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Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Celebrates Triple Win at Inaugural Virginia Talent Awards

EconomicPress Release

Three VCWP-affiliated professionals recognized by the Governor at the Together for Talent Summit

September 22, 2025 – Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region (VCWP) is proud to announce that three of its affiliated workforce development leaders were honored at the inaugural Virginia Talent Awards, presented during the “Together for Talent: An Employer Experience” summit hosted by Halifax County Chamber of  Commerce, featuring an address from Governor Glenn Youngkin, recognizing award winners on behalf of Virginia Works.

The awards, presented at the Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage in Henrico County, recognize outstanding employers and workforce development professionals across Virginia for their exceptional contributions to creating talent pathways and addressing workforce challenges.

VCWP-Connected Award Recipients:
Quinn-Lynn Bates received the Barrier Breaker Award for her outstanding work as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Case Manager with Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Region and Rappahannock Goodwill Industries. The award recognizes "a partner who has gone above and beyond to impact rural Virginians' access to and opportunities for workforce development."

Over her seven years in workforce development, Quinn-Lynn has transformed opportunities for rural job seekers across five counties in Virginia Planning District 9. As a senior case manager, she oversees all WIOA programs -- Adult, Dislocated Worker, In-School Youth, and Out-of-School Youth – utilizing a proactive approach to help individuals secure meaningful employment, including seeking out and obtaining additional grant funding to support job training.

Antwon Brinson, President of Culinary Concepts AB and a Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Region board member, was honored with the Emerging Workforce Leader Award. This award recognizes "a small business (under 100 employees) making a big impact in workforce development despite limited resources."

Chef Brinson's social enterprise uses culinary arts to provide comprehensive training in both occupational and life skills. The organization's philosophy, "Reach One, Teach One," creates pathways to careers in the hospitality industry, especially for individuals from marginalized backgrounds. By focusing on holistic development, the program equips participants with essential soft skills, in addition to culinary expertise. This approach provides a blueprint for community-based workforce development, offering a path to meaningful careers and contributing to personal and professional reform for individuals facing barriers to employment, including returning citizens.

Culinary Concepts AB's programs, such as the "GO Cook" initiative, prepare participants for employment through technical training, industry-recognized certifications, and life skills education. By working with community colleges across the state of Virginia, the organization is able to offer students the opportunity to earn transferable college credit. Additionally, Culinary Concepts AB works with correctional facilities, providing in-jail training that helps connect returning citizens to jobs upon their release. In addition to these efforts, the company also runs a small business training program specifically for food service entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills and tools needed to scale their businesses.

Raye Elliott, co-founder and executive director of FLIPP Inc and VCWP board member since March 2025, received the Second Chance Employer Excellence Award. The award celebrates "an employer that offers meaningful employment opportunities to individuals with barriers to employment, such as returning citizens or those in recovery."

A disabled Army veteran, Raye has dedicated her career to creating inclusive workforce opportunities through renewable energy training. Her CEBRA training program in Dillwyn has achieved a remarkable 75% employment rate for justice-impacted individuals, proving that green jobs can serve as pathways to redemption and opportunity. In addition to serving on the VCWP board, Elliott also began chairing VCWP’s Programs Committee in August 2025.

Having three of our practitioners and leaders recognized at the state level speaks volumes about the quality and impact of workforce development happening in our region,” said Stephanie McNamara, Assistant Director, Programs at Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Region. “Quinn-Lynn's dedication to rural communities, Antwon's innovative approach to culinary workforce development, and Raye's commitment to second chances perfectly embody our mission of connecting job seekers, employers, and educators to build a stronger regional workforce.

The Together for Talent Summit, held during National Workforce Development Month, brought together employers, workforce development professionals, and state leaders to strengthen Virginia's talent pipeline. The event featured interactive panels, collaborative solution sessions, and a special address from Governor Youngkin highlighting Virginia's commitment to becoming the nation's top state for talent.

About the Organizations:
Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region connects job seekers, employers, and educators to build a stronger regional workforce. Through innovative programming and strategic partnerships, VCWP empowers individuals with the tools and training needed to thrive in today's economy.

Rappahannock Goodwill Industries has been a leader in workforce development since 1966, serving 16 localities in Central Virginia and supporting thousands of job seekers annually through training, job placement, and career advancement programs.

Culinary Concepts AB is a social enterprise founded by Chef Antwon Brinson that uses culinary arts to provide comprehensive training, creating pathways to careers in the hospitality industry while focusing on holistic development for participants from marginalized backgrounds.

FLIPP Inc creates an inclusive workforce that reduces employment barriers for justice-impacted individuals, veterans, BIPOC, women, and youth while empowering low-income communities with renewable energy and entrepreneurship development training.
 
Media Contacts:
Virginia Career Works – Piedmont Region
Liz Burnett, Communications Specialist
Ph: 434-290-0026, ext. 102
eburnett@vcwpiedmont.com
 
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Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Celebrates Triple Win at Inaugural Virginia Talent Awards