U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today expressed increased concern over how President Trump’s trade war would hurt Virginia’s soybean production, which is the Commonwealth’s number one cash crop.

M&T Bank today announced that Cecilia Hodges has been appointed president of the Greater Washington region. Hodges will oversee all banking activity in Washington DC, Virginia, and Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland.

Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Gerber Products Company, a leader in early childhood nutrition and subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., will invest $5 million to relocate its U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to the new U.S. corporate headquarters operation of its sister company, Nestlé USA, in Arlington County.

Governor Ralph Northam today announced the creation of the Virginia Founders Fund, a new seed-stage fund that increases access to venture capital in Virginia.

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership and Arlington Economic Development  today announced the line-up of the brightest and emerging startups from NOVA attending Collision - the nation’s fastest growing tech conference. Collision, created by the team behind Web Summit, takes place from April 30 – May 3, 2018 in New Orleans and is expected to attract almost 20,000 attendees from 119 countries.

A passion for enhancing living space and a prestigious Swiss education in hospitality management make Katarina “Kat” Burns uniquely qualified for her new role as general manager of Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center. The 18-year veteran of Marriott Hotels took the helm in early 2018 at the full-service Gaithersburg hotel, an attractive lakeside location for meetings and events in Montgomery County.

Purple Runway, the national fashion + advocacy domestic violence platform, announced today that Mercedes-Benz has officially signed on to be a title sponsor of the annual Purple Runway Fashion show. Mercedes-Benz will be hosting the event at their Arlington, VA showroom on Oct. 21, during Domestic Violence Awareness month. 

Women & Wine is an ongoing fundraising event for Volunteer Alexandria. Women & Wine engages women 21 and older who are interested in learning more about community volunteer opportunities, networking, socializing, and enjoying wine.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors voted on Wednesday to approve Yil Surehan as vice president of airline business development. He brings more than three decades of aviation experience and industry leadership to the role.

Old Town Alexandria local paper goods store Penny Post is inviting the area to pick up a pen and paper and take a few minutes to write a letter to someone in April. Why? Because April is National Letter Writing Month – a national campaign that encourages individuals to reconnect with the old art form while promoting joy, creativity, expression, and connection through hand-written correspondence.