Virginia Institute of Marine Science School of Marine Science College of William and Mary Gloucester Point, VA 23062 (804) 684-7000 Find this story and more at: www.vims.edu/topstories VIMS welcomes Virginia’s leaders to Gloucester Point By Erin Kelly (October 11, 2013) The Virginia Institute of Marine Science opened its doors last week for an esteemed group of Virginia’s leaders during one of their stops in the LEAD VIRGINIA 2013 Alumni Conference. A non-profit and non-partisan organiza- tion with a goal of educating proven Virginia leaders about regional differences, opportuni- ties, and challenges in the Commonwealth, LEAD VIRGINIA holds an alumni conference each year in a selected area of the state to introduce alumni and guests to a new region with its own unique assets and challenges. “This year’s conference was focused on the environmental landscape of Virginia’s Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and Chesa- peake Regions,” says LEAD VIRGINIA’s Presi- dent and CEO Susan Horne. “The Conference program focused on key themes of environmental and economic sustainability, the importance of the area’s ties to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and how the region is creating a culture of philanthropy to meet the social needs of the communities.” During their visit, conference participants toured the VIMS campus and were introduced to research scientists who work to preserve Chesapeake Bay and waterways across the globe. Included in the tour were visits to the environmental chemistry and zooplankton ecology laboratories, as well as the VIMS Teaching Marsh. Following the tour, VIMS Commercial Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Specialist Karen Hudson introduced the group to the growing importance of oyster aquaculture to the Commonwealth. Hudson was later joined by industry speakers from Omega Protein, Inc.—who discussed issues related to the harvest of menhaden and operation of their fish-processing plant in Reedville. “Our alumni were very impressed with the work that is being done at VIMS,” says Horne. “We all learned a great deal about the health of our waterways and their contributions to the overall economy.” “Modeled on the theory of social capital, LEAD VIRGINIA offers an annual class program of seven regional sessions between April and November where participants learn about each unique region as well as how these regions contribute to the greater Commonwealth,” says the Honorable Whitt Clement, Board Chair of LEAD Press Release LEAD VIRGINIA: A non-profit and non-partisan organization with a goal of educating proven Virginia leaders about regional differences, opportunities, and challenges in the Commonwealth, LEAD VIRGINIA stopped by VIMS during their 2013 alumni conference. Photo by Erin Kelly