The Business Voice, October 2018 by InsideNoVa

Teamwork for the Win: What’s necessary to net a tech HQ in NOVA Looking for Leadership Development? Look no further than Next Gen Small Business. Big Humanitarian Impact: Thundercat Technology

THE BUSINESS VOICE More Than a Workplace Capital One’s new city in the sky means big things for Northern Virginia

FALL 2018 | novachamber.org 1

THE BUSINESS VOICE

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fall 2018

More than a workplace

Capital One’s new headquarters means big things for Tysons and NOVA

Inside this issue

Message from the President and CEO Julie Coons brings a wealth of leadership experience to her role as the new President and CEO of the NOVA Chamber.

Members Making News Contract awards, an upcoming Gala, a favorite dining spot scores a top chef, and more about your fellow members. 8 2018 Legislative Successes Your Chamber in Action

Teamwork for the Win What’s necessary to net a tech HQ in NOVA.

The i-List Coming Spring 2019. Join us. Apply. Learn more!

More than a workplace Capital One’s new headquarters means big things for Northern Virginia.

Spotlight On

Education: NOVA Workforce; Identifying job opportunities and reskilling workers to retain them. Small Business: Thundercat Technology; This service-disabled, veteran-owned business delivers technology services, solutions and more.

ON THE COVER

The new Capital One building, photographed exclusively for The Business Voice by Douglas Graham, Wild Light Photos

Nonprofit: National Capital Area Chapter – Alzheimer’s Association; Committed to stopping a leading cause of death in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Next Gen: Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

2018 Distinguished Service Award Winners 30 Signature Events 31 New Chamber Members 38

Change is t

We implement our c

Call your Century 21 Ne

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Upcoming Chamber Events OCTOBER

It’s Time to ShowUp! & Level UP Annette Y. Harris, President and Founder of ShowUp!, will introduce you to her ShowUp! Success-Driven Framework. You’ll walk away with tangible tips and nontraditional tactics that will help position you for the next level of success in the upcoming New Year. Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Location: Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

NOVEMBER

Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards The Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards™ is the premier event honoring the leadership, innovation and commitment to excellence of the people and businesses in the region’s government contracting community. Time: 5:30 p.m.– 9:00 p.m. Location: The Ritz Carlton Tysons

To register for events: novachamber.org/events

Annual State of Healthcare Join the Northern Virginia Chamber and business leaders from throughout the region for the Chamber’s Annual State of Healthcare in the Commonwealth event featuring Secretary Daniel Carey, M.D., Virginia’s Secretary of Health & Human Resources. Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Location: Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Get Connected Join us for this periodic informational networking and luncheon session to learn about opportunities for engagement across a wide array of industries and subject areas. Time:11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

How Smart Women Pivot and Relaunch their Careers Have you thought about a career change or want to move up or across your organization? Then don’t miss the Women in Business Signature event, How Smart Women Pivot and Relaunch their Careers. This exceptional speaker

series includes some of the most influential and powerful women in the region and is a must attend for new and seasoned professionals. Time:7:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Location: The Ritz Carlton Tysons

DECEMBER

Northern Virginia Holiday Reception Join us for one of the holiday season’s premier networking opportunities in Northern Virginia. The Chamber’s dynamic member companies, top investors, elected officials and community leaders will gather to reflect upon and celebrate the year. Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Location: The Hilton Tysons McLean

Also coming soon...

DECEMBER • Capital Region Workforce Summit • Senatorial Roundtable JANUARY 2019 • The Annual Economic Summit

Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce 7900 Westpark Drive, Suite A550, Tysons, VA 22102-3853 Phone: 703.749.0400 Fax: 703.749.9075 www.novachamber.org • To learn more about membership, please contact Ryan Pitts: 703.752.7529 rpitts@novachamber.org

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A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

Dear Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Members,

am honored to serve as the new President & CEO of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. It has been wonderful to meet countless members and leaders in our community and hear how our committed board of directors and staff can best serve you as the Voice of Business in Northern Virginia. Thank you for the warm welcome over the past month. With nearly 20 years in nonprofit management and the private sector before that, I have a keen eye on ensuring that our members derive direct value from their membership. Our mission is to provide a venue, a network, the content and the advocacy that accelerates your ability to grow your business. I look forward to working together to strategically position the Chamber as a convener of thought leadership, a vehicle for engagement, and a leader in business advocacy within the region. I am excited to build on our successes and continuously look for new opportunities for growth. The membership of the Northern Virginia Chamber is impressive, with small and large businesses, leading regional institutions, diverse nonprofits, and companies from a multitude of industry sectors throughout the region. I encourage companies and business leaders to engage with us to experience the value that the Chamber has to offer to you 6â&#x20AC;&#x192;

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With nearly 20 years in nonprofit management and the private sector before that, I have a keen eye on ensuring that our members derive direct value from their membership. Our mission is to provide a venue, a network, the content, and the advocacy that accelerates your ability to grow your business.

and your business. Please attend an event, read our newsletters, volunteer, or connect with our Chamber staff. I encourage you to make the most of your membership. I look forward to meeting you and working with you and your business to continue growing Northern Virginia and the greater region. Sincerely,

JULIE COONS President & CEO Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

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MEMBERS making news

Womble Bond Dickinson Welcomes Corporate and Securities Attorney Susan Kim

ith the addition of attorney Susan Kim, Womble Bond Dickinson has further strengthened its corporate and securities practice in Northern Virginia. Kim’s practice includes guiding clients in mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations and

other corporate transactions. In addition, Kim has experience in the investment management industry, counseling registered investment companies and investment advisers on regulatory and compliance issues.

Chef Philip Thompson Joins härth at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner Chef Philip Thompson brings his 20-plus years of international culinary experience to härth at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Classically trained in French cuisine, and renowned for his hyper-local dishes and elegant presentation, Chef Thompson’s notable career highlights include such high-profile events as the White House Correspondents Dinner, 2009 Youth Inaugural Ball, and the First Lady’s Luncheon.

Hopecam Celebrates 15 Years with Annual Gala

DEWBERRY SELECTED TO DESIGN ROUTE 7 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS

Dewberry has been selected by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to provide transportation engineering services for the Route 7 corridor improvement project in Fairfax County. Dewberry is teamed 8

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with Shirley Contracting Company, LLC on the design-build project, which is intended to widen Route 7 from a four-lane divided highway to a six-lane divided highway from Reston Avenue to Jarrett Valley Drive.

Hopecam is celebrating 15 years of helping children with cancer defeat social isolation by connecting them to their classrooms, friends, and support systems while in treatment. In honor of this milestone, Hopecam is holding its annual Gala on Friday, Oct. 19, at The Silverline Center in Tysons. Join friends and business colleagues for an entertaining evening, benefiting children with cancer.

SOSi Sole Awardee of $55 Million U.S. Army Contract SOS International LLC (SOSi) is the sole awardee of a $55 million contract to provide technical support to the Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (WESS) managed by the

The most trusted and respected network for middle-market businesses L E A R N . C O N N E C T. G R O W. OCT 19 Roy Kapani Chairman and CEO, KapCo Holdings Founder and former CEO, ECS Federal OCT 25 Washington Technology Showcase Wyatt Decker CEO, May Clinic Arizona Peter Levin CEO, Amida Jenni Main COO and CFO, CMS Topics: Personalized/Individualized Health Interoperability and Patient Data Access Cybersecurity and artificial Intelligence NOV 16 Bill Kraus Co Founder and Co Owner, Mission BBQ

A C G C A P I TA L . O R G

U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems (PEO-EIS). SOSi will support Product Manager WESS Data Communications Network customers worldwide with secure and non-secure voice, data and video services and all phases of SATCOM management, engineering, installation, integration, operation, maintenance, and lifecycle support.

Thompson Greenspon Names Andrew Henderson, CPA, CVA Audit Principal Thompson Greenspon, a full-service CPA firm in the Washington DC area, has named Andrew Henderson, CPA, CVA, a Principal of the firm. Thompson Greenspon is committed to recognizing the dedication of its team members and promoting from within, and since joining the firm as a Staff Accountant in 2002, Henderson has had a significant impact on client service, team leadership, and overall company growth in the firm’s government contracting sector.

Intelligent Waves Honored with 2018 Industry Innovator in Government Innovation Award

MAJOR NOVA WIN

MAG Aerospace to Invest $5.5 Million to Expand Corporate Headquarters in Fairfax County

Intelligent Waves LLC (IW), an information technology and communications solutions provider for the federal government, has been named an Industry Innovator in the 2018 Government Innovation Awards. The honor, which was announced in August, will be recognized in person during the Government Innovation Awards Dinner on Nov. 8 at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner.

Governor Ralph Northam announced that MAG Aerospace, the leading independent provider of outsourced aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) services, will invest $5.5 million to relocate and expand its corporate headquarters in the Fairfax area of Fairfax County. Virginia successfully competed against Alabama and North Carolina for the project, which will create 120 new jobs.

SSi Consulting Named to 2018 Sage Intacct President’s Club SSi Consulting has been named to the 2018 Sage Intacct President’s Club, a coveted sales and customer satisfaction award given annually to the firm’s top-performing channel partners. The award recognizes value added resellers (VARs) and Sage Intacct Accountants Program firms (SIAPs) for their success in helping clients migrate to Sage Intacct’s cloud Financial Management Solutions.

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GOVERNMENT

NORTHERN VIRGINIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The s 2018SUCCESSES legislative successes 2018Chamber’ LEGISLATIVE

Northern Virginia theofcore of Virginia’s economic success — theEconomic Commonwealth’s Economic Engine. The Northern Virginia is theis core Virginia’s economic success - the Commonwealth’s Engine. Northern Virginia Chamber is committed to advocating policies the General Assembly that support the The Northern Virginia Chamber is committed to advocating for policies for at the General at Assembly that Northern business community, private sector economic growth support the Virginia Northern Virginia business community,fostering fostering private sector economic growth for years for years to come. Below are some ofBelow our successes and priorities thefrom 2018 General Assembly Session. to come. are some of our successes and from priorities the 2018 General Assembly Session.

TRANSPORTATION & INTERCONNECTIVITY HISTORIC DEDICATED INVESTMENT IN METRO For the first time in its 40-year history, Virginia committed a dedicated funding source to Metro. SB856 (Saslaw) and HB1539 (Hugo) provide Virginia’s annual $154 million contribution to ensure Metro returns to a state of good repair, ensuring system reliability and safety for years to come. Northern Virginia Chamber was the leading business organization in Virginia pushing for full Metro funding.

METRO FAST FACTS

METRONOW The MetroNow coalition is made up of regional leaders from the business, non-profit, and advocacy communities collectively advocating for $500 million in dedicated, sustainable regional funding for Metro. The Northern Virginia Chamber is a founding member of the MetroNow Coalition and led the Virginia lobbying effort. As a result of MetroNow’s efforts, Virginia, Maryland and the District met their Metro funding obligations and for the first time are providing ongoing dedicated funding to our regional transit system.

More than 340,000 Virginians rely on Metro every day 100% of commercial development over the next five years is within 0.5 miles of Metro 54% of all jobs in the region are located within 0.5 miles of Metro Metro and Virginia Railway Express collectively account for a $600 million annual benefit to Virginia’s budget - a major economic driver for Virginia

REGIONAL MOTOR FUELS TAX FLOOR

AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE HB 662 (Murphy) directs the Department of Transportation to begin a study of improving the American Legion Bridge – placing Virginia in a position to lead on addressing this core part of our region’s transportation infrastructure.

After a multi-year effort, HB768 (Jones) and SB896 (Wagner) set a floor on the regional motor fuels tax, bringing tens of millions in transportation funding to Northern Virginia. Since 2013, Northern Virginia had lost more than $50 million in transportation funding due to an oversight in the landmark HB2313 transportation bill that did not include the floor. The Northern Virginia Chamber, along with many business organizations across Virginia, had been working since 2014 to fix this mistake in HB2313.

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2018 LEGISLATIVE SUCCESSES Northern Virginia is the core of Virginia’s economic success - the Commonwealth’s Economic Engine. The Northern Virginia Chamber is committed to advocating for policies in the General Assembly that support the Northern Virginia business community, fostering private sector economic growth for years to come.

HEALTHCARE Biennial budget authorizes Virginia to enact Medicaid reform and coverage expansion Provides federally-funded healthcare coverage for 300,000 working Virginians Leverages millions in federal tax dollars paid for by Virginians that have left the Commonwealth each year without coverage expansion Protects businesses and taxpayers across Virginia by eliminating the program if the federal government reduces its funding commitment Promotes workforce development by requiring beneficiaries to demonstrate employment or job training in order to receive benefits. Enhances reimbursement rates to hospitals for Medicaid services previously paid at 60 cents for every dollar of cost

EDUCATION & WORKFORCE $515 million net increase in K-12 education funding, including a 3% teacher salary increase $4 million increase for Workforce Credential Grant Program – supporting credential programs for in-demand industries key to Virginia’s economic growth. Significant new investment in George Mason University supporting research, financial aid, compensation, and operational funding

HOW WE DO IT

Increased investment in GO Virginia – a regional economic development and growth initiative – to $64 million over the next two years Directs GO Virginia to engage in broadband development projects across the Commonwealth in addition to its work in workforce development and regional economic growth.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CyberX - $25 million investment in Northern Virginia-based cyber hub connecting universities, businesses, venture capitalists, accelerators/incubators. Virginia Economic Development Partnership – Additional $13 million investment, including: Investment in business-ready site development across the Commonwealth, an important tool in recruiting businesses ready to relocate Creation of a customized workforce training program to ensure businesses are able to secure and train their target workforce Port of Virginia - $350 million dedicated to dredging project that will keep Virginia’s port as a competitive marketplace for transporting goods

ENERGY New energy investments provide greater stability and reliability necessary to power continued growth of our region, while also investing in security to protect from an increasing number of cyber threats

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Maintain a full-time presence in Richmond during the General Assembly Session Engage with the entire Northern Virginia delegation and leaders from across the Commonwealth during the General Assembly and beyond

GO VIRGINIA

Connect members with statewide leaders throughout the year through the Policy Committee, NOVABIZPAC, and other Chamber forums

HB 1258 (Kilgore) and SB 405 (McDougle) establish a consistent statewide approval process for next generation small cell communications infrastructure. This modern regulatory environment will make Virginia a more attractive state for capital and technology investment.

The Chamber Wants to Hear from You!

To ensure that business has a voice in the legislative process, your Chamber’s Policy Committee works with regional business leaders to identify critical trends and to make sure Chamber members are represented in Richmond and beyond. This Fall, the Policy Committee will hold a series of meetings to set the Chamber’s agenda for the coming year. For more information on those meetings, to suggest issues you’d like to see addressed, or to get involved, contact Mike Forehand, Senior VP, Government and Public Affairs, MForehand@NOVAChamber.org THE BUSINESS VOICE

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TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS

Teamwork for the Win What it will take to net a tech HQ in Northern Virginia BY L AU R A C L A R K | P H O T O S BY R A N DY L I T Z I N G E R

one are the days when all technology companies viewed Silicon Valley as the most desirable playing field. Tech giants and startups alike are establishing new turf around the country, and it could be a game-changer for the DC metro region. In fact, we have so much going for us that the advantage just might be ours to lose. With that in mind, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce recently convened an unprecedented mix of business leaders from companies across the region. The question of the day was whether our area is fast enough to win a tech headquarters. With BDO and United Bank as the Gold Sponsors, the event brought together a diverse group that hailed from the public and private sectors and included real estate services, construction businesses, architectural firms, developers, county officials, and more. Anthony Chang of Washington REIT moderated the discussion in front of a packed audience. Chang, who organized the event, envisioned and delivered a collaborative experience. In his opening remarks, he noted, “Taking the Chamber mandate of being the voice of business very literally, today is that voice.” Six subject-matter experts took a deep dive into market analysis and answered questions from the actively engaged crowd. A series of extensively researched presentations painted a clear picture of how the region stacks up against competitive markets like Austin, Denver, Boston, Raleigh, and Atlanta, among others. The DC metro area’s strong position was evident, with impressive 14

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performance in all but a few metrics. Not surprisingly, access to talent is of paramount importance to employers. Our significant population of highly educated professionals, many of whom are millennials, bodes well for tech companies seeking a robust talent pipeline. And, while housing is expensive in our region, it’s achievable compared to some other markets. Leading tech companies place a premium on hiring the best and brightest, so they are willing to offset the cost of living through pay and other benefits. Additionally, Michael Hartnett of JLL shared that DC-area employees have more stability as compared to those on the West Coast, saying, “Our region’s employees change jobs every three to four years versus every one to two years.” Our area also comes in solidly with regard to job growth and taxes, important measures for existing and new businesses. While we are not at the top of the pack in these indexes, we sit comfortably among competing markets. Virginia’s 6 percent tax rate, for instance, is in the middle of metropolitan statistical area averages. Other major markets can’t compete, however, when it comes to our most distinct asset: unparalleled proximity to regulators. Nate Edwards of Cushman & Wakefield sees this as the “real next frontier for tech companies” and “a fastball for our market.” From his perspective, “In DC, it’s about access to senators, congressmen, and the Hill.” The biggest tech players want to make sure their companies aren’t overregulated. In this regard, some companies are eyeing the market as an

An unprecedented mix of business leaders gathered to listen, learn, and discuss the region’s ability to win a tech headquarters.

ideal location to conduct government affairs, a part of the tech agenda that is becoming vitally important. While all of this may sound reassuring, it’s definitely not time to rest on our laurels. We face significant challenges because of our lack of a large tech incubator. These incubators are important for tech companies seeking

highly skilled engineers. According to Edwards, “The only other market that doesn’t have [an incubator] is Denver. That’s a huge knock.” Another area for improvement is permitting. Tech companies often prioritize speed. For that reason, a considerable portion of the meeting’s agenda was dedicated to a discussion

of permitting processes. Panelists compared ground up and interior build outs, noting the speed of the development review process and potential to expedite that process among the region’s major jurisdictions as well as against Denver, Boston, and Austin. The permitting timeline is a key factor in determining the ability to do

success is no accident Grants from the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia helped launch new cybersecurity and coding courses in local schools, creating a better future for our children and our community. We help donors succeed in their charitable endeavors through donor advised funds, planned giving and philanthropic advising.

is your success intentional? so is ours. Give, through the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia.

www.cfnova.org

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business, but several jurisdictions within the DC-area have suboptimal review processes. Guidance regarding this challenge included acting quickly to improve efficiency. Asked for their estimation of the hottest local centers for tech right now, the panelists offered Tysons, the

Dulles corridor, Rosslyn, Bethesda, and the Capitol Riverfront. Nestlé’s move from the West Coast to Arlington signifies an exciting new direction for Rosslyn. Likewise, Marriott’s decision to stay in Bethesda and invest in a new headquarters there underscores the area’s significant appeal. One reason attracting tech companies is so important right now is that the economy is strong. Although the speakers did not predict an imminent downturn, expansions always reverse at some point. Sandy Paul of Newmark Knight Frank advised, “Now is the time to begin preparing for what will eventually come. One way to prepare is to attract and retain the most nimble companies that will represent the next generation of our economy.” The meeting wrapped up with the take-away that staying ahead of the game will require a culture of accountability, collaboration, communication, and innovation. In short, teamwork for the win.

MODERATOR: Anthony Chang, Vice President, Asset Management, REIT PANELISTS: Nate Edwards, Regional Director, Research for the MidAtlantic & Southeast Regions, Cushman & Wakefield Kurt Haglund, Chief Operating Officer, Rand Construction Corporation Michael Hartnett, Senior Research Manager, Northern Virginia, JLL Erin Mical, Senior Director, Workplace Solutions, Capital One Sandy Paul, Senior Managing Director, National Market Research, Newmark Knight Frank Bob Peck, Principal, Gensler

Proud to support

We celebrate the Chamber's commitment to the Northern Virginia Business Community Howard Rothman Vice President - Wealth Management 202-942-2871 howard.rothman@ubs.com

The Washingtonian Group 1501 K Street North West Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20005-1410

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THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA CHAMBER ANNOUNCES

THE GREATER WASHINGTON i-LIST The i-LIST, powered by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce,

is a running list of the most innovative companies in the Greater Washington region.

The Greater Washington i-LIST Awards recognizes and celebrates the people and organizations who introduce new methods, ideas, and products to improve our lives and challenge the status quo.

We hope that you join us in Spring 2019 for this energetic cocktail reception that counts down the top 10 most innovative companies recognized on the i-LIST!

INTERESTED IN APPLYING OR LEARNING MORE?

VISIT, WWW.NOVACHAMBER.ORG

18â&#x20AC;&#x192;

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COVER STORY

More than a building: Capital One’s new headquarters means big things for Northern Virginia

BY J E N N I F E R E . G O L D M A N P H O T O S BY D O U G L A S G R A H A M, W I L D L I G H T P H OTOS

lthough Capital One has had a strong presence in Fairfax County for more than a decade and a half, the completion of its headquarters expansion in 2023 will have a profound impact on the Tysons area. Fortunately, the company has largely had the support and encouragement of Fairfax County officials along the way and considers its relationship to be a “tight partnership.” “Capital One has been a fantastic and generous corporate neighbor,” said Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. “They have been a valued presence in Fairfax County for some time now and we’re really pleased and excited with their plans for their redeveloped corporate headquarters.” Dr. Gerald Gordon, President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, said the sheer size and visibility of the Capital One headquarters tower, which opens officially in December, is helping to put Fairfax County on the map for other financial services companies. Capital One proudly stated that it “didn’t seek or accept any incentives for this project.” In fact, it did quite

the opposite; Capital One designed the entire 25-acre campus with the county’s comprehensive plan in mind and has donated land and resources to ensure the necessary road and infrastructure improvements. “Traffic is top-of-mind for us all,” said Barry Mark, vice president of Workplace Solutions at Capital One. “It’s important that we get the transportation approach right for all of us who will live, work and commute in the community.” In addition to its assistance with the Jones Branch Connector (a new link between Jones Branch Drive across the Beltway to Route 123), Capital One is doing everything possible to encourage its employees to seek alternate transportation options to help alleviate the impact the project could have on traffic in Tysons: offering shuttles for employees to travel from one office location to another and encouraging use of the Metro and carpooling. According to Mark, the overarching idea of the redeveloped headquarters is to enhance work-life balance for employees by creating an entire walkable community surrounding

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I-495 (BELTWAY)

PHOTO COURTESY CAPITAL ONE

McLEAN METRO STATION

BLOCK C

RT. 123

After years of planning and construction, Capital One is nearing completion of the first phase of its headquarters expansion in McLean, which literally towers over the Beltway. Employees will begin moving into the 470-foot-tall office building this fall, and work is well underway on the second phase of the financial giant’s expansion, which will include retail and performing arts space. the headquarters tower and associated office buildings and co-locating the company’s 7,000 local employees on one campus. Removing the need for workers to commute for work or for personal activities will not only have a positive impact on the employees and their families but also for those they would be sharing the roads with. “By providing for housing, recreation, retail, transportation improvements and continued reinvestment in our community, our development will create the most exciting and vibrant live-work-play environment in the region,” said Mark. “The project will have a major 20

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positive impact on the Tysons area,” said Michael Forehand, senior vice president of government and public affairs for the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “It’s becoming less of a place that people come to at 9 a.m. and leave promptly at 5 p.m., and more of a workplay destination.” Forehand added that he sees the project as a commercial hub that Fairfax County and all of Northern Virginia can be proud of. “They are attracting young tech workers to Northern Virginia,” he said, “and giving the area a reputation across the nation that says that Northern Virginia is a place of innovation where large

corporations want to invest and locate.” Gordon made a similar observation, noting that the combination of the Metro’s new Silver Line and all of the amenities that Capital One is building for the benefit of both its employees and local residents gives the Tysons area the ability to better attract “a younger workforce.” In addition to the road and infrastructure improvements and the office tower and buildings, the Capital One headquarters project will include an apartment complex and fitness center for the exclusive use of its employees, parks and outdoor amenities that it will open to the public, an events center that will be made available for county use, and

Capital One Expansion JONES BRANCH CONNECTOR

The Capital One headquarters is located in the northeast quadrant of the I-495 and Route 123 interchange, adjacent to the McLean Metro station. When completed, Capital One will relocate its current local workforce of 7,000 employees into the headquarters, which has a capacity for 8,500 workers to accommodate the firm’s long-term growth expectations.

PHASE 1 Capital One’s new headquarters tower is

470-foot tall, with approximately 940,500 square-foot of office space and 25,000 square-feet of retail space. It will open officially in December.

PHASE 2 The next phase of construction is on Block C, and includes:

• 80,000 square-foot urban-format Wegmans grocery store.

I-495 (BELTWAY)

• 125,000 square-foot mixed-use Capital One Center, which will be utilized for employee trainings, meetings and related functions. The facility will also be available to host publicly-accessible performing arts events and county-sponsored cultural events. The venue will include a 1,500-seat auditorium, 300-seat multi-use room, classrooms and a large outdoor terrace. • Two restaurants, the first being Davio’s, an upscale Northern Italian restaurant. • Public parking.

several restaurant and retail “anchors.” Commitments from some of those anchors have already been solidified: City Works (a classic American bistro), Davio’s (a Northern Italian-style restaurant), Starbucks, and the everpopular Wegmans. While discussing how Capital One has designed this project to bring part of the county’s vision, as stated in its comprehensive plan, to life, Chairman Bulova commented, “Capital One has been a leader in demonstrating how well that can happen,” and expressed hope that the effect of this project will inspire other corporate neighbors to follow suit. Gordon noted another advantage of having large corporate headquarters, like Capital One, in the region. “They fill a large amount of philanthropic needs,” he said. “They’re not just giving dollars, they’re generously giving their time as well.”

• A 1.5-acre Sky Park on top of the podium, which will be open for public use. The park will feature an amphitheater, a large multipurpose lawn, a sculpture garden and recreational games. • Capital One is constructing a corporate hotel on one of the three building sites atop the podium. The remaining two buildings will be developed based on future need. • Wegmans will open in the late summer of 2020. The hotel, Capital One Center, Davio’s and retail will open in the second half of 2021.

PHASE 3 As Capital One builds out its office tower on

Block B, it continues to plan for future employee growth. To accommodate this projected growth, Phase 3 includes: • Proposed development of a single office building consisting of two towers joined together by an atrium, with ground-floor retail on Block A. When ultimately constructed, this building will be approximately 850,000 square-feet of office and 36,000 square-feet of retail. • Capital One expects to break ground on this building in early 2019 and will begin occupancy in Q1 2023. THE BUSINESS VOICE

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SPOTLIGHT W

on education

NOVA Workforce Committed to creating the biggest impact possible for local businesses BY J E N N I F E R E . G O L D M A N P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F N OVA W O R K F O R C E 22

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hile it may be part of Northern Virginia Community College, NOVA Workforce is capitalizing on a new trend that is a contradiction to the traditional model of higher education. According to Steven Partridge, Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development at Northern Virginia Community College, his department doesn’t exist to educate students in the hopes they can then go out and find a job. Rather, its role is to identify job opportunities in the region and retrain the existing workforce to keep good jobs and good companies here. “We’re here to create the biggest impact we can for local businesses,” said Partridge. Awarded a $1 million GO Virginia grant, NOVA Workforce plans to use the funds to establish a high-demand IT apprenticeship program that focuses on cloud and cyber technologies. The new program will be modeled after its oneyear-old, exceedingly successful, Amazon Web Services Program, which provides three months of classroom training in IT skills to new Amazon employees, regardless of previous college experience. The new program will offer the same services, but tailored to other major local employers. “I think of us as translators,” explained Partridge. “Businesses speak one language and colleges tend to speak another; we’re here to bridge that gap and help businesses find [or create] that pool of talent that they seek.” The Amazon program has already seen 100 students through the pipeline. Partridge is hoping this new IT/cloud/ cyber program will attract, at a minimum, four new employers and 400 new studentemployees over the next two years. “Personally, I want to be able to say that we have the largest apprenticeship consortium in the nation, within a year or two,” Partridge added. Aside from the fact that our area is rich with tech and cyber security companies and thin on an appropriately

“I think of us as translators. Businesses speak one language and colleges tend to speak another; we’re here to bridge that gap and help businesses find [or create] that pool of talent that they seek.”

Left: The NOVA Workforce team with its first cohort of Amazon Web Services students. Below (Top): NOVA Workforce Cybersecurity Degree students participating in the program’s Cyber Roundtable.

- STEVEN PARTRIDGE, VICE PRESIDENT OF WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT NORTHERN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

skilled workforce, Partridge sees even greater opportunity for success with these programs due to our region’s demographics. The population is more than 50 percent female, and the proximity to Washington has translated into about 15 percent of area residents being military veterans, many of whom are under- or unemployed. To explain further, currently only 11 percent of all IT professionals nationwide are female; a statistic that IT employers (and Partridge) would like to escalate, which shouldn’t be difficult, given the local gender population split. Additionally, the large numbers of local veterans have become a workforce draw but with a severe lack of direction; available jobs in this area have not fit the applicable skills of these returning veterans. Partridge’s new programs solve that dilemma by making job skill training available to specific employers. It takes the guesswork out of the question many unor underemployed veterans have, “I know I need new skills, but which ones will lead to a job?” Partridge and his team have worked very carefully in building these new programs. While they see opportunities to skill new workers for major employers in other career areas, they are being very strategic in selecting which fields to foster. “We focus on career pathways,” he explained, “We won’t develop a program for a dead-end type of job.” He went on to further clarify that there are some available jobs in the area for which there is no potential for career growth. Those types of jobs, no matter

Above, Bottom and Top Left, and Opposite Page: Students participating in the NOVA Workforce IT programs. IT and Cyber-related fields offer the largest potential for career growth in Northern Virginia.

how many vacancies there may be in the local area, will never be an educational focus for NOVA Workforce. And it isn’t just a matter of major employers coming forth and dangling funds in front of the department. Partridge has on his team two employees whose full-time responsibility lies in analyzing labor analytics in order to recognize the “pain points” for local businesses and significant gaps in the Northern Virginia workforce. What they’ve determined most recently is that the largest workforce gap locally, with the largest potential for career growth, is in the IT and cyber-related fields. “Healthcare is a close second,” said Partridge, who already has a significant

healthcare program in place where students can earn certifications as a veterinarian assistant, clinical medical assistant, nurse’s aide, pharmacy technician, or medical billing and coding specialist. “Northern Virginia is a very educationfocused area,” said Partridge, “and a very competitive one at that.” For those reasons, NOVA Workforce is determined to stay ahead of economic trends and employer needs, creating programs that will more directly marry the available workforce with current career opportunities. For more information, visit www.NVCC.edu/workforce, or call 703.323.3000.

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SPOTLIGHT

on small business

Tom Deierlein and Thundercat Technology: In the Business of Humanity BY L AU R A BY N U M | P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F T H U N D E R C AT T E C H N O LO G Y

have to hustle to follow Thundercat Technology’s CEO, Tom Deierlein, as he leads me on a tour of his Reston headquarters. Despite the hot August day, Tom is jovial and fresh. He is eager to share everything they’ve done, and make sure that I know his partners and employees are equally important in the creation of this business that’s earned so many accolades. If Tom has an ego, I sure don’t see it. An open book, Tom Deierlein’s life story is full of industriousness and willpower. It took him three attempts to get through Ranger School, which the U.S. Army deems as “the most physically and mentally demanding leadership school the Army has to offer.” But he did. He made it. While on active duty in Baghdad, Tom was shot. His pelvis and sacrum were shattered. He nearly bled out, and received last rites. But he lived. And he bloomed. As I try to keep up with the many things Tom has done with his life, I catch glimpses of something that runs through it, and his business, and his foundation. It’s respect, specifically for the human

condition, which is absolutely a big part of his, and his partners’, and his employees’ success. THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY Thundercat Technology (so named for Tom’s call sign, ThunderCat 6) is described as a service-disabled, veteranowned business systems integrator that delivers technology services and solutions to the federal government and other Fortune 500 companies. They solve datacenter dilemmas by bringing in strategies for data storage, networking, security, and applications. Their hallmark approach involves providing customers the most-educated, big picture-thinkers who have at their leisure over 200 tech partners ready with the best tools. Tom’s knack for finding thoughtful, forest-and-the-trees individuals is step one in building an elite group of visioneers. Step two is empowering them with education. “Get the best of the best and give them lots of opportunity for growth,” Tom said, adding that their chemistry as a group is a large part of how this well-

oiled machine continually provides such elegant solutions. “I’d rather be a small company that’s better to work with, than a big company filled with people who don’t know each other.” Some of the company’s efforts to keep their business more of a family include: providing employees latitude regarding where they are working; making sure to enjoy out-of-the-office time together; taking a company trip once a year; and generally allowing them to be actually off the grid so as to better enjoy their families and lives outside of work. It’s an approach that appears to be working. In the company’s 10 years (as of this last April), only 12 employees have left. CHARITY IS IN HIS DNA While Tom got out of the military in 1993, he was a 12-year enlistee of the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve). In 2005, and despite his tenure having come to term, he received a Western Union cable that said he was expected to report for duty in Baghdad, and he went. It was a pivotal moment in Tom’s life. It wasn’t just where and when he was shot. It was where he continued on page 27

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SPOTLIGHT National Capital Area Chapter – Alzheimer’s Association BY J E N N I F E R E . G O L D M A N P H O T O S CO U R T E S Y N AT I O N A L C A P I TA L A R E A C H A P T E R A L Z H E I M E R ’ S A S S O C I AT I O N

ccording to 2016 statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Approximately 140,000 Virginians over the age of 65 are currently living with the disease, and will die from it. For Kate Rooper, President and CEO of the National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, eliminating Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, providing care and support for everyone affected by the disease, and reducing the risk of dementia through the promotion of better brain health is as personal a mission as it is professional. Rooper’s grandmother suffered from Alzheimer’s and she has three friends who lost their mothers in the past year to the disease. “I want to change the trajectory of this disease for future generations,” said Rooper, “it’s so heartbreaking to watch loved ones slowly lose themselves.” Even sadder are the numbers of Americans who are too embarrassed or ashamed of their deteriorating mental condition to reach out for help. “There’s still a lot of stigma attached to Alzheimer’s disease,” said Rooper. 26

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on nonprofits “That’s why outreach into the community is so important to us; more openness and honesty can lead to earlier detection, which in turn will lead to better quality of care.” The National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association provides programs and support services for people living with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones in Washington, D.C., and parts of Virginia and Maryland. The National Capital Area Chapter strives to set itself apart from other nonprofit organizations in general, as well as from other Alzheimer’s organizations. It does this by serving its mission through a multifaceted approach that includes awareness, education, advocacy, online tools, a 24/7 helpline, support groups, one-on-one consultations and other support services and programs. All of those are free of charge to those suffering from Alzheimer’s, worried about a loved one who is, and even for those who may be worried that they have it. Additionally, it provides professional training and safety

services for healthcare professionals and first-responders in the community. In order to carry out its mission to the fullest, the National Capital Area Chapter uses hundreds of volunteers throughout the throughout the year. Rooper admits that, aside from funding, it’s one of the chapter’s greatest needs. While the local chapter has 22 staff members at its McLean headquarters, Cindy Schelhorn, Senior Director of Communications and Marketing, noted that the chapter is in

Below (Left and Bottom): Supporters participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on the National Mall. Below (Top, Right): Two Alzheimer’s advocates attending the 2018 Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum, the nation’s premier Alzheimer’s disease advocacy event.

constant need of community members willing to donate their time by answering phones and doing other administrative work, promoting the organization, fulfilling its programs, and handling other various functions necessary to carry out its signature events. One of the programs the National Capital Area Chapter is proud to be able to offer is its Memory Café. Thanks to a partnership with the Robert I. Schattner Foundation, the Memory Café began again this fall, providing people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s the chance to “connect to one another through social events that promote interaction and companionship.” According to Rooper, the chapter’s partnership with the Robert I. Schattner Foundation is one she’d like to duplicate with several other businesses and organizations in the community. She sees those partnerships as vital for the organization’s visibility as well as for increasing program delivery and success. “We need to have a broader footprint here,” said Rooper, “and I see that happening through more community and corporate partnerships.” She feels the chapter has successfully partnered with the senior care industry, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association but seeks to add partnerships with medical and financial professionals in its service area. Those partnerships, she feels, are essential because doctors need to be informed about the services the Alzheimer’s Association offers and be able to refer patients who need them, but also because the disease can be as financially devastating as it is emotionally heartbreaking. Across the nation, nearly one out of every three senior citizen deaths are related to Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. It’s a misfortune that affects nearly every single American. “There are no survivors of this disease,” lamented Rooper. “It creates a sense of urgency.” For more information, call the National Capital Area Chapter at 703359-4440, or visit alz.org/nca. To reach its 24/7 hotline, call 1-800-272-3900.

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Thundercat, continued from page 24

witnessed children suffering the fallout of war. It would take eight months in Walter Reed for Tom to relearn how to walk. The next fall, he would host a successful fundraiser that gave birth to the Tom Deierlein Foundation. Tom’s volunteer-led charity gives 100 percent of funds to wounded warriors and their families, and to children affected by war. Just as Tom runs his business with a one-size-does-not-fit-all perspective, the ways in which his foundation meets these communities’ needs are as diverse as the groups they partner with. To make sure his charity doesn’t get bogged down in the remaking of a “funds distribution wheel,” Tom has had his TD Foundation turn to partners already equipped to handle the set up and outreach. It is an elegant solution for a man who, starting in the fall of 2006, has managed to raise $2 million worth of assistance, cumulatively. And all of it, while running a successful business. ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE When I asked Tom what his most humbling experience has been to date, he didn’t pause. “Being awarded The Washington Post’s #2 Top Workplace in the greater-D.C. area for Best Place to Work,” he said. When I asked why receiving that award was humbling, he said, “Because it’s based on my employees’ surveys.” For more information, visit www.thundercattech.com or call 703.674.0216. THE BUSINESS VOICE

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BY L AU R A C L A R K

ccording to a recent article in Entrepreneur magazine, “Executives looking to fill management positions should focus on offering continual leadership development with the intent to promote from within.” Strategic companies know investing in rising stars pays valuable dividends. The question for these organizations is not whether to nurture future leaders, but how. Understanding the mandate for cultivating talent that its member companies face, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce has created a powerful leadership development program called Next Gen. Focused on emerging professionals, the Next Gen group accepts one representative from a participating company for each one-year cohort. Now in its fourth year, the program has become a critical component of the Chamber’s offering. Next Genners, as the members call themselves, hold monthly luncheons that feature influential speakers from the business community who share personal stories of how they achieved success. The group also gathers to brainstorm and exchange ideas. From a networking perspective, however, one of the most coveted perks is the ability

BY DOUGLAS GRAHAM

Next Up, Rising Stars

to go to Chamber events free of charge. Michael Quinn of Capital One and Next Gen Co-Chair, says, “Members can attend all of the high-profile Chamber events as well as Chamber board meetings.” Since its inception, the Next Gen group has had no stated age cap, and size has been limited to 20-25 members so participants can get to know each other. As demand increases, however, future growth is not out of the question. Adam Shreiner of JLL moved here from Atlanta and appreciates that, “Next Gen gave me the opportunity to connect with key members of our business community across all major industries and service lines. As a result, I’m able to better serve my clients and partners, as well as make a meaningful contribution to our local community.” Those kinds of accolades echo throughout current and former members’ assessments of the Next Gen experience. Carrie Drake of OGSystems, and also a Co-Chair, cites the “great diverse group of individuals that give a broad perspective of the business culture and leadership in the region.” This year, the membership includes representatives from banking, accounting, utilities, law firms, government contractors, auto manufacturers, and more.

At its core, Next Gen is about connecting emerging leaders with businesses across the area. Larkin Wilson of United Bank says, “The relationships I’ve developed are the most beneficial aspect of Next Gen. I’ve had the opportunity to meet fantastic professionals from many industries.” Casey Anderson of Washington Gas was part of the most recent cohort and says her time with Next Gen taught her, “Don’t be afraid to take risks. If you wait until you feel ready for everything, you’ll never get where you want to go.” Quinn and Drake both started out as participants and ultimately took on Next Gen leadership roles. They’ve been deeply involved in taking the program from its infancy to its current iteration. In the beginning, there was an emphasis on seminars, but that has given way to the more engaging format of luncheons. Drake emphasizes the ongoing benefits of Next Gen involvement. She explains that Next Gen members “get involved for the sake of learning and being a part of something, then end up with a chance to give back through leadership opportunities.” Quinn says he now enjoys “having input into what the program looks like and how we engage the participants.” On the heels of Next Gen’s success, the Chamber is developing a Next Gen Advisory Board to stretch beyond the year-long experience. Quinn says, “It’s a new committee that allows prior Next Gen members to continue involvement with the Chamber in an advisory capacity on leadership councils and committees.” The goal, Quinn shares, is to “find a way to engage Next Gen leaders with the Chamber and get their perspectives embedded throughout all of the Chamber’s programming.” As Next Gen has evolved, a pattern of loyalty has taken shape. Companies are nominating their most talented employees because they recognize the tremendous value associated with the program. They see the significant returns that come from investing in future leaders. After all, rising stars are serious assets when a company is shooting for the moon.

All Chamber members are eligible to nominate an employee. There is a separate cost associated with participation. For more details, please contact Ryan Pitts (rpitts@novachamber.org). 28

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AWARDS

And the 2018 Distinguished Service Awards went to…

n Wednesday, July 18 at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2018 Distinguished Service Awards. The Distinguished Service Awards honor individuals, companies, and non-profit organizations for their service to veterans in the Greater Washington business community, and are presented in recognition of community stewardship and business leadership. This year’s keynote speaker was Patrick J. Murphy, Vetrepreneur & Enterprise-level Executive, Co-Founder of WorkMerk™, and the Lifetime Distinguished Service Honoree was Ginger Miller, U.S. Navy Veteran, President of Women Veterans Interactive. Winners from the awards ceremony included: Veteran Business Mentorship Award – Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, Veteran Owned Business (Emerging Business) – Honor Brewing Co., and Veteran Owned Business (Established Business) – Thundercat Technology.

LIFETIME DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD HONOREE: Ginger Miller U.S. Navy Veteran President of Women Veterans Interactive DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS 2018 WINNERS

Veteran Business Mentorship Award Winner: Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture

Veteran Owned Business Award, Emerging Business: Honor Brewing Co.

Left: Tom Deierlein, Thundercat Technology, receives the 2018 DSA for the Veteran Owned Business category. Right: Matt Mulder, Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, receives the 2018 DSA for the Veteran Business Mentorship category. 30

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Veteran Owned Business Award, Established Business: ThunderCat Technology

EVENTS chamber signature gatherings

2018 Virginia Senatorial Debate Wednesday, September 26 Capital One McLean

On September 26, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with George Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, Northern Virginia Technology Council and NBC4 Washington, was proud to once again host the Northern Virginia Senatorial debate, this time between Senator Tim Kaine (Democrat) and Chairman Corey Stewart (Republican). This unique opportunity for the Northern Virginia business community and voters across our region to see the “Top of the Ticket” candidates go head-to-head on the issues that matter most was moderated by Chuck Todd, NBC News political director and moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and featured queries from panelists Aaron Gilchrist and Julie Carey of NBC4 and Mark Rozell of George Mason University. 1 | Chairman Corey Stewart and Senator Tim Kaine. 2 | Senatorial Debate Moderator Chuck Todd (highly respected journalist, commentator, commentator, political director of NBC News and moderator of NBC’s “Meet The Press”). 3 | Panelists Aaron Gilchrist, Anchor News4, NBC4, Julie Carey, Northern Virginia Bureau Chief, and Dr. Mark J. Rozell, Dean, Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University.

Photos by Katherine Frey, Courtesy of The Washington Post THE BUSINESS VOICE

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Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit Wednesday, August 29 Waddell Theater

In August, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce co-hosted the Northern Virginia Regional Elected Leaders Summit along with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, and the Northern Virginia Regional Commission. This roundtable discussion featured the Mayor of the City of Alexandria and Chairs of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties. The summit offered business leaders the opportunity to hear from elected leaders about the economic climate in their jurisdiction, current initiatives to foster economic growth and recent successes, and thoughts on how each jurisdiction can work together for the betterment of our regional economy.

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1 | Chair Phyllis Randall, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Mayor Allison Silberberg, City of Alexandria, Chair Katie Cristol, Arlington County Board of Supervisors, Chairman Corey Stewart, Prince William Board of County Supervisors, Chairman Sharon Bulova, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Moderator Kathryn Falk, Vice President and Market Leader for Northern Virginia Operations for Cox Communications. 2 | Chair Katie Cristol, Chairman Sharon Bulova, Delegate Kathleen Murphy, Mayor Allison Silberberg, Delegate David Reid and Chair Phyllis Randall.

Distinguished Service Awards 2018 Wednesday, July 18 Hilton McLean Tysons Corner

The Distinguished Service Awards honor individuals, companies, and non-profit organizations for their service to veterans in the Greater Washington business community. The Awards are presented in recognition of community stewardship and business leadership. This year’s keynote speaker was Patrick J. Murphy, Vetrepreneur and Enterpriselevel Executive, Co-Founder of WorkMerk™. The Lifetime Distinguished Service Honoree was Ginger Miller, U.S. Navy Veteran, President of Women Veterans Interactive. Winners from the awards ceremony included: Veteran Business Mentorship Award – Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture, Veteran Owned Business (Emerging Business) – Honor Brewing Co., and Veteran Owned Business (Established Business) – Thundercat Technology.

1 | Ginger Miller, U.S. Navy Veteran, President of Women Veterans Interactive, being awarded the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award. 2 | Keynote speaker, Patrick J. Murphy, Vetrepreneur & Enterprise-level Executive, Co-Founder of WorkMerk™.

2 THE BUSINESS VOICE

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What’s Next: The Future of Economic Growth in the Commonwealth Monday, July 30 Northern Virginia Chamber

This event included a unique conversation with business leaders and policymakers from across the Commonwealth of Virginia centered around our current economy and how Virginia can position itself going forward in an increasingly competitive marketplace regionally, nationally and globally. The event was moderated by Kathryn Falk, Vice President and Market Leader for Northern Virginia Operations, Cox Communications. The Keynote Speaker was Stephen Moret, President and CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Speakers also included: Christine Chmura, Ph.D., CEO and Chief Economist, Chmura Economics & Analytics, The Honorable Terry Kilgore, Virginia House of Delegates Chairman, Commerce and Labor Committee, The Honorable Aubrey L. Layne, Jr., Secretary of Finance, Commonwealth of Virginia, and Todd Stottlemyer, CEO, Inova Center for Personalized Health.

Join us at the 26th Annual CARE Awards

1 | Keynote Speaker, Stephen Moret, President and CEO, Virginia Economic Development Partnership. 2 | Speakers Todd Stottlemyer, The Honorable Aubrey L. Layne, Jr., Secretary of Finance, Commonwealth of Virginia, The Honorable Terry Kilgore, Virginia House of Delegates Chairman, Commerce and Labor Committee. 3 | Moderator, Kathryn Falk, Vice President and Market Leader for Northern Virginia, Cox Communications.

2018 CARE Awards Panel Community Engagement Strategies to Attract and Retain Top Talent

Sheila Murphy Darcy Smith Michael Neibauer Charles Kuhn President & CEO Founder & Partner Senior Vice Associate Editor JK Moving FlexProfessionals, President, Team Washington Development Services LLC Business Journal Custom Ink

2018 CARE Award Winners

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Moving Northern Virginia: Transportation in the Commonwealth Thursday, June 21 Northern Virginia Chamber

Key decision makers and opinion leaders in the world of transportation addressed several pressing issues at this important event moderated by Adam Tuss, Transportation Reporter, NBC4. Speakers included: Secretary Shannon Valentine, Secretary of Transportation, 2 Commonwealth of Virginia, Ed Crooks, Vice President, Development for N.A. Transurban, Supervisor Marty Nohe, Chairman, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Councilman Paul Smedberg, Chairman, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, and Paul Wiedefeld, General Manager/CEO, WMATA. 1 | Keynote Speaker, Secretary Shannon Valentine, Secretary of Transportation, Commonwealth of Virginia. 2 | Moderator, Adam Tuss, Transportation Reporter, NBC4. 3 | Councilman Paul Smedberg, Chairman, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, Ed Crooks, Vice President, Development for N.A., Transurban, Supervisor Marty Nohe, Chairman, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, Paul Wiedefeld, General Manager/CEO, WMATA.

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INSIDENOVA INTRODUCES THE REGION’S NEW EVENT TICKETING SITE

YOUR LOCAL MARKETING PARTNER Leverage InsideNoVa’s regional reach to promote your event and boost ticket sales. • Web, email and event calendar promotion on InsideNoVa.com • Editorial content in our newspapers and/or magazines COMPETITIVE PRICING. LOCAL CUSTOMER SERVICE • No cost to partner with us

• Customers pay the ticket fee

• Merchant rate of less than 2%

• Get paid daily or at the event

Work with the team you trust, who knows and cares about your organization, your events and the success of the Northern Virginia area. CONTACT US FOR A DEMO TODAY: ksprague@insidenova.com 36

THE BUSINESS VOICE

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Annual Capital Region Business Forum

September 6 Hilton McLean Tysons Corner

On Thursday, September 6, the Northern Virginia Chamber co-hosted the Capital Region Business Forum along with the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Prince George’s Chamber. This year’s participants included Muriel Bowser, Mayor, District of Columbia, Larry Hogan, Governor, State of Maryland, and Ralph Northam, Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia. The Forum provided these key leaders the opportunity to discuss their cooperative efforts to bolster the regional economy in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. The event addressed opportunities and challenges that affect the District of Columbia, the State of Maryland, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

1 | Moderator Tony Pierce, Partner, Akin Gump, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. 2 | Adenia Bradley and David Harrington, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, Tony Pierce, Partner, Akin Gump, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, Kim Horn, Kaiser Permanente, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Governor Larry Hogan, Jack McDougle, President and CEO Greater Washington Board of Trade, Jen Siciliano, 2018-2019 Chair, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

WHERE ARE YOU RIDING THIS WINTER??

Premier Riding Facility Offering Boarding, Training, Children and Adult Riding Lessons 703 350 8001 www.SpencerSportHorsesVA.com Hume, VA THE BUSINESS VOICE

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NEW MEMBERS Let’s give ’em a warm welcome

THE BUSINESS VOICE

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Fauquier County: Technology Forward and Making it Easy to be GREEN! Perhaps the most unique component of this rare county are the incentives that Fauquier County offers to environmental firms and those who adopt environmentally-friendly practices. Among the first counties in Virginia to adopt Green Development Zones, Fauquier County offers significant incentives that can also be combined with other local incentive programs such as Technology Development Zones.

Fauquier County also features • Business sites that include beautiful vistas • Amenities that add quality of life to the reasons to locate here • Once you locate here you will be supported and nurtured by the county • Workforce development assistance, small business loans and grants and fast tracking through local government processes. • All just 40 miles west of DC Contact Miles.Friedman@FauquierCounty.gov or 540-422-8270

Bring the Outside In For your next off-site meeting, choose a venue that sparks ideas, inspires action and champions progress. And where nature never fails to inspire â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re inside.

airlie.com

Warrenton, VA

Our 300-acre property is also a perfect setting for company picnics. Visit our website to submit an RFP or call 540-341-3288 for more information.