The 2019 “Meet Me in the Street” series begins with a May 16th concert featuring The Castaways. This year’s concert events are presented to the local community by Presenting Sponsor NC Towing & Recovery.

Bring the kids out to enjoy the Kids Zone sponsored by Country Snacks Manufacturing and Wise Snacks. There will be a variety of food vendors to enjoy - Frostbites, Da Real Deal, Jerry’s Footlong, Chewly Delicious, Next Door Bistro, and J D Tacos. Adult beverages will also be available.

A reputable band known throughout the South, The Castaways possess over fifty years of experience in the beach music industry. From it’s beginning in Durham, NC in 1961, The Castaways have been pleasing audiences with their unique flavor of Beach, Soul, and Rock N’ Roll for generations of fans. With 8 members on stage, The Castaways bring a full sound that includes live horns, versatile vocals covering a variety of music and high energy. Don’t be surprised if you hear some current country, Top-40, or a little south-ern-rock as well!

The second and final concert for 2019 is set for Thursday, June 13th and will host “The Konnec-tion Band”. This band is a local favorite and is one of the East Coast’s premiere party bands, specializing in a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R & B, Beach and Oldies.

Presenting sponsor for this year’s concerts is NC Towing & Recovery. Other sponsors for the 2019 series are: Duke Energy and Maria Parham Health - Gold Sponsors; Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC #6091 - Silver Sponsors; 3HC, BB&T, Benchmark Community Bank, Carolina Sunrock, Express Employ-ment Professionals, MARS Petcare and Waste Industries - Bronze Sponsors. Contributing Sponsors are Auto Connection, Brewer Cycles, Franklin Brothers Nursery, Planet Fitness, TCS/Thermo King, United Sports Automotive & Tire Shops #1 & 2, and Woodforest Bank. Advocate Sponsors are Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission and Union Bank and Promotional Sponsor is Servpro.

All concerts are free to the public and will be held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Additional sponsorship opportunities are avail-able by contacting the Chamber at 438-8414 or jay@hendersonvance.org.

April 16: Women of Vance Empowered Networking (WOVEN) meeting at Kerr Lake Country Club from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. with speaker Holly Nix, Massage Therapist at Henderson Wellness Center.

April 19: Chamber offices closed for Good Friday holiday.

April 24: Administrative Professionals Luncheon to be held at 12 noon. Hosted by the Granville County Chamber at Thorndale Oaks, 105 West Quail Ridge, Oxford. Reservations required.

April 29: Business After Hours at Kerr Lake Country Club from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.. Celebrating 55 years!

May 9: Small Business of the Year awards luncheon recognizing Vance, Warren, Franklin and Granville County Small Businesses of the Year. (This is an invitation only event.)

May 14: Ribbon Cutting for Buchanan’s Store at 6547 Drewry Virginia Line RoadManson, NC beginning at 9:00 a.m. Buchanan’s Store is an old-timey store, where you can find just about anything from hoop cheese, to old fashioned candies.

May 16: First “Meet Me in the Street” of 2019 Presented by NC Towing & Recovery featuring The Castaways. These concerts are free to the public and are held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.

May 23: Ribbon Cutting/Business After Hours for Baymont Inn at 400 N. Cooper Drive from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

November 9: SAVE THE DATE! 4th Henderson-Vance Chamber/Shop With A Cop Reverse Raffle to be held at Henderson Country Club.

Upcoming EventsMarch/April 2019

2-3 4-5 6-7 Administrative Staff Honored, How Consumers View Chamber Membership, New Members

Inside This Issue: Duke Energy Presents Small Business Luncheon, Ribbon Cutting, Disaster Assistance

Jones is Interim President, Cybersecurity Help, TEICompletes 26th Season

FocusVHHenderson-VanceChamber of CommerceEncouraging You to Shop Local First!

Concert Set for May 16Presentedby

The Castaways

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focus business briefs news to use

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce named Vanessa Jones as its Interim President on March 1.Jones was happy to take on this role while the appointed search committee seeks a permanent president. “I look forward to working

with our members and the Chamber staff and board as we continue to move our communi-ty forward,” Jones said.

In addition to assuming responsibility for the day-to-day Chamber operations, Jones will also continue her responsibilities with the Chamber as the Work First program coordinator.

Jones worked in the Vance County school system for five years before joining the Vance-Granville Community College staff in 1988 as assistant coordinator and advisor at the college’s Warren County Campus. In 1996, she became a counselor at VGCC’s main campus. Jones also held leadership positions as Dean of Student Development and Ad-vancement Services, Vice President of Community and Economic Development, and Dean of Academic and Career Pathways. She retired as Dean of the Warren County Campus and Special Projects. Jones has a wealth of knowledge of both Chamber operations and the community and is a past board chairwoman for the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Com-merce during her tenure with the Chamber board. She later joined the Chamber staff and has been with the organization since June 2015.

“There is no better person to help us move forward and continue to grow our member-ship during our search for a permanent president than Vanessa Jones,” said board Chair-woman Nancy Wykle. “Vanessa is extraordinarily well-regarded in the community and by the Chamber staff. She has built extensive relationships with members and other key stake-holders over the years. I am thrilled that she was willing to take on this role as we search for a new permanent president.”

Jones replaces John Barnes, who resigned from the chamber February 19.

Jones Named Interim President

(Taken from FCC.gov) The Internet allows businesses of all sizes and from any location to reach new and larger markets and provides opportunities to work more efficiently by using computer-based tools. Whether a company is thinking of adopting cloud computing or just using email and maintaining a website, cybersecurity should be a part of the plan. Theft of digital information has become the most commonly reported fraud, surpassing physical theft. Every business that uses the Internet is responsible for creating a culture of security that will enhance business and consumer confidence. In October 2012, the FCC re-launched the Small Biz Cyber Planner 2.0, an online resource to help small businesses create customized cybersecurity plans. The FCC also released an updated one-page Cybersecurity Tip Sheet. The quick resource features new tips on creating a mobile device action plan and on payment and credit card security. These resources can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/general/cybersecurity-small-business.

Broadband and information technology are powerful factors in small businesses reaching new markets and increasing productivity and efficiency. However, businesses need a cybersecurity strategy to protect their own business, their customers, and their data from growing cybersecurity threats. Here are 10 basic cyber security tips for small business:

1. Train employees in security principles - Establish basic security practices and policies for employees, such as requiring strong passwords, and establish appropriate Internet use guidelines that detail penalties for violating company cybersecurity policies. Establish rules of behavior describing how to handle and protect customer information and other vital data. 2. Protect information, computers, and networks from cyber attacks - Keep clean machines: having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats. Set antivirus software to run a scan after each update. Install other key software updates as soon as they are available. 3. Provide firewall security for your Internet connection - A firewall is a set of related programs that prevent outsiders from accessing data on a private network. Make sure the operating system’s firewall is enabled or install free firewall software available online. If employees work from home, ensure that their home system(s) are protected by a firewall.

Cybersecurity Help for Small Business

Please see CYBER, page 7

focuschamber events happenings

3PAGE

An outstanding group of 15 educators with Vance County Schools were honored during the evening of March 28, for their successful completion of the Vance County Teacher Executive Institute (TEI) program for the 2018-2019 school year. They were each presented framed certificates for completion of the program.

An audience that included the educators’ special guests and each of their principals gathered to recognize their achievements. Educators honored included: Angela Cusaac of Vance County High School and the school system’s Teacher of the Year; Christine

Francis of Vance County High School; Davia Johnson of Vance County Middle School; Sherrie Evans-Bailey of AdVance Academy; Oscar Suarez of Early College High School; Tammy Barrow of STEM Early High School; Jessica Ayscue of Aycock Elementary School; Patricia Harris of Carver Elementary School; Kristy Martin of Clarke Elementary School; Pat Hughes of E.O. Young, Jr. Elementary School; Cherie Dixon of L.B. Yancey Elementary School; Taylor Evans of New Hope Elementary School; Jhaneille Downer of Pinkston Street Elementary School; Kimberly Holtzmann of Dabney Elementary School; and Vanessa Davis of Zeb Vance Elementary School.

Katie Eddings, a teacher at Lee County High School and the current N.C. North Central Region Teacher of the Year, was the featured speaker for the event. Eddings talked with the honored educators and guests about her passion for teaching and urged them all to focus on developing positive relationship with students. She also asked them to use their commitment to children to push for positive changes in public education and our society today.

The Vance County Teacher Executive Institute has been offered to local public school educators since 1993. The program is presented each year by the Vance County Public School Foundation and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. Vance County Schools is a sponsor and partner for the program.

TEI is a professional development program for public school teachers, counselors and media specialists. It is designed to bring local educators and business leaders together to form strong relationships, so that they can work together for the betterment of local students and future leaders.

Corporate sponsors this year for Teacher Executive Institute included: Duke Energy, Satterwhite Point Marina, Walmart Distribution Center #6091, KARTS, Quick Print, Vance County Farm Bureau, J.M. White Funeral Service, Henderson Family YMCA, The Daily Dispatch, Golden Skillet, Maria Parham Health, Chick-fil-A of Henderson, Wayne and Susan Adcock and Barnett Properties.

15 Educators Complete TEI 2019

The Vance County Teacher Executive Institute graduates for 2018-2019 include, from left, Jessica Ayscue, Tammy Barrow, Pat Hughes, Sherrie Evans-Bailey, Oscar Suarez, Patricia Harris, Jhanielle Downer, Davia Johnson, Cherie Dixon, Taylor Evans, Kristy Martin, Kimberly Holtzmann, Vanessa Davis, Christine Francis and Angela Cusaac.

Program In Its 26th Year

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ribbon cuttings grand openingsfocus

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce along with the Franklin, Granville and Warren County Chambers and the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center will host the 2019 Small Business Luncheon in a collaborative effort again this year. The event will be held at Henderson Country Club on Thursday, May 9. Duke Energy is once again the presenting sponsor for this event.

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website states, “We recognize that more than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year”.

As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Of those small businesses and their owners, the organization says, “Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness”.

This local annual spring luncheon is a part of the national effort to recognize the merits of small businesses within every community.After lunch and a keynote address, the event will conclude with the presentation of the Vance County Small Business of the Year. This will be the seventeenth consecutive year that the Chamber has presented this award. Franklin, Granville and Warren Counties will also award Small Business of the Year honors for their counties.

Criteria for the Henderson-Vance nominee are:- Employs a maximum of 50 people;- Member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and must be located in Vance County;- Must be a viable, on-going business for three or more years, experiencing growth or stability over its business life;- Provides critical service or product, fills a void in the business community, or has a unique approach to the delivery of goods and

services;- May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business;- Business is supportive of community growth and sustainability;- Is not a governmental agency or municipalityFormer recipients of the Vance County award include J.M. White Funeral Service, Medical Arts Pharmacy, Vanco Outdoor Equipment,

Quick Print, Satterwhite Point Marina, Dataforge, Johnson’s Block & Concrete Company, Inc., City Tire, Inc., Henderson Wellness Center, Franklin Brothers Nursery & Greenhouses, Inc., Ballet Arts, Interiors Downtown, Fogg’s Exxon, Vance Furniture, Gray’s Gourmet, The Peanut Roaster and Raemac Transportation. The event is by invitation only and will include lunch and a keynote address. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact the Chamber at 252-438-8414 or Jay@hendersonvance.org.

Local Small Businesses to be AwardedSmall Business Week 2019

Presents

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ribbon cuttings other events focus

Carolina Secure StorageCarolina Secure Storage, a locally owned storage company originally out of Creedmoor, NC, has opened its second facility in Henderson, NC. They offer climate-controlled storage units of various sizes ranging from a small closet for just boxes, up to the size of a single car garage if you are needing to store furniture and boxes. Moving an entire house? They offer multi-unit discounts and they utilize state-of-the-art Bluetooth technology to make sure you feel safe while you’re visiting, and that you leave knowing your belongings will be secure. Twenty-four hour camera surveillance is an added layer of security. If you’re not sure what size unit you may need, give them a call and they will gladly schedule a time to walk you through the facility and assist in picking the right size for your needs. The business is located at 615 W. US 158 BypassHenderson and can be contacted at (919) 529-0568.

(Taken from DisasterAssistance.gov) In light of recent severe weather and storms, small businesses and individuals alike need to be reminded of the many resources available to help you plan for and recover from disaster situations. While there are numerous sources, this article looks at the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program.

The mission of the Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s (DAIP) is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.

On August 29, 2006, President George W. Bush issued Executive Order 13411. DAIP was created in response to this order. Their goal is to improve survivor access to disaster information and make applying for disaster assistance easier. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), acts as the managing partner.

On December 31, 2008, DAIP launched a website called DisasterAssistance.gov. The site allows you to:• Find disaster assistance that meets your personal needs.• Learn about more than 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies.• Apply for disaster assistance online.• Check the status of your application.• Find a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) near you.• Find a hotel or get help with housing.• Find programs to help with food and nutrition needs.• Change the address for your Social Security, VA, or other federal benefits.• Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses.

The site can also provide resources to help you learn how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. You can learn how to handle immediate needs, like how to:

• Evacuate or shelter in place.• Find emergency shelter.• Get food and water.• Handle emergency medical situations until help arrives.• Find family, friends, and even lost pets.• You can even read the latest disaster news feeds, find other recovery help, and learn how to move forward.

DAIP is an E-Government program that uses DisasterAssistance.gov to help the government provide you with web-based technologies that can:

• Streamline access to services.• Make it easy for you to interact with the government.• Allow the government to be more efficient, effective, and responsive.

Disaster Assistance ResourcesHave your information before the storm

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member news chamber briefs

Thanks to our 2019 Pinnacle Sponsors Chamber Champions

Chamber Partners

Chamber Contributor -

Chamber Patrons

Chamber Advocates -

focusThe Chambers of Commerce for Franklin, Granville and Henderson-Vance counties along with the Vance-Granville Community

College Small Business Center will host a luncheon honoring Administrative Professionals on Wednesday, April 24 beginning at noon. The event will take place at Thorndale Oaks, 105 West Quail Ridge Road in Oxford.

Guest speaker for the event will be Dr. Rachel Desmarais, President of Vance-Granville Community College.

Reservations are limited, so please RSVP to 252-438-8414 or sandra@hendersonvance.org by Wednesday, April 17th. Cost is $20 per person and the menu includes Tomato Bisque, Assorted Wraps, Fresh Fruit Salad, Assorted Brownies & Cookies, Tea & Water.

The first National Secretaries Week was organized in 1952 in conjunction with the United States Department of Commerce and various office supply and equipment manufacturers. The Wednesday of that week became known as National Secretaries Day. As the organization gained international recognition, the events became known as Professional Secretaries Week® and Professional Secretaries Day®. In 2000, the names of the week and the day were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of the modern administrative workforce. Many work environments across the world observe this event.

Luncheon to Honor Administrative Staff

The information below is the continuation of the article in the last issue of Focus which was taken from a study commissioned by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives with support from Small Business Network Inc., Market Street (A part of The Schapiro Group Inc.). WHAT CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP SHOWS CONSUMERS

This is what consumers say that your business being a Chamber member is showing them:59% of consumers say that you’re showing people about your company63% of consumers say that you’re showing you are involved in the community64% of consumers say that you’re showing that you care about consumers69% of consumers say that you’re showing that you have a good reputation70% of consumers say that you’re showing that you use good business practices

IMPACT OF CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP ON SMALL BUSINESSES ACCORDING TO SMALL BUSINESSES

Small businesses represent the largest segment by number of most chamber membership rolls, so it is important to quantify the impact that a chamber membership has on them. The following are the study results of respondents from small businesses when asked the impact of being a chamber member:

Overall 44% said it increases Consumer FavorabilityOverall 51% said it increases Consumer AwarenessOverall 57% say it increases the Local ReputationOverall 63% say it increases the Likelihood of Future Patronage

member news chamber briefs focus

7PAGE

Chamber Membership - Cont’d

Welcome New MembersBuddy’s Home Furnishings

120 Raleigh Rd.Henderson, NC 27536

(252) 430-6179

Currin’s Dental Lab355 Dabney Dr.

Henderson, NC 27537(252) 430-0724

Growing Together Child Care44 Allen Rd.

Henderson, NC 27537(252) 598-0739

(252) 598-0740 (fax)

J D TacosHenderson, NC 27536

(252) 657-9430

Raleigh’s Best Home Care/Medical Supplies123 Horner St.

Henderson, NC 27536(252) 430-0105

(919) 424-7913 (fax)

Salon 31946 V West Andrews Ave.

Henderson, NC 27536(252) 438-3131

How do Consumers View

4. Create a mobile device action plan - Mobile devices can create significant security and management challenges, especially if they hold confidential information or can access the corporate network. Require users to password-protect their devices, encrypt their data, and install security apps to prevent criminals from stealing information while the phone is on public networks. Be sure to set reporting procedures for lost or stolen equipment.

5. Make backup copies of important business data and information - Regularly backup the data on all computers - automatically if possible, or at least weekly and store the copies either offsite or in the cloud.

6. Control physical access to your computers and create user accounts for each employee - Prevent access or use of business computers by unauthorized individuals. Laptops can be particularly easy targets for theft or can be lost, so lock them up when unattended. Make sure a separate user account is created for each employee and require strong passwords. Administrative privileges should only be given to trusted IT staff and key personnel.

7. Secure your Wi-Fi networks - If you have a Wi-Fi network for your workplace, make sure it is secure, encrypted, and hidden. To hide your Wi-Fi network, set up your wireless access point or router, so it does not broadcast the network name, known as the Service Set Identifier (SSID). Password protect access to the router.

8. Employ best practices on payment cards - Work with banks or processors to ensure the most trusted and validated tools and anti-fraud services are being used. You may also have additional security obligations pursuant to agreements with your bank or processor. Isolate payment systems from other, less secure programs and don’t use the same computer to process payments and surf the Internet.

9. Limit employee access to data and information, limit authority to install software - Do not provide any one employee with access to all data systems. Employees should only be given access to the specific data systems that they need for their jobs, and should not be able to install any software without permission.

10. Passwords and authentication - Require employees to use unique passwords and change passwords every three months. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication that requires additional information beyond a password to gain entry. Check with your vendors that handle sensitive data, especially financial institutions, to see if they offer multi-factor authentication for your account.

CYBER From Page 2

Henderson-Vance county cHamber of commerce, Inc.414 S. Garnett Street, PO Box 1302, Henderson, NC 27536

PHONE: 252.438.8414 FAX: 252.492.8989 www.hendersonvance.org

2019 CHAMBER OFFICERSNancy Wykle ChairVacant First Vice-ChairLevy Brown Second Vice-ChairCynthia Ratliff TreasurerMel Manning Immediate Past Chair

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce rep-resents the interests of the business community in those matters that affect the ability of local businesses to prosper and grow,

and the ability of Henderson and Vance County to attract new businesses.

mIssIon statement

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAMBER STAFF Vanessa Jones Interim President/Work First CoordinatorJay Andrews Director of Membership Tammy Manning Director of FinanceSandra Wilkerson Director of Administration & EventsSheri Jones Communications Consultant

2019 CHAMBER AMBASSADORSMary Ann Avery Boys and Girls Club North Central NCJoel Beckham New Life Baptist ChurchCayla Bercaw BB&THillary Brame Benchmark Community BankCaitlin Branham US Cellular of HendersonDesiree Brooks The Daily DispatchJonathan Edwards Kerr Vance Academy - StudentTony Faulkner Chick-Fil-A of HendersonJulia Langston Kerr Lake Country ClubTyler Manning Holmes InsuranceLidia Martinez Nuestro PorvenirTamara McGhee The Daily DispatchTonya Moore KARTSClareese Moss ShortcakesJackie Newton Salon 31Pam Norwood Magnolia Management, LLCJavier M. Plummer Vance County EMSAllison Reigner Chick-Fil-A of HendersonDiane Robbins The Daily DispatchJoan Robinson Kittrell Job Corps Center

EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS Archie Taylor Chair, Vance County Board of CommissionerssDennis Jarvis, II Director, Vance County Economic Development CommissionBenny Finch Chair, Henderson-Vance DDCDr. Rachel Desmarais President, Vance-Granville Community CollegeEddie Ellington Mayor, City of HendersonDr. Anthony Jackson Superintendent, Vance County SchoolsMarcus Barrow Chief, Henderson Police DepartmentBert Beard President/CEO, Maria Parham HealthPaul Ross Exec. Director, Henderson Family YMCA

Phone: 252-492-8905 Fax: 252-492-4443

QUICK PRINTOF HENDERSON, INC.

416 Dabney DriveHenderson, NC 27536

www.QuickPrint.biz

Printing donated by:

2018-2020Dr. Levy Brown Vance-Granville Community CollegeTanya Evans Duke EnergyAngie Jacobs Carolina Country SnacksNancy Wykle The Daily DispatchZach Satterwhite Carolina Sunrock2019-2021Brian Boyd Charles Boyd Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMCRonald Bennett Variety WholesalersChris Fisher Henderson Fruit & ProduceJenny Hester PRIM Development & Residential RentalsBert Long H.G. Reynolds CompanyHal Muetzel Express Employment ProfessionalsTurner Pride NC Cooperative ExtensionChip Watkins Rose Oil

2017-2019Tyler Brewer Brewer CyclesMel Manning Quality Investments