VIAB Newsletter

Governor Northam Visited Israel & Israeli Defense Delegation to Va

Governor Ralph Northam Visited Israel with VIAB in November

Governor Ralph Northam traveled to Israel for three days of meetings with leading Israeli companies who have already invested more than $750 million dollars in Virginia and to cultivate new prospects.

The Governor was accompanied by his senior economic team including Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball, Secretary of Agriculture Bettina Ring, and President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation Rita McClenny. Virginia Israel Advisory Board Vice Chairman Chuck Lessin and Executive Director Dov Hoch, along with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, organized and participated on the trip.

A Delegation of 20 Israeli Companies Visiting Virginia in Feb.

In Tel Aviv, Governor Northam met with the Israeli Ministry of Defense to prepare for a delegation of 20 Israeli companies with Unmanned Systems, Naval and Avionics technologies and solutions visiting Virginia in February. Three days of events throughout Virginia associated with the visit are all structured to build partnerships that enhance Virginia companies workforce, R&D, and manufacturing base.

Israeli companies, including the three largest Israeli defense contractors, are seeking to source $100m of goods and services in Virginia, develop R&D, manufacturing and sales partnerships.

Virginia companies are encouraged to review the Israeli companies in the delegation and request meetings with them. Registration for all events is required. All meetings are pre-arranged. For updates on registration and events see the Virginia Israel Advisory Board site.

There will be more than one hundred B2B meetings between Israel and Virginia companies in Fairfax County and Hampton Roads Feb. 3 – 6, as well as, evening receptions at the Israeli Embassy, in Richmond and Norfolk.

Registration: Fairfax Event Feb 3rd and Hampton Roads Feb 5th

Participating Virginia organizations include:

Commonwealth Center of Innovation for Autonomous Systems (ODU and VTech)

Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority

Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance

Energix’s Investment in Virginia Exceeds $100m

Governor Northam met in Tel Aviv with Energix, a renewable energy company traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. In the past two years, Energix invested more than $100m in several Virginia counties. The company’s long-term commitment to Virginia includes maintaining ownership and management of solar farms in Virginia for decades.

Governor Northam, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball (right) and Virginia Israel Advisory Board Vice Chairman Chuck Lessin (left) at a meeting with Energix in Tel Aviv (November, 2019).

Governor Northam with the Energix team and Virginia Israel Advisory Board Vice Chairman Chuck Lessin (2nd from right) and Executive Director Dov Hoch (left) at Energix’s Tel Aviv Offices (November 2019).

Governor Northam met Elbit Systems in Israel to discuss the growth of the company’s recent $350m acquisition of Roanoke-based Harris Night Vision

Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT) (TASE: ESLT) U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America signed a Definitive Agreement to acquire Harris Night Vision in Roanoke Virginia (500 employees) for $350 million dollars.

Unmanned UAVs surface, ground, and underwater – partnerships in R&D, manufacturing and defense teaming agreements between Israel and Virginia companies. Israeli autonomous vehicle companies are seeking Virginia unmanned vehicles ventures to partner with in R&D, manufacturing, and teaming agreements. Please contact for details

Virginia is home to FAA-designated UAS test site The Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership and two NASA facilities focusing on UAS research, Langley Research Center and Wallops

Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI), moved its North American headquarters in Fairfax County

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced that Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI), Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest aerospace and defense company, will expand its North American headquarters operation at a new location in Fairfax County. The Governor made the announcement following a meeting with IAI officials in Tel Aviv during his international trade and marketing mission to Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The project will bring more than 50 new jobs to Fairfax County.

“As the largest aerospace and defense manufacturer in Israel, IAI’s decision to expand its headquarters here reinforces that Virginia is a prime location for global companies seeking growth in North American markets,” said Governor Northam. “This important project demonstrates the long-term benefits of building corporate partnerships and telling Virginia’s business story around the world. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet with IAI officials in Tel Aviv to discuss ways we can strengthen economic ties between Virginia and Israel.” For more details

The Virginia Israel Advisory Board will be presenting at the Israel USA Business Summit in Tel Aviv in February.

Please come by our booth. Last year at the Summit, VIAB Executive Director Dov Hoch shared the stage with Florida Governor

(see video).

10th Annual Israeli Film Festival in Richmond January 23-30

The Richmond Israeli Film Festival is dedicated to fostering an understanding of Israeli culture and access to Israel’s thriving film industry. The festival features films based upon awards or nominations, timely subject matter and input from the film community. Films include Polar Bear underwater film Picture of His Life at the Science Museum of Virginia Jan. 29th.

The Virginia Israel Advisory Board is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia (Office of the General Assembly) that facilitates Israeli companies to establish and grow their operations in Virginia and Virginia companies to source innovative Israeli technology. We leverage the strong synergies between Virginia and Israeli businesses with the goals of increasing investment and developing lasting partnerships that expand and enhance the workforce in Virginia.