Events

Pamela Northam became the First Lady of Virginia when her husband, Governor Ralph Northam, was sworn in as governor on January 13, 2018.  An educator, environmentalist and longtime advocate, Mrs. Northam has taken a leading role in Hampton Roads and Virginia to protect water quality and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.  Most recently, the first lady has served as community outreach coordinator for Lynnhaven River NOW (LRN), a nonprofit environmental group. In this role, she oversaw advocacy and outreach programs for homeowners, congregations and businesses to help them to become more sustainable.  Prior to joining LRN, Mrs. Northam taught high school biology. Recognizing a need for STEM in elementary education, she became a national award-winning science specialist and worked to develop an inquiry-based, hands-on curriculum for students in grades K through 5. The first lady was appointed to the board of trustees of the Science Museum of Virginia, and she also is a board member of the innovative E3 School in Norfolk.  After studying at Baylor University and the University of Texas, the first lady specialized in pediatric occupational therapy, where her work included rehabilitation hospitals, teaching hospitals, and special education.  The Northams have two adult children: Wes, a neurosurgery resident; and Aubrey, a web developer. in August 2000.

Next luncheon meeting: Tuesday, 06 November 2018.

Next luncheon meeting: Tuesday, 06 November 2018.

Norfolk State University Athletics Director Marty L. Miller has been called one of his alma mater's greatest ambassadors.  A star athlete while at Norfolk State, Marty is an Army veteran, a former Minnesota Twins professional baseball player, and winner of five consecutive Louisville Slugger Awards for coaching excellence.  He also has been named to multiple collegiate athletics Halls of Fame, and recently was honored by joint resolutions from the Commonwealth of Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.  A native of Danville, Virginia, Marty and his wife Liz have one son, Marty Eric, a former NSU outfielder; a daughter-in-law, Zoe; and a granddaughter, Madison.

Youth Challenge of Hampton Roads is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Newport News since 1979 that provides long-term residential treatment for men and women who are addicts, helping non-violent drug offenders rebuild their lives.  Rev. Travis Hall is a distinguished graduate.  After 18 years of drug addiction that had nearly destroyed his life, Hall was lost and without hope.  He entered Youth Challenge in 2000, where he learned skills that helped him find work with a Fortune 200 company.  After many years in the business world, Hall was called to return to Youth Challenge, this time to serve as its Program Director.  When founder Troy Collier passed away in 2015, the Board of Directors chose Hall to become Youth Challenge Executive Director.  Hall has two Liberty University degrees: a bachelor's in Psychology with a specialism in Addiction and Recovery, and a master's in Executive Leadership.  He also is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God International Fellowship.

The daughter of Navy Master Chief Petty Officer James and Majorie Turner, Patricia Turner was one of "The Norfolk 17" who integrated Norfolk schools in 1959.  This civil rights pioneer endured years of racism to graduate in the top of her class of over 400 seniors at Norview High School.  After high school, Turner moved to Richmond, then Philadelphia, where she attended Thomas Jefferson University and worked as a pediatric nurse from 1977 to 1986.  Moving back home to Norfolk, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Norfolk State University in 1990 and her Masters of Science in Education in 1997 at Old Dominion University.  She taught at Blair Middle School in Norfolk from 1992 until her retirement in 2008.  That year, Old Dominion University bestowed an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters on Patricia “Pat” Turner for her contributions to Civil Rights in America.

Next luncheon meeting: Tuesday, 04 December 2018.

John R. Broderick has served as the eighth president of Old Dominion University (ODU) since 2008.  As president, he guides the University's six colleges, more than 10 economic development and research centers, and numerous partnerships with government, military and business organizations and agencies. He oversees an operating budget in excess of $526 million and more than 2,500 faculty and staff members. More than $338 million in new buildings and building renovations have been authorized or completed on his watch.

Early on in his career, Broderick was a newspaper reporter in Connecticut and Massachusetts and headed tourism and business organizations in both The Berkshires and the Island of Martha’s Vineyard. Before coming to Old Dominion University, Broderick was a faculty member in the University of Pittsburgh system and an administrator at St. Bonaventure University.

Drew Ungvarsky is the CEO and executive creative director of Grow, one of the top digital agencies in the world.  Under Drew’s leadership, Grow has created innovative digital marketing campaigns for leading brands like Google, adidas, Spotify, NBC, and EA Games.  Drew and his company’s work have been recognized by The New York Times, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Adweek among many others.  They’ve also been celebrated by the industry’s top award shows, including having won eleven Cannes Lions.

A 2002 graduate of Old Dominion University, Drew is an active community advocate and civic leader in Norfolk.  He serves on the board of the Downtown Norfolk Council, where he’s helped create the successful Vibrant Spaces program and the Selden Market.  He’s also a founding board member of organizations including the Friends of the Elizabeth River Trail foundation, Re:Vision Norfolk, StartWheel, and RISE.

HOLIDAY SOCIAL THIS EVENING!  Location TBD.  Next luncheon meeting: Tuesday, 08 January 2019.

Merry Christmas!  Next luncheon meeting: Tuesday, 08 January 2019.

Raised in Norfolk, Miller graduated from the University of Virginia in 1970 with a degree in political science, then got a law degree from the College of William and Mary in 1973. 

He later landed a job as a legal adviser for the Norfolk Police Department, then spent six years prosecuting criminal cases with the Norfolk commonwealth's attorney's office. He rose to the federal level in 1980, becoming part of what was then a five-man team of federal prosecutors in Hampton Roads.

He took several cases to trial at the old Newport News federal courthouse, then above the U.S. Post Office on West Avenue, including one case involving drug smuggling up the Chickahominy River.

In 1985, one of Miller's cases made national headlines — the espionage trial against Arthur J. Walker, a retired Navy officer and defense contractor who sold classified secrets to the Soviet Union between 1968 and 1985.