TVRC Chamber News: The Voice of Business & Industry | December 2021

DECEMBER 2021

Chamber News THE VOICE OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Elevate Your Business

RELIABILITY

is a cornerstone of everything we do.

Before the wind blows, a storm hits, or a tree falls, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative is already working to keep your power on. www.myrec.coop 1-800-552-3904

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair John Fox GreenSen, LLC

DEPARTMENTS 04 | Letter from CEO

Chair-Elect Scott Harvard First Bank

04 | New Members 05 | TVRC News and Events

Vice Chair Charles Daniels Integrus Holdings, Inc.

FEATURES 07 | Elevate Business with the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber 08 | Making the Most of Your Membership 09 | Valley Health Conducts Community Health Needs Assessment

Treasurer Adrian Taylor YHB Immediate Past Chair Tracy Vosika George Mason Mortgage, LLC At Large Member Patti Solenberger Solenberger’s True Value Hardware BOARD OF DIRECTORS Emily Burner Shenandoah University

Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Sponsors Chamber Elite

Jenny Grooms WMC Foundation Jim Guisewhite SVN Commercial Specialists James Imoh Edward Jones Investments

Chairman’s Level

Kevin McKannan GlenLoch Legal P.L.C.

President’s Level

Katrina Meade City National Bank Cary Nelson H.N. Funkhouser Nadine Pottinga United Way NSV

Media Sponsors

Kristy Powers Navy Federal Credit Union James Stewart Grafton Integrated Health

Letter From Cynthia Schneider CEO, Top of Virginia Regional Chamber

CHAMBER STAFF

There are many times where I feel the need to pinch myself in my role as the CEO of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, an organization that is unmatched in this area at elevating your business with a vast reach and the trusted voice to add credibility to an organization. We truly focus on the impact we make for our members and we are doubling down on that commitment in 2022. We are the Top and we are here to elevate your business. It is a dream to lead such an organization!

This year has not been without challenges. Events were planned with multiple contingencies in place to prepare for a shifting environment.

Members have been working to staff their businesses. New businesses took the leap of faith to start during a pandemic and they looked to the Top for guidance as they navigated to success. When difficult moments arose, we connected business and community resources together for mutual success.

Moving forward, we are looking up. We had a recent eye in the sky view of our region and we are keeping that elevated view front and center as we look to strengthen our programs and services to further enhance your professional development.

If recent years have taught us nothing else, we know that we are stronger together. We thank you for being part of this togetherness or we invite you to join our organization as we look to the stars for our member’s success in the City of Winchester, Clarke, and Frederick County, VA.

Cynthia Schneider | CEO Top of Virginia Regional Chamber

Welcome

New Members

Danita Roble Director, Membership Development

droble@regionalchamber.biz

Dan Hitchcock Membership Development Specialist

dhitchcock@regionalchamber.biz

Hannah Stewart Membership Development Specialist

hstewart@regionalchamber.biz

Julie Shaffer Director, Legislative Affairs

jshaffer@regionalchamber.biz

Vanessa McAllister Director, Programs & Events

vmcallister@regionalchamber.biz

Thanks to our new members who joined the Chamber between November 1 and November 30. To learn more about membership benefits, call 540-662-4118.

Simms Showers, LLP Gregory Poole Lift Systems (703) 771-4671 (540) 665-0320 simmsshowerslaw.com gregorypoolelift.com

Cynthia Schneider, CEO

cschneider@regionalchamber.biz

Stephens City Moose Lodge #2483 (540) 869-4692 Mooseintl.org

ACOM, LLC (540) 551-5580 acomllc.net

Victory Lane Quick Oil Change Pest Exit (703) 447-6590 (540) 773-1556 victorylane.net

Evolution Disposal (703) 431-4851 evolutiondisposal.com

National Traffic Systems Inc (540) 722-6143 nationaltraffic.com

Saumaj Health Spa (540) 535-1208 saumaj.com

Real Property Management Elevation (540) 409-5857 rpmelevation.com

Elevate Your Voice Elevate Your Network Elevate Your Business Become a Chamber Member

Kory Campbell Director, Marketing & Communications

kcampbell@regionalchamber.biz

407 S. Loudoun Street Winchester, VA 22601 540-662-4118 regionalchamber.biz

TVRC NEWS & EVENTS Apply Now:

Save the Date:

Business Leadership Program 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesdays in January and February The George Washington Hotel

State of the Chamber TVRC Annual Membership Meeting Apply Here

The Business Leadership Program (BLP) provides an opportunity for mid-level managers up to senior leaders as well as small business owners to connect, learn, and grow with those in similar positions.

The Business Leadership Program Pilot Course – Life Leader 360, will be presented by former American Woodmark CEO, Cary Dunston. Life Leader 360 will challenge you to understand your choices in life and how your life stories are being written.

Application deadline is December 15.

Join us virtually for the Annual Chamber Meeting as we recap 2021, view the new Chamber website, hear the 2022 goals and witness the Board of Directors and Officer transfer.

If you have any questions, please submit them to Danita and we will have answers for you during the meeting.

Danita Clark-Roble Director, Membership Development droble@regionalchamber.biz Please register at regionalchamber.biz

Please register at regionalchamber.biz

Welcome to the Staff: I am Hannah Stewart, a new Member Development Specialist for the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber! I am a Winchester native and a proud graduate of John Handley High School and West Virginia University. GO MOUNTAINEERS! After graduation, I moved to Austin, Texas and worked as the Aquatics Director at the YMCA. Since returning to Virginia, I’ve been employed by the City of Winchester, The Winchester Group, and Tech Team Solutions. I love hanging out with my family, friends, and my dog “Nora”. In my spare time, I enjoy exercise, crafting, cooking and I am a part-time swim instructor with Super Splasher Aquatics.

I look forward to meeting and working with each of you.

Elevate Business with the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Membership Benefits That Help Promote Your Business 1. Website – Digital marketing with over 100,000 annual views 2. Membership Directory – Over 5,000 printed publications distributed 3. TVRC Community Calendar – Post your events online 4. Business Agenda Updates – Recognize success and appreciation in TVRC’s email publications 5. Networking – Over 100 event opportunities annually Networking Tips For Success 1. Show up and bring your business cards 2. Wear a nametag or branded clothing 3. Bring a door prize to share for company recognition 4. Plan to connect with at least 3 new-to-you attendees 5. Listen, learn

Strategically Building Connections By joining the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, businesses gain a distinction and recognition that they are community-oriented and mean business.

Members become part of a strong and thriving pro-business team, with direct access to tools and resources, including programs and services that help companies grow. With over 100 years of helping businesses thrive under the Chamber’s belt, there has never been a better time to get involved.

What Does the Chamber Do for Your Business?

Membership gives immediate visibility because consumers seeking professional services or goods are inclined to do business with a member of the Chamber. Additionally, member businesses send a strong signal of trustworthiness and a high-quality commitment to customer service. By staying in step with local, state, and federal regulations, the Chamber makes it easy for members to apply and understand new laws and policies that could impact their businesses. A professional staff and Public Policy Committee monitor legislation and lobby for businesses on a range of issues that impact the bottom line. Members rely on the Chamber to keep them informed.

Making the Most of Your Membership Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber

It takes strong leaders to build equally strong business.

Members rise to the occasion by joining groups, such as Lead Share, and serving on a variety of committees aimed at building a vibrant community and thriving economy.

Committees include marketing, finance, public policy, and workforce development. Members can also become Chamber ambassadors, which are those friendly faces that meet and greet guests at Chamber events.

Marketing Mind Share connects other marketers in the area who understand the industry and local marketing landscape and allows them to share and learn from their peers and special speakers on the latest marketing trends and challenges, participate in roundtable discussions and see what’s new in the industry.

Working through its Public Policy Committee, the Chamber oversees a comprehensive public policy program through nurturing relationships with elected leaders, identifying key legislative properties, and keeping members informed on issues that impact their businesses. The Public Policy Committee also supports regulatory policies that encourage economic growth and enhance job creation by allowing businesses to operate without undue governmental or regulatory intervention.

Consumers want to do business with people that they know, like, and trust. Being a Chamber member provides opportunities to build relationships, credibility, and trust – it is that simple. Members are investing in their businesses and sending a message that they are serious businesspeople.

What are the Marketing and Advertising Opportunities for Members?

A key benefit of membership is visibility and marketing, which helps businesses promote their services and products. Attending networking events and advertising in Chamber publications are just two effective ways to reach greater numbers of potential customers.

Find out more at regionalchamber.biz

11 Ways to make the most of your Chamber Membership • Update your business & personal member profiles • Attend member orientations and networking events • Celebrate your membership with a ribbon cutting • Join the Chamber Connect Facebook group • Build brand recognition by donating door prizes • Submit business updates to our publications • Generate sales with MarketSpace • Add the TVRC logo to your window and website • Get involved in a TVRC committee or program of interest • Visit the TVRC website regularly to keep engaged • Inquire about additional TVRC marketing opportunities

Valley Health Conducts Community Health Needs Assessment Every three years, Valley Health joins with community partners including local health departments, education systems and service agencies to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Survey. The survey results help identify community health needs, gaps in the availability of services, and the impact of behaviors on health outcomes. Please take a moment to complete the survey online at www.valleyhealthlink.com/healthsurvey. Your opinions will help identify the most pressing health needs in our community and how we can work collaboratively to improve health in our region.

Fun with Membership

Public Policy and Business After Hours at The George Washington Hotel

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1. Delegate Dave LaRock listens to a question during the Public Policy Pre-Session Briefing of the 2022 General Assembly.

2. Delegate Bill Wiley speaks to his strong stance to make sure that the Top of Virginia region is as strongly recognized at a state level as the “Golden Triangle” of Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads.

3. Athena Michael of Winchester City Public Schools joins Tina Stevens-Culbreath for hors d’oeuvres at Business After Hours at The George Washington Hotel 4. James Imoh of Edward Jones Investements listens to Carmen Richmond of Heart of the Home.

5. Suzi Smith, General Manager of The George Washington Hotel, welcomes over 150 Chamber members to the holiday bash for Business After Hours 6. Mark Kelly of The Winchester Group (TWG) enjoys a chat with a fellow member.

7. Dario Savarese of Full Circle Marketing welcomes Lauralee Dobbins of Microtel to her first Business After Hours with the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber.

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