John D. Dragonas New position: investment specialist, MetLife Previous position: financial-services executive, MetLife Birthplace: Athens, Greece Education: bachelor’s and master’s degrees in finance and investments from East Carolina University; Certified Financial Planner designation from the Financial Planning Board of Standards

Chad F. Poultney
New position: principal in charge, Richmond office of Clark Nexsen architecture and engineering firm Previous position: principal at Clark Nexsen, Norfolk headquarters office Birthplace: Wilmington, Del. Education: bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, University of Delaware Career: 1994-95, project manager, RC Peoples Inc. (general contractor); November 1995-present, started as a structural engineer in training at Clark Nexsen, then moved through the ranks

Thomas A. Carr
New position: vice president of Vertical and Emerging Markets for SyCom Technologies Previous position: director of sales at Packet360 Birthplace: Radford Education: bachelor’s degree in business administration, James Madison University; MBA, Virginia Commonwealth University Career: “My career began at Professional Medical Products, where I was responsible for sales efforts to hospitals in the Richmond/Tidewater region. . . . My health-care-sales career continued at Gambro Healthcare as major account manager, where I was responsible for sales-related activities involving hospitals and chronic dialysis units throughout Virginia and North Carolina. . . . I then used my health-care experience to move from a major account manager to . . . health-care business development manager at Cisco Systems.“

Laura Aisenberg New position: physician with HCA Virginia Health System Previous position: faculty physician with Chesterfield Family Medicine Residency Program Birthplace: Radford Education: bachelor’s degree, George Mason University; medical degree, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine Best career move: “My first position involved a residency program. I believe working with the residents helped instill in me a strong sense of self-confidence. Teaching is a challenging yet rewarding job. However, I look forward to focusing solely on my patients.“

Jill Coleman New position: vice president for programs, The Cameron Foundation Previous position: special assistant to the vice president, global program group, Christian Children’s Fund Birthplace: Henrico County Education: bachelor’s degree, American University; master’s degree, Averett University Career: “Right out of college, began as a summer employee with the city of Richmond’s Job Training Program, then known as JTAP. Continued with the city in varying capacities before joining the Petersburg Housing Authority. In 1989, joined the Minority Health Consortium as its first salaried executive director.“

Shirley O’Brien New position: director of Camp Baker Services Previous position: executive director of Residential Services for Quest Inc. Birthplace: Evanston, Ill. Education: bachelor of arts in psychology, the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif.; master’s degree and doctorate, the University of Kansas in human development and child psychology

Brian Gradle New position: vice president, corporate responsibility/corporate responsibility officer, Bon Secours Richmond Health System Inc. Previous position: attorney with Hogan & Hartson, a Washington-based law firm Birthplace: Summit, N.J. Education: bachelor’s degree in history and political science, Williams College; law degree, National Law Center at George Washington University; Special Forces Medical Sergeants Course (18D), John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Joy Kline New position: senior vice president/retail, Village Bank Previous position: vice president, retail area manager, Village Bank Birthplace: Richmond Education: attended Virginia Commonwealth University; graduated from the School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia Career: senior vice president, Central Fidelity Bank, Wachovia Bank; first vice president, First Market Bank

William Baxter New position: director of the McGaughy Professional Development Center at Longwood University Previous position: president/CEO, Retail Merchants Association Birthplace: Petersburg Education: bachelor’s degree, Virginia Tech Career note: 26 years with Thalhimer’s Department Stores, culminating as senior vice president

Mary Catharine Ginn Kolbert New position: executive director of the Senior Center, A Community Partnership Previous position: Realtor, Joyner Fine Properties Birthplace: Richmond Education: journalism degree, University of Georgia Career: newspaper advertising sales for 15 years; president, Junior League of Richmond, 2006-07; graduate, Leadership Metro Richmond, 2008

Whitney Roberts Pratt New position: creative director, Neathawk Dubuque & Packett Previous: associate creative director in ND&P’s Roanoke office Birthplace: Richmond (grew up in Roanoke) Education: bachelor’s degree in communication arts and design, Virginia Commonwealth University Career: “I decided I wanted to work at an ad agency on career day in the seventh grade. I started out as graphic designer at Access, an agency in Roanoke. After that, I worked at R+M Creative in Cary, N.C., and the O’Connor Group before joining the Roanoke office of Neathawk Dubuque & Packett. I’ve worked for ND&P for nearly five years and recently transferred to the Richmond office.“

T.J. Crocker New position: senior vice president, health and welfare practice leader for Virginia, RCM&D (insurance brokerage and risk-management firm) Previous position: senior associate, Mercer Health & Benefits Birthplace: Norfolk Education: bachelor’s degree in political science, University of Richmond Career: “Began my professional career as a schoolteacher and also coached high school basketball and football teams. Left the education profession after three years to pursue a career in the insurance/consulting industry, where I have worked for several firms over the past 12 years.“

Eric Perkins New position: founding owner and attorney at Perkins Law, a boutique business-law practice Previous position: partner at Hirschler Fleischer Birthplace: Bluefield, W.Va. Education: bachelor’s degree in economics and law degree from the University of Virginia Career: “Practiced business, franchising, securities and nonprofit law in Richmond since 1996. Author of numerous books and articles on a variety of business and legal issues. Currently chair of the National Tennis Rules and Regulations Committee for the United States Tennis Association and vice president of the Richmond Tennis Association.“

Peter Wiesinger New position: vice president of market management, Mondial Assistance Previous position: vice president of marketing, Genworth Financial Birthplace: Wilmington, Del. Education: bachelor’s degree in city planning, University of Virginia; MBA, Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Career: “Held positions in life insurance and investments, credit cards and payment systems, mortgage servicing technology, information services and retail.“

Alicia Thompson New position: director of education and training, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Previous: dean of student life, the Steward School Birthplace: Flushing, N.Y. Education: bachelor’s degree, Syracuse University; master’s degree, George Washington University Career: “I started my career working with Teach for America in the Bronx. Locally I worked at both St. Catherine’s School as a third-grade teacher and later as assistant director of admissions.“