VDFP Dispatch September - 2025

PUBLISHED FOR AND ABOUT VDFP’s EMPLOYEES

VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 9 | SEPTEMBER 2025

Wise Regional 2025 We would like to issue a special thanks to all of our training staff that comes together to make instructional events like these happen. To learn more about this year’s Wise Regional, tune in to the latest episodes of the VDFP Podcast, released on 9/23 and 9/30, available here.

Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign

NEWS INSIDE Page 2 - VDFP Website Redesign Page 3 - Employee Spotlight: Paul Kohler Page 4 - IT Corner Page 5 - Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Page 6 - DMV Mobile ID app launch Page 7 - Reminder: Commonwealth of Virginia and NASCAR Offer

The 2025 Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) is launching October 1!

For 28 years, CVC has empowered employees to give back to the causes they care about most. Read inside to see how you can get involved and support this year’s campaign.

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Enhancing public safety throughout the Commonwealth Community Risk Reduction

Training

Virginia Fire Marshal Academy

State Fire Marshal's Off ice

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Website Redesign Update Our website redesign project is well underway, with many moving parts coming together behind the scenes. A big thank you to all staff who have contributed or assisted in providing materials—your input is helping shape a fresh, modern, and user-friendly site. We’re excited to share the results in the near future and appreciate everyone’s hard work and support in making this project a success.

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VDFP Employee Spotlight: Paul Kohler

Tell me about your role and what led you here to VDFP? My role at VDFP involves writing invoices and taking credit card payments for the various goods and services provided by VDFP. These include Permits, Inspections Fees, books as requested, and training classes. Typically, that constitutes the bulk of the day. I also do filing duties, keep track of monthly expenditures by cost code, and inform management of any irregularities. I also substitute as the receptionist, and there’s always the ubiquitous “other duties as assigned.” Historically, I started out as a Nuclear Reactor Chemist on Navy nuclear vessels, mostly submarines, but the last 8 months on the nuclear carrier Enterprise. After a brief stint at Dow Chemical, I came to the State and was an analytical chemist in the State Lab. Next, I went to what was to become the Department of Environmental Quality, from which I retired.

I flunked retirement – didn’t like having nothing to do – and came to VDFP as a part-time.

I continue to enjoy being productive, find it rewarding, and get especially motivated whenever I find new ways to do old jobs. That’s probably my favorite thing at VDFP. Do you have any hobbies?

Hobbies have included, woodworking, playing music (Mustard Seed, Spirit Song), more recently, SciFi writing (Ander, out for edit, and Planet of the Lost, under construction), and Genealogy.

Do you have anywhere you would like to travel to?

I would love to go to the Stadtarchiven (State Archives) in Saulgau, Germany, and research more of dad’s family, or to Scotland for mom’s side.

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IT Corner – Cybersecurity: Our Shared Responsibility Greetings VDFP Team, By now, you should have been notified about the KnowBe4 Security Training and the DHRM required training through the Commonwealth of Virginia Learning Center (COVLC).

I am happy to announce that we have 69% completion rate on the KnowBe4 training.

Keep up the good work and stay educated.

Robert Steele VDFP IT Manager | Deputy ISO

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Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC), the state’s official charitable giving program. Since 1997, CVC has made it simple and safe for more than 120,000 Commonwealth employees to support causes that matter most to them.

The 2025 campaign will run from October 1 through December 31, continuing a long tradition of generosity, service, and community impact. Participating charities represent a wide range of missions—including youth, veterans, persons with disabilities, faith-based organizations, and more—ensuring that employees can give in ways that reflect their values.

LEARN MORE

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The DMV is Launching Mobile ID in Virginia Dear State Employees, We’re excited to announce that Virginia is launching Mobile ID — and you get early access before the statewide rollout. DMV is rolling this out exclusively to our Commonwealth Colleagues in waves between 9/25 and 10/2. Get it before anyone else does! If you were a member of the V1 test drive, you should also download this new version With the Virginia Mobile ID app (available in the App Store and Google Play), you can securely verify your identity right from your smartphone. Unlike a photo of your license, Mobile ID protects your personal information, letting you stay in control while moving quickly through checkpoints and interactions. Please continue to carry your physical license or ID for now.

Where you can use Mobile ID today: • • • •

TSA checkpoints at 230+ U.S. airports, including DCA, IAD, RIC, ORF, PHF, and ROA Virginia State Police In Richmond: five ABC stores and six DMV service centers (details below) Afterglow Brewing in Norfolk

Coming soon: • • •

Apple and Samsung wallet integrations Use at all 76 DMV service centers and 400+ ABC stores Acceptance by local law enforcement, polling places, casinos, racetracks, restaurants, and more

Download the app today to set up your official Mobile ID and start using it now. Learn more on DMV’s website or download the app on App Store or Google Play. The future of identification is in your hands — and we’re proud that Virginia’s state employees will lead the way.

Pilot Virginia ABC stores in the Richmond area that accept Virginia Mobile ID include: • • • • •

3450-3452 Pump Road, Suites 21 and 22, in Henrico 7407 Pole Green Road, in Mechanicsville 11400 W. Huguenot, Road Suite 121, in Midlothian 3063 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Richmond 6589 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville

Richmond-area DMV Customer Service Centers accepting Virginia Mobile ID app include: • • • • • •

Richmond Central Customer Service Center at 2300 West Broad Street Ashland Customer Service Center at 252 A Washington Highway East Henrico Customer Service Center at 5517 South Laburnum Avenue West Henrico Customer Service Center at 9237 Quioccasin Road Chester Customer Service Center at 12100 Branders Creek Drive Chesterfield Customer Service Center at 610 Johnston Willis Drive

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Reminder! The Commonwealth of Virginia and NASCAR Partner for State Employee Offer Dear State Employees, The Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) is pleased to announce that NASCAR and Martinsville Speedway has partnered with the Commonwealth to offer state employees a discount to the 2025 Fall NASCAR Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway Sunday, October 26, 2025.

To recognize and thank you for your service to the Commonwealth, Martinsville Speedway extends $27.75 off selected grandstand tickets to the 2025 Fall NASCAR Cup Series on October 26. Martinsville Speedway has a special ticket link for state employees to purchase these discounted tickets to the 2025 Fall NASCAR Cup Series. Please see below.

State Employee Appreciation Offer NASCAR Martinsville Speedway Purchase Tickets

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