Volume 21, No. 1, November 27, 2019
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Inside This Issue Focus Section: 10 Under 40 The Shenandoah Valley Business Journal is a monthly publication of the Daily News-Record, 231 S. Liberty St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
■ Cory Davies...................................................Page 3 ■ Kyle Yeager...................................................Page 6 ■ Deborah Smith..............................................Page 6
■ Nadia DaMes...............................................Page 10
By mail: Shenandoah Valley Business Journal P.O. Box 193 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 By email: svbjnews@dnronline.com
■ Erin Seal......................................................Page 11 ■ Jordan Bowman..........................................Page 12
Publisher: Craig Bartoldson
■ Matthew Hulvey..........................................Page 14 ■ Thomas Burkholder......................................Page 15
Managing Editor: Jim Sacco
Other Business News
By fax: 540-433-9112 By phone: 540-574-6281 (news) 540-574-6223 (ads)
■ China Lifts Ban On US Poultry........................Page 7
Contributing Writers: Ian Munro Megan Williams Kathleen Shaw Laine Griffin Pete DeLea Jessica Wetzler
■ Barnes & Noble To Remain Open.................Page 14
Columns ■ Investments by Matthew Frakes.....................Page 3 ■ Leadership by Robert McFarland..................Page 10
This year’s CrossKeys grape harvest was processed in the new facility starting in August, but the wine itself will not see the light MOUNT CRAWFORD — As Saam Bakh- of day until 2021, according to Bakhtiar. tiar stood among barrels of wine in the new $1 million production facility of CrossKeys Vine- Clarion Pointe Hotel Opens yards, he was dwarfed by the high ceilings. In Renovated Harrisonburg Space That’s the point. “The goal is to have this whole place filled Harrisonburg Inn LP and Jackson Hotel up with barrels,” said Bakhtiar, the director of Management announced the opening of Claroperations at CrossKeys Vineyards. ion Pointe Harrisonburg on Nov. 4. The barrel room is only a part of the new The new 101-room hotel is located at 1440 8,500-square-foot building which also houses E. Market St. Formerly a Comfort Inn, the nearly two dozen stainless steel fermenting hotel was fully renovated as part of the contanks, with eight for white wine and 11 for version to the Clarion Pointe brand, according red wine. to a press release. The plant is temperature and humidity Clarion Pointe Harrisonburg is the sixth controlled and features some of the newest Clarion Pointe to open globally, with an estiequipment in the wine-making industry, mated 50 hotels in the pipeline. Bakhtiar said. The pet-friendly hotel features a myriad Construction began in late 2018 and some of guest-focused various amenities, includminor work on the site is still being done, he ing complimentary breakfast and premium said, but production has already began. branded coffee and teas.
CrossKeys Vineyards Expands Its County Production Facility
F&M Bank Hires Hill, Promotes Pavlovskaya F&M Bank recently announced a hire and a promotion within its leadership. The Timberville-based financial institution has hired Matt Hill as commercial relationship manager for the Augusta County business development team. Hill has over 13 years of lending and credit experience including consumer, mortgage, agriculture and commercial, according to a press release. Hill most recently spent eight years with a community bank in Montana and graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School. Originally from Alabama, Hill has strong ties to the Shenandoah Valley. He spent 10 years in Virginia, during which he lived in the Staunton and Weyers Cave areas. F&M Bank also promoted of Mary Pavlovskaya to business deposit services officer, according to a press release.
Contact us
■ Steven Faught................................................Page 7 ■ Neal Buchanan..............................................Page 8
Editorial Staff
Harrisonburg, Va.
Hill
Pavlovskaya
Since 2011, Pavlovskaya has worked in a variety of roles at F&M Bank: retail, back office, and compliance. Her experience in the banking industry will help her as she transitions to a commercial role. Raised in Bridgewater, Pavlovskaya has strong ties to the Shenandoah Valley. She attended James Madison University, where she received a bachelor of science in justice studies and a bachelor of arts in psychology.
Harrisonburg, Va.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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RMH Foundation Sees Growth Under Davies By IAN MUNRO
Daily News-Record
Over the six years Cory Davies has been the executive director of the RMH Foundation, annual fundraising increased from $1.1 million in 2013 to $4.7 million in 2018. “It’s a really exciting project,” Davies said. The 38-year-old has a bachelor of arts from the University of Utah and a master’s of arts from American University. After graduating from American University in 2004, he went to work for a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm. “I had the privilege of working with volunteer board of directors and lobby for causes they deeply believed in,” Davies said. The Salt Lake City native has lived in Rockingham County since 2005. He and his wife, Donielle, relocated to the Valley as she was pursuing a doctorate in psychology from
George Washington University in a program that brought her to James Madison University. As the executive director of the RMH Foundation, Davies said he connects donors with patient needs. Funding goes toward a variety of programs and projects. One pilot program pairs visiting nurses with community health nurses to bring “whole body and whole being wellness,” Davies said. The regular visits from nurses outside the hospital helps to bring necessary care to patients that may not be done in the hospital, Davies said. The foundation also finished raising funds this year to purchase a TrueBeam linear accelerator, an expensive, modern and world-
class piece of equipment, he said. “It’s wonderful, but it’s all for naught if we don’t bring it here to our community,” Davies said. The radiation therapy is used to help those undergoing cancer treatment, he said. The foundation set a goal of $2 million in 18 months, an “aggressive” timeline, Davies said. Defying its own expectations, the foundation broke $2 million in under 12 months and raised another $250,000, bringing the 18-month total to $2.25 million, he said. “I love that campaign because the foundation is here to make sure that world-class care is available close to home,” Davies said. Contact Ian Munro at 574-6278 or imunro@ dnronline.com. Follow Ian on Twitter @IanMunroDNR
Davies
Six Priorities For The Sandwich Generation The “Sandwich Generation” — adults caring for aging parents as well as children — faces several stressful challenges that come from trying to juggle everyone’s needs. One of those top stressors: finances, such as how to cover education and health care costs and still save enough for retirement. The demands often compete with one another — which is why setting clear priorities is so important. Here are six tips for setting those priorities to help you deliver the support your loved ones need — without shortchanging yourself. 1. Take care of your future first. Saving enough for retirement should be your top priority. You have to take care of your needs before you help your parents and your children. 2. Create or update your investment plan. Create an investment plan that will help you balance your financial goals with the needs of your children and parents. Review your budget, analyze your expenses, and set savings targets to help you prioritize planning for an upcoming expense, such as college costs or long-term care for your parents. 3. Review your insurance cover-
Investments
ment. Many young Baby Boomers are still paying their kids’ expenses, cell phone bill, or car insurance. If this is the case for you, talk with your children about the steps they can take to start becoming more financially independent.
6. Look for ways to help reduce your taxes. In some cases, you may be Matthew R. Frakes able to claim your aging parents as dependents. Also check with a tax advisor to see if their medical expenses qualify as a tax deduction. Another way that may benefit your financial bottom line is to set age. Protecting your income is always a penses do they have? How do they plan up a 529 Plan for your children’s educagood idea, but it’s even more important to meet their financial obligations? Do tion expenses. when you have two generations depend- they have a plan to cover the costs of longThis article was written by/for Wells ing on you. Make sure you have enough term care? This conversation can help you life insurance in case something happens determine how much financial support you Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Matthew Frakes , Financial Advisor in to you to pay off your mortgage and other will need to provide. debt, and to help cover the future living Also, make sure your parents have done Harrisonburg at (540) 801-3211. Investments in securities and insurexpenses of your dependents. And don’t adequate estate planning, and ask for copforget disability insurance: More than a ies of their will or trust, durable power of ance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/ quarter of today’s 20-year-olds will become attorney, healthcare power of attorney, NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE disabled before they retire, according to and advance healthcare directive. Make VALUE the Council for Disability Awareness. sure your own estate-planning documents Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name are complete and updated as well. used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, 4. Check in on your parents’ finanLLC, Member SIPC, a registered bro5. Consider reducing financial sup- ker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells cial health. Though it might seem awkward, talk to your parents about their port for grown children. Many parents Fargo & Company. wishes for the future and their financial still help their grown children with their © 2018 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, health. What financial assets and ex- finances—sometimes even to their detri- LLC. All rights reserved.
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
HARRISONBURG – ROCKINGHAM
Chamber of Commerce Letter From The President
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n early October, the HarrisonburgRockingham Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual business education and business expo, commonly referred to as Connections2019. Over 175 top business and community leaders attended the event, held at the JMU Festival Center. We wanted this year to be impactful, providing essential information for anyone in business in the region as well as opportunities to make connections with other leaders.
The afternoon began with three of the top “economic influencers” in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Barry DuVal, President of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, representing the largest business association in Virginia, was the architect of Blue Print Virginia, a business driven strategic plan for Virginia’s economy which the past three Governors have supported. Stephen Moret, President of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), the state level economic development organization, led Virginia’s successful competition for Amazon’s east coast headquarters (HQ2) and also received the #1 State for Business ranking from CNBC, a position that Virginia has been striving for. Virginia Business, the preeminent statewide business news source, has grown in readership and stature under President and Publisher Bernie Niemeier, who completed the expert panel. JMU President Jon Alger introduced and moderated the panel presentations and discussion on Virginia’s economy. Key elements of all three speakers were workforce and the challenge of businesses finding labor, transportation, education at all levels, and keeping a favorable business and tax climate. Stephen Moret also spoke about the overall focus of Virginia’s economic development programs, which includes not only traditional business attraction and retention but also a greater business alignment with education and workforce development programs. Bernie Niemeier talked about Virginia’s assets and opportunities, including our geographic location, Right-to-Work laws and growing technology sectors. Barry DuVal expressed hope that Virginia’s business climate and the cooperative spirit that both parties represented in Virginia’s General Assembly and executive branch have shown when dealing with economic issues affecting Virginians will continue. He took note of the fact that Virginia was in an election season and hoped that Virginia will continue to be pro-business,
pro-jobs across all sectors of the economy, and pro-education. What can we do to remain the number one State for Business? The keys he outlined from the Virginia Chamber’s perspective, as well as at the local Chamber level, are: advance a pro-business policy agenda; work to reduce the cost of health care for all businesses; promote investment for infrastructure, workforce and education; and provide a unified voice for Virginia’s business community. All three speakers mentioned connecting curriculum and education with jobs of the future, continue diversification of the economy, and expanding broadband access to every citizen of Virginia. The second panel brought everything closer to home, as Eric Campbell, Harrisonburg City Manager, and Stephen King, Rockingham County Administrator, addressed “The State of the City and County”. The City Manager gave a hint, but not a formal glimpse, of the City’s new branding initiative, which has since been released. He also covered several on-going studies (parking, traffic, and a masterplan) for downtown Harrisonburg, talked about the continued growth of the City and the top areas of public sector focus, and singled out the growth in tourism revenue and the associated tourist tax collections since Hotel Madison and the Shenandoah Valley Conference Center opened last year. The County Administrator went through a long list of business expansions in Rockingham County recently as well as some of the commercial and retail opportunities that growth is bringing. He also recognized the public service and infrastructure needs that the County is looking at going forward, but stressed the fiscal restraint the County officials try to use and the recognized regional impact of County decisions. There were three concurrent sessions mid-afternoon, which were all well attended and Chamber staff received many positive comments. Keith May and Tim Reamer, with Cottonwood Commercial Realty, spoke on the “Future of Commercial and Retail Real Estate, and More”. This topic came out of Chamber discussions surrounding e-commerce and small business adaptation over time. Cindy Maish, U.S. Department of Labor, Community Outreach, addressed the sometimes thorny issues of employment law versus practice, even unintended. Everyone left that session with plenty of notes and a better understanding of what issues raise red flags and how to avoid them altogether. Dave Saunders, from Madison + Main in Richmond, informed and entertained the attendees at a session on Marketing Trends, including branding and digital marketing. Wrapping up the afternoon sessions, the Chamber opened a survey instrument to gauge the current opinions of the business community on the economy and areas of programs that the Chamber may consider going into 2020. Kai Degner, with JMU’s Center for Professional and Continuing Education, led this exercise. Connections2019 wrapped up with a business expo and reception in the Festival Center ballroom. Door prizes and a grand prize of two airline tickets from SkyWest Airlines flying out of SHD kept the crowd around until the end. If you missed Connections2019, you missed a good one. Connections2019 is just one example of the information and networking opportunities the Chamber provides. Looking over the list of speakers, one can quickly tell that the Chamber has strong ties and partnerships across the board. Our upcoming Annual Banquet in January will showcase our accomplishments for the year and recognize community leaders. In the meantime, remember to Shop Local with Chamber members and enjoy the holiday season.
Frank
Frank Tamberrino President and CEO
Harrisonburg, Va.
STAFF Frank Tamberrino President & CEO frank@hrchamber.org Sheena Armentrout Director of Membership & Investment sheena@hrchamber.org Sara Wittig Director of Marketing & Communications sara@hrchamber.org Carlie Floyd Administrative Assistant information@hrchamber.org Trent Turner Finance & Administration Manager trent@hrchamber.org
CONTACT US Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce 800 Country Club Road Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (540) 434-3862 information@hrchamber.org
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY TO: BECOME A MEMBER
http://chamber.hrchamber.org/ member/newmemberapp VIEW AREA JOB POSTINGS
http://chamber.hrchamber.org/ jobs JOIN THE CONVERSATION + KEEP UP WITH YOUR CHAMBER NEWS & EVENTS www.facebook.com/hrchamber www.twitter.com/HR_Chamber www.youtube.com/hrchamber www.linkedin.com/company/ harrisonburg-rockinghamchamber-of-commerce https://www.instagram.com/harrisonburgrockinghamcc/
SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Harrisonburg, Va.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
CHAMBER COMMITTEES If you’re interested in building relationships with local businesses and community leaders who share similar interests and passions, join a Chamber Committee. Visit the Chamber’s Online Events Calendar or call the Chamber Offices for more information on upcoming committee meetings for Chamber Members.
Aging in Place Roundtable educates the community about local services supporting vitality and choice in the second half of life and provides a forum for discussion and collaboration about the issues surrounding aging in place. AMP’T is a collaborative, energetic group dedicated to personal and professional development for all next-generation leaders connected to Harrisonburg & Rockingham County.
Shenandoah Women’s Alliance is a network of dynamic, diverse women empowering one another through inspiration, education and service. Business Councils - including Broadway-Timberville, East Rockingham, Greater Ashby, and Diversity - provide businesses opportunities to connect through informational and educational meetings in order to promote the economic vitality and quality of life throughout the community.
Hospitality Committee exists to improve the economic competitiveness of the hospitality industry through dialogue and relationship building. Public Policy identifies, evaluates and monitors social, political and environmental trends, issues and concerns affecting the business community.
CHAMBER MEMBER2MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM Save money and help support the local economy by choosing Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce members for your business and personal needs. If you’re a member and haven’t taken advantage of this member benefit, contact 540-434-3862 to sign up today!
Spotlight On New Members
2019 Calendar of Events MONTHLY EVENTS: Business Smarts Educational & Professional Development Classes, Networking Events and the following committees: Ambassadors, Public Policy, Regional Business Alliances, AMP’T, Aging in Place Roundtable, Member Success Orientations (open to new, current and prospective members).
QUARTERLY EVENTS: Business at Breakfast, Leadership Smarts, Shenandoah Woman’s Alliance
Another Chance Events Beards & Broads LLC CBM Mortgage, Inc. Clutter Conversions Lil Bloomers Daycare Plains Area Daycare Center Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition Shifa Institute, PLC Smart Beginnings - Greater Harrisonburg Stonewall Jackson Inn Valley Montessori School William Roy Vinny’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria
Visit our website for an easy-to-use, online database of all Chamber Members or pick up your free copy of the Membership Directory at the Chamber Office.”
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Harrisonburg, Va.
Yeager Always Looks To Build Connections By IAN MUNRO
Daily News-Record
Kyle Yeager is a fundraiser who has spent most of his career with the James Madison University Athletics Department, but has been working to help bring funds in for local causes. Yeager, native of Kansas City, Missouri, was first drawn to the athletics department due to his father’s ties to sports. Tom Yeager was the commissioner of the Colonial Athletic Association from 1985 to 2016. The same year his father left the CAA, Kyle Yeager said he transferred out of athletics to get more time to spend with his family, as well as to give back to the community. “I made the move to the [universitywide fundraising] to have a better understanding of
how the university works and open some doors for fundraising for the entire university instead of only athletics,” Yeager, 38, of Harrisonburg, said. Yeager said he travels across the country working to connect alumni with the university as the associate director of strategic gifts, driving to places such as Richmond, Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham and Florida. “In athletics, you don’t have the time to be able to do something like that because you’re just slammed,” he said. Yeager has been a member of the board of trustees for Brain Injury Connections of the Shenandoah Valley for two years. “For me, it was something that was a little outside my comfort zone in an area that I didn’t know a lot about,” he said. “That was the intrigue more than anything else.”
He is also a member of the board for Generations Crossing, a nonprofit intergenerational day care facility. “Especially with what I work with at JMU, the tax laws have really changed things on why people give privately these days,” he said. And the fact that he worked at JMU for years has helped open fundraising doors, he said. “If I didn’t have JMU, I probably wouldn’t have the connections to help these organizations,” he said. Yeager said he feels that he has brought good things to the nonprofits, and could see raising money for other local groups in the future. “There’s still a lot of work to be done for both organizations, but it’s one of those things in the back of my mind because there’s so many other worthy groups.” Contact Ian Munro at 574-6278 or imunro@ dnronline.com. Follow Ian on Twitter @IanMunroDNR
Yeager
Smith Balances Work With Giving Back By IAN MUNRO
Daily News-Record
Smith
Deborah Smith joined the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad while studying architecture in Blacksburg between 2006 and 2011, and she grew to love it. “That kind of helped shape my view towards giving back to the community, and even though it was the Virginia Tech community, the idea spread it to Harrisonburg, when I came back,” Smith said. Smith, 32, has spent her entire life in Harrisonburg except the five years she was at Tech. As an architect at the Gaines Group in Harrisonburg, Smith has helped in the design of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Verona, the new Eastern Mennonite Elementary School on Virginia Avenue in Harrisonburg and the renovated Chesapeake Western Railroad Depot building on Chesapeake Ave-
nue in Harrisonburg. Smith is also the Harrisonburg Women’s Service League vice president of service, after being president in 2018, which was also her first year as a member of the group. “We support organizations in the area that help raise up women and children in the area that need it,” Smith said. The league participates in various events, including the upcoming Department of Social Services Saturday with Santa on Dec. 12 at the Rockingham County Administration Center, she said. The group also serves dinner on one night of the week that Vision of Hope United Methodist Church hosts the Open Doors homeless shelter, Smith said. And she has volunteered for other groups, including On the Road Collaborative,
Canstruction Harrisonburg, Shenandoah Valley Builders Association and the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. Smith said she has also been a Saturday breakfast volunteer for the annual Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale since she was young — “I don’t even remember,” she laughed. The Women’s League is also organizing “blessing boxes” with residents of Bridgewater Retirement Community, Smith said. The blessing boxes are made up of donated food used to create “a box full of food for Thanksgiving meal so a family that may not be able to go out and buy all these things could get it delivered to them,” she said. Contact Ian Munro at 574-6278 or imunro@dnronline.com. Follow Ian on Twitter @IanMunroDNR
SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Harrisonburg, Va.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Faught Combines Charity, Business By IAN MUNRO Daily News-Record
While a student at Montevideo Middle School, Steven Faught doodled in notebooks about his dream mechanic’s garage. “I forgot all this until one day, it all fell into place,� Faught, 37, of Fulks Run, said. “It was always back in my mind, but it was one of those forgotten dreams.� In 2018, Faught purchased Shenandoah Automotive on Erickson Avenue and Rittenhouse Auto Service on Singers Glen Road and regularly organizes charity drives through his businesses. “I felt [as an owner] I could do more for the business for our team and for our community in the position of owner as opposed to the position of manager,� Faught said. Faught joined the garages six years
ago after spending 14 years working at Walker Manufacturing. He started working at Walker in 2001, after he graduated from Spotswood High School in 2000. Three years ago, the garages started offering free oil changes for one day around the second Friday of October for breast cancer survivors and patients. “I’m always open and looking for kind of out-of-the-box ways we can help,� Faught said. In 2017, Faught looked into doing a toy or teddy bear drive for children at Sentara RMH Medical Center. “I don’t know anybody that doesn’t have a soft spot for a kid stuck in the hospital for some kind of reason,� he said. But when he spoke to people at the RMH Foundation, he learned that the largest need was for socks and under-
pants, he said. So that’s what “My plan on the they’ve collected business side for the past three is growth every years. year, but with If people are that growth, interested in doI also want to nating, they can continue to grow drop off chilour community dren’s socks and involvement.� underwear at Shenandoah Automotive right — STEVEN FAUGHT up to Christmas Eve. Faught will bring everything from the drive over to the hospital between Christmas and New Year’s Day. “My plan on the business side is growth every year,� he said, “but with that growth, I also want to continue to grow our community involvement.� Contact Ian Munro at 574-6278 or imunro@dnronline.com. Follow Ian on Twitter @IanMunroDNR
Faught
Litten & Sipe, LLP China Lifts Ban On US Poultry Congratulates Jordan Bowman By IAN MUNRO
Daily News-Record
China ended its ban on American poultry, effective immediately, according to a Nov. 14 press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and many in the industry see the newly reopened market as an opportunity. “Lifting the ban has been a top priority of the U.S. poultry industry for the last four years,â€? said Hobey Bauhan, president of the Virginia Poultry Federation. “We are RYHUMR\HG WR WKH OLIWLQJ RI WKH EDQ ĂŚQDOO\ came about.â€? U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer said the reopened Chinese market could open up more than $1 billion in annual sales to the American poultry industry, according to the USDA. Industry groups, such as the National Chicken Council, are more optimistic. “Renewed access to the Chinese market could result in $1 billion annually for chicken paws alone, and due to China’s PHDW SURWHLQ GHĂŚFLW DV D UHVXOW RI $IULFDQ Swine Fever, there could be as much as an-
other $1 billion of potential exports of other chicken products, including leg and breast meat,� according to a press release from the National Chicken Council. The council also expects the large Asian country’s market could generate another $100 million and $60 million in sales for turkey and poultry breeding stock, respectively. In May 2014, China lifted a ban on Virginia poultry exports that began in 2007 DIWHU DYLDQ çX ZDV IRXQG RQ D VLQJOH 9LUginia farm, according to Associated Press reports from 2014. In 2013, only $439,150 worth of Virginia poultry exports were sent to China, according to Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services data — only a fraction of the nation’s $500 million of poultry exports to China that year, according to USDA data. Virginia exports multiplied more than eightfold in 2014, with $3.68 million worth of commonwealth poultry sent to China. However, a year later, in 2015, China banned all American poultry due to an DYLDQ LQçXHQ]D RXWEUHDN DFFRUGLQJ WR (ODLQH
See POULTRY, Page 12
on His 10 Under 40 Achievement and Announces Him as the Firm’s Newest 1348094; SHEN VALLEY BUSINESS JOUR; 1348094 3.00 x 5.000 LITTEN & SIPE LLP Ad Sales Person Code 75 0; 421016; BW; 3 x 5 Partner Effective Jan. 1st, 2020
410 Neff Avenue Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
(540) 434-5353
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Harrisonburg, Va.
Buchanan
Buchanan Tackles Problems Large And Small By MEGAN WILLIAMS Daily News-Record
At any given time, Neal Buchanan is responsible for between 25 and 30 major construction projects that range from $10,000 to $20 million. Or rather, he’s in charge of the people in charge of these projects. Buchanan, 38, of Greenville, is director of project management and member of the executive committee at Riddleberger Brothers Inc., where he’s worked for 15 years. Buchanan has served as a senior project manager since 2012 and was promoted to director of project management in 2018. Buchanan began his career with RBI in June 2004 as a project manager after completing an internship in the engineered sales group in the summer of 2003. “I’m the go-to person for problems and such,” Buchanan said. “And I’m responsible for the summarizing of finances for projects.” Buchanan said his motivation and the reason behind his rise to the position he’s in is wanting to do his job to the best of his ability, and to represent RBI in the best possible light.
“I work with a great group of people,” Buchanan said. “And I want to make sure that we represent the company in the most positive way and that we represent ourselves in a positive manner.” Buchanan said the most challenging aspect of his job is meeting the time constraints put on the company. With new technology comes the expectation that projects should be completed quicker and stay underbudget, and it’s his job to meet those client expectations. Riddleberger Brothers President Daniel Blosser said of Buchanan: “Neal quickly established himself as a promising project manager and has managed some of our largest and most complex projects during his career at Riddleberger. He has completed numerous continuing education and leadership courses.” In addition to working for RBI, Buchanan is active in multiple cattle organizations that promote leadership development and provide scholarship opportunities for local youth. Contact Megan Williams at 574-6272 or mwilliams@dnronline.com. Follow Megan on Twitter @DNR_Learn
Harrisonburg, Va.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Congratulations Neal
on this recognition! Your willingness to learn and accept new responsibilities have been instrumental in our company’s success. We look forward to your continued efforts.
Thank you,
this honor is well deserved!
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Harrisonburg, Va.
DaMes Likes To Keep On The Move By IAN MUNRO
Daily News-Record
For Nadia DaMes, 34, of Mount Crawford, there’s not enough time in the day. “I’m always up for a challenge,” she said, “which is why I like doing so many different activities at once.” DaMes is not only the president and operations manager for UMA Inc. in Dayton — she is also a leading member for many local religious and community groups, including Faith in Action and United Way. In Faith in Action, DaMes is a representative for the Islamic Association of the Shenandoah Valley, while she is on the
community impact committee for United Way. UMA Inc. is a small manufacturer of instruments for the aviation and health industries, she said. “It’s hard to say that the aviation world overlaps with community service projects,” DaMes said. “But I feel like in other areas, I try to build character more.” DaMes helped to establish the new “Know your Neighbor” group in Staunton, which hosts quarterly potlucks and helps to collect donations for food banks. This year, DaMes finished her first oneyear term as president of the Bridgewater Rotary Club. “While I was president, my main goal
was to bring in new membership and get people to know what Rotary is all about,” she said. Now, she is the public relations chair and helps to spread the word and get others involved in the club’s work. And now, as one of the youngest members of the club, she helps to run its the social media accounts. “I might as well,” she laughed. DaMes said the community helps support her, just as she helps to support it. “I have a whole support system behind me,” DaMes said. “Between organizations, friends and families, I wouldn’t be here where I’m doing what I am without them.” Contact Ian Munro at 574-6278 or imunro@dnronline.com. Follow Ian on Twitter @IanMunroDNR
DaMes
How Should Diversity Factor Into Hiring The Right Team? Assembling the right team is essential to having a thriving workplace. It is important to know what you need when hiring your key positions. Unless you are extremely selfaware, you might not know what you need. That’s why diversity is a key component of any human resources strategy. Diversity doesn’t just have to be limited to what people look like on the outside. While that is helpful to assembling a strong team, it’s important to go deeper than that. It’s essential to know how to hire based on what your team looks like on the inside. Here are three things to think through when applying diversity to hiring your key team members.
not strong. If you are a visionary — but execution is not your strong suit — then you will need people around you who can help you act on your ideas. Building a solid foundation of action-oriented people will help you move forward. Alternatively, if you are action-oriented, but have a hard time developing vision, then you likely will want “ideators” as advisers. They will help you think beyond the present day and develop possible courses of actions. Diversity of skill sets in your key team members will help balance you out. Having that range of abilities will solidify the strength of your business.
1. Skills
2. Experiences
As the leader of your business, you have had to rely on your strengths to get to where you are today, but you might not be fully aware of your weaknesses. It’s important to have your key team members be able to fill in where you’re
Depending on your professional background, it’s best to have people in key positions who have had experiences different than yours. Your experiences have brought you to this point, but it’s helpful to have people who have done other
things to help you move forward. If you have spent your entire career in your industry, then it may serve you well to bring in some key people who have served in other industries. Getting team members who have worked for your suppliers can help you understand better how to deal with those
Leadership Robert McFarland
See LEADERSHIP, Page 11
Congratulations
STEVEN FAUGHT
504.434.8191
1930 Erickson Avenue Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Harrisonburg, Va.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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Inner And Outer Beauty The Focus Of Seal’s Work By KATHLEEN SHAW Daily News-Record
Elkton born and raised, Erin Seal is a self-employed powerhouse in the community. For 15 years, she has worked for Mary Kay and now leads a team of independent professionals as a sales director. Encouraging women to both look their best and do their best, Seal founded and leads the Harrisonburg chapter of Polka Dot Power, an international women’s empowerment and networking organization. The chapter is on the brink of celebrating its first year and has 36 members. Seal, 36, of Elkton, said she loves the organization because it’s a comfortable environment where women can inspire each other and collaborate. “I brought it to Harrisonburg because I thought it would be great to bring the movers and shakers together. It’s just a
Leadership
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you do business with. If you sell to businesses, then having someone on your team who has worked for one of your customers can also be an asset to your management team. If you are a newcomer to the industry you are in now, then it will serve you well to have some longtime people in your industry on your team. While you will bring a fresh perspective to your business, those who have extensive experience in your industry will know the potholes to watch out for as you navigate into new areas. Having a diversity of experiences in your key personnel will strengthen your management team and give you a better handle on how to approach different situations as they arise.
3. Thinking
To get where you are, you have had to be a decisive person. You have had to make decisions and deal with the consequences of those decisions. When considering how to approach new situations, it’s helpful to have people around you who can give you a different perspective. If you are a strong personality, the last thing you want on your management team is a bunch of yes-people. A team who will agree with you solely because they are afraid to suggest alternative ideas will not help you. It will serve you best to have people who believe strongly in their viewpoint and are willing to defend it to others
really good group of women and everyone who comes says they feel more like family than a business group,” Seal said. On the less glamorous side of things, Seal co-operates three farms: Double S, Deere Ridge and Belted Aisling Farm. Before meeting her husband, Randy, Seal had never worked as a farm hand, but now she loves working full time alongside him raising Angus and Angus-cross beef and poultry with Double S and Deere Ridge. Keeping the local economy strong, the poultry houses supply George’s Inc. Belted Aisling is a farm that raises Belted Galloway cattle, a specialty purebred variety of beef cow that requires registration. Seal fondly calls the breed Oreo cows for their black fronts and ends with white centers. “It was my childhood dream to own a bunch of Oreo cow, and it’s just the beginning of that dream coming true,”
“I brought it to Harrisonburg because I thought it would be great to bring the movers and shakers together. It’s just a really good group of women and everyone who comes says they feel more like family than a business group.” — ERIN SEAL
Seal said. In her free time, Seal works to support the community by serving as chair of the River Bend Elementary School parent teacher association, leading Girl Scout Career Days, voluntarily pampering residents at long-term care facilities with facial spa parties and delivering Christmas gifts to the residents with her two sons.
with strong views. Encouraging conflict in your management team can be a very good thing, as long as it’s handled the right way. You still are the boss— and they need to be on board with that—but they should be able to share their concerns directly with you about the direction you plan to go. If they cannot or will not challenge you or their colleagues when they feel strongly, then they probably aren’t contributing as much to your team as someone else might. Of course, after everything has been debated and you have chosen a plan of action, everyone must support it. It may not have been their idea originally, but they must now support it as if it were. Here’s the key takeaway: Diversity in the workplace is a helpful thing. If everyone on your management team has the same skills, experiences, and thinking styles, then you will likely have rather limited ideas and perspective. However, having a healthy mix of people with different strengths, backgrounds and viewpoints will equip your business for the long term. Robert McFarland is the author of the bestsellers, Dear Boss: What Your Employees Wish You Knew and Dear Employee: What Your Boss Wishes You Knew. Robert is also President of Transformational Impact LLC, a leadership development consultancy helping companies improve their employee cultures to make the companies healthier, more productive, and more profitable.
Contact Kathleen Shaw at 574-6274 or kshaw@dnronline.com. Follow Kathleen on Twitter @shawkareport
Seal
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Harrisonburg, Va.
Bowman Finds Calling In Legal World By LAINE GRIFFIN Daily News-Record
Bowman Poultry
Jordan Bowman’s first dream was to be a full-time rock climber, but being a lawyer turned out to be his true calling. Bowman, who has lived in Harrisonburg most of his 33 years, spent years learning the law. Now an attorney with Litten & Sipe, he will become a partner on Jan. 1. Bowman graduated from the College of William and Mary with a law degree and a master’s in public policy. His career focuses on local government, which he said helps people with day-to-day operations and specific matters, such as litigation or transactions. He is the attorney for the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission and the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission. He provides legal consultations for the cities of Waynesboro and Win-
chester, Shenandoah County and the towns of Bridgewater, Dayton, New Market and Luray. Bowman also provides legal help to the Harrisonburg Electric Commission, Harrisonburg Rockingham Regional Sewer Authority, the James Madison University Foundation and the Rockingham County Fair. “I just really enjoy helping others in the local government community. These people are civil servants that are dedicated to what they do,” he said. “It’s fun to help them to make our community a better place.” Bowman said he has learned more at the firm than he ever did in school. “The law is always about continually learning and trying to learn not just the general concepts but the minutiae and history of the law,” he said. “The law is always something that affects everyone all the time and that’s fascinating to me.” Outside of work, Bowman serves as
Contact Laine Griffin at 574-6286 or lgriffin@dnronline.com. Follow Laine on Twitter @laine_griffDNR
Congratulations
FROM PAGE 7
Lidholm, the director of communications for VDACS. “The effect, generally speaking, was negative because we lost a significant market for U.S. poultry,” Bauhan said. In the wake of the ban, Virginia poultry exports to China dwindled to $201,713 in 2015, $83,478 in 2016 and $0 in 2017 and 2018. By 2017, the U.S. had been declared free of the disease, but the ban had persisted until Nov. 14, Lidholm said. Despite the market opening back up, export numbers will probably not bounce right back, said Travis Carter, the business development manager of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, who has worked in the poultry industry. The ban lift “sounds warm and fuzzy, but it’s not just a light switch you can flip and go,” Carter said. Even with an opportunity like this, there are significant barriers before production can be ramped up, he said. One such hurdle is a lack of housing for breeder chickens, which also limits the number of eggs and birds, Carter said. But the immediate demand could help companies alleviate a stockpile of frozen
the vice chair of the Harrison“At times it can burg Salvation definitely be a Army’s advistruggle, but I sory board and have good staff is president of that help me when the HarrisonI need it, and I burg-Rockinghave learned ham Bar Assohow to prioritize ciation. the things It’s not althat are very wa y s e a s y t o juggle work, important to me.” community engagement and — JORDAN BOWMAN his personal life, but prioritizing things is how he gets through. “At times it can definitely be a struggle, but I have good staff that help me when I need it,” he said, “and I have learned how to prioritize the things that are very important to me.”
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In this November 2009 photo, chickens stand in their cages at a farm near Stuart, Iowa. China has reopened its market to U.S. poultry, ending a five-year ban. product if they have one, Carter said. Five area poultry plants did not respond to inquiries. In the 6th Congressional District, the chicken industry alone supports over 10,000 jobs, pays $192 million in direct wages and has a total economic impact of nearly $2.8 billion, according to the National Chicken Council. “Just from the perspective of the trade
barrier being blocked, and with poultry being one of our largest agricultural commodities in the Valley, this is very good news,” said Jay Langston, the executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership. Contact Ian Munro at 574-6278 or imunro@dnronline.com. Follow Ian on Twitter @IanMunroDNR
Erin Seal Erinsealbeauty@gmail.com 540-421-5663
Harrisonburg, Va.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
Harrisonburg, Va.
Hulvey ‘Here To Serve, Not Be Served’ By PETE DELEA Daily News-Record
Hulvey
Growing up, Matthew Hulvey consistently worked on construction projects. As a teen, he started off with small projects around the farm, but as he got older, he expanded to working for Harrisonburg-area companies while attending James Madison University. “ I wa s a l wa y s p i d d l i n g around on projects,” said the 28-year-old Dayton resident, who was among those selected for the Shenandoah Valley Business Journal’s 10 Under 40. He said he is grateful for the recognition, but he’s still learning the ropes in the business world. “It’s an honor,” he said. “I still feel like a little kid that doesn’t know which way is up.” Hulvey grew up in Dayton and graduated from Turner Ashby High School
Harrisonburg Barnes & Noble To Remain Open By IAN MUNRO
Daily News-Record
The Harrisonburg Barnes & Noble will be staying open instead of closing in January, according to an email from Alex Ortolani, the director of corporate communications for the bookseller chain. The store, located at 289 Burgess Road, was slated to close due to the inability of the landlord, The Kroenke Group, and the bookstore to come to a lease agreement, Ortolani said. At the time the news broke on Nov. 5 that Barnes & Noble would be closing in two months, the company said it was looking to find a new location in Harrisonburg. “We never intended to be away from the area for long, and we are thrilled that we were able to work with the landlord to stay open,” said Vice President of Barnes & Noble Stores Frank Morabito, according to Ortolani’s email.
Ortolani said that the lease was “open” and that there is no definite end date for the new agreement. The Kroenke Group declined to comment on the renewed lease. It’s not the first time the store had been slated to close, yet remained open after a deal was hammered out. In October 2014, Barnes & Noble announced the company was unable to come to a lease agreement with The Kroenke Group. A month later, the two parties reached an agreement on a lease and the store continued operation. Area residents had rallied and signed a petition calling for the store to remain open, according to Daily News-Record archives. One of those residents was Paula Putman, a retired Rockingham County Public Schools English teacher in Singers Glen.
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in 2009. After high school, he attended JMU, where he earned an undergraduate degree in engineering. At JMU, he interned with the university’s facilities management, where he observed, and participated in, project management. Immediately after graduation, Hulvey began working at Neilsen Builders in Harrisonburg. He’s since worked his way up to project manager, overseeing two projects at Bridgewater Retirement Community. Jean Hieber, director of human resources, nominated Hulvey. “Matt is an invaluable member of our team,” Hieber wrote in her nomination. “His leadership is outstanding, which he has proven time and time again — particularly as he manages our projects and represents Nielsen in the community.” She said his work goes beyond his own
projects. He tries to help others, too. “His role in developing our new project management system was critical in increasing the productivity of all involved in the delivery of our projects,” she wrote. When Hulvey is not working on putting a building together, he’s also volunteering, both for local nonprofits and his church, Horizon Christian Fellowship in Harrisonburg. “He is quietly committed to community service while also juggling the needs of his job and his family,” Hieber wrote in her nomination. Hulvey is involved with the United Way Day of Caring, Relay for Life and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. “We’re here to serve, not to be served,” Hulvey said. “I get joy by going out and helping people.” Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6267 or pdelea@dnronline.com. Follow Pete on Twitter @pdelea_DNR
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Burkholder Building A Name For Himself By JESSICA WETZLER Daily News-Record
Thomas Burkholder was making a name for himself at Nielsen Builders long before he began working full time for the construction company, starting his career there while still attending Virginia Tech. The Rockingham County native spent his summer breaks working in the field, gaining first-hand experience that would lead him to becoming a project manager for Nielsen upon graduation in 2010. Jean Hieber, director of human resources at Nielsen, said Burkholder eventually made his way up to the preconstruction team, where he was able to “truly showcase his talents.” “I have always liked construction and all the processes behind it,” Burkholder said. “I have worked on a project for a
Open
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“I’m pretty much a big Barnes & Noble fan,” she said. “I love it.” When she found out that the store was slated to close back in 2014, she immediately sought something to do to keep the store open, she said. Putman was excited to hear that the store will continue operating, and she said the Barnes & Noble is the basis for a good local community. “I love coming in here on Sunday morning to pick up a paper and seeing all the other people who came in to get coffee and pick at papers,” she said. Putman said she was preparing to sign another such petition after hearing the news of the potential closure. “It’s just a part of our lives and we don’t want it to go away,” Putman said. Barnes & Noble on Burgess Road opened in 2003 as one of the original shops in Harrisonburg Crossing, located between East Market and Reservoir streets, at the location of the former Dunham-Bush site. Brick-and-mortar book-
community hospital in Bath County, the estimations for JMU’s Wilson Hall and a few church additions.” His most recent project revolves around the a second Harrisonburg high school. Burkholder is assisting with the preconstruction side of things. “It has been fun learning about the design process,” Burkholder, 32, of Mount Crawford, said. “You get to learn why buildings are designed a certain way.” Outside of his work with Nielsen, he hosts a small group and provides premarital counseling for his church, Grace Covenant Church. He also owns and operates a family poultry farm. “It means a lot to give back and contribute, even if it is behind the scenes,”
Burkholder said. “It is important to raise my kids on hardworking values.” Burkholder said being nominated for the Shenandoah Valley Business Journal 10 Under 40 was a “tremendous honor,” adding that the employees at Nielsen honor that nomination. “It means the world to me,” he said. Hieber, who nominated Burkholder, said the work he is doing will impact Harrisonburg for many years. “TJ touches the world in a way that most people only hope to,” Hieber said. Contact Jessica Wetzler at 574-6279 or jwetzler@dnronline.com. Follow Jessica on Twitter @wetzler_jessica
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SENTA R A R MH MEDIC A L CENTER
It’s just a part of our lives and we don’t want it to go away.
CONGRATULATIONS,
CORY DAVIES
n Paula Putman, Rockingham County resident
sellers have been suffering for several years due to competition from internet vendors, such as web-monolith Amazon. Barnes & Noble was bought by Elliot Management, a hedge fund group, for $638 million in June, according to The New York Times. Elliot Management also owns Waterstones, a large British book vending chain. Stocks for the company have steadily declined since 2016, but rose after the company’s sale in June. They have since plateaued around $6.50 per share. Contact Ian Munro at 574-6278 or imunro@dnronline.com. Follow Ian on Twitter @IanMunroDNR
Burkholder
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RMH FOUNDATION
Forty Under Forty award winner 2019 Association for Healthcare Philanthropy Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, @SentaraRMH.
Sentara RMH Medical Center appreciates your dedication, commitment and leadership to our hospital and community.
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