Zaxby’s recently announced its multi-unit development agreement with Hoozax Foods, Inc. to open 32 Zaxby’s restaurants in the Norfolk and Richmond areas within the next seven years. The partnership will make Hoozax Foods, Inc. one of Zaxby’s largest franchisees. A southeast favorite for chicken fingers and buffalo wings, Zaxby’s features a quick-casual format providing services and amenities that fall somewhere between fast food and a sit-down restaurant. The chain operates more than 550 locations in 12 states; there are currently three locations in Virginia - Roanoke, Salem and Williamsburg. Of the 32, 15 restaurants are planned for Richmond.

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Peter Trauernicht has joined Gavin Law Offices, PLC, located in western Henrico. Trauernicht graduated earlier this year from the T.C. Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond, where he focused on intellectual property. He received his bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Virginia in 2009. Trauernicht will assist with Gavin Law Offices’ newly formed Enterprise Division.

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For the first time in the last three quarters, CEOs in central Virginia feel pessimistic about projected sales, capital spending and employment growth, according to the 2nd quarter CEO Economic Outlook Survey. Top executives of small and mid-sized companies participating in the survey anticipate slow growth during the next six months, with only 50 percent saying they would increase staff, down from 58.1 percent last quarter. The results show that 14.4 percent of CEOs now expect decreased sales during the next two quarters, 4.3 percent more than last quarter. The Virginia Council of CEOs and University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business jointly conduct the quarterly survey; responses from 90 business owners and CEOs in central Virginia were collected.

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Glen Allen based Mead & Hunt, Inc. recently acquired Barnard Dunkelberg & Company, a firm with offices in Tulsa and Denver. Both companies provide aviation planning and environmental services. Combined, the two firms employ about 450 employees from more than 20 offices in 15 states.

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John B. Catlett has been elected incoming chairman of the St. Joseph’s Villa Board of Trustees. Catlett, a shareholder at the law firm Sands Anderson, PC, is a long-time trustee of the Villa and has served as chairman of the development committee and as an active member of the Golf Tournament Committee. As chairman, Catlett will be responsible for leading St. Joseph’s Villa in the implementation of its new strategic plan, now that renovations of the historic 82 acre campus are complete. He succeeds John C. Gentry as chairman. His term will begin July 1.

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Barbara Dyke, an executive assistant at Capitol Financial Solutions in Henrico, recently was recognized for 15 years of service and for her passionate volunteerism with Moss on the James, an organization focused on assisting charities and fostering an appreciation of the art of P. Buckley Moss. Currently serving as president of Moss on the James, Dyke is focusing on expanding missions and growing the membership. The organization has supported existing programs including the Massey Cancer Center, Noah’s Children, The Riverside School and the Ronald McDonald House.

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Jim Debiec, vice president of operations and asset management for Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), has announced his retirement effective July 6 after 22 years with the not-for-profit wholesale electric generation-and-transmission provider. Debiec began his cooperative career in 1978. He joined ODEC in 1990 as project engineer for the Clover Power Station in Halifax, Va., and in 1999, Debiec became director of power production responsible for the oversight of both Clover and North Anna Power Stations and the design and construction of ODEC’s Rock Springs, Louisa, and Marsh Run Combustion Turbine generating stations. He has worked out of ODEC headquarters in Glen Allen for the past 13 years.