SVTC Banner
The Shenandoah Valley Connection top 
January 10, 2 020
Click Any Link Below to Jump to Article
Member News: Cadence, Inc. Appoints New Vice President of Operations
Launch Harrisonburg | 9-Week Program for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (app. deadline 1/13)
College for Kids | James Madison University (1/11th - 2/14)
Tech Bytes Tech Talks: Artificial Intelligence (12/4)
The Ethics of Technology Series: World Without Mind (1/30)
ICAP Lean Startup Introductory Course | Harrisonburg (app. due 2/17)
ProjectCSGirls Competition | For Middle School Girls (registration deadline 3/1)
Welcome Back Level II Member: Blue Ridge Community College
Welcome Back Level I Member: Augusta County IT Department
Shenandoah Valley Open Tech Jobs
Rocktown Tech Slack Channel Link
Member News: Cadence, Inc.
Appoints New Vice President of Operations

transparent
 
Staunton, Va. (December 19, 2019)

Cadence, Inc. is pleased to announce that Chris McHugh is the new Vice President of Operations, overseeing operations for the company's five facilities. Most recently, Chris served as the Vice President of Global Operations and Supply Chain for Bemis Healthcare Packaging in New London, Wis.
 
Concurrent to Chris's appointment, Jack Abato, Vice President of Operations, will retire in the spring of 2020 after 42 years in the manufacturing industry with eight of those years spent at Cadence.
 
"We are excited about the opportunity to have Chris as a key member of our executive team," said Alan Connor, CEO. "The experience he brings to Cadence will only strengthen our commitment to excellence. I would also like to thank Jack for his contributions to Cadence over the past eight years. We certainly wish him the best in his retirement."
In addition to Chris's role at Bemis Healthcare Packaging, he has over 22 years of operations experience and has served in various leadership roles at General Motors, Ford Motor Company, American Safety Razor and Tenneco. Chris has also led global supply chains and manufacturing operations in the U.S., U.K., the Republic of Ireland, China, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. He is also a Ford certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt and lean practitioner.
 
About Cadence, Inc.
Cadence, Inc. is a contract manufacturing partner providing advanced products, technologies, and services to medical device, life science, industrial, and aerospace companies worldwide. Cadence employs approximately 575 people with its corporate headquarters in Staunton, Virginia and additional locations in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.  For more information on Cadence, please visit our website at    cadenceinc.com .  

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
Member News: Sproutly welcomes 
Randy Tyner as Vice President Media and Design

Sproutly logo Randy - Sproutly
 
New Market, VA: Sproutly, LLC, a team of creatives specializing in custom software, user-interface design, media development, and team coaching announced they have hired Randy Tyner as the Vice President of Media and Design. Randy brings over 25 years of experience in consumer electronics, automotive product design, and user experience development. Randy began his education in Brooklyn, New York at Pratt Institute, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design and later, earning a Master's Degree in Industrial Design from Georgia Institute of Technology. Randy has worked with Coca-Cola, General Motors, and NNG on products ranging from toothbrushes and coffee makers to automotive platforms and prototyping software.

Sproutly's Owner and CEO Christopher George on the new hire: "I'm thrilled to add friend and former colleague, Randy Tyner, to our team. Randy and I have worked long days together at NNG creating cutting edge products and validating concepts no one thought was possible. I'm excited to welcome Randy who brings a breadth of design insight, experience, and leadership that perfectly augments our engineering, making Sproutly a complete UX solution provider."

Our company, Sproutly, exists to empower businesses and individuals with digital solutions that transform their teams, industrial platforms, and digital media. We invest in trust-based relationships because we care a great deal about people and want to see them become successful.

More info:  https://sproutly.io/  | (833) 476-9693 |  info@sproutly.io

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
College for Kids | James Madison University  (1/11 - 2/14)
 
     

January 11th - February 15th, 2020 (6 Saturdays) 
9 am - 12 pm | JMU Memorial Hall, Harrisonburg

College for Kids is an enrichment program for children in grades rising K-8. Children will work with James Madison University faculty and graduate students, as well as experts from the community and surrounding area, to try new things, explore and discover talents they never knew they had! This program will be held on 6 Saturdays, January 11th - February 15th, 2020.

Technology-related sessions will also be offered. A few are:
  • Coding: Scratch Programming (Grades 4 - 6): This class lets students design their own interactive stories, games and animations while learning basic coding concepts. They will learn how to make characters move around the screen, interact with other characters and respond to sound effects.
  • LEGO Engineering (Grades 1 - 5): This class is for young Lego enthusiasts who are ready to delve into the world of engineering and computer coding. Participants will work in teams to build and program their Lego creations using the We-Do Lego curriculum. Each day, students will be presented with a different challenge designed to spark their creativity and put their technical problem solving skills to work.
  • 3D Art (Grades 3 - 5): In this 3D art class, students will explore using both contemporary and classic mediums, while creating sculpture and collage pieces, out of a variety of materials, from foil, to joint compound and clay. Several modern artists will be featured. The final class will feature an "art show" of each students work on display!
For more information, please contact Melissa Heatwole at heatwoml@jmu.edu or (540) 568-4226.
More information and additional course options:  https://www.jmu.edu/pce/programs/all/collegeforkids/

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
Launch Harrisonburg | 9-Week Program for Aspiring Entrepreneurs  (app. deadline 1/13)
   
    
The City of  Harrisonburg Economic Development Department is ready to help aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs launch their new ideas into the stratosphere. All they need now is you!

LAUNCH HARRISONBURG - Powered by  CO.STARTERS will work with aspiring entrepreneurs across the city to develop and fine-tune their ideas, critically examining their goals and helping plan next steps through real-time feedback from experienced colleagues in the community. The nine-week bootcamp is an action-driven, collaborative process with a small and supportive group of like-minded people that will help class members identify their assumptions about why and how their businesses will work and then talk to customers in order to validate their ideas.

LAUNCH HARRISONBURG is based on the CO.STARTERS model, a nationally-based program that has been proven to jump-start entrepreneurial ideas and provide a foundation for success. The cohort will be facilitated by two dynamic, local entrepreneurs: Andy Vanhook, co-founder of Appeal Production, and Tisha McCoy-Ntiamoah, founder of PrePOPsterous. The cohort will also feature guest speakers providing guidance on marketing, accounting, incorporating and more.
"We are excited about the prospect of working closely with aspiring entrepreneurs to equip them with the insights, relationships and tools needed to turn business ideas into action and turn a passion into a sustainable and thriving business," Harrisonburg Economic Development Director Brian Shull said. "We're looking for people with an idea for a unique local business who has a dream of starting something special that we can help bring to fruition."

The deadline to apply to be a member of the first LAUNCH HARRISONBURG cohort is January 13, 2020. The cost is $195 for residents and businesses located in Harrisonburg, and $275 for non-residents and businesses. To assist interested participants, we do offer a payment plan. The first cohort launches on February 4, 2020.

Find more information about the program at  www.harrisonburgdevelopment.com/launch-harrisonburg, or call 540-432-7701 to speak with a Harrisonburg Economic Development team member.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
Tech Bytes Tech Talks: Artificial Intelligence (1/22)
   

  
January 22, 2019 | 6:00 pm

Lord Fairfax Community College is hosting monthly technology discussion with technology professionals from around that nation. The public is invited, but registration is required. Most talks will occur at the Middletown Campus, but they will be distancing the presentation to their Fauquier Campus also. 

Upcoming talk: 

January 22, 2020, 6:00pm - Gary McGraw, Berryville Institute of Machine Learning


 

Future sessions:
  • February 19, 2020, 6:00pm - Kay Connelly, Infomatics, Indiana University, Bloomington
  • March 11, 2020, 1:00pm - Richard Danzig, Retired Secretary of the Navy
  • April 8 2020, 6:00pm - Heather Wilson, Analytics, L Brands
Talks are scheduled for one hour and Q&A, except for the 11/16 session which is a two hour presentation.


_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
The Ethics of Technology Series: World Without Mind  (1/30)
 
    
January 30, 2020 | 5:00 pm
Stackhouse Theater, Lexington


_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
ICAP Lean Startup Introductory Course | Harrisonburg 
(app. due 2/17)

    
  

Based on the National Science Foundation's I-Corpsâ„¢ program for Lean Startups, ICAP helps inventors and entrepreneurs take the right first steps in bringing new technologies and innovations to market.

ICAP includes FREE introductory training programs and counseling services offered through ICAP instructors and local SBDC counselors. ICAP helps startups identify potential customers and develop successful business models based on that knowledge. It is an ideal program for early-stage companies trying to prepare for eventual venture investment.


Important Dates
February 17, 2020 - Applications are due by midnight; see the link below.
February 19, 2020 - Acceptance notifications and communication with next steps and instructions, including how to prepare for the first session.
TBD - 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Introductory Conference Call
March 2, 2020 - 9:00am - 5:00pm - Initial Team Presentations
March 16, 2020 - Each team participates in a pre-scheduled telephone review of the team's Customer Discovery Progress over the first week
March 23, 2020 - 9:00am - 2:00pm - Final Team Presentations

During this introductory 2-week program, there is extensive work done outside the classroom. In addition to the class meetings and webinar, participants should expect to spend another 10-15 hours per week on customer discovery and course assignments. At the conclusion of the program, you will remain connected with your ICAP trainers and SBDC Business Advisors to continue your progress on the Five Steps to Startup Success over the following 12 months.
The introductory program is designed to generate a maximum impact over a relatively short duration and should be considered a required first step for anyone interested in commercializing a technology or product, whether through a startup or licensing arrangement. Some graduates of this cohort may be eligible to apply to NSF's full National Seven-week I-Corps Program, which includes non-dilutive grants for customer discovery and prototype development. Additionally, this program can help teams develop better submissions for SBIR and CRCF grants from Virginia's Center for Innovative Technologies.

Your ICAP Instructor
Bob Smith is currently the Director of the Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP), a program funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia and administered by George Mason University and the  Virginia Small Business Development Center Network (VSBDC). Here he helps researchers, inventors, and technology startups develop their technology commercialization and technology business startup efforts. He's also an instructor with the  NSF's DC I-Corp Node.

Bob has 30+ years' experience in innovation and entrepreneurship. He is the Chairman of  CollegeFactual.com, a leading college rankings website. He's held senior management positions at Congressional Quarterly and America Online in sales, marketing, and new product development and was the founder and CEO of the first nation-wide online city guide, Digital City. As an executive, angel investor, and advisor he has helped companies in e-commerce, e-government, identity management, content publishing, geospatial analytics, data science, and local media go from launch through to favorable exits.

Bob received a BA from USC and his MBA from GWU. He is a veteran of the US Navy.

For more information email:  icap@virginiasbdc.org

This cohort is hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center, Shenandoah Valley Technology Council, and the Center for Innovative Technology.


_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
ProjectCSGirls Competition | For Middle School Girls
(registration deadline 3/1)

    
  
ProjectCSGirls is a competition designed to challenge middle school girls to actively use computer science and technology to develop a solution to an imminent social problem. Participants will need to register as either an individual or a team prior to the registration deadline (March 1, 2020). Participants will need to first identify a social problem that falls under one of the following four themes:
  • Global Health (disease, hunger, poverty, etc)
  • A Safer World (safety-related technologies, cybersecurity, defense, etc)
  • Intelligent Technology (robotics, brain-computer interfaces, artificial intelligence applications, machine learning, etc)
  • Bridging Inequalities (any inequalities, civic tech, tech-enabled advocacy, etc.)
Participants will then build any kind of technology to address their chosen social issue. Examples include a mobile app, robot, device, web app, website, analytics software, algorithm, virtual reality (VR) program - and anything else they can come up with! 


_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
Welcome Back Level II Member!
Blue Ridge Community College

Blue Ridge Community College, established in 1967, meets the educational needs of the region, empowering students through comprehensive programs and services within an environment of academic excellence. BRCC offers a wide range of career and technical programs both for collegiate credit or for non-credit employment training purposes. Programs include:
  • associates degrees for the career-minded
  • university transfer opportunities (including guaranteed admissions agreements more than 20 Virginia colleges and universities through the college/university transfer program)
  • customized training for business/industry (on-site or at BRCC)
  • short-term career preparation and training
  • special interest and personal enrichment classes for all ages
  • art exhibits, musical and theatrical performances.
BRCC is located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, approximately halfway between the cities of Harrisonburg and Staunton. The College offers day and evening classes, in the classroom and online, and affordable tuition with many financial aid options.

 
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
Welcome Back Level I Member!
Augusta County IT Department

The Purpose of the IT Department is to quickly respond to business needs while maintaining relatively low costs. Almost every key business function in the county requires direct or indirect computer support. Today's technology solutions must fully meet business requirements such as:
  • Aligning Technology and County goals
  • Organizing and using data
  • Instituting cross-functional information systems
  • Integrating systems
  • Capitalizing on advances in Information Technology
  • Connecting to customers or suppliers
  • Updating obsolete systems
  • Creating an information architecture
Information Technology (IT) has combined functions with the Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Both groups are intrinsically part of the broader county objective to maximize technical capabilities. And, both groups share a strong commitment to customer service. The IT mission is to plan for and promote the efficient use of information technology, provide for enterprise-wide information processing services for the county of Augusta, and to deliver quality service to all of our customers. To fulfill this mission, we have the following high level goals:
  • to establish a vision and a plan for the optimum use of information technology within the county
  • to provide for responsive, high quality and cost effective computing services
  • to promote our customer's efficient and effective use of information technology by ensuring proper implementation and maintenance of computing systems that are responsive, high quality, and cost effective, whether departmental or county-wide systems
  • to assist in planning and managing county-wide information technology installation
  • to manage and maintain full connectivity among county systems
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
join_our_team_sign.jpg
  • Augusta County Service Authority, Verona (Systems Analyst/Developer)
  • Generate Impact, Harrisonburg (Director of Business Development)
  • Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center (Technology Manager)
  • Virginia Eagle Distributing, Verona (Digital Sales Administrator)
  • Sproutly, New Market (UX Designer)
  • Vision Technology Group, Harrisonburg (Tier III Network Engineer)
  • Budget Referee, Harrisonburg (Full Stack Developer with front end web development focus)
GOT ADDITIONAL JOBS THAT SHOULD BE PUBLICIZED ? SEND US A NOTE AND WE'LL PUBLICIZE THEM.
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
Participate in the local tech conversation: Rocktown Tech (Slack)

Currently there are 18 channels and over 450 members. Please join in! 
Sign-up link:  https://rocktowntech.herokuapp.com/

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
SVTC MEMBERS INVITATION: DISPLAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP STATUS
Membership Badge Available 
 
Use our new graphic on your own website (and remember to link back to our website www. svtc-va.org !) 

Choose the graphic file of your choice:

Let us know when you incorporate this graphic and we'll mention your site in return!


Examples:
See how our Level I Members  grep Innovation, LLC displayed our membership badge on their  website!

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 
The Shenandoah Valley Technology Council does not endorse the companies, organizations, teams, or events mentioned, or take a stand on any of the articles or notices or events included.
 

View our profile on LinkedIn

Follow us on Twitter 

 

Like us on Facebook  

Silver Level Member





Level III Members
     


 





 
 





 
 




Serco logo

null

WAW Logo

>> Ready to become a member, too?  

Membership Benefits
& Prices
 

 

>> How have you benefited from participating in our activities and/ or from membership? Tell us!

 

Info@svtc-va.org   

 

 

 

Contact Us 

Shenandoah Valley Technology Council
800 S. Main Street MSC 3615
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
540-568-7882

 

 

Join Our Mailing List!