April 22, 2009

Richlands, VA - Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jon Bowerbank today met with officials from Southwest Virginia Community College to discuss the college's career and workforce development programs and the important role community colleges play in getting Virginia's economy back on track.
 
The meeting today was led by Frank Horton the Dean of Workforce Development at Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) and participants included Delegate Dan Bowling, Len Kogut, Vice President for Finance at SWCC, Larry Hughes, Project Director for Construction at SWCC, Randy Williams, Russell County Commissioner of Revenue, Lee Potter, of the United Mineworkers of America, Brian Patton, Russell County Commonwealth's Attorney, and Jan Bowling, Administrative Assistant for Engineering at SWCC.
 
"Community colleges are a vital part of Virginia's education system, and we need to invest in these institutions and ensure that students get the training they need to get good paying, high demand jobs when they graduate. Community colleges not only benefit the students who attend them, but also the businesses in the area, by producing knowledgeable and effective workers.  The work done by Southwest Virginia Community College's Career and Workforce Development program is a a great example of how community colleges can contribute to Virginia's economic recovery," Bowerbank said.

The Jobs Tour coincides with the release of Bowerbank's Jobs Plan, a detailed 27-page plan to create good paying jobs and get Virginia's economy back on track. Each stop on the Tour will emphasize a different aspect of Jon's Jobs Plan, from improving Virginia's infrastructure to investing in renewable and alternative energy solutions to fostering a positive business environment that benefits both workers and businesses to prioritizing innovation at our colleges and research centers.

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