Bristol Chamber of Commerce CLOUT Magazine

CLOUT Bristol, TN/VA Chamber of Commerce

December 2015 Issue 4 bristolchamber.org

Bristol Christmas Parade Chamer of Commerce Events

Ambassador of the Quarter

New Members

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CLOUT

December 2015 Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce

CONTENTS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee

Chairman Jim Maxwell, Bristol Herald Courier Past Chairman Chris Lee, Bill Gatton Automotive Group Vice Chair Community Leadership Mark Byington, Necessary Oil Vice Chair Gold Club Danny Carter, BELFOR Vice Chair Business Industry & Education Clayton Dowell, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services Vice Chair Member Relations Jody Dutcher, Electro-Mechanical Corporation Vice Chair Treasurer, Finance & Administration Janice Jones, United Southeast Federal Credit Union Vice Chair Convention & Visitors Bureau John Rainero, Permatile

Directors

William Burris, III, BurWil Construction Co., Inc. Jerry Caldwell, Bristol Motor Speedway Jack Dempsey, News 5 WCYB Fox Tri-Cities Charles Earhart, Earhart Campground Mark Esposito, PennStuart Carolyn Ferrell, The Robinette Company Jessica Flagg, Eastman Ed Gniewek, Bristol Compressors International, Inc. Keisha Gould, Courtyard by Marriott Chris Hall, BVU Authority Karen Hester, Cranberry Lane/The Southern Churn Jerry Kirk, Renasant Bank Bart Long, Bart Long and Associates Greg Neal, Bristol Regional Medical Center David Oakley, Strongwell Emily O’Quinn, Alpha Natural Resources Barbara Street, J.A. Street & Associates, Inc. Jack Woolley, Bill Gatton Automotive Group

Ex-Officio Board Members Christina Blevins, Believe in Bristol Dr. Gene Couch, Virginia Highlands Community College Tabitha Crowder, City of Bristol Virginia Rex Gearheart, Bristol Virginia Public Schools Dr. Janice Gilliam, Northeast State Community College Hon. Archie Hubbard III, Bristol Virginia Mayor Dr. Gary Lilly, Bristol Tennessee Public Schools Hon. Lea Powers, Bristol Tennessee Mayor Evelyn Rafalowski, Sullivan County Director of Schools Leah Ross, Birthplace of Country Music Bill Sorah, City of Bristol Tennessee Hon. Richard Venable, Sullivan County Mayor

Santa had an unexpected meeting with The Grinch during the 2015 Bristol Christmas Parade on Dec. 3.

Chamber Staff Beth Rhinehart, President/CEO brhinehart@bristolchamber.org Matt Bolas, Vice President/Convention & Visitors Bureau mbolas@bristolchamber.org Paula Hurt, Vice President/Finance & Administration phurt@bristolchamber.org Amy Shuttle, Vice President/Membership ashuttle@bristolchamber.org Trish Buckles, Program Assistant tbuckles@bristolchamber.org Alayna Holden, Member Care Specialist info@bristolchamber.org Sarah Hutchinson, Major Events & Membership Coordinator shutchinson@bristolchamber.org Kimberly Leonard, Senior Director of Marketing/CVB kleonard@bristolchamber.org Kathy Lowdermilk, Keep Bristol Beautiful Director klowdermilk@bristolchamber.org Vicki Viers, Member Care Specialist frontdesk@bristolchamber.org Lori Worley, Communications & Public Relations Director lworley@bristolchamber.org

The mission of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce is the unified voice of business advocating for a progressive, innovative and sustainable economic climate.

Publisher Bristol Chamber of Commerce 423.989.4850 bristolchamber.org Photography provided by David Crigger, Bristol Herald Courier Reece Hill Photography Service Earl Neikirk, Bristol Herald Courier Andre Teague, Bristol Herald Courier Malcolm Wilson, Pix & PR Printed by Interstate Graphics, Inc. Distributed by MailWorks, Inc. Advertising Sales To purchase advertising in this publication, please contact Lori Worley at lworley@bristolchamber.org

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From The Chairman President’s Report Gold Club Members Chamer Events New Member Profiles Bristol Christmas Parade The Pinnacle Speedway in Lights Keep Bristol Beautiful Elder Named Ambassador of Quarter Legislative Events LEAD Bristol!; Bristol Youth Leadership First Friday Business Briefing Photos Awards and Achievements

By The Numbers Manufacturer’s Roundtable; Tennessee Scholars, Virginia AIMS Scholarships 22 Robotics Students Present to Board December 2015

3

From The Chairman I was reflecting a few weeks back, on Thanksgiving, about how different the week was this year compared to last.

The weather last year included snow. This year’s weather was warm and sunny with temperatures in the mid to upper 60’s.

I also reflected on changes in our business community. Last year, Bass Pro Shops had opened in The Pinnacle in Bristol, Tenn. - this year almost 30 businesses are open there.

The Pinnacle has created 2,000 construction jobs during its development and more than 1,500 full and parttime retail jobs have been generated.

With nearly 700,000 square feet in development, it is estimated retail sales will surpass $200 million.

GetLOCAL Unlimited 24/7 Enjoy NEWS ANY TIME Digital Access ANYWHERE with…to HeraldCourier.com

Last year Cabelas was preparing to break ground. This year, the store is open for business, the first such opening in Bristol, Virginia’s Falls Development, employing 300 people.

Easy to

Last year we had one craft brewery – this year, three are open, with the two newest setting up shop in Bristol, Va.

ign up sSUMMER SPECIAL

Last year the Birthplace of Country Music Museum opened its doors – this coming year, we just might be celebrating a Grammy or two with Orthophonic Joy being nominated for eight (8) Grammy awards.

What a difference a year makes!

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We’ve got a lot to celebrate this holiday season and a whole lot for which to be thankful.

As we look ahead to 2016 we will have even more to celebrate and look forward to! More visitors are expected as the NASCAR Food City 500 Spring race is now in its second year of being an April event instead of March, getting us away from cooler weather. Colossus will be unveiled at the home of the World’s Fastest Half Mile – The Last Great Colosseum. The August Night Race, still NASCAR’s most popular race, has new sponsors in Bass Pro Shops and the NRA. The Battle at Bristol has a title sponsor in Pilot Flying J and is less than a year away. We will welcome almost 200,000 Tennessee and Virginia Tech football fans to The Last Great Colosseum on Sept. 10 for the biggest football game ever.

More store openings will be on tap on both sides of the state line, as well as many more ribbon cuttings.

In February the Chamber Board of Directors will begin the process of developing a new strategic plan.

So much going on and so very much to celebrate.

As we navigate the future together there will be more opportunities to grow business in Bristol than perhaps anytime in our community’s history.

Thank you for all you do and thank you for being a part of the Bristol – a good place to live.

Jim Maxwell Bristol Chamber of Commerce 2015/2016 Chairman of the Board

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December 2015

President’s Report Just as businesses must constantly change and evolve, so must Chambers of Commerce - who should be leading by example. What will the Bristol Chamber look like in ten years? What changes will we need to make to be relevant and provide our membership with the greatest return on investment?

The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives has spent a great deal of time and effort contemplating, researching and crafting a model for how we successfully navigate the next decade. Their work has identified eight influences that will most impact Chambers in 2025 – rather than attempting to define what Chambers will be doing in 2025. These influences include things such as The Nature of Belonging and Gathering (membership and participation), Technology (as it relates to Communications), Global Impacts (Trade), Population Shifts (Composition), Resource Alignment (better alignment between revenues and mission), and Catalytic Leadership (igniting change and creating comfort around change).

Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal. “The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” --Ken Blanchard. The Bristol Chamber of Commerce can attribute much of its historical success to the leadership of its Board of Directors and Corporate volunteers.

The names of these leaders would be familiar to most, as they are often those who are closely connected to many other community boards and efforts. Our volunteer leaders are examples of catalytic leaders – they convene multiple stakeholder groups, facilitate and mediate agreements around tough issues, and think systemically and strategically about sustainable actions. They are passionate about reaching a particular outcome yet remain flexible and inclusive on specific strategies to reach the desired results.

As we navigate the next ten years as a Chamber, I applaud the great leadership of our organization, both past and present. Our Board and volunteer leaders are invested in the future successes of our community.

They give freely and abundantly of their time, ideas and support. They advocate for their neighboring businesses with the unwavering support of their own organizations. So, as we prepare for our strategic planning process in the coming months, I am confident that we are in good hands.

On behalf of the Bristol Chamber and our member organizations, thank you to our volunteer leaders who continue to pave the way for growth and prosperity in our great community – Bristol!

Beth Rhinehart President/CEO

Gold Club Members Alpha Natural Resources AtWork Personnel Services Ball Corporation Bank of Tennessee BB&T BELFOR Bell Helicopter Ben Igou State Farm Agency Bill Gatton Automotive Group Birthplace of Country Music ® Branding Iron Bristol Compressors International, Inc. Bristol Herald Courier Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol Regional Medical Center Bristol Tennessee Essential Services Brown Edwards & Company Burke, Powe, & Harty, Inc. BurWil Construction Company, Inc.

BVU Authority Charter Spectrum Cintas Corporation City of Bristol Tennessee City of Bristol Virginia Comfort Systems USA - Bristol The Corporate Image Courtyard by Marriott Cranberry Lane Earhart Campground Eastman Credit Union Edward Jones - Rita Kiscaden Electric Sun Tanning of Bristol, VA Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. Food City The Friendship Family of Dealerships Hilton Garden Inn Holiday Inn Bristol Conference Center

Holston Medical Group, PC J.A. Street & Associates, Inc. Johnson Commercial Development Keen Promotions KS Promotional Products Leinbach Services, Inc. Lighthouse Supply Company Mark E. Snapp & Associates Massey Electric Company Mattern & Craig Necessary Oil Company Neuro-Spine Solutions, P.C. News 5 WCYB/FOX Tri-Cities WEMT/Tri-Cities CW Northeast State Community College PennStuart Pix & PR Pratt Industries Renasant Bank

Sam’s Club SBS Services Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast TN SESCO Management Consultants Shearer’s Foods Inc. Southern States Bristol Cooperative Strongwell SW Services Inc. Thompson & Litton The Summit Companies The Tombras Group The Virginian United Southeast Federal Credit Union Universal Printing, Inc. W-L Construction and Paving, Inc. Wise Recycling

December 2015

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Soundz Hearing Centers 102 Bonham Road Suite 5, Bristol, VA

Andy’s 99 37 Midway Street, Bristol, VA

Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast TN 1020 Jericho Drive, Kingsport, TN

EVENTS

Style 606 State Street , Bristol, TN

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December 2015

Farmers Insurance - Jamie Vance Agency 1393 Volunteer Parkway, Suite 1, Bristol, TN

Cabela’s 361 Cabela’s Drive , Bristol, VA

Stowaway Self Storage 1141 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN

BrightStar Care 2152 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN

Wellmont Medical Associates - Urgent Care 410 Stagecoach Road, Bristol, VA

Healing Hands Health Center 245 Midway Medical Park, Bristol, TN

EVENTS

Marquee Cinemas - Pinnacle 12 680 Pinnacle Parkway, Bristol, TN

Boys & Girls Club of the Mountain Empire 2000 W. State Street, Bristol, TN

Burkes Outlet 16660 Highlands Center Boulevard , Bristol, VA

Studio Brew 221 Moore Street , Bristol, VA

!

Now Open at The Falls December 2015

7

New Member Profiles NEW GOLD CLUB MEMBER (previously Stevens Oil) Bart McMillin 498 Washington Street, Bristol, VA 24201 276.669.6241 Provide oil, lubricants, and fuels throughout SW Virginia and NE Tennessee.

Amy Osborne 271 W. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 276.791.8078 www.fcbresource.com Offers their customers the best in hometown banking with access to all the products and services of a full-service financial institution.

Holiday Inn Hotel & Bristol Conference Center

Doy Rayburn 3005 Linden Drive, Bristol, VA 24202 276.466.4100 www.holidayinn.com/hsbristolva Hotel Event Venue & Conference Facility Holiday Inn Hotel & Bristol Conference Center: Located at exit 7 off I-81 in Bristol, Va. They have 226 guest rooms including 4 Presidential Suites and 16 Junior Suites with a private access floor. Their amenities include Business Center, outside Pool area, Fitness center, Guest Laundry, full service Restaurant and Lounge.

Holiday Inn offers Bristol’s largest banquet and meeting room facilities that are perfect for social gatherings or business conferences.

The 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting space with full service catering available can be customized to individual events.

Their full service restaurant and lounge is open for breakfast and dinner. Enjoy a delicious meal featuring their Chef’s selections with a local flare in their on-site restaurant or sit back and relax in the casual atmosphere lounge.

Andy’s 99 Andrew Huynh 37 Midway Street, Bristol, VA 24201 276.644.1299 This retail store carries everything from house wares, balloons, party supplies, school & office supplies, health & beauty products – and everything in between – and everything in the store is priced at .99 cents!

Andy’s Market Andrew Huynh 33 Commonwealth Avenue, Bristol, VA 24201 276.466.4200 A popular place to purchase gas and other convenience store items when you are on the go.

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December 2015

Cindy Thoren 16660 Highlands Center Blvd, Bristol, VA 24202 www.burkesoutlet.com An off-price clothing retailer offering trendy fashions for the entire family and home decor ideas including bed and bath selections and house ware products.

TJ Foy 361 Cabela’s Drive, Bristol, VA 24202 276.285.5700 www.cabelas.com Cabela’s Incorporated is the World’s Foremost Outfitter® of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear.

Tony Vella 118 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN 37620 423.574.4723 www.cootiebrowns.com A locally owned restaurant offering an eclectic menu and fun atmosphere.

Peggy Hurley 468 E. Main Street, Suite 200, Abingdon, VA 24210 276.676.5565 www.vadars.org Provides employers the tools and resources they need to successfully employ and support people with disabilities in the workplace.

Diana Georgiou Akoury 2419 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN 37620 423.968.4848 www.madgreekrest.net Serves the area with everything from their well-known, made from scratch pizzas to authentic Greek and Italian dishes.

(previously Country Club of Bristol) Jeff Fleming 6045 Old Jonesboro Road, Bristol, TN 37620 423.652.1700 www.oldetennessean.com A semi-private golf club with competitive rates and a devoted staff.

Bill Favorite 680 Pinnacle Parkway Bristol, TN 37620 423.758.5161 www.marqueecinemas.com New 55,000 sq. ft. facility offers luxury power recliners in all auditoriums, 2 Marquee Extreme large format auditoriums with 71 foot screens and Dolby Atmos sound, crystal clear projection with 3D capabilities, reserved seating, online ticketing and premium concession items.

New Member Profiles Kelly Robinson 1524 Bridgewater Lane, Suite 101, Kingsport, TN 37660 423.534.2044 www.priceramey.com Offers personal and commercial lines as well as individual life & health products through a unique partnership with a number of topranked insurance companies.

Charles & Barbara Allen 1141 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN 37620 423.217.1660 www.stowawaytn.com A state-of-the-art climate control facility including 200 climate control units, 5 individual offices, and a free community meeting room.

Soundz Hearing Centers

Don Cornwell 102 Bonham Road, Suite 5, Bristol, VA 24202 276.466.4327 Offers free hearing tests, free service and the latest in hearing aid technology from the top manufacturers.

Erich & Pamela Allen 221 Moore Street, Bristol, VA 24201 423.360.2966 www.studiobrew.net A destination point for local and traveling customers to come and enjoy Artisan Craft Beers while tasting unique food parings from their designer Trappist Tasting Taproom.

Ryan Elswick 333 Fraley Avenue, Duffield, VA 24244 276.431.7200 www.sunset-fiber.com Provides broadband internet, private data, IPTV, and voice service to residents, businesses, medical facilities, banks, and other Internet service providers in Southwest Va. and Northeast Tenn.

Alan Crowder 405 Pinnacle Parkway, Bristol, TN 37620 423.764.4007 www.zaxbys.com Quick casual restaurant brand that serves the Bristol community with catering and fundraising programs.

December 2015

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Grand Marshals Va. Sen. Bill Carrico and Tenn. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Christmas Parade, along with Ryan O’Quinn (star of the upcoming movie “Believe”), Delegate Israel O’Quinn, Mayors Lea Powers (Tenn.) and Archie Hubbard (Va.), members of the Bristol TN/VA city councils and Bristol Chamber President & CEO Beth Rhinehart.

Bristol Christmas Parade Kicks off Holiday Season It was a record-setting night at the Bristol Christmas Parade Dec. 3 as thousands of area residents lined State Street to kick-off to the holiday season.

There were 205 entries in the parade, breaking last year’s record of 201. The parade, which has been taking place in the downtown area for more than a century, is a Bristol Chamber of Commerce program.

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Virginia Sen. Bill Carrico led the nights’ festivities, which started on Bob Morrison Blvd. and made its way through the center of town before finishing up at the Train Station.

Mayors Lea Powers (Bristol, Tenn.) and Archie Hubbard (Bristol, Va.), along with their city council members, and a number of other legislators from both Tennessee and Virginia also took part in the parade. As always, jolly ol’ Saint Nick made his presence known, riding in the final float.

A film crew from the movie “Believe” was also on hand and shot the parade, which currently is the setting for the opening of the film. “Believe” is slated to come out next November.

Entries in the parade included floats, trucks, etc. from local businesses, civic and volunteer organizations, church groups, bands, schools, neighborhood groups.

Corporate sponsors for the parade were Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, BVU, while Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia were city sponsors.

Others sponsors included Quaker Steak and Lube (Santa’s float), Shearer’s (grand marshal float), Bristol Herald Courier (parade) Lowe’s (trophies) and MedExpress (banners).

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December 2015

Bristol Christmas Parade AwardWinning Entries While each and every one of the record-setting 205 entries in the Bristol Christmas Parade embodied the holiday spirit, there were a number of standouts.

Winning the Commercial Division was Bristol Tennessee Essential Services while ServePro – TN took top honors in the Small Business Division. The Birthplace of Country Music’s entry claimed the No. 1 spot in the Non-Profit Division and Judah Church took the title in the Church Division.

The Christmas Spirit Award went to Black-Wolf Harley Davidson.

Following is a complete list of those receiving trophies: Commercial Division 1.

Bristol Tennessee Essential Services 2.

Electro-Mechanical 3.

Cabela’s Small Business Division 1.

ServePro - TN 2.

Cranberry Lane 3.

WCYB Non-Profit Division 1.

Birthplace of Country Music 2.

Sullins Academy 3.

Bristol, Tennessee Parks & Rec Church Division 1.

Judah Church 2.

Calvary Baptist 3.

Liberty Baptist Christmas Spirit Award Winner 1.

Black Wolf Harley-Davidson December 2015

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The Pinnacle Speedway In Lights Continues to Raise Funds The Pinnacle Speedway In Lights Powered by TVA, one of the South’s largest holiday light shows, returned to Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway Nov. 13 and once again began collecting funds for Speedway Children’s Charities.

In its 19th year, Speedway In Lights, a five-mile drive-through show that features more than two million lights and over 200 animated displays, gives visitors the opportunity to make a lap around the World’s Fastest Half-Mile and take a trip down Thunder Valley’s quarter-mile dragstrip.

While visitors to the holiday show enjoy seeing the colorful displays and lights, they’re also contributing to one of the largest charities in the area. Proceeds from Speedway Lights benefit the Bristol chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, an organization BMS/Bristol Dragway owner Bruton Smith started when he purchased the properties in 1996.

Prior to the start of this season of Speedway In Lights, which ends Jan. 2, 2016, the Bristol chapter of SCC awarded a record total of $805,900 to 90 children’s agencies in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. To date, the Bristol chapter, under the direction of executive director Claudia Byrd, has raised nearly $10 million for children’s organizations in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

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December 2015

Keep Bristol Beautiful Caps Big Year with America Recycles Day Keep Bristol Beautiful capped off yet another successful campaign on Nov. 14 with its final event of the year, America Recycles Day. The event, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful, featured tire recycling, along with paper shredding, electronic waste disposal and a shoe drive. More than 5,000 pounds of paper was shredded, along with 4.87 tons of tires and 2,651 pounds electronic waste disposal was hauled away.

KBB kicked off 2015 in April with the Great American Cleanup, which featured a community cleanup, household hazardous waste and tire disposal and paper shredding. In August, approximately 400 volunteers pulled nearly 20 tons of debris from and around the water during the South Holston Lake & River Cleanup, making it the most productive event of the year.

Conservation Camp, which took place in September, was once again a hit with more than 730 elementary school children and teachers in attendance who were able to visit 10 environmental stations.

The Environmental Education OnThe-Go Classroom made a number of stops in 2015, visiting schools, festivals, camps and events in Bristol, Kingsport, Morristown, Greeneville, Jonesborough and other areas throughout the region.

KBB also added a new program to its curriculum in 2015, visiting Bristol Tennessee elementary schools and reading the new Keep Tennessee Beautiful book, Nancy and Sluggo Love Tennessee, to K-2 graders.

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December 2015

Faye Elder Named Ambassador of the Quarter The Bristol Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the Quarter is Faye Elder, who owns Always For You Gift Baskets in Bristol.

For her continued exceptional representation of the Chamber, Faye was recognized during the December First Friday Business Briefing breakfast, held at King University. Faye, who joined the Chamber in early 2015, quickly became a well-known face, attending a number of Chamber events before becoming an Ambassador. Since then, she has attended nearly every Chamber event held this year, including Friday Business Briefings, Ribbon Cuttings and Business After Hour events.

Faye specializes in creating custom baskets for use as corporate gifts or for any occasion.

The Ambassador of the Quarter is awarded to the highest point-earning Ambassador. Points are earned through the number of events attended, as well as the amount of courtesy calls made to other Chamber members, Chamber 101 and New Member orientation involvements, etc.

The mission of the Bristol Chamber Ambassadors is to serve as an active volunteer extension of the Bristol Chamber, to cultivate, promote and maintain a positive relationship between the Bristol Chamber, its members and the community.

Faye Elder of Always For You Gift Baskets/ Ambassador of the Quarter, with Beth Rhinehart, President& CEO, Bristol Chamber and Keisha Gould, co-chair of Ambassador program

Bristol Chamber Ambassadors had a great time during United Way’s bagging event at local Food City stores.

December 2015

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Carrico, O’Quinn, Morefield Speak Before More Than 250 at Southwest Virginia Legislative Forum The 29th Annual Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast Forum, hosted by the Bristol Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 16, was a rousing success, drawing a crowd of nearly 250.

Held at the Holiday Inn (Exit 7) and moderated by John Rainero, Senator Bill Carrico, Delegate Israel O’Quinn and Delegate Will Morefield answered a number of questions with topics ranging from education and state budgets to the Wellmont Health System-Mountain States Health Alliance merger, among others.

The annual event is held in order to offer businesses, industries and individual citizens the opportunity to interact with their state legislators and learn more about issues that will be addressed in the next legislative session of the General Assembly.

Southwest Virginia chambers who co-sponsored the event included Bristol, Dickenson County, Buchanan County, Lee County, Pulaski County, Richlands Area , Russell County, Scott County, Smyth County, Tazewell Area, Washington Country, Wise County & City of Norton and Wythe County.

Event sponsors were AEP Appalachian Power, Food City, Mattern & Craig, and Holiday Inn Bristol Conference Center. Bristol Chamber of Commerce Governmental Relations partners are Alpha Natural Resources, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol Motor Speedway, Renasant Bank and Vulcan Materials.

Chamber Hosts Second Annual Legislative Reception

The Bristol Chamber of Commerce’s Second Annual Legislative Reception, hosted by the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, was held Oct. 29.

Richmond, Nashville Legislative Visits Open to Chamber Members The Bristol Chamber of Commerce, along with a number of its members, will again be making trips to Richmond and Nashville in early 2016 to visit with legislators.

These meetings give members the opportunity to dine with legislators, as well as make office visits. The business community comes together to speak directly with our elected representatives by making contact with those decision makers who affect your businesses.

The Chamber encourages its members to take this opportunity to meet with the legislators. Dates for both legislative visits will be forthcoming.

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December 2015

Legislators from both Tennessee and Virginia were in attendance, including Tennessee Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, Virginia Delegate Israel O’Quinn, Tennessee representatives Jon Lundberg and Matthew Hill and representatives from the offices of Virginia U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (Laura Blevins) and Mark Warner (Shane Clem), Virginia Congressman Morgan Griffith (Cody Mumpower) and Tennessee U.S. Senator Bob Corker (Jill Salyers).

Mayors Lea Powers (Bristol Tennessee) and Archie Hubbard (Bristol Virginia), city managers Bill Sorah (Bristol Tennessee) and Tabitha Crowder (Bristol Virginia), and a number of city council members were also on hand at the reception.

LEAD Bristol!, BYL Steering Committees Key to Success of Programs The LEAD Bristol! and Bristol Youth Leadership Steering Committees are an integral part of both programs and crucial to their success.

The LEAD Bristol! committee, which is comprised of the programs’ past graduates, assists in the planning, setup and execution of each of the seven class sessions, the overnight retreat, as well as the graduation ceremony.

The commitment of these individuals directly correlates to the success of the program.

LEAD Bristol! Steering Committee

The committee, which meets every other month from August through May, currently has 27 members from a variety of organizations. There is a planning session in the summer to review the overall course schedule and each class day. At each session the class provides feedback in the form of an evaluation, which is utilized to assess areas of possible change and improvement.

The committee also finds solutions to make the each session of the LEAD program the best that it can be. Volunteers assist with the actual execution of each of the session, whether it is for the entire day, part of the day or possibly overnight for the retreat. Jack Young,( City of Bristol Tennessee councilman) serves as this year’s Steering Committee Chairman.

The Bristol Youth Leadership Steering Committee is comprised of individuals who are interested in the success of Bristol’s youth.

The Bristol Youth Leadership class consists of 50 high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from six local high schools, as well as homeschoolers. The committee works together to bring fun, interactive and informative class sessions to life. These individuals volunteer to assist at the overnight retreat as well as graduation and they also lend a hand at the five class sessions.

Bristol Youth Leadership Steering Committee

LEAD Bristol! Steering Committee

There are monthly meetings to review the evaluations provided by the students to evaluate where adjustments can be made to enhance the program as well as to review the agendas of the upcoming class session. Often they setup the venue, secure lunches, provide a speaker or assist in any way possible.

Bristol Youth Leadership Steering Committee

Jack Young, Chair – City of Bristol TN Major Sean Carrigan, Committee Chair - Bristol Virginia Police Department Holly Rutherford, Chair-Elect - Brown, Edwards & Company Amy Barker-Phillips - Girls Inc. Laura Boardwine – Electro-Mechanical Corporation Kacey Buchanan - National League of Junior Cotillions Trish Buckles – Bristol Chamber of Commerce Trish Buckles - Bristol Chamber of Commerce Diana Carter – Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority Nathan Greene - Bristol TN Police Department Wendy Cheers – St Anne Catholic School Betsy Holleman - Speedway Children’s Charities/Bristol Motor Speedway Karena Coakley – Bristol Housing Melissa Horton - Eastman Credit Union April Eads – Bristol Tennessee Essential Services Kacey Houston - Sullivan County Health Department Keisha Gould – Courtyard by Marriott Tonja Leonard - YWCA Bristol Chris Hall – BVU Authority Chris Massie - Stryker Martial Arts Academy Tim Hammond – CainRashWest Architects Suzanne Mullins - King University Kristie Haulsee – Haulsee Business & Marketing Solutions Mike Musick - City of Bristol TN, Parks and Recreation Melissa Horton – Eastman Credit Union Becca Powers - Sullins Academy Michael McBride – Virginia Highlands Community College Andrew O. Trivette - City of Bristol Virginia Tara McCall – Bristol Tennessee Essential Services Alex Veatch - Emory & Henry College Edna Moore – Highlands Union Bank Tony Venable - News 5 WCYB/FOX Tri-Cities WEMT Suzanne Mullins – King University Mollie O’Dell – AccuForce Staffing Leigh Powers – Bristol Regional Medical Center LEAD Bristol! Sponsors BVU, Bank of Tennessee, Bristol Herald Courier, Bristol Motor Speedway, Comfort Systems USA Nat Powers – Merrill Lynch Bristol, and First Tennessee Foundation, Eastman Chemical Company, Food City, KS Promotional Dave Pollard – Chick-fil-A Products, Pepsi, SESCO Management Consultants Brian Ritz – NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership Michelle Settle – Cabela’s Bristol Youth Leadership Sponsors Te-Kai Shu – Strongwell City of Bristol Tennessee, City of Bristol Virginia, Bristol Morning Rotary, United Southeast Federal Cami Vance – AtWork Personnel Credit Union, First Tennessee Foundation, Milligan College, Northeast State Community College, Willie Whisman – People, Inc King University, Emory & Henry College, Food City, SESCO Management Consultants, YWCA Bristol December 2015

17

FRIDAY BUSINESS BRIEFING

Janet Smith

Bailey Special Risks, Inc.

Rush Powers

Burke, Powers & Harty

Lea Powers

Burke, Powers & Harty

September 2015 New Members

Chuck James The Virginian

October 2015 New Members 18

December 2015

Jim Blackmore The Virginian

Dr. Richard Ray

December 2015

King University

November 2015 New Members

Awards and Achievements BTCS Recognized for Technology Achievements

Dent K. Burk Associates, P.C. Merges with Brown, Edwards & Company LLP

Bristol Tennessee City Schools was recently recognized by the Center for Digital Education (CDE) for our use of innovative technology to enhance the learning environment for students. The district is among 30 organizations in the nation to be chosen from K-12, higher education, and non-profit sectors.

In November, Dent K. Burk Associates, P. C. merged with Brown Edwards & Company L.L.P.

As Director of Schools, Dr. Gary Lilly was chosen by the organization to represent Bristol’s successes. Although his name appears on the award, Dr. Lilly emphasized that this is not an individual award. “I am always honored and humbled to be able to represent the tremendous work and achievements of our district. This award for innovative use of technology is a result of our teachers working diligently to incorporate technology as one additional tool to personalize learning for students. It’s one of many examples of how our students achieve because of our staff’s unwavering commitment to excellence, the hard work of students themselves, and the support of our parents and community.”

The CDE recognition is the second national award the district has received this school year for best practices in utilizing technology to facilitate student learning. BTCS was also one of six districts chosen to serve as an Ambassador District by the U.S. Department of Education to mentor other school districts in the use of openly licensed educational resources.

Strongwell Corporation Awarded American Composites Manufacturers Association’s ACE Award Bristol, Virginia’s Strongwell Corporation recently earned the American Composites Manufacturers Association’s (ACMA) prestigious ACE Award in the Infinite Possibility for Market Growth Category during the second annual Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) conference.

The ACE award is presented to the composites product that “demonstrates the potential to significantly increase the use of composites in existing markets or generate the greatest impact to open new and emerging markets for composites.”

Strongwell’s entry featured its DURAGRID® HD-4000 2.5” grating panels used at the Utah State University Electric Vehicle and Roadway (EVR) research facility in Logan, Utah. The EVR serves as the vehicle systems integration facility for the Center for Sustainable Electrified Transportation (SELECT). Magnetic transfer plates are housed beneath the grating which charge electric vehicles in motion.

Utah State selected DURAGRID® HD-4000 for its ample support for vehicle loadings while still protecting the magnetic transfer charging plates on the electrified quarter mile test track. This project also realizes the benefits of Strongwell’s grating being light weight, high strength, nonconductive and electromagnetic interference-free.

Brown Edwards provides accounting services to a diverse clientele and over the years has developed specialized services in construction, healthcare, banking, automobile dealerships, estate and trust, and higher education.

The merger will give Brown Edwards nearly 300 associates in nine offices located in Bristol, Grundy, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg and Wytheville Virginia; Charleston and Bluefield West Virginia; and Kingsport, Tennessee.

K-VA-T Named Healthier Tennessee Workplace The Governor’s Foundation for Health and Wellness recently named K-VA-T Food Stores Inc., Food City’s parent company, a 2015 Healthier Tennessee Workplace for its commitment to encouraging and enabling employees to live a healthy lifestyle both at work and at home.

To become a Healthier Tennessee Workplace, Food City certified that their wellness program does the following: • Provides individual consultation and group education on health and wellness topics by the company’s Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian • Offers healthy eating options at work • Encourages physical activity • Provides a tobacco-free environment and help with tobacco cessation • Encourages and enables employees to monitor their own health through regular health risk assessments, screenings or check-ups • Rewards and recognizes employees for participating in health and wellness activities and achieving health improvements

Healing Hands’ Scott Earns People Inc. Award Helen Scott of Healing Hands Health Center was recently presented with the People Incorporated of Virginia’s 2015 Garland Thayer Award for assisting lowincome residents.

The Garland Thayer Award is given to individuals who pursue careers to benefit low-income individuals and families.

Scott has served as the executive director of Healing Hands, a free health clinic located in Bristol, Tenn. for 12 years. Scott has led the charge for Healing Hands by raising millions of dollars and expanding coverage in her region.

She has also served as the founding chair of the Remote Area Medical Clinic Board of Directors, president of the Bristol TN/VA Rotary Club and an ambassador for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.

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In 1902, John P. Pettyjohn & Company of Lynchburg, Virginia built the current Train Station, then known as the Union Station.

The cost to build it was $79,063.

The present Train Station is the fourth depot to be built on the land donated to the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad

by Rev. James King in 1848.

The Train Station served Bristol nearly 75 years until passenger rail service was discontinued in 1971.

During the Civil War, the Train Station was burned down twice.

The Train Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bristol continues to serve as a division point and crew change for the merged Norfolk Southern.

About a dozen trains a day come and leave Bristol.

The Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission placed the Train Station on the state landmark register noting that the station “richly deserves this official recognition as one of the Commonwealth’s historic resources.”

The Train Station was a stopping point for many Confederate and Union soldiers during the Civil War.

The Train Station brought many Civil War soldiers to Bristol for medical attention.

# OF EMPLOYEES OUR MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTS Full Time: 48,943 Part-Time: 11,644 TOTAL: 54,765

# OF ATTENDEES # OF EVENTS Ribbon Cuttings: 51 Business After Hours: 7 Ground Breakings: 3 First Friday Business Briefings: 10 Gold Club Events: 4 Annual Awards: 1 GRAND TOTAL: 76 20

December 2015

Ribbon Cuttings: 1,855 Business After Hours: 150 Ground Breakings: 75 SUB TOTAL (RC/BAH/GB): 2,320 First Friday Business Briefings: 2,500 (from an estimation of 250 per breakfast) Gold Club Events (VIP & Breakfasts): 240 Annual Awards: 375 (rounded estimate) GRAND TOTAL: 5,195

Chamber Celebrates Manufacturing Month By Hosting Roundtable Event The Bristol Chamber of Commerce celebrated Manufacturing Month in October by hosting a Manufacturer’s Roundtable Luncheon Oct. 22.

Sponsored by Electro-Mechanical Corporation, the event took place at the Bristol Virginia School Board Office and was attended by more than 40 representatives from local manufacturer’s, as well as city officials. Guest speakers were Brett Vassey, President and CEO of Virginia Manufacturers Association and Tim Spires, President and CEO of Tennessee Association of Manufacturers.

As part of Manufacturing Month, Bristol Compressors and The Robinette Company both gave tours of their organizations to Tennessee High and Virginia High students on Oct. 20.

Bristol Mayors Lea Powers (Tennessee) and Archie Hubbard (Virginia) also recognized October as Manufacturing Month with a proclamation jointly presented at the First Friday Business Briefing held Oct. 2.

VHCC AIMS Scholarship Gives Virginia Students Two Years of College at No Cost Students at area Virginia high schools who participate in the Citizen’s In Action (CIA) program are eligible for the VHCC Appalachian Inter-Mountain Scholars (AIMS) Higher Scholarship.

If students meet the criteria for the CIA program they will earn the AIMS Scholarship, which allows them to attend Virginia Highlands Community College at no cost for two years.

Criteria students must meet include:

• 25 hours of volunteer service each year for 3 out of the 4 years in high school (must participate the senior year)

• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA

• Have no more than 8 days of excused absences

• No unexcused absences or Out of School Suspensions To learn more about the program, please visit www.vhcc.edu/index.aspx?page=437

Tennessee Promise Offers Students College at No Cost for Two Years Tennessee Promise, which gives all graduating high school seniors in Tennessee the ability to attend a community college or technical institute for two years, tuition free, continues to provide an amazing opportunity for the state’s youth.

Both a scholarship and mentoring program that focuses on increasing the number of students that attend college in Tennessee, it provides students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship covers tuition and fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or state student assistance funds. The scholarship may be used at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology or other eligible institution offering as associate’s degree program.

Tennessee Achieves has partnered with Tennessee Promise to provide mentors to the students and that’s where help is needed in the form of mentors. Mentors volunteer between 10-15 hours over the course of the year to help students navigate the college admissions process. Mentors, who must be at least 21 years old, are required to complete an online application, pass a background check, attend a training session where they will receive a handbook and tips on mentoring their students, and meet with the students at their school twice during their senior year.

To learn more about the program or to apply to become a Tennessee Promise Mentor, please visit www.tnachieves.org December 2015

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Robotics Students Make Presentation Before Chamber Board Students from both Vance Middle School and Virginia Middle School who are involved in the Robotics and Engineering initiative, made a presentation before the Bristol Chamber of Commerce’s board members in October.

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The students showed off the amazing projects they had assembled and discussed the importance of the program, which is extremely popular in both schools.

Partnering with our local utility companies, BTES & BVU Authority, the Chamber works with middle and high school teachers at John Battle High School, Vance Middle School, Virginia High School and Virginia Middle School to ensure students have the opportunity to explore engineering and robotics. Classroom and after-school programs provide students with the opportunity to work with 3-D printers to develop artificial limbs for people in the community who might otherwise not be able to afford the prosthetics.

Other students are using telescopes provided through the program to study space, light, refraction of lens and how these concepts can be used in local industries and medical settings.

Students also learn how to work as a team and individually to complete projects, write reports, give presentations, and incorporate math, science, engineering and technology in a fun environment. Studies show a marked increase in the number of students who are interested in STEM careers.

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December 2015

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