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ChamberLink • JANUARY, 2014
BOARD AND STAFF FREDERICKSBURG REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OFFICERS Mike Fidgeon, Chair, Providence Service Corporation Greg Calvert, Vice Chair, Kloke Mayflower Kathryn “Kathy” Wall, Immediate Past Chair, Mary Washington Healthcare Andy Kerr, Treasurer, StellarOne Susan Spears, President, Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.
elected directors Mona Albertine, Jabberwocky Inc. Gene Bailey, Fredericksburg Regional Alliance Nick Cadwallender, The Free Lance-Star Publishing Cos. Dr. J.R. Flatter, Flatter & Associates Maria Franklin, Union First Market Bank Adam Fried, Atlantic Builders, Ltd. Bill Hession, Lockheed Martin Ron Holmes, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Kathy Hoffman, Mary Kay Cosmetics Richard Hurley, University of Mary Washington Regis Keddie II, Davenport & Co. Hart Rutherford, SimVentions Dr. David Sam, Germanna Community College Woody Van Valkenburgh, Rappahannock Goodwill Industries Eric Watkins, Infinity Technologies Joe Wilson, PermaTreat Pest Control
legal counsel Margaret Hardy, Sands Anderson PC
chamber staff Michele Renee Dooling, Director of Finance & Human Resources, michele@ fredericksburgchamber.org Katie Hansen, Executive Assistant & Member Services Support, katie@fredericksburgchamber.org Stacey Hicks, Administrative Support, stacey@fredericksburgchamber.org Sheri Kroskie, Member Services Assistant, sheri@fredericksburgchamber.org Tricia Benson Matthews, Membership Account Executive, Tricia@fredericksburgchamber.org Susan Spears, President, susan@fredericksburgchamber.org Whitney Watts, Director of Member Services, whitney@fredericksburgchamber.org
President’s Perspective
Chamber starting 2014 on high note by honoring area business leaders
By Susan Spears The communities that make up the Fredericksburg Region are blessed with a strong team of business leaders. Day after day, with little fanfare, these men and women make our economy work. They provide jobs to our skilled workforce, who in turn provide the goods and services consumers need and want. In addition, our region’s business leaders aid a wide variety of civic and charitable causes. They donate money and materials to the needy. They give of their own time to area non-profits. They grant their employees time to volunteer as well. And so it is with great pleasure that the Chamber starts the New Year by recognizing those who have done so much for our community. I hope you will make plans to join us on Jan. 31 when we honor our most dedicated business leaders at the 2014 Chamber Awards and Gala. We will present two Business of the Year awards – one to a company with 25 or fewer employees and one to an enterprise with more than 25 employees. This award goes to a company for achieving business and financial success and for involvement in Chamber and
community activities. We will also recognize an individual who possesses the entrepreneurial spark so vital to a robust economy. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award goes to an innovative business owner or individual that recognizes and meets a market need. Finally, the Chamber will salute an individual who has shown a longstanding commitment to the wellbeing of the Fredericksburg Region. The Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award goes to a person who has demonstrated a lifetime of outstanding service to the community. There is still time to nominate individuals and businesses for these awards. Please contact Whitney Watts at whitney@fredericksburgchamber.org to submit your nomination today. Honoring these fine men and women is one of the highlights of the year for me. I’m already getting excited just thinking about it. Oh, and don’t forget, the Jan. 31 event is also a gala! We’re going to have a sumptuous dinner provided by the Fredericksburg Expo Center. There will also be a Silent Auction with a wide array of unique locally produced items. And most importantly, we’ll all get to hit the dance floor! Make your reservation today and then join us for this evening of reflection and fun. Susan Spears is president of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber board of directors welcomes new members
George Whitehurst, Communications Director, george@fredericksburgchamber.org
contact information Telephone 540-373-9400 Facsimile 540-373-9570 Internet
www.fredericksburgchamber.org
ChamberLink is published monthly—12 times per year—by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. Layout, design and production, including advertisements, by The Journal Press, Inc., P.O. Box 409, King George, VA 22485; (540) 775-2024. Postmaster, send 3579 to FRCC, P.O. Box 7476, Fredericksburg, VA 22404
mission The mission of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is to facilitate healthy economic growth.
vision Be the leader for the business community assuring that the Fredericksburg Region is a major economic center in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Flatter
Holmes
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome the following area business leaders to its board of directors:
Arts in Business Administration from the University of Washington; a Master’s of Science in Management from the Naval Postgraduate School; and a Ph.D. in Public Administration – with a concentration in Public Sector Leadership Development – from The George Washington University. He is a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Fredericksburg program and he is in his second year of service as a Leadership Fredericksburg program mentor.
Dr. J.R. Flatter Dr. Flatter is president and CEO of Flatter & Associates, a role he has held since the company’s founding in 2002. He provides executive leadership to a wide array of the firm’s clients. Prior to founding Flatter & Associates, he served for more than 22 years as a United States Marine – rising from the rank of Private to Staff Sergeant before receiving a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant – and eventually retiring as a Major. Dr. Flatter earned a Bachelor of
Ronald H. Holmes Mr. Holmes is vice president and a senior financial advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, a position he has held since 2008.
Sams
Fidgeon He previously worked in the same capacity with Legg Mason Wood Walker/Citi-Smith Barney and Wheat First Securities/First Union Continued on page 3