May 7, 2009

Norfolk, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today visited Richmond and Norfolk on his four-day, statewide Commonwealth Education Tour.  Jon toured the Youth Life Foundation of Richmond and the Norfolk State University RISE Campus.  He met with the organizations' staffs and discussed his recently released Education Plan.

In Richmond, Jon spoke about the importance of after school educational programs that help at-risk youth succeed.

"In order for our children to succeed, they need to be engaged outside the classroom as well as inside of it.  Youth programs that offer a safe, educational environment for kids lower drop out rates and improve academic performance.  The Youth Life Foundation of Richmond's commitment to helping at-risk youth learn and grow through mentoring and tutoring programs is a model for how charitable organizations can have a positive impact on communities," Bowerbank said.

In Norfolk, Jon discussed the need to invest in research programs at Virginia's universities.

"If Virginia is going to become a leader in the industries of tomorrow, we need research institutions and programs that will be instrumental to developing these fields.  New research facilities like Norfolk State University's RISE Campus that seek to foster partnerships between universities and government to produce innovative technological advancements are exactly the kind of programs Virginia needs," Bowerbank said.

The Education Tour coincides with the release of Bowerbank's Education Plan, a detailed 20 page plan to improve the Commonwealth's education system and prepare Virginia's youth for successful careers.  Each stop on the Tour will emphasize a different aspect of Jon's Education Plan, from improving our elementary and secondary education systems to doing everything we can to retain and attract high quality teachers to promoting after-school programs that keep youth off the streets to investing in our community colleges to making sure our universities' research facilities have the resources necessary to be leaders in their fields.  The plan can be viewed at www.jb2009.com.

Jon Bowerbank is the owner of a successful energy services company that employs hundreds of people in Virginia and throughout the country. He has also served as an operations manager in a Fortune 10 company in numerous states, and has both a business and technical background. He currently serves as the at-large member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, and he is a member of the Virginia Association of Counties Finance and Transportation Committees.

Bowerbank has spent the last year traveling around Virginia spreading his message of change. As Lieutenant Governor, Jon will be committed to improving Virginia's infrastructure, investing in our schools and education programs, and using effective business practices to create jobs and transform Virginia's economy for a new energy future.