Loudoun County is the corporate home of the Washington Redskins and the department is encouraging business leaders and residents to take part in the events surrounding Redskins Week, which begins September 7, and ends with the opening game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 12.

Every day for the next two weeks, the department will post three daily questions on its Facebook page. The first person to answer all three questions correctly will win a Redskins Fan Pack. Check out the details of the contest at http://www.facebook.com/LoudounEconomicDevelopment.

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Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Jeffrey Irvine, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service, made the announcement.  If convicted, Camara faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison for conspiracy and two years for each of the aggravated identity theft counts.

According to the indictment, from January 2008 through May 2009, Camara paid servers at restaurants in the Washington, D.C.-metro area – including the Cheesecake Factory, PGA Tour Grill, and the Outback Steakhouse – to obtain credit card numbers of paying customers. He and a co-conspirator, Nicole Ward, provided the servers with skimmers that captured and stored credit card numbers. The servers and Ward delivered skimmers loaded with credit card numbers to Camara, who encoded the skimmed numbers onto various cards. He then gave the re-encoded cards to other co-conspirators, who used them to make purchases at wholesale club stores in Northern Virginia and elsewhere.  Ward, 28, of Washington D.C., pled guilty on July 30, 2010, to conspiring to commit bank fraud and will be sentenced on Oct. 29, 2010.

This case was investigated by the United States Secret Service.  Assistant United States Attorneys Kosta Stojilkovic and Jack Hanly are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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We talked about some of the difficulties that people have had making payroll and turning a profit during this recession.  And we talked about what we can do to make it easier for small businesses to grow.

All of these folks here know why that’s important.  Small businesses create two out of every three jobs in this country.  So our recovery depends on them.  And if we want to keep America moving forward, we need to keep investing in our small businesses.

This is, by the way, more than — is more important than just our economy.  It’s also about who we are as a people.  Because America has always been a place where if you’ve had a good idea and you’re willing to really work hard for it, you can see it through and you can succeed.  That’s what gives the worker the courage to leave her job to become her own boss.  It’s what propels people to risk their savings on an idea that they believe might just change the world.  I was hearing from Tom here about how he was having trouble finding work 30, 40 years ago, and decided that he would take over a business that only had two employees.  And now he’s an employer for a whole bunch of folks and he’s going to be passing on his business to his family.  And that’s the American story.

This town, Edison, is named after somebody who was not only one of history’s greatest inventors but also a pretty savvy small business owner.  And the small business people who are here with me today exemplify that same entrepreneurial spirit.  And all of these companies have seen their share of challenges.  All of these small business owners have had to improvise and adapt over the years, especially in tough times, and that includes over the last couple years.

Read full story via US Government Daily News Monitor

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Northrop Grumman expects to initiate operations in the new corporate office facility in the summer of 2011 with employees from the company’s Los Angeles and Arlington, Va. offices. The company currently employs approximately 40,000 people in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. region.

Governor McDonnell commented on the deal saying,“In April, we were pleased to announce that Northrop Grumman, a Fortune 100 company, was moving its corporate headquarters to Virginia. Today the company has announced that the headquarters will be located in Falls Church. This is great news for Falls Church, Fairfax County, all of Northern Virginia and our entire Commonwealth. Northrop Grumman’s move to Virginia will mean 300 new, high-paying jobs for our citizens and it will have a positive impact across our economy. Our Administration is committed to taking every step necessary to bring much needed new jobs and economic development to the Commonwealth, and we are seeing positive results from this focus. Since February, Virginia has added 71,500 jobs, the third-highest amount in the country. Today we again welcome Northrop Grumman to the Commonwealth, and we look forward to many more job-creation announcements in the months and years ahead.”

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July 8, 2010 – K2M, Inc. (“K2M” or the “Company”), a spinal device company developing innovative solutions for the treatment of complex spinal pathologies, and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (“Welsh Carson”), a leading private equity firm, have entered into a transaction in which Welsh Carson will acquire the outstanding stock and become the majority shareholder of K2M, along with longtime K2M investor, Ferrer Freeman & Co., and K2M’s management.

Under this agreement, K2M’s global headquarters will remain in Leesburg, Virginia, and the Company will continue to operate under its existing management team led by Eric Major, President and CEO, and Dr. John Kostuik, Chief Medical Officer.  The Welsh Carson investment will allow K2M to substantially scale its business to meet the high demand for its innovative product portfolio by expanding its worldwide sales force and accelerating the research and development of its next generation technologies.

“K2M has proven over the past several years to be one of the most innovative and fastest growing spine companies in the industry.  We are excited to add K2M to our portfolio of medical device companies,” said Paul Queally, Welsh Carson Co-President.

“We are extremely proud that Welsh Carson, a world class private equity firm, has decided to back K2M to serve as the foundation platform to aggressively scale and become a leader in the spine market,” stated Eric Major.  “In a relatively short period of time, we have built a profitable organization that has experienced rapid growth since its inception.  June was another record breaking sales month for K2M.   This strategic transaction will enable us to leverage the success of our existing business and reaffirm our commitment to becoming a leader in the global spine market.  Welsh Carson has the unique combination of investment expertise, industry focus, and capital resources to react quickly to prospective opportunities and provide significant strategic and operational value to K2M.”

Dr. John Kostuik added, “This agreement with Welsh Carson will allow us to expand our R&D efforts and portfolio of differentiated technologies to enhance global patient care, which will always remain K2M’s number one priority.”

The transaction is expected to close at the end of July.  Piper Jaffray & Co. served as the exclusive financial advisor to K2M in this transaction.

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Construction of the South Patient Tower will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2012. The tower will stand at the entrance of the existing main hospital, and the two structures will connect on all 11 levels. The patient units were designed with the input and ideas of doctors, nurses and staff to develop rooms that enable caregivers to deliver the best patient care possible.

The design of the intensive-care units (ICUs) concentrates ICU specialties in areas by floor. For example, the neurosciences ICU is directly linked to the neurosciences intermediate-care unit (IMC), which leads directly to the existing main hospital. So, as a patient recovers, they will be transferred from one unit to the next but remain on the same floor. The concentrated areas also enable staff to work with those in their specialty and to form cohesive clinical teams.

“The design and equipment in the ICU rooms in the new tower will really allow us to take critical care and trauma care to the next level,” said Christopher Michetti, MD, Trauma Surgeon, Inova Fairfax Hospital. “One of the best features will be 360-degree access to patients. As trauma surgeons, we’ll have the tools and proper lighting to perform procedures right at the bedside and be able to access the patient from all angles.”

The medical/surgical units are designed to create an environment that is conducive to healing, while structured for ease of use by staff. There will be workstations outside of patient rooms so staff can monitor patients while giving them a sense of privacy. Also, each medical/surgical floor will have telemetry capability for patients who require cardiac monitoring, enabling patients to remain in their rooms rather than being transferred to a separate telemetry unit.

“When we sat down to design the medical/surgical units, we took into account our patient population and their specialized needs,” said Mary Dixon, RN, Senior Director, Medical/Surgical Services, Inova Fairfax Hospital. “More than half of the patients we see are over the age of 65, so we’re really focusing on creating a safe healing environment that works for the older population. We consulted with design experts on all aspects of the room, from the placement of the bathrooms to the color schemes and patterns, to create not just a room, but a healing environment.”

In keeping with Inova’s commitment to sustainability, the design of the South Patient Tower includes many environmentally sustainable aspects and is seeking Silver Certification from the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) building certification system. Patients will see elements such as a “green” roof, water cisterns and rain gardens. The design also incorporates a highly efficient energy system and insulation, as well as paints, carpets and furniture with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The project was designed by Wilmot Sanz Inc., an award-winning architecture and planning firm. After a competitive contractor-selection process, Turner Construction — a nationally recognized healthcare builder — has been awarded the contract for construction. Both firms have previously completed a number of successful projects for Inova Health System.

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Dick Kramer specializes in military art prints for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines and also creates prints for law enforcement and firefighters. The presentation of the artwork was held on

(Left to Right: Deputy Megan Jones, Sgt. Craig Schleiden, Deputy Jason Hough, SD Charlie Gravatte, Deputy and Latriviette Young)

Saturday, June 11, 2010 at the Dulles South Public Safety Center Open House.

Kramer is a Loudoun resident and his studio, Dick Kramer Studios, Inc., is located in Purcellville, VA. The drawing features the images of five Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputies- Deputy Megan Jones, Sgt. Craig Schleiden, Deputy Jason Hough, SD Charlie Gravatte and Deputy Latriviette Young. The five are portrayed during the course of their duties. The artwork will be featured in the lobby of the Dulles South Public Safety Center.

The artwork will be featured in the lobby of the Dulles South Public Safety Center.

Story via Military Artist Dick Kramer | Loudoun Daily-Monitor.

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Hansen, Staub & Associates, LLC is an accounting firm offering tax preparation, tax planning, consulting, accounting, bookkeeping and payroll processing. Previously located in leased space in the Colonial Square offices on Edwards Ferry Road, the firm’s new location is a 1,000 square foot office condo which the firm has purchased.

“We chose this location because it is convenient for our clients and the Town is a great place to do business,” said partners Treva Hansen and Jason Staub. “Loudoun County has a vibrant business community, especially here in Leesburg. We are thrilled to be part of that community.”

For more information about Hansen, Staub & Associates, please visit www.hansenstaubllc.com

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In addition to offering a full range of Tae Kwon Do classes for all ages, USTMA also sponsors competition and demo teams, comprised of select USTMA students. The competition team received 33 medals in the 2009 Virginia State Taekwondo Championships. Medal winners went on to compete in the Junior Olympics and National Tournament in Austin, Texas, bringing home 13 medals, more than any other Tae Kwon Do school in Virginia.

USTMA is well known in the community for sponsoring the “Kick Cancer Out of the World” benefit events, including golf tournaments, charity auctions, Tae Kwon Do tournaments and demonstration events. Since 1993, Grand Master Choi has raised over $1 million for cancer research through “Kick Cancer Out of the World”.

“In 1987, I set a goal to open a facility that would give families a chance to learn martial arts together. With the opening of the new Leesburg dojang, I have reached this goal,” said Grand Master Choi. “Our school is family focused, and in appreciation for the support I’ve received from the Leesburg community for the past 23 years, I invite everyone to attend our grand opening and take advantage of the special offer I am extending to all Leesburg families.”

For more information about USTMA, please visit www.myustma.com

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“We are delighted to partner with Starwood to introduce Aloft to Winchester, a popular destination for both business travelers and vacationers”

Located in the heart of Shenandoah Valley, Aloft Winchester is right by the entrance to Shenandoah University at the intersection of Millwood Pike and I-81. The stylish, new hotel is just minutes from Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Winchester Medical Center and Kraft corporate offices. Guests will also enjoy convenient access to Winchester Speedway, Apple Blossom Shopping Center and Rock Harbor Golf Course.

“Aloft Hotels brings a compelling blend of urban style and social interplay to downtown Winchester, in the heart of scenic northern Virginia,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. “With its bold design and social atmosphere, Aloft caters to the next generation of travelers who expect their lodging to reflect their constantly evolving lifestyle.”

“We are delighted to partner with Starwood to introduce Aloft to Winchester, a popular destination for both business travelers and vacationers,” said Bipin Patel, Owner, Hotel Squared. “Aloft Winchester targets both sophisticated travelers and area professionals with its eclectic and electric experience, lively re:mix ^sm lounge and w xyz ^sm bar.” Aloft Winchester joins a growing list of 40+ global destinations for the brand, located everywhere from Brussels to Beijing and Chicago to Charlotte.

For more information or reservations, visit www.alofthotels.com or call 877-Go-Aloft.

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