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!

Victor Offers Career Advice

Victor

The Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals (ULGRYP) and Thursday Network (TN) partnered together to host a panel discussion on career advancement and invited our Technical Recruiter, Victor to speak!

Victor has been a member of the ULGRYP for several years now and was honored to be chosen as a guest speaker.

This discussion was held in September at the Second Annual Maudine Cooper Leadership Retreat. Both organizations strive to develop young black professionals’ leadership skills.
 
Victor said he enjoyed speaking to the young professionals as well as attending the insightful informational sessions.

Back To School Program

Victor at the YMCA Bright Beginnings Program

Technical Recruiter, Victor Rogers participated in the YMCA Bright Beginnings program one evening in August.

The program matches children with a Shopping Buddy for one day to buy clothes and enjoy a meal together to prepare for school. Throughout their time together, the volunteer also offers advice and gives the child a positive outlook on the upcoming school year.

Victor paired up with a 2nd grader and they bought two new outfits before the start of his buddy’s new school year.

Right On Cue Tournament 2017

Astyra's teams

Astyra formed 3 teams to participate in the annual “Right on Cue” tournament, hosted by ChamberRVA in March.

Astyra was the proud sponsor of the trophy.

Pictured above, Sam Young stands with the winners of the pool tournament, ChamberRVA's CEO, Kim Scheeler and the current Chair Ned Masse.

Developing Future Leaders

Lee Rattigan
Victor Rogers
Lee Rattigan and Victor Rogers recently attended courses held by the Chamber RVA.
 

Account Management Team Lead, Lee Rattigan participated in an RVA Leadership Lab from January to April of 2016. The program was put on by Chamber RVA and Luck Companies. 

The focus of the class was primarily individual development.
 
Throughout the class he learned about making conscious choices by utilizing core values and personality styles. The small coaching groups focused on self-awareness, social awareness, and influence. The larger workshops were focused around local leaders, who would come in and discuss their story as it related to their individual growth. Lee said that the class was very beneficial and allowed him to continue his growth as a person and leader.
 
Recruiter, Victor Rogers is a graduate of the newest class of Mentor Richmond. During the duration of the Mentor Richmond program Victor had the opportunity to network with many of the brightest and youngest minds in the Greater Richmond business sector and learn from the premiere business leaders of the city.
 
Victor shared with Astyra that this was an invaluable experience, and the opportunity has since helped strengthen his professional network, increased his knowledge of resources in Richmond, and enhanced his professionalism immensely.

Committed To Giving Back

Mark Thompson.
Denise and Melanie pictured with Keynote Speaker, Vernice "Flygirl" Armour.
Brittany Brown.

Astyra is proud of our staff who engage in community service initiatives. Below are some highlights of employees who were active in the community in 2015. 

Mark Thompson, Astyra’s CFO, is a member of the Sports Backers Presidents Council Executive Committee and served as the Chair for the Scholar Athlete dinner, held on June 2, 2015. He has been with the group for 5 years.
 
Melanie Parrish, Director of Client Accounts and Denise White, Recruiting Team Lead attended the First Annual Diversity and Inclusion Symposium, co-hosted by VCU and the Greater Richmond Society of Human Resource Management on June 26, 2015. 
 
The symposium brought together business, academic and community leaders as well as human resource, diversity and inclusion professionals to promote the widespread value of diversity and inclusion. 
 
Keynote speakers included Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Vernice “Flygirl” Armour, America’s First African American Combat Pilot, Former Captain in the United States Marines.

In August, 2015 Technical Recruiter, Victor Rogers was selected to be part of Mentor Richmond, hosted by the Greater Chamber Richmond Chamber. Click here to learn more. 
 
Brittany Brown came from a cheerleading background, and just couldn’t refuse Astyra’s President, Sam Young when he requested that she help coach a cheerleading squad with the Wells Athletic Association.
 
Brittany truly enjoyed the experience and she commented, “Not only did I have the opportunity to work with talented girls who were doing something I love, the exercise didn’t hurt either!” 

Community Service Award

In late January, Astyra Recruiter, Victor Rogers was honored with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Service Award for his community service commitment in the Greater Richmond area. Victor received the President’s Volunteer Service Award – Gold (PVSA) during the year of 2014.

Some of the community services actives that Victor was involved with in 2014 were afternoon school mentoring at Ratcliffe Elementary School, leading voting registration drives, and participating in the YMCA Bright Beginnings program. In addition to these activities Victor also assisted in developing several community panel discussions as the President of the Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals.