the only way to do business .
The past year saw the beginning of an exciting future for your Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce as new leadership and a future-forward mindset took hold. Without the continued support of our members the positive impact we are making in our region would not be possible.
When the Board of Directors hired me as your president and CEO in April, I was presented with the challenge of creating stability and a strategy for growth. We have worked to recover from the challenges of COVID, retain and grow membership, and bring back the events and programs that provide value to our members.
An immediate focus was to staff the Chamber at a level that would enable us to engage members and offer the best member services. Christy Harper was promoted to director of member engagement while Crystal Hairston joined the staff as director of operations. You can count on our strong and dedicated team to serve our 521 businesses and almost 22,000 member employees.
For now, the top priority is to focus on the future – positioning the Chamber to meet the opportunities and challenges coming with the rapid growth of the region. A sharp focus on value to our members is critical and the driving purpose of our new strategic plan. In summer 2022, the Chamber began its strategic planning process with input from the membership, leadership, staff, and community partners. You will see highlights from our new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan on page 3. Of particular pride is our new mission which focuses on high quality resources AND relationships for our members. You will continue to learn more about the strategic plan and the metrics by which the Chamber will be accountable to our members.
I am excited for our shared future and building on a strong foundation to expand value to members as impact in the community. It is both an honor and a privilege to work with the dedicated members of the Board of Directors and Chamber staff to lead the premier advocate for business and industry in our region.
Sincerely,
Anne Moore-Sparks President & CEO
Help members build and foster to help members become more
Facilitate sector engagement. Develop programming that contributes to the success of micro-business. of Chamber membership.
a visible part of the Chamber’s program of work.
The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce will enhance and energize the region with an innovative, profitable business community.
part of Virginia West and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
as a thought leader on public
as the recognized resource for candidates and legislators. Provide connections between members and legislators.
The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce accelerates business growth by connecting its members to dynamic resources and networks. Body font, use default spacing. Body text color: HEX 444444; RGB 68, 68, 68; CMYK 67, 60, 59, 44
anne@dpchamber.org 434.836.6990
Christy@dpchamber.org 434.836.6990
crystal@dpchamber.org 434.836.6990
This past year has been exciting and transformational for the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. In 2022, Anne Moore-Sparks began her tenure as President and CEO of the Chamber. Anne has brought a tremendous amount of passion to the Chamber and a talent for building lasting relationships. She is a strong leader who will continue to build the Chamber’s relevance and reputation in the region.
In Anne’s first month, she began to build her team. Christy Harper was promoted Director of Member Engagement. In addition, Crystal Hairston started as the Director of Operations. We are fortunate to have both Christy and Crystal as part of the Chamber team. Now fully staffed, the Chamber will continue to provide the dynamic programming that you expect and will bring new and innovative concepts to the existing operations.
I am pleased to report the Chamber not only has an excellent staff but is financially sound. In 2022, the Chamber finalized the sale of its building in Blairs. The Chamber invested the funds from the sale of the building with a local financial institution. The purpose of the investment is to realize long term financial growth to provide a positive impact on the Chamber. The Board of Directors will monitor the investment at regular intervals as part of its fiduciary responsibilities.
Recently, the Chamber Board of Directors, along with the staff, embarked on a strategic planning process to provide a road map for the next 4 years. Our vision for the Chamber is to be recognized as the premier advocate for business and industry in the region. Our mission is to support and engage businesses and industry through high quality resources and relationships.
The last couple of years were challenging for the Chamber due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Membership is starting to rebound from the effects of the pandemic. As in-person events have resumed, the Chamber has tremendous momentum and will continue to build its membership base. As Danville and Pittsylvania County are transformed in the future, the Chamber will be ready to support new and existing members while serving as the voice of business for our community.
I want to thank you for being a Chamber member and supporting its mission. The Chamber and its member organizations have a vital role to play in making our community a great place to work and live. It is has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors and witness the fantastic work the Chamber does for our community. With the help of the Chamber and its many partners in the community, the Danville Pittsylvania County region has a bright future.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Jones 2022 Chair, Board of DirectorsIntertape Polymer Group
Infinity Global
Varun Sadana Vice Chair
The Launch Place
R.J. Weaver Treasurer
First National Bank
American National Bank & Trust Company
David Cumbo
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Director Dan Davis
APL Logistics Director
Rachel del Campo Gatewood
River District Consulting Group Director
Shannon Hair
Danville Community College Director
Mary Hammock
Farm Credit of the Virginias Director
Janet Holley
Ramsey Yeatts & Associates, Realtors Director
Mark Jones
Pittsylvania County School System Director
Alan Larson
SOVAH Health Director
Christine Markowitz
SOVAH Health Director
Kevin Palmer Infinity Global Director
Charlie Vaden
Columbia Forest Products Director
Tammy Wright-Warren W&W Luxury Limousine Service Director
Annual Awards Ceremony: Averett University, Caesars, Danville Distributing, Danville Public Schools, DCC Educational Foundation, First National Bank, Pittsylvania County Schools, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Annual Membership Meeting: Gateway Health
Business After Hours: Charles Anderson Lawn Care, KG Graphics, River City Printing Solutions, URW
Business Appreciation Day: JTI Leaf Services Business on Tour: Intertape Polymer Group
Business@Breakfast: Carilion, Partnership for Regional Prosperity, The Health Collaborative
Candidate Forum: Danville Public Schools, Register and Bee, SoVa Legal
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys Member since 2001
sponsoring events.
In the Know: Member to Member Webinars: Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing, ExperienceWorks, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, Katie Beach Consulting, KLF Consulting, Spero Health
Morning Brew: Ma’s Cakes, Gateway Health, Epstein Clark Consulting, Marlow Services, LLC
Racial Equity Institute Groundwater Training: Danville Regional Foundation Ribbon Cutting Events: Ashley Homestore, Bricktown Brewery, Danville Otterbots Sensory Room, Edible Arrangements, Glenwood Oil and Gas, Pie Five Pizza, Spero Health, Which Wich, Wild State Boutique
WE Lead: Danville Toyota, Epic Health Partners Workforce Summit: American National Bank, City of Danville Office of Economic Development, Pittsylvania County Office of Economic Development
We were honored to receive the Pinnacle Award. At Goodwill Industries® of the Valleys, we are committed to inspiring our communities through the power of work and our vision of eliminating poverty. This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team members and the support of our donors, shoppers, and partners like the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
Thank you to these members who supported the Chamber’s mission by
Laurie S. Moran Chamber Classic Golf Tournament:
Reception Sponsor:
Primary Team Sponsors:
American National Bank
Donnachaidh & Associates
JEB International Tobacco Co.
Association of Energy Engineers – Danville Chapter
Chatham Star Tribune | Womack Publishing
Columbia Forest Products DCC Educational Foundation Danville Distributing
Other Sponsors:
Arlene Creasy
Association of Energy Engineers – Danville Chapter
Averett University Axxor, N.A.
Brookdale Danville Piedmont Charles Anderson Lawn Care Chatham Hall
Chatham Star Tribune | Womack Publishing Columbia Forest Products
CORA Physical Therapy Crema & Vine Danville Cancer Association
JTI Leaf Services MVP Southgate
Danville Otterbots
Danville Toyota Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Harris, Harvey, Neal & Co. Intertape Polymer Group JEB International Tobacco Company
Danville Otterbots
Debra Fugate w/Ramsey Yeatts & Assoc.
Elite Pest Control
First National Bank
Food Lion – Ballou Park
Four Season’s Pest Control
Gateway Health Harley Davidson
Intertape Polymer Group
JEB International Tobacco Company
JTI Leaf Services, LLC
Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative River District Association
JTI Leaf Services, LLC
The Moran Family MVP Southgate RiverStreet Networks Servpro Danville Pittsylvania County VIR International Raceway
River District Consulting Group
River District Lofts
River Front Real Estate
Solex Architecture
Sonny Merryman
SoVA Legal
The Bee Hotel
The Moran Family Vintages by the Dan VIRginia International Raceway
Wells Fargo Advisors
Annual Awards with Telly Tucker, President of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research Annual Membership Meeting with Jason ElKoubi, President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Business After Hours: Access to networking opportunities for members of the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce and a marketing tool for the sponsor. (Charles Anderson Lawn Care, KG Graphics, River City Printing Solutions, URW)
Business@Breakfast: Access to the most current regional and state information impacting the business community
o Carilion | Mental Well-Being in the Workplace
o Partnership for Regional Prosperity | What is Ahead for Our Region
o The Health Collaborative | How the Work of the Collaborative Supports the Business Community
Business on Tour: Access to regional businesses for behind-the-scenes tours combined with opportunities for meaningful networking. (Intertape Polymer Group)
In the Know: Member to Member Webinars
o ATDM | What is Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing?
o ExperienceWorks | Creating a Strong Talent Pipeline
o Goodwill Industries of the Valleys | Goodwill’s Strategic Plan to Eliminate Poverty
o Katie Beach Consulting | Turning the Great Resignation Into the Great Retention
o KLF Consulting | Listen First, Sell Later
o Spero Health | Recognizing and Responding to Others in Need Laurie S. Moran Chamber Classic Golf Tournament
Morning Brew: Access to intentional networking to share your business’s message with business and community leaders. (Ma’s Cakes, Gateway Health, Epstein Clark Consulting, Marlow Services, LLC)
Open for Business: Access to new and growing businesses in the region through ribbon cuttings and open houses. (Ashley Homestore, Bricktown Brewery, Danville Otterbots Sensory Room, Edible Arrangements, Glenwood Oil and Gas, Pie Five Pizza, Spero Health, Which Wich, Wild State Boutique)
Rev Up Danville Pittsylvania County: Access to grant funding for businesses opening or expanding in the City of Danville, outside of the River District, and Pittsylvania County. There were 12 entries and 4 winners:
o Brittany Slade | Crown to Soul received $20,000 in funding
o Kenya Elliott | Bodied by K, LLC. ($10,000)
o Debra Burd | Dad’s Garage ($12,000)
o Wayne Allen | Historic North Theatre ($8,000)
WE Lead: Epic Health Partners | Mental Health Moment • The Big Sort | Charting What’s Possible for Danville
Workforce Summit: The Workforce Summit provided access to current information on workforce and education trends delivered by regional and state experts. The 2022 summit featured:
o Katie Beach | Consultant and Owner Katie Beach Consulting
o Charity Boyette | Tractus Strategic Partners, Co-Founder & COO
o Kimberly Carlson | Tractus Strategic Partners, Co-Founder & CEO
2022 Chamber Legislative Agenda
2022 VA West Legislative Agenda
Danville City Council Candidate Forum
Events
Danville School Board Candidate Forum
How to Run for Public Office
Small Business Contracting 101 with the State of Virginia
Leadership Southside Class of 2022 :
In May of 2022, 21 participants graduated from Leadership Southside as part of the 2021-2022 cohort. In August of 2022, 25 participants started Leadership Southside as part of the 2022-2023 cohort.
ByrnesChamber Legislative Committee Chair
Looking out for the interests of business is the responsibility of the Chamber and one we carry out through legislative advocacy on the local, state, and federal levels. Our annual legislative agenda, regular meetings with policy makers, and work with federal officials to get support for important regional initiatives are examples of how the Chamber works to improve the business climate and contribute to the success of our members.
Mayor, City of Danville
Attendees
The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Candidate Forum for those running for seats on Danville City Council and the Danville School Board. The event was well organized and more importantly, it gave the citizens of Danville an opportunity to engage directly with candidates in a discussion about community needs. Participating in a candidate forum is an opportunity to bring important topics to the forefront of a local election. I thank the Chamber for organizing this forum and advocating for the citizens and businesses in our community.
Aeolian Products & Services, Inc
Alpha Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®
American Heart Association
Apple Ford of Danville
Arlene Creasy
Axton Solar Biscuitville, Inc
BlueRidge Performance
Bobby Wilkerson (retired)
Bricktown Brewery
C12 Virginia
Carilion Wellness Services
CORA Physical Therapy
Danville Area Training Center
Danville Community College Education Foundation
Danville Concert Association
Danville Crime Stoppers EBI LLC
Gallagher Benefits Services
Glenwood Oil and Gas
Hire Dynamics/Employbridge
Historic North Theatre
Hitachi Energy Hunt and Company
Kegerreis Digital Marketing Kristin Worsham
LS3P
Lush and Lounge
Ma's Cakes
Matthews Sanitation Services, LLC Maurie Van Buren
Michael Inspired LLC
Motleys Mill Waterfall Estate Venue, LLC
Next Level Counseling & Consultation Services, LLC
Open Doors FP Penmac Staffing Phyllis Y. Thomas
Quirk Design Build Construction Co., LLC RAM Management & Solutions LLC
Hitachi Energy
Member since 2022
River City Printing Solutions,LLC
Rudy's Girl Media RV Park West Sandyz Corner Schoolfield Village
Southern Virginia Settlement, LLC
SOVA Innovation Hub Corporation / RISE Collaborative
Taqueria La G
The Cosmetic Art Store
The Fit Club Danville
The Historic North Theatre
Tys Transportation Services, LLC UniFirst Vic Ingram Walraven Inc
Without A Spot or Wrinkle Income Tax Consulting Services, Inc. Workout Anytime Danville Xzatix LLC
Hitachi Energy has found great value in joining the chamber. The connections to people, events, and knowing the Chamber has our best interest in mind has been extremely beneficial. Making that extra step to include us and reach out to us directly shows the Chambers values in action.
Goodwill
Industries of the Valleys
Marlow Services, LLC.
[At left]
Austin Scher, Danville Otterbots
Laura Singleton, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Stuart Sutphin, Open Doors FP
Madison Eades, The Bee Hotel
Kaylyn McCluster, Pittsylvania County Government
Sharon Leigg, George Washington High School
Sharon Cobb, Chatham Middle School
Elizabeth Echols, Chatham High School
Marlow Services; 2022 Pinnacle Small Business Award winner
Member since 2019
“Wonderful things are happening in our community, and we are so excited to be a part of it. It’s truly an honor to be recognized for our contribution to the success of the region with this prestigious award and humbling to be in the company of previous award winners that we have long admired. We will strive each day to live up to this honor.
Access to grant funding for businesses opening or expanding in the City of Danville, outside of the River District, and Pittsylvania County
[At left]
Brittany Slade, Crown to Soul
Debra Burd, Dad’s Gargage
Kenya Elliott, Bodied by K Wayne Allen, Historic North Theatre
Bodied by K, LLC
Member since 2022
Historic North Theatre Member since 2022
In June 2022, I was very fortunate to be one of the four winners during a business pitch with Rev-Up to expand my business, a lucrative spa in Danville, VA offering a variety of services including fat reduction, skin tightening, laser services, permanent hair removal, facials, waxing, and much more. I won $10,000 and invested in a cutting-edge innovative device to provide my clients with better options and more services. I’m very thankful for Rev-Up providing small businesses with funding opportunities because after the pandemic, small businesses took an enormous hit economically. Since receiving funding and expanding my business with my new device, my clientele has increased. I’m the only person in a 90-mile radius with this device, and I’ve been able to partner with other spas in the tidewater area who have also invested in the same machine and have built a professional relationship with the owners.
Networking as a small business is imperative.
The Rev Up Danville Pittsylvania program has really helped the Historic North Theatre especially since we were closed over 90% of the time the last two years because of COVID. The funds have helped us to increase our marketing and outreach efforts that support programming. We appreciate all the support provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
Kirsten Aherron
River District Association
Laura Ashworth
City of Danville, Office of Economic Development
David Coffey
City of Danville, Fire Department
Amy Davis
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Madison Eades
The Bee Hotel
Conner Finney
Travelmation
Hailey Fowlkes
SOVAH Health
Charly Harris
JT Minnie Maude Charitable Trust
Tamantha Hurt
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
Cassie Jones
Averett University
Brandie King Negril, Inc.
Pete Kostopanagiotis
Daniel, Medley & Kirby, P.C.
Amy Parikh Carlisle School
Doug Plachcinski
City of Danville, Planning
Jakeeta Scott
Danville Pittsylvania Community Services
Donald Smith
City of Danville , Police Department
Jarrett Stone
Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office
Brad Stowe Chandler Concrete
Martina Tatum
Gateway Health Tammy Turner
ValleyStar Credit Union
Kellie Wyatt
Dan River Nonprofit Network
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
Member since 2001
The benefits of Leadership Southside continue to show up in both my professional and personal life, even years after completing the program.
The skills I learned and the connections I made have been invaluable as I’ve developed as a leader, and I know I will continue to use them to make an impact in the Danville community.
Investments in the Chamber have never been more essential to accelerating business growth. Innovation Partners give members increased exposure and enable the Chamber to enhance and energize programs that create the environment for our members to be successful.
IPs are recognized as leaders in the business community because they understand that the Chamber is the most effective vehicle for helping to position Danville and Pittsylvania County as one of the best examples of resilience, perseverance, and reinvention in Virginia and the United States.
If you would like to invest in the future of Danville and Pittsylvania County:
$15,000 $25,000 $10,000 $7,500 $5,000 $2,500
If you would like to join this exclusive group and invest in the future of Danville and Pittsylvania County:
DEWBERRY Member since 2001
Dewberry is proud to be an Innovation Partner supporting the Chamber’s efforts to enhance and grow our region’s business community. As a national firm with a local presence, we are dedicated to developing innovative solutions that strengthen our community and improve quality of life. Being an Innovation Partner provides us unique opportunities to engage, support and serve the Danville-Pittsylvania region.