At CoVaBIZ, we’re continuing to explore AI and its impacts on business and the workforce to help organizations navigate the 4th Industrial Revolution. So we reached out to O’Shan Darius Gadsden, Chair, Hampton University Psychology Department, to see if he could recommend an expert in the realm of industrial psychology to help us better understand best practices midst AI’s impact on human resource departments. Gadsden put us in touch with Camille Valentine who is a prominent figure in leadership development and organizational psychology, with over two decades of expertise in the field. As the ..read more

One recurring query in the age of AI is: ‘Are AI tools like ChatGPT taking our jobs?’ It’s a question that naturally arises when we consider the extraordinary capabilities of these technologies. However, this concern isn’t unique to AI; it echoes a historical pattern observed with the advent of various technologies. From the introduction of humanoid robots to the proliferation of the internet, each technological leap sparked fears of job displacement. Much like these historical moments, contemporary research suggests that the specter of widespread job loss due to generative AI may be exaggerat ..read more

With recent reports estimating total global damages related to cyberattacks will surpass $9.5 trillion in 2024 and the FBI predicting U.S. losses of more than $10.2 billion, cybercrime has become one of the most pressing security issues of our time. Even worse, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting more than just businesses and individuals. The world’s critical infrastructure—think hospitals, ports, electric utilities, natural gas companies and banks—suffered 13 cyberattacks per second in 2023 (a 30% year-over-year increase), with damages going far beyond simple dollars and cents. The U.S ..read more

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was created to provide tax reduction and incentives for individuals and businesses. A portion of the law addressed the estate and gift tax exemptions. The many individual provisions of the law will “sunset” by reverting back to the law prior to passage of this tax act, likely resulting in higher taxes for many people. Generally, the changes to the corporate tax provisions are permanent. Here are some of the individual changes to expect effective December 31, 2025: Increased Individual Income Tax rates Greater impact of Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) SALT deduc ..read more

Written and Compiled by Brandy Centolanza & Beth Hester Photos by David Uhrin For the second year CoVaBIZ is shining a spotlight on those individuals whose efforts in their respective fields of endeavor serve to elevate our region and add to its vitality. Rich in history and fortunate in its geography, Coastal Virginia is an important hub for the tourism and maritime industries, for military and defense interests, for major healthcare systems, for institutions of higher education and for the arts. In this issue, our editorial staff selected 150 of Coastal Virginia’s most influential leader ..read more

Brunch has become an American staple. Every weekend, gaggles of breakfast-goers indulge in mile-high pancake platters and meat-centric grazing boards, all washed down with a specialty mimosa. This surge in demand has introduced a new competitive edge to the brunch game. Citrus, a Virginia Beach mainstay, continues to jockey for its position as the best brunch joint, and its new employee-owned business model has given the eatery a fresh perspective on how to compete. Citrus was founded in 2005 by Lance and Cheri Shores. The dynamic duo spent several years building the Citrus brand and perfectin ..read more

It takes a village. While this phrase rings true in many facets of life, it is the founding principle for the folks at The Neighborhood Harvest. The locally-owned and operated food delivery service is unlike any other farm-to-front porch operation in the area. It is a true example of local growers supporting one another to benefit the broader community. With a staff of just 34, The Neighborhood Harvest makes thousands of deliveries to families across Coastal Virginia and Richmond every single month. How does such a small team make such a large impact, you might ask? Adam Cohen, who is in Marke ..read more

Kristi Olsen-Hayes is a York County native whose passion for her hometown has informed her career in the region’s economic development and tourism industry. We recently asked her to share with us a bit about her background, her emphasis on strategic collaboration, and balancing Yorktown’s historic charm with economic development. And, of course, she shares with us her dream dinner guests. CoVaBIZ: You have worked on behalf of York County’s economic and tourism development for over 21 years. Tell us about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in economic development, particul ..read more

This spring, Rivers Casino Portsmouth celebrated their first anniversary, so we thought we’d reach out to General Manager Roy Corby, to gain his perspectives on the past year’s accomplishments and discover what’s up next in their calendar of events.     CoVaBIZ: Congratulations on your anniversary. It’s been a busy year. What accomplishments are you most proud of so far? Corby: Rivers Casino Portsmouth is part of our growing family of market-leading, full-service regional destination casinos. All Rivers Casinos are intentionally unique, reflecting the personalities of their markets ..read more

Since 1855, Dollar Bank has grown to become a large, full service, regional bank renowned for providing the highest quality banking solutions and services to individuals and businesses. Every day we work to empower our customers, invest in our employees and strengthen the communities we serve by providing financial opportunity for everyone. Julie Bartley is the Business Division Manager of Hampton Roads with Dollar Bank. She leads a team that serves local business owners by delivering financial solutions to promote growth, improve cash flow and invest in their future. With over 30 years of exp ..read more