Business recognition and promotions for the week of February 25, 2024

Christophe Larocque has been named the inaugural associate vice president for advancement at Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus.

He will be responsible for building and leading an advancement program to maximize support and exposure for the Innovation Campus, overseeing an integrated program of development, engagement and communication.

Larroque has more than two decades of fundraising experience from philanthropists and foundations, the corporate sector and government organizations.

Before joining Tech, he launched Boston Children’s Hospital’s major gift program in the New York metro area. He leads Weill Cornell Medicine’s fundraising efforts for institutional priorities in brain health and education. He also launched major fundraising programs at the Fondation Université de Strasbourg and the Fondation Valentin Haüy in Paris.

Larroque received a BA in History and Philosophy of Science from Stanford University and an MA from INSEAD. He has served on the alumni board of both his alma maters.

Tom Soladay has been named director of communications and marketing for Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

He will lead the planning and execution of a comprehensive strategic communications and marketing plan for the college, Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station that aligns with and advances the university’s strategic goals and initiatives.

As a member of the College’s Advancement Team, Soladay will be responsible for raising the visibility and enhancing the reputation of the University, along with promoting the College’s teaching, research and activities.

Soladay has extensive experience representing and promoting brands on a global scale, including serving as Senior Public Relations Manager at Chip Ganassi Racing and Director of Communications at international sports marketing company Circuit Sport.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Maryland and is a retired professional cyclist.

Leslie Stevens is the new coordinator of the ACC Academic Consortium.

Stevens, director of faculty affairs projects at Virginia Tech, will lead the group’s conferences, competitions and communities of practice; promoting inter-university alliances; and enhance the academic reputation of the conference.

For Stevens, who has logged more than 10 years of work and teaching at Virginia Tech, the job includes managing a list of ACC Academic Consortium programs:

ACC Leadership Symposium.

ACC Academic Leaders Network.

Center for the Study of Interscholastic Athletics.

Chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Phil K. North and Director of Economic Development for Roanoke County Megan Baker have been appointed by Governor Glenn Youngkin to the Board of Directors of the Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority.

VRFA’s mission is to provide a high-quality recreational attraction in the western part of the community; expanding the historical knowledge of adults and children; promoting tourism and economic development in the community; setting aside and preserving scenic and natural areas along the Roanoke River and preserving open lands; and improving and expanding research and educational programs.

L. Holland nest was elected by the members of the Virginia Bar Association to a three-year term on the Board of Governors. It represents the southwestern part.

The 22-member board, with broad and regional representatives, manages the activities of the association.

Holland, a principal/partner at Woods Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC in Roanoke, focuses his practice on labor and employment, transportation law (rail transportation) and general civil litigation.

She leads the firm’s transportation practice group and chairs its DEI task force. She also serves as an Associate Judge for the 23rd Judicial District. She joined VBA in 2008 and co-chairs the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

Holland is active in the Labor and Employment Law Section and the Transport Law Section (former Chair). She received her law degree from Stetson University College of Law and her BA from George Mason University.