Volume 20, No. 1, November 28, 2018
U N D E R 40 10 Presenting The 2018 List Of The Valley’s Up-And-Coming Business Leaders
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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL
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Inside This Issue
Harrisonburg, Va.
Focus Section: 10 Under 40 n Quinton Callahan..................................................Page 4
Editorial Staff
n Zanetta Ford-Byrd..................................................Page 4 n Rob Harvill...............................................................Page 6
Publisher:
n Amanda Leech.......................................................Page 7
Craig Bartoldson
n Meghan Painter......................................................Page 8 n Jordan Rohrer.........................................................Page 8 n Derek Smiley..........................................................Page 9
Staff Writers: Pete DeLea, Megan Williams,
n Abe Shearer.........................................................Page 11 n Hunter Woodard..............................................Page 14
Laine Griffin, Shelby Mertens, Hannah Marrero
Contributing Photographers: Daniel Lin
Park View Names New Strategic Marketing Director HARRISONBURG — Elizabeth McNeal has been named Park View Federal Credit Union’s director of strategic marketing, according to a credit union press release. McNeal will be responsible for leading PVFCU’s communications, market research, brand management and public relations initiatives, according to the reMcNeal lease. McNeal earned her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College and a Masters of Business Administration from Eastern Mennonite University. She and her family reside in Dayton. Established in 1969, Park View Fed-
n Emily Young.........................................................Page 15
Contact us By mail: Shenandoah Valley Business Journal P.O. Box 193 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 By email: svbjnews@dnronline.com By phone: 574-6281 (news) 574-6229 (ads)
Also Inside n Financial Focus with Kathy Armentrout......................... 7
eral Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative offering financial services in five branch locations in the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County area.
— Staff Reports
Attorneys Cooch, Toney Join Lenhart Pettit Office HARRISONBURG — Lenhart Pettit announced that Joseph Cooch and Andrew Toney have joined the law firm in its Charlottesville office. According to a Lenhart Pettit press release, Cooch focuses his practice on all aspects of the construction industry, including representing owners, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in commercial, government, agricultural, industrial and residential construction. Before joining Lenhart Pettit, he served
See MOVERS, Page 11
Lenhart Pettit Named A Best Lawyers’ ‘Best Law Firms’ HARRISONBURG — Lenhart Pettit has been included in U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers 2019 “Best Law Firms” rankings for the Charlottesville Metropolitan area. Firms included in the “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently high ratings from clients and peers, according to a Lenhart Pettit news release. According to the release, the rankings, based entirely on peer review, are determined by reaching a consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area. Ranked firms, presented in tiers, are listed on a national or metropolitan scale. Lenhart Pettit, a 27-attorney law firm, was formed in January 2014 with the merger of Feil, Pettit &
Williams PLC and Lenhart Obenshain. The firm, which serves businesses and individuals throughout Virginia and beyond, has offices in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville.
— Staff Reports
Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver On 2019 ‘Best Law Firms’ List HARRISONBURG — Wharton Aldhizer & Weaver PLC has been ranked in the 2019 U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list. WAW, a full-service law firm with offices in Harrisonburg and Staunton, was arnked regionally in 10 practice areas, according to a press release from the practice. The rankings are determined by reaching a consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities
See SCENE, Page 11
Harrisonburg, Va.
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Throughout the fall, we asked community members to nominate up-and-coming business people for our annual 10 Under 40 list. After whittling the list of about two dozen nominees down to 10 names, we present this year’s winners. These talented and successful individuals represent a diverse selection of industries and nonprofit organizations in the central Valley. If you don’t see your nominee, please submit his or her name again next year for consideration.
Congratulations to the 2018 winners! The 10 winners follow, listed in alphabetical order.
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Callahan An Advocate For Kids Name: Quinton Callahan Age: 33 By MEGAN WILLIAMS Daily News-Record
HARRISONBURG — Quinton Callahan always knew he wanted to be a lawyer. He had a sense that he’d be good at it. While practicing law has become his profession, working on behalf of children has become his mission, “I’m a problem-solver. I am solutions oriented,” Callahan said. “It’s just as much about convincing the other side that you’re right, as convincing your client.” Callahan, 33, is an attorney at Clark and Bradshaw, a Harrisonburg law practice, where he works with businesses to write, litigate and negotiate contracts. A Broadway native, Callahan earned his bachelor’s at Virginia Tech and went to law school at the University of Richmond. He worked for seven years in Washington, D.C., for the State Depart-
ment in the Office of Children’s Issues. Children, he said, cannot advocate for themselves, they need the help of others. “Children’s rights are human rights,” Callahan said. After serving at the State Department, he went to work in Fairfax representing abused and neglected children in court for four years. The job, though, took its toll, so, when he found out that Clark and Bradshaw was looking for a commercial litigator in 2014, Callahan decided to return home. Although he feels his time representing children in court is done, Callahan remains involved in advocating for children through his work as the chairman of the board of directors of Blue Ridge Court Appointed Special Advocates, better known as CASA. CASA helps research and interview people involved in court cases involving children. “He has been a valuable asset and
powerful advocate for the organization, which advocates for abused and neglected children,” said Juan Pablo Berrizbeitia, CEO of Blue Ridge CASA. “He has displayed effective leadership as a board member, and was unanimously voted chair of the board this year.” Callahan helped organize this year’s Top Chef Harrisonburg fundraiser, which brought in more than $11,000 for Blue Ridge CASA as well as increased the visibility of the organization and its work in the community. The 2019 Top Chef will be held on March 30. Callahan also is a Harrisonburg Rotary Club member, does pro bono work for Blue Ridge Legal Service, and works with New Bridges, an immigrant resource center. He also is on the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce’s steering committee for leadership. Contact Megan Williams at 574-6272, @DNR_Learn or mwilliams@dnronline.com
Consultant, Educator Wears Many Hats Name: Zanetta Ford-Byrd Age: 37 By SHELBY MERTENS Daily News-Record
HARRISONBURG — Zanetta Ford-Byrd has become a rising, young business leader in the Harrisonburg community with extensive experience in education, nonprofit work and grant writing. When she’s not running Ford-Byrd Consulting LLC, which provides consultation and training services primarily to nonprofit and church organizations, she serves as the executive director of the Harrisonburg Education Foundation. The foundation supports Harrisonburg City Public Schools through donations that go toward grants and scholarships. Ford-Byrd, 37, is also an adjunct professor in the James Madison University Department of Social Work, a role she’s served since 2012. She’s taught courses in the nonprofit studies minor, while also serving as an academic adviser for the department. In addition, Ford-Byrd has led grant-writing workshops for JMU’s Nonprofit Institute.
She volunteers her time by serving on the board of Overcoming Barriers, the Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council’s board of directors and board development committee. She also was on the policy council for Hope Community Services Head Start in Farmville, as well as with Monticello Area Community Action Agency Head Start in Charlottesville. Among her many roles in the community, Ford-Byrd is also an entrepreneur. She founded her consultation business in November 2016. Her business provides consultation and training in the area of grant writing, strategic planning and board development. “As an entrepreneur I have full control of my destiny and knowing that every decision I make daily directly impacts my business is the best kind of motivation,” Ford-Byrd stated in an email. The Nottoway County native earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Old Dominion University in 2003 followed by an associate degree in information technology from ECPI Technical College in 2006. Ford-Byrd graduated with her master’s in business administration from Walden University in 2011 and is working on a doctor-
ate in public policy and administration with a concentration in nonprofit management and leadership at Walden. She also holds certificates in nonprofit marketing from the University of Richmond and human resource management from Blue Ridge Community College. She moved to Harrisonburg in 2011 upon accepting a position at JMU as a grant specialist. Ford-Byrd officially became the Harrisonburg Education Foundation’s executive director in August of last year. The organization had been run solely by a volunteer board of directors before her position was created. Her role focuses on cultivating relationships, securing grants and building the presence of HEF in the community. Ford-Byrd said she was honored to be recognized for her work in the community. “The nonprofit sector is by far one of the toughest yet rewarding fields to build a career in,” she said. “It’s great to be noticed and valued for going the extra mile to impact the lives of others in my community.” Contact Shelby Mertens at 574-6274, @DNR_smertens or smertens@dnronline.com
Harrisonburg, Va.
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Educating First-Time Buyers Realtor’s Goal Name: Rob Harvill Age: 32 By LAINE GRIFFIN Daily News-Record
WEYERS CAVE — When Weyers Cave residents Rob Harvill and his wife, Casey, bought their first home in September 2016, they had no idea how difficult it would be. Until then, Harvill, 32, was employed at AT&T in Harrisonburg, where he started as a sales associate and eventually became the account executive of the store. “When we purchased our first home, I learned a lot about the process and all the speed bumps people encounter along the way,” he said. “Many of those speed bumps would’ve been obvious to someone in the real estate business but not first-time buyers.” It was then that Harvill decided to get his real estate license, which he did in March 2017. From there, he went to work at Funkhouser Real Estate Group, where he’s still employed. “I wanted to help first-time homebuyers learn the process,” he said, adding that his approach to real estate is geared toward education. “The most rewarding part is being able to educate and guide people through one of the toughest and most expensive purchases that people have in their lives, specifically their first home,” he said. Harvill said he wants his clients to feel comfortable with the transaction. With an associate degree in information systems technology and another degree in computer science, Harvill believes staying up to date with technology in his business is crucial. Being involved with the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council also helps him keep up with new developments. He teaches a monthly technology class at Funkhouser about real estate technology and how it helps Realtors speak to homebuyers clearly so they understand the process better. “My dad has always been the person I model myself after personally and professionally,” he said. “Having a strong work ethic, understanding and taking care of your responsibilities and family first, but everything you do in your job and for your clients is still vitally important.” His father, Chip Harvill, is vice president of Cadence Inc. in Augusta County, a contract manufacturer and supplier of advanced products, technologies and services of medical de-
vices, according to its website. Harvill said he appreciates the flexibility of his job, which allows him to spend time with Casey and their two sons, Warren, 3, and Lincoln, 10 months. “My family means the world to me, and I want to have the luxury of spending time with them and watching my boys grow up,” he said. He is also a member of the Shenandoah Valley Kiwanis and Staunton-Augusta Rotary clubs. Outside of work and family and civic groups, which keep him plenty busy, Harvill also enjoys watching hockey. “I’m a huge Washington Capitals fan,” he said, adding that he went to game 3 of the finals last season in D.C. against the Vegas Golden Knights. “It’s funny because years ago, my wife got me a Christmas ornament that said ‘All I want for Christmas is a Stanley Cup,’ and she pulled it out the other day when getting out the Christmas decorations,” he said. “We laughed because the Caps finally won that Stanley Cup. It took long enough, but now we got that Stanley Cup.” Contact Laine Griffin at 574-6286 or lgriffin@dnronline.com
Harrisonburg, Va.
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‘Relationship Builder’ Leech Finds A Home At United Way Name: Amanda Leech Age: 31 By PETE DELEA Daily News-Record
HARRISONBURG — Amanda Leech loves to volunteer. She enjoys it so much that she took a job roughly two years ago with the United Way of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County dedicated to drumming up the spirit of volunteerism in others. “At my core, I’m a relationship builder,” said the 31-year-old city resident. “I love working with people.” Leech, who grew up in the Virginia Beach area, moved to Harrisonburg in 2005 to attend James Madison University. Four years later, she earned an undergraduate degree in communications studies. After moving to Charlottesville shortly after graduation, she returned in 2012 to
work at her alma mater. For about four years, she worked in alumni relations, building career networking programs for graduated Dukes and managing and creating alumni chapters throughout the world. To be successful, Leech had to develop a core of volunteers. That, she said, was her favorite part of the job. “I loved getting to work with volunteers,” she said. While working at JMU, she became a “Double Duke,” earning a graduate degree in adult human resource development in 2015. The following year, she joined the United Way as director of business engagement. Her main responsibility is to persuade local businesses to donate money and volunteer time to the charitable organization’s two dozen partner agencies. “It’s all about getting the business community connected to the nonprofit commu-
nity,” Leech said. “We have a very thoughtful and giving community.” Something she stresses to businesses is that employees want to work for companies that help people in need. “People are happier when they are in a job where their company gives back to the community,” she said. She’s hopeful that she’ll be with the United Way for many years to come. “I really believe in the work that we are doing at the United Way,” said Leech, adding that there’s no better feeling than getting people to volunteer. “I try to help people find the right fit where they can plug into the community.” In her off time, Leech can be found hiking or biking and spending time with her husband, Matt, and daughter, Frankie. Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6267 or pdelea@dnronline.com
Three Factors To Consider When Making Charitable Gifts
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he holiday season is here, which means gift-giving is probably on your mind. In addition to making gifts to your family and friends, you also may be interested in contributing to charitable organizations. But before you donate financial assets, such as stocks, you will need to consider several factors, including taxes, your portfolio balance and the reputation of the charity. Let’s look at these areas:
Taxes
Your donations to qualified charities (those that are considered 501©(3) organizations by the Internal Revenue Service) can give you tax deductions — if you itemize deductions on your tax return. However, due to recent tax law changes, the standard deduction for 2018 has almost doubled, to $24,000 for married couples, and to $12,000 for single filers. As a result, you may be less likely to itemize deductions, so you could have less incentive, at least for tax reasons, to make charitable gifts. However, if you give appreciated stocks, you may be allowed a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the gift on
the date of the transfer, even if your original cost was only a fraction of today’s value. Plus, you may not be subject to the capital gains tax you might have to pay if you eventually sold the stocks. Also, depending on your age, you might be able to use your traditional IRA as a charitable-funding vehicle. Once you turn 70½, you generally must begin taking withdrawals — called required minimum distributions or RMDs — from your traditional IRA. (Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs during your lifetime.) These RMDs from your traditional IRA are taxable, but you may be able to exclude up to $100,000 of RMDs per year from your taxable income if you transfer the funds directly to qualified charitable organizations. In any case, consult with your tax adviser before donating appreciated assets to a charity.
Portfolio Balance
When you donate financial assets to a charity, you are also taking them away from your portfolio. This could be an issue, especially if you repeatedly donate the same types of assets. For example, if you’re donating some growth-oriented stocks, will you lower the
Financial Focus Kathy Armentrout overall growth potential of your portfolio? You may want to consult with a financial professional to ensure your charitable gifts will still allow you to maintain a portfolio balance appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.
Reputation Of The Charity
You may want to do some homework to make sure you are giving to a reputable charity. Many experts on charitable giving say that a worthwhile charity should spend at least 75 percent of its income on programs, rather than administrative costs. You may be able to find this type of information on a charitable group’s annual report and its website. You can
also browse the web for the names of agencies that evaluate charitable groups. By considering the aspects of charitable giving described above, you can get more satisfaction from your generosity — because you’ll know that your gift not only supports a good cause, but also fits well into your overall financial picture. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisers cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax adviser regarding your situation. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Kathy Armentrout, an Edward Jones financial adviser at 560 Neff Ave., Suite 100, Harrisonburg; 540-574-1013
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Painter Excels In Behind-The-Scenes Role Name: Meghan Painter Age: 39 By SHELBY MERTENS Daily News-Record HARRISONBURG — As the director of business operations at Sentara RMH Medical Group, Meghan Painter takes care of the financial side of health care. Painter is responsible for physician compensation and is integral in the hiring process of making offers to prospects. “I feel like I play an important role in delivering health care but it’s a behind-the-scenes role,” she said. “I take care of the business side making sure our doctors are paid, making sure we have the adequate staff and things like that. Without having income coming in and being able to support our revenue cycle, we can’t provide services to the community.” Painter, 39, grew up in Luray and earned her bachelor’s degree in health services administration from James Madison University in 2002. After college, she started working at what was formerly known as Harrisonburg Medical Associates, a large, multispeciality clinic. She began her career as a financial counselor, helping patients set up payment plans for medical bills. She then worked her way up the ranks and became a medical coder, which is “the transformation of healthcare diagnosis, procedures,
medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes,” according to the American Academy of Professional Coders. From there, she became the revenue cycle manager for the following five years. “Then an opportunity came around 2007, the hospital was getting ready to buy up a lot of different practices so I wanted to advance,” Painter said. “I had advanced as far as I could at Harrisonburg Medical Associates.” So she joined what was then known as Rockingham Memorial Hospital in 2007 as a revenue cycle manager, a role she served for five years before she decided to go back to school. “I think it’s important to get experience before you get your master’s,” she said. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with her master’s in business administration with a concentration in health services administration in 2013. Painter lightened up her workload while she was a student, stepping away from management. She served as a financial and reimbursement analyst at what is now Sentara RMH Medical Center during that time. “The hospital operates differently than the physicians [of Sentara RMH Medical Group] do even though we work together on the billing aspect of it,” Painter said. “it gave me the opportunity to see the side of the hospital business.” She was the revenue cycle project manager of Sentara RMH Medical Group from August 2013 until June 2017, when she was promoted to
director of business operations, focusing on physician compensation and contracts. She oversees as staff of six who work in finance and reporting analysts roles. Painter also oversees provider credentialing, ensuring that all physicians are credentialed with the insurance companies. In addition to being a certified professional coder with the AAPC, she’s also a certified compliance officer. What’s kept Painter at Sentara for the past 11 years is the community. “This is home to me,” she said. “It’s important to give back to the community and this is the way I give back to the community. I might not have front-line, day-to-day interaction with patients, but I know I’m playing an important role because I’m helping take care of the business behind the scenes so the nurses and the doctors can take care of the patients.” Painter said she’s honored and humbled to be recognized as one of the top 10 young, rising business leaders in the community under 40. “It feels great. I’m really proud that I was acknowledged. It’s a privilege,” she said. “I’m humbled that I was selected. It’s nice to be acknowledged and be able to serve and [give] back to the community that’s given me so much as I’ve grown up here.” Contact Shelby Mertens at 574-6274, @DNR_smertens or smertens@dnronline.com
Rohrer Keeps The Lights On Name: Jordan Rohrer Age: 37 By MEGAN WILLIAMS Daily News-Record
HARRISONBURG — Jordan Rohrer always assumed he’d go into farming. And he was right ... at first. After graduating from Berea Christian School in Harrisonburg he became an independent dairy farmer, which gave him the opportunity to learn a lot about different markets and area needs. But Rohrer, 37, knew it wasn’t what he wanted to do forever and decided to get out of farming with decent cash in hand three years ago. “You gotta learn when to hold and when to fold, as they say,” Rohrer. “I got out at the market’s peak.” He used the money he made farming to buy The Power Connection in October 2015. The Power Connection, started by Jerry
Horst in 1996, sells backup generators. Located off Va. 42 just outside of the city, it’s a supplier and installer of generators for residential, industrial and agricultural clients. “[Horst] gave me the opportunity to step in and grow my vision of the company,” Rohrer said. During his time farming he learned of the need for backup energy solutions, both commercially and at the residential level. While a family might want a generator for the convenience factor, a hospital or farm with animals needs it for insurance purposes, and businesses need them to avoid economic consequences. “Think about a poultry barn and what would happen if it lost power for an extended period of time,” Rohrer said. “It’s a fascinating industry.” Rohrer has 18 employees and more than 2,300 customers served by The Power Connection. Customers range from health care providers, nursing homes and poultry plants like Cargill to data centers, farmers markets, vineyards and families.
Besides wanting The Power Connection to be a successful business, he also wants the company to be a place where his employees enjoy coming to work and want to be a part of the team. “A lot of people are looking for their passion in life, or they lost their vision and they just see a job as a paycheck,” Rohrer said. His goal is to create an atmosphere where employees, team members, vendors and customers can be successful. It’s important to Rohrer that his employees are held accountable in continuing to grow and define and achieve goals. In the next five to 10 years, Rohrer said, he’d like to expand the services and products that The Power Connection offers, such as rental generators and remote-monitoring service products, which are self-monitoring and detect malfunctions with the generator. Contact Megan Williams at 574-6272, @DNR_Learn or mwilliams@dnronline.com
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Smiley Follows Sweet Path To Success Name: Derek Smiley Age: 37 By Staff Reports MOUNT CRAWFORD — You might say Derek Smiley came to his current career by accident. Well, maybe not, but the route this former teacher took to open a year-round ice cream shop wasn’t exactly straightforward. For Smiley, a Briery Branch native and a 1999 Turner Ashby High School graduate, what began as way to make some extra bucks to help pay a few bills while in college turned into a seasonal summer job and, finally, a full-time occupation. Smiley, 37, is the proud owner-operator of Smiley’s Ice Cream in the Mt. Crawford Creamery, which also plays an important role in the story. The creamery provides the two most important ingredients, fresh milk and cream, which Smiley says is what separates his product from nearly all others. The creamery, owned by Kenny and Frank Will, uses milk produced at the brothers’ nearby Dinkel Avenue dairy farm. “Our ice cream all starts right here at the creamery and the Wills’ farm. We make our ice cream fresh every day,” Smiley said. “As far as milk and cream you can’t get it any fresher. The cows you pet are where we get our ingredients. ... You can absolutely taste the difference.”
Smiley’s foray into ice cream began while attending Bridgewater College, where he would graduate in 2004. With an eye on making money to help with college expenses, he was helping the late George Mertz at the Harrisonburg Farmers Market, then held under the city’s Water Street parking deck. Mertz, the market’s coordinator, had an orchard where Smiley worked part time. After talking over ideas about what Smiley could sell at the market, Mertz suggest ice cream, something no other vendor was selling. “I thought, ‘Hey, I can do ice cream.’ It’s just funny, I just decided that’s what I was going to do,” he said. But what had been a relatively low-profile summer gig took a big leap in spring 2001. The late Rudolph Evers, owner of Evers Family Restaurant near Mount Crawford, approached Smiley to cater a gathering of a couple of hundred people at his Mount Solon farm. Suddenly, ice cream had taken on a whole new importance for Smiley, who was still pursuing a career in education. Upon graduating BC, he taught third grade at Stone Spring Elementary School before moving to Smithland Elementary, where he taught fourth grade and worked as a technology specialist. By this spring, it became apparent that he’d have to make a choice. His ice cream business began overlapping too much with his teach-
ing duties. “I knew I was going to have to separate from education eventually, but the popularity of the business exploded,” Smiley said. “I had to do it sooner that I expected. This year just blew last year away. In addition to Smiley and his mother, Debra Smiley, who is the shop’s manager, Smiley’s Ice Cream now has about a dozen part-time workers. In addition to the shop, his ice cream is sold though his mobile business that travels to festivals and weddings. In addition, he does some wholesaling, supplying Common Grounds on the Eastern Mennonite University campus and Sooners Barbecue in the Staunton Mall. For now, he has no plans to expand, in part because the nature of the production of his ice cream is constrained by the supply of local ingredients, something Smiley has no interest in changing. “[The shop] is a place people love to come, see the creamery, the production. Going somewhere else, something would be lost. Just want a shop that will support our staff, and represents our community. That’s the dynamic we started.” Smiley is committed to staying put in the Valley with his family — wife Maria Toggas, a Thomas Harrison Middle School school psychologist, and three children, Ashlyn, 12, Penelope, 4, and Niko, 18 months. “I love this area,” he said.
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‘Numbers Man’ Takes On Community Challenges Name: Abe Shearer Age: 30 By PETE DELEA Daily News-Record
HARRISONBURG — While some people can quickly grasp foreign languages or gravitate to scientific theory, others like Abe Shearer run straight toward math. “I’m a numbers guy,” said the 30-yearold city resident and associate with Strategent Financial. “It’s a language that I understand. I understand it very well.” Born and raised in Rockingham County, Shearer graduated from Turner Ashby High School in 2006. In 2009, after only three years in college, he earned an undergraduate degree in economics from James Madison University. While still in school, he became licensed as an investment adviser and compliance officer.
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of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area. The 2019 edition includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 122 metropolitan-based practice areas. One “Law Firm of the Year” is named in each of the 74 nationally ranked practice areas. According to the release, WAW was ranked in three Charlottesville metropolitan tiers: family law; labor and
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as assistant general counsel in the U.S. General Service Administration’s Real Estate Litigation group, according to the press release. He earned his undergraduate degree from Washington & Lee University and his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. Toney focuses his practice on general business counseling, including entity formation, business disputes, asset and
After receiving his diploma, he headed north to Burlington, Vt., to work in broker dealer regulatory compliance. “I kind of wanted to see what the rest of the world was like,” he said. “I realized pretty quickly that I preferred Harrisonburg and I moved home.” Shearer returned to the city and, while figuring out his next move in the financial industry, spent a couple of years teaching math at Skyline Middle School. “I took some time to recalibrate,” he said. That’s when, at the age 24 and working as a teacher, that Shearer made a bold choice, successfully running for a Harrisonburg City Council seat in November 2012. While on council, he served on the city’s finance committee, Virginia Municipal League finance policy committee and the Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission. Shearer, who opted not to seek re-election for a second term, said his four years on council changed his life. employment, bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law; commercial litigation; corporate law; employment law — management; health care law; personal injury litigation — defendants; real estate law; trusts and estates law. The firm serves clients in the Shenandoah Valley and the Mid-Atlantic in a variety of legal areas.
— Staff Reports stock sales, trademark protection, and more. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law. While at UR, he clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, according to the release. In addition to its Charlottesville office, Lenhart Pettit has a practice in Harrisonburg.
Classifieds work! Call 574-6220.
— Staff Reports
It was during his stint in politics that he began working for Strategent Financial, where he helps clients invest. In addition to his work responsibilities, he’s remained active in the community. He serves on the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic’s board of directors and the Salvation Army advisory board, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisonburg. He attends Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren, where he serves as the finance chair. In January, he will become president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Last January, Shearer was named Community Champion of the Year by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce. When Shearer isn’t helping out, you can usually catch him sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Contact Pete DeLea at 574-6267 or pdelea@dnronline.com
2018 Top 10 Under 40 Congratulations! Abe J. Shearer Partner
A registered investment advisory firm providing tailored wealth management services in the Shenandoah Valley.
strategentfinancial.com (540) 437-1222 Harrisonburg, Virginia
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HARRISONBURG – ROCKINGHAM
Chamber of Commerce Letter From The President
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here has been a lot of discussion lately, more so than normal, on the need for employees. The need crosses all levels: highly educated, technical, skilled and general labor. I am no genius, but I have been saying for twenty years that “whichever community figures out the workforce component will have a competitive advantage on everybody else”. The historic economic theory that land, labor and capital determined a community’s success was modified years ago to include elements like entrepreneurship, and now includes quality of place. Still on my bookshelf is Readings in Urban Economics, a holdover from my college days, which examined the reasons area grow or not economically. Labor, or now broadly referred to as workforce, was starting to emerge as a more important factor than the other two traditional cornerstones, even before the high profile Amazon HQ2 site search. Yes, location is still important for the distribution of goods and services. Infrastructure needs to be in place to support commerce, production, distribution and now data transmission. A competitive business climate (tax rates, regulatory attitude, etc.) still needs to be in place. But the key economic driver now, for both existing and new businesses is workforce. And obviously capital is needed, but good money typically finds good deals or opportunities. Then, there is labor. The Valley has historically enjoyed a great reputation for work ethic. And the population growth has generally kept up with demand for labor. To many business people, however, this latest economic recovery has felt a little different that past ones, for a variety of economic, social and demographic reasons. Demand for labor is high on all fronts. Which brings us to today’s world. I have heard from individuals and in a couple recent meetings with business leaders that almost everyone can use more help. The skilled trades are in high demand. Technical expertise, creativity and problem solving skills are valued. For some employers, a pool of highly technical people is essential, in other cases it might be a pool of workers who have the aptitude, ability and willingness to be trained to meet specific job skills or demands. I have talked to some employers who, that in today’s economy and labor market, just need warm bodies to fill a need, although they would really like someone with at least basic skills
and a good work ethic. Career readiness is now at the forefront of educational lexicon, and this won’t change anytime soon. There are quite a few dedicated people and opportunities in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham MSA for education and training. We are blessed in that regard. There are multiple programs and money that are geared towards workforce development. Most other communities and states have access to generally the same programs and money. The trick is figuring out how to leverage them. Both the Virginia Chamber of Commerce (through Blue Print Virginia 2025) and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) are putting time and effort into workforce issues at the state level on behalf of employers. More on that as the Legislative session begins in January. Recently, while not a short term solution for the labor crunch, the Chamber has begun working with our two school superintendents, at their invitation, on what could generally be classified as career readiness. At this point, we may have a slight head start if some ideas come together. This short statement is a teaser for what might be envisioned in the near future. There will be an “ask” of area employers for time and talent, but the envisioned payoff is an up and coming workforce that people are asking for today. And if we get ahead of the curve, that will translate to greater economic competitiveness as a community. The Legislature now has an interest in career readiness at the high school level, too, and we will see what develops over the next few months . BRCC, MTC and others have been involved workforce development for years, and putting the career coaches in high schools moved the region ahead of other parts of Virginia. I believe the majority of our community leaders understand how fortunate we are to have the two institutions here. The current mix of workforce development programs and money can help with some immediate needs. But the goal of developing a longer term system which “figures out the workforce component” better than other communities should be the one we strive for. The Shenandoah Valley has such a great history of cooperation and collaboration. If any region should be able to figure out the workforce puzzle, it should be us. Stay tuned for more information as things develop.
Frank
Frank Tamberrino President and CEO
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL BANQUET & AWARD CEREMONY January 3, 2019 @ 5:30pm at Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center www.hrchamber.org to register to attend.
Harrisonburg, Va.
STAFF Frank Tamberrino President & CEO frank@hrchamber.org Sheena Armentrout Director of Membership Development & Investment sheena@hrchamber.org Sara Wittig Director of Marketing & Communications sara@hrchamber.org Carlie Floyd Director of Marketing & Communications information@hrchamber.org Trent Turner Finance & Administration Manager trent@hrchamber.org
CONTACT US
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce 800 Country Club Road Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (540) 434-3862 information@hrchamber.org
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY TO: BECOME A MEMBER
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CHAMBER COMMITTEES If you’re interested in building relationships with local businesses and community leaders who share similar interests and passions, join a Chamber Committee. Visit the Chamber’s Online Events Calendar or call the Chamber Offices for more information on upcoming committee meetings.
Aging in Place Roundtable educates the community about local services supporting vitality and choice in the second half of life and provides a forum for discussion and collaboration about the issues surrounding aging in place. Shenandoah Women’s Alliance is a network of dynamic, diverse women empowering one another through inspiration, education and service.
Shop Local “In an effort to support our Chamber Member retailers this holiday season, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce is continuing our “Shop Local” initiative that will kick-off Friday, November 23 and conclude Tuesday, December 17. Consumers are encouraged to shop locally with participating Chamber Members for a chance to win a holiday gift basket. From Friday, November 23 to Tuesday, December 17, any consumer who spends at least $25 at a participating Chamber Member location will be given the chance to enter their name into the drawing. There is no limit on the amount of times an individual can enter, but they can only enter one time per transaction. So, the more times they shop at your business, the better their chances of winning! The drawing will take place on December 19 with the winner being presented their gift basket on Thursday, December 20.” The Following is the list of current chamber members participating in Shop Small. Arts Council of the Valley/Court Square Theater Bluestone Vineyard Brix & Columns Vineyard BrydgeWorks Glass Studio Classic Tuxedos & Suits Gift & Thrift Glen’s Fair Price Store Grandma’s Pantry Hot Yoga Hburg (Evolution Yoga Harrisonburg) Kate’s Natural Products Kitchen Kupboard Mulligans Golf Center OASIS Fine Art & Craft
Ragtime Fabrics Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Silver Lake Mill Skin and Zen Solace Studios Fine Handcrafts Stoney Run Artisans Ten Thousand Villages The Beauty Spa The Heritage Museum Timeless Toys White Oak Lavender Farm Explore More Discovery Museum Greenberry’s Hair Cuttery
Business Councils - including Broadway-Timberville, East Rockingham, Greater Ashby, and Diversity - provide businesses opportunities to connect through informational and educational meetings in order to promote the economic vitality and quality of life throughout the community.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Hospitality Committee exists to improve the economic competitiveness of the hospitality industry through dialogue and relationship building. Public Policy identifies, evaluates and monitors social, political and environmental trends, issues and concerns affecting the business community.
CHAMBER MEMBER2MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM Save money and help support the local economy by choosing HarrisonburgRockingham Chamber of Commerce members for your business and personal needs. If you’re a member and haven’t taken advantage of this member benefit, contact 540-434-3862 x 108 to sign up today!
Spotlight On New Members A Desk 4 Me, Inc. AUTOCROP Blue Mountain Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Cross Keys Equine Therapy DASCOM Americas Eastern Mennonite School Friendly City Dental Hakan USA, Inc. Jersey Mikes JustTech, LLC. Live Life, LLC. Mary Kay SaveUpon, LLC SONARAY LED Lighting Strength in Peers The Rosy Co. Photobooth Title Alliance Partners of Virginia, LLC
Visit our website for an easy-to-use, online database of all Chamber Members or pick up your free copy of our Membership Directory at the Chamber Offices.
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Positive Outlook Works For Woodard Name: Hunter Woodard Age: 36 By HANNAH MARRERO For the Daily News-Record
HARRISONBURG — Behind the counter of James McHone Jewelry, Hunter Woodard can be found with a seemingly ever-present smile, assisting clients and co-workers. Managing the downtown staple is only one of his professional responsibilities. He’s also a leasing agent of McHone Cos., serving as the liaison between 150 tenants, commercial and residential clients, and 10 companies owned by the McHone family. On top of that, he has a stake in apartments he manages with a business partner and finds time to spend his son, Ashby, 10, who he takes volunteering with him. And that sunny disposition undoubtedly played a factor in the accomplishments he’s racked up in his 36 years. “I try to be positive every day,” Woodard said. The Spotsylvania County native came to
Harrisonburg in 2001 to study public health at James Madison University. In 2002, Woodward applied to all the restaurants within walking distance of his apartment. “I must have applied everywhere, and none of the restaurants downtown would hire me,” said, “but then my brother reminded me of McHone Jewelry, where he had bought his wife’s engagement ring two years prior.” At his brother’s urging, he applied at the store on Court Square. That summer, James McHone hired him to maintain the lawns of McHone Jewelry and McHone Cos. What started out as a job to support himself through college ended up being the first steppingstone to his 16-year career in the Valley. At the jewelry store, he has a reputation for helping people find the perfect item for whatever occasion has brought them in. He’s known for helping people outside of the store, too. He is vice president of the Darrin-McHone Charitable Foundation had been president of the board at St. Stephen’s United Church
2018 Roll of Honor The Daily News-Record wishes to recognize the many businesses, industries, churches and organizations that have played a vital part in the economic growth and prosperity of our beautiful Shenandoah Valley Area.
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HORIZON GIFTS Board Games | Rocks, Minerals, Fossils Sterling Silver Jewelry | Local Artisan Crafts 111 N. Liberty St., Harrisonburg, VA 540-810-0816
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of Christ, president of the board for People Helping People, president of the board of the Retail Merchants Association, as well as serving on the board of directors of the Denton Foundation and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance committees. “I definitely don’t get as much sleep as I used to” Woodard said with a laugh. Another organization he’s a big supporter of is the Harrisonburg Rockingham Child Daycare Center. In 2013, he participated in an annual fundraiser for the nonprofit, Dancing with the Stars of the ‘Burg, which he won. That year, participating teams of dancers raised more than $100,000 for the center, which operates on a sliding fee scale so low-income parents can afford child care services. He credits his parents with establishing in him a desire to help out. “You have to look out for you fellow man,” Woodard recalls his father telling him. “Growing up, my family was not rich by any means, but my parents always found ways to remind me how lucky I was to have enough to be able to give back.”
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Volunteering A Career Pursuit Name: Emily Young Age: 31 By LAINE GRIFFIN Daily News-Record
BRIDGEWATER — Emily Young has taken the scenic route through life, with a career devoted to working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector and starting new social programs. Young, a Bridgewater resident, is the volunteer services manager for Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in Harrisonburg. Her focus has always been bringing the community together through volunteer work and helping residents get plugged into different organizations. With the help of her mentor, Fern Nisly, who retired from Young’s current position, she said VMRC has about 600 volunteers who serve almost 50,000 hours annually. “I really appreciate that I get to be the bridge from connecting someone who has
extra time with something in our community that is impactful and makes a difference,” Young said. In 2010, she began working at the retirement community, starting as an assistant for three years while managing Harrisonburg’s Open Doors — a cold-weather shelter — in the evenings from 6 p.m. to midnight. “From a young age, I was involved with volunteer and nonprofit organizations,” the 31-year-old said. Young enrolled in college in 2007, but didn’t graduate from Eastern Mennonite University until 2015 with a degree in management and organization development. The journey to graduation was delayed when after two years at EMU, she took time off and lived in Nimule, South Sudan. There, she volunteered for the New Community Project, which helped empower female education and reforestation efforts. “When we do something bigger than ourselves and learn from other people
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and cultures, that is special,” Young said. “I get to create that for other people here at VMRC.” In her spare time, other than hiking in the Valley and cooking and eating different types of food, she practices what she preaches and volunteers. In 2015, she partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to begin “Grandbigs,” a program where VMRC residents partner with Waterman Elementary School students to build friendships and support. Emily has served on the Open Doors nonprofit board of directors for four years and, last year, joined the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. “I plan to continue working with and for the nonprofit sector to bring the community together and build stronger relationships,” she said.
Q& A
Contact Laine Griffin at 574-6286 or lgriffin@dnronline.com
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