PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — Medliminal, LLC, an innovative leader in medical cost containment and healthcare cost reduction, is moving its corporate headquarters to Innovation Park.
According to Elise Baker, Director of Marketing at Medliminal, the move is a positive one.
“The Medliminal team is very excited about our newest HQ location. The office has a lot of collaborative work spaces, which exemplifies our company culture…we are always bouncing ideas off of each other.”
Right now, employees reside in what Baker called “Phase 1 of the building, or the front of the 17,000 sq. ft. space.” She said Phase 2 will be a complete infrastructure redesign and will be finished in the fall.
Spearheading the build-out of Medliminal’s new corporate headquarters in Prince William County is Vice President of Operations, Jordan Hill, who said, “We have always enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Prince William County and are excited to be in Innovation Park and part of a growing community of business enterprises.”
Baker said Medliminal decided to move to Innovation Park “because of its promising growth and vision.
“Medliminal believes Innovation’s plan to bring in high-tech companies align perfectly with the company’s health care cost containment objectives. Prince William County is becoming a hub for enterprises to develop their thriving networks.”
The company intends to invest $2.4 million and will initially bring ten employees with plans to hire up to 70 more, as it grows.
“We are excited to bring our growing enterprise to Innovation Park,” said Jim Napoli, CEO of Medliminal.
“Moving to a premier location like Innovation Park in Prince William County provides the most advantageous setting for our corporate headquarters.”
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors approved an agreement between Medliminal and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Prince William County and agreed to provide a $100,000 Economic Development Opportunity Fund (EDOF) grant, as an incentive for the project.
The company’s new address is 9385 Innovation Drive, Manassas, VA 20110
In February of this year, the United States Tennis Association Mid-Atlantic (USTA MAS) announced it will locate its new headquarters and state-of-the-art tennis facility in Innovation Park, in Prince William County. The Board of County Supervisors approved an agreement between USTA MAS and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Prince William County and agreed to assign a $100,000 Economic Development Opportunity Fund (EDOF) grant as an incentive for the project, which is due to be completed by 2021.
The USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, one of 17 sections of the United States Tennis Association, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization serving more than 33,000 members in the D.C. metro area. According to the USTA MAS, tennis players of all ages and skill levels are involved in leagues, tournaments and programs sanctioned by the section. Over 300,000 visitors are anticipated to visit the new USTA facility per year.
Will the new USTA MAS facility affect local centers?
A variety of sport centers stand to be impacted by the new facility, but according to two local center representatives, the move will be a benefit to tennis players.
“I think the facility will be an impactful addition to prince William county,” said Monte Evans, Director of Sports Management at Competitive Edge Athletic Performance Center in Woodbridge.
“Tennis is one of the underserved sports in the area, and this will allow youth to be introduced to the sport at a young age.”
Competitive Edge partners with a number of organizations to bring sports training and programs to the area.
Evans said in the past, he had the opportunity to work with USTA MAS to host a youth tennis class at Competitive Edge and was able to talk to parents about their interest in having their child participate, but at the time, there were “never enough resources in the county to offer training year round.” The new facility could change that.
Jason Shriner, Marketing Manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation, City of Manassas Park said, “I think I speak on behalf of everyone here at Manassas Park, Parks and Recreation when I say I think this a great opportunity to increase recreational opportunities in our area.”
Shriner said since his department doesn’t specialize in tennis, he doesn’t think there will be a positive or negative impact on Manassas Park, specifically. “But I think tennis players will definitely be happy,” he said.
“Tennis courts can also be costly and time consuming to maintain, repair and replace, so having a facility that specializes in tennis will give players additional alternatives as courts go down for maintenance.”
A boost for pickleball?
Shriner also said he hopes that the tennis courts are “flexed” to accommodate pickleball.
Played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes, pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. It can be played indoors or out on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net.
“As a parks and recreation professional and an avid pickleball player myself, we have seen a surge in popularity in the sport here in Manassas Park. This is a common pattern all over the country especially in the year round warm states like Florida.”
Shriner said, “Our facility alone has about 50 regulars in a club named the Old Dominion Dinkers.”
According to Shriner, having pickleball lines on a court shouldn’t be distracting. He cited basketball courts, which often have multiple lines. And adapting tennis courts for pickleball would accommodate local players who most often have to play outside.
“Right now, the most popular courts to play outdoors on this end of the county are Stonewall Park and Metz Middle school. Both are maintained by the City of Manassas, but even then, space is limited. In our area, the weather stays mild up until November, but with school in session Metz isn’t available during the school week.”
Shriner added that Pickleball is particularly popular with seniors, especially who may be unable to play their favorite racquet sports now due to limited mobility or disabilities.
“Pickleball has become an excellent recreational opportunity for seniors to keep up on their fitness well into their 80s,” he said.
“To be honest, if the new facility misses out on accommodations for pickleball, it’ll be a huge missed opportunity.”
The USTA MAS expects to host USTA programs, tournaments, recreational and public tennis play and special events at the tennis complex. According to the Prince William County Department of Economic Development release, “There will be additional activities in conjunction with the Freedom Aquatics & Fitness Center; George Mason University’s School of Recreation, Health & Tourism; the College of Health & Human Services; the Prince William County Parks & Recreation Department; and Prince William County Schools.”
In July, Ceres Nanosciences (Ceres) announced it received Breakthrough Device designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its new point-of-care Nanotrap Lyme Antigen Test System. This diagnostic test requires only a patient’s urine sample to deliver results to the physician and patient at the earliest stages of infection, when treatment is most successful.
Under the Breakthrough Device program, the FDA works with a test developer to reduce the time and cost from development to approval.
Ross Dunlap, Chief Executive Officer of Ceres Nanosciences said the designation is important for several reasons, first because it means the test can more quickly be moved out of the clinical lab at George Mason University and into the general market where it can be shared by practitioners, other labs and distributors.
But the designation also means Ceres has access to the FDA’s direct feedback. “Getting more attention and focus means it’s easier to get things right during the clinical study,” he said. Dunlap said they hope to submit the clinical study next year and have it on the market by the end of 2019.
Dunlap said the project has received funding at the county, state and federal levels. At the county level, Dunlap said they received funds for their initial move to a larger space, which indirectly supported the current research. Ceres has also received state funding earmarked for research on tick-borne diseases, such as lyme. Federal funding has come from large entities such as the DOD and NIH.
Behind the device is Nanotrapparticle technology, a biomarker capture and biofluid sample tech used for a wide array of diagnostic applications and sample handling needs.
Dunlap said what is especially important to note is that Ceres is not a med tech company. “We’re and innovative tech company,” he said. “But the Nanotrap technology is being used in this way, being used in as many innovative ways as possible.”
Cere’s initial press release said that to achieve Breakthrough Device designation, a device must demonstrate “compelling potential to provide more effective diagnosis for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases. In addition, the device must meet at least one of the following criteria: represent breakthrough technologies; no approved or cleared alternatives exist; offer clinically meaningful advantages over existing approved or cleared alternatives; or the availability of which is in the best interest of patients.”
The 610 Car Wash celebrates its 30 year anniversary this year and the Car Wash preaches customer service over everything else. Majority owner and founder Gary Tardiff believes that a happy customer is the key for a successful business. Tardiff is a big believer that if there are happy customers and happy employees then the profits will come.
“Big corporations are getting away from the ‘customer touch’,” Tardiff said. “We never think about making profit. We’re not out to save money, we’re out to do a good job.”
Tardiff got the idea of starting the Car Wash business when his brother called him on New Year’s Day and asked him “What do you know about car washes?” Tardiff then spent the next day on the phone from 8 a.m. to about 5 p.m. calling different car washes and asking about how they ran their business.
The focus of the Car Wash is on the customer and employee.
“The customer is obvious, but the focus on the employee is because anything that makes it better for the worker makes for a happier worker which then makes for better customer service,” Tardiff said. “This philosophy is evident right from the moment you arrive, you are greeted with a smile, not a machine.”
Many drivers in Stafford County have the ‘Route 610 Car Wash’ license plate holder. Tardiff says that the holders have helped his business tremendously. If a car has the plate holder they get a discount everytime they come back for a car wash.
“Why would you advertise something and not get paid for it?” Tardiff asked. “You advertise for me and I pay you by giving you a discount everytime.”
During the early days of the Car Wash Tardiff was faced with the challenge of getting customers to the Car Wash in the summer as most people washed their cars in the Winter. To fix that he opened ‘Gary’s Ice Cream.’ It had eight soft serve machines.
The Car Wash is looking to develop a new generation of young managers and ‘good workers’ as Tardiff calls it. The Car Wash sets very strict standards for their employees such as being on time, working hard, being respectful to the customer.
Former employees have gone on to big careers such as lawyers, doctors, and one former employee has even gone on to have a career in the NSA.
Minority owner Terry Decatur has worked at the Car Wash for 26 years, planning to work part time as a cashier during the recession in the ‘90’s.
“In the 26 years that I worked, I probably put in 52 years worth of hours,” Decatur said.
Minority owner Jeff Simons has worked at the Car Wash for 17 years and supports a family of five while running the business with Tardiff and Decatur.
“We are looking forward to the next 30 years,” Tardiff said.
MANASSAS — The seventh annual airshow being held at Manassas Regional Airport this Saturday has a new name, one that recognizes its largest sponsor: The 2018 Leaseweb Manassas Airshow.
That big sponsorship is good for the 15,000 to 20,000 spectators expected to attend the free show, which can only be seen on site.
Ann Rychlik, President of the Manassas Airport Regional Business Alliance (MARBA) said it takes all year to plan the event, which has bloomed in attendance and expense.
“It has definitely grown since we first started,” she said.
Kevin Rychlik, past president of MARBA, said the airshow costs between $80,000 to $100,000to produce.
“We really get a lot of support from the City of Manassas, Manassas Regional Airport, MARBA and volunteers,” he said. For that, he’s grateful.
In addition to the private security sponsors fund, Manassas City helps provide security and first responders, among other resources.
“We’re pleased they are here to help cover our backs,” he said.
While spectators can attend The 2018 Leaseweb Manassas Airshow at no cost, cash donations are being accepted to support the Virginia Airborne Search & Rescue Squad, The Manassas Freedom Museum, and the Prince William Composite Squadron – Civil Air Patrol.
The airshow will include civilian and military performers from around North America in aircraft ranging from warbirds and vintage airplanes to unlimited class aerobatic and modern-day military aircraft. This year, the show also highlights area organizations promoting careers in the trades and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
“All of our acts are five star,” said Kevin Rychlik.
The show will feature the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team, the Warrior Aviation Flight Team, the 3rd Dimension Parachute Team and many more aerobatic groups and professionals. Shows, vendors, demonstrations and activities are all listed, along with sponsors, on the show’s website.
“It’s going to be a fun family day,” Kevin Rychlik said. “There’s nothing more exciting than seeing the kids at the show looking up into the sky on show day.”
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 5. Check the Leasewood Manassas Airshow Facebook page for more information and updates.
MANASSAS — When people are seeking a service animal and vision impairment is the issue, Guiding Eyes for the Blind has been there since 1954, offering services free of charge.
The organization that has graduated over 7,000 guide dog teams is located in Yorktown Heights, New York. And while that might not seem local to the Prince William area, locals have gotten involved in raising exceptional dogs.
Meet Linda Saylor of Manassas and Brigitte Bombardier of Woodbridge. They are Puppy Raisers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
In 2016, Saylor began her pre-placement classes (PPC) and started working with Elliott.
“As a child I was interested in raising a pup for helping a person who was visually impaired, but never got the opportunity,” Saylor said. “My mother also has a friend who has been blind since she was a teenager and has had guide dogs herself. Talking with her and hearing how she was able to work, get married, have children and travel all with a guide dog by her side, I realized that to be able to give that freedom and confidence to someone would be wonderful.”
Saylor said having worked with children in the schools, being a mom and loving dogs have gone a long way toward helping her succeed as a puppy raiser.
“One of Elliott’s favorite things to do was watch the children at school get on their buses,” she said.
Patience is paramount, and Saylor has developed it through her background. But there is also the motivation factor that has contributed to her success.
“Reading the stories of graduates and how their lives have been enriched and changed by a guide dog really makes it all worth the effort,” she said. “I think also educating the public about service dogs and proper etiquette with regards to what to do and not do helps. The community of raisers is also such a blessing and especially supportive to new raisers.”
“Being a puppy raiser is a very rewarding and challenging adventure but very much worth the time involved,” she added.
Saylor had the satisfaction of knowing Elliott went on to become a Guiding Eyes breeder.
Bombardier also has had a feeling of satisfaction, especially given how long she had waited for the opportunity to work with guide dogs.
“I waited 30 years before I could become a puppy raiser,” she said. “I retired from 31 years in the Fairfax County Government, and in December of 2014, I took the next PPC class. I then started volunteering in March of 2015 as a puppy raiser for our first beautiful pup, Asti. Asti became a breeder for Guiding Eyes, and now my husband and I are raising one of her pups, Weston. It’s so fun to watch the generations and this community grow.”
Between puppies, Bombardier and her husband co-raised Osborne, Weston’s half-brother, with another raiser. They also did some puppy-sitting for raisers.
“These are great alternative volunteer opportunities that are much needed in all regions,” she said.
Bombardier attributes her success to her background. “I have had multiple dogs of many breeds all my life and took them to dog training classes,” she said. “They were part of my family. I was a veterinary technician in the 80’s and then worked at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.”
Yet there were challenges.
“My first challenge was thinking that I had the experience to make this an easy endeavor,” she said.
She had never really raised a puppy. She had always adopted older dogs.
“I was nervous at first that I would mess up and ruin this guide dog,” she said.
However, as she moved on, she understood she couldn’t really ruin a dog. “I do my best, and as long as I follow the guidelines Guiding Eyes provides and lean on my regional manager and co-raisers, my pup will get all he needs: to have a nurturing, loving, positive upbringing to get him prepared for his next step.”
Bombardier said her second challenge was learning what it was like to bring a pup with her everywhere, then realizing it’s not necessary to bring them everywhere.
“You just can’t do lunch with your friends, pay attention to them and your puppy,” she said. “Your puppy comes first. Their training is everything around them, all day, every day…. it’s subtle, it fits into your schedule and daily routine. It’s about recognizing their needs and all the learning opportunities and teachable moments around you.”
The third challenge was saying goodbye. But, she said, “I always knew it was worth it because the dogs have a destiny — they are going to change someone’s life for the better, and I had a part in it.” And it was not as hard as “coming home to an empty dog bed from the final vet visit after a decade with our family dog.”
The experience has been a life changer not just for the people who will receive the dogs, but for her, she said.
“I feel proud to be a part of it. I am accomplishing my dream and my goal after retirement – what feeds my soul. I am working with animals to help people. It can’t get better than that.”
Life, health, and biotechnology sciences are getting a local hand up, thanks to the Prince William Science Accelerator. Ross Dunlap, CEO of Ceres Nanosciences, Inc., can tell you how it has been beneficial to his organization.
Ceres is the first company to “graduate” from the accelerator, which Dunlap says, “provides wet-lab space to life sciences companies of all sizes – from the earliest stage start-ups to emerging life sciences companies.”
Ceres is the developer of Nanotrap Technology, a sample processing tool for a wide range of diagnostic applications and sample handling. Their stated mission is to address critical diagnostic needs and provide better patient outcomes.
“The accelerator provided much needed wet lab space in an area where there are few options,” said Dunlap. “Without these facilities, our company would not have been able to pursue a number of strategic development projects.”
Dunlap said because of the accelerator, “Ceres was able to conduct several key development projects and begin scaling up its manufacturing capabilities for its Nanotrap particle technology.”
In a press release announcing Ceres’ graduation and expansion, the company described the technology as providing “enhanced sample processing capabilities to new and existing diagnostic tests for some of the most challenging diseases and conditions, such as Lyme disease, respiratory diseases, emerging infectious diseases and cancer detection, as well as for improved health and wellness monitoring.”
The Nanotrap technology caught the eye of several key agencies. In February 2017, Ceres received a $750K award to adapt Nanotrap to address Zika and other emerging pathogens.
According to a press release, the Ceres development program was “funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the US Department of Defense, to use Ceres’ Nanotrap particle technology to commercialize sample processing tools for improved detection of Zika and other emerging pathogens from non-invasively collected urine and saliva specimens.”
The technology itself has local roots, as the press release explains.
“The Nanotrap particle technology was invented at George Mason University under funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for biomarker discovery applications, and currently is being developed into commercial products by Ceres with support from NIH, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
But it’s not just the wet lab space that helped make all this happen.
“The county is providing $50K of economic development funds to support the renovation of the new space that will allow new partnerships and collaborations with industry partners,” Dunlap said.
The accelerator, Dunlap said, is “the only site in [Northern Virginia] that provides multiple units and options for wet-lab space to early-stage life sciences companies.”
Located at Innovation Park in Prince William County, a hub of science and technology anchored by George Mason University’s Prince William Campus, the Prince William Science Accelerator is touted by the county as “a premier life sciences incubation facility, which features nine fully built out, commercially available wet labs – the only commercially available wet lab space in Northern Virginia.”
Dunlap said after graduating this past December, Ceres “moved into a larger space nearby, about [a mile] away across from Mason’s campus. The space is about 10,000 square feet of custom configured wet labs space for manufacturing.”
When people think about Historic Manassas, they don’t typically think of the maritime industry. Yet that’s the industry this Prince William Chamber of Commerce business award winner is in.
Headquartered in the heart of Downtown Manassas, Hepburn and Sons, LLC is family-owned. With deep roots in the Navy, the company’s main objective is to give the U.S. Navy a leg up in winning missions by helping them integrate new technologies.
In a little over a year, Hepburn and Sons, LLC has grown from eight to 30 employees, opened a cyber security laboratory and won several prime federal research and development contracts relating to material science innovation, specifically electromagnetic pulse protection, ship integration and data security.
Because of their rapid growth, they were selected as one of twelve companies in the Virginia Economic Gardening Pilot Program this past year. The VEGPP seeks out exceptional small businesses that have shown promise to offer strategic solutions to further company growth, with the purpose of growing the local economy.
A Manassas native, Scott Hepburn, Principal and COO, said he thinks Hepburn and Sons won the Chamber Business Excellence award because of their volunteerism and community involvement. Hepburn is chair of the Manassas Business Council and a board member of the Manassas Economic Development Authority. A big believer in developing Historic Manassas as a place of presence, Hepburn said they chose to locate in the city’s downtown on purpose.
“We love having our business in Old Town Manassas,” he said. “It’s the perfect location, near enough to D.C. but without the commute.” Hepburn said given his company’s international reach, it’s great to have such easy access to airports as well.
But beyond that, Hepburn and Sons has taken five interns under their wing, not only training them in areas like accounting and administration, but assisting them in selecting college classes and plotting their career path. Proud of their accomplishments, Hepburn expressed the satisfaction he gets from helping to direct these students whom he knows from the community.
Hepburn said he plans to support the City of Manassas Public Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) program by taking more interns in the future, this time by hiring students enrolled in CTE.
“And the Winners Are” is a series highlighting Prince William Chamber of Commerce business award winners.
MANASSAS — November elections can be a game changer for government at any level, and Manassas City was no different.
How it happened and what the City of Manassas Republican Committee intends to do about it were issues Andrew Harrover, the committee’s chair, addressed in a recent interview.
“The party was successful in running in the May election,” said Harrover, a former Manassas City Council member. “We were good at that. Then elections changed to fall. The party had some adjusting to do in terms of strategy and approach.”
According to Harrover, a November local election is a “hazard.”
“We’re having people for City Council in November, and it will be very hard for them to be heard over the commotion at the national level,” he said. “The local elections just get lost.”
When asked why in the previous election long-term members like Jonathan Way lost, Harrover said, “Almost every election is unique. It’s hard to draw conclusions for the next election from the previous one.”
“The top of our ticket hurt at the state level, and it hurt some of our candidates. Changing demographics and polarization at the top of the ticket makes life difficult,” said Harrover.
Strategy and reach will be important if the Republicans want to take back the lost seats.
“The Republican party will have to take a more muscular approach to campaigning and will have to engage every constituent in the city,” Harrover said. “Especially in November, more and more people come from every corner of the city to vote. You have to go talk to all the voters.”
“You have to give the Democrats credit. They put together an aggressive campaign, and that is kind of new,” he added.
Bass won’t run again for Manassas City Council
Republican Sheryl Bass announced that she will not run for City Council again in the fall. She’s served on the Council since 1982, and before that on the School Board.
Bass’s April 4 Facebook post says in part, “At this time I do not intend to run for office this Fall, but will fulfill my work as a Councilwoman and Vice Mayor until my current term concludes at the end of December. Last year proved to be a challenge with the passing of both of my parents and the birth of my first grandchild. I plan to catch up with life and look to the next year or two as other avenues to serve may arise. I will not let the mean-spirited polarizing politics in Manassas compromise my principles, because… Together, we can make a difference in OUR City.”
Harrover said he’s sorry to see her go, and added that she’d be a great candidate.
“I completely get where Cheryl is,” Harrover, a former Manassas Vice-Mayor, said, citing his own decision to step back when his daughter was in high school and participating in activities he wanted to be part of.
“It’s hard to step away from politics. Not a lot of people do it. I give her credit.”
The search for new candidates begins
According to a recent press release from the City of Manassas Republican Committee:
A GOP canvas will be held at Metz Middle School – April 28th – from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. All registered voters in Manassas who want to help elect leaders for our City are welcome to vote anytime during those hours. The voting process itself will be very similar to a general election.
Manassas will elect three individuals this November to serve for four years on the Manassas City Council. The GOP’s Party Canvas will select up to three individuals to be the official Republican candidates for those three seats. Candidates selected at the Canvas w.ill automatically have their names on the November General Election Ballot.
Harrover said about the canvas, “The Democrats have a lot of energy in Virginia. For the city, it’s important that people figure out who they support. You can’t outsource local government and expect great results. On either side, the city is better if there’s a healthy contest. We’re going to do our best to convince people that our party is the best to bring the city forward.”
Traditionally, candidates spend between ten and twenty thousand dollars in their campaign. “It may go up some,” Harrover said. “But I don’t think there will be a material change. It might go up incrementally.”
The official Canvas Call, which includes details on how to become a candidate, can be found at the City of Manassas Republican Committee’s Facebook page and on their website, www.manassasgop.com. Individuals who want to run for the GOP nomination must be registered voters in Manassas, consider themselves Republicans and file with the party by April 13.
