INSIDE Search Underway For New Inova Loudoun CEO ...... Page 3 D ECE MB ER 2 0 1 1 VOLUME 9 NO. 1
New Board Targets Business Growth By Norman K. Styer & Kara Clark, Staff Writers A month after an historic, sweeping victory for Loudoun’s GOP candidates and a month before seven newly elected members join just two returning incumbents on the board dais, a clear priority its emerging for the new Board of Supervisors: to invest significant time and resources into efforts to spur new business growth. Promises to expand the commercial tax base are familiar elements of candidates’ platforms in local races, but during the weeks following the election supervisors-elect are making it clear they intend to follow through on their pledges. The environment in which they take office provides special challenges. The county has held its own during four years of a severe national recession, but the recovery—nationally and locally—remains slow-paced and fragile.
Fears that the federal government will be forced to implement spending cuts that could disproportionally hit Washingtonarea businesses and workers have promoted Moody’s Investment Service to put Loudoun and other triple-A rated jurisdictions on its watch list for potential downgrades—an action that would increase the cost of borrowing to build new schools, fire stations and other infrastructure. And very early in the new board’s term it will cast a pivotal vote on whether to move ahead as a funding partner in the Phase 2 extension of the Metrorail to Ashburn. The new supervisors have expressed support for the project, although they have concerns about the high price of tolls, and the Loudoun County Economic Development Commission recently identified the rail line as its top priority. A decision to continue with the project affirms 20 years of See Supervisors, Page 10
Purcellville Gateway Taking Shape
When it comes to commercial development the Town of Purcellville a prime hub of activity. After months of site preparation, the Purcellville Gateway shopping center is quickly taking shape and on schedule for the 53,000-square-foot Harris Teeter grocery store, a 10,000-square-foot retail center and a 4,000-square-foot restaurant complex to open early next year. Just down the road another team of construction crews are working on a large-scale expansion of the Loudoun Valley Shopping Center.
Feds Expand MWAA Board As Rail Wrangling Continues By Erika Jacobson Moore, Staff Writer Following votes by the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, there are changes coming to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors. Three provisions are included in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s spending bill: increasing the number of seats on the MWAA board by four; requiring board members to leave office at the end of their term even if a replacement has not been named; and allowing any board member to be removed from office for cause, such as a conflict of interest.
MWAA oversees operations at Dulles and Reagan National airports and the Dulles Toll Road and the construction of the Silver Line Metrorail extension. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA-10) proposed the language that led to the changes. For months, Wolf has been pushing for changes to come to the MWAA board, citing concerns about the way the body was conducting itself and its management of the rail project in the wake of significant cost increases. Members of the MWAA board are appointed by the governors of Virginia and Maryland, the mayor of Washington, DC, and the president. Wolf cited an appointee by the mayor PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
PAID Permit #78 Springfield, VA
of Washington, DC, whose term had expired in January 2009, but was still voting by proxy as recently as the beginning of this year from Sierra Leone where he was under house arrest. Wolf also noted there was another member whose term expired in May 2010 but who was still casting votes, and a third member whose term expired in November with no plans in place to replace him. “Now either they are going to sit vacant or [the governors, mayor and President of the United States] are going to have to appoint people when the seats are available,” Dan Scandling, Wolf’s spokesman, said. The make up of the MWAA board will be increasing by four members, two of which will be appointed by Gov. Bob McDonnell. Maryland and DC will get one new appointment each. McDonnell moved quickly to fill the seats. Todd A. Stottlemyer of Oak Hill, currently serving as chief executive officer of Acentia, was McDonnell’s first selection. Stottlemyer was executive vice president and chief corporate services officer
of Inova Health System until December 2010. In that role, he oversaw technology innovation, legal services, compliance and privacy, and systemwide governance. He also was a leader in Inova’s community affairs, governmental affairs and the hospital system’s foundations and philanthropic activities. Stottlemyer has served on the boards of Virginia Commerce Bank, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, where he served as chairman from 1998-99, and Helping Children Worldwide. The second appointee is a familiar face to Loudouners. Caren Merrick, a partner with Bibury Partners from McLean, recently ran for the 31st Senate District seat in the General Assembly. The district includes portions of eastern Loudoun in the Sterling area. A 23-year resident of Northern Virginia, Merrick co-founded webMethods, that went on to employ more than 1,100 people worldwide. The company provided business-to-business integration and business See MWAA, Page 9
PAGE 2 | Loudoun Business
DECEMBER 2011
Former AOLer Builds Local Waste Company By Kara Clark, Staff Writer A nine-year AOL employee, Bluemont resident Alicia Leith sensed the impending company layoffs at the dawn of 2009. A single parent not wanting to wait for the inevitable to make her next career move, Leith recalls the night she was chatting on the phone with a friend, venting about life’s obstacles, including divorce and financial challenges. It was that night that the idea for Alley Cat Waste Management was born. Leith wanted to maintain a flexible schedule to have enough time for her sons and their busy lives, while also being able to financially provide for them. Operating a local waste removal company that now serves Loudoun, Clarke and Frederick counties, would seem to many to be an unusual idea, but if initial three-year growth is any indication, a rather brilliant one. Leith said she crunched numbers all night long after that phone conversation with her friend and the next day bought a truck off Craigslist, which she would later paint pink. The logo, business plan, company name and website were all completed within a week. This was in January 2009; Leith continued working full-time for AOL until her eventual layoff that December.
Although her friend would eventually decide she had too much going on in her life to be involved with Alley Cat, Leith said she was “raring to go.” She began picking up her neighbors’ trash for free to “make sure I wanted to do this.” She then began knocking on doors and, through word of mouth, business began to pick up. Currently serving residential and small business customers as far east as Ashburn, Leith said her goal for 2012 is to begin serving homeowner’s associations. A few have already called her requesting information. In addition to its house-side waste removal services, Alley Cat also offers recycling and junk removal services and prides itself on the amount of items it is able to use for recycling. Leith also is proud that her company donates still-useful items to local charities. She also volunteers and contributes monetarily to many nonprofit organizations. As of December, Alley Cat is up to 127 clients with room for growth and still sports its signature pink truck. Leith has two full-time employees and an additional person who assists with junk removal. Leith said she has the future goal of being able to foster children and every success story for Alley Cat is a step in that direction.
Alicia Leith took her impending layoff from AOL in stride, starting her own business, Alley Cat Waste Management, to provide for her family and maintain her flexible schedule.
“When things fall right into place you go for them,” she said. She advises any prospective business owner to “do one thing toward your goal every day” and learn to ask for help, a lesson she learned quickly along the way. “I always want to do things myself, but
I learned to ask for help. If you ask people for their advice and support when you ask genuinely they’re happy to back you up,” she said. “It’s not a weakness; it’s a strength.” For more information about Alley Cat, visit www.alleycatwaste.com.
A truly innovative and Patient Centered Practice has come to Leesburg. Shouldn’t you find out what that can mean for you and your family? A full range of dental services available at our dental center Board Certified Specialists on site. Eliminates the need to be referred to multiple offices No Insurance? No Problem. Our in-office plan can save you thousands of dollars. Sedation so you can relax through any procedure. Take advantage of Dr. Buro’s 30+ years of experience to plan & receive the smile of a lifetime. Weekend and Evening appointments available. 0% Financing Available. All new patient & 2nd opinion consultations are FREE. My Invisalign treatment has just been completed and I couldn’t be happier. Dr. Buro did an excellent job. The process was completely & Invisalign Teen® painless & nobody knew I even had braces. As a business executive, cases started before this was critical to me. I now have December 31, 2011 perfectly straight teeth after many Family First Orthodontic Center years of wishing it was so. 703-777-1515 - Frank W., Ashburn
$1,000 OFF
Straight Talk - Straight Teeth There Have Been Major Advances in Modern Orthodontics DO YOU HAVE ALL THE FACTS TO MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR YOUR FAMILY?
$500 OFF Cases started by December 31, 2011
Family First Orthodontic Center
703-777-1515
Family First Dental & Orthodontic Center 230 Fort Evans Road, N.E., Leesburg, VA 20176 Located across from the Leesburg Outlets
703.777.1515 www.leesburgsmiles.com Se Habla Espanol.
Loudoun Business | PAGE 3
DECEMBER 2011
Inova Begins Search To Replace CEO Kelley
By Margaret Morton, Staff Writer
The search to find the next CEO of Inova Loudoun Hospital is underway, following the news that Randall Kelley accepted a position as president and CEO of North Carolina-based CaroMont Health. The Inova Loudoun Hospital Board of Directors has selected Wytt-Kieffer, one of the largest national executive search firms in the country, to conduct the search for Kelley’s successor. That search likely could take six to nine months. In the meantime the board tapped a familiar face to lead its Loudoun operations until a selection is made. Inova Health System Vice President Pat Walters will serve as interim CEO, a position he held in 2006 as the board was in the process of hiring Kelley following
the Loudoun Healthcare Inc./Inova Health System merger in 2005. CaroMont Health operates the 435bed Gaston Memorial Hospital. It has eight affiliate companies, 43 primary and specialty care offices and approximately 3,800 employees. The company operates near the North Carolina-South Carolina border in the Charlotte, NC, area market. Before coming to Loudoun, Kelley served as president and CEO of Gateway Health System in Clarksville, TN, outside Nashville. Here, Kelley succeeded former CEO Rod Huebbers and built on the latter’s successful efforts to turn around the hospital’s precarious financial situation. During Kelley’s tenure at the helm of Inova Loudoun Hospital, he led the effort to oppose HCA’s plans to build a new hospital in Ashburn, managed the expansion See Kelley, Page 8
Family Affair
Callahan Retires, Turns Practice Over To Daughter By Kara Clark, Staff Writer It’s all in the family for Dr. Flinton Callahan and daughter Dr. Claiborne Callahan. After operating his ophthalmology practice in Leesburg since 1979, the elder Callahan is retiring and turning the reins over to his daughter. Callahan said he opened his practice on Davis Avenue in Leesburg 32 years ago because he wanted to be closer to family. For the Loudoun resident who has lived all over the county, from Leesburg to Hamilton to Purcellville, locating closer to his mother in Warrenton was a plus. And the reason why he’s stayed around so long, he says, has been the people, namely the 36,000 patients who have passed through his door at one time or another over the years. That, he notes, is the number of medical records he has filed in his office and many of those have been repeat visitors. “I just love them,” he says of his many patients. He said helping to improve his patients’ quality of life, keeping up to date in his field and its many innovations and having good results with his treatment have all helped to make his many years practicing ophthalmology “very gratifying and enjoyable.” There were several factors that led Callahan to retire. In addition to his long career—“he’s old,” daughter Claiborne joked—Callahan said he had found a
Flinton and Claiborne Callahan
place he wanted to retire to and had become more “acutely aware of the fragility of life” after his son underwent successful treatment for leukemia. But Callahan said the “overwhelming and oppressive” government intervention in medicine was “the straw that See Callahans, Page 8
Kelley helps hospital nursing staff celebrate their second Magnet Recognition Program certification. The ANCC certification is the highest honor a nursing staff can receive.
Coldwell Banker Plans Downtown Leesburg Move By Kara Clark, Staff Writer Vacant for almost a year and a half, new life is coming to the storefront at 25 S. King St. in downtown Leesburg. The former site of Esoterica, which left the town after 10 years last summer to move to CountrySide, will soon be home to Coldwell Banker. The real estate firm is making the move from the Bellewood Commons shopping center. Despite the relatively short distance, Branch Vice President Kathleen Hunt called it “a big move.” Coldwell Banker has been stationed in its current space on East Market Street for 10 years. When Hunt was named branch vice president in March, she said she spoke to the residential brokerage’s president and encouraged a move to a bigger, more prominent space and the re-launch of the company’s brand. “He was very open to the idea,” Hunt said of her boss. And when she saw the vacant space on South King Street, “I thought it was phenomenal.” Hunt is a resident of the Old & Historic District and neighbor to fellow Wirt Street resident Nancy Hill of Sperry Van Ness/ Vaaler Real Estate, although the two were unaware of their shared connection until Hill began working with Hunt on finding a new location for Coldwell Banker. The two have been working to get the lease signed for about six months, a process made longer, Hunt says, because Coldwell Banker's global brand meant several company representatives had to approve the deal. Although the firm’s lease at Bellewood Commons isn’t up until May, Hunt says they
will likely make the move to the downtown space beforehand, probably around March or April. In the meantime, the space must be fixed up and outfitted for Coldwell Banker. In addition to the new, expanded space, Hunt says she is excited about becoming a part of the downtown Leesburg business community and participating in events like First Friday and Girl’s Night Out or hosting other educational seminars. The visibility will be great for Coldwell Banker and Hunt hopes the company’s presence is also a boon to the downtown area. “This is a big statement about how we view downtown Leesburg,” she said. “This is a huge financial investment, but a smart one.” The news boosts the town’s economic development efforts. “It was a corporate decision to say we want to have that storefront in downtown Leesburg,” Economic Development Manager Marantha Edwards said. “It puts Leesburg on the map.” Hill said there was a lot of interest in the 25 S. King St. space by other types of businesses since it came on the market last June, but between the property being zoned office/retail and it not being properly set up for a restaurant use, many suitors ended up looking elsewhere. On the whole, though, Hill reports a lot of interest and activity in the Leesburg market, and in the commercial real estate market. “I’ve had my [real estate] license since August and I’ve had six leases so far, four downtown,” she said. “There’s a lot of new businesses or expanding businesses. I’ve gotten a lot of calls about downtown but I’m running out of space to lease. But that’s a good thing.”
PAGE 4 | Loudoun Business
DECEMBER 2011
Local Firm Secures First Government Contract By Margaret Morton, Staff Writer Lincoln landscaping and nursery owner David Lohmann, who had been trying to enter the local government contracting business arena with little success, finally got the break he wanted this fall. Lohmann inked a contract with the Town of Purcellville to landscape its new Town Hall. The Town Council approved the Abernethy & Spencer design for $49,900, with an additional $4,250 for the first year maintenance and watering. The 15-year-old company on Lincoln Road has one of the largest stocks of plant materials available in the area, boasting more than 100 tree varieties and 200 plus varieties of shrubs, a huge stock of perennials and vegetables, herbs and annuals, plus garden tools and equipment and sizeable hardscape items including fountains, trellises and obelisks and pots ranging from small to huge decorative planters. Tender plants are housed in the distinctive 87-year-
Loudoun Business is published monthly by Leesburg Today
19301 Winmeade Drive, Suite N224 Leesburg, VA 20176-3031 www.leesburgtoday.com
Editorial Department
703-771-8801
Advertising Department 703-771-8800 Classified Department
703-771-8831
Fax Number
703-771-8833
Loudoun Business welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. All rights reserved. No part of Loudoun Business may be reproduced physically or electronically without the written permission of the publisher. Loudoun Business is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.” This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing office at (804) 367-8530. Toll free call (888) 551-3247. For the hearing impaired call (804) 367-9753. Email: fairhousing@dpor.Virginia.gov. Web site: www.fairhousing.vipnet.org.
old glasshouses, while nine hoop-and-net covered outside areas feature more than 600 varieties of perennials. The glasshouses alone cover two acres. The company employs a work force of 50, much of it seasonal from February to November. Those workers form the core of the company’s growing-season installation and maintenance business. Lohmann already has had some success in the commercial field, citing landscaping installations at Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets and several car wash centers, including Station Auto Wash on Catoctin Circle in Leesburg and another in South Riding. But, local government contracting has proved more difficult, so the Purcellville job has provided that first foot in the door. “It’s good that a local community business was hired to do the job,” Lohmann said. Lohmann previously had bid on a variety of local government jobs—with the town, county and School Board. It’s not his company’s ability to do the job that’s been an issue, he said. Rather, it’s the everincreasing complexity of the government process that’s difficult for small business owners like himself. “The process is more complicated than a small business can deal with easily,” he said. Fulfilling the extremely complicated computer application requirements requires more hands than he’s got. “We have the capability, but you need a full-time office person,” he said. For small businesses it’s also often hard to find out what jobs are available, he said. But the town is trying to make it easier for firms to know what jobs are out there. Town Manager Robert W. Lohr said the town has put together a website listing that shows all the bids that are available so people can track them more easily. Director of Public Works Samer Beidas said his department posts a listing for each advertised request for bids on the town’s website, www.purcellvilleva.gov. “They should go to the Bid Board link and check it out regularly,” he said. Going with a local firm is something the town supports as a general premise, but “We have to go by the Virginia Procurement Act,” Beidas said, noting it is his understanding the only time a local firm gets an advantage is when it’s a tie bid. “Other than that, there’s not enabling legislation to give preference to a local vendor.” There are some local initiatives that offer the town more flexibility, Lohr said. In those cases, the town gives priority first to in-town businesses, those who pay BPOL tax, secondly to out-of-town but western Loudoun companies, followed by Loudoun County businesses and then to Northern Virginia. In Abernethy & Spencer’s case, while not within the town limits, the company is
considered part of the local business community. “They donate, and help us with a number of things. They’re a great partner,” Lohr said. Moreover, “It’s easy to use the Bid Board,” Lohr said, adding users can check out the various categories of bid proposals, then request notification directly to whatever address the user chooses—email, cell phone, phone, e-blast, etc. Having an easy website tracking option is helpful, according to Lohmann. “We need to know when and where to look,” he said, noting that will both help the small business and support the town’s intentions to use local businesses when they can. Small businesses are suffering in the current economy and any help from local governments in support of Loudoun businesses is important, he said, noting the cost of everything has gone up—insurance, taxes, workman’s compensation—but “the cost of poinsettias is still the same as it was 15 years ago.” In the case of the Town Hall landscaping, the town decided to hold a contest. The Department of Public Works put out an RFP for a proposed design, which was reviewed by a committee including the Town Hall construction manager, representation from Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Councilman Tom Priscilla as liaison to the town’s Tree Commission. The bidders were requested to design a plan for a specific dollar amount and use their creativity to meet that cap. Three companies put in proposals, although one later dropped out. Priscilla said the Abernethy & Spencer design was “the most creative, incorporating more features.” Belinda Gordon led the three-person design team, which included Lohmann and Kathy Gibb. October rains delayed the project, particularly the laying of concrete and brick work for the circular tri-flag area in front of the Town Hall, but early last month Gordon and a crew of stone masons and nurserymen got to work on the hard features of the design, including stone walls and the circular flagpole area, grading and planting, and then finally seeding the lawn area. The building sits on a knoll overlooking Fireman’s Field, allowing mixed plantings on all four sides of the structure. The design features an emphasis on native plantings and hardy species that will do well in the area, including shrubs, perennials, grasses and various trees, according to Gordon, who said she wanted to focus on a clear, central theme that would repeat throughout the design, rather than introducing numerous different motifs. “I wanted to keep it simple. I don’t like a patchwork look,” she said, noting “a lot of little flowers are not appropriate for a building of this scale.” From the beginning, Gordon and the team focused on using the formal and sometimes severe architecture of the former
Baptist Church as the guiding light in the design, as well as the government use of the adapted building, noting the 1925 building has a stateliness and grandeur typical of the period in the South, and one that is often seen also in courthouses of the time. From the sidewalk, the design sweeps up to the front steps to the building. “We wanted it to be very 'Virginia' and to immerse the massive façade in green, to calm down its rather overwhelming scale," the design team said in the proposal. The long front façade of the design is lined with boxwood plantings to form a boundary hedge that eventually will reach four feet and provide a traditional and formal edging. Elliptical plantings of Knockout roses and more boxwood emphasize the central flagpole circle, which contains three flags set in concrete and edged with a fourcourse set of warm colored bricks, all hand shaped and curved to fit the radiating pattern by stonemasons Marcelino and Victor. Gordon particularly praised the masons’ work, both in the flagpole area and the decorative low walls at the corners flanking the steps, noting each piece of stone was carefully selected and hand chipped or rubbed to fit. That design forms a striking entry way to the new Town Hall. Visitors pass around the edge on a walkway leading to an open pavement in front of the steps. Curving beds frame the walkway and circle, offset by a lawn area to the sides that will extend to the front bushes. The white and red roses, shrubs and various tree specimen plantings, including cherries, redbuds, magnolia, native viburnums, maples, hydrangeas, Blue Ice Arizona Cypress, crape myrtles, oak leaf hydrangeas, hawthorne, spirea, laurel, hollies and lilacs, continue to frame the outline of the building, while continuing around the sides and back. The rear garden includes a shaded area for a staff picnic table, and the side disabled parking lot is edged with roses and laurels. Overall, the plantings are intended to be decorative, easy to maintain, attract birds and wildlife and provide color in each season, with spring bulbs providing color early on. “It’s all balanced, and gives a traditional look,” Gordon said, adding the lawn area will both give a clean look and set off the plantings. All the workmen at Abernethy & Spencer are known by their first names. After Marcelino and Victor had done their part, the grounds crew of Manuel, Omar, Mario, Juan and Edgar put in all the trees, shrubs and roses, and seeded the lawn areas. “They’re a great work crew,” Gordon said, mostly from Mexico and South and Central America. And the town agreed. “They’ve done a great job, they’re great artisans,” Beidas said on seeing the completed design.
Loudoun Business | PAGE 5
DECEMBER 2011
A More Transparent Public School System ences, and is beginning to work with the business community, families and other stakeholders to create a clearly articu-
A Business Perspective
As CEO and chairman of the board of directors at Telos Corporation, I, along with the other directors, have a responsibility to ensure that each decision is executed in the best interest of our shareholders. It is not only law, but it is the best way to do business. The board of directors answers to our shareholders, and similarly the government also answers to stakeholders: the taxpayers. Whether at the federal, state or local level, governments should not only act in the best interest of their shareholders, but also clearly articulate their long-term goals and objectives to ensure that the shareholders’ best interests are paramount in future plans. In the past, Loudoun County Public Schools has been criticized for its lack of transparency. Just this past year there was much criticism surrounding the decisions to implement a 21st century technology (interactive whiteboards) into many classrooms throughout the district. What was the root of that criticism? Well, technology costs a lot of money. The big price tag that came along with implementing that 21st century technology shocked many people. However, I think many people were frustrated at more than just the cost. They were frustrated because they didn’t see a purpose for the whiteboards, and therefore didn’t believe that technology purchase was worth the taxpayer money. The decision to purchase interactive whiteboards was not given context. The stakeholders, or taxpayers, were shown a single technology decision, void of a forward looking plan. Whether you are a government body or a board of directors, your decisions will be subject to criticism when your stakeholders aren’t aware of the long-term goals that your individual decisions work towards. The interactive whiteboards would have been better received if given the context of a comprehensive education plan that strives to increase 21st century education outcomes over the next five to 10 years. A plan that would ideally focus on the STEAM education disciplines; STEAM is the same as STEM, but it also promotes the inextricable link between the arts and science, technology, engineering and math. Given the opportunity I’ve had to work with LCPS leadership, it is clear to me that they do have a long-term education plan. The problem has been that the long-term plan hasn’t been communicated effectively to their stakeholders. To their credit, LCPS has learned from past experi-
By John Wood
lated plan that the community can get behind. For a comprehensive education plan
like this to succeed, it is important for the goals to be formulated with the help of all LCPS stakeholders: the business community, parents and the taxpayers. With the time and resources of the business community, and the consent of families and taxpayers, LCPS will clearly and consistently communicate their goals to their stakeholders. This comprehensive plan should be made as transparent as possible—because with transparency comes consent, support and accountability. LCPS leadership understands the importance of interacting with their various stakeholders, which is why they are currently working with their stakeholders towards creating and communicating a long-term plan. There are many positive outcomes that will arise from this process, one being that they won’t be criticized for a lack of transparency in the future. They may be criticized because a stakeholder doesn’t agree with specific technology— perhaps they like Technology A, rather than Technology B—though at the end of the day, those specific decisions need to be left to LCPS leadership. The stakeholders should measure the decisions on the outcome associated with the objectives
of the agreed upon goals in the long-term plan. Measure the success on outcomes, and not on the tools they use (like whiteboards) to get there. A great education system is an economic development imperative. With a great education system, real property values increase, both residential and commercial. That property value increase ultimately means a higher tax base which translates to lower taxes for individuals. Through the partnership of LCPS and the business community, families, teachers and other stakeholders, I am confident that a comprehensive plan will come together and will result in a more transparent government, accountability to the stakeholders, and a better 21st century education for our students. [John B. Wood is the CEO of Telos Corporation in Ashburn, founder of the CEO Cabinet and current chairman of the county Economic Development Commission. His monthly column appears in Loudoun Business. Follow John on Twitter at twitter. com/john_b_wood.]
Does Your Network Perform Like It Should? Take Advantage of Our Experienced, Certified Engineers • • • • • • • • • • • •
Consulting / Network Design & Setup On-Site or Remote Help-Desk Support Firewall / Intrusion Prevention Systems 24/7 Network Monitoring Internet / Email / Web Hosting ZIX Email Encryption Services Data / Voice Cabling Installation Servers / Routers / Switches Desktops / Laptops / Printers Bank Integration Specialist LAN / WAN / Wireless / VPN Services T1 / DSL / VOIP / Internet Access
Visit us at www.ansnetworks.com ANS’ talented professionals develop and implement solutions with only one TECHNOLOGY WITH A GOAL purpose in mind: to help our clients achieve their mission objectives.
Advanced Network Solutions 45300 Catalina Court, Suite 104 Sterling, VA 20166
Call Today for a Free Network Evaluation 703.444.9700 or email: info@ansnetworks.com Call Today for a Free Network Evaluation
PAGE 6 | Loudoun Business
In Brief • Reston Limousine chauffeur Robert Erby was named Chauffeur of the Year during the annual Limo Digest Show. Erby was selected for his professionalism and safety practices to the trade and presented the prestigious honor during the achievement awards gala at the Nov. 6–9 livery conference in Atlantic City, NJ. A five-year employee of Reston Limousine, Erby has received numerous internal awards from his employer as well as being the recipient of many accolades from its clients for his outstanding service. Reston Limousine staffers say Erby’s value to the company extends far beyond his driving Robert Erby skills, neat appearance, and polite manners to the diverse clientele served by the metropolitan Washington’s largest limousine and shuttle bus company. Reston Limousine President and CEO Kristina Bouweiri praised Erby’s enthusiasm for his duties and noted that he “so well represents our company’s core values of customer service, safety, integrity, diversity, and being employee-centered.” Erby himself said he was honored by the accolade. The Seat Pleasant, MD, resident has been a chauffeur for 10 years, following a career as a Metro transit operator. “It was a great accomplishment. I was surprised,” he said. Being a “people person” has allowed him to be successful at his job all these years, Erby said. “I like going over and above, feed off of who I’m working with. It makes my day a lot easier and it makes them feel better too,” he said. • Loudoun Valley Floors in Purcellville has been named the Floorscapes Retailer of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic region by Mohawk. Owners Keith Fleming, Rich Iwersen, Matt Ange and Steve Jacobus received the award Dec. 3 during Mohawk’s retailer gala in Nashville, TN. “We pride ourselves on being a reputable local business that always puts the customer’s needs first and we are delighted that Mohawk recognizes our efforts. We make every decision with the people of Loudoun County in mind. We are invested in this community and as your local floor-
ing provider, we want all of our customers to feel like they are part of the Loudoun Valley Floors family,” Jacobus said. Mohawk uses various criteria to identify its regional retailers of the year, including increased business, excellence in promoting the store, as well as an ongoing commitment to training, store standards, brand building, merchandising, installation ideas and community involvement. “Loudoun Valley Floors sets the quality standard for a retail flooring business,” Jenny Nichols, director of retail marketing at Mohawk, said. “Their associates are experts in all aspects of flooring, including product, style, design and installation. We are so proud of their outstanding accomplishments and much deserved success. Loudoun Valley Floors is an asset to the Loudoun community.” “We work hard to make sure that are customers are 100 percent satisfied from start to finish,” Jacobus said. “That’s the benefit of shopping local. You’re my friend and neighbor. I value your business, and we want you to come back and see us the next time you need new flooring.” Loudoun Valley Floors is located at 129 N. Bailey Lane in Purcellville and can be found online at: www.loudounvalleyfloors.com. • Ashburn’s IT Cadre has formed a Board of Advisors to work with company leadership to assist in leveraging its foundation of talent, experience and solutions to expand its offerings and develop new opportunities. Composed of former senior level military leaders and business executives who embody leadership and excellence, the board members include John W. Meincke (brigadier general, USAF, ret.), Anthony Valletta (retired senior defense official) and Tom Hobbins (general, USAF, ret.). “These gentlemen bring invaluable industry insight and experience to IT Cadre. We are honored to have them on our team,” Mark Madigan, president and CEO of IT Cadre, stated. Meincke retired as director of Command, Control, Communications and Computer Systems (J6) at the U.S. Central Command. He also served as vice director of the Defense Information Systems Agency and as the executive officer of the Directorate of Command, Control, Communications and Computers for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Valletta had a distinguished 30-year career in the U.S. Army with 23 years in senior positions in the Department of Defense and at the Pentagon. His last position was acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence, C3I, where he reported directly to the Secretary of Defense. He has since spent almost 15 years as a corporate
executive and advisor in the defense IT industry. Hobbins retired as Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Commander, NATO Allied Air Component Command, Ramstein; and director, Joint Air Power Competence Centre, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. For the past several years, he has worked as a business consultant and advisor to defense and government IT firms.
DECEMBER 2011 also showcased. RPL, a national residential development expert, is overseeing project execution.
• Inova Loudoun Hospital’s Mary Elizabeth Miller Radiation Oncology Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology and The American Society for Radiation Oncology. Inova Loudoun is the first hospital in Northern Virginia to receive the designation. There are only 257 accredited radiation oncology sites nationwide and only 10 accredited sites in Virginia. The ACR-ASTRO seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting specific Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards developed by ACR and ASTRO after a peer-review evaluation by boardcertified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The Radiation Oncology Center at Inova Loudoun Hospital offers a comprehensive cancer program from diagnosis, surgery and treatment, to helpful education and support programs. There are a variety of free educational classes, support groups and complimentary therapy programs including pet therapy, yoga, art therapy and relaxation workshops for patients and their caregivers.
• Virginia Commerce Bank has appointed Christopher J. Ewing executive vice president and COO. Ewing joins the bank with more than 26 years of experience in the financial services industry. Most recently he was senior vice president of Retail Banking Operations and Support Services for Beneficial Bank in Philadelphia, PA. P re v i o u s l y, he held similar senior management positions at Capital One Bank and Commerce (TD) Bank. With expertise in strategic planning and project Christopher J. Ewing management, Ewing will play a pivotal role in taking the bank’s operations and technology systems to a higher level of sophistication. In his new role, Ewing will be responsible for the strategic management of all operations and technology of the bank, including deposit and loan operations, loan administration, information technology, and business process improvement. “I am honored and excited to be part of the executive management team at Virginia Commerce Bank,” Ewing stated. “The Bank has a well-earned reputation for customer service and community involvement and always strives for excellence. I am thrilled to be part of this organization and I look forward to working with management to continue to drive the Bank’s strong performance.”
• Willowsford, a new residential development near Aldie that opened for sales this year, took home two prestigious first place awards at the Great American Living Awards, presented by the Washington Metropolitan Sales & Marketing Council, Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, and the Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association. Fraser Wallace Advertising is handling the marketing and advertising for Willowsford. Each year, GALA honors excellence in design, development, and marketing in the new home industry. Willowsford won the top award for best website in the master planned community category, and overall best individual print ad. The marketing campaign, including advertising and website design, highlights Willowsford’s farming and outdoor recreational themes with on-site photography of rolling fields and breathtaking landscapes. Willowsford’s initial new home collections, designed specifically for this community by Beazer, K. Hovnanian and Van Metre Homes are
• For a second year in a row Round Hill resident Luelle Robinson was announced as the Top Sales Producer for Uniworld worldwide at the Avoya Travel Annual Sales Meeting. The 2011 meeting was held at on the Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship—the EPIC. Robinson was in the Best of the Best group of agents for Avoya Travel for the third year in a row. As the Uniworld top sales pkroducer, she was given a 15-day cruise in Eastern Europe from Vienna to Istanbul in 2012. Just prior to the annual meeting, Robinson was featured in Travel Agent’s Magazine—Top 25 Travel Agents for 2011. • The Leesburg accounting firm of Updegrove, Combs & McDaniel, PLC, added Sandra Delano to its staff as client support services coordinator. Delano will be assisting business clients with general bookkeeping, QuickBooks support and accounting process management and consulting. A resident of Winchester, she obtained a See In Brief, Page 8
DECEMBER 2011
Loudoun Business | PAGE 7
Holiday Shopping Monday - Wednesday • 10 am - 6 pm Thursday - Saturday • 10 am - 7 pm Sunday • 11 am - 5 pm #3 Loudoun Street - Leesburg, VA 20175 703.777.5337
PAGE 8 | Loudoun Business
In Brief
Continued From Page 6 bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy at East Carolina University and later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Shenandoah University with a concentration in accounting. Prior to joining Updegrove, Combs & McDaniel, PLC, she spent five years working for a large, multi-faceted organic farm as manager of the accounting department. Delano has also worked with a number of nonprofit organizations over the past 10 years and was co-owner of New LifeStyles, LC, a post secondary program for young adults with learning disabilities. • Purcellville’s Catoctin Creek Distilling Company was awarded a silver medal in the 2011 New York International Spirits Competition for its organic Watershed Gin.
Callahans
Continued From Page 3 broke the camel’s back,” pushing him to retire now. “It takes away from patient care,” Callahan said. “It’s wasted time [dealing with administrative issues] without adding anything to reduce cost and increase services. There’s no improvement in services, no reduction in payments. It forces you to work harder to give the patient personal time which is what I enjoy the most.” But Callahan said he walks away proud of what he and his practice have been able to accomplish over the years. He is effusive with pride and gratification that he is able to leave his practice in good hands, not to mention that all of its employees, save his office manager wife, will be staying on board. Those good hands belong to his own daughter, Dr. Claiborne Callahan, the oldest of his four children and the only one to follow in dad’s footsteps. Flinton Callahan said he never forced his practice of medicine on any of his children, and Claiborne said it wasn’t until she was nearing the end of medical school when she decided to go into the practice of ophthalmology. Claiborne said she had spent a lot of time growing up at her dad’s office, helping out and even working there during summers on break from college. When in medical school, Claiborne said she realized that while growing up “what I thought of a doctor doing was what an ophthalmologist does.” She broke the news to her father by telling him she had chosen an ophthalmolgist as her mentor at medical school. Flinton Callahan said he was “surprised” by Claiborne’s decision but said he was proud that she had chosen to follow in his footsteps “of [her] own volition.”
Catoctin Creek Watershed Gin is a formulation based on the distillery’s organic rye spirits, with a maceration of 10 herbs and spices, including juniper, coriander, anise, cinnamon, and orange peel. Coowner Becky Harris describes the gin as a “modern style” gin that realizes her expression of the greenness of Loudoun County. The New York International Spirits Competition is the first major international spirits competition to be judged solely by members of the trade who have purchasing power through their stores, bars, distribution networks and their resulting ability to make a direct impact on brand sales. This year’s judging panel included buyers from the top retail stores, restaurant and bar owners, distributors and importers who all donated their time and palates without hesitation or compensation.
Claiborne had been practicing medicine in Florida and Alabama, but the birth of her son in March made her, like her dad so many years ago, long to move closer to family. “It was serendipity,” Flinton Callahan said. The long-time ophthalmologist said he had been struggling at the time to think of how to transition his practice to someone else. “I had the dilemma of what’s the best way to leave the patients in good hands,” he said. “You want to make sure everyone gets good care. It solved a lot of problems.” He has been slowly transitioning the practice to his daughter, with Claiborne beginning to see some pre-op patients after she moving to Purcellville in October. In January, she will see everyone who walks through the practice’s doors. “I have big shoes to fill,” she says. “But it’s nice because I know how he takes care of patients. We have very similar ideas about taking care of patients and the same philosophy.” It also helps that she is familiar with the area, having grown up in Leesburg and graduating from Loudoun County High School. Flinton said the response from patients has been very positive that he is leaving the practice to his daughter. “Universally speaking they’re glad to have the continuity in care,” he said. In addition to keeping up the family business and the long-standing track record of care, Claiborne has another tradition to keep up: as her father delicately reminds her he and his practice have been named the best ophthalmologist in Loudoun County every year since the Leesburg Today Best of Loudoun readers’ poll debuted.
Kelley
Continued From Page 3 of the Lansdowne hospital and expanded services available at satellite facilities in Purcellville and Arcola. He also presided over plans to renovate and expand uses at the former Cornwall hospital complex in Leesburg, as well as to build a new Ashburn Healthplex and extend service to Lovettsville. Kelley’s last day at Inova Loudoun Hospital is scheduled for Dec. 21. He is expected to take up his new position early in 2012. Kelley said the contact with CaroMont came out of the blue. “It was a surprise. I got contacted by a recruiter over the summer,” he said. Although he will leave with very mixed emotions, Kelley said, “this is a huge opportunity.” It’s a great location, he said—25 minutes to downtown Charlotte—and the Gastonia area, 15 minutes from the airport, is a totally separate area with its own distinct features. And the healthcare system itself that he will be joining is “amazing,” Kelley said. It is twice the size of Loudoun and, moreover, his daughter and son-in-law live in Knoxville, so there’s “family pull also.” Kelley said he also likes the fact that CaroMont is a regional independent nonprofit, and wants to stay that way. “That is a great attraction for me,” he said. A major factor in his decision to head south is the “stellar quality of care, the highest in North Carolina,” provided by that healthcare system. “I don’t believe in coincidences, but the fact that CaroMont has earned five 10star ratings, and yesterday earned listings in the top 50 cardiac care centers in the U.S. and in the top 100 healthcare centers overall is impressive,” Kelley said. “They’ve won a wealth of awards and recognitions. It’s a very exciting and dynamic system,” he said, deeming the call to be CaroMont’s next president and CEO “an opportunity not to be missed.” Just recently, CaroMont was named number one in the nation for overall medical care in the 2012 CareChex America’s Top Quality Hospitals rankings. CareChex is a medical quality rating service of The Delta Group, the nation’s largest privately held health care information service company that provides a comprehensive evaluation of all components of medical quality. CaroMont employs just under 4,000 people and has 200 physicians employed in primary care. The job for Kelley, he says, will be to take it to the next level. As he prepares to leave Loudoun, Kelley said he has some regrets, but is looking forward to the new challenge. After almost five-and-a-half years, he has a lot of satisfaction.
DECEMBER 2011 “I think over the last four years we’ve improved quality of care and safety,” Kelley said, noting the hospital’s Magnet redesignation. “That’s a great testament to the quality of nursing care at Inova Loudoun,” he said. The rehabilitation of the Cornwall complex in Leesburg is also a huge asset, he said. That project is just at the beginning, and should be a tremendous benefit to the community when it is finished—as will be a similar project at Lansdowne, albeit on a more long-term basis. That master facility planning will take longer to achieve, he said. Cornwall is “front and center” right now, he said. When Phase 1 is completed in about a year, the main hospital will include a 22-bed facility for mental health patients, to be housed in the space now occupied by the Loudoun Community
"I think over the last four years we’ve improved quality of care and safety." – Randy Kelley
Health Center, which will be moving out to its own building. The two oldest sections of the hospital—the white pillared building to the east and its later addition, now housing the emergency room—will be taken down, to be replaced with open space and parking. Once the first phase is completed, a decision will have to be taken as to the next steps. “There will be less square footage there than before,” Kelley said. Kelley also cited the growth of programs and equipment improvements available at the Lansdowne campus, noting the addition of catheter labs to enable physicians to handle balloons and stents locally has been a big plus, “so we can deal with immediate blockages,” he said of the equipment that has been in existence for two years. Among his regrets will be leaving “a great organization, of great people,” Kelley said, noting it’s not so much the plans, the programs or the buildings that will stay with him so much as “it’s really the people. They’re consummate professionals with a focus on delivering top quality care to patients,” he said. And he also will have regrets about leaving the area. “Despite the traffic, there are still so many wonderful things to do here,” he said.
Loudoun Business | PAGE 9
DECEMBER 2011
MWAA
Continued From Page 1 process management solutions. In 2007, webMethods was acquired by SoftwareAG, located in Herndon. Merrick was previously appointed by McDonnell to the Economic Development and Jobs Creation Commission in 2010. She has served on the boards or advisory committees for Inova Healthcare Services, the Inova Health System Foundation, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Independent School (Governance, Nominating, Advancement, Financial Aid Committees), Greater DC Cares, Charity Works and the Fairfax Symphony. The removal language in the bill will give the governors of Virginia and Maryland, and the mayor of Washington, DC, the same authority as the president holds under existing law to replace members of the board as needed. Wolf also has expressed concerns about the influence of unions on the MWAA board as it fought, over the objections of local and state leaders, to make a Project Labor Agreement mandatory as part of the construction of Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail Project. The recently adopted Memorandum of Agreement brokered by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to bring down the project’s cost, has backed off that requirement. Only days after the Board of Supervisors voted in support of the amended MOA, the MWAA board followed suit casting its vote unanimously in favor of the changed document. “This momentous vote assures a new and better level of regional cooperation will go forward on behalf of this important transportation project, so that we will be able to reduce costs and so that drivers who use the Dulles Toll Road will see less steep toll hikes than originally estimated,” Board Chairman Charles Snelling said in a statement announcing the vote. “More importantly, this MOA demonstrates real cooperation between our Board, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth of Virginia and Loudoun and Fairfax Counties.” Since the summer, a group of representatives from Loudoun, Fairfax County, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the state and the federal governments have been working to find a middle ground on Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail Project, which will extend the Silver Line from Reston into Ashburn. The group was formed under LaHood after costs continued to rise for the second phase of the Silver Line, and relations between Loudoun, Fairfax and MWAA continued to disintegrate to the point that local leaders threatened to withdraw from the project. Several options to reduce the project costs were put forward as a result of those meetings, including passing funding for
the parking garages off to Loudoun and Fairfax counties and scrapping plans for an underground station at Dulles Airport. But there were many details to still be worked out, as the counties objected that local taxpayers—and Dulles corridor commuters—were being required to carry too much of the financial burden in comparison with the commitments of the state and federal governments. The amendments have brought the Phase 2 costs down to around $2.8 billion, closer to the original estimate for the project. Loudoun will be paying for 4 percent of the total cost. In the final MOA it states that Loudoun will use its “best efforts” to separately fund construction of parking garages at the Rt. 606 and Rt. 772 stations. Fairfax will do the same for its parking garages and the Rt. 28 station. If the counties cannot fund any or all of the stations’ garages, then the funding and costs would stay with the project. If Loudoun is able to find private funding for the parking garages, then the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority parking garage requirements will be waived, including the design criteria and parking fee structure. The U.S. Department of Transportation also has committed to give Fairfax and Loudoun counties federal loans through the TIFIA program to help pay for their portions of the project, if requested. If the money is not used or not completely diminished it will be applied to the whole of the project, which will help to bring down prices on the Dulles Toll Road, whose drivers will be paying for the bulk of the project. As part of the MOA, the state government also will be contributing more money, as has been pushed by many local leaders, up to $150 million, now that controversy over MWAA’s plan to require a Project Labor Agreement has been resolved. In an agreement worked out directly between the state and the MWAA, the use of union contractors will be optional. MWAA also has agreed to build an aerial station at Dulles Airport instead of the underground one it originally sought. The MOA also scales back the proposed rail yard to the size necessary to accommodate the number of rail cars needed by Silver Line operations and requires MWAA to initiate value engineering. “I am thrilled—today’s vote is a victory for residents, businesses and government bodies in the Washington metropolitan area,” Mame Reiley, chair of the Dulles Corridor Committee, stated. “Extending rail to Dulles will build a strong economic corridor because of the Silver Line that will connect the region to the Dulles Corridor and to Loudoun County.” Fairfax and Loudoun counties retain the 90-day opt-out option. That time period begins when MWAA delivers the 100 percent preliminary engineering, expected around March 2012.
WATERFORD, VIRGINIA
as
Merry Christm
www.LoudounMutual.com
& Happy New
Year
Loudoun Mutual Insurance Company P.O. Box 58 • Waterford, VA 20197 • PHONE 1.800.752.3458 • FAX 1.540.882.4785
Does your business need a 50-Meg connection to the Internet?
Get up to speed today with
Roadstar High Speed Internet Access • Reliable, local service • Support Home Networking • Professional, timely installation
New Fiber Level Speeds 20130 Lakeview Center Plaza, Suite 140, Ashburn, VA 20147
888-21-RSTAR
sales@roadstarinternet.com • www.roadstarinternet.com
PAGE 10 | Loudoun Business
Supervisors
Continued From Page 1 planning for pockets of high density urbanscale development in eastern Loudoun but also would lock the county into a long-term funding commitment that critics say will outstrip any economic development benefit of the rail line. During the new board’s orientation sessions in December, the supervisors-elect got a broad overview of county agencies and operational policies. Aside from questions about the county budget—a topic now set for a detailed briefing session Dec. 19—perhaps no area of county government generated more questions than the Department of Economic Development. DED Director Tom Flynn cited the county’s national recognition as a fast-growing job provider—CNN Money touted Loudoun as having the country’s second fastest job growth rate, 53.4 percent, over the past decade-and a chart showing Loudoun has “won” 27 of the 30 top business prospects his department worked on during 2011. Flynn said deals closed in 2011 involved 3.2 million square feet of commercial space and 2,920 new jobs. But the newly elected board members quickly peppered him with questions about how the department, currently funded at $1.8 million, could do more. Ralph Buona (R-Ashburn) asked how many staff members Flynn had on the street marketing Loudoun to prospective businesses, drawing the answer of about 3.5. Janet Clarke (R-Blue Ridge) wanted to gauge the adequacy of the department’s business recruitment outreach and its tracking system, asking how many of the agency’s contacts result from call-ins and how many were recruited through staff members’ sales efforts. Matt Letourneau (R-Dulles) asked how the department identified its prospects and how well it worked with state agencies. Flynn told supervisors his department takes a number of approaches. For continuing to build the county’s data center investment, currently one of Loudoun’s most active markets, Flynn said his staff has been invited by Dominion Virginia Power to join in meetings with data center builders. Flynn pointed out many of the new businesses that selected Loudoun during 2011 were data centers, as the county continues to leverage its location at a key junction of the nation’s fiber-optic network. Last year the Board of Supervisors approved plans for a large data center campus on land next to a planned power plant south of Leesburg. The new board will be evaluating a request filed in September by Equinix to build a 1.1 million-square-foot data/center office complex on 87 acres along Loudoun County
Parkway. Flynn also pointed to a special program in November that brought in representatives of the cargo industry to tour the opportunities available around Dulles Airport. The county also has hired an outside consulting firm to search for companies whose needs match the county’s key assets, he said. The new supervisors are only months away from beginning work on their first county budget, but Buona asked a question indicative of the direction the board is headed. He asked Flynn how much it would
Loudoun EDC members affirmed the effort to extend rail service to Loudoun as their top priority in a recent exercise.
cost and what resources would be needed to double the list of prospects recruited by his department. While the answer isn’t expected to come until County Administrator Tim Hemstreet presents his budget next year, County Chairman Scott K. York (R-At Large) warned Flynn to expect a lot of attention from the new board. “We look forward to working with you, but we are going to be a big challenge,” he said. While the new board works to develop the details of its economic development strategy, the county’s Economic Development Commission took time during its December meeting for a year-end reevaluation of its priorities for presentation to the new board. Each of the commission’s four committees—Education and Workforce, Marketing and Business Retention, Policy and Implementation, and Transportation and Infrastructure—were asked to come up with a “top five” list themselves. These priorities were then shared with the commission Dec. 2 and a list made of the most common responses. A priority list from the Leesburg Economic Development Commission was also shared. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee identified the extension of
Rail to Loudoun; improvements to the transportation network; implementation of the current board’s Rt. 28 zoning initiative; increasing cargo services at Dulles Airport; and continued support for core infrastructure networks, like the expansion of Loudoun Water's water re-use program, low-cost power options and access to high speed fiber; as its top five. The Policy and Implementation Committee selected Rail to Loudoun; affordable workforce housing; a businessfriendly environment; Comprehensive Plan review; and transportation and infrastructure funding as its five. The five priorities for the Education and Workforce Committee were: civility and cooperation within government; developing and supporting a coherent, long-range strategic economic development plan; Dulles Rail; working with K-12 and higher education providers to meet schools’ needs; and workforce/affordable housing. The Marketing and Business Retention Committee went above and beyond the call for five key economic development issues and instead came up with 11 priorities. These included: developing a clear and well-communicated countywide vision; increasing sustainability practices in the county; Rail to Loudoun; a comprehensive and progressive transportation plan; the creation of an Economic Development Authority; a professional and civil demeanor among the Board of Supervisors; supporting and growing small businesses; workforce housing; delivering broadband to the entire county; increasing funding to Visit Loudoun; and investing and engaging young professionals. After all the responses were shared, commissioners were asked to place stick-
DECEMBER 2011 ers next to their personal top five wish list for the county. Then, after all the stickers were tallied, the commission’s top five were revealed. They are, in order: 1) complete rail to Loudoun (tie); 1) promote a business-friendly environment that increases support to grow small businesses and the rural economy (tie); 3) develop a clear and well-communicated countywide vision with a long-term economic development plan; 4) develop an effective transportation network, with transportation and infrastructure funding and a comprehensive countywide transportation plan; and 5) create more affordable workforce/student housing in Loudoun. But a key recommendation to the new board may be to move away from having the EDC as a board-appointed advisory panel and move toward an Economic Development Authority, one that could put financing in place to help achieve the county’s business growth goals. An EDA has been explored periodically over the past 20 years, but supervisors have resisted creating an independent panel with bond-issuing authority. Outgoing EDC Chairman John Wood also recommended the EDC be restructured into a more flexible staff-level resource, with business leaders reporting to Hemstreet on an ad-hoc basis as the need arises. “If the Board of Supervisors were to take these steps it would make a huge statement to the business community that Loudoun is open for business,” he said. “It would be a tangible example of the new board governing rather than managing and delegating authority. Loudoun would benefit from better decisions.”
Report: Commercial Tax Base Making Strides
By Kara Clark, Staff Writer
A recent presentation by the Economic Development Commission’s Policy and Implementation Committee shows the growth of the county’s commercial tax base over the past few years, but there is more work to be done before commercial development takes more burden off residential taxpayers. In a Dec. 2 presentation, committee members showed data from FY06 and FY11, giving EDC members a five-year glimpse of the residential and commercial tax bases in Loudoun. Both residential and commercial revenues have grown in the past few years, although their costs have as well. In FY06, residential revenues were at $429 million; in FY11 they are $579 million. Costs for providing services, such as public
safety, schools and community services like libraries and recreational facilities, are at $936 million in FY11, up from $751 million in FY06. On the commercial side, revenues now hover around $337 million, with costs of services around $127 million. This is in contrast to FY06 figures of $255 million and $67 million, respectively. The conclusion then is fairly simple. The county gains more from its commercial tax base, providing services valued at 38 cents for every $1 in revenue collected. On the residential end, the county government provides $1.62 worth of services for each $1 in tax collections. County staffers at the meeting estimated that Loudoun is about two-thirds of the way developed on the residential end but is “a long way away” on maxing out its commercial development space.
Loudoun Business | PAGE 11
DECEMBER 2011
â– Business Calendar
Jan. 4
Dec. 13
efordulles.org.
Bookkeeping & Taxation for Small Businesses
Facebook for Business
7 p.m., Leesburg Town Hall, 25 W. Market St., Leesburg Join the town’s Economic Development Commission issues pertinent to the town. For more information, visit www.leesburgva. gov.
Loudoun Small Business Development Center 6 to 8:30 p.m., George Washington University Virginia Campus, 20101 Academic Way, Exploration Hall, Room 101, Ashburn Certified public accountant Richard Hall will advise attendees on the set-up of accounting records; monthly and quarterly filings and bookkeeping responsibilities; the four most common tax returns for companies; and important areas of corporate accounting. Pre-registration fee is $25 or $30 at the door. To register, visit www. loudounsbdc.org.
Dec. 14 Middleburg Women
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Briar Patch Bed & Breakfast, 23130 Briar Patch Lane, Middleburg The monthly networking luncheon this month will feature a panel on Women in Beauty and Fashion. Panelists include: Lisa Capraro, owner of Betsey Boutique in Middleburg; Annette Harris, president and founder of Harris ImageWorks; and Carolyn Severo, business director for Radiance Salon & Medi-Spa. For registration and pricing information, visit www.middleburgwomen.com.
Dec. 15 Executive Engagement Series
Loudoun Chamber of Commerce 8 to 10 a.m., George Washington University Virginia Campus, 20101 Academic Way, Fourth Floor Auditorium, Ashburn Join the Young Professionals for its popular Executive Engagement Series where local entrepreneur Ara Bagdasarian, CEO of Leesburg-based Omnilert and author of The Lemonade Stand, will speak about what he has learned along the way about building a business and investing in the community. Pre-registration fee is $15 for Chamber members and guests or $20 at the door. To register, visit www.loudounchamber.org.
Committee For Dulles Luncheon
11:30 a.m., Hyatt Dulles, 2300 Dulles Corner Boulevard, Herndon Dulles Airport Manager Chris Browne delivers his annual update on how the airport fared in 2011 and what to look forward to in 2012. For registration and pricing information, visit www.committe-
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn As part of a joint effort between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Facebook and the National Federation of Independent Business, a free seminar will give local businesses a chance to meet with experts to discuss how to get the best results in connecting with customers on Facebook. The seminar is free, although reservations are appreciated. For more information, visit www.loudounchamber.org.
Start Your Business
Loudoun Small Business Development Center; 6 to 8:30 p.m., The George Washington University Virginia Campus, 20101 Academic Way, Exploration Hall, Room 101, Ashburn SBDC Business Counselor Ruth Cope and Art Thompson, principal with Keyser Thompson Insurance Agency, Inc., provide attendees with the basics of starting a business. Highlights of the seminar include: taxes and licensing; business plan development; sources of financing; marketing; insurance; and entrepreneurial traits. Preregistration fee is $10 or $15 at the door. To register, visit www.loudounsbdc.org.
Dec. 21 Career Seminar
Miles LeHane Companies, Inc. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Miles LeHane Companies, 205 N. King St., Leesburg The day-long, complimentary event is open to anyone who could use some guidance on the basics of resumes, networking, job search and interviewing skills. Continental breakfast and a working lunch will be provided. Individual discussions will be available from 4 to 5 p.m. RSVPs must be received by Friday, Dec. 16 and seating is limited to the first 12 individuals. To register, call 703-777-3370 or email feedback@mileslehane.com.
Holiday Open House
Loudoun Chamber of Commerce 1 to 5 p.m., Chamber offices, 19301 Winmeade Dr., Suite 210, Lansdowne Members of the business community are invited to drop by for a cup of good cheer, tasty treats and networking time during the Chamber’s annual Holiday Open House. There is no fee to attend, nor is registration necessary. Catering will be provided by area restaurants.
Leesburg Economic Commission
Development
Jan. 26 Annual Meeting
Jan. 5 Board of Supervisors Breakfast
Loudoun Chamber of Commerce 8 to 10 a.m., Location TBD Chamber members and guests will have the exclusive opportunity to meet with the members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and hear firsthand the direction the board will choose to take in 2012 and how that might impact Loudoun’s business climate and quality of life. Pre-registration fee is $35 for Chamber members and $50 for non-members; price increases by $10 at the door. To register and for more information, visit www.loudounchamber.org.
Jan. 6 Loudoun Economic Commission
different business fields. Each luncheon in the Grow Your Business series features a prepared presentation followed by an extensive Q&A session. Lunch is provided. Cost for the event is $10 for Chamber members and $15 for non-members and walk-ins. To register, visit www.loudounchamber.org.
Development
8 to 10 a.m., Ida Lee Park Recreation Center, 60 Ida Lee Dr., Leesburg
Loudoun Chamber of Commerce 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., The National Conference Center, 18980 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne Join the Loudoun County business community at the 2012 Annual Meeting, where Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA-10) will be the guest speaker. In addition, the Annual Meeting will feature the transfer of the Leadership Gavel from 2011 Chairman of the Board Thomas Moler of Yount Hyde & Barbour, P.C., to incoming Chairman Kurt Krause of The National Conference Center, as well as the administration of the Oath of Office to members of the 2012 Loudoun County Chamber Board of Directors. Pre-registration fee is $65 for Chamber members and $90 for non-members; price increases by $10 at the door. To register, visit www.loudounchamber.org.
Join the county Economic Development Commission for its monthly meeting, where economic development and business matters throughout Loudoun will be discussed. For more information, visit www.biz.loudoun.gov.
Jan. 17 Grow Your Business
Loudoun Chamber of Commerce 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Chamber offices, 19301 Winmeade Dr. #210, Lansdowne “Options and Strategies for Small Business Health Insurance� will be the monthly topic in a series that gets attendees up close and personal with experts in
Your best source for daily news in Loudoun.
Professional Business Connections
Call us to place your ad 703-771-8831
$"50$5*/ 7&5&3*/"3: $-*/*$
%S ,FJUI 3PCCJOT %S 4VTBO $POXBZ %S 1FUFS 1SFDLPXTLJ 1SPVEMZ 4FSWJOH -PVEPVO $PVOUZ 4JODF XXX DBUPDUJOWFU DPN %SZ .JMM 48 -FFTCVSH
PAGE 12 | Loudoun Business
Monday - Wednesday • 10:00 am - 6:00pm Thursday, Friday & Saturday • 10:00 am - 7 pm Sunday • 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
27 S. King Street Leesburg, Virginia 703-777-6875
Wonderful Gifts • Wreaths Holiday Scents & much more...
DECEMBER 2011