed a General Assembly bill that allows small businesses, defined as those with fewer than 50 employees, to collectively purchase health insurance for their employees. The legislation also allows small businesses that currently have a coverage plan to increase health insurance options for their employees. More. Genworth Seeks Ratings Gold in "Treasure Hunters" RICHMOND--Genworth Financial has signed up as a lead sponsor of NBC's summer reality entertainment series, "Treasure Hunters." This fast-paced adventure/mystery reality series features 10 teams competing to find a treasure, to be provided by Genworth Financial, that is billed as one of the largest prizes in television history. More. Richmond P.D. Deploys New Computer-Aided Dispatch System RICHMOND-The City of Richmond has selected Intergraph Corporation of Huntsville, Ala., to deploy an advanced computer-aided dispatch system for its police, fire and emergency medical services departments. Said Bill Hobgood, project manager with the city's IT department: "This system will significantly improve our ability to effectively plan and respond to emergency incidents. Our legacy system was not built to take advantage of the rich information available through modern, real-time geospatial information systems and, as such, could not fully leverage the capabilities of our GIS system." More. In Brief... VIENNA--Softek Storage Solutions, a developer of data mobility solutions, announced that its software has moved more than 40 petabytes of data non-disruptively - equivalent to 2,000 times the data in the Library of Congress - over the last few years. More. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Commentary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Creativity Behind the Scenes Despite budget disagreements that grab the headlines, Virginia lawmakers are coming to quiet agreement on several ways to make government work more productively. More. |
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The Politics of Seeming to Care American politicians pander to the populace, telling them what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. In this year's transportation debate, Virginia's lawmakers are no exception. The expression was coined by columnist George Will, but "the politics of seeming to care" so aptly describes what has happened to our representative form of governance that I don't hesitate to borrow it. What concerned the Founders when they designed our political system at the end of the 18th century is a pervasive condition today at all levels of government. Too many elected officials are so eager to please their constituents that they are incapable of making hardheaded decisions in the best interest of those very constituents. More. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back To Top | Events | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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VA Newswire is a free, email-based weekly newsletter that covers news and events from around the state. If you have any news, events, job openings, or office space availability that you would like to include in next week's newswire, email jabacon@baconsrebellion.com. Click here for a free subscription. Click here to unsubscribe. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
