Gainesville, GA (October 21, 2011) — Riverside Military Academy (RMA) congratulates Mr. Daniel G. “Bud” Oakey, Class of 1975, on his appointment as RMA Alumni Council Chairman and Board of Trustees member.
Dr. Jim Benson, President of Riverside Military Academy, announced Oakey’s new role at the Academy effective October 1, 2011.
“Bud is a friend and colleague who will bring experience, public relations expertise, and a strong work ethic to the Alumni Council and the Board of Trustees,” says Benson. “We are delighted that he has agreed to assume these considerable responsibilities.”
Oakey’s Georgia ties run deep. His mother was Mrs. Dorothy Oakey of Atlanta. His grandfather was Major General Gilbert Xavier Cheves, also from Atlanta, who served during World War I in France with supplies and ports. Among his many acts of service during World War II, Maj. Gen. Cheves was chief of security for the Malta Conference.
An Atlanta resident during his youth, Oakey attended Augusta Military Academy from 1968-1970 and RMA from 1970 until his graduation in 1973. He graduated in 1979 from Purdue University Calumet where he studied manufacturing engineering.
Oakey currently resides in Richmond, Virginia, where he is chairman and managing director of Advantus Strategies, LLC. His areas of expertise include assisting and growing strategic business relationships with local, state, and federal governments, crisis public relations, and influencing public policy issues impacting clients. He is a sitting member of the Board of Directors for John M. Oakey, Inc. in Roanoke, Virginia. He is also an appointed member of several Advisory Committees of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology.
Oakey’s RMA Alumni Council Chairman responsibilities include serving as an ambassador for Riverside, leading alumni council meetings, fostering a stronger relationship between RMA and its alumni, and partnering with the Academy president in making Riverside the United States’ premier military preparatory school.
The Riverside Corps of Cadets consists of over 350 students from 15 countries in grades 7-12. Riverside Military Academy, founded in 1907, is located one hour north of Atlanta, Georgia. Please visit www.riversidemilitary.com for more information.
Washington, DC (October 13, 2011) — A new Defense Department report on America's national security industrial base offers fresh evidence that the U.S. is over-reliant on foreign sources of vital rare earth metals, according to former Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and former Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environment John Paul Woodley. Woodley is a member of the Board of Advisors of RARE: The Association for Rare Earth.
The Pentagon report to Congress notes that the Defense Department "relies on [rare earth] materials in the production of many of its weapon systems and needs to ensure their continued availability to meet national security objectives and military superiority." According to the report, "China supplies approximately 97 percent of the world's RE, and has been gradually reducing its RE exports to the rest of the world as its own internal demand for RE increases." The new report recommends specific actions to reduce the risk of disruptions in rare earth supplies to America's vital defense needs.
Woodley said the report language "brings much-needed focus to the policy debate now emerging in Washington about how to expand domestic and foreign production of rare earth minerals and metals. No single nation should control a resource that every nation needs."
Woodley added, "Worldwide demand for these materials will continue to accelerate, resulting in significant price and supply pressures. The supply challenge is solvable when and if we decide to lead."
Woodley said that the Defense Department findings should prompt U.S. policy makers and private sector manufacturers to better collaborate on ways to stockpile especially critical metals. Longer term, Woodley said the only viable solution is to promote greater private investment in production and processing.
The Defense Department report follows Congressional action last year with House passage of Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act of 2010, and a hearing last month in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"We need to get a sense of urgency for meeting the challenge of having a reliable, long-term rare earth mineral supply. Now is the time to build a consensus to solve supply problems while creating and keeping jobs here at home." Woodley said.
About RARE: The Association for Rare Earth seeks to increase the production of rare earth elements; remove barriers to access of rare earth elements domestically and internationally; increase the affordability and trade of rare earth minerals; and increase the affordability and availability of technologically and environmentally advanced products made with rare earth minerals -- all for the betterment of people's lives and the environment in which they live. www.RareEarthAssociaiton.org
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Firm celebrates 14th Anniversary
Robert G. Crockett named President
Richmond, Va. (September 7, 2011) — Richmond-based consulting firm Advantus Strategies announced a strategic leadership reorganization to position the firm for further growth, effective September 1, 2011.
A consulting services firm for clients who do business with government or have governmental interests, Advantus specializes in providing support to businesses on federal and state environmental and regulatory matters, lobbying and advocacy at all levels of government, including the General Assembly and executive branch, and association management. Advantus also provides leadership counseling to business executives and strategic economic development services. The firm launched 14 years ago with a simple business strategy — making it easier for businesses to do business with government. This slogan remains the business template for the firm and provides strategic focus. Today, Advantus employs 20 professionals and part-time contractors.
"The sustained growth of our firm requires us to look at how we manage our growth while continuing to provide and deliver services to our clients," said Daniel G. 'Bud' Oakey, founder and chairman of Advantus. "Our refined structure is intended to better position Advantus to accelerate our development and growth."
The Board of Directors of Advantus recently made the following changes to continue to move the firm forward while allowing the principal managing directors the opportunity to focus on strategy and client service.
Daniel G. 'Bud' Oakey will become Chair and Managing Director.
R. Ronald Jordan will become Vice Chair and Managing Director.
Robert G. Crockett, current Vice President and Principal of the firm's energy and environment practice, has been promoted to President and will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of the firm while overseeing the implementation of the firm's strategy.
James T. Roberts, firm administrator, has been promoted to Vice President and will work closely with Crockett on managing financial and administration matters.
Lacy Sparrow Whittaker, director of the association management group, has been promoted to Vice President with increased responsibilities for the management of the firm's association management practice.
"Robert has provided significant contributions since joining the firm in 2009 and has become an integral member of Advantus' management team," said Oakey. "His invaluable leadership skills have contributed to our steady growth over the past two years. This shift in responsibilities will strengthen our day-to-day operations, our commitments to our clients and Advantus' overall business strategy."
"The reorganization of Advantus is the result of consistent growth in each of the firm's core consulting segments and will enhance our firm's effectiveness by leveraging the strengths and capabilities of these key leaders as we grow nationally," said Oakey.
Advantus clients include a roster of Fortune 500 companies, including Dell, Intel and Sprint Nextel, and a number of public and private companies and associations, including the Virginia Government Employees Association. Advantus' scope of work extends beyond Virginia to North Carolina, Tennessee, and Louisiana, among others. Recently, the company expanded its business to government and legislative affairs services with the addition of recent strategic hires: Lemuel C. Stewart, Jr. former Chief Information Officer for Virginia; John Paul Woodley, former Secretary of Natural Resources for Virginia and most recently served as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; C. W. Laugerbaum, former Senior Vice President of Health Communication Services and official with the Department of Computer Services; and Jodi M. Roth, an experienced government and public affairs professional.
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Richmond, Va. (May 14, 2011) — Advantus Strategies announced today that it has named Carl "CW" Laugerbaum as principal of the firm and Jodi Roth as a consulting director.
"Both CW and Jodi bring experience and talent to their respective fields. CW will provide another valuable resource to our firm's growing business-to-government segment, while Jodi will support both our business development and association management activities," said Daniel 'Bud' Oakey, Chairman & CEO of Advantus.
CARL W. "CW" LAUGERBAUM, JR is a senior executive with extensive knowledge and experience in leadership and management of all aspects of information technology. His industry experience includes large data center environments providing services to multiple state organizations, providing technology products and services in the healthcare industry, selling to and managing client user groups, and managing technology projects. He co-managed a startup healthcare company for 11 years with significant growth in clients, employees, revenue, and profitability.
JODI ROTH brings nearly 14 years experience in public affairs, client message development, event coordination and political analysis. Roth has extensive experience in the public policy arena. She has well-respected and genuine relationships with Virginia government officials and brings additional experience to an already strong Advantus team.
Advantus Strategies is an acknowledged leader in advising companies about how to successfully manage their business interests with government throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast states. The firm provides business-to-government, environment, association management and government affairs consulting services to publicly held Fortune 500 companies, private small and large businesses and several associations.
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Richmond, Va. (January 28, 2011) Wood Fuel Developers, LLC, announced that it will create 28 new jobs in Sussex County, Va. This follows a 2010 announcement that the company would establish a facility in Greensville County.
Both facilities will manufacture wood pellets. Advantus Strategies provided Wood Fuel Developers with environmental and regulatory consulting support for both the Waverly and Greensville plants. [Read More]
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Richmond, Va. (October 18, 2010) — Advantus Strategies Environmental and Energy Practice Group recently provided support to a major economic development project in the City of Portsmouth. In November, PER Properties agreed to purchase property owned by the Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission and construct a multi-purpose transloading facility in the City of Portsmouth. PER properties agreed to invest a minimum of $3.5 million and to create 35 jogs at a site located on the Elizabeth River.
The transaction was complicated since the property not only has environmental challenges, but is adjacent to a U.S. EPA Superfund site that is currently being cleaned. Advantus Strategies provided all aspects of economic development consulting, including environmental, transactional and land use for PER Properties, a company owned by Salmons, Inc. Read the release here for more information.
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Richmond, Va. (May 19, 2010) — David A. Johnson today announced that he will be leaving Advantus Strategies to serve as director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Johnson joined the Advantus team in September 2009 as consulting director in the firm's Environmental and Energy Practice Group.
"David has made a significant impact on the practice area and the clients we serve, and he will be missed," said Daniel "Bud" Oakey, Advantus Strategies CEO and managing director. "We recognize this is a great opportunity for David, and this appointment is a reflection of the impact David has made on environmental public policy over the years and most recently with our firm's clients."
Oakey noted that Johnson brought to Advantus a unique combination of engineering skills and public policy expertise. "He understands the issues and has the technical expertise to recommend solutions," Oakey said. He added that the firm's clients should expect a seamless transition as Johnson established processes and inspired an approach that Advantus will continue to model.
Johnson has over three decades of environmental and industrial experience, working in both private and governmental entities. He served as Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) from 1998-2002, and pioneered Virginia's efforts on the Air Deposition and Water Quality Improvement Committees to establish innovative water quality criteria for the Chesapeake Bay under the EPA's Chesapeake Bay Program.
Johnson was a key leader in helping shape Virginia's landmark state wetlands program spearheaded the effort to establish a partnership with the Department of Defense and the DEQ to promote pollution prevention actions at Department of Defense installations throughout the Commonwealth and across all military departments. Additionally, he was a leader in transforming DEQ into a national role model in the area of pollution prevention and environmental innovations, and led the initiative to establish Virginia's Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP).
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Richmond, Va. (August 5, 2009) — Advantus Strategies announced today that it has named John Paul Woodley, Jr. as a consulting director of the firm.
"John Paul's unique skills and capabilities will help to expand our business-to-government consulting services outside Virginia," said Daniel "Bud" Oakey, Advantus Strategies CEO and managing director. "Woodley will focus on expanding Advantus' federal practice in Washington, D.C. and on supporting and expanding the firm's multi-state practice with an emphasis on the environmental and energy sector," Oakey said.
Woodley recently left the Department of Defense, where he supervised the Army Corps of Engineers as Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. He has also served as Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Environment), Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources, and Deputy Attorney General of Virginia for Government Operations.
"John Paul's experience in managing every aspect of natural resource and environmental policy, regulation and enforcement will afford Advantus clients unique insights and strategies for coping with complex environmental management issues," Oakey said.
Advantus Strategies recently acquired Crockett-Hooks, LLC, positioning Advantus to expand its business-to-government consulting and association management services in the environmental and energy communities. The acquisition enabled Advantus to establish its Environmental Practice Group, a key element of the firm's strategic plan to offer enhanced consulting services to government and industry.
"John Paul brings an exceptional combination of leadership and technical capabilities gained through extensive experience in several senior government positions," said Robert G. Crockett, principal of Advantus' Environmental Practice Group. "This experience will ensure that our activities are strategically conceived and well executed to take full advantage of those abilities."
Advantus Strategies is an acknowledged Virginia leader in advising companies on how to successfully manage their business interests with government. The firm is also a leader in association management. The Advantus Environmental Practice Group provides comprehensive services that include regulatory permitting and compliance, issues management, legislative and regulatory affairs, and environmental management system consulting and strategic communications planning.
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Advantus Consultant Asked to Comment on DOD Need for Rare Earth Metals
Advantus Strategies Announces Executive Leadership Changes
Advantus Strategies adds Carl W. 'CW' Laugerbaum, Jr. and Jodi Roth to team
Advantus client Wood Fuel Developers, LLC, will create 28 new jobs
Advantus provides support to economic development project in Portsmouth
David A. Johnson appointed to Department of Conservation and Recreation