Meet Our Newest Employees Of 2019!

Torin Prentice
Ashley Zingler
Shaila Kirandumkara

Torin Prentice is our newest Account Administrator!

In this role, he will be assisting the Account Managers with their current accounts and  developing new ones.

Torin interests include photography, dance, music and sports.

Although he was born in Michigan, Virginia is his longest residency. He recently graduated from Christopher Newport University with a B.A. in Communication Studies.

 

 

Ashley Zingler is our newest Operations Admin and Executive Assistant!
 
When you enter the office, she is the first face you see and the operator when you call.
 
Ashley is a creative person who loves animals, dancing and coffee.
 
She grew up in a military family and moved 19 times before graduating high school. She settled down in Richmond in 2016 with her sweet pup Jersey.
 
Outside of work, Ashley enjoys camping, baking and spending time with friends and family.
 
 
Shaila Kirandumkara joined our team in early March as a Senior Recruiter.
 
“Recruiting is not just a job but it is a passion too,” she said.
 
Shaila is a Bangalore, India native who graduated from Annamalai University with a Master’s in Sociology.
 
She is an active participant of the Dominion Toastmaster club and spends her free time motivating school kids to become better citizens!

Ladies Night At Cooper’s Hawk

The Astyra Ladies
The women of Astyra love to wine and dine, especially together! 
 
We all met at Cooper’s Hawk last week for an evening to unwind with the same people we work alongside daily. The night began with indulging in a wine tasting before being sat down by the waitress for a savory meal.
 
“This just reiterated that Astyra is like a family and I love that,” Ashley, our newest Astyra lady, said.
 
This was Shaila’s first ladies night also and she said getting to know who she works with outside of the office is a nice feeling.
 
Although we aren’t quite sure when this tradition started, we plan to continue having ladies nights!

Astyra’s Biggest Loser

Brittany before and after

In an effort to lose those holiday pounds and promote healthy eating, Astyra’s internal staff participated in a weight loss challenge for four weeks. On the first day, we all weighed ourselves and discovered our body fat percentage. Next, we encouraged each other to visit the gym, meal prep and openly discuss our individual goals. The transparency allowed us to gauge how we were doing against others and gave us suggestions on what we could do!

Midway through the competition, we were surprised by how these new lifestyle changes were becoming a habit. Within those four weeks, our office lost a combined weight of 46 pounds with the weight loss master being Brittany. In just ONE month, she was able to lose 17 pounds.

Brittany achieved this weight loss accomplishment by sticking to a low carb diet and working out. She was able to restrain herself from indulging when we had sweet treats in the office and set an example for everyone.

We enjoyed the friendly competition and hope to stick to these lifestyle changes throughout the year!

Preventing Substance Abuse

Henrico Too Smart 2 Start (HTS2S) appointed our Operations Admin Executive Assistant, Tianna as their Volunteer Social Media Coordinator. With this position, Tianna will lead the communications team in creating a social media plan, assist with community events and design graphics.
 
The coalition focuses on reducing and preventing substance abuse in the Henrico youth population through education and advocacy. In addition to hosting informational events for parents, the organization also tailors events to youth such as a poetry slam with a theme related to the HTS2S mission.
 
Tianna is excited to help and cannot wait to see how the organization grows and develops throughout her time with them. Her first board and general body meeting is coming up next month!

Congrats 2018 Newlyweds!

Kathy and Victor

Astyra Technical Recruiter, Victor and his lovely wife, Kathy tied the knot this month!

The two met in December 2011 and soon after went on their date together at Texas de Brazil. Several years later, Victor proposed to her at the same restaurant while on a trip in Las Vegas.
 
They decided to have their wedding a year later. The ceremony was held at St. Joseph’s Villa with the two surrounded by close friends and family. Following, they held their reception at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
 
We’re wishing the two a lifetime of love and happiness!

Hello Baby Enzo!

Scott, Baby Enzo, Cloud and Melissa

Vice President of Operations, Melissa and her husband, Scott, welcomed their first-born, Enzo this month. He weighed seven pounds and seven ounces at birth.

Enzo enjoys tummy time and looking around. He loves the company of his family, including Cloud the Schnauzer, but his most favorite thing of all is his pacifier!

Developing Astyra Leaders

Our Human Resources Manager, Brittany, attended a Leadership Transitioning Seminar by Fred Pryor Seminars.
 
The seminar focused on giving tips to those moving into higher leadership roles within their company. Brittany was able to expand her knowledge on how to effectively communicate and delegate tasks.
 

She also brought back some of the exercises from the seminar which have already positively impacted our office environment!

These exercises have allowed us to become more conscious of the type of communicators we are. We are able to better communicate to each other through this understanding. We learned that while some people in the office prefer specific information and rules, others work better when given fewer details.
 
We hope to continue learning more about how to effectively work together and communicate to one another.

ChildSavers’ Newest Astyra Board Member

Our Vice President of Operations, Melissa Silver, has been appointed to the ChildSavers Board of Directors.

Astyra has been a supporter of the organization for many years and has hosted events, including AstyraFEST, to raise donations to support ChildSavers.

ChildSavers’ mission is to address the mental health and developmental needs of children, mainly those who have experienced trauma. Martha Patteson Branch founded the nonprofit organization in 1924 in memory of one of Richmond’s first pediatricians Dr. McGuire Newton.

Melissa looks forward to helping lead ChildSavers to achieving greater success!

Congrats 2018 Grad!

Our Director of Operations, Melissa Silver, is Astyra’s most recent Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR) graduate from the Leadership Quest program.

 “I am very honored to have gone through this program and have the opportunity to meet so many wonderful Richmond leaders,” Melissa said reflecting on the experience.

On this ten-month journey, a diverse group of leaders are brought together to receive formal leadership workshops and improve upon their ability to make a lasting impact in the Greater Richmond area.

The program creates an environment for encouraging bold conversations about issues facing our region and helps to broaden perspectives among the group. Part of the program includes a group immersion project that tackles a particular regional issue. Melissa’s group researched and presented on Criminal Justice.

Congratulations Melissa!

Meet Our Newest Employees Of 2018!

Vvia, Taylor, Tianna and Jody

Vivia Lewis joined Astyra as a Recruiting Assistant earlier this year. Ms. Lewis’ role at Astyra is to source and screen for qualified candidates, edit resumes, schedule interviews and communicate with contractors regarding their assignment.

Read more about Vivia

Taylor Choyce was born a California native; she made her way to the east coast in 2013 to earn her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Business Management. Taylor has recently joined our team at Astyra as a Recruiting Assistant.

Tianna Mosby is Astyra’s Operations Admin & Executive Assistant. She is the first face you will see when you walk into our office and acts as the operator when you call. Tianna recently earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications.
 
Jody Montague recently joined the team as a Recruiting Assistant bringing over ten years of customer service experience to the office. She loves helping people and is excited to continue doing so.
 

Congrats 2018 VCU Graduate!

Our Operations Admin and Executive Assistant, Tianna Mosby, graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) earlier this month.

“It was hard work but definitely worth it! I couldn’t have achieved this without my large support system and amazing professors,” Tianna said.

Tianna studied Mass Communications with a focus on Print, Online and Broadcast Journalism. Throughout her college years, she received many scholarships and honors based on her writing and her dedication to education. She is most proud of her recent accomplishment of getting published in the Washington Post!

Congratulations Tianna!

Greetings Baby Nina-Aubrey!

Nico, Nina-Aubrey, Dionne and Chris

Staffing Manager, Dionne Dow and her family welcomed their daughter Nina-Aubrey this month. She weighed seven pounds and four ounces and was 21 inches long.

Nina-Aubrey is constantly watching and learning when she is awake. She loves to look at ceiling fans (on or off) and coos to the sound of Roy Ayers’ and her big brother, Nico, playing his saxophone.

She goes walking with the family pet each day and has visited her Astyra family a few times!

Wedding Bells For Brenna

Brenna and Hunter
Congratulations to our Account Manager, Brenna Biggs (formerly Caton) on her recent marriage to Hunter Biggs!
 
Hunter and Brenna met in 2011 at VCU, they began dating at the end of their college careers, and got engaged in June of 2016.
 
Surrounded by their friends and family, Brenna and Hunter were married in a beautiful afternoon ceremony on September 23rd, 2017 at the Springfield Distillery.

Girls For A Change Workshop

Brittany and former professor Jonathan Young
Brittany Brown, HR Specialist, hosted a workshop for middle school and high school girls for the “Girls for a Change” program held at Virginia State University. Girls For A Change is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help girls develop key skills needed for their success.
 
The title of Brittany’s workshop was, “Girls Chat”. The 411 on Make Up/Professional Attire, Career Goals, Life Balance, and Maintaining Relationships.
 
Brittany her aim was to have an intimate conversation with the young ladies, discussing certain topics of she could provide feedback and advice on, based on her personal experiences.
 
“Each topic that was discussed talked about things that women encounter on a day-to-day basis in both our professional and personal lives” says Brittany.
 
She appreciated the opportunity to speak with the girls and would be honored to participate in the event again next year, if asked.

Meet Our Newest Employees Of 2017!

Chris Bennett
James Rives
Chris Bennett joined Astyra as Controller in January 2017 after spending almost nine years with the Greater Richmond Chamber in a variety of roles involving finance, membership services, and event planning. 
 
Graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2002, Chris earned degrees in both Sports & Entertainment Management and Business Administration. 
 
He is married with three sons. In his spare time, he writes for Rotowire.com, covering the NFL, NCAA football, NCAA basketball and Major League Baseball. 
 
Chris says he’s a beer dork, who also enjoys the art of barbecuing meat low and slow.
 
James Rives joined Astyra as Recruiting Assistant in April 2017. 
 
James is a recent graduate of the University of Mary Washington and is beginning his professional career with Astyra! This is his first full-time position, so he’s looking forward to doing his best work and growing as a young professional. 
 
He’s a fan of most video games, namely first-person shooters and RPGs and would like to one day branch into the gaming industry to share his passion for writing with the world.
 

Executive Of The Year: Ken Ampy

Ken Ampy

Ken Ampy was recently honored with the title of “Executive of the Year” by the Robin’s School of Business at the University of Richmond. Along with the recognition, Ken was given the privilege of being the keynote speaker at the Honors Student’s Convocation on April 21st, 2017.

Click here for a distinguished list of the previous honorees.

Welcome Baby Hannah!

Account Manager, Lee Rattigan and his wife Sarah welcomed their daughter Hannah on March 11, 2016, weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces and measuring 21 inches long.
 
Hannah is a happy baby and brings so much joy to everyone she meets. She is very observant of the world around her and is curious of everyone she meets. Lee and Sarah are  having a great time taking her on walks through local parks and the fan.
 
Hannah enjoys eating sweet potatoes and has already started swimming lessons!
 
She recently traveled to Pennsylvania to visit Sarah’s family and had her first airplane trip to visit Lee’s family in New Hampshire.
 
Lee and Sarah were happy and proud to celebrate Hannah’s baptism at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in July. 
 
The happy parents are excited for their first holiday season with Hannah, and to see their beautiful baby girl grow in the years to come.

Melissa’s Big Day!

Pictured above are Astyra employees at Lake Anna, VA
Astyra’s Director of Operations, Melissa Silver got married last year!
 
Astyra staff members celebrated with her in September at a party held at Lake Anna, VA, but the couple flew back to Melissa’s home country, South Africa for the actual ceremony.
 
Melissa and Scott were married in a small ceremony in the Western Cape on October 24, 2015.
 
The couple enjoyed the special time together in South Africa with both of their immediate families present for the big day! 
Melissa and Scott tie the knot!