Summer 2026 Newsletter
Summer is Sunlit and Steady
This summer took me further from the office than I've been in years, literally and figuratively.
In June, I spent 10 days completely offline in California and Hawaii with my parents, my sister and my sons. It was the trip of a lifetime.
It also marked something else. The first vacation in seven years where I didn't have to keep up with emails. The JLV team, led by Maggie Gowen, kept projects moving and clients happy the entire time I was gone. Coming home to that made one thing clear: this team can run without me hovering over it, and that's an amazing place to be.
We landed back in Richmond just in time to celebrate America's 250th birthday.
Above Left: Will Vaughan, Mandy Lawrence, Pam Lawrence, Tim Lawrence, Jill Vaughan, and Landon Vaughan
Above Right: Mandy Lawrence, Tim Lawrence, and Jill Vaughan
Not long after, most of our partners gathered together at Gather for our annual JLV meeting to look back on the last year and align on what's ahead. My favorite part of these meetings is always the listening. Hearing what this group of specialized practitioners has accomplished, professionally and personally, is a reminder of the talent we get to work alongside every day.
We also talked about a stat worth sharing. 70% of B2B decision makers research a company long before ever doing business with them.
People do business with people, and that showed up again this past quarter as we expanded scope with clients we've worked alongside for years. Being trusted with more of someone's story after that much time together isn't something we take lightly.
In this issue, we're highlighting top client work, celebrating JLV team members and sharing our commitment to our Vision: We are driven by integrity to elevate clients, empower our team, and build strong, job-creating communities, fulfilling a purpose greater than ourselves.
Above: Sara Hunt, Trevor Dickerson, Katie Helms, Jill Vaughan, Mary Browning, Alissa Poole, Steven Longstaff Maggie Gowen, Bella Metts, Kyra Newman, Sarah Murphy, Kim Catley, Abby Kittrell
Left: Jill and the JLV Partners
Not Pictured: Dawn Young, Maya Buchholz, Teresa Ilnicki
2-Minute Communication Check
Before you hit publish ask yourself...
✓ Clear? Would an outsider understand it?
✓ Compelling? Does the opening hook the reader?
✓ Focused? Is there one clear call to action?
✓ Visual? Is there an image worth stopping for?
✓ Concise? Can you trim 20%?
Above: Maya and Ryan Buchholz
People of JLV
Virtual Assistant Maya Buchholz brings a sharp eye to the JLV team for financial stewardship and a genuine love of turning numbers into a clear path forward. She thrives on revenue and expense forecasting, and finds real satisfaction in helping the agency stay accountable to its clients through good financial decisions. Maya is teaching herself to garden, starting with a barrel of mint in honor of her dad, who grew it on his porch for years.
Agency Edit: Taking the Leap into
Business Ownership
I was recently a guest on Stephanie Pryor’s Podcast for The Agency Edit. We talked about the layoff that started it all and what it actually takes to build something on your own. The conversation skips the basics and goes into what typically gets overlooked: mindset. From scarcity thinking, identity and community, to why getting good at business matters just as much as honing your craft. It’s an episode every business owner could relate and benefit from.
Now Trending: Our Clients
The Bank of Southside Virginia has been rooted in Carson for four generations and it’s the last remaining community bank headquartered in Southside Virginia. We partnered with Wayne Covil and CBS 6 on a Wayne's World feature that brought that story to a wider audience, spotlighting what it means to be a bank that still invests in the community that built it.
Virginia's State Parks offer some of the most rewarding birding experiences in the country, from coastal shorebirds and raptors to more than 20 warbler species in the mountains.
JLV Communications is partnering with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to build a strategic communications plan that positions Virginia State Parks as a premier birding destination. The work focuses on identifying the right audiences, sharpening the messaging and creating outreach opportunities that drive awareness and visitation year-round.
Virginia's Gateway Region is making the case for grid investment across the commonwealth, and that story needed the right platform. JLV Communications worked with VGR President and CEO Keith Boswell to place an op-ed in Cardinal News connecting infrastructure investment to real economic opportunity for the region. Getting a regional economic development voice into a statewide publication moves the needle on visibility and credibility.
Did you know that JLV assists B2B companies with trade show media relations?
At the trade show Automate 2026, every exhibitor is competing for media attention. JLV secured a face-to-face interview between Machine Design and Weidmuller USA's Hannah Witopil at their booth, resulting in a video feature spotlighting their innovative SNAP IN technology for automated cabinet wiring.
What We’re Watching
LinkedIn Shares Video Creation Tips Based on Platform Trends (Social Media Today)
Meta Launches Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp Subscriptions, with More to come, including AI plans (Tech Crunch)
Is It Time To Change The 'R' In PR? (Forbes)
The Real Reason Organizations Struggle to Build Brand Trust (Spin Sucks)
Stay Updated
Want more between newsletters? Follow JLV Communications on LinkedIn for weekly client updates, industry insights and team news. Connect with Jill Vaughan directly for her perspective on communications, PR events and life as a CEO.
We want to stay connected with you!
How We Help Clients
JLV Communications: We bridge the gap between manufacturers, non-profits, economic developers and a skilled workforce to help American companies thrive in today's economy. By developing a strong voice, showing up consistently across the right channels and telling stories that resonate, your organization will build the credibility and visibility that drives real opportunity.
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