News Release
F&M Bank Welcomes Deacon Kozel as Commercial Relationship Manager for Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
Harrisonburg, VA - F&M Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Deacon Kozel as Commercial Relationship Manager, serving Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. A Rockingham native, Kozel brings a strong educational background and deep community roots to his role. He began his academic journey at Blue Ridge Community College, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, before continuing his studies in finance and economics at James Madison University. He is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the
Stephen N. Shashy Joins Flora Pettit In Its Charlottesville Office
Flora Pettit is pleased to announce that Stephen N. Shashy has joined the law firm as an attorney in its Charlottesville office. Steve specializes in tax law, drawing on experience in both private practice and government service to represent individuals, businesses, trusts and estates, and non-profit organizations in tax controversies and advise them on questions of planning and compliance. Steve’s tax controversy work involves engaging with federal and state taxing authorities in administrative proceedings
Community Foundation board members mark six years of service
Attorney Matthew Sunderlin and retired bank professional Charles Martorana have ended their service on the board of The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. The board consists of 16 community representatives bringing experience and expertise in many different areas. They guide the foundation’s work and hold an important role as fiduciaries for the organization’s operations and financial health. “Working alongside Matt Sunderlin and Charlie Martorana has been my distinct privilege for the
Victory for Virginia Solar as State Corporation Commission Preserves APCo Net Metering
Virtue Solar, a leading solar installation company in Virginia, has released a new blog post titled "Victory for Virginia Solar: Net Metering Preserved!" analyzing the State Corporation Commission's landmark ruling on Appalachian Power's net metering proposal issued August 29, 2025.The comprehensive article examines the SCC's decision to largely reject Appalachian Power's proposed changes that would have reduced compensation for solar customers by approximately 70%. The ruling preserves the current net
Hantzmon Wiebel CEO, Jennifer S. Lehman, to be Honored with Virginia Business Women in Leadership Award
For Immediate Release August 29, 2025 CONTACT: Candy Gaines, Marketing & Communications CoordinatorEMAIL: cgaines@hwllp.cpa Hantzmon Wiebel CEO, Jennifer S. Lehman, to be Honored with Virginia Business Women in Leadership AwardCharlottesville, VA — Hantzmon Wiebel LLP is proud to announce that CEO and Managing Partner, Jennifer S. Lehman, CPA, CGMA, has been recognized by Virginia Business magazine as an honoree of the 2025 Women in Leadership Award. This honor celebrates women across Virginia
Community Conversation to Focus on Workforce Development and Future of Massanutten Technical Center Programming
Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) and the Rockingham County Government will host a Community Conversation on Workforce Development and Massanutten Technical Center (MTC) Programming on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 9:00–10:00 a.m. at Frieden Farms (4626 Friedens Church Rd, Mt. Crawford, VA 22841). This event is designed to bring together educators, county leaders, and business representatives from across the Shenandoah Valley to discuss current MTC programming, identify emerging workforce
John Flora Recognized As “Virginia Go To Lawyer” In Tax Law
John Flora was recently recognized by Virginia Lawyers Weekly in its “Virginia’s Go To Lawyers for Tax Law 2025” list published on August 25, 2025. Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s “Go To Lawyers” lists are intended to recognize leading lawyers in a particular field who are: “(a) a senior expert in his or her field, well-versed in case law, statutes and regulations; (b) experienced, with a record of success; (c) a lawyer to whom other lawyers make referrals because of his or her expertise and accomplishments; and
FLORA PETTIT ATTORNEYS NAMED IN THE 2026 EDITION OF THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA®
Flora Pettit announces that eight of its lawyers were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2026 edition of TheBest Lawyers in America®. The attorneys listed include Michael E. Derdeyn, John W. Flora, Richard H. Howard-Smith, Donald D. Long, Marc A. Peritz, Jennifer E. Shirkey, Cathleen P. Welsh, and J. Page Williams. Mr. Derdeyn was selected in the practice area of Commercial Litigation; Mr. Flora was selected in the practice area of Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates; Mr. Howard-Smith was
What the “Big Beautiful Bill” Means for Solar in Virginia
Virtue Solar, a leading solar installation company in Virginia, has released a new blog post titled “What the “Big Beautiful Bill” Means for Solar in Virginia”. It explores the implications of the recent "One Big Beautiful Bill" on the solar industry, particularly for Virginia residents. Signed into law on July 4th, 2025, this significant piece of energy legislation introduces several changes to solar tax credits and incentives, impacting timelines and options for both residential and commercial solar
Solar Tax Credits may be going away - Virtue Solar
Virtue Solar, a trusted local solar installer serving Central Virginia since 2015, has published a new blog post explaining important developments in Congress that could significantly affect the federal solar tax credit. The post outlines proposed changes in the Senate that would shorten the timeline for claiming the 30% federal tax credit—especially for homeowners. Under the current bill, residential solar systems would only be eligible for the credit up to 180 days after the legislation is signed into
Reviving Human Connection in Digital Commerce
In the not-so-distant past, a business transaction often came with a smile, a shared moment, maybe even a conversation about the weather or the kids. But the growing dominance of touchscreens, chatbots, and home-office routines has dulled those sparks. Small businesses—the ones built on trust, neighborhood familiarity, and human presence—now face a digital frost. The irony is stark: as the world becomes more connected by technology, the emotional distance between buyers and sellers keeps expanding. For
What Do Watts, Kilowatts, and Kilowatt-Hours Really Mean for Solar?
New Blog: What Do Watts, Kilowatts, and Kilowatt-Hours Really Mean for Solar?If you're looking into solar for your home, you've probably come across numbers like “10kW system” or “produces 12,000 kWh per year.” And if those numbers feel a bit abstract, you’re not alone. We’ve been installing quality solar in Virginia since 2015, and just published a new article to break it all down in plain English. It covers the basics—what a watt is, how kilowatts and kilowatt-hours are different, and why it matters
Dominion Energy’s NEM 2.0 Proposal: What It Means for Solar in Virginia
Virtue Solar, a leading solar installation company serving Harrisonburg, VA, has released a new blog post discussing critical proposed changes to Virginia's net metering policy by Dominion Energy. As a company committed to building high-quality solar systems, Virtue Solar highlights the significant implications of these changes for homeowners looking to install solar, as well as commercial solar customers The blog explains the fundamentals of net metering, which currently allows solar energy producers to
Reach New Milestones by Harnessing Expert Sales and Marketing Insights
In today’s competitive business environment, identifying and utilizing the right expertise is crucial for growth. Success in sales and marketing goes beyond having a strong product or service; it requires strategically addressing gaps with the right professionals. Finding these experts can significantly impact your business's trajectory. This article provides practical steps to help you make informed decisions in hiring external experts. Learn how to enhance your strategies and drive your business
