Governor Warner Announces Members of Peninsula BRAC Working Group

Press Release

Governor Mark R. Warner today appointed members to serve on the Peninsula Area BRAC Working Group. The working group will address the recommendations issued in August by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, which proposed closing Fort Monroe and adding military personnel at Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base in Hampton.

"Overall, the BRAC impact on the Peninsula was less severe than we initially anticipated," Governor Warner said. "We are disappointed with the recommendation to close Fort Monroe, but that was not unexpected, and we already are working with Hampton city leaders on ambitious plans for this property to continue providing economic value to the city, region and state, once the U.S. Army completes its environmental clean-up at the site."

"When the Commonwealth loaned the Fort Monroe site to the U.S. government in the early 1800's, it was environmentally pristine, and we fully expect it be to returned to us in that same condition," the Governor added.

"While the closure of Fort Monroe was disappointing, its nearly 2,600 TRADOC personnel will move just up the road to Fort Eustis, which could have an impact on traffic and commuting patterns," said Governor Warner. "In addition, the BRAC decision to maintain the Aviation Logistics School and its 2,400 personnel at Fort Eustis was good news, in addition to the 750 new positions created at Langley Air Force Base."

The Peninsula Area BRAC Working Group will examine the impact of these moves on the region's infrastructure and economy, in addition to the estimated 5,000 indirect jobs that are expected to be added on the Peninsula due to the BRAC recommendations.

The Peninsula Area BRAC Working Group is comprised of the following individuals:

* As chair, Michael Petters of Newport News, Sector President of Northrop Grumman Newport News;
* The Honorable I. Vincent Behm, Jr., of Hampton, former member of the Virginia House of Delegates and President of Goodman Hardware and Glass Company;
* The Honorable Jim Burgett of York, Chairman of the York County Board of Supervisors;
* Jack L. Ezzell, Jr., of Hampton, Rector of Norfolk State University and President of Zeltech, Inc.;
* The Honorable Joe S. Frank of Newport News, Mayor of the City of Newport News;
* The Honorable Phillip A. Hamilton of Newport News, Delegate of the 93rd District;
* Clyde R. Hoey, II, of Newport News, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce;
* The Honorable Ross A. Kearney, II, of Hampton, Mayor of the City of Hampton;
* The Honorable Mamie E. Locke of Hampton, Senator of the 2nd District;
* McKinley Price, DDS, of Newport News, Chairman of the Thomas Nelson Community College Board;
* Walter S. Segaloff of Smithfield, President of the Warwick Group, Ltd.;
* Alan S. Witt, CPA, of Newport News, Chief Executive Officer of Witt Mares, PLC.

Additionally, the region's members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Representatives JoAnn Davis, Thelma Drake, and Bobby Scott, and U. S. Senators John Warner and George Allen, will serve as non-voting, ex-officio members.

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