JANUARY, 2014 • ChamberLink
Chairman’s Report Make the most of opportunities offered by New Year By Mike Fidgeon A New Year brings with it a chance for a fresh start. We’ve heard that cliché for most of our lives and the fact that this idea has become conventional wisdom doesn’t make it any less true. The arrival of 2014 brings with it the chance not just to survive but to excel. All of us so easily get caught up in the dayto-day grind of work and other commitments that we find ourselves almost automatically piloting ourselves along the same daily paths and routines. I challenge you to establish new habits and more effective routines for your life and business in the New Year ahead. Perhaps this is the year that you will reorganize the operating systems for your business. Maybe you will finally take that leap and branch out to start a new enterprise Mike Fidgeon altogether. Pick at least one way to improve yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. Once you’ve settled on your goals, make time to sit down and plot the steps you will take to achieve them. Set concrete actions steps and discipline your mind and body to new behavioral routines that are reinforced by positive, desired rewards. If need be, find a partner or mentor who will check in with you regularly to ensure that you are meeting the obligations you have set for yourself. Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Plan for failures and setbacks as they come with the territory of change…but don’t settle for defeat or, even worse, the status quo. There are multiple books written on this topic. Charles Duhigg, an investigative reporter, has written an entertaining book entitled, “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business.” If reading is not your thing, try it on anyway. Maybe it will be just the right change to jump start a New Year of rewarding positive habits! Mike Fidgeon is Chief Operating Officer of Providence Human Services, a division of Providence Service Corporation.
Business 101 Series returns for 2014 The Chamber and University of Mary Washington are pleased to announce a new year of the Business 101 seminar series. On the third Friday of each month, faculty from UMW’s College of Business will facilitate a session on a specific business topic. The series will provide specific takeaways for each attendee that can easily be implemented in today’s fast-paced business environment. The first Business 101 seminar will take place at 8 a.m., Friday, Jan. 17 at the Chamber office, 2300 Fall Hill Ave., Suite 240. The price for attending a single session is $15. The 2013 Business 101 Series package, which includes 12 sessions, is $150. Call (540) 373-9400 to register. Seating is limited to 25 participants per session.
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Make your plans to attend the Chamber Gala Continued from page 1 company with 25 or fewer employees and to a company with more than 25 employees. The Business of the Year Award recognizes a company for achieving business and financial success, and for being involved in Chamber and community activities. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award goes to an innovative business owner or individual that recognizes and meets a market need. The Chamber also will present the Prince B. Woodard Leadership Award to an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime of outstanding service to the community. To nominate an individual or business for an award, contact the Chamber office at (540)373-9400 or send submissions to whitney@ fredericksburgchamber.org. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Jan. 10, 2014. Tickets are now on sale! Go to www.fredericksburgchamber.org or call (540) 373-9400 to reserve your spot. Sponsorships are available for this event. If you are interested in marketing your company to
Chamber members enjoyed a good time and good company at the 2013 gala. What 2014 Chamber Awards & Gala When 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 Where Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center 2371 Carl D. Silver Pkwy. Chamber gala attendees, please contact Whitney Watts at whitney@
Cost Tickets $75 apiece To Register Go to www. fredericksburgchamber. org or e-mail stacey@ fredericksburgchamber.org
fredericksburgchamber.org.
New Chamber Board Members welcomed Continued from page 2 Securities. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of William and Mary, and a Master of Business Administration – Finance from George Mason University. Active in the community, Mr. Holmes is the past chairman of the board for Fredericksburg Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He has served as the campaign chair for the Rappahannock United Way twice and also chairman of the board for the Rappahannock United Way and for the Spotsylvania Educational Foundation. Currently, he serves as secretary of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education and is a trustee with the Cal Ripken Sr., Foundation National Board of Trustees. At the Chamber, he has been a member of the Chamber Enterprises Board of Directors for many years and currently serves as vice-chairman. Dr. David Sam Dr. Sam is president of Germanna
Community College. Born in western Pennsylvania and raised in Michigan, he earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from Eastern Michigan University and a Ph.D. from Michigan State. In his life he has been a retail store owner/manager, a published poet, a college English teacher, and a college administrator. He served as a student affairs administrator at Marygrove College in Detroit and Oakland Community College in Michigan, as an academic administrator at Oakland and Jackson Community College in Michigan, and as chief academic officer and Vice President at Pensacola Junior College in Florida, before becoming the fifth President of Germanna Community College in March 2007. The Chamber is also pleased to welcome a new board chairman for 2014. Michael C. Fidgeon Mr. Fidgeon serves as Chief Operating Officer of Providence Human Ser vices a division of Providence Service Corporation. A
resident of Spotsylvania County, he was a Fellow in the 2009 Leadership Fredericksburg program. He was elected 2009 Class President and previously served as the Leadership Fredericksburg Alumni Association President. Mr. Fidgeon launched and has co-facilitated the Leadership Fredericksburg Alumni Builder Series with Chamber President Susan Garnett Spears. He is an active member of the Military Affairs Council. As president of Providence Service Corporation’s Eastern Region, he oversaw $120 million in annual revenues generated by the provision of community-based mental health services across 16 states and the District of Columbia. As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Fidgeon oversees operations across 28 states, the District of Columbia, British Columbia and Canada that generate $400 million in annual revenue. A committed leader in his church in Louisa County, he enjoys coaching youth sports and taking an active part in the interests of his wife and children.
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