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Tribute to Sharon Scott

As our seasons of life unfold, there are experiences to leave behind and new opportunities and adventures to embrace ahead. For Sharon Scott, her decade of comprehensive contributions to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and business community is coming to a close. The three largest goals during her tenure in various positions, most recently as president and chief executive officer, have been realized:

• Pay off debt • Find a permanent location • Create a dues structure that reflects Chamber values

All of these laudable ambitions and more have been achieved under Scott’s leadership and commitment to the business community. She has steadily navigated the oft-fluctuating economic climate, watching businesses grow and thrive, struggle and close, retire out, sell out and otherwise change business models. “Seeing the growth and understanding why people risk everything to start a business to serve our residents and communities has been the most rewarding aspect of this job,” she states. Across the last 10 years, programs for the Chamber have doubled. Henry Bass, 2021 Chamber board chair, reports that: “Opportunities to recognize and celebrate the business community have increased by 75%; communications have increased by 50%; networking opportunities have grown by 40%. We host two annual business conferences with more on the horizon and have made great strides in working with local, state and federal legislators to support the needs of the business community.” Scott has offered guidance and direction all along the way with her professional management style and willing evaluation of new ideas, suggestions and approaches to serving and maintaining a strong business environment. Her passion for the New River Valley is formidable, and she and her husband, John Tutle, have no plans to leave the region. The leadership position at the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is open and accepting applications. While Scott is not participating in the selection process, she plans to be on hand to assist the incoming person and the entire staff in any way she can for a streamlined transition.

Thank you, Sharon Scott, for all your efforts on behalf of Montgomery County businesses and residents. Your time, energy, ingenuity, expertise and leadership savvy have been incredible assets which have rippled throughout and enhanced the prosperity of the New River Valley. 23 8 45 35 44 41 39 6 17 41 29 26 21 43 24 31 23 3 17 17 15 33 27 43 31 35 41 27 4 43 19 5 43 45 23 13 13 13 41 29 35 41 21 19 2 21 37 26 23 33 31 17 27 47 35 37 48 27 A1 Heating & Cooling Albimino & Stenger Back to Nature Beliveau Farm Bonomo's Brickhouse Pizza Brown Insurance Celco FCU Citizens Collision Plus Cuban Culture Economy Darin Greear Dehart Tile Dogtown Roadhouse Duncan Auto Dwight Atkinson Energy Check English Meadows Eric Johnsen State Farm Eyes on Main Freedom First Mortgage Giles County Harvey's GM Joba Designs Kelly Griffin Kesler Contracting Knibbs Battery Lee's Body Shop Long & Foster Real Estate Macado's Main Street Inn Martin's Pharmacy Matrix Gallery Nest Realty New River Art & Fiber Newberry Ford NextHome NRV Northpoint Insurance NRVIP Law Off the Wall P. Buckley Moss Pearis Mercantile Pembroke Stop n Save Progress Street Builders Pulaski County Red Flame Oil Richfield Living Shelor Motormile Shelter Alternatives, Inc. Sinkland Farms Skyline National Bank Smithfield Tawney Appliance Service The Mitchell Law Firm The Village Gardener VDDHH.org Warm Hearth Village Webb Donald