James Potter, or just Potter to his friends, was introduced to the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) last summer when he provided a project management training course to the staff.  For 18 years, Potter worked for UVA as a management consultant & trainer. He then worked for eight years as a Pharmaceutical Research Associate, providing global training & consulting to clients. For the last two years he has served as a UVA adjunct faculty member providing project management training and consulting.

Question: How did you first learn about the SVHEC and what were your initial impressions?

Potter: I first heard about the SVHEC because my in-laws are next door in Mecklenburg County. Having the SVHEC means having the ability to reach out and provide higher education to the local community, and to meet their needs at a low cost. All of those items are key.

Question: How would you describe the resources & assets of Southern Virginia?

Potter: Southern Virginia has a wealth of untapped human resources that can be used for various things. The issue is how do you tap into them and how do you provide employment and education to them?

Potter: The SVHEC ends up being a focal point for economic development. If you have a place (like the SVHEC) that’s trying to grow people, it can then support both your current industry and your future industry. It also supports people so they can find employment locally and also regionally. Yes, you can work for the local hospital in South Boston but you’re also within commuting distance of other health care centers.

Dr. Paul Winistorer is the Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech. He has been at Virginia Tech for 10 years, serving as dean for the last two years, and as department head of the wood science program prior to becoming dean. Dr. Winistorfer grew up and was educated in Iowa, spent time at the University of Georgia, and 16 years at the University of Tennessee before coming to VT in the spring of 2001. Dr. Winistorfer, who describes himself as a “wood materials person by education and passion,” is right at home in the College of Natural Resources & Environment because of its focus on forestry, wildlife, fisheries, geography, water, and wood science. Dr. Winistorfer and his peers are considered to be the very best in North America at what they do.

In his role as dean, which he describes as being like the CEO of a company, Dr. Winistorfer works to get the support, connections, and funds the College of Natural Resources & Environment needs for new initiatives, equipment, staffing, and infrastructure. He also spends a great deal of time thinking about the future and how the College of Natural Resources & Environment can be successful at what they do 5-8 years from now.  Dr. Winistorfer stated, “I get around the state a lot, listening to and learning about the issues faced by landowners, business owners, and individuals. I work with a great group of faculty who are teaching, conducting research on important problems and who do much outreach to all areas of the Commonwealth. I very much enjoy working in higher education and feel fortunate to have the many opportunities to interact with a wide range of people in the state.”

Question: How did you first learn about the SVHEC and what was your initial impression?
 
Dr. Winistorfer: I first learned about the SVHEC in 2006 when I visited South Boston and arranged a meeting with former director Ted Bennett and his staff.  My first impression was that these are people who want to make a difference in their community and region.  These are genuine people that I’m going to really like working with. My first impression has only been reinforced during these past years.  The people of South Boston are wonderfully genuine.  All the folks at SVHEC have been really great professionals to work with.

Dr. Phil Parrish is Associate Vice President for Research at the University of Virginia. In his current role he is responsible for pan-university research institutes in nanoscience technology and research (nanoSTAR), the UVA Institute on Aging, the UVA Energy Leadership Group and serves as the UVA member on the Board of Governors of UT-Battelle LLC, the managing contractor of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He is also Principal Scientist and Director of the Intelligent Processing of Materials Laboratory in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Dr. Parrish holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from the University of Florida, where he also earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Materials Engineering.  Prior to joining UVA, Dr. Parrish worked in government and private industry in the advanced materials and manufacturing sectors.

Question: How did you first learn about the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, and what were your initial impressions?

Dr. Parrish: I’ve gained a knowledge of the SVHEC and the region over the past couple of years through interactions with the Halifax Industrial Development Authority, Riverstone and the SVHEC. Over the past year, the SVHEC and UVA partnered to submit a request for proposal to the IDA to manage the Riverstone Energy Centre. They [the IDA] took a different direction but they asked both organizations to partner with them to develop that Centre. We have continued to do that, and I’ve become more familiar with the administration & staff at the SVHEC, the Halifax County IDA, and Riverstone.

I find the people to be highly professional, and I believe that they are able to move the economy of the region in a very positive direction.

Question: What made you want to partner with the SVHEC?

Dr. Parrish: I find that the kinds of research and innovation going on at UVA link very well with the interests of the people in Halifax & Southside Virginia, the SVHEC, and Riverstone. We seem to be able to easily build collaborations even though there’s a significant distance between us.

Over the coming weeks, and as a follow-up to the editorial written by Dr. Betty H. Adams, Executive Director of the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, we will be posting a series of Q&A vignettes. The vignettes will feature SVHEC clients, partners, students, and staff, and will provide an opportunity for readers to see how our community looks through the eyes of others. The Q&A below is with Jeff Norris.

Jeff has been an integral part of the creation and launch of the USA-TopSolid Institute (USA-TSI) at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC). He hails from Columbus, Ohio, an urban mecca of 1.6 million people. Jeff owns and operates Grandview Technologies, where he works with the software manufacturers use to engineer everything from vacuum cleaners to clocks. He also works one-on-one with manufacturers to automate their engineering processes through the implementation of software solutions.

Jeff: My initial visit was before the Business of Art & Design Lab (home to the Product Design & Development program) was in place. At that time the lab space was just an open room. I’d already worked with Kevin Chrystie on some TopSolid CAD/CAM software training, and had extensive conversations with Kevin and David Kenealy (SVHEC Director of R&D). I was elated about their perception of the woodworking industry and how they wished to affect it through education. For me, it was all about the people. There are plenty of other attributes to South Boston for sure, but initially it’s always the people and their enthusiasm. On my first visit I don’t believe I even got a full glimpse of what’s offered at the SVHEC, but again I was so impressed with the people I was encountering here. I was impressed with their enthusiasm and their regard for human capital and the possibilities for industry around here.

During my follow-up visit I got to see more of the SVHEC and South Boston. We had dinner at the Bistro where the food is as good as any place I’ve ever been in the world. Even in just going to the Bistro the people are very inviting and interested in what you do and who you are. I found out about the Prizery, and that in and over itself is unique for a smaller town like this. The Prizery is very impressive to me as someone who comes from an arts community in Columbus. The people that I meet are very enthusiastic about this place and they’re happy to tell you about what’s available and the resources.