RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of three Hampton Roads companies into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy.

The new companies accepted into the program include G2 Ops, Inc. of the City of Virginia Beach; Lumber Liquidators, Inc. of James City County; and xTuple of the City of Norfolk.

Currently, the VALET program has 47 companies as participants. The program provides participating companies assistance from the Commonwealth and from a team of experienced international service providers to help meet their international goals. These private sector service providers, such as attorneys, website designers, bankers, translators, accountants and freight forwarders contribute essential expertise to assist companies in executing their export initiatives.

These Virginia companies join the program as part of the 24th class of the VALET program. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. Currently, more than 200 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program.

“The VALET program generates international sales for Virginia businesses,” said Paul Grossman, VEDP Vice President of International Trade. “Since its inception in 2002, the program has worked with more than 200 businesses to accelerate their international sales growth. Because of the program’s proven success and because jobs are created when Virginia companies sell more into global markets, it is important that we continue to assist Virginia companies through the program. We are happy to welcome these companies to VALET and look forward to working with them over the course of the next two years.”

G2 Ops, Inc.
G2 Ops is an innovative provider of systems and data modeling, systems engineering and installation, cyber security analyses, threat assessments and maritime security. The company specializes in solutions for complex systems in demanding afloat and shore-based environments for both commercial and military clients.

Lumber Liquidators, Inc.
Lumber Liquidators is a provider of flooring solutions, including hardwoods, engineered hardwood, laminate, bamboo, cork and vinyl. The company offers one of the largest inventories of unfinished and finished hardwood floors in the industry.

xTuple
xTuple's open-source enterprise resource planning tools help companies of all sizes to successfully grow their business profitably, integrating all critical functional areas into one modular system—sales, accounting and operations, customer and supplier management, as well as inventory control, manufacturing and distribution. The company provides flexible licensing and pricing options, working with a global community of tens of thousands of professional users.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 25-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, China, Germany, Mexico, Japan, India and the United Kingdom.

To learn more about VALET program, visit www.ExportVirginia.org.