The Center for Economic and Community Engagement (CECE) team recently embarked on a retreat to the Hampton Roads region to meet with partners. The team toured the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center, the Virginia Tech Coastal Collaborator, and the Virginia Tech Newport News Center.

The team spent a day at the Newport News Center and heard from Daniel Haskett, business planning specialist for Canon, Monty Mason, senior director of community affairs and partnerships at William & Mary, and Liz Povar, principal of the RiverLink Group.

Curtis Friedel, director of the Virginia Tech Center for Cooperative Problem Solving, and Elli Travis, senior economic development specialist for CECE also facilitated a workshop focused on the Kirton Adaption-Innovation theory. This theory explains how an individual’s personality and problem-solving style influence their preferred way of working in a team.

On the final day of the trip, the CECE team visited Matheson Oyster Co., an oyster supplier in Gloucester County, VA, and Oyster Seed Holdings, an oyster hatchery in Mathews County. Sarah Matheson-Harrison, owner and chief marketing officer of Matheson Oyster, provided a tour of the facility, including a boat trip to see the oyster farm. At Oyster Seed Holdings, owner and operator Michael Congrove and hatchery technician Gretchen Davis shared insights into their oyster-raising processes.

Associate Director of the Newport News Center Mallory Tuttle and Executive Director John Provo at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Associate Director of the Newport News Center Mallory Tuttle and Executive Director John Provo at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Associate Director of the Newport News Center Mallory Tuttle and Executive Director John Provo at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center. CECE team members hear from Wendy Stout, director of the Virginia Tech Coastal Collaborator. Associate Director for Community Innovations Scott Tate at the Virginia Tech Coastal Collaborator. Monty Mason, senior director of community affairs and partnerships at William & Mary, speaks to the CECE team at the Virginia Tech Newport News Center. Mallory Tuttle, Daniel Haskett, and Liz Povar share insights with the CECE team. Mallory Tuttle takes the CECE team on a tour of the Newport News Center. CECE team and partners pose for a picture outside the Newport News Center. Senior Economic Development Specialist Elli Travis facilitates a KAI workshop. Scott Tate and Economic Development Specialist Dylan Andrews participate in the KAI workshop. Region 2 Internship Collaborative Program Coordinator Brenna Valle participates in a team-building exercise focused on child care solutions. Mallory Tuttle holds a crab found near Matheson Oyster Co. Sarah Matheson-Harris, owner and chief marketing officer of Matheson Oyster Co., gives CECE team members a tour of the facility. Sarah Matheson-Oyster shows the CECE team the box used to ship oysters to customers. Sarah Matheson-Harris holds an oyster cage. Mallory Tuttle and Elli Travis on the way to visit an oyster farm. Talent Pathways Initiative Project Coordinator Emmalee Wagner. Oysters at Oyster Seed Holdings. Owner and Operator of Oyster Seed Holdings Michael Congrove takes the CECE team on a tour of the facility. Michael Congrove, owner and operator of Oyster Seed Holdings, shows the CECE team baby oysters. CECE team poses for a picture in front of the Love NN sign. Members of the CECE team pose for a picture on the boat. Gallery Image