Welcome from the 2012 Chairman Eric Johnsen
On behalf of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, we are proud to welcome you to the community that we call home through the pages of the 2012 Chamber Magazine. The Chamber serves as a visitor portal and facilitator to the region’s business community. Our objective is to provide information to guests and people looking for a great place to live, work, retire and to promote a positive, pro-business environment in Montgomery County and the surrounding New River Valley.
2012 Officers Chairman
Virginia’s Montgomery County is ideally located in the Mid-Atlantic region with convenient access in all directions. Interstate 81 bisects our county providing easy access to north and south, as well as to I-77, I-64 and I-40 to expand our business reach to large metropolitan areas. A one day drive connects Montgomery County to two-thirds of the nation’s population. This is an established hightech community and home to one of the nation’s leading education and research institutions, Virginia Tech. The Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center is an award-winning research and business park that serves as a catalyst for the region’s high-tech industry market. The Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport gives convenient access to a broader national and international market. In addition to Virginia Tech, Radford University, The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and New River Community College are in or directly adjacent to Montgomery County. These institutions attract students from all over the world for a diverse population and broad educational opportunities. That in turn spawns great art and cultural events, as well as athletic activities, entertainment, dining possibilities and shopping. The New River, surrounding national forests and the famed Appalachian Trail contribute to the appeal and lifestyle. All the above provide Montgomery County residents and business members an enjoyable living and working community. With this in mind, Montgomery County is cognitive of its natural beauty and resources, and The Chamber works hard to retain these, while responsibly developing business and promoting positive growth.
Eric Johnsen, State Farm Chair Elect Bill King, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Past Chair Scott Hill, LewisGale Montgomery Treasurer Kim O’Rourke, Virginia Tech Membership Officer John Tutle
Members at Large Terri Mitchell, CPA, Virginia Tech Foundation Reid Broughton, Sands Anderson Stuart Lynde, Environmental Services & Consulting
Directors
As the Chamber’s Chairman of the Board, my hope is that you will come for a visit and stay for a lifetime. For assistance or additional information, please contact the Chamber office directly at 540-552-2636. We are here to serve you!
Bill Aden, Draper Aden Ray Acorn, Park Commercial Real Estate Sara Bohn, JSW Financial Dawn Crigger, Corporate Research Center Melinda Dunford, HHHunt/Foxridge Kelly Kendrick, First Bank & Trust Jeff Mitchell, LeClairRyan Robert Parks, National Bank Perry Patterson, Atmos Energy John Phillips, Premier Transfer & Storage Shaun Rai, Virginia Community Capital Kevin Shaw, New River Valley Pizza, dba Domino’s Pizza
Sincerely, Eric K. Johnsen, M.S., ChFC, CLU Agent, State Farm Insurance Companies 2012 Chairman of the Board for the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
Staff Catherine Sutton, CAE, Executive Director Diana Lyons, Administrative & Events Director Nancy Creed, Membership Director
MontgomeryCC.org