Business Digest

Gov. Bob McDonnell avoided an early battle with Democratic lawmakers by picking a new secretary of commerce and trade and appointing his original choice, Richmond businessman Robert Sledd, to an unpaid advisory post in the new administration.

Sledd would have faced an uphill battle getting confirmed to the Cabinet because Senate Democrats had objections to his plans to remain on corporate boards while simultaneously serving as secretary of commerce and trade. Sledd's new role as senior economic adviser does not require the General Assembly's approval.

Jim Cheng, who had been McDonnell's choice to serve as a deputy secretary of commerce and trade, was sworn in Jan. 16 along with most other Cabinet secretaries. The Cabinet officers will serve pending approval by state lawmakers.

"I think this is a win-win," McDonnell said of the shake-up. "I obviously am disappointed that we were running into such significant opposition [to Sledd] from certain of the members of the Senate."

Sledd sits on the boards of directors for three corporations, including two Virginia-based companies: tobacco giant Universal Corp. and Owens & Minor, a medical supplies distributor. He also is director for Louisiana-based SCP Pool Corp. He donates earnings from the boards to a charitable foundation.

The secretary of commerce and trade oversees 13 state agencies that deal with economic development, business and regulations. Senate Democrats said Sledd would have faced inevitable conflicts of interest if he had remained on corporate boards while serving in the Cabinet.

Sledd had volunteered to work without a taxpayer-funded salary and said he would have recused himself from matters that presented possible conflicts had he been in the Cabinet. He will keep his corporate board seats while serving as an adviser to McDonnell.

Cheng is the founder and former CEO of CHM, a government contractor specializing in information technology. The company started in 1994 with a five-member staff and had 550 workers and $90 million in revenue when it was sold in 2005. Cheng also ran a startup efficient-energy firm and has mentored several emerging businesses.

McDonnell also announced a slew of other senior staff appointments this month:

l Charles James, deputy secretary of administration: James, who was born in Roanoke, was a deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor under President George W. Bush. He also served in the administration of Gov. George Allen. He spent nearly 20 years in the telecommunications industry and is a graduate of King College.

l Maureen Matsen, deputy secretary of natural resources: Matsen most recently was deputy attorney general for civil litigation under McDonnell. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Richmond School of Law.

l Thelma Drake, director, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation: Drake served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2004 to 2008 and in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1996 to 2004. She currently is coordinator of FutureLaw's Renewable Energy Group.

l David Paylor, director, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality: Paylor was first appointed to the top DEQ post by Gov. Tim Kaine after serving in the department during the Warner and Gilmore administrations. He is a graduate of Duke University and Oregon State University.

--Michael Sluss, special to BRBJ

Tech wins environmental plaudits

Virginia Tech has been awarded third place in the Green Commonwealth Challenge.

In June, Gov. Tim Kaine issued an executive order to challenge state agencies to reduce their environmental impact and become more sustainable. Virginia Tech was the only university listed among the top scorers.

The university was specifically commended for its employees using alternative commuting and the planned creation of its own "Green Campus Challenge."

Housing agency receives jobs training grant

Community Housing Partners of Christiansburg and its regional collaborators have received $3.8 million from the U.S. Department of Labor for green jobs training.

CHP is the lead applicant and grant administrator for CREATES, a regional partnership that includes Virginia Tech, NewVa Corridor Technology Council, several community colleges and work force boards.

CREATES will use the funding to provide education to construction and retrofitting industry workers to help them compete in green building occupations. A portion of the grant will provide energy efficiency assessment training at the New River Center for Energy Research and Training in Christiansburg.

Restaurant owner faces federal charges

Galloway's Blueberry Hill restaurant in southern Botetourt County has closed, and the owner now faces federal charges.

The restaurant, located on Summers Way near the Botetourt Athletic Club, has been the site of several restaurants. Two different owners operated the Fried Pickle restaurant. Last year, a Japanese steakhouse briefly occupied the location.

Eric Wooten opened Galloway's in October. It closed in early January, after he was indicted in Botetourt on a bad check charge. A few weeks later, federal authorities charged Wooten with loan fraud.

Roanoke chamber announces annual trade show

The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is planning its annual Business Technology Expo, a business-to-business trade show.

The event gives chamber members an opportunity to connect with businesses including event venues, banks and technology companies.

Courtney Hungate, the chamber's manager of networking events, said the chamber expects more than 1,000 people and more than 100 exhibitors to attend this year's expo.

The expo will take place at the Roanoke Civic Center's Special Events Center. It will be open to the public April 20 from noon to 4 p.m., with a special VIP night from 5 to 7 p.m. Exhibitors who register before March 1 will receive a discounted rate.

For more information, visit www.roanokechamber.org.

Cheddar's Cafe to open in October

Roanoke's first Cheddar's Casual Cafe location is slated to open in October, according to the Texas-based chain.

Cheddar's has filed a site plan with Roanoke to build a 7,918-square-foot restaurant in Valley View Mall's parking lot, near Sears. Rick Payne, a senior vice president at Cheddar's, said the company hopes to open the new restaurant in October. It will take about five months to build it.

Cheddar's, which already has a restaurant in Newport News, has wanted to open a second Virginia location for some time, Payne said. The Roanoke restaurant will be one of 10 to 12 new locations that the company will open this year, he said. Cheddar's opened a record 16 restaurants in 2009, he said.

-- Jenny Kincaid Boone, special to BRBJ