The Business Voice, Summer 2022 by InsideNoVa

DEVELOPING LEADERS: Tips from the Pros NONPROFITS ON A MISSION: Building leaders at Lead Virginia and Leadership Fairfax GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW CHAIR: Matt McQueen

SERVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY: Meet Four Leaders Making an Impact

SUMMER 2022 | novachamber.org 1

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34 by 34: Building a Better Future for Millions Across the Cox family of businesses, we’re empowering our people to build a better future for the next generation. Our social impact initiative, known as 34 by 34, aims to help 34 million people live more prosperous lives by 2034. From bridging the digital divide to addressing social equity and environmental sustainability challenges, we’re committed to growing the good in the communities we serve, one action at a time. 34 by 34 gives us an unprecedented opportunity to innovate, take meaningful action in the communities where we live and work, expand our partnerships and translate our ambition into measurable progress. Follow our journey on Twitter with #Cox34by34.

AGENDA summer 2022

Inside this issue 6

The Business Voice Q&A: Meet Your New Chair

Developing Leaders: Tips from the Pros

Matt McQueen, Chief Communications & Engagement Officer, Peraton

Spotlight on Education

Your Chamber in Action

Meet Dr. Vinzé, Dean of George Mason University’s School of Business

BY C L AY T O N M E D F O R D

Members Making News 12

Serving the Business Community: Meet Four Leaders Making an Impact

Leadershipminded Organizations

Spotlight on Nonprofit:

Cover Story:

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ON THE COVER: 2022 Impact Award Honorees John A. Allen and Janet Osborn, 2022 Lifetime Achievement Honoree F. Kevin Reynolds, and 2022 Impact Award Honoree Lyles Car. Photo by Paul Lara

Spotlight on Small Business

Building Momentum: Developing Military Leaders – and More 24

Leading with Wellness 26

10 Great Summer Reads for Leaders

Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce 7900 Westpark Drive, Suite A550, Tysons, VA 22102-3853 Phone: 703.749.0400 Fax: 703.749.9075 www.novachamber.org • To learn more about membership, please contact John Woodstock, 703.725.7526; jwoodstock@ novachamber.org

THE BUSINESS VOICE Published by

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Contact Bruce Potter bpotter@insidenova.com 571.333.1538 EDITOR

Susan McCorkindale • ART DIRECTOR

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Chamber Signature Events New Members

Upcoming Chamber Events Dates are subject to change. To stay apprised of the events featured here and all upcoming events, keep an eye on Chamber emails and visit the website for complete details and registration information: novachamber.org/upcoming-events Keeping members informed and providing opportunities for peer-to-peer engagement are part of the Chamber’s ongoing mission. We accomplish this through a variety of activities that range from expert-led, topical events to focused group discussions. Following is the lineup of events for 2022.

AUGUST

Greater Washington Apprenticeship Network

Speed Networking

The NOVA Workforce Network The Network's goal is to build connections across jurisdictions and bridge divides between employer-focused workforce professionals with worker-focused workforce professionals. The Network is an inclusive and collaborative community of professionals and others interested in workforce innovation. Free. Held virtually the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Champions for Accountability: DEI Research Launch Join us on September 15 for the launch of the Northern Virginia Champions for Accountability DEI Research Report. A presentation of the key learnings of this important research will be followed by a panel discussion of Chief Diversity Officers.

SEPTEMBER

Advancing Civics: First of three events The Chamber and the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service have come together to form a first-of-its-kind partnership designed to encourage greater collaboration among Virginia’s current and future business, government and civic leaders. This partnership, called Advancing Civics, hosts events and recognizes Virginia leaders who exemplify the kind of civic-minded collaboration the partnership intends to promote. Join us on September 20 for the first in a series of three events.

New Member Orientation

Annual State of Transportation Join your Chamber and key policymakers for a wide-ranging discussion on how to move our region and the Commonwealth forward in the years to come.

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The NOVA Workforce Network

NOVEMBER

Greater Washington Apprenticeship Network

20th Annual Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards™ Presented by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Professional Services Council, the Annual Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards™ is the premier celebratory event honoring the leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence of the people and businesses in the region’s government contracting community.

New Member Orientation

Annual State of Economic Growth

The NOVA Workforce Network

Advancing Civics: Third and final event

DECEMBER

Greater Washington Apprenticeship Network

OCTOBER

Greater Washington Apprenticeship Network

Distinguished Service Awards The Distinguished Service Awards honor individuals, companies and nonprofit organizations for their service to veterans in the greater Washington business community. Join us in recognizing these unsung heroes who have made meaningful contributions to help veterans succeed by making the reintegration process easier and providing employment opportunities for those who served.

Greater Washington Apprenticeship Network

Senatorial Roundtable

Speed Networking

Advancing Civics: Second of three events

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Women in Business Signature Event

New Member Orientation

Chamber Holiday Party

The NOVA Workforce Network

Capital Region Business Forum

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TBV Q&A Get to Know Your New Chair:

Matt McQueen M

att McQueen, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer at Peraton, began his year as Chair of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce in June. The Business Voice talked with him about his vision for the Chamber, its biggest challenges and opportunities, and how working in a funeral home during his high school and college years helped build a specific set of empathy and human interaction skills that he still uses today. How has your background in national defense prepared you for this role? I’ve had the honor of serving in the national security contractor community for more than 20 years. Over that time, both the threats and technology complexities within our customer set have increased exponentially. We’ve learned that problem-solving is rarely linear and it takes diversity of thought, experience, approach and partnerships to successfully address these challenges. I think that this is very much akin to how the Chamber approaches the issues it chooses to take on in support of its members. By bringing together some of the best and brightest business leaders in our region, coupled with a best-in-class staff, we’re able to focus our agenda on what matters most and drive the right business outcomes. I'm very much looking forward to bringing my experience and relationships 6

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to my role as Chair. By focusing on results, and inviting the right people to participate in the discussion, the Chamber will continue to play a pivotal role in addressing some of the most complex challenges across our region. What is your vision for the Chamber and what are some of the goals you hope to achieve during your tenure? I’m incredibly proud of the many accomplishments of our Chamber, its members, and staff, including its laser focus on regional leadership, workforce, DE&I, and advocacy efforts around our region. More and more, our members are looking to belong to an organization that helps foster constructive, civil discourse across the business community, no matter the topic. Through our

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partnership with organizations like the Sorensen Institute, we will continue to advance that paradigm. It’s also critical that we continue to implement and execute on our revised governance model. By expanding the ability of members, board members and board alumni to further their engagement in Chamber efforts, we can tap into some truly unrivaled expertise that advances our business agenda. I plan to work with the officers, board and staff leadership to advance our stature in the region and to ensure that we are widely recognized as the go-to regional authority on issues that matter most to the business community. And equally important, we will continue to listen to the business community. The Chamber prioritizes what matters most to our members to ensure a positive business

climate in Northern Virginia and beyond. During my tenure we will continue to actively listen to and engage with members and other key stakeholders so that we are best positioned to respond to current and future business needs across the region. Our business-focused policy and advocacy efforts, led by Clayton Medford, are second to none and will continue to reflect the priorities of our membership. How do you think the Chamber has grown over the past year? Over the course of the past several months, the Chamber has proactively revamped and simplified its membership dues structure. As a result, we continue to expand our membership roster. The numbers alone are impressive, but what stands out most to me is, even with the backdrop of the pandemic, the Chamber has continued to thrive in ways that we couldn't begin to envision just a few short years ago. The level of engagement, driven by a combination of strong programmatic in-person, hybrid, and virtual events has been significant and has led to a substantial member retention rate. This tells me that in spite of tremendous obstacles the Chamber’s value continues to resonate with our members. And I can’t understate the resilience and – frankly – creativity of the Chamber staff. As other organizations struggled to survive, Julie Coons and the entire Chamber team stepped up to look for opportunities to continue delivering value through thought leadership and engagement to our members, both virtually and in person. More philosophically, I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight the growth that we’ve seen in the area of DE&I. Our DE&I Board of Advisors, expertly co-chaired by our immediate past-chair Luanne Gutermuth of LSG Solutions and John Allen of Wells Fargo, has made tremendous progress over the past year connecting the diversity within our business community in very meaningful ways. As the council continues its work, I’m very much looking forward to seeing the best practices we’ve gleaned from it made available to all regional business stakeholders. This council has been a compass as we work to advocate for policies that create an equitable future for everyone in our region.

What would you say to a business considering joining the Chamber? If you and your company are committed to being part of something transformational for our region, the Chamber is the place for you. The access, inclusivity, advocacy and results provided by the Chamber are built around a forward-leaning strategic plan that reflects the prioritized business needs of our region. We would be honored if you would consider adding your voice to ours. What do you see as the biggest challenge or opportunity facing the Chamber right now? The past two years have proven that while our region is resilient, we are still suffering from a workforce shortage. This is an area of concern that keeps many of us up at night. That said, building on an already strong foundation, I see so much opportunity for the Chamber to continue its role in advocating for policies and programs that will support the talent pipeline needs of our members and other regional stakeholders. The Chamber’s efforts to preserve Virginia’s right-to-work status is one of the key elements of our advocacy platform and legislative agenda, reinforced through our Policy Committee and Political Action Committee. Through our longstanding role in promoting Northern Virginia as an ideal place for businesses to establish and grow, we can use this period of ill-defined “normalcy” to double down on our efforts to advance a positively differentiated business climate in the region. Tell us about Peraton's commitment to veterans. The best way for me to answer this is by reflecting on our core value of “honor those we serve.” None of us at Peraton take this responsibility lightly given our role in supporting national security around the world. As we say, our armed forces have the courage to show up; they leave their families for something bigger than themselves. We owe them a debt of gratitude today and every day. Peraton employs more than 3,000 veterans across the country and has a number of initiatives, including our VALOR employee resource group, to support them. I welcome you to learn more here: careers. peraton.com/military-veterans

What local boards or nonprofits are you involved with and why? I currently chair the Advisory Board of George Mason University's Honors College. This board is composed of a fantastic group of business and civic executives committed to being a force multiplier for the mission of the college. We focus on highlighting to key stakeholders the work and impact the students and alumni of the Honors College have on our world and the asset that it, and the entire university, is to our region. I also serve as a member of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce board and look forward to partnering with Fred Thompson, Barry DuVal and the Virginia Chamber’s board and staff on matters of regional importance to both organizations. What is your life like “off the clock”? What sort of hobbies or passions do you have outside of work? I am passionate about travel. Prior to the pandemic it was not uncommon for me to hop on a plane just to collect miles (aka “the mileage run”). It provided me with an opportunity to binge on all of the shows and personal emails that I missed during the work week. And of course, the time with my kids is sacrosanct. Whether it’s kicking the soccer ball or building a LEGO set, I try to take advantage of spending as much time with them as possible (or that they’re willing to put up with!). What’s one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you? I spent five summers and winter breaks (during high school and college) working in a funeral home in my hometown. This experience reinforced for me the value of family and friends and drew out a specific set of empathy and human interaction skills that I still use today. Tell us about a favorite book you've read and why it resonated with you. I am a huge Bill Bryson fan. His style of communication makes anything from him an easy read for me – he boils down the complexity of life, society, culture and even the human body into something that is always insightful and humorous. While he hasn’t written for a couple of years, his “One Summer: America 1927” was the last book I read.

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GOVERNMENT

Redistricting Brings New Faces to Northern Virginia Congressional Races BY C L AY T O N M E D F O R D Vice President of Government Relations, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

ince the winter, most of the news about the results of Virginia’s 2021 redistricting was focused on the impact on the Virginia House of Delegates. As we enter the dog days of summer, focus has shifted to this fall’s congressional races because some Northern Virginia communities are choosing new representation in the U.S. House. After a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Virginia Delegates representing their “old” districts was announced, most of the public attention was on whether those delegates would be running again in 2022. If the court ordered new elections, that meant Virginia House members would run three years in a row. Coupled with impending retirements, both announced and rumored, the 2021 redistricting had rightfully been the talk of the political 8

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town during the General Assembly session. Now, with the likelihood of court ordered elections very low and November 2022 approaching quickly, focus has shifted to the new U.S. House district lines. The most impactful district changes for Northern Virginia are in the 6th, 7th and 10th Districts, where three incumbents are vying for support from parts of Northern Virginia previously outside their respective districts. In the competitive 7th District, incumbent Rep. Abigail Spanberger will face off against Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega. Prince William is a new area for Spanberger, whose prior district was centered just west of Richmond and stopped at Fredericksburg. Spanberger was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 2020, and she enjoys a reputation of bipartisanship SUMMER 2022

on Capitol Hill. Vega, a Prince William auxiliary Sheriff’s Deputy, has served on the Board of Supervisors since 2019. Vega has pledged to reduce regulatory and tax burden on businesses if elected. In the 10th District, incumbent Rep. Jennifer Wexton will face Republican veteran Hung Cao. Cao has pledged to fight inflation and, like Vega, reduce the regulatory and tax burdens on Virginia businesses. Wexton has served in the U.S. House since 2019 and served in the Virginia Senate prior to joining the House. Wexton has been a supporter of agritourism in the House, creating the bipartisan agritourism caucus in 2019 and introducing legislation creating more federal support for the industry earlier this year. In the 6th District, Republican Rep. Ben Cline will represent a little more of the Interstate 81 corridor, having picked up the city of Winchester and Allegheny, Clarke and Frederick counties, and having lost Amherst and Bedford counties and the city of Lynchburg. Cline will again face Democrat Jennifer Lewis in November. The two faced off in 2018, with Cline

defeating Lewis 60% to 40%. The Northern Virginia districts within and near the Beltway, the 8th and 11th, did not change too much as a result of the 2021 redistricting. In the 11th district, incumbent Democrat Rep. Gerry Connolly has no Prince William communities to contend with this year, but a larger area of Fairfax County. Challenger James Myles is a retired federal judge and Air Force veteran. In the Arlington-based 8th District, Rep. Don Beyer will face off against challengers Karina Lipsman (R) and Teddy Fikre (I). Beyer, a former Virginia lieutenant governor, has held the office since 2015. No matter where you do business in Northern Virginia, there is a good chance you will have different representation in the U.S. House next year, or in the Virginia House and Senate after the 2023 elections. Next year will have the whole Virginia legislature on the ballot as well as marquee local races like the boards of supervisors in Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William counties. Keep an eye out to see what your Chamber learns about each candidates’ business positions.

Pentagon Federal Credit Union has generously donated $300K for the establishment of a Grand Lodge in support of critical needs for our service members. The Penfed Grand Lodge will help us provide a respite for an additional 500 Warriors and families annually and will serve as a place for hosting critically needed group training for Warriors experiencing PTS and other medical challenges. Come and see how you can make a positive lifetime change in our Warriors’ lives. Name your room – Limited Sponsorship Opportunity! Interested? Please Contact Sarah Ford to Schedule a Tour! 571-248-0008 or Sarah.Ford@willingwarriors.org

RISING STARS

Inova Board of Trustees Announces Kathryn Falk as New Member Kathryn Falk, Vice President for Cox Communications, current Chamber Board Member, and a past Chairwoman of our Board has been appointed to the Inova Health System Board of Trustees. Falk also serves as the immediate past Chairman of Educate Fairfax, formerly the Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools, the Board of Directors of the Tysons Partnership and the Board of Directors of the Virginia Broadband Association-VCTA, which she previously chaired.

KPMG LLP Names Sandy Torchia Vice Chair - Talent And Culture KPMG LLP recently announced the appointment of Sandy Torchia to the role of Vice Chair – Talent and Culture. In this newly created role, Torchia will bring together the firm's Talent and Culture groups under one unified organization to grow talent and foster a culture of inclusion and innovation while extending its leadership position in supporting employees' mental, physical, social and financial well-being. “It is critical that we rethink how we are organized to foster a foundation for rich and impactful career growth and cultural experiences for our talented people while staying nimble and responsive to support them when they need it most,” said Paul Knopp, Chair and CEO, KPMG LLP. “I am thrilled to have Sandy spearhead this new structure and am confident that we are well-positioned to lead in today's red-hot labor market.” 10

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JLL Appoints De’Von Williams Executive Director, Sales and Solutions Development for Public Institutions JLL recently announced the appointment of De’Von Williams to Executive Director, Sales and Solutions Development, for the Public Institutions sector. In this role, Williams will call on his deep governmental, educational and commercial real estate background to create and improve solutions for new and existing clients at all levels of the government and education sectors building on JLL’s national presence and leading performance. “De’Von’s unique blend of technical, managerial and analytical experience are essential to supporting new and existing customers in the government and education realm,” said Kevin Wayer, President, Public Institutions, JLL. “We are excited to welcome him to JLL and eager to put his experience to work, expanding our presence and providing greater value to the market to meet their emerging needs.”

BIG WINS

Chamber members named to Best Employers for Diversity List Please join us in congratulating Chamber members who have been named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity list: Booz Allen Hamilton, TD Bank, ICF International, JLL, Accenture, SAIC, Bank of America, Truist, Verizon, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Cigna, First Citizens Bank, The MITRE Corporation, Peraton, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Capital One, Oracle Corporation, KPMG LLP, Dominion Energy, Pepsico, Baker Tilly, AT&T, United Airlines, Volkswagen Group of America, and Grant Thornton LLP.

Chamber Members Named SECAF 2022 Government Finalists Congratulations to Chamber members SysNet Technologies Inc. and PGLS on being named finalists for the Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum’s (SECAF) 14th Annual Government Contractor Awards.

Chamber Members Named to Fortune 500 List Please join us in congratulating Chamber members who have been named to this year's Fortune 500 List: Capital One, Altria Group, Dominion Energy, Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, SAIC and ManTech.

Peraton named a U.S. Best Managed Company Peraton Inc. has been named a U.S. Best Managed Company for 2022 by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. It’s among 51 private companies honored and the only one based in Virginia. “Peraton is honored to be recognized as a Best Managed Company in the U.S. by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal,” said Stu Shea, Peraton’s chairman, president and CEO. “This recognition underscores the importance of Peraton’s seven-fold expansion in 2021 and validates the significant progress we have made in integrating three heritage companies to create a $7 billion national security leader.”

NEW VENTURES

Inova Health System launches Inova Children’s General and Thoracic Surgery Inova Health System has opened Inova Children’s General and Thoracic Surgery next to Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital on Willow Oaks Corporate Drive in Fairfax. “The establishment of Inova Children’s General and Thoracic Surgery will streamline the surgical experience for our patients and families with our integrated practice operations, providing seamless care from the surgeon’s office to the OR, to post-surgical care,” said Joanna Fazio, vice president of Inova's Pediatric Service Line. ACQUISITIONS

RSM Acquires Andculture RSM has acquired Andculture, a Harrisburg, Penn.-based firm that provides marketing strategy, design and technology services. With this acquisition, RSM will launch a humancentered design practice. “Andculture brings a highly creative, skilled and dynamic team to RSM. Their integrated human-centered design approach to marketing aligns with RSM’s purpose to deliver the power of being understood,” said Pat Vance, consulting leader for RSM US LLP. THE BUSINESS VOICE

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COVER STORY

SERVING

THE

BUSINESS COMMUNITY Meet Four Leaders Making An Impact BY J O N AT H A N H U N L E Y P H O T O S BY PAU L L A R A

n June, at its annual Greater Washington Good Business Awards, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce honored four individuals for their purposeful and outstanding community leadership. Here we offer you the opportunity to get to know the Lifetime Achievement Honoree, F. Kevin Reynolds, and the Impact Award Honorees, John A. Allen, Lyles Carr and Janet Osborn, a bit better.

F. KEVIN REYNOLDS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND REGIONAL PRESIDENT, DIRECTOR OF SALES, UNITED BANK

Kevin Reynolds is a banker, so it’s perhaps not surprising that you can use numbers to frame his past four decades. Some examples: • He’s six-for-six in helping high school students get into his alma mater, the College of William & Mary. • United Bank, where he is regional president and director of sales, funded more than 13,000 Paycheck Protection Program loans in the wake of COVID-19. • The United Bank Charity Classic, an annual golf tournament he co-chairs, has raised nearly $7 million since 2002 to benefit the Inova Kellar Center, which is dedicated to the mental health of Northern Virginia’s children and their families. Yes, Reynolds has quite a history of serving others. The 62-year-old grew up in Arlington and received his MBA

JOHN A. ALLEN IMPACT AWARD HONOREE

REGIONAL BANK PRESIDENT, WELLS FARGO

John Allen needed a job. The young man was aiming for a career in crisis public relations, the kind of work that’s required when, say, an

from George Washington University after graduating from William & Mary. He has been with United for five years, and he spent the previous 18 years with Cardinal Bank, where he was president and a co-founding officer. He said in a recent interview that he always wanted to be around money and learn about business, and that he has no regrets – and no plans to retire. In terms of community leadership, Reynolds is a past chairman and 25-plus-year member of the Chamber, as well as a past president of Westwood Country Club and chairman of the capital campaign at Church of the Holy Comforter in Vienna. “We’re blessed to live in this region,” he said. Reynolds is an Eagle Scout, and he follows the Scout motto “Be prepared,” along with other mantras. One is that a person needs five “F’s” to be successful: Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness (financial, physical and spiritual), and For Others. Another is “eat the frog.” That comes from a Mark Twain quote that says if you eat a frog first thing in the morning, nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day; in other words, always tackle the hardest job first. To wit, if Reynolds has to turn someone down for a loan, he tries to do it early, quickly and with respect. He also believes in setting expectations and focusing on priorities and that one can’t have too many mentors. And he’s a self-described “list-maker” and “agenda-follower” and lives by the Biblical notion “to whom much is given, much is required.” Reynolds and his wife of 34 years, Stacey, live in Oakton, and their family exemplifies service to others: They have two adopted children, ages 24 and 19, and two adopted Golden Retrievers. The couple also has volunteered their time and resources in support of the adoption process and this year received a Friend of Adoption award from the National Council For Adoption. So why is helping one’s fellow man so important to Kevin Reynolds? “Communities are enriched one life at a time,” he said.

airplane goes down. He couldn’t find something in that line of work right away, though, so he sought something in another field just to make a living. That was banking. But why would Allen, a college graduate, be interested in the entry-level position of teller? “I need to prove to myself that I can do it,” he told a woman at INB Bank in Indianapolis, “and I need a chance.” Fortunately for him, the lady to whom he spoke turned out to be a human resources director. She was impressed with Allen, fresh out of Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and he was able to start off in management. That surprise beginning has led to a career spanning more than three decades and a record of service both inside banking and out. A college professor for 12 years and the owner of a public speaking company that worked with Habitat for Humanity of Indiana, Allen’s work for others also includes chairing the diversity, equity and inclusion council of the Washington, D.C., Special Olympics, and serving as co-chair of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s DE&I Board of Advisors.. A graduate of Leadership Greater Washington, Allen, THE BUSINESS VOICE

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now 53 and president of Wells Fargo’s Greater Washington/ Maryland region, oversees nearly 1,000 employees and 105 offices and has been a leader in community affairs. Allen said recently that he feels blessed to have a job where he can go home at night and know that he added value to someone’s life during the day. That could come from helping a customer financially, or from empowering his team of employees to be its best. “I work for my team,” he said. “They don’t work for me.”

JANET OSBORN IMPACT AWARD HONOREE EAST REGION LEADER, AON

LYLES CARR

IMPACT AWARD HONOREE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, THE MCCORMICK GROUP

Lyles Carr said recently that he believes in the Muhammad Ali quote, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” But if that’s the case, then Carr – who has lived a life of service – has paid more than his fair share. The 72-year-old exemplifies community engagement, having been a member of more than a dozen nonprofit boards and advisory councils in the Washington area. Carr, senior vice president of The McCormick Group, an Arlington-based national executive search consulting firm, said he enjoys recruiting work and the “opportunity to help people advance their careers and, consequently, quality of life for themselves and their families.” He’s best known for working in the fields of law and government affairs, e.g., helping law partners move between firms and aiding in mergers and acquisitions. His efforts in support of his neighbors include helping to found ACT for Alexandria, a community foundation, and working with Jubilee Housing, a nonprofit that creates “justice housing,” defined as “deeply affordable homes with onsite and nearby services in thriving communities.” He also has long been associated with Leadership Greater Washington, participating in the organization’s initial class in 1987 and being named its Leader of the Years for 2021. Carr grew up in Prince George’s County, Md., and went to Episcopal High School in Alexandria. He then received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Virginia before going to work for McCormick in 1976. Kathy Albarado, CEO of Helios HR in Reston, has known Carr for more than 20 years and calls him a “foundational” leader. 14

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After graduating from the College of William & Mary in 1985 and getting a job through the institution’s career services office, Janet Osborn wouldn’t have expected that she would go on to live what she recently called the “busy Washington life.” But that’s what she’s done, and the Philadelphia native has certainly given back to her adopted home since then. As East Region leader for Aon, a risk brokerage and human resources consulting firm, Osborn oversees 10 offices and 1,500 employees. But her efforts don’t stop there. For example, she was one of the people behind the 2020 creation of the Chamber’s Greater Washington Apprentice Network, which exists to help companies develop an apprentice-based model of “earn and learn,” meaning that employees get onthe-job training while they earn a living. It helps create opportunities for those who are having a hard time trying to make their way into corporate America, such as those without a four-year degree. Osborn said she would like to bring more businesses into the network as she knows that lots of companies are finding it difficult to hire for open positions. “Everybody’s got the same talent problem,” she said. Osborn is also on the boards of Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, the Wolf Trap Foundation, the Virginia Theological Seminary, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington, the William & Mary Alumni Association, and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. “I’m kind of a hands-on person,” she said. As if all that activity wasn’t enough, Osborn is close to finishing a graduate degree in American history at George Mason University. Just for fun. “I became an empty-nester and had some time on my hands,” she said.

“Not only is he knowledgeable in the profession of workforce and talent acquisition, Lyles has dedicated his life to serving his community,” she said in an email. Albarado said Carr is a gracious and humble man who gives back and encourages others to do so. “He is always willing to participate on a call, contribute to a meeting, share his network, and give freely of his knowledge, advice and counsel,” she said.

BUILDING SUCCESSFUL TEAMS

DEVELOPING LEADERS: TIPS L FROM THE PROS

eaders at today’s companies need to be vulnerable and hone their “human” skills along with their business skills, members of the leadership development field said recently. Some aspects of leadership have changed during the pandemic, and some managers embraced a hybrid work environment right away, while others may have some learning to do. Still, there remain some common traits among good leaders. For one, good leaders are vulnerable, and display that notion. Leaders should be able to say, “I’m sorry,” “I don’t know,” “I need help” and “I was wrong.” Operating like this helps employees see that they can make mistakes and still be a leader, said Cathy Lange, partner and practice director at Human Capital Advisors LLC in the McLean/Falls Church area. Leaders need emotional intelligence and the ability to “read the room” in a given situation and respond accordingly, said C. Michael Ferraro, president and CEO of Training Solutions Inc. in Chantilly. A lot of managers take the same approach to everything, but the good ones don’t. “You have to be able to adapt to the needs of a particular situation if you’re a leader,” Ferraro said. Furthermore, leaders have to know the politics of a situation and what’s going on around them, said Lange, who works mostly with executives in corporations and large nonprofits. They have to have self-awareness, too, because their subordinates are always watching what they do. Leaders need to have the ability to build a good team and not just surround themselves with “yes people.” Ferraro noted that President Abraham Lincoln famously appointed some of his political opponents to his Cabinet to make sure he would hear differing opinions. Put another way, if a given move isn’t going to succeed, a leader should be told that, he said. “The boss needs to hear if this thing’s going to fail,” Ferraro said. Managers also have to remember the “Q-TIP,” which stands for “Quit Taking It Personally,” Lange said. They should have their egos in check and put others’ needs ahead of their own.

BY J O N AT H A N H U N L E Y

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SUMMER 2022

CATHY LANGE

PARTNER AND PRACTICE DIRECTOR HUMAN CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC

C. MICHAEL FERRARO

PRESIDENT/CEO TRAINING SOLUTIONS INC.

When giving feedback, good leaders will ask themselves the following: Is it kind? Is it true? Does it need to be said? Leaders need to be exceptional listeners. They should want employees to feel like they’re heard, Lange said. And they should have courage, because there will always be conflict and change. They need agility and nimbleness of action, too. They must anticipate trends and be able to respond, said Lorraine Lavet, a senior partner and leader of the association practice at Korn Ferry, a global organizational consulting firm. Leaders should be effective at mentoring and elevating others, and develop a reputation for doing so. Employees want to work for these kinds of people, said Lavet, who has been placing CEOs in jobs for more than 18 years. Bosses also need to focus on attracting and retaining top talent. It used to be said that if employees didn’t like something, they could leave the company. Now, the response is, “They don’t like it? What are we going to change?” Lavet said. Losing talent is a risk just like cyber security, she said. “That’s how serious it is.” Companies should also encourage leaders to step outside of their office and network within their industry or in the community, Ferraro said. That can help them learn from others and potentially find out what employees do away from work. Businesses should start training prospective leaders early in their careers, Ferraro said. And they can find out if someone is ready for a leadership role by having them do something for their neighbors, or maybe serve on the board of a nonprofit, Lange said. Firms also should consider if putting someone in a leadership role is the best decision for that person. It may be the best decision for the company, but the person may not be ready for the change, Ferraro said. And because learning continues throughout a person’s life, businesses should understand that developing leaders isn’t something that can be completed with, say, a single training session.

LORRAINE LAVET

SENIOR PARTNER AND LEADER OF THE ASSOCIATION PRACTICE KORN FERRY

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SUMMER 2022

SPOTLIGHT

on nonprofit

Lead Virginia and Leadership Fairfax:

Developing leaders for the betterment of their neighbors BY J O N AT H A N H U N L E Y

hen Washington Gas announced in 2015 that it would move its offshore customer service operations to call centers in Hampton and Martinsville, creating more than 200 jobs, the news was huge. It was an economic shot in the arm to two Virginia cities from the Washington, D.C.-based utility. But Susan Horne saw something else. Horne, president and CEO of Lead Virginia, saw a model of leadership: One corporate leader with a sense of good stewardship changing the future of communities in which he neither lived nor worked. It was the kind of thing Adrian Chapman, the former president and COO of Washington Gas, would have learned in his Lead Virginia class of 2006 with her. And it’s the kind of community leadership that participants learn each year in the courses offered by Lead Virginia and Leadership Fairfax. The two nonprofits are dedicated to developing and engaging leaders for the betterment of their neighbors. Lead Virginia began with the recognition that there was a disconnect among leaders in the state and no common understanding of its regions or regional economies. For example, Horne served for 15 years as founding program director, then executive director and CEO of Leadership Fairfax, which focuses on leaders in the commonwealth’s most populous county, and she saw that participants had limited knowledge of what was going on beyond 18

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Susan Horne President and CEO Lead Virginia

Karen Cleveland President and CEO Leadership Fairfax

the borders of the area. “Our classes knew nothing about the rest of Virginia,” she said. To combat that observation, Lead Virginia was launched in 2005 and is in its 18th class year. It boasts more than 800 alumni across the state, roughly half of whom are C-suite executives. The others are at the director, vice president and senior vice president level. It’s not a training program. The participants are already influencers in their fields, and they’re diverse in all kinds of ways, Horne said. More than half hail from private businesses, and the others are from organizations such as nonprofits, state and local government, health care and educational institutions. What unites them is a shared interest in the prosperity and uplifting of communities. They want to find solutions to common problems – for

example, workforce challenges are just as important in Northern Virginia as they are in Southwest Virginia or Hampton Roads. The idea is to make the commonwealth stronger overall by connecting leaders who are shaping Virginia’s future. “It ranges from Newport News Shipbuilding to Northrop Grumman to James Madison University to Longwood University to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise to community colleges across Virginia,” Horne said. The classes, made up of about 50 members each year, visit different parts of the state, and they begin to understand and appreciate each other over seven months, she said. Horne has been CEO since March 2007. She was vice mayor of Leesburg when she started, so she traveled back and forth from there to Richmond, where

SUMMER 2022

Lead Virginia is based, until her Town Council term was up in 2008. Then she moved to Richmond. But she still thinks about her home area. Horne said she’d love to see Northern Virginia business leaders engage in state issues on a deeper level. “We tend to get very insular with our focus,” she said. Kathy Albarado, CEO of Helios HR in Reston, was in Lead Virginia’s class of 2014 and sat on the organization’s board for a number of years. She said in an email that Horne is the kind of leader you miss if you don’t have the chance to see on a regular basis. Lead Virginia’s head is thoughtful, caring, intentional, welcoming and inclusive. Due to Horne’s work, Albarado said, Virginia has leaders who “more completely understand how business gets done in our commonwealth and who now have a network of classmates that they can call upon at any time.” Leadership Fairfax is in the business of developing leaders, too, but it concentrates on Fairfax County. Its signature program is the

Leadership Fairfax Institute, a 10-month course for established leaders in the business, nonprofit and government sectors. Participants learn “leadership competencies, hone leadership vision and gain a better understanding of the issues and opportunities facing Fairfax County,” Leadership Fairfax’s website says. Karen Cleveland, the organization’s president and CEO, noted that Northern Virginia has lots of amenities, including park space, performing arts and culture, but that the region also has challenging issues such as transportation and schools. She said the Leadership Fairfax Institute pushes participants out of their comfort zones because that’s when the real learning starts. The classmates get perspectives that they can’t get anywhere else. For less established leaders, Leadership Fairfax’s Emerging Leaders Institute helps enhance their skills in areas such as project management, conflict resolution and negotiation, communications and public speaking

“

We believe that leadership is a lifetime journey and community engagement. Leadership Fairfax also puts on programs for teenagers and for retiring or newly retired individuals. The organization, whose first class graduated in 1988, has about 2,300 alumni. They represent Fortune 500 companies, regional nonprofits, institutions, local and federal government, small businesses, social service organizations and artistic ventures, Leadership Fairfax’s website says, and many of them stay connected. “We believe that leadership is a lifetime journey,” Cleveland said.

The Washingtonian Group is proud to support the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce Howard S. Rothman Executive Director 202.916.3145 howard.rothman@jpmorgan.com jpmorgan.com/wg 875 15th Street NW, 7th Floor Washington, DC 20005 J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, member FINRA and SIPC. Annuities are made available through Chase Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agency, doing business as Chase Insurance Agency Services, Inc. in Florida. Certain custody and other services are provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMCB). JPMS, CIA and JPMCB are affiliated companies under the common control of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Products not available in all states. © 2022 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS: • NOT A DEPOSIT • NOT FDIC INSURED • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2022

SPOTLIGHT

on education

Meet the New Dean of the George Mason University School of Business:

Dr. Ajay Vinzé BY J O N AT H A N H U N L E Y

hy is it important to get a business education? That’s an easy question for the new dean of the George Mason University School of Business. Everything is business in some way, Ajay Vinzé said in a recent interview. Take a farmer. You can tell him he’s a businessman, but he might say, “No. I’m a farmer.” Then you might go back and forth with him. “But you employ people, right?” you might say. “And market products?” “Well, yes,” he might answer. “See,” you’d say, “You’re a businessman. You’re just in agriculture.” Likewise, a reporter could be thought of as a businessman, just one in journalism. The notion is central to who we are in this country, Vinzé said, and to how our economy runs. The 62-year-old, a former professor and dean of the University of Missouri’s Trulaske College of Business, began his role at George Mason on July 1. He said recently that he had a sketch in his mind of what the university would be like and that he’s been working over the past few weeks to color in the details. He also comes to the region with a list of priorities and an eye toward maintaining a good partnership with the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Vinzé succeeds Maury Peiperl, who became dean of the school of more than 20

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4,500 undergraduates and nearly 700 graduate students in 2017. Peiperl returns to the business school as a professor and will also serve as a fellow in the provost’s office. Vinzé has been having one-on-one conversations with faculty, staff, students and alumni to get a sense of them and how they contribute to the school. He hopes to have spoken to all of the faculty and staff by the end of this month. The idea is for him to share his vision and learn what George Mason’s aspirations are. “It’s been wonderfully instructive,” he said. Vinzé said he also wants to make sure the right people are in the right jobs. “There’s just a wealth of talent.” As dean in Missouri, he helped raise more than $30 million in philanthropic funding for the Trulaske College of Business, which has more than 4,200 undergraduates and 379 graduate students, according to George Mason’s announcement of his arrival. Under Vinzé’s leadership, the college also entered the eLearning space, offered micro credentials and certificates, and increased student experiential learning opportunities. For his work at George Mason, he has identified five strategic priorities. The first is student learning and career readiness, and the second is impactful scholarship and research. Vinzé said the business school absolutely has to excel at these pursuits. They can help to distinguish the institution in the region,

SUMMER 2022

as well as nationally and internationally. The third priority is modular education, with an eye toward lifetime learning. Students should increasingly be able to consume education in bite-sized chunks that add up to a great degree, Vinzé said, noting that COVID-19 and other factors have caused educators to rethink how education is delivered. His fourth priority is finding innovative ways to interact with the business community. Both the school and companies need to work on the pipeline of talent, he said, and George Mason can be a national leader in experiential learning. The fifth priority is being very intentional about ensuring that the culture of the school is diverse, equitable and inclusive. Before his work in Missouri, Vinzé spent 18 years at Arizona State University, where he served in several capacities, including as associate dean for international programs, associate vice provost for graduate education, director of the Executive MBA and Management Information Doctoral programs, and founding director of the Technology Research Center. He also was a professor at the university’s W.P. Carey School of Business. In 2016, based on a model he developed, MasterCard Foundation awarded Arizona State a $21.9 million, six-year interdisciplinary grant focused on promoting tertiary education in subSaharan Africa. Vinzé obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Arizona after receiving a master’s from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s from the University of Delhi. Before coming to Arizona State, he was an assistant and associate professor at the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. His research is recognized for technology innovation and organizational relevance, George Mason’s announcement said, including data analytics, emergency preparedness and response, disruptive innovation and collaborative computing. The research typically incorporates collaboration with public- and private-sector organizations. Vinzé said he is privileged to have lived and worked in, or at least visited, more than 70 countries. He’s originally from India and grew up in the Philippines. “Globalization is a big part of who I am,” he said.

“

BY MORGAN DAVIS, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

“

Globalization is a big part of who I am

Dr. Vinzé’s research is recognized for technology innovation and organizational relevance, and typically incorporates collaboration with public- and privatesector organizations. BY MORGAN DAVIS, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Dr. Ajay Vinzé, right, greets Mark Rozell, dean of George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2022

SPOTLIGHT

on small business

Developing Military Leaders – and More – at Building Momentum BY J O N AT H A N H U N L E Y | P H O T O S BY L U K E C H R I S T O P H E R

Launched in 2014 in the basement of Brad Halsey’s home, today Building Momentum’s headquarters, called “The Garden,” boasts one of the biggest makerspaces on the East Coast.

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SUMMER 2022

hen Navy veteran Brad Halsey worked for the Stanford Research Institute, now SRI International, in the early 2000s, he noticed that, while researchers were doing good work for the military, none of that research and technology was going to the battlefield. Meanwhile, U.S. forces were being beaten in combat by those fighting with “almost hobbyist-level” equipment. It was a startling revelation, and one that would go on to spur Halsey to help not only service members around the globe but also a host of civilians on the home front. After another job, this one consulting for the Army, which called for Halsey to go to Iraq and try to find solutions to problems, he discovered a love for training others. Couple that with his concern for troops in combat, and you have the Alexandria-based company Building Momentum, which now-CEO Halsey founded in 2014 with Albert Vega. Its mission is to train others to solve realworld problems at the point of need. The 47-year-old Halsey started the firm with Vega, who is now CTO, in the basement of his home. Initially, the company concentrated on sharing practical skills and access to emerging technologies with service members. Today, from its new headquarters called “The Garden” – which boasts one of the biggest makerspaces on the East Coast – it also offers training programs for businesses and even schoolchildren. Building Momentum’s military training is called “Innovation Boot Camp” and is designed to teach troops problem-solving methods they can use in the field. Technology incorporated includes computer-aided design, 3D-printing, laser-cutting, coding, robotics, solar power, 3D-scanning, GPS and drones. To date, the company’s employees have trained nearly 5,000 active-duty service members. Many of those have “developed real-time solutions to problems on base and in the field that they couldn’t have prior to our training,” Building Momentum’s website says. The training also addresses a problem Halsey and Vega found in the military and in other settings. Often institutions are held back by their own bureaucracies. For example, Halsey noted a time when an entire military drone program was shut down simply because a Marine flew a drone into a tree. If a Marine got accidentally

hit on a shooting range, commanding officers wouldn’t shut the whole range down, Halsey said, so why did they do so in response to a technology issue? “These things drive me nuts,” he said. Learning new technology also can be hampered by strict rules, Halsey said, mentioning a supposed makerspace he discovered where no one was allowed to touch any of the equipment. The answer in that situation? “Let people learn how to use it,” he said. Building Momentum’s corporate training is called “Innovation Elevated” and encourages open communication among workers as well as creativity. Participants toil with a variety of technology and supplies that challenge them to build slot cars, fashion catapults and even construct a version of the arcade game in which you try to pick up prizes with a mechanical claw. Building Momentum, which has about 25 employees, has trained about 1,000 senior business leaders in various industries. Customers have included theater groups, those at banks or in

Building Momentum CEO, Brad Halsey.

finance, employees at the Afghan embassy and civilian government workers. “The client set’s really broad,” Halsey said. And really happy with their experience with the company. “Building Momentum created an inviting and engaging environment,” said Karen Pallansch, General Manager and CEO for Alexandria Renew Enterprises. That “helped everyone on my team work together regardless of title or position, to solve a problem, and overcome those

pesky but fun unexpected twists!” The training, which can be done at a customer’s location or at Building Momentum, includes questions such as: “Are you looking at the problem the right way?” and “Are you doing the right things to solve it?” It also helps participants feel empowered by learning new things. For instance, if an accountant learns welding in a Building Momentum course, something he probably would have never considered exploring before, he will feel like he can definitely solve problems within his chosen field, Halsey said. Building Momentum’s programs also eschew the notion of toxic masculinity. “That doesn’t work,” Halsey said. “That will never work.” Instead, he said, the teaching is more Brené Brown and less General Patton. Building Momentum’s children’s training is called “Innovation Academy,” and it teaches kids to “safely and correctly use ‘grown-up’ tools” and to use their imagination. Class subjects include welding, woodshop, 3D-printing, lasercutting, coding and circuit-making.

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SUMMER 2022

LEADERSHIP

Leading with Wellness Does an Organization Good BY K AT H RY N FA L K COX CO M M U N I C AT I O N S A N D A N I YA H B L A I R -YO U N G N O R F O L K S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

2021 McKinsey & Co study states that “employee burnout is ubiquitous, alarming – and still underreported” and goes on to say that nearly half of survey respondents reported experiencing burnout symptoms at work.

What is burnout exactly? According to the Mayo Clinic, “Job burnout is a special type of work-related stress – a state of physical or emotional exhaustion. Persistent tiredness, frequent insomnia, difficulty concentrating at work, stomach aches, headaches, dizziness, or heart palpitations, more frequent illness, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.” As a leader, you need to support your people – and yourself – during these stressful times. Here’s how.

8 TIPS TO COMBAT BURNOUT:

Identify your biggest sources of stress, then make a plan to address them: Look closely at the impacts certain habits have on your day-to-day life and how you feel afterward.

Seek support: Reach out to your support network. Ask your family, friends and co-workers for ideas and help. If your firm has an employee assistance program, seek its advice and, if needed, get professional help.

Ask for what you need: Would a different schedule help? Time off? Talk with your leader about implementing changes that can improve the quality of your life and reduce your stress. While there is no perfect balance, aim to find your best balance week by week or day by day. According to Mental Health America, “when workers are balanced and happy, they are more productive, take fewer sick days, and are more likely to stay in their jobs.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathryn Falk is the Vice President and Market Leader for Cox Communications in Northern Virginia and the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

SUMMER 2022

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Exercise, especially outdoors: According to the American Psychological Association, exercise can reduce stress, bring a sense of calm and release endorphins, which are our body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Psychology Today concurs, stating, “Some research shows that regularly being active outdoors can reduce worries and lead to more positive feelings.”

Aniyah Blair-Young is a Senior at Norfolk State University where she majors in Finance and is the cofounder of Black Bosses. She is currently an intern at Cox Communications.

Sleep: Studies have found that insufficient or poor quality sleep is associated with increased psychological stress, anxiety and mood concerns. Here are some tips from the Sleep Foundation on cultivating good sleep habits: • Set a bedtime and maintain a consistent schedule • Before bedtime, use relaxation techniques, as part of a standard routine • Avoid alcohol, tobacco and caffeine in the evening • Dim the lights and put away electronic devices for an hour or more before bed • Maximize comfort and support from your mattress, pillows and bedding • Block out excess light and sound that could disrupt sleep • Get regular exercise and natural light exposure during the day

Mental health, mindfulness and meditation: Explore programs that can help with stress such as yoga, meditation or tai chi. Yoga classes in person or online are great for alleviating stress, and apps like Headspace offer a variety of stressreducing techniques you can access anywhere, anytime. According to Paige Waehner, author and certified personal trainer, “Mindful fitness activities like these improve your health by positively affecting your heart rate, breath rate, and other bodily functions controlled by the parasympathetic nervous system.”

Nutrition: A balanced diet can support a healthy immune system and help combat stress. According to Harvard’s T. H. Chan School of Public Health, “If you frequently rely on fast food because you are tired or too busy to prepare meals at home, consider meal planning, a practice that can help save time in the long run, ensure more balanced healthful meals and prevent weight gain.”

Have fun and get creative: Cook or bake a new recipe or a favorite old one, try an art project, paint or draw – either on your own or try a class in person or online. Gardening is also a great way to relieve stress. Take some time to reflect and give yourself and your team the personal attention and compassion needed. You deserve it, and your team will appreciate it.

While there is no perfect balance, aim to find your best balance week by week or day by day.

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SUMMER 2022

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Great Summer Reads for Leaders

the war by identifying mid-level talent who were able to solve the problems they faced. “It hit me that this was a great model for leaders, and I have been telling everybody about it!” RECOMMENDED BY:

Janet Osborn, East Region Leader, Aon Corporation

“Atomic Habits: A Proven Easy Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Habits” BY JAMES CLEAR IN A NUTSHELL: In “Atomic Habits,” the author shares scientific evidence and great stories of success to demonstrate making small, simple changes can help to achieve your goals. RECOMMENDED BY:

F. Kevin Reynolds, Executive Vice President and Regional President, Director of Sales, United Bank

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| SUMMER 2022

BY ROGER FISHER AND WILLIAM USRY IN A NUTSHELL: Based on the work of the Harvard Negotiation Project, “Getting to Yes” focuses on finding the problems, interests and options in any personal or professional negotiation in order to resolve the conflict. RECOMMENDED BY:

Lyles Carr, Senior Vice President, The McCormick Group

BY K AT H RY N FA L K

Before you take off for summer vacation, don’t forget to pack (or download!) one or two of these 10 terrific books on leadership. Each comes highly recommended by a top business leader in our region, and all are guaranteed to provide unique insights and resources for seasoned leaders.

“Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In”

“Engineers of Victory: The Problem Solvers Who Turned the Tide in the Second World War” BY PAUL KENNEDY IN A NUTSHELL: “Engineers of Victory” focuses on the ways in which, during World War II, leaders won

“Leading Teams: Understanding the Team Leadership Pyramid” BY STEVE GLADIS AND KIMBERLY GLADIS IN A NUTSHELL: “Leading Teams” is a guide to forming effective, successful teams using four elements: People, Leader, Culture and Strategy.

RECOMMENDED BY:

Steve Gladis, CEO, Steve Gladis Leadership Partners

small but intentional efforts can have huge effects. RECOMMENDED BY:

Matt McQueen, Chief Communications & Engagement Officer, Peraton, Chairman, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

“The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth”

examines the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive and emotional. System 2 is slower, more deliberative and more logical. Ultimately he shows readers how the two systems shape our judgments and decisions. RECOMMENDED BY:

F. Kevin Reynolds, Executive Vice President and Regional President, Director of Sales, United Bank

BY AMY C. EDMONDSON IN A NUTSHELL: At Inova, we believe that teams working together under psychological safety is the key to our strategy and our success. In “The Fearless Organization,” the author explores the culture of

psychological safety and provides a blueprint for bringing it to life. RECOMMENDED BY:

“Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity”

Dr. Stephen Jones, President & CEO, Inova

BY KIM SCOTT IN A NUTSHELL: “Radical

Candor” calls on leaders to foster an atmosphere of direct, clear guidance and feedback without sweeping uncomfortable conversations under the rug. RECOMMENDED BY:

Kathryn Falk, Vice President, Northern Virginia, Cox Communications “Small Acts of Leadership” BY G. SHAWN HUNTER IN A NUTSHELL: “Small Acts

of Leadership” is about how

BY MARSHALL GOLDSMITH

“Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” BY SIMON SINEK IN A NUTSHELL: “Start

with Why” is a look at how the leaders who’ve had the greatest influence in the world provide their followers with clear, strategic goals that provide emotional connection beyond just making a profit.

“Thinking, Fast and Slow”

RECOMMENDED BY:

BY DANIEL KAHNEMAN

Kathryn Falk, Vice President, Northern Virginia, Cox Communications

“What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful”

IN A NUTSHELL: In “Thinking, Fast and Slow,” the author

IN A NUTSHELL: The author, Marshall Goldsmith, is a top corporate executive coach. In “What Got You Here Won't Get You There,” he shares that as you rise in an organization, technical knowledge that may have helped you achieve success is less important than leadership and soft skills. RECOMMENDED BY:

Luanne Gutermuth, Good Spirit Farm, Immediate Past Chairman, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

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| SUMMER 2022

EVENTS chamber signature gatherings

Annual State of Healthcare in the Region On May 4, the Northern Virginia Chamber and top officials from the region’s largest and most influential healthcare companies gathered for the Chamber’s Annual State of Healthcare in the Region event. Ruth Williams-Brinkley, Regional President of Kaiser Permanente, went deep into the challenges of building and retaining the country’s healthcare workforce following the pandemic. Her colleagues on the panel from Inova, CareFirst and Cigna took the conversation further and urged business leaders to pay close attention to team members’ mental health during this challenging (and hopefully) end phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Ruth Williams-Brinkley, Regional President, Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic SPEAKERS: Dr. Djinge Lindsay, Director of Public Health, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Dr. Steve Narang, President, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, President, Pediatric Service Line Dr. Shankar Sridhara, Head and Neck Surgery, Kaiser Permanente Dr. Christina Stasiuk, Market Medical Executive – Mid-Atlantic Region, Cigna MODERATOR: Michael Forehand, Vice President, Government & Community Affairs, Inova Health

Dr. Djinge Lindsay

Dr. Christina Stasiuk

Michael Forehand

Dr. Steve Narang

Ruth Williams-Brinkley

Dr. Shankar Sridhara

Top: Moderator Michael Forehand, Vice President, Government & Community Affairs, Inova Health, addresses panelists Dr. Shankar Sridhara, Head and Neck Surgery, Kaiser Permanente; Dr. Steve Narang, President, Inova Fairfax Medical Campus, President, Pediatric Service Line; Dr. Djinge Lindsay, Director of Public Health, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; and Dr. Christina Stasiuk, Market Medical Executive – Mid-Atlantic Region, Cigna. 28

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SUMMER 2022

Mid Atlantic Innovation Celebration Trabus Technologies named 2022 Innovator of the Year; KnoNap named 2022 People’s Choice Winner Innovation in communications reigned supreme at the 2022 Mid-Atlantic Innovation Celebration, where Trabus Technologies was named the 2022 Innovator of the Year. At this fun-filled event, held May 12, attendees watched videos demonstrating innovation in business from this year's 26 finalists before casting their votes for the evening's People’s Choice Winner, KnoNap. The Celebration was a partnered event between the Chamber and Connectpreneur. Please join us in congratulating the winners in all of the 2022 Mid-Atlantic Innovation Celebration categories: THE 2022 INNOVATION AWARDS WINNERS: Innovator of the Year: Trabus Technologies People’s Choice Innovation Award: KnoNap Education Technology Innovation Award: TechSet Biotechnology Innovation Award: Fzata Communications Technology Innovation Award: Intelligent Waves Environmental Technology Innovation Award: Map-Collective Health & Beauty Consumer Product Innovation Award: Mblue Labs Home Consumer Product Innovation Award: Revolution Cooking Workforce Innovation Award: Capango Healthcare IT Innovation Award: MEDA Medical Device Innovation Award: CarrTech

Below: Chair Luanne Guttermuth welcomed guests to the 2022 Mid Atlantic Innovation Awards ceremony. Left: And the winners are, from left: Danya Sherman, KnoNap; Joe Celano, Trebus Technologies; Tony Crescenzo, Intelligent Waves, Stefan Medford, Capango; Jonathan Aberman, Marymount University; Dr. Hanping Feng, Fzata.com; Tom McFadyen, MEDA; John Norwell, CarrTech Corp; Maria Shultz, CarrTech Corp.

McKinsey Briefs Chamber Business Leaders at Book Launch On May 25, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce hosted Vikram Malhotra, Chairman of the Americas at McKinsey & Company, and co-author of “CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest,” at a luncheon and book presentation.

From left: Larkin Wilson, Vice President, Commercial Banking, United Bank; Brooke Weddle, Partner, McKinsey & Company; Vikram Malhotra, Chairman of the Americas, McKinsey & Company; and Alec Wescott, Head of External Relations, East Coast, McKinsey & Company. Far right: Malhotra addresses attendees. THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2022

Capital Region Workforce Summit On June 14, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Capital Region Workforce Summit. Bryan Hancock and Brooke Weddle, Partners at McKinsey & Company, presented the results of McKinsey’s Human Capital Report, which kicked off a lively discussion among leading workforce experts on the workforce challenges facing businesses today – working from home, closing the talent gap, innovating in developing talent and attracting talent. The event included remarks from Bryan Slater, Virginia Secretary of Labor, on the work the Youngkin Administration is doing to improve the statewide workforce development ecosystem. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Bryan Hancock, Partner, McKinsey & Company Brooke Weddle, Partner, McKinsey & Company SPEAKERS: Dana Fallon, Director, Business Engagement and Career Services, Northern Virginia Community College Jermaine Johnson, Regional President, PNC Financial Services Group Janet Osborne, East Region Leader, Aon Sec. Bryan Slater, Secretary of Labor, Commonwealth of Virginia

From top: Bryan Slater, Virginia Secretary of Labor; Janet Osborne, East Region Leader, Aon; and Jermaine Johnson, Regional President, PNC Financial Services Group.

2022 Good Business Awards On June 23, the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Good Business Awards. This event recognizes and thanks the leaders who, through tireless and ongoing effort, have contributed substantially to improving our region. It is also an opportunity to introduce the Chamber’s incoming officers and this year, for the first time, the new NOVA Chamber Honors recognition. “This year it is my pleasure to inaugurate the Chamber Honors recognition,” said Luanne Gutermuth. “This recognition is the Chamber’s appreciation for the contributions of so many leaders who day in and day out serve our community in ways that advance growth and opportunity in Greater Washington. On behalf of the Chamber Board of Directors, we are thankful for your service on the board and we honor you!” Following are the 2022 Good Business Award Honorees, 2022-2023 Officers, and those in the Charter class of the NOVA Chamber Honors.

From left: 2022 Impact Award Honorees Lyles Carr, Senior Vice President, The McCormick Group; Janet Osborne, East Region Leader, Aon; and John A. Allen, Regional Bank President, Wells Fargo. Right: The 2022 Impact Awards. Photos by Luke Christopher 30

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2022

2022 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE: F. Kevin Reynolds, Executive Vice President and Regional President, Director of Sales, United Bank. 2022 IMPACT AWARD HONOREES: John A. Allen, Regional Bank President, Wells Fargo Lyles Carr, Senior Vice President, The McCormick Group Janet Osborn, East Region Leader, Aon Corporation THE CHAMBER'S 2022-2023 OFFICERS: Chairman: Matt McQueen, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, Peraton Vice Chairman: Deb Gandy, Managing Director, Chevy Chase Trust Secretary: Mark Carrier, President, B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group Treasurer: Jeff Rubery, SVP, Market Executive, Eagle Bank General Counsel: Mark Looney, Partner, Cooley Immediate Past Chairman: Luanne Gutermuth, Founder, LSG Solutions 2022 CHARTER CLASS OF THE NOVA CHAMBER HONORS: Christopher Arabia, Regional VP/Community Lending, TD Bank Jeff Bentley, President/CEO, Northwest Federal Credit Union Barry Biggar, President/CEO, Fairfax County Convention & Visitors Corporation Judy Bjornaas, EVP/CFO, ManTech International Corporation Michele Bolos, CEO, NT Concepts, Inc. Michael Cardaci, President, HRTec Michael Carlin, Partner, Access Point Public Affairs Steven Day, Vice President, Corporate Banking, PNC Bank Michael DeStefano, SVP/Business Banking Manager, Wells Fargo Bank Ken Fleming, Director, Baker Tilly Michael Forehand, Vice President, Government and Community Affairs, Inova Len Forkas, President, Milestone Communications David Hunn, President/CEO, The SkillSource Group, Inc Judith Kassel, General Counsel, Saul Ewing, Arnstein, & Lehr, LLP Peter Knickerbocker, Market Manager, Bank of America John Lavoie, Partner, Cooley LLP Arvind Manocha, President/CEO, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts Ryan McLaughlin, CEO, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Ramal Moreland, Executive Director, Middle Market Banking, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Mike Niggel CEO, ACT I Gary Nunes, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson David Ritchey, Executive Vice President/Director of Leasing, JBG SMITH Tim Sands, President, Virginia Tech Telly Tucker, Former Director, Arlington Economic Development Tracey White, VP, Community & Government Relations, Reston Hospital Center

Photos from the very well attended – and clearly enjoyable – 2022 Good Business Awards. Bottom: 2022 Impact Award Honoree John A. Allen greets Chair Luanne Gutermuth to receive his award. Photos by Luke Christopher

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2022

NEW MEMBERS Let’s give ’em a warm welcome AEROSPACE

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and technology solutions company delivering first-choice capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Our mission is to make important, lasting contributions to the nation’s defense, security, and most technically challenging strategic problems. mtsi-va.com

BANKING

Fulton Bank

Since Fulton Bank opened in 1882, we have strived to deliver the best banking experience for our customers. Our focus on customers has allowed us to grow along with you. Today, as part of Fulton Financial Corporation, a $25 billion financial services holding company, Fulton Bank offers a broad array of financial products and services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. fultonbank.com 32

THE BUSINESS VOICE

CONTR ACTORS

Aeyon

With deep expertise in the Department of Defense (DoD) and related civilian agencies, we provide experienced leadership teams that develop transformation strategies, advanced processes, and comprehensive technologies to deliver better outcomes, faster. aeyon.us

EDUCATION

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a destination for excellent, ambitious scholars and a world leader in teaching and research. Distinguished professors mentor students in the arts and music, humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, international studies, education, business, and the health professions. jhu.edu

Strayer University

Founded in 1892, Strayer University is an institution of higher learning for working adult students. It offers flexible and affordable undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration (including the Jack Welch Management Institute MBA), accounting, information technology, education, health services, public administration and criminal justice strayer.edu

SUMMER 2022

University of Virginia

The University of Virginia is an iconic public institution of higher education, boasting nationally ranked schools and programs, diverse and distinguished faculty, a major academic medical center and proud history as a renowned research university. Its community and culture are enriched by active student self-governance, sustained commitment to the arts and a robust NCAA Division I Athletics program. virginia.edu

ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE

Old Glory DC Rugby Football Club Foundation

Old Glory DC is the professional rugby team of the Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland areas. It is one of 13 teams competing in 18 weeks of regular-season action, followed by two weeks of the Championship Series. For single game and season tickets, visit the website. oldglorydc.com

GOVERNMENT CONTR ACTING - IT/TECHNOLOGY

Carahsoft Technology Corp.

Carahsoft Technology Corp. is the trusted government IT solutions provider, supporting public sector organizations across federal, state and local government agencies and education and healthcare markets. We deliver solutions for Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Open Source, Customer Experience and more. carahsoft.com

Kreative Technologies, LLC

Kreative Technologies is an SBA 8(a) certified company founded in 2013 that supports mission-critical systems for the government through our capabilities including: Agile Development, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Content Management, Business Process Management, DevOps, & Low-Code Platform Services, Machine Learning and more. kreativetech.com

GOVERNMENT CONTR ACTING - OTHER

Maximus, Inc.

For more than 40 years, Maximus has partnered with state, federal and local governments to provide communities with critical health and human service programs. We leverage our extensive experience to develop high-quality services and solutions that are cost effective and tailored to each community’s unique needs. maximus.com

SHRM membership provides HR professionals the opportunity to become experts on the most pressing topics facing workers today. shrm.org

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC was born in 2006 at Virginia Tech’s Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg. We wanted to bring innovation and change to the federal IT sector. We believe that with shrinking federal budgets, there are huge opportunities to bring more efficiency to government through emerging technologies. harmonia.com

Zillion Technologies, Inc

Zillion delivers innovative solutions, saving our customers time and resources, offering results that cannot be realized anywhere else zilliontechnologies.com

HUMAN RESOURCES

INSUR ANCE

Northern Virginia Veterans Association

Sahouri Insurance

Northern Virginia Veterans Association is the only local veteran nonprofit that performs a comprehensive veteran intake, determines priority of needs, case manages, coordinates with multiple potential service providers, advocates and provides continual follow up to ensure services are received and continued as needed. novavets.org

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR is shaping a new world of work – one that relies on a strength of character and empathy unlike ever before. In an ever-shifting industry,

NON-PROFIT / ASSOCIATION / CHAMBER

Our Military Kids

Our Military Kids recognizes the sacrifice of children of deployed National Guard, deployed Reserve, or post 9/11 combat-injured service members by offering extracurricular activity grants that build the child's self-confidence, enhance family wellness, and strengthen a shared sense of community. ourmilitarykids.org

REAL ESTATE

JR Real Estate Group, LLC

JR Real Estate Group - Land Specialists - is a Northern Virginia based land development firm specializing in mixed-use, commercial and residential developments. jrrealestatellc.com

Stream Realty Partners

Sahouri Insurance guides clients through a technology-driven, consulting-based experience that integrates corporate risk, health, and benefits policies through one, centralized advocacy team. www.sahouri.com

MORTGAGE SERVICES

The Hard Money Company

Private immediate financing for almost any type of real estate transaction from $50,000 to $5 million. Additional lending capacity on other hard assets, including bullion, fine jewelry, watches, and coins. hardmoneycompany.com

People are our passion. And real estate is our obsession. We recognize that the real estate landscape is ever-changing and that complacency leads to failure. Stream Realty Partners Is known for outthinking, outworking, and outselling the rest. streamrealty.com

TR ANSPORTATION

Virginia Railway Express (VRE)

VRE provides commuter-oriented rail service from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City and downtown Washington along the Interstate 66 and Interstate 95 corridors. vre.org

THE BUSINESS VOICE

SUMMER 2022