Chamber NewsMonthly Newsletter: November 2016

Top of Virginia Regional Chamber

R e a s o n s t o J o i n :Networking

VisibilityCredibilityAdvertising Advocacy

Community Investment

Vis ion:The Regional Chamber is the voice of business

for Frederick and Clarke Counties and the City of

Winchester, Virginia.

M i s s i o n :Provide programs and services to meet the

business and professional needs of

our members.

C o n t a c t U s :407 S. Loudoun StreetWinchester, VA 22601

540-662-4118office@regionalchamber.bizwww.regionalchamber.biz

The Regional Chamber is an inclusive business

partner advocating community prosperity.

P u r p o s e :

On November 19, 2016, Bell’s Clothing Inc. commemorated their 85th anniversary with a ribbon cutting. The photo above is a recreation of Bell’s original ribbon cutting from 1931.

See all of the October ribbon cuttings on page 4.

Blast from the Past

Page 2 - Chamber News, November 2016 Regionalchamber.biz I 540-662-4118

Who’s JoinedPlease welcome and patronize these new Chamber members who recently joined September 23 to October 21, 2016.

Christian Caine DesignJennifer Fountain103 E. Piccadilly St.Winchester, VA

WHAG / NOVA News Your4State.com Ashleigh Hoffman13 E. Washington St.Hagerstown, MD

Region 7 Workforce Development BoardSuprena Mills891 Auto Parts PlaceSuite 135Martinsburg, VA

J and P Exhaust Cleaning LLCStephanie Popish759 Gun Club Rd.Stephenson, VA

White House Country StoreBiele Young701 Fairmont Ave.Winchester, VA

Water Street FinancialRyan Oates45 E. Boscawen St. 3rd FloorWinchester, VA

Innovative Solutions ConsortiumKen Spedden202 Church St. SE #548Leesburg, VA

Roaring Spring Water / Frank’s Coffee ServiceJared Kessel5576 Frankfort HwyRidgeley, WV

CNN reports in 2012 only 53.6% of eligible voters voted during the U.S. Presidential election.

Hopefully, each one of you will be wearing your “I voted” sticker on No-vember 8th. There are many issues that concern business on a national, state and local level. You can make a difference in the business commu-nity by voting.

Outcomes of elections can have a huge impact on all businesses. It is important to research which candidates support policies that help both businesses and workers. Which candidates’ platform will help economic growth? How does healthcare affect you as a person of business? There are many things to consider before going to the polls. Do your homework and research the candidates and the policies that they want to move forward.

Every vote counts, especially on a local level this year. This year you are not only voting for a president, but Virginians will be voting on two state constitutional amendments. One amendment is the Right-to-work statue and the other is the property tax exemptions for spouses of certain emer-gency services providers.

The right to work statue would amend the state constitution to prohibit any agreement between an employer and a labor union that would require a nonunion members to join a union as a con-dition of employment or continuation of employment, or that would allow a union to have an employment monopoly.

Ballotpedia states, “A vote “for” the measure supports adding a section to the constitution that would make it illegal for workplaces to require mandatory labor union membership for employees as a condition for employment. A vote “against” the measure opposes adding this section to the constitution, while maintaining a similar law in state statutes.”

The second state constitutional amendment is the property tax exemption for spouses of certain emergency service providers. Ballotpedia states, “The measure was designed to provide the tax exemption for the spouse of “any law-enforcement officer, firefighter, search and rescue per-sonnel, or emergency medical services personnel who was killed in the line of duty.” A surviving spouse would only be eligible for a property tax exemption if he or she occupies a property as his or her primary place of residence and if the spouse has not remarried.”

A vote “for” the measure supports providing a local option property tax exemption for surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty. A vote “against” the measure opposes provid-ing this tax exemption.For more information on these statues and an explanation of the present law visit: http://www.elections.virginia.gov/index.html

At the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, we have an active Public Policy Committee that keeps up with legislation regarding businesses and economic impact. We encourage you to reach out to the Chamber with questions or comments that may directly involve your business. We are here to help!

Decision 2016

2016 Board of DirectorsExecutive Committee:Sharon Farinholt, Chairman, Crown TrophyMitch Moore, Chair Elect,Shenandoah UniversityDr. Cheryl Thompson-Stacy,Vice Chair,Lord Fairfax Community CollegeTracy Vosika, Treasurer, United BankKevin Callanan, Past Chairman,Valley Health System

Sharon FarinholtChairman, TVRC

Owner, Crown Trophy

Board Members:Bill North, Historic Rosemont ManorBryan Biddle, Bottom Line MarketingChelsea Hester, TWG - InsuranceChuck Peterson, iHeart Media Dave Reichert, Reichert Travel David Gum, White House Foods Dee Gibbs, Kraft Foods Glen Franklin Koontz, KOONTZ|PCJanie Shirley, Costco Jenn Shea-Roop, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

John Fox, Greenwood Grocery & Deli John Lamanna, Timber Ridge School Nadine Pottinga, United Way of Northern Shenandoah ValleySuzi Smith, The George Washington Hotel

Page 3 - Chamber News, November 2016Regionalchamber.biz I 540-662-4118

SAVE THE DATE: January 27, 20175:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Best Western Lee-Jackson Inn & Conference CenterThe purpose of the “Greater Good Awards” is to celebrate

outstanding individuals and businesses for the contributions they make to the quality of life and economic stability of our region through genuine community commitment, dedication to excellence and ethical and creative business practices.

The criteria by which the nominees will be judged are com-munity involvement, ethics and character, leadership, creativ-ity, economic impact, and growth. Each business or individu-al should have been in the community for at least 3 years.

The Chamber is accepting Greater Good Award nomina-tions from November 1st to December 9th! We encourage members to nominate businesses and individuals who they think would be deserving of an award. More information: www.regionalchamber.biz/the-greater-good-awards

2017 TVRC Board of DirectorsThe Top of Virginia Regional Chamber has started the pro-

cess for nominating new board members. Per our bylaws, the slate of nominees shall be announced to the membership in November. The membership shall have the opportunity to submit a write in candidate for the Board of Director by a pe-tition signed by at least 85 qualified members in good stand-ing. Any such petition must be filed at The Regional Chamber Headquarters by the close of business on the fourth Friday of November. In the event that no petitions are received by this date, the Chair of the Board will declare the nominating pro-cess closed. The approved list of nominees shall be elected by the Board of Directors at their December board meeting.

The nomination slate includes:Class of 2019 z Carol Koenecke-Grant, Valley Health (3 year term) z Adrian Taylor, Yount Hyde & Barbour ( 3 year term) z Scott Harvard, First Bank (3 year term) z Janie Shirley, Costco (3 year term)Class of 2018 z Tracy VosikaUnited Bank (2 year term)and the following will join those continuing to serve in that

class: z Dee Gibbs, Kraft Heinz Foods Company z John Fox, Greenwood Grocery & Deli z John Lamanna, Timber Ridge School z Nadine Pottinga, United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley

Since 2005, Wilkins’ ShoeCenter, Inc. has beenowned and managed by Kendra and Phil Brewer.

JAMES R. WILKINS, Sr.Chamber of Commerce President – 1955

Citizen of the Year – 1956

JAMES R. WILKINS, Jr.Chamber of Commerce President – 1973

Citizen of the Year – 2014

Chamber member since 1949

z Alliance Material Handling, Inc.

z AmerisistAssisted Living z Apple Valley Office

Products, Inc z BB&T - Main Office z Blue Ridge Shadows

Resort z Bruce, Renner &

Company, PLC z C. S. Jennings

Construction, Inc. z Century 21 New Valley

Realty z Clean H2O Center z Comcast Cable

Communications, LLC z Crown Trophy z Culligan Water

Conditioning z Eugene B. Smith Gallery &

Custom Framing Studio z EZTOUSE.COM z Firstlight Home Care of

NW VA

Renewals z Free Medical Clinic of

NSV, Inc z Golden Corral Grill and

Buffet z Green Building Advisors

of Virginia , Inc. z Heart of the Home

Design-Build z Ignite Payments Eagle z Jno. S. Solenberger &

Co., Inc z Joe’s Steakhouse z Kimberly’s, LLC z Kiwanis Club of Blue

Ridge z MBH Settlement Group,

L.C. z McCarthy & Akers, P.L.C z Northern Shenandoah

Valley Regional Commission

z Partlow Insurance Agency, Inc.

Renewals continued on page 8.

Page 4 - Chamber News, November 2016 Regionalchamber.biz I 540-662-4118

October Events

shenandoahcountryq102.iheart.com

Ribbon Cutting for Advanced Health Lab Services in Winchester.

Ribbon cutting for Augmentation, Inc. at their new location in Winchester!

David Perry and Jill Edlich during Business After Hours at

612 Winery.

Ribbon cutting for First Home Mortgage and

Precision Benefits & Insurance.

TVRC Community Outreach partnered with Big Brothers Big

Sisters to supply volunteers.

Ribbon Cutting for the Free Medical Clinic and the new behavioral health area.

Ribbon Cutting & Charter Ceremony for Northern

Shenandoah Valley Civitan.

Ribbon Cutting for BK Connected Solutions at

116 N. Braddock Street.

Ribbon cutting for Home Instead Senior Care at their new location on Amherst St.

Page 5 - Chamber News, November 2016Regionalchamber.biz I 540-662-4118

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TOP OF VA_MAYFPO_vApproved.pdf 1 4/22/2016 11:04:21 AM

Richard KennedyCEO, TVRC

Welcome New Chamber CEO!It seems like we just started 2016, but it is already November! This is

my first official newsletter article as the new CEO of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber (TVRC) and I’m really excited to be part of a great team at the TVRC. I am looking forward to collaborating with all of our chamber members to ensure your success. This includes leveraging the Chamber resources to make your business and our community grow and prosper.

I look forward to getting to know the members in an effort to create a long term high return on your investment. Our Board of Directors are committed to ensuring our community has a strong and active Cham-ber. I want to hear and publish the successes that our members have achieved, not just in profitability, but in your community participation.

The Chamber has changed over the years and your business has changed, too. To succeed for the long term, we must keep up with changes in technology, education, marketing, communications, etc. Therefore, you will find the Chamber is adapting to those changes too. Our focus will be on your business needs and assisting you with commu-

nity visibility. Advocacy has always been a strong part of our Chamber and we will continue to have a

very involved Public Policy Committee and invite your comments. In addition, the Chamber will work closely with our elected and appointed local, state, and federal officials to make this a thriving community in which to live and work. I heard this phrase the other day and it has stuck with me, “the dreams of tomorrow are made from the accomplishments of the past”.

Why Join the Chamber?Chamber membership is a value add enhancement for your business brand. Consum-

ers have positive perceptions of members and their businesses. According to a 2014 study conducted by the Schapiro Group, 49% of consumers were more likely to think favorably of a local business if it was a member of the local Chamber, and 80% were more likely to purchase a product or service from a Chamber member!

You are making a valu-able business connection by joining the Chamber. Our Chamber staff is available to discuss member benefits, scheduled events, educa-tional opportunities, and to evaluate how our Chamber can help your business grow. Please feel free to contact us at any time to arrange a concierge tour of our ser-vices. Visit regionalchamber.biz, email droble@regionalchamber.biz, or call our office at 540-662-4118 to set up a visit!

Page 6 - Chamber News, November 2016 Regionalchamber.biz I 540-662-4118

November 3rd | 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.Best Western Lee-Jackson Inn & Conference Center

Tonight the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber celebrates the 4th annual Valor Awards dinner as we partner with local pub-lic safety agencies to celebrate those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect our community.

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Canteen Project of the Winchester Fire and Rescue Foun-dation.

2016 Award Recipients: z Merril Naylor

- Civilian z Patrick Lickey,

Ralph Elliott, Darrell Ferrebee - Town of Berryville Public Works

z Daniel Stottlemeyer and Jackson Miller - Civilians z WFR A-Shift Personnel - Winchester Fire & Rescue z WFR B-Shift Personnel - Winchester Fire & Rescue z Deputy Steven Alger - Frederick County Sheriff’s

Office z Firefighters Bryant Gochenour, Jeffrey Hartman,

Matthew Morris, Kevin Layman - Winchester Fire & Rescue

z WPD Officer Justin Schumer, Officer Thurman and Communications Specialist Kelly Brill - Winchester Police

z Cpl. Keith Nixon - Winchester Police

z Tim Coyne, Public Defender, City of Winchester z Lauren Cummings, Executive Director, Northern

Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse coalition z Sgt. Heath Seagle, Virginia State Police z Deputy William Comstock & Deputy Aaron Jeter -

Frederick County Sheriff’s Office z Lt. Warren Gosnell - Frederick County Sheriff’s

Office z Deputy Eric White - Frederick County Sheriff’s

Office z Sgt. Jason Hough - Clarke Co. Sheriff’s Office z Deputy Eric Cutter - Frederick County Sheriff’s

Office z Deputy Anthony Madigan - Frederick County

Sheriff’s Office z Trooper Pamela Neff - Virginia State Police z Sgt. David Holliday - Frederick County Sheriff’s

OfficeView the award results on Friday, November 4th at : www.regionalchamber.biz/the-valor-awards

Testimonials“The Top of Virginia Re-

gional Chamber is an in-credibly valuable resource for the Shenandoah Valley. At Shenandoah University, we rely on the outstanding Chamber programs, from the highly structured Com-munity Leadership Program to the laid-back Business After Hours events, to help us build essential partnerships with business and civic lead-ers. As a relative newcomer to Winchester, I have also found the Chamber to be a great way to meet peo-ple and get connected.” – Adrienne G. Bloss, PhD, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Shenandoah University

“Valley Health’s member-ship in the Top of Virginia Re-gional Chamber is a valuable asset as we work to improve the health of our communi-ty. The region’s employers are increasingly concerned with helping their employees make healthy choices and wise health care decisions. Our Chamber membership provides Valley Health the opportunity to be a resource for local businesses and their partner in addressing health and wellness issues. Valley Health’s ongoing involvement with the Chamber’s Com-munity Leadership Program has given us the opportu-nity to engage community leaders in discussions about the health challenges fac-ing our communities.” – Chris Rucker, President of Valley Region-al Enterprises and Valley Health’s Vice President of Ambulatory and Wellness Services

Thank You Sponsors!

Bronze Sponsors: BK Connected Solutions, and Summit Community BankPublic Safety Sponsors: The Greene Turtle, The George Washington Hotel, Rappahannock Electric

Cooperative, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Bill North - Rosemont Manor, and Seth and Kelly Thatcher.Contributing Sponsors: Wilkins Shoe Center, S.L. Hunter Photography, Crown Trophy, and WinLife Media.

Page 7 - Chamber News, November 2016Regionalchamber.biz I 540-662-4118

What’s Happening at the Top of Virginia Regional ChamberCommunity Outreach Committee

The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Community Out-reach Committee had a successful year. Throughout the year the committee supported 6 local non-profits by hosting monthly awareness drives. These drives allowed the Chamber to collect items for non-profit members, and spotlight Cham-ber members that participated as drop off locations.

In addition to the monthly awareness drives, the commit-tee supported 3 major events in the community by supplying volunteers.

The committee wants to give a big thank you to their presenting sponsor Mover Dudes, LLC, and Jon Eye. Mover Dudes provided vol-unteers to the major events, and were essential in exe-cuting the monthly aware-ness drives.

Do you have suggestions or ideas for 2017?Contact Emily Buhl at ebuhl@regionalchamber.biz

Sponsored by:

Ribbon CuttingsDid you know the Chamber offers free ribbon cuttings to

our members? Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies welcome and publicize your business to the community.

Congratulations to the First Home Mortgage, Precision Benefits & Insurance, Augmentation, LLC., Bell Clothes, Inc., Home Instead, Free MedicalClinic, Advanced Health Lab Services, BK Connected Solutions, and NSV Civitan!

A Millennials PerspectiveNovember 16th | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The George Washington HotelThe work place of to-

day is very diverse with as many as four gener-ations working togeth-er. We will hear from four successful business

women who are members of the newest generation. They will share with us who millennials really are, how they think and what’s important to them.

If you are a business owner, sales person, marketing pro-fessional, or an administrative assistant, you will find yourself interacting with these newest members of the work force. No matter which generation you belong to, you will find this pre-sentation enlightening!

Facilitator- Neile Grady-Martin, Director of Human Resources, Yount, Hyde and BarbourPanelists- Tammy Bjelland, Learning in Bloom Chelsea Hester, The Winchester Group Angie Dunnigan, AKA Media Marketing Lauren Cummings, Northern Shenandoah Valley

Substance Abuse coalitionValley Business Women is open to the public. We encour-

age you to invite a friend! Tickets are available at: www.regionalchamber.biz

Valley Business Women

Public PolicySave the Date: Pre-Legislative Breakfast

December 1st | 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. The George Washington Hotel

Meet state level legislators to find out what topics will be addressed during the upcoming 2017 General Assembly. Sen-ator Jill Vogel, Delegate Chris Collins, Delegate Dave LaRock, and Delegate Randy Minchew will discuss issues that affect the Top of Virginia Business community in a facilitated panel discussion format. A full breakfast will be served.

Registration: $25.00 per person Chamber members $35.00 per person non-members

Register at: https://goo.gl/EtmUCm

Page 8 - Chamber News, November 2016

Chamber CalendarUpcoming Events:

Business After HoursNovember 8

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Courtyard Marriott

Business and BreakfastNovember 15

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Museum of the Shenandoah

Valley

Young Professionals GroupNovember 17

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.El Centro

Valley Business WomenNovember 16

11:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.George Washington Hotel

Save the Date:Member Orientation

November 163:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.YHB (Cameron St.)

Business After HoursDecember 13

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.George Washington Hotel

Business and BreakfastDecember 20

7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Nibblins

Young Professionals GroupWill not meet in December.

All YPG’ers are invited to attend the December Business After Hours!

office@regionalchamber.bizwww.regionalchamber.biz

C o n t a c t U s :

Mixers

Young Professionals GroupThursday, November 17

View the full event calendar at: www.regionalchamber.biz

Business After HoursTuesday, November 8

Business and BreakfastTuesday, November 15

Office:407 S. Loudoun StreetWinchester, VA 22601

540-662-4118

The Valley Business Today Show, featuring the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, airs the fourth Wednesday of every

month at 12:30.www.theriver953online.com

Renewals continuedfrom page 3.

z Paychex z Peppertree Apartments z Pine Knoll Construction z Precision Benefits &

Insurance z Randolph-Macon

Academy z Red Roof Inn z Rosemont Manor LLC z Royal United z Runners Retreat z Schneider Decorating z Shenandoah University z Shenandoah Valley Golf

Club z Shenandoah Valley

Water & Coffee z SPAHR Metric, Inc. z TWG Insurance - The

Winchester Group, Inc. z United Capital Financial

Life Management z Valerie Hill Vineyard &

Winery z Winchester Cardiology

and Vascular Medicine, P.C.

z Winchester Cold Storage z Winchester Wealth

Management z Your Healthy Side LLC

Renewals from September 23 - October 21, 2016.

Renewals Invest Today!The Top of Virginia Regional

Chamber offers effective mar-keting and sponsorship oppor-tunities that provide valuable exposure while positioning your company as a leader in the Top of Virginia marketplace. The 2017 sponsorship opportu-nities allows you to get ahead of the competition and secure your sponsorship. Visit www.regionalchamber.biz for details on the Chamber’s popular and acclaimed programs and services.

There is also important information on the highly sought after sponsorships that allow Clarke County, Freder-ick County, and Winchester’s premier businesses to asso-ciate their brand with the Chamber’s hallmark of excel-lence.Contact the Chamber at 540-662-4118 or rkennedy@regionalchamber.biz!

Shop Small Sat.

The Top of Virginia Re-gional Chamber is excited to support Shop Small Satur-day on November 26, 2016. All Chamber members are encouraged to participate and pick up items during the November mixers or the Chamber’s office at 407 S. Loudoun Street. For more information contact Emily Buhl at ebuhl@regionalchamber.biz.

Page 9 - Chamber News, November 2016Regionalchamber.biz I 540-662-4118

Thank you advertisers!

Contact Emily Buhl at ebuhl@regionalchamber.biz

or 540-662-4118

Want to see your ad here?