Cox Business Executive Discussion Series to Focus on 2011 Job Growth in Roanoke

~ Guests from the Executive Discussion Series will appear with Kim Stanley on Cox Connections ~

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Jan 26, 2011, 09:03 ET

ROANOKE, Va., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Business and the Roanoke Times will gather the region's key business and workforce development leaders on January 26 to talk about 2011 job growth forecasts for the Roanoke Valley region. This symposium is part of the Cox Business "Executive Discussion Series." The session will take place on Wednesday, January 26 and will be held at the Hotel Roanoke, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Admission to the Executive Discussion Series is free-of-charge, but space is limited and pre-event registration is required. To register for the event, visit www.Roanoke.com/business.

According to a report by the Roanoke Times, federal resources show the highest rates of job growth in Virginia are likely to be seen in the areas of technology, construction, health care, higher education, natural resources and hospitality. The upcoming Cox Business Executive Discussion Series will review these predictions and assess the opportunities for the region.

"The information to be shared is important in helping businesses better prepare for the economic recovery. Cox is so very pleased to give Roanoke Valley businesses this important future outlook on the future jobs recovery within the region," said Kim Stanley, Vice President of Operations in Roanoke.

The panelists for the upcoming Executive Discussion Series include:

Dr. Mary Miller, President and Founder, IDD, Inc.

Interactive Design and Development, Inc. (IDD), is an award-winning information technology firm based in Blacksburg.

Nathaniel L. Bishop, President, Jefferson College of Health Sciences

The Jefferson College of Health Sciences is a private college offering associate and Baccalaureate degrees in nursing and allied health fields.

Stanley G. Breakell, Chairman and CEO; Breakell, Inc.

Breakell is a General Contracting firm in the region, with the mission of evolving sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship for its clients.

Doug Chittum, Director of Economic Development, Roanoke County

The County's economic development efforts are coordinated by Chittum; he is responsible for state and regional activities including the implementation of marketing, product development, and business retention and expansion programs.

Dr. Sumati Srinivas, Professor of Economics, Radford University

Dr. Srinivas is a labor economist. Her recently published work makes use of extensive research that follows a nationally representative group of Americans, tracking changes in their jobs, income and other workplace characteristics.

Finally, the 2011 jobs recovery will be a continued line of discussion on the next edition of Cox Connections hosted by Ms. Stanley. The panelists from the Executive Discussion Series will speak further about expected job growth in the Roanoke Valley region. This Cox Connections episode will air in March 2011. Please check the program guide at www.cox-9.com for specific air dates and times.

For more information, contact Felicia Blow or [email protected].

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves 6.2 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox is known for pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For six years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunication; for four years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity; and the company holds a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

Also, Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for nearly 250,000 small and regional businesses, including health care providers, K-12 and higher education, financial institutions and federal, state and local government organizations. Cox is currently the seventh largest voice service provider in the U.S., and provides more than 650,000 phone lines to business customers. For more information about Cox Business, visit: http://ww2.cox.com/business/home.cox.

SOURCE Cox Communications