The Business Voice | Summer 2020 by InsideNoVa

Get to Know Your New Chair: Kathryn Falk Coping with COVID: How colleges, small businesses, and nonprofits are navigating the pandemic.

Going Remote Companies in the Washington

region talk about the benefits and challenges of staying connected when employees work from home.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID LYNCHBURG VA PERMIT 215

SUMMER 2020 | novachamber.org 1

the business voice

| S U M M E R 2 018

At Cox, we believe equal rights are the foundation of a free and just society. We believe in human rights, justice, and empowering our communities through investment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not only money, but also kindness and compassion.Â

To learn more, visit CoxEnterprises.com.

business voice final COX July 2020.indd 1

6/24/2020 4:17:42 PM

Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business community is so strong, it lifts entire region.

In Fairfax County, our dynamic business community creates lots of leading-edge jobs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and it does so much more. It sustains and improves our outstanding school system. It supports cultural and recreational opportunities so people here can balance their careers with a fulfilling life away from work. And it fuels success for all of Northern Virginia. To find out what makes Fairfax County a great location for innovative companies and talented people, visit fairfaxcountyeda.org.

AGENDA 12

summer 2020

Going Remote

Inside this issue

Get To Know Your New Chair, Kathryn Falk The Cox executive discusses her vision for the Chamber, its biggest opportunities, and why her favorite book is one that’s not even out yet.

Your Chamber in Action

Northern Virginia reopening provides a calm before the storm.

6 9

Members Making News

Who’s on the hot list, who’s making big deals, and more about your fellow Chamber members.

Going Remote

A look at the benefits and challenges of staying connected when employees work from home.

Spotlight on Education

Colleges take a hybrid approach.

12 16

Spotlight on Nonprofit

An outpouring of support is helping nonprofits find their way through challenging times.

Spotlight on Small Business Chamber, alliance receive funds for regional ‘Back to Work’ initiative

And the 2020 Greater Washington Good Business Awards Went to…

Companies and organizations making a difference across the region.

New Members

Positively NOVA!

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2020

Upcoming Chamber Events For the foreseeable future, all Chamber events will be held virtually. To stay apprised of those featured here and all upcoming events, keep an eye on Chamber emails and visit the website for complete details: novachamber.org.

Veterans and Military Business Council: A Practical Workshop to Help Attract Veterans to Your Organization Join the Chamber’s Veteran and Military Business Council and our expert panel for this virtual workshop focused on improving veteran hiring strategies and increasing Military Hiring Program ROI. Designed with HR leaders, talent acquisition professionals, and hiring managers in mind. Time: 10-11:30 a.m.

JULY

Business Planning in Today’s New World How will our Northern Virginia business region look post-pandemic? What can you do to maintain business continuity during the pandemic's transitional phase, pre-and post-vaccine? Is there anything you can do now to aid your business’s recovery in the future? For our next Workforce Series virtual event, the Chamber has assembled a stellar panel of experts who will discuss the COVID-19's impact on our Northern Virginia region and share steps owners and managers can take to move their businesses past the pandemic and into the future. Time: 10-11:30 a.m.

Speed Networking Network and exchange information with 20-25 other professionals during this exclusive program for Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce members. This is a virtual event conducted via Zoom. Each participant will be provided an opportunity to give their elevator pitch. Time will be allowed for indepth conversations. Time: 3-4 p.m.

Virginia Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne Virginia Secretary of Finance Aubrey Layne will present the latest revenue projections for the state and talk about the General Assembly special session planned in August. This is your opportunity to learn how COVID-19 is affecting the state’s finances and how the Northam Administration is responding to the challenges. Time: 11 a.m.–Noon

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 Jennifer Williamson: 703.752.7529 jwilliamson@novachamber.org

THE BUSINESS VOICE Published by

TO ADVERTISE

Contact Bruce Potter bpotter@insidenova.com 571.333.1538

AUGUST

Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Tom Barkin Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond President Tom Barkin will provide exclusive insight into what Virginia’s economy and the national economy will look like in the short and long term. Time: 1 - 2 p.m.

EDITOR

Susan McCorkindale • ART DIRECTOR

Kara Thorpe •

To register and for more events visit : novachamber.org/events

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2020

TBV Q&A GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW CHAIR:

Kathryn Falk

Kathryn Falk, vice president Northern Virginia at Cox Communications, began her year as Chair of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce in June. The Business Voice talked with her about her vision for the Chamber, its biggest challenges and opportunities, and why her favorite book is one that’s not even out yet (although you can order in advance on Amazon!). 6

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2020

THE BUSINESS VOICE (TBV): HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS HELPED PREPARE YOU FOR THIS ROLE? KATHRYN FALK (KF): I am grateful to have had 18 years leading teams at Cox Communications and working with every sector of the business from field operations to construction and marketing, to public and government affairs, to business services and network operations. Cox is a 120-year-old familyowned company founded by former Ohio Gov. James M. Cox, who, along with running mate Franklin Roosevelt, ran for president in 1920. He always focused on taking good care of Cox employees and the communities they served, and his legacy carries on today. I have also chaired a state trade association, been the CEO of an association in Richmond, run a D.C. government affairs office and worked on Capitol Hill. My hope is that my perspective as a native of Northern Virginia, along with these experiences, will help me make meaningful contributions to the Northern Virginia Chamber. TBV: WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE CHAMBER AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOALS YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE DURING YOUR TENURE? KF: As former Cox Chairman and CEO John Dyer used to say, “Act now, be bold and stay true.” Act now: Act now to keep Northern Virginia’s economy and businesses moving forward and focus on supporting the incredible future of our region. Be bold: Focus on a regional view in all we do and be the rising tide that lifts all boats. Stay true: Stay true to our core values supporting and advocating for economic competitiveness, public schools, higher education, workforce training, world class transportation and infrastructure, and a growing real estate market. Stay true to our core values of inclusion and diversity in all that we do and never forget that the enormous diversity in our region is a tremendous strength that attracts the best minds, the best investment, and the best companies.

MULTIFAMILY INCENTIVE PROGRAM F I N D A TRUSTE D PARTN E R IN WASHINGTON GAS

Learn more at NaturalEnergyPartner.com When developing a new multifamily project or repositioning an existing multifamily investment, partner with Washington Gas and receive: M U LT I FA M I LY INCENTIVES

C U S TO M I Z E D DESIGN S O LU T I O N S

C O M P LI M E N TA RY E D U C AT I O N & TRAINING

O P E R AT I O N A L C O S T S AV I N G S S O LU T I O N S

LEFT: Kathryn Falk, Vice President Northern Virginia, Cox Communications; Julie Coons, President and CEO Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce; Todd Rowley, Market Executive, Capital Region, Old Dominion Bank. BELOW: In her 18 years at Cox Communications, Falk has worked with every sector of the business from field operations to construction and marketing, to public and government affairs, to business services and network operations.

groups and senior facilities. One Call a Day is a part of a larger focus on driving greater human connection. TBV: HOW DO YOU THINK THE CHAMBER HAS GROWN OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST YEAR? KF: The Chamber has been a leader from day one of the pandemic in pivoting to online meetings, education, and interaction. I am so proud of the work Julie Coons and the staff have done to doubledown on value creation for members and continue to educate us in these unprecedented times. They did not miss a beat and have been emulated by many other organizations. During a time when we cannot connect in person, we need the Northern Virginia Chamber to bring us together. We are fortunate to have a worldclass team of staff and members. TBV: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A BUSINESS CONSIDERING JOINING THE CHAMBER? KF: Join us! This is a great investment for you and your company and when you join, be clear about your needs and tell the staff and board members. We want to help you achieve your goals. Please reach out to me personally if I can be of help at Kathryn.Falk@cox.com. TBV: WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OR OPPORTUNITY FACING THE CHAMBER RIGHT NOW? KF: It is clearly a challenging time in the world, our nation and our community. We need to continue to keep people together and moving forward. At Cox, we like to say, “We are better together.” Our first priority is to get back to work safely and restart our economy. The Chamber is playing a leading role in this through the “Northern Virginia Back To Work Leadership Task Force” that Old Dominion National Bank’s Todd Rowley, our Chairman Emeritus, is leading with several partners. These include Northern Virginia Community College, George 8

THE BUSINESS VOICE

TBV: WHAT AREA BOARDS AND/ OR NONPROFITS ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH AND WHY? KF: I recently chaired the Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and am a proud graduate of FCPS. I am also on the boards of directors of the Tysons Partnership, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and the Broadband Association of Virginia.

Mason University, GOVirginia, Virginia Career Works Northern Region, Regional Workforce Council of Alexandria and Arlington, and the Northern Virginia EDA Alliance. Its purpose is to advocate for investments and programs that help put businesses and people back to work. We also need to do more to lead in supporting the diverse region that we live in to ensure equity and opportunity for all citizens and businesses. TBV: TELL US ABOUT COX’S “ONE CALL A DAY” PROJECT. KF: During these challenging times, Cox continues to focus on support for our community and those who are in need. This has always been one of the company’s core values. In April, I was proud to lead “20 Acts of Connection,” a community outreach campaign celebrating our 20 years connecting Northern Virginia. We made significant donations to support children and food banks. I am also proud that Cox has helped underserved families with children in grades K-12 access educational resources via its free “Connect2Compete” Internet service. We also launched “One Call a Day,” matching employee volunteers with aging adults affiliated with local veterans

SUMMER 2020

TBV: WHAT IS YOUR LIFE LIKE “OFF THE CLOCK”? WHAT SORT OF HOBBIES OR PASSIONS DO YOU HAVE OUTSIDE OF WORK? KF: Off the clock is family time, with my 8-year-old daughter, who is a fearless soccer player and dog lover, my husband, who is a presidential historian and columnist for USAToday, and my parents. I am a long-time resident of Northern Virginia and spend lots of family time outdoors walking and biking. TBV: WHAT’S ONE THING THAT MOST PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU? KF: I lived in the mountains for a week without a tent in an Outward Bound program with leaders from Cox as part of a development program the company hosted. We had obstacles to overcome every day and learned that with a team of supporters you can achieve anything. TBV: TELL US ABOUT A FAVORITE BOOK YOU’VE READ AND WHY IT MEANT SOMETHING TO YOU. KF: My favorite new book comes out in August but is available now on Amazon. It’s called “Jackie: Her Transformation from First Lady to Jackie O,” and is written by my husband, Paul Brandus. My current book is “How to Be An Inclusive Leader,” by Jennifer Brown, because we can all do more to make our workplaces inclusive.

GOVERNMENT Northern Virginia Reopening Provides a Calm Before the Storm BY C L AY T O N M E D F O R D

Vice President of Government Relations, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

pandemic, closed schools and businesses, massive and growing unemployment, racial conflict, and a presidential election. What more is in store for us in 2020? Uncertainty and, with everyone working together, progress. We can emerge from this as a stronger community with a vibrant economy to which everyone has access. The Chamber has been heavily engaged in COVID-19 rescue and response advocacy since the first official COVID-19 responses began emanating from Richmond and Washington. Those first few weeks were a chaotic sprint, with everyone working tirelessly to identify what needed to be done to keep the economy from collapsing and then to identify the resources to meet those needs. Of course there was also a massive mobilization of healthcare workers and experts tackling the health crisis that was causing the economic crisis. Federal, state, and local governments

were scrambling; businesses were doing all they could to stay open and provide goods and services to customers, and a living to employees, safely. “There is no playbook for this” was something I heard as much as “now more than ever” or “we’re all in this together.” Uncertainty abounded, but so did hard work and commitment to solve the ever-changing set of challenges before us. Of the many adjectives we are all using to describe this time — uncertain, confusing, stressful — I think “unusual” is the most universal. It is not like the Great Recession at the end of the last decade, which happened much more precipitously. It’s also not like the Great Depression, the cause of which was economic and not viral. Our response, as an organization and as a community, has not been like past crises. We are wearing masks, staying at home, and limiting our socializing. We are deploying new technologies and resources to keep the economy moving. We are emerging,

slowly and safely. But the coronavirus has not gone away, and the damage done to the economy will last for some time. The Chamber is in a good position to lead the way out because of our economically diverse and engaged membership. We are continuing to work closely with elected leaders at all levels of government, both as the Chamber and as the leader of the Back to Work Leadership Task Force. We are partnering with organizations around the region and the Commonwealth to share our universal message through many voices. We are working with you, our members, to help guide each other through the development of best practices to reopen our offices. The protests across the country are another major event in the long timeline of the fight for justice and equity for all in America. It is hopeful to see so many united in this effort. Businesses have made great strides over the past decade or more in being more deliberate in hiring, promoting and generally respecting all voices. These kinds of events can serve as a catalyst, bringing about needed change. Innovative and inclusive new strategies will emerge from this time,

and I look forward to sharing those stories here. The Chamber’s advocacy has continued through this unusual time. Typically, now is when the state and local governments are just entering a new fiscal year, with new state laws going into effect. For Virginia, that means a number of new taxes dedicated to much needed improvements to our transportation infrastructure. At the time of this writing, the General Assembly was waiting for Gov. Ralph Northam’s expected call for a special session. Local governments are engaging with their businesses to deploy federal stimulus dollars to maximum economic benefit. Congress continues to negotiate on future rounds of federal stimulus and tweak the existing programs created or enhanced during the COVID crisis. We are working together to make our community safer and better for all. Northern Virginia will continue to lead the way toward building a strong economy in the region and the Commonwealth, and we will do so with all stakeholders at the table. I am proud of the work this region has done, and look forward to continuing that progress with all of you.

THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

Ones To Watch DiversityInc’s 2020 Top 50 includes eight Chamber members Congratulations to the following Chamber Members for achieving a spot on DiversityInc’s 2020 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list: Accenture, Capital One, Cigna, Cox Communications, KPMG, Northrop Grumman, TD Bank, and Wells Fargo.

The Hotlist Hogan Lovells named to Pro Bono Hot List

T. Clark Weymouth, Partner, Hogan Lovells

Hogan Lovells has been named to The National Law Journal’s 2020 Pro Bono Hot List. “Social justice and equality are integral to our firm’s history,” said pro bono partner T. Clark Weymouth, adding that over the past 50 years, the firm has devoted more than 2 million pro bono hours to those in need.

2020 SABRE Awards names PLUS Communications “Best in Associations”

PLUS Communications has been named “Best in Associations” at the 2020 SABRE Awards for its work with the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) to defeat the Rebate Rule and help lower prescription drug prices for Danny Diaz, Managing American patients, seniors and taxpayPartner, ers. Judged by a panel of industry peers, PLUS Communications the award represents an outstanding

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SPRING 2020

achievement in the PR industry. “We are proud to have been recognized by industry peers for a SABRE award for our hard-fought and successful campaign against the Rebate Rule,” said managing partner Danny Diaz. “Our team took on an opponent with unlimited resources and won with superior messaging and resourceful tenacity.”

Big Deals Fairfax County clicks with Microsoft

Gov. Ralph Northam announced that Microsoft Corp., a worldwide leader in software, services, devices, and solutions, will invest $64 million to establish a new software development and R&D regional hub in Fairfax County, which will create 1,500 jobs. The company will occupy 400,000 square feet in Reston for its future software development efforts with plans to include a new retail space for engaging directly with customers. Microsoft, headquartered in Redmond, Wash., and with 156,000 employees worldwide, has had a presence in Reston since 2002.

Products Resulting from the Pandemic Womble Bond Dickinson spotlights Sestra Systems

Womble Bond Dickinson is spotlighting its Northern Virginia-based client Sestra Systems. Sestra Systems, the industry leader in smart, cloud-connected dispensing, has introduced TapWise TouchTapWise Touchless less options to its smart dispensing pours using dispensing solutions for a a sophisticated sensor fully contactless experience. and object analysis for a In the wake of COVID-19, contactless experience. this timely product expansion allows bars, stadiums, hotels, arenas, airport lounges, and other food and beverage venues to increase points of service and create distance for servers and guests as currently recommended by reopening guidelines. The system combines smart dispensing with the added safety and hygiene of touchless pouring and contactless payment.

Keep ’Em Occupied While You’re at Work...At Home

Children’s Science Center offers a virtual summer of fun The Children’s Science Center Lab is welcoming visitors to explore and create by offering all of its programs virtually! Guests can register for virtual summer camps, virtual birthday parties, virtual field trips and virtual animal encounters. The small hands-on science center kicked off its

virtual summer of fun in June, with a mid- to late-summer session running from July 20 to August 17. It’s not too late for rising second- through sixth-graders to register for camps like Space Out, Escape the Lab, Science Magic, and much more. Visit childsci.org/plan-your-visit/camps THE BUSINESS VOICE

SPRING 2020

COVER STORY

Going Remote Companies in the Washington region talk about the benefits and challenges of staying connected when employees work from home. BY K A R I P U G H

A N GE

n February, only about 5% of the nation’s workforce performed their jobs remotely, according to statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. By mid-June, that number had jumped to 62%. As government restrictions came down in March to slow the spread of the coronavirus, employers had to be agile in response. For the Washington region, which already had the nation's highest telecommuting workforce, switching wasn’t entirely foreign, but it did present some challenges.

MAKING THE SWITCH Perhaps more than any other industry, health care companies have had to quickly change the way they do business while facing a huge increase in business. IN Angela Celestin, chief of E ST EL C human resources at Fairfaxbased CareFirst Blue Cross/Blue Shield, said the company has made the health and safety of its workforce and uninterrupted service to its customers top priorities during the pandemic. By June, more than 95% of the health insurance company’s workforce was operating remotely, with all services and operations fully functional. 12

THE BUSINESS VOICE

All CareFirst employees and contractors serving in a role that can be done effectively remotely were working remotely. For personnel whose roles require them to be in a CareFirst office, employees were social distancing, wearing masks on-site and rotating onsite scheduling, Celestin said. “We’ve been working hard to keep our associates engaged and informed on the latest developments impacting our organization and the customers we serve,” she added. The president and CEO, Brian D. Pieninck, holds bi-weekly calls with all 5,000 employees to provide the latest information around the pandemic as well as non-COVID related topics. Other company leaders hold divisional calls to provide their team members with enterprise-wide updates, spotlight key issues or topics and hold open-ended question-and-answer sessions. “This time is also used to celebrate successes – both personal and

SUMMER 2020

professional – so that divisional departments can end the week on a high note,” Celestin said. “This is another way we are making sure our associates are staying connected in a meaningful way.” CareFirst also offers an internal website portal for employees that includes tips and tools to stay connected, LinkedIn learning opportunities, lunchand-learn meetups, online fitness classes and other professional development opportunities. Celestin said CareFirst wasn't completely thrown for a loop when the pandemic restrictions hit. The company already had a telework plan in place. “Some of our associates were already full-time or part-time teleworkers. However, in early March, as we began to see that COVID-19 would become a real safety issue, we quickly expanded our technical capability and policy to allow for a much larger number of employees to remote work including distributing

The Washingtonian Group is proud to support

The Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Howard S. Rothman Vice President 202.916.3145 howard.rothman@jpmorgan.com jpmorgansecurities.com/wg 875 15th Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20005 “J.P. Morgan Securities” is a brand name for a wealth management business conducted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and certain subsidiaries. J.P. Morgan Securities offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC. Bank products and services are offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and its bank affiliates.

SUMMER 2020

they could be doing better. “These sessions have been extremely well received,” said Mitre president and CEO Jason Providakes. “The adaptability and speed with which we JA S O N P R O V transformed the way we work is indicative of our culture and the incredible talent we have at Mitre.” Like many other regional companies, Mitre supported telework before the pandemic and had over 500 full-time teleworkers in five countries, 45 states, and the District of Columbia. “In March, we accelerated our workplace mobility plan and equipped all Mitre employees who work at least 20 hours a week with company-issued smartphones,” Providakes said. “In under one week, we acquired phones, executed contracts, created an employee registration site and deployment kit, and have now distributed phones to more than 5,000 employees at a rate of roughly 250 each day.” That investment puts the tools for collaboration in the hands of all employees, no matter where they are.

company is already flexible with work arrangements, she said. “We understand that there are times when our employees need to work from home to welcome a contractor, watch a sick child, or simply take a break from the commute, and we support that,” she said. Mitre, a not-for-profit corporation operating federally-funded research and development centers on behalf of U.S. government sponsors, was one of the first businesses in the Washington area to switch to remote work as the pandemic loomed. Nearly 80 percent of Mitre’s employees began working remotely within a matter of days, and company leaders helped the transition by providing every employee with a smartphone as well as adding multiple collaboration and virtual meeting options. The McLean-based company has also increased flextime to accommodate responsibilities, including caring for family members and other dependents. To keep employees connected, leaders are hosting weekly town halls with question- and-answer sessions focused on COVID-19 topics and have surveyed employees on what is working and what

monitors for those who are in customerfacing roles,” she said. JBG Smith, one of the region’s biggest developers and partner to Amazon’s National Landing in Arlington, began implementing work-from-home policies for its more than 900 employees as soon as regional health officials began outlining precautions to help flatten the curve. Employees were instructed to take what they needed from the office to ensure they could work as comfortably and efficiently as possible. Early on, company leaders encouraged employees to embrace video calls to still connect face-to-face with colleagues, clients and partners. Teams have been hosting happy hours, coffee dates, and game nights to keep things fun and social. CEO L LY KE Matt Kelly also sends out weekly video messages to share company updates and answer questions. “It has been a transition, but we’ve made it work,” JBG Smith spokeswoman Samantha Schmieder said. Switching to a remote workforce for JBG Smith wasn’t too difficult as the

“Working in a household with children can be quite challenging, and we have all witnessed these special guests appearing in video calls!”

“Having mobile access to core Mitre information can enable employees to be much more responsive as they address questions in real time and collaborate with colleagues in different locations,” Providakes said. “It’s also important that employees feel connected — not isolated — whether they are social distancing or otherwise.”

BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES Both CareFirst and JBG Smith employees have faced some challenges working remotely. There are children and pets and other unique situations when working from home. “Working in a household with children can be quite challenging, and we have all witnessed these special guests appearing in video calls!” JBG’s Schmieder said. For an extremely collaborative company like JBG Smith, which relies on open conversations and interactive meetings to bring projects to life, the transition to virtual meetings has been tough for some team members. “JBG Smith employees are a resilient group. Everyone has stepped up in incredible ways to support their colleagues and ensure business as usual continues as best as possible,” Schmieder said. CareFirst recently sent a survey to employees to get a better understanding of how they feel about remote work and any challenges they might be facing. Almost 70% responded to the survey, with 81 percent of those saying they feel good about working remotely. “While there are still challenges – and those with personal and work-related circumstances that make remote work sometimes difficult – as a company we are productive and efficient even in the face of scenarios that have altered our day-to-day,” Celestin said. At both CareFirst and JBG Smith, employees ranked health and safety top concerns regarding any eventual returns to the office. “And not just physical health, ‘staying mentally healthy’ was a top personal concern," Celestin said. Mitre company assessments indicate its 8,200 employees have remained productive while working remotely. “They continue to advance and deliver mission-critical projects for our 14

THE BUSINESS VOICE

government customers and partners. Our daily commutes may have changed, but our mission – solving problems for a safer world – has not,” Providakes said. In addition to productivity, Mitre employees have used the time to champion public interests in their communities, holding food drives and serving as volunteer firefighters.

THE FUTURE OF TELEWORK At JBG Smith, employees have the option of working from home until they’re comfortable coming back to the office. “There are so many factors that come into play right now – childcare, commute, concerns about potential health risks – and we want to make sure our employees feel as confident as possible about returning to the office,” Schmieder said. At CareFirst, company leaders were starting the summer taking an intentional look at the best and most efficient ways to

SUMMER 2020

deploy the workforce moving forward. Telework has and will continue to remain a viable option for job families that lend themselves well to a virtual work environment, Celestin said. “We’ve been quite pleased with the success of our remote workforce strategy over the course of the last few months and look forward to continuing to enhance our strategy and meet employees where they are,” she added. Mitre plans to give employees the choice to continue to work remotely or re-enter the Mitre campuses in a controlled and deliberate manner. “We’ve learned a great deal from operating during a global pandemic,” Providakes said. “We’ll apply what we’ve learned to set the pace in creating a workplace model that optimizes our ability to innovate and deliver for our sponsors and partners and enables our employees to grow, thrive, and prosper.”

defy expectations.

DISCOVER LUXURY OF A DIFFERENT KIND Introducing The Mather in Tysons, Virginiaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a forwardthinking destination for those 62 and better projected to open in 2023. Forget what you thought you knew about senior living. Inquire today.

(703) 348.3752 | themathertysons.com 01/20 BV PB

19MAT0106_Tysons_Nova.indd 1

12/18/19 10:16 AM

SPOTLIGHT on education

At Northern Virginia Community College, the majority of classes will remain online, said President Anne M. Kress.

Colleges Take a Hybrid Approach Region’s higher education leaders prepare for fall classes BY S T E P H E N I E OV E R M A N

olleges in Northern Virginia plan a mix of online and in-person classes and services this fall to keep students safe while allowing them to stay involved as much as possible in campus life. Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), George Mason University and Marymount University will be complying with guidelines announced by Gov. Ralph Northam in mid-June to monitor health 16

THE BUSINESS VOICE

conditions and contain the spread of the coronavirus. At NOVA, the majority of classes will remain online, said President Anne M. Kress. A few classes will be a hybrid of online and onsite, she said, with priority given to areas of study such as nursing, dentistry, information technology, welding and auto technology that require hands-on learning. Kress added that students have specifically asked that some courses — such as math and English as a Second Language — be offered in the hybrid format.

SUMMER 2020

Computer labs and libraries will be open, with social distancing requirements and frequent deep cleaning, she added. Both students and employees will receive training on the precautions needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The higher education community also needs to look beyond the fall semester to find the “new normal,” said Kress, who is co-chair of the Virginia Community College System’s Post-Pandemic Task Force. “The ‘new normal’ refers to the need to live with greater uncertainty. We don’t know exactly how things will roll out in the future, and, even if we think we know today, things can change tomorrow.” So far, “we’ve learned a lot of lessons. One is the readiness of many students to take to online classes,” she said. “They like not having to fight traffic, having to find a parking space, arranging for childcare.” “Another lesson we have come to understand during this time is that our campuses provide much more than classes: They provide social and emotional support, networks of connections that help move our students forward in their academic and career pathways,” Kress said. “So, all colleges will need to find a way to translate this into the online experience if virtual learning continues or even expands.” George Mason University’s blueprint for a safe return to campus calls for a mix of in-person instruction and expanded online classes, as well as the continuation of research, Interim President Anne Holton said in a message to the university community. The plan calls for starting the fall semester Aug. 24, as scheduled. “We know that many students benefit from being on campus, interacting in the

“There’s never been a better time to be in school than now... In this pandemic, people with a degree are the ones who are able to pivot.”

A different world: Marymount University President Dr. Irma Becerra welcomes a group of students last fall.

classroom, and having an opportunity to engage in person with faculty and fellow students. We are also proud of our online offerings and understand that online courses may be the best fit for some students. But for many, there is real value in the opportunity to connect within the vigorous living and learning community we treasure so much at Mason,” she said. In this new environment, the priority for in-person instruction “will be courses that most benefit from face-to-face interactions, including laboratory sections and classes that engage experiential learning in a wide variety of subjects. Larger classes and lectures will be online,” according to Holton. Faculty who are at high risk will be given the option not to teach in-person courses in the fall. Telework will be encouraged for staff who do not need to be on campus. Students with special

vulnerabilities will be provided options to continue their education remotely or to return to campus with additional protections if feasible. Occupancy will be reduced in residence halls to allow for increased physical distancing. Holton said GMU is evaluating whether to complete the semester as scheduled or to end in-person classes before Thanksgiving and hold final exams online. She added that the university is prepared to pivot back to fully remote operations, if necessary. “Even if we proceed as planned, campus life won’t be exactly how we remember. Flexibility remains crucial in this period of uncertainty,” Holton said in her statement. Face-to-face classroom experience “is the signature of a Marymount education,” according to Irma Becerra, the university’s president. While the university was able “swiftly to move 700 courses online” when the need arose

this spring, a survey found that students prefer on-site instruction, Becerra said. Therefore, classes in the fall will be inperson as much as possible. “We are able to bring everybody back with social distancing. Masks will be required, even for visitors. This president will wear a mask,” she said. Any students who need to be quarantined can switch modes and study online. Marymount is planning to resume extracurricular activities and athletic events and is making adjustments to practice schedules for athletes, she said. Also, “community service is an important aspect of campus life, and we’re exploring how to continue in this environment.” “There’s never been a better time to be in school than now,” according to Becerra. “This is a moment to equip yourself with the best set of tools. That’s what your college education allows you to. In this pandemic, people with a degree are the ones who are able to pivot. I hope this brings a renewed appreciation for college.”

George Mason University plans a mix of in-person instruction and expanded online classes, said Interim President Anne Holton. THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2020

SPOTLIGHT

on non-profits

An Outpouring of Support How nonprofits are finding their way through challenging times BY A N A L I E S E K R E U T Z E R

s businesses shut down, unemployment rose and people stayed home due to COVID-19, nonprofit organizations found themselves in a tenuous position. They faced an increased need for their services while sources for funding became uncertain. Four area nonprofits shared with The Business Voice how they have adjusted their fundraising and how the pandemic has affected their organizations and the communities they support.

Acumen Solutions donated care packages to Shelter House for Mother’s Day.

S H E LT E R H O U S E

helter House experienced tremendous support from its existing donors as well as an increase in new donors. “In just two months, our supporters raised over $100,000,” said marketing and communications manager Terace Molina. Due to the pandemic, more families are experiencing homelessness and domestic violence has increased, resulting in unanticipated costs for the organization. “We are prepared to be there for those who need us during this crisis, and we are immensely grateful for our supporters,” Molina added. Shelter House has been fundraising online through email, social media campaigns and some direct mail. The staff is also researching other avenues to increase the organization’s options, recognizing that they will need to keep adapting their efforts as the situation evolves. Molina found that those who previously volunteered their time instead donated funds if they could no longer volunteer. “Local restaurants and other partners have organized drives to benefit our cause,” she said. “We truly could not continue our mission without our supporters, as we do more good when we do it together.” 18

THE BUSINESS VOICE

The Community Foundation for

Northern Virginia’s

digital donor series included a Wine and Paint Night.

CO M M U N I T Y F O U N DAT I O N FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA

n March 13, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia launched the COVID-19 Response Fund for Northern Virginia. Just three months later, by early June, the fund had raised more than $2 million and awarded $1.455 million to nonprofit organizations that support those disproportionately affected by the pandemic. “Never have we experienced so many donors stepping forward to help the community,” said vice

| SUMMER 2020

president of marketing and events Tara Nadel. A key component of the Community Foundation’s current strategic plan is to grow its Permanent Fund for Northern Virginia. To garner support for that fund, the staff has developed a digital donor engagement series to further introduce the work of the Community Foundation to the COVID-19 Response Fund donors, many of whom are new to the organization. These casual events let staff members interact with donors and introduce them to the Community Foundation’s impact on the region. Instead of its annual fundraising gala in the fall, the Community Foundation will hold Raise the Region 2020, a live-streamed event that will include an auction. “The future of our fundraising efforts will be a hybrid of the strategies previously employed through inperson events and meetings and newly developed virtual engagement efforts,” Nadel said.

ALZHEIMER’S A S S O C I AT I O N , NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA CHAPTER

ate Rooper, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Area Chapter, said the group is moving ahead with modified versions of many of its events. “We have a program called The Longest Day where people fundraise around an event of their choosing. It can take place any time of year, but our focal point is around the summer solstice on June 20. It’s the day with the most light, which complements our theme, ‘We fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s,’ perfectly.” This year, participants are doing virtual workouts, karaoke and trivia parties,

cooking and baking, and arts and crafts. One participant is hosting a Lego event during which people will be challenged to build a world without Alzheimer’s. Another popular fundraiser is the organization’s annual fall walks. “We will be walking, but it may not be in a large group gathering,” Rooper said. “The walks have always been very communitydriven, so we’re looking at what works best for them, while keeping in mind the safety of our volunteers, staff and constituents.”

Easterseals held a drive-by graduation ceremony for its Head Start students

who will be entering kindergarten this fall.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day invites people to fundraise for Alzheimer’s around an activity of their choosing,

including baking and making a social distancing Lego project.

Many of the organization’s large donors have continued to generously support its programs, which is particularly critical now, she

EASTERSEALS D C M D VA

asterseals has traditionally used in-person gatherings as its primary method of fundraising but, when stayat-home orders went into effect, the organization turned to virtual events to provide opportunities for socialization and education. One such event was its Advocacy Awards Gala. When the organization was forced to cancel the April soiree, staff used social media to recognize the honorees. The icing on the cake? Most of the event’s sponsors converted sponsorship fees into donations. Support like that, along with having its most successful Giving Day on record, has made a big impact on the organization. “Our donors’ support is more critical than ever,” said chief growth officer Phil Panzarella. “Through

added. “We are providing a lot more education and support services to our family members who are caring for their loved ones.”

their contributions, we can continue to provide our clients with high-quality, inclusive services.” At present, Easterseals is hosting webinars called Fireside Features that highlight its programs, partners, and community leaders. It is also considering a series of virtual familyfriendly events that will allow staff and donors to socialize and enjoy some type of entertainment. “We intend to increase the number of events we host but to make them smaller and more intimate for greater impact. We also are planning to host multiple virtual events to allow our community an opportunity to come together to heal,” Panzarella said. “Now more than ever, we believe communities need to stay connected, and we are creating chances for that to occur.”

THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

SPOTLIGHT

on small business

Chamber, alliance receive funds for regional ‘Back to Work’ initiative BY K A R I P U G H

irginia's new Economic Resilience and Recovery Program aimed at addressing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will give Northern Virginians a new tool in helping get back to work. The $14.66 million initiative was created through a restructuring of the state's Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) funding. The program will focus resources on 20

THE BUSINESS VOICE

economic resilience and recovery while staying true to the GO Virginia mission of creating higher-paying jobs that strengthen and diversify regional economies. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on our economy, and we must use every asset we have to assist businesses and communities as we rebuild,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in announcing the program. “GO Virginia will be a key partner as we work to spearhead an economic recovery and

| SUMMER 2020

drive new economic development. Through the Economic Resilience and Recovery program, GO Virginia has been able to pivot and help support these important initiatives throughout the commonwealth.” The program has already awarded $69,600 to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Northern Virginia Economic Development Alliance to create a Back to Work website and information program. The initiative is expected to be a “one-stop shop” for businesses in the region. The chamber and alliance have formed a Back to Work Leadership Task Force to launch the website and related resources. The website will feature information on business continuity, recovery and worker training and retraining, as well as content that specifically addresses business solutions through a webinar series.

The target audience for the site is businesses of all sizes — especially small businesses — as well as job seekers looking for training opportunities that may be necessary for them to return to work. Information will also be available from the partner local governments and educational institutions. In addition to the Northern Virginia Chamber and the Economic Development Alliance, partners in the project include Northern Virginia Community College; George Mason University; Arlington/Alexandria and Fairfax/Loudoun/Prince William workforce boards; Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William economic development authorities; and the Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William, Dulles Regional and Reston chambers of commerce. F U N D E D I N I T I AT I V E S

GO Virginia regional councils across the state may apply for up to $1 million to support strategic initiatives in response to the economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the GO Virginia Board approved flexible policy changes to accelerate the deployment of funding. Applications are accepted through the nine GO Virginia Regional Councils. “The negative impacts to our economy will be felt for some time, so we must be strategic with how we spend state dollars,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “We have an opportunity to build on the great partnerships and hard work that the GO Virginia regions have developed to create strategies that address Virginia’s economic recovery. The range of economic development opportunities that will result from the projects funded by the Economic Resilience and Recovery program will have an important impact on the commonwealth.”

“The negative impacts to our economy will be felt for some time, so we must be strategic with how we spend state dollars.” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball

In addition to the Northern Virginia Back to Work program, three other projects have been administratively approved through the new Economic Resilience and Recovery Program, totaling $341,800. They include: GO Virginia Region 2 and the Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences and Technology at Virginia Tech will receive $100,000 for Rapid HighThroughput COVID-19 Testing project. The project will deliver timely COVID-19 test results to the New River Valley and Roanoke health districts with a projected 1,000 test samples analyzed per day. The

“We look forward to realizing the success of these projects and seeing economies bounce back and deliver new opportunities for individuals across the commonwealth.”

project will also provide specialized onthe-job training to medical lab specialists and medical lab technician students hired to scale-up lab operations. GO Virginia Region 2 and the RoanokeBlacksburg Technology Council will receive $97,200 to offer virtual education, mentoring, and business assistance programming to companies throughout the region. The Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council is partnering with the cities of Roanoke and Salem, the counties of Botetourt, Montgomery, and Roanoke, and the Roanoke Economic Development Authority to build off their existing business accelerator program and deliver enhanced services and programming that is responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic. GO Virginia Region 3 will receive $75,000 for a critical drone test delivery project to assess the efficacy and safety of increased last-mile delivery of COVID-19 medical supplies, tests, and equipment by commercial drones. The Virginia Growth Alliance is working with Virginia’s Center for Innovative Technology and commercial drone company, DroneUp, to complete the testing at St. Paul’s College in Lawrenceville. “Now more than ever, we need to think creatively about how to utilize GO Virginia resources to address the economic challenges we face today and in the near future,” said Chair of the GO Virginia Board Tom Farrell. “The GO Virginia regions have demonstrated hard work over the last year with the myriad of projects, and now given the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing innovation and ingenuity with a robust project pipeline that will deliver impact and address their regional economies’ recovery. We look forward to realizing the success of these projects and seeing economies bounce back and deliver new opportunities for individuals across the commonwealth.” Since GO Virginia’s inception in 2017, it has funded 90 projects and awarded approximately $30 million to support regional economic development efforts.

Chair of the GO Virginia Board Tom Farrell THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

AWARDS 2020 Greater Washington Good Business Awards What Did Winning a Greater Washington Good Business Award Mean to You?

Vernon Green, Founder and CEO, GCubed Enterprises Inc.

Gloria Bohan, President and CEO, Omega World Travel,

ith all that’s changed, two things remain the same: the people committed to doing good in and for our community, and your Chamber’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating them. The efforts of these individuals, businesses, and nonprofits mean a lot to all of us, so we asked a few of the 2019 recipients what winning a Greater Washington Good Business Award meant to them. “To be recognized as a Good Corporate Citizen reinforces our values and lets us know that others see our culture and our commitment,” said Vernon Green, Founder and CEO, GCubed Enterprises Inc., winner 2019 Small Business of the Year. “Those who know me will tell you I am in business to support my philanthropic ways. In 2019, GCubed donated 78.6% of its net profit to nonprofit and community efforts. Building strong communities by providing opportunities and facilitating economic growth for those that

do not always have opportunities are examples of executing on our mission and vision statements. To me, this is what it means to be a Good Corporate Citizen.” “The Good Business Award and recognition for leadership skills by the Chamber was a surprise,” said Gloria Bohan, President and CEO, Omega World Travel, winner 2019 Executive Leader of the Year. “I was really overwhelmed. To this day, I am humbled by the recognition and inspired to live up to the honor.” “We were honored. The award was a testament to the work of our fantastic staff and board, and to the community members who help forward our mission,” said Lisa Whetzel, Executive Director, Britepaths, winner 2019 Non-Profit of the Year. “We were and still are grateful to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the important role nonprofits play in the vitality of our community and for supporting our work.” In addition to celebrating the

THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

Lisa Whetzel, Executive Director, Britepaths

And the 2020 Greater Washington Good Business Awards went to… Business of the Year GREAT AMERICAN RESTAURANTS greatamericanrestaurants.com

Non-Profit of the Year PENFED FOUNDATION penfedfoundation.org

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner ANNE HOLTON, INTERIM PRESIDENT, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY www2.gmu.edu

2020 Greater Washington Good Business Award winners, this year’s event honored the leadership of 2019-2020 Chairman Todd Rowley of Old Dominion National Bank and welcomed 2020-2021 Chairman Kathryn Falk of Cox Communications.

Rise to meet your future. The KeePressingOn Project serves businesses, teams, and executives who seek to generate growth and increased productivity through relationships that build trust, encourage excellence, and create an expectant, positive view of the future.

Transform your business. Transform your life.

James Coltharp Founder and President

202-734-2734 KeePressingOn.com

COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND for Northern Virginia

In response to the global pandemic and

The Community Foundation thanks the following supporters:

its disproportionate impacts on our most

Amazon

Cooley LLP

vulnerable neighbors, the Community

Amgen Foundation

Foundation for Northern Virginia

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia

Greta Michaelfun Photography

has awarded

$2.1 MILLION IN

since March 13, 2020.

Apple Federal Credit Union Education Foundation

It has been a remarkable, unprecedented

Booz Allen Hamilton

GRANTS TO 114 NONPROFITS

Hammond Iles Wealth Management

Northern Virginia Tennis League Philip L. Graham Fund Potomac Health Foundation

Intercontinental Exchange

Trinity Church of Loudoun

Meyer Foundation

Verisign

Micron

Washington Gas

outpouring of caring and support.

www.cfnova.org/covid19

â&#x20AC;&#x192; THE BUSINESS VOICE

SPRING 2020

positively Celebrating the Positive Voice of Business in Northern Virginia APPLE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DONATES $20,000 TO BRITEPATHS TO HELP STRUGGLING FAMILIES

Apple Federal Credit Union gave a $20,000 grant to bolster Britepaths’ ability to help struggling families with rent and utility assistance and grocery store gift cards to meet the quadrupled demand; $10,000 was allocated to double the pool of their zero interest MPower Loan program. Britepaths provides Fairfax County area neighbors in need with short-term safety-net services and empowers them to work toward long-term self-sufficiency.

THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

EASTERSEALS ADDRESSES PANDEMIC-RELATED CLINIC NEEDS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES LABOR SHORTAGES

Easterseals, known for helping veteran and military family communities, has stepped up with new services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization is providing quality behavioral health care through telehealth and helping to address massive essential service labor shortages. Through Easterseals' Cohen Clinic and Veteran Staffing Network programs, veterans and military families have somewhere to turn to help them deal with depression and anxiety and connect with employers that are seeking professionals who are adept at change and skilled at management, operations and logistics.

GREAT AMERICAN RESTAURANTS LAUNCHES COMMUNITY KITCHEN, PREPARING AND DELIVERING MEALS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE FOOD INSECURE

To help feed those in need, Great American Restaurants has launched The Great American Community Kitchen. The Community Kitchen prepares and distributes meals for local hospital workers, first responders, those on the front line and those who are food insecure throughout our community during this time.

THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY SENDS MEALS TO INOVA HEALTH SYSTEM HEALTH WORKERS AND IN THE PROCESS FEEDS THE NEEDY THROUGH HUNGRY

Recently, ThunderCat Technology supported two fellow Chamber members and helped feed needy people in the process. "Like everyone else,” said ThunderCat Technology's Tom Deierlien, “we knew about our brave, indefatigable healthcare staff working around the clock and being away from family. One of our employees talked about a program from Arlington’s HUNGRY Marketplace that launched a new division called HUNGRY@home, and their Fight Against Hunger commitment which is, for every family meal ordered, they give four meals to those in need. They also will deliver donated meals to places like fire stations, hospitals and police stations. So for several weeks we sent meals to the hard-working teams at INOVA. It was a triple win: We supported a local small business, we supported those in need, and we supported our local community healthcare professionals."

THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

FARMERS RESTAURANT GROUP DONATES HUNDREDS OF GALLONS OF HAND SANITIZER TO FIRST RESPONDERS

HOMEAID NORTHERN VIRGINIA’S “BUILDERS FOR BABIES” INITIATIVE COLLECTS INFANT ESSENTIALS FOR FAMILIES LIVING IN SHELTERS AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

HomeAid Northern Virginia is working to support its nonprofit housing partners amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Its “Builders for Babies” initiative has been collecting diapers, wipes and other infant essentials for families living in shelters and supportive housing. Prior to the pandemic, one in three families had trouble affording diapers. Now, with the unemployment explosion, not only is the need greater, diapers are harder and harder to come by on store shelves. Initially done via collection boxes at offices, and now through donations bought online and shipped to their office, the initiative is getting thousands of diapers into the hands of families who need them.

WINDOWS CATERING AND UNITED WAY FEED 8,000 FRONT LINE HOSPITAL WORKERS

United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) has partnered with Windows Catering to provide meals to front line hospital personnel in medical facilities across the region. This includes doctors and nurses as well as medical staff such as front desk personnel, custodians, security workers and other employees who are responding to the increase in healthcare needs. The opportunity is made possible through a $100,000 donation from a Windows Catering customer committed to helping a small business and its employees stay afloat by supporting the tireless efforts of these first responders and their support teams in these medical facilities.

THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

Farmers Restaurant Group has shifted gears from distilling cocktails to making hundreds of gallons of hand sanitizer that the company has donated to protect local first responders. To date the group has supplied Children’s National Hospital with 150 gallons of hand sanitizer and the Washington D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services with 100 gallons.

THE JAMES M. COX FOUNDATION DONATES $75,000 TO VIRGINIA FOOD BANKS

Your business means everything to us, too.

In response to the growing strain on feeding the community, the James M. Cox Foundation, the charitable arm of Cox Enterprises, has made three grants of $25,000 each to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Fairfax Meals on Wheels, and Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank. “We're proud to support our local communities,” said Cox Vice President of Government and Public Affairs Nneka Chiazor. “As school and workplace closures make access to nutritious food even more challenging, these children and working families need our help now, more than ever.”

Burke & Herbert Bank At Your Service Since 1852 ®

PHILLIPS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CREATES FACE SHIELDS FOR GROCERY STORE EMPLOYEES AND AREA NURSES

Phillips Programs for Children and Families has adapted its career and technical education 3D design and print curriculum to help the community during the pandemic. During the school closure, staff and students printed PPE, which is donated to those working on the frontline at grocery stores and health care facilities. Face shields have been donated to The Kensington, an assisted living facility in Falls Church, and the Chesterbrook Safeway in McLean.

At Burke & Herbert Bank, we know tough times call for decisive action to help local businesses. In just a few weeks, we cut red tape to speed nearly three years’ worth of business loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, saving over 10,000 jobs in our communities. And we’re working with hundreds of our existing business borrowers, giving them the repayment flexibility to bounce back and thrive. Discover what it’s like to work with a bank that’s truly invested in your business. Burke & Herbert Bank. It’s better here. Call 703-684-1655 today! Or visit burkeandherbertbank.com

| SUMMER 2020

ACT I MAKES NATIONWIDE CONTRIBUTIONS TO COVID-19 COMMUNITY SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Advanced Concepts and Technologies International, LLC (ACT I) has made a series of charitable contributions to organizations across the country. ACT I employees recommended key charitable organizations in their local communities where they deliver mission-essential services to government customers every day. “This is ACT I in Action,” said ACT I CEO Michael Niggel. “We are proud to call Albany, Arlington, Colorado Springs, Okaloosa County, Patuxent River, and Waco our home. These communities support us every day, and during this important time in our history, it is our humbling opportunity to do what we can to support them.”

TRANSURBAN RAISES MORE THEN $50,000 FOR NORTHERN VIRGINIA FAMILY SERVICE

Through its #GivingTuesdayNow campaign, Transurban, the operator of the Interstate 95, 495, and 395 Express Lanes, raised more than $50,000 for Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS). To kick things off, Transurban made a $25,000 contribution and offered to match another $10,000. Transurban’s employees, customers, and partners generously contributed another $16,450 to NVFS.

HELIOS HR LAUNCHES DO SOMETHING GOOD! INITIATIVE

The team at Helios HR recently launched an initiative to Do Something Good! CEO Kathy Albarado believes that all impactful change happens in the community, so the team invited its neighbors to fill grocery bags donated by Wegman's with food and needed essentials. They also wrote messages of encouragement on the bags. Additionally, to recognize and support those on the front lines working in shelters and food banks, Helios partnered with Fueling the Fearless to have lunches donated and delivered by local restaurant, Cedar Knoll. The project did more than feed people: it brought gratitude, hope, and encouragement to everyone involved. 28

THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY

FASHION STUDENTS AND PROFESSORS CREATE CRUCIAL PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) FOR THE ARLINGTON FREE CLINIC A team of Marymount fashion students and professors used its creative talents to help boost the amount of crucial personal protective equipment at the Arlington Free Clinic. “With all that has been going on, we felt like we had to do something to help,” said visiting faculty member and awardwinning fashion designer William Allen. “This initiative proved to be a great opportunity for us to combine creativity with real-world, functional PPE that is needed by so many.” About 120 protective “fashion masks” that can be used by patients, volunteers, staff and visitors, and that are both washable and reversible, were delivered to the clinic.

I-66 EXPRESS MOBILITY PARTNERS CONTRIBUTES $67,500 TO THE FOUNDATION FOR FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACCESS FOR ALL FUND

I-66 Express Mobility Partners, on behalf of its parent company, Ferrovial, recently contributed $67,500 to the Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools Access for All Fund to support students in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant is part of an international campaign led by Ferrovial that is primarily focused on the United States, Spain, and the United Kingdom. “We have been working with the Foundation over the past year to enhance educational opportunities in the County’s classrooms,” stated Javier Gutierrez, chief executive officer of I-66 Express Mobility Partners. “Now that learning has shifted to outside the classroom, we are humbled by the opportunity to support the Foundation in its vital work during these extraordinary times.”

DOMINION ENERGY SUPPORTS COVID-19 RELIEF EFFORTS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Amid widespread unemployment, the need for help is skyrocketing along the Route 1 corridor in Southeast Fairfax County. The non-profit organization United Community is trying desperately to keep pace with the need through its food distribution program. Thanks to Dominion Energy’s donation of $15,000, the organization purchased large amounts of food, including 8,000 pounds of rice in 50-pound bags. The rice had to be packed into small, 2-pound bags for clients; a group of volunteers wearing gloves and masks did so recently. The grants from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation are part of $45,000 in funding given to six nonprofit organizations in Northern Virginia: United Community, Wesley Housing, Arlington Food Assistance, Arlington Free Clinic, Pathway Homes and Northern Virginia Veterans Association. “We are part of this community and believe it’s our responsibility to help our neighbors and customers during this difficult time,” said Scott Price, Dominion Energy Regional Policy Director. The grants from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation to Northern Virginia organizations are among 66 grants totaling more than $1 million in 11 states and D.C. to support COVID 19 relief efforts.

THE BUSINESS VOICE

| SUMMER 2020

NEW MEMBERS Let’s give ’em a warm welcome AUTOMOTIVE »» Arivir Corp, linkedin.com/company/arivir-corp/ COMMUNICATIONS / MARKETING / ADVERTISING / PUBLIC RELATIONS »» The Beltway Media Group, thebeltwaymediagroup.com »» Curley Company, Inc., curleycompany.com CONSULTING »» growth(period), growthperiod.com »» LSG Solutions LLC, lsgsolutions.com EDUCATION »» University of Virginia School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies, scps.virginia.edu GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING CONSULTING »» Centauri, centauricorp.com GOVERNMENT ENTITIES »» Loudoun County Economic Development Authority, biz.loudoun.gov HEALTH/HEALTHCARE SERVICES »» ViTelNet, vitelnet.com MARKETING PROGRAMS & SERVICES »» Adopt A Highway Litter Removal Service of America, Inc., adoptahighway.net NON PROFIT / ASSOCIATION / CHAMBER »» Global Connections to Employment (GCE), gce.org PROFESSIONAL SERVICES »» McGeehan Pascale, PLC, mcgeehanlaw.com »» Refraction, refractionpoint.org REAL ESTATE »» Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, alexandriaecon.org

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2020

The Business Voice Back Cover July_The Business Voice (Back cover) 7/1/20 2:26 PM Page 1

Fixing Garage Doors Is What We’ve Always Done Better Than Anyone Else!

Voted #1 Best Garage Door Company In The Washington Area! CALL ACADEMY DOOR TODAY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR ANNUAL MONEY SAVING GARAGE DOOR EVENT... WHY PAY MORE?

Over 47 Years Of Satisfied Customers!

• We Install New Garage Doors • We Replace Broken Cables • We Replace Broken Springs • We Replace Garage Door Rollers • We Install New Garage Door Openers • Professional and Certified Technicians • We Offer An Unbeatable Guarantee • We Fix Any Garage Door Problem You Have SAME DAY & 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE 365 DAYS A YEAR!

Have A Question? We’re Here TO HELP YOU...

703 912-0455

ACADEMY DOOR & CONTROL CORP. SINCE 1973