RICHMOND—Governor-elect Ralph Northam announced his bipartisan Transition Committee, consisting of Virginians from across the Commonwealth. Included in this list is Eastern Shore Keeper’s Executive Director, Jay Ford.
Ford and the rest of the committee will join Northam over the course of the next two months to lay the groundwork for Virginia’s next administration.
“This bipartisan group of community leaders reflects the diversity that makes our Commonwealth a wonderful and inclusive place to live,” said Governor-elect Northam.
Northam Transition Committee Members
Jonathan Aberman
Managing Director, Amplifier Ventures
McLean
Kim Adkins
Marketing Director, Carter Bank & Trust
Martinsville
Stephen R. Adkins
Chief, Chickahominy Tribe of Virginia
Charles County
The Honorable Kenneth “Kenny” Alexander
Mayor, City of Norfolk
Norfolk
The Honorable Lamont Bagby
House of Delegates
Henrico County
Andrea Bailey
President, Prince William County NAACP
Prince William County
Brian Ball
Partner, Williams Mullen
Richmond
Mark Bowles
Executive Vice President, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC
Richmond
Jennifer Bowles
Vice Mayor, Martinsville City Council
Martinsville
Robert Bragg III
President, Virginia Professional Fire Fighters
Richmond
Jeffrey “Jeff” Breit
Attorney, Breit, Drescher, Imprevento
Virginia Beach
David Broder
President, SEIU Virginia 512
Vienna
Carlos Brown
Member, Commonwealth Transportation Board
Richmond
The Honorable C. William “Bill” Carrico
Senate of Virginia
Grayson County
Keyanna Connor
State Director, Office of United States Senator Mark Warner
Richmond
Henry “Hap” Connors, Jr.
Member, Commonwealth Transportation Board
Fredericksburg
Vanessa Crawford
Sheriff, City of Petersburg
Petersburg
The Honorable Barbara A. Favola
Senate of Virginia
Arlington County
The Honorable Eileen Filler-Corn
House of Delegates
Springfield
The Honorable R. Creigh Deeds
Senate of Virginia
Bath County
The Honorable Adam P. Ebbin
Senate of Virginia
Alexandria
The Honorable Jay Fisette
Chairman, Arlington County Board of Supervisors
Arlington
Jay Ford
Executive Director, Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper
Norfolk
Steven Gould
Member, City of Danville School Board
Danville
Lori Haas
Virginia State Director, The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Richmond
Mike Hamlar
President, Hamlar Enterprises
Roanoke
The Honorable Eva T. Hardy
Former Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Richmond
Margaret Nimmo Holland
Executive Director, Voices for Virginia’s Children
Richmond
The Honorable Anne Holton
Former Virginia Secretary of Education, former First Lady of Virginia
Richmond
The Honorable Mike Hymes
Member, Tazewell Board of Supervisors
Tazewell
Allison Jones
HosPAC Director, Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
Richmond
Reverend Kelvin F. Jones
Director of Ministries, Blue Water Development
Chincoteague
Tarina Keene
Executive Director, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia
Richmond
Jack Kennedy
Clerk of the Court, Wise County Circuit Court
Norton
Dr. Babur Lateef
Ophthalmologist, Advanced Ophthalmology Inc.
Woodbridge
Dr. Michelle LaRue
Virginia State Director, CASA
Arlington
Dr. Jennifer Lee
Former Virginia Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources
Arlington
The Honorable Sherman P. Lea, Sr.
Mayor, City of Roanoke
Roanoke
Harry T. Lester
Chairman, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Virginia Beach
Jim Livingston
President, Virginia Education Association
Richmond
The Honorable Mamie Locke
Senate of Virginia
Hampton
The Honorable Alfonso H. Lopez
House of Delegates
Arlington
The Honorable Chris Lu
Former United States Deputy Secretary of Labor
Arlington
Leopoldo Martinez
Board Chair, Latino Victory Project
Washington, D.C.
Dennis Martire
Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager, LiUNA! Mid-Atlantic Region
Reston
The Honorable Andria McClellan
Member, Norfolk City Council
Norfolk
The Honorable Jennifer McClellan
Senate of Virginia
Richmond
Sanjay Mittal
CEO, eHealthObjects
Richmond
The Honorable Ross Mugler
Commissioner of the Revenue, City of Hampton
Hampton
Janet Muldoon
Legislative Assistant, Office of State Senator Richard Saslaw
Annandale
Edward Mullen
Partner, Reed Smith
Richmond
William L.”Bill” Murray
Member, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
Richmond
Reverend Tyrone Nelson
Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church
Richmond
Tram Nguyen
Co-Executive Director, New Virginia Majority
Washington, D.C.
Jeff Novak
Vice President and Deputy General Counsel – Ethics and Compliance, Oath Incorporated
Reston
Arnold Outlaw
President, United Steelworkers Local 8888 – Newport News
Newport News
The Honorable Edward “Ed” Owens
Mayor, Town of South Boston
South Boston
James Parrish
Executive Director, Equality Virginia
Richmond
The Honorable L.F. Payne
President, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC
Washington, D.C.
The Honorable Tom Perriello
Former Congressman
Charlottesville
Chris Petersen
Partner, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
Vienna
The Honorable Todd Pillion
House of Delegates
Abingdon
The Honorable Evans Poston
Commissioner of the Revenue, City of Norfolk
Norfolk
he Honorable Marcia “Cia” Price
House of Delegates
Newport News
Atif Qarni
Math Teacher, Prince William County
Woodbridge
The Honorable Phyllis Randall
Chairwoman, Board of Supervisors
Leesburg
The Honorable Sam Rasoul
House of Delegates
Roanoke City
Alexsis Rodgers
Director of Communications, Planned Parenthood Virginia
Richmond
Nikki Rovner
Associate State Director of External Affairs, The Nature Conservancy
Richmond
Jeff Rowe
President, Virginia Association of IBEW
Newport News
Anna Scholl
Executive Director, Progress Virginia
Albermarle
The Honorable Mark D. Sickles
House of Delegates
Franconia
Aimee Perron Siebert
Partner, Commonwealth Strategy Group
Richmond
The Honorable Levar Stoney
Mayor, City of Richmond
Richmond
The Honorable Richard Stuart
Senate of Virginia
Westmoreland County
Walter Tejada
President, Virginia Latino Leaders Council
Arlington
Michael “Mike” Town
Executive Director, League of Conservation Voters
Richmond
Pia Trigiani
Attorney, MercerTrigiani
Alexandria
Ed Turner
Disability Policy Consultant, Turner & Associates
Richmond
The Honorable Shannon Valentine
Former Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Lynchburg
Dr. Alan Wagner
Ophthalmologist, Wagner Macula & Retina Center
Virginia Beach
The Honorable Molly Ward
Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources
Hampton
The Honorable John Watkins
Former State Senator
Midlothian
Katharine Webb
Member, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
Richmond
Matthew “Matt” Yonka
President, Virginia State Building & Construction Trades Council
Richmond
Nicki Tiffany says
Yay, Jay!!!
Susan Rice says
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when liberal men are afraid of the light.
Chas Cornweller says
Susan, I am not really sure what you are alluding to…other than crowing out some liberal bashin’ right wingnut allegory. Which is about as far as you folks can reach. In my personal opinion however, regarding this article, a finer choice could not have been made in appointing Jay Ford to this position. I have met this young man. He is an articulate, intelligent, well informed gentleman, who is caring and above all has a heart for the health of the environment for the Eastern Shore. Ralph Northam is already proving to ALL Virginian’s that he is concerned about the health of this state’s citizens. The names on this list are a good sign that the newly elected Governor is taking his position seriously. To lightly dismiss this appointment as a political give me (gimme) is, in my honest opinion, a serious misinterpretation of the Governor’s and all political appointee’s roles within our working government. OR perhaps, Ms. Rice, you are so jaded with the politics of your so called conservative party, you would have expected an underhanded appointment to some crony with ties to Big Business to allow further degradation to the Chesapeake Bay or encourages the building of more CAFO’s. Or perhaps some unconstitutional Executive Order to overturn whatever wise decision had been made by the previous governor to curtail the overfishing of the menhaden so that the rest of the bay’s food chain should starve this winter. As far as being afraid of the light…not me, sister. In fact, truth and light are a beautiful thing. It’s the brutality of poor decisions made behind closed doors that frighten me. And should frighten you as well.
Congratulations Jay, Godspeed.
R Meyers says
Mr Cornweller, maybe it is you who needs to come out of the cornfield into the light. You have obviously not been paying attention to what the Shorekeeper has been doing for his entire term. Suggest you start by examining the local contributions to the Shorekeeper under the current exec director. You might also read about the funding by the MD foundation documented several times in the CCM and get some assistance from a light bulb.
sandra beerends says
I understood that Rev. Kelvin Jones from Capeville was on the transition committee also?
Note: Yes, Reverend Kelvin F. Jones Director of Ministries, Blue Water Development from Chincoteague is also on the list.
Chas Cornweller says
Okay, R. Meyers…I’ll bite. But, first of all, I am not squatting in some by now dead, dry, deer feeding cornfield somewhere. Far from it. I am actually ensconced in an ivory tower, far, far away from my beloved Eastern Shore. No need for rescue, for I have everything right here at my disposal. A great wealth of knowledge surrounds me and is easily accessible just by the mere touch of my deft fingers. But, I digress.
So, I took you up on your suggestion. First, referring to the Cape Charles Mirror for local information on the Shorekeeper (you see I DO put stock in what Wayne Creed puts down in print – and though we may not always agree, I will continue to refer his written word as the great possibility as to what is actually happening on the Shore) This is what I found…Headlines such as: Make the Chesapeake Bay Great Again – a July 2017 article on local citizens reaching out to clean up the bay’s miles of shoreline. Seems that Eastern Shorekeeper hosted this devious event. Next Headline…State Water Control Board Rejects Tyson’s Pollution Consent Order, July 2017. Seems that according to this article Jay Ford testified at the hearing, stating that that the civil penalties, $26,160, for exceeding permitted pollutant levels in treated stormwater and wastewater was not enough to act as a deterrent. The board agreed and instructed DEQ to levy a larger fine and to come up with a more stringent maintenance plan. So, unless you are a Tysons stock owner, I really don’t see how that hurts you. Next Headline: Permits for New Poultry Grow Houses (CAFO’s) Do Not Require Nutrient Testing. The links to Shorekeeper’s website was included in this article. I am guessing they have a concern with the amount of nutrients poured on the ground or filtered from these grow houses to the aquifer. Pretty shady stuff, huh? The next headline read: Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper Recognizes Local Farmer as 2016 Waterway Guardian, from a September, 2016 article. Seems Dave Lovell was recognized for his best management practices due to a conscientious method of responsible farming. Probably in ka-hoots with ole Jay and the established Libs up in Richmond.
Dang, R. Meyers let’s just cut to the chase…how about you enlighten me as to what I am missing. I do not attend meetings at Shorekeeper. I do not attend the public meetings regarding growth and progress on the Eastern Shore. I wish that I did. But, IF I am missing something, just come right out and say it. What is your problem with this guy? What has he done to so miss-align you with his philosophies on sustaining healthy and progressive methodologies as it relates to farming and the environment on the Eastern Shore. Please. Tell me what I am missing. I await your answer with baited breath.
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
” The names on this list are a good sign that the newly elected Governor is taking his position seriously.”
Buwahahahaha, a list of politicians, Union reps, lawyers and (Illegal) Immigrant rights group leaders, yeahsurerightyeah he’ s looking out for Virginia’s citizens…………..LOL!!!!!!!
I gots a nice bridge I wanna sell, and it sure seems like you are buying.
Why do Ivory towers always contain such dim lights?
Chas Cornweller says
Again, I respectfully ask the question…what is so injurious of Jay being appointed to this
position? Of course, Mike, I expect you not to have a coherent answer, so don’t play…you are
not of the Shore, therefore do not have a stake in the discussion. I am discussing this with a local.
And Mike, you surely aren’t suggesting that Trump Towers (an ivory tower if there ever was
one) houses…um, dim lights, are you?
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
Ivory Tower:
“From the 19th century, it has been used to designate an environment of intellectual pursuit disconnected from the practical concerns of everyday life.”
But you knew that, right Chas?
As for Jay, good on him. It’s nice that the ES has some SOME representation in Richmond………….
It must be nice, having that independent income, Chas. YOU can survive well, but so many of your fellow Shoremen don’t have that sinecure, do they? Why do you, and the policies you espouse hate the idea of them having a nicer life? A better job, a couple of buck in the bank, a retirement plan? Why Chas? Why do you want the rest of the ES’er’s to live in penury and poverty?
Why, that extra cash that Jay made Tyson spend COULD have been spent on waste abatement but nooooooooo, you want your wealthy liberal lawyer buddies up in NOVA or Richmond to get that $$$$$.
And they did. So much so that Tyson and Perdue had to go to CHINA to expand.
Nice job, Chas. Nice job. But hey, you gots yours, s crew the rest, right?
Chas Cornweller says
Ivory tower: noun; a state of privileged seclusion or separation from the facts and practicalities
of the real world. i.e. the ivory tower of academia.
But, you knew that, didn’t you Mike? No, I was being facetious, something that I think gets lost
in the written word. It’s hard to translate sarcasm from one’s mind unto paper and into someone
else’s reading comprehension. Oh well, no one can fault me for trying.
And speaking of trying…it seems I am stuck with you being the only spokesperson to answer my
question on Jay Ford and why is he so vilified on the Eastern Shore? No one seems to want to
tackle that simple question, but you…Mike Kuzma, Jr. of the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Tis a
shame. Truth is so very difficult to come by these days. And speaking of truth…your mind has
skewed the facts once again, Mr. Kuzma. You see, Tyson and Perdue went with hat in hand to
China to expand their production long before this particular fine you speak off was paid. And
speaking of fines…it’s not their first. In fact, since the year two thousand (2000), Perdue has
paid a total of nearly Twelve Million dollars for such infractions as wage violations, employment
discrimination, workplace safety or health violations, environmental violations and labor
relations violations. Twelve million ($12,000,000). Wow! Don’t you think it would be cheaper
just to play by the rules? And that is just Perdue. I didn’t research Tyson foods. Maybe, because
China is the bank nowadays, that is why they expanded their trade there. You think?
Think about it. All of those new shiny CAFO’s to house millions and millions of defecating and
antibiotic injected birds are NOT for American consumption. Hardly. They will be packed off
and shipped to feed hundreds of millions of Chinese. Now THAT is a global economy on the
march! So, while they trash the Eastern Shore environment, Perdue and Tyson feed a potential
enemy army. Doesn’t that just make you feel all warm and fuzzy Mr. Kuzma?
No, I am not a rich man, I get by. But, I do work in an Ivory Tower somewhere. I am surrounded
by facts. Hard, cold, analytical facts. And truth be told…as difficult as it is to face, I’d rather be
in touch with the facts in some ivory tower somewhere, than choking on sand while my head is
buried to cover the sounds of truth. Have a beautiful Thanksgiving.
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
And a Happy Thanksgiving to you too, Chas.
Enjoy your Turkey, we here in NJ are one of the largest producers of them, and guess what? Even with more lawyers than any other state, we still managed to raise ’em without too much trouble or pollution.
And we also change the rules every chance we get so that those fat fines can enrich our coffers too!!!! So, I hate to break it to you, but a record of paying fines-IMO- speaks more to Tacitus’s imprecation that the more rules a society imposes, the greater the corruption.
You have to be embarrassed that NJ can do something you in Va can’t……….;)
And please, if your Ivory tower is one of academia, the ‘facts’ you are surrounded by are as credible as Princeton’s multiple gender designations.
And , while I am not actually OF the Pine Barrens-the second largest natural aquifer in the world, second only to Siberia’s pine aquifer- we have ben able to develop that area-with great great respect to it’s makeup- and provide NJ residents with the highest incomes in America, next to Connecticut(we actually trade off the top spot with them)
Because you see, people need to work and make money.
Like the ShoreKeepers; they sell memberships but jeez, the info on their activities is non existent. Lotsa blank pages EXCEPT for the hey fill out this snitch form and the pages for paying membership fees.
Maybe, just maybe agitating against the employer over there has NOT made Jay any friends……….other than the liberal elite who have independent incomes……..
Besides, why do you want Chinese people to starve? Are they not human? From your positions taken, it is clear that you live on the left side, and they are all about globalism and NAFTA and a borderless world…..so what’s the problem? Is it NIMBYism?
I will give thanks for you tomorrow, for I do enjoy our colloquy. But just to aggravate you a wee bit, I’ll pray for you too.
😉
Sarah Morgan says
Mike Kuzma,
While reading your missive, I was struck your misuse of the word “it’s.” It’s means it is. Please learn this and don’t reduce the impact of your ideas by using bad English. For someone who uses “big” words like “imprecation” to be bereft of basic usage is a shame.
Sarah Morgan
Sally Roberts says
WOW!!!!! What utter BS. Why do you care if a word was misused? The School system you attended really left a severe impression on you. He is a grown man who can do as he pleases. Maybe you should volunteer to grade papers for free. I am sure there are teachers who would rather spend more time on social media.
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
Sorry Sarah, Autocorrect is not my friend. My fat fingers and failing eyes apologize.
Ray Otton says
Don’t you just love it when someone corrects your grammar with a grammatical mistake of their own?
FWIW, “Bad English” is poor English. The proper term is “Poor English”.
Your welcome. (See what I did they’re?)
Stuart Bell says
They would only do it, once.
Dana Lascu says
Sarah is correct. “Bad English” is an appropriate, albeit less formal, expression. When I need a good doze of bad English and righteous ignorance, I read the Mirror – it is my perverse joy.
Ray Otton says
No, “bad English” is used in conversation while “poor English” is used in writing. Since Sarah was writing her comment she did indeed use poor English.
However, my original point was that her comment was pedantic and added nothing to the conversation while attempting to denigrate another poster’s grammar.
Much like this little sidebar.
Sally Roberts says
When I look to blame the brain washing of our children, I look to the teachers at colleges and universities.
‘ We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when liberals are afraid of the light. ‘
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
Please, it is all good…;)……………..I appreciate Ms. Morgan caring enough to gently correct me.
Merry Christmas to everyone!!!! It’s the best time of the year!!!!!!!!
Note: Thanks Mike, and yes, a good copy editor is hard to find.
Todd says
How about that late term abortion? “We will make the baby comfortable, and if seen fit physician and parents can discuss its resuscitation”. 😂 you loons must be kidding! Wait wait all of you better be not caught in a car or using a cell phone, appliance, and or anything requiring fossil fuels to develop. I want to see hemp cloths and butter churning commence! Bikes and log fires or sorry solar heaters! Get a clue people you all need Jesus.
Tom Parks says
I no longer view them as my fellow Americans…period.