NORFOLK, Va. — Thursday morning, a group of Virginia politicians announced ARDX, a government healthcare management and technology consulting firm, would be expanding in Norfolk.
Olivia on 21st represents a $2.4 million investment in the city, and is expected to hire more than 15 people to fill jobs. The new location sits at the corner of 21st Street and Colonial Avenue.
Dr. Angela Reddix, the founder, president and CEO of ARDX, said this transition was a story of commitment, sacrifice, faith and hope.
She has close ties to Norfolk. Reddix thanked her grandmother for helping raise her and transition three generations of their family from poverty to comfort.
“Olivia on 21st represents Olivia Maggie Dyson,” Dr. Reddix said.
Dyson did this by working two jobs and putting ten children through college. Reddix said her grandmother worked in the Parks and Recreation department for the city of Norfolk, and the Hardee's on 21st Street -- right across from the new business.
"It’s an honor to represent that it doesn’t matter where you start, it’s about delayed gratification,” she said.
For Dyson, part of that gratification came from her granddaughter, Reddix.
“The building that overlooks the building that allowed her to make ends meet now bears her name,” Reddix said.
Thursday morning, she and city leaders cut the ribbon on new office space now known as Olivia on 2st.
“ARDX is the epitome of innovation that we strive for in the Commonwealth,” Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Chelsea Jenkins said.
ARDX, founded in 2006, is "intimately involved with Medicare Part C, D and the Affordable Care Act," Reddix said.
The team has helped the Baltimore City Department of Social Services with a workforce development project, worked with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a technical help portal and has a long list of partnerships with other government agencies.
Reddix said this office will work to decrease healthcare disparities. She said her team will work to develop programs, partnerships and by growing the job force in Hampton Roads.
One of the ways ARDX is already doing it is by offering internships for students.
