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Fall 2017 Issue 10 bristolchamber.com
Bristol, TN/VA Chamber of Commerce
5TH ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITIES SWVA Mountain Brew Trail
YP Bristol
New Members
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Fall 2017 Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Executive Committee Chair of the Board Janice Jones, United Southeast Federal Credit Union Chair Elect Jerry Caldwell, Bristol Motor Speedway Past Chairman/Vice Chair Business, Industry & Education Jim Maxwell, Bristol Herald Courier Treasurer Jerry Kirk, Renasant Bank Vice Chair Government Relations William Burriss, III, BurWil Construction Co., Inc. Vice Chair Community Leadership Danny Carter, BELFOR Vice Chair Member Relations Jody Dutcher, Electro-Mechanical Corporation Vice Chair Convention & Visitors Bureau John Rainero, Permatile Vice Chair Board Relations Chris Lee, Bill Gatton Automotive
Directors
Brad Adams, Johnson Commercial Development Jack Dempsey, News 5 WCYB/WEMT Fox Tri-Cities Clayton Dowell, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services Mark Esposito, PennStuart Eric Fields, The Summit Companies Jessica Flagg, Eastman Bill Ford, SESCO Management Chris Hall, BVU Authority Karen Hester, Cranberry Lane/The Southern Churn Bart Long, Bart Long and Associates Greg Neal, Bristol Regional Medical Center Lynn Osborne, Eastman Credit Union April Peltier, Bell Helicopter David Ring, Strongwell Brock Slone, Shearers Foods, Inc. Kevin Stafford, KVAT/Food City Mitch Walters, The Friendship Family of Dealerships
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner was in Bristol in August to unveil the Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail.
Ex-Officio Board Members Maggie Bishop, Believe in Bristol Dr. Gene Couch, Virginia Highlands Community College Randy Eads, City of Bristol Virginia Dr. Gary Lilly, Bristol Tennessee City Schools Hon. Kevin Mumpower, Bristol Virginia Mayor Dr. Keith Perrigan, Bristol Virginia Public Schools Evelyn Rafalowski, Sullivan County Director of Schools Leah Ross, Birthplace of Country Music Bill Sorah, City of Bristol Tennessee Hon. Richard Venable, Sullivan County Mayor Alexander “Whit” Whitaker, King University Hon. Jack Young, Bristol Tennessee Mayor
Chamber Staff Beth Rhinehart - President & CEO brhinehart@bristolchamber.org Amy Shuttle - Senior Vice President, Member Relations & Organizational Development ashuttle@bristolchamber.org Chris Fields - Director, Education & Workforce Development cfields@bristolchamber.org Angie Gent - Executive Administrative Assistant agent@bristolchamber.org Sarah Hutchinson - Director, IT & Graphic Design shutchinson@bristolchamber.org Karen Johnson - Controller kjohnson@bristolchamber.org Chelsea Ketron - Director, Marketing & Government Relations cketron@bristolchamber.org Veronica Miller - Member Care Specialist frontdesk@bristolchamber.org Lori Worley - Senior Director, Communications & Public Relations lworley@bristolchamber.org
The mission of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce is the unified voice of business advocating for a progressive, innovative and sustainable economic climate. Publisher Bristol Chamber of Commerce 423.989.4850 bristolchamber.com Photography provided by David Crigger, Bristol Herald Courier Reece Hill, Hill Photography Service Earl Neikirk, Bristol Herald Courier Andre Teague, Bristol Herald Courier Printed by Interstate Graphics, Inc. Advertising Sales To purchase advertising in this publication, please contact Lori Worley at lworley@bristolchamber.org
CONTENTS
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From The Chair of the Board President’s Report Gold Club Members Chamber Events Keep Bristol Beautiful New Member Profiles page 12 5th Annual State of the Cities YP Bristol LEAD Bristol! Bristol Youth Leadership Best of Virginia Awards Conservation Camp First Friday Business Briefing Bristol Christmas Parade/Ambassador of the Quarter SWVA Mountain Brew Trail Awards and Achievements Fall 2017
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From The Chair of the Board I wonder if we all truly realize just how fortunate we are to have events such as the Bristol Motor Speedway NASCAR races and Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion happening in our city every year - and the impact we all have on those attending these events? These highly acclaimed events are nationally recognized and celebrated and draw fans to our wonderful city from all over the world. And those fans are vitally important to the economy of not just Bristol but the entire region. Millions of dollars are infused into our economy because these people are passionate about BMS racing and Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. They don’t just spend their money at these events either – they’re spending it at countless businesses, many of which depend, in large part, on these big weekends to supplement their bottom lines. For the Night Races at BMS, fans start flocking to Bristol as much as two weeks out. These folks, who travel from all 50 states and more than two dozen countries, get here early and then start exploring. You’ll see them setting up in the campgrounds first, then notice them in restaurants (many already sporting their favorite driver’s hats or t-shirts), grocery stores, in our wonderful retail establishments, music venues, all over downtown Bristol, at the lake and at the parks. These visitors truly are everywhere! The music lovers who come here the third weekend of every September are just as passionate about Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. They spend countless hours traveling to Bristol from all over and then can’t wait to see what they can get into when they’re not taking in all the amazing tunes the festival has to offer for three straight days. These people who visit Bristol come back year after year. And boy, aren’t we all thankful that they do? These fans are certainly valued customers and they are welcomed with open arms by both Bristol Motor Speedway and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion officials – and that, I know, is one of the biggest reasons that they circle the dates of these events on their calendars every year. When it comes to taking care of people, nobody does it better. I also think, though, that they come back because they receive such a warm welcome from everyone they cross paths with in Bristol. We’re known in this area for being friendly and hospitable – and we aren’t recognized for those things just because we’re part of the South and it’s expected. We’re known for it simply because it’s ingrained in all of us and it’s authentic. How many times have you driven down State Street and seen somebody holding up traffic so they can have their picture taken with one foot on either side of the state line marker? Or stopped and waited patiently while someone grabs a shot of our historic Bristol Sign? Every time we do these little things that we don’t think twice about we make an impression on these visitors. And it can make the difference in them making return trips for the races, the music festival or to shop or to play – and to simply Discover Bristol. Thanks to everyone who goes the extra mile in making Bristol’s biggest events so successful and welcoming!
Janice Jones 2017 Chair of the Board Bristol Chamber of Commerce
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President’s Report So often when I attend meetings and conferences there is a sure bet there will be conversation about engaging Young Professionals in our communities. A Young Professional generally refers to young people in their 20s and 30s who are employed in a profession. Attracting and keeping Young Professionals should be a targeted effort for all communities who want a thriving and growing business climate. Why? By 2030, Millennials will make up the majority of the workforce, so it is critically important for the health of our local economy to better understand this demographic and make a proactive effort to incorporate them into every possible aspect of our community. Who will be the future leaders of the local professional community? It’s our Young Professionals, and we cannot miss the opportunity to connect with them. We face the challenge of developing approaches to prepare for a civilization that does not yet fully exist. A key driver of young adults to local industries is the growing array of amenities that provide them with opportunities not only for professional development and networking, but community engagement and social interaction. The Bristol Chamber of Commerce is committed to addressing the needs and benefits of our Young Professionals, and has established and officially kicked off YP Bristol! We employ YPs at the Bristol Chamber and we look to them for guidance and leadership, particularly when it comes to engaging other YPs in the region. YP Bristol focuses on three things: Connect, Serve and Lead. Connect - networking and social opportunities to connect Bristol’s Young Professionals to one another and the community. Serve - community impact opportunities to give our Young Professionals an organized way to give back to the community while also giving them a voice and active role in the future of our region. Lead - leadership and professional development event opportunities to accelerate the influence of our Young Professionals (prepare them to serve on boards and step up to leadership roles within the community). We need the involvement of our YPs to help us adapt to the continuously emerging and rapidly changing way that we approach Economic Development, how we govern and how we think. YPs are looking for creative communities. Communities need diversity and perspective. Part of this challenge is also working with those of us who are NOT YPs, and balancing the wants and needs of our multi-generational workforce. There is a respectful balance that has to be achieved for a harmonious environment of coexistence within the workplace, and the YP Bristol program will provide opportunities to impact this through roundtables and other professional development opportunities. I often hear from YPs a concern for how to advance in a multi-generational workplace, how do I fit in, how to influence their workplace culture and start performing at the highest levels, how to get noticed, create impact and at the same time discover how to start generating more income and accelerate their advancement. In order to reach our vision for a Bristol that is growing and thriving, our YPs will need to be engaged and prepared to lead us both to and during the next 30+ years. As business owners and leaders, I encourage you to invite and support your YPs to learn about and participate in the YP Bristol group. By reaching and engaging our YPs through the three areas of connecting, service and leadership, Bristol will be investing in its future. As much as we don’t want to admit it, we aren’t going to be around forever to sit at the table, so we have an obligation to mentor and train others to do so successfully! Beth Rhinehart President & CEO Bristol Chamber of Commerce
GOLD CLUB AtWork Personnel Services Bank of Tennessee BB&T BELFOR Bell Helicopter Bill Gatton Automotive Group Birthplace of Country Music ® Branding Iron Bristol Compressors International, Inc. Bristol Herald Courier Bristol Motor Speedway Bristol Regional Medical Center Bristol Tennessee Essential Services Brown Edwards & Company, L.L.P. Burke, Powers, & Harty, Inc. BurWil Construction Company, Inc. Cintas Corporation City of Bristol Tennessee Comfort Systems USA - Bristol Courtyard by Marriott
Cranberry Lane Earhart Campground Eastman Credit Union Edward Jones - Rita Kiscaden Electric Sun Tanning of Bristol, VA Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. First Community Bank Food City The Friendship Family of Dealerships Hilton Garden Inn Holiday Inn Bristol Conference Center Holston Medical Group, PC J.A. Street & Associates, Inc. Johnson Commercial Development Keen Promotions KS Promotional Products Lighthouse Supply Company Mattern & Craig Necessary Oil Company
News 5 WCYB/FOX Tri-Cities WEMT/Tri-Cities CW Northeast State Community College PennStuart Pratt Industries Renasant Bank Sam’s Club SBS Services Second Harvest Food Bank of NE TN SESCO Management Consultants Shearer’s Foods Inc. Southern States Bristol Cooperative Spectrum Business Strongwell The Bristol Hotel The High Road Agency The Summit Companies The Virginian Thompson & Litton United Southeast Federal Credit Union W-L Construction and Paving, Inc.
AGERO 115 Sprint Drive, Blountville, TN
SPEEDPRO IMAGING OF THE TRI-CITIES 100 Deck Lane, Blountville, TN
DOMINION SENIOR LIVING OF BRISTOL 425 Shelby Lane, Bristol, TN
NETWORKING EVENTS
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TACO JOHN’S 1315 Euclid Avenue, Bristol, VA
WALLACE IMPORTS OF BRISTOL 320 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN
BRISTOL LIFESTYLE RECOVERY 261 North Street, Bristol, TN
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NE TN 1020 Jericho Drive, Kingsport, TN
WALLACE IMPORTS OF BRISTOL 320 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, VA
KING UNIVERSITY 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN
Fall 2017
25TH ANNUAL SOUTH HOLSTON LAKE AND RIVER CLEANUP NETS MORE THAN 11 TONS OF GARBAGE More than 400 volunteers took part in Keep Bristol Beautiful’s 25th Annual South Holston Lake and River Cleanup, which took place Aug. 12. Volunteers scoured the banks and waters of both the river and the lake, netting more than 11 tons of garbage. Hundreds of tires – 460, in fact - were pulled from the water, along with a freezer, mattresses and other appliances. This year’s numbers bring the total to approximately 690 tons of garbage recovered since the cleanup began in 1993. Volunteers were treated to an after-cleanup party that included live music, a cookout provided by Food City and prepared by Jacobs Creek Job Corps, and more than $6,000 in door prizes, donated by sponsors. Special thanks to our sponsors: City of Bristol Tennessee, Bristol Compressors, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, Eastman Credit Union, Electro-Mechanical Corporation, Laurel Marina, Painter Creek Marina, Republic Services, Waste Industries, A&S Portables, Bristol Herald Courier, Chick-fil-A, Food City, Jacobs Creek Job Corps, Mountain Sports Ltd., Sexton’s Marine, Tennessee Clean Water Network (TCWN), Tennessee Department of Transportation, TVA, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Trout Unlimited. South Holston Lake covers 7,580 acres with 168 miles of shoreline. The Cherokee National Forest borders much of the lake along with the U.S Forest Service Campgrounds, Girl Scouts Campgrounds, private campgrounds and Sullivan County Campgrounds. South Holston Lake provides drinking water to 73,000 people and recreation such as boating, fishing and swimming for an average of 4,000,000 people each year. Keep Bristol Beautiful, a certified affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, has coordinated the annual South Holston Lake & River Cleanup since its inception 25 years ago. Approximately 19,000 community volunteers have participated in the cleanup throughout the years.
AMERICA RECYCLES DAY SET FOR NOV. 18 Keep Bristol Beautiful’s annual America Recycles Day will take place Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m.-noon at Malcolm Stadium/DeVault Field (1501 Euclid Ave., Bristol, Va.). This event will offer electronic waste recycling (no televisions), tire recycling and paper shredding to all local residents at no charge. America Recycles Day, a Keep America Beautiful program, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting and celebrating recycling in the United States. Every year, on or around Nov. 15, event organizers educate neighbors, friends and colleagues about recycling through the thousands of events that take place across the country. Founded in 1997, America Recycles Day is an opportunity to make recycling bigger and better 365 days a year. The Keep Bristol Beautiful America Recycles Day is sponsored by the cities of Bristol, Tennessee and Bristol, Virginia, the Bristol Herald Courier, Shred-A-Way and Tennessee Valley Authority. For more information, please contact the Bristol Chamber of Commerce at 423-989-4850.
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NEW MEMBER PROFILES ADVANCED RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES ROBERT MCILWAIN 1788 Island Road, Bristol, VA 423.963.8013 Advanced Resource Opportunities is a small company started by Robert McIlwain and Nancy Morrell. Their services include Craig’s List postings and Sales for lumbar passive motion tables for home use for people with back pain.
SABRINA FLEENOR 8006 Reedy Creek Road, Bristol, VA 276.608.3555 www.fleenorfarms.com The Corn Maze at Fleenor Farms is a real working, generational farm in beautiful Southwest Virginia. When you visit the corn maze you will get the full farm experience. The family offers educational tours complete with farm animals, hayride and a trip on the farm train. If you are looking for a place for an event or party THE BARN at Fleenor Farms is also available.
GEOFF HALE Bristol, TN 423.383.6044 www.solar-response.com Solar Response in Bristol, TN/VA offers a wide variety of solar control window film, safety/security film, and decorative film. Whether your concerns are cooling costs, fading, privacy, protection from storms or vandalism, or just too much glare, Solar Response has what it takes to satisfy your needs.
LINDA AUSTIN 261 North Street, Bristol, TN 423.845.5600 www.bristollifestylerecovery.org The mission of BLR is to fulfill a critical community need by providing longterm, affordable lifestyle recovery in a therapeutic, residential setting while helping residents find purpose and balance through a holistic approach for physical, emotional and spiritual wellness.
JEREMY LADUKE Bristol, TN 423.406.3168 www.epicnine.com Epic Nine is a marketing department for businesses that don’t have marketing departments, and a supplement for those that do. They offer a full-range of marketing services including public relations, search engine optimization, web design, mobile advertising, social media, photo/video, and consulting.
DAWN BOUCH 142 W. Market Street, Johnson City, TN 423.282.9348 www.trytuc.com TUC Technologies provides help desk services, on-site IT services, proactive network monitoring, as well as hardware and software solutions for businesses like yours. Located in Johnson City, they currently support clients in 9 states with their fully staffed, live help desk service. Their smallest client is 5 users; their largest 187 users in 24 locations.
REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
MICHAEL WARD 2830 Highway 394, Bristol, TN 423.232.6005 www.cccofbristol.com Christian Care Center of Bristol is a 120 bed, state of the art skilled nursing facility. There’s 24 hour nursing staff and onsite physician services. They offer inpatient and outpatient physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy. They offer 36 private and 42 semi private rooms. Each room is equipped with its own fire place and individual televisions.
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PASTOR AUSTIN PROPST 672 Island Road, Bristol, VA 276.466.2950 www.redeemerbristol.org Redeemer Lutheran Church is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and part of the Virginia Synod. Redeemer has been a part of the Bristol community since 1904. They welcome all to worship with them on Sundays at 10:30, and when they say all, they mean everyone because they believe God’s grace is unconditionally given to all God’s children.
TONY SALYER 619 State Street, Bristol, VA 276.466.4064 www.willowcreekbristol.com Willow Creek offers antiques, collectibles and one of a kind treasures. They have approximately 80 booths. Each booth is owned and operated by a Dealer who manages their business within Willow Creek. They recently opened the upstairs and are currently renovating the front of the building.
Bristol Chamber President and CEO Beth Rhinehart and Chair Janice Jones, along with representatives from both Virginia and Tennessee, pose in front of the iconic Bristol Sign.
5TH ANNUAL STATE OF THE CITIES FEATURES MAYORS YOUNG, MUMPOWER The 5th Annual State of the Cities event took place Aug. 9 at the Bristol Train Station before a sold-out crowd. Bristol Tennessee Mayor Jack Young and Bristol Virginia Mayor Kevin Mumpower were the featured speakers at the event, which was sponsored by Bristol Tennessee Essential Services and Food City. Mayor Young addressed the crowd of local business leaders first, touting Bristol’s new branding, which focuses on “Bristol is…” “Bristol is ... fill in the blank,” Young said. “That’s what we discovered when creating the new brand for the city. Bristol is so many different things to so many different people. The obvious to many is racing or the Birthplace of Country Music - or something else. We are all passionate about one of those identities, because it represents who we are, where we come from, and what we are as a city.” He said Bristol was also businesses, education, shopping, art and culture, innovation, families and home.
“Bristol is ... fill in the blank,” Young said. “That’s what we discovered when creating the new brand for the city. Bristol is so many different things to so many different people. The obvious to many is racing or the Birthplace of Country Music - or something else. We are all passionate about one of those identities, because it represents who we are, where we come from, and what we are as a city.” - Mayor Jack Young City of Bristol, Tennessee
Young also discussed the work being done on the city’s comprehensive plan, which will chart the city’s path for the next 20 years, the new fire department near The Pinnacle, another hiring expo coming to Bristol Motor Speedway this year and $27 million the city will receive in school funding from Sullivan County school bonds. That funding is slated to go toward building a new middle school. He also discussed the city’s balanced budget, something Bristol, Tennessee has been able to accomplish for 14 consecutive years.
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“It’s says Building Bristol. That’s the way we view it; we’re actually building Bristol back to where we want it to be. My theme is going to be ‘go big or go home.’ It means you’ve got to think big, you’ve got to act big and you’ve got to move fast. That’s what manufacturer’s do – so it’s go big or go home.” - Mayor Kevin Mumpower City of Bristol, Virginia
Mayor Mumpower said that Bristol, Virginia’s branding is all about “Building Bristol,” featured in the city’s promotional branding. “It’s says Building Bristol,” he said of the video. “That’s the way we view it; we’re actually building Bristol back to where we want it to be. My theme is going to be ‘go big or go home.’ It means you’ve got to think big, you’ve got to act big and you’ve got to move fast. That’s what manufacturer’s do – so it’s go big or go home.” Mumpower said the city has a strong team and they’ve plotted a new course. A new chief financial officer and economic development director, who will be hired soon, will help them run the city as close to a business as possible. He also discussed the importance of partnerships with Washington County (Va.), as well as Bristol, Tennessee. Before the mayors spoke, Virginia Del. Israel O’Quinn and Tennessee State Rep. John Crawford presented state proclamations honoring Bristol Motor Speedway for its 25 years of hosting the Food City 500. Crawford’s proclamation from the Tennessee General Assembly also recognized BMS Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Caldwell.
Bristol Motor Speedway general manager Jerry Caldwell was honored with state proclamations from Virginia Del. Israel O’Quinn and Tennessee State Rep. John Crawford.
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The 17th Annual Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion festival was another tremendous success, highlighted by a performance from Dwight Yoakam! Three amazing days of wonderful music and packed streets in Bristol... we can’t wait until next year’s event!
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LEAD BRISTOL! WELCOMES NEW CLASS With more than 900 graduates over 30-plus years, the awardwinning LEAD Bristol! program is a proven commodity utilized by numerous companies and organizations whose goal is to aid their employees in becoming leaders. The nine-month training course, a Bristol Chamber of Commerce program, is available to all area businesses and focuses on providing skills that are essential to leadership development. The program focuses on building leadership skills and gives participants valuable networking opportunities with others in the class which results in making new business contacts, as well as long-lasting friendships. In partnership with local area colleges and universities, professors and other professional personnel take part in the classes and provide expertise in areas such as business ethics, communications, diversity, and many other topics crucial in building leadership abilities. SESCO Management Consultants, a nationally recognized human resources agency, lends its services to the program and is a key partner.
2017-18 LEAD BRISTOL! CLASS BLAKE AILOR, CITY OF BRISTOL TENNESSEE JOHN BARE, FOOD CITY ERIKA BARKER, BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC STAN BARRINGTON, VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE MICHELLE BENFIELD, BRISTOL TENNESSEE ESSENTIAL SERVICES LANCE BLAYLOCK, FIRST BANK & TRUST CO. MELANIE FLEENOR, CITY OF BRISTOL VIRGINIA HEATHER HAYES, EASTMAN CREDIT UNION ALISHA HOLBEN, FOOD CITY
Participants will learn a variety of new skills that will facilitate growth
JAMIE HUGHES, BELFOR
in their careers and business relationships and they will be involved
LARA HULL, BRISTOL TENNESSEE ESSENTIAL SERVICES
in a service project as well. These projects, which class members must plan and execute, are solicited from local agencies, governmental entities and non-profit organizations each year.
SANTANNA JESSEE, HOLSTON MEDICAL GROUP KIMBERLYN KING, BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
While the projects make a significant impact on the community,
SUSAN MALLICK, HOLIDAY INN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
they invariably make quite an impression on the participants too.
LAURA MCMILLAN, FAIRWAY REALTY
Class sessions are from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. one day each month, beginning with an overnight retreat in September and concluding in May with graduation.
ARCH EDWIN NELSON, BRISTOL TENNESSEE POLICE DEPT. KATHRYN PERRIN, EASTMAN DAVID VENCILL, BRISTOL TENNESSEE FIRE DEPT. ANTHONY VESTAL, BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
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TIFFANY WALDEN, BRISTOL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
BRISTOL YOUTH LEADERSHIP KICKS OFF NEW SCHOOL YEAR WITH RETREAT The 2017-2018 Bristol Youth Leadership program, this year comprised of 43 students from local high schools, kicked off with an overnight retreat at Doe River Gorge in early September. Students from Tennessee High, Virginia High, John Battle, Sullivan East and Abingdon are taking part in the program this year. The class consists of 32 first-year students in the BYL program and 11 alums, who were part of the program last year. Designed to teach the students valuable leadership skills, BYL is a seventh-month program in which area high school sophomores and juniors are empowered to become trustees of the Bristol community. Throughout the program, students learn a variety of valuable leadership skills including communication skills, community awareness, and business ethics. The program also provides training in the area of personal development, skills training, volunteer opportunities and team building. The students receive two college credits from King College upon completion of the program.
BYL CLASS OF 2017-18
Alice Bassett, Tennessee High Gracie Brooks, Tennessee High Jada Campbell, Virginia High Alexandra Carrier, Sullivan East Sarah Chen, Tennessee High Samantha Collins, Sullivan East Tucker Couch, Tennessee High Andrew Crowder, John S. Battle High Gracie Cunningham, Tennessee High Abigail Dalton, Virginia High Trevor Dowdell, Tennessee High Blake Fauver, Tennessee High Camilee Flaherty, Tennessee High Colleen Haderer, John S. Battle High John Martin Harbaugh, Sullivan East John Harrison, Tennessee High Madelyn Hatcher, Tennessee High Isabella Jessee, John S. Battle High Amaya Lee, Virginia High Ryan Lilly, Tennessee High Morgan McKenzie, Virginia High Peter Meredith, Home School Michaela Monk, John S. Battle High Adrianna Nelson, John S. Battle High Morgan Short, John S. Battle High Mikan Smith, Abingdon High Shay Snyder, Sullivan East Carrie Sproles, John S. Battle High Kloey Tester, Tennessee High Jordon Thompson, Tennessee High Samantha Venable, Virginia High Annalise Woodring, Tennessee High
BYL ALUMS 2017-18
Chelsey Carter, John S. Battle High Gray Hatcher, Sullivan East High Ben Hazelwood, Virginia High Marley Hillman, Tennessee High Elizabeth Massengill, Tennessee High Claire Melton, John S. Battle High Gabby Mitchell, Virginia High Hailey Rush, John S. Battle High Rebekah Skaggs, Sullivan East High Hunter Smith, Tennessee High Abigail Vincill, Virginia High Spring 2017
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Summer 2017
SEVENTH ANNUAL CONSERVATION CAMP AT SUGAR HOLLOW ONCE AGAIN A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS The Seventh Annual Conservation Camp took place Sept. 6-8 at Sugar Hollow Park. Third and fourth grade students took part in the camp from the following elementary schools: Abingdon, High Point, Greendale, Haynesfield, Meadowview, Rhea Valley, St. Anne’s, Sullins Academy, Valley Institute and Watauga. Students, who were joined by their teachers, had 10 station subjects they could enjoy learning about, including conservation, forestry, litter, food web, plants, water, mammalogy, stream table, insects and playgrounds.
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FRIDAY BUSINESS BRIEFINGS Sponsored by
Greg Neal
Bristol Regional Medical Center
August 2017 New Members
Sponsored by
Jim Blackmore The Virginian
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September 2017 New Members
HISTORIC BRISTOL CHRISTMAS PARADE SET FOR DEC. 7
One of the area’s most anticipated celebrations, the Bristol Christmas Parade, which has been taking place for more than a century, is set for Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. Helping usher in the holiday season, the parade, which starts on Bob Morrison Blvd. and travels down State Street to the historic Bristol Train Station, brings out thousands of area residents who look forward to seeing the beautifully decorated floats, as well as Santa himself. Local businesses, civic and volunteer organizations, church groups, bands, schools, neighborhood groups and beauty contestants are all invited to participate in the parade. Lineup will be at 5 p.m. near the Bristol Herald Courier on Bob Morrison Blvd. Event registration and entry fees are available at BristolChamber.com. Please note that the deadline for entry is December 1, 2017. For more information, please call 423-989-4850. This year’s parade sponsors are Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (Premier sponsor); Oakmont at Gordon Park, Quaker Steak & Lube (Santa Float); Shearer’s (Grand Marshal Float); Bill Gatton Chevrolet Cadillac, Food City (Parade Staging); Bristol Herald Courier (Media); City of Bristol Tennessee and City of Bristol Virginia (Community Partners).
AYERS, CHILDRESS, SPROLES NAMED AMBASSADORS OF THE QUARTER For the first time ever, there’s a three-way tie for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador of the Quarter award with Brandon Ayers, Rob Childress and Kim Sproles all earning recognition. Ayers (Holiday Inn Bristol Conference Center), Childress (Kingsport Imaging Service) and Sproles (KS Promotional Products) were recognized during the August First Friday Business Briefing, held at King University. All three have attended nearly every Chamber event that has taken place this year and have been there to lend a helping hand wherever it has been needed. The Ambassador of the Quarter honor is awarded to the highest point-earning Ambassador. Ambassadors earn points by attending Chamber events, such as Friday Business Briefings, Ribbon Cuttings and Business After Hours, making courtesy calls to other members, helping to facilitate Chamber 101 – New Member Orientations, and other events. Bristol Chamber Ambassadors are a group of professionals who serve as a welcoming arm of the Chamber while also providing outreach to other members. Fall 2017
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WARNER, DISCOVER BRISTOL HELP LAUNCH SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAIN BREW TRAIL As part of Virginia Craft Beer Month, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), along with the Bristol Convention and Visitors Bureau, helped launch the new Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail Aug 15 at Studio Brew in downtown Bristol. The trail currently boasts 16 craft breweries, including three in Bristol, with additional breweries currently under construction across the region. Virginia is home to 206 licensed breweries, with the craft beer industry contributing more than $9 billion annually to the Commonwealth’s economy and employing over 28,000 people in production, distribution, and retail. “The Mountain Brew Trail is the product of years of conversations and planning between local stakeholders and my office, all working together to highlight the success of this growing industry in the region. During my time as Governor, heritage trails like these, which highlighted heritage music and local artisans, helped us bring new jobs and attract business and tourism to southwest Virginia,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to have helped lead the way in the development of this project, which I know will help propel the region’s economy while giving visitors a good look at all the natural and cultural resources that Southwest Virginia has to offer.” Virginia Tourism Corporation President and CEO Rita McClenny agrees with Sen. Warner about the importance of craft beer to the region. “Craft beer is a booming industry in Virginia, and an important regional asset for Southwest Virginia,” said McClenny. “Visitors and Virginians alike can now come to Southwest Virginia and experience beautiful outdoors, arts, culinary delights, and music heritage, all connected by the Mountain Brew Trail. There’s no better way to get a taste of the local flavor to show visitors why Virginia is for Craft Beer Lovers.” The Mountain Brew Trail currently consists of the following breweries: Bristol Station Brews & Taproom (Bristol); Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill (Blacksburg); Busted Still Brewery (Gate City); Chaos Mountain Brewing (Callaway); Creek Bottom Brewing Company (Galax); Damascus Brewery (Damascus); Foggy Ridge Cider (Dugspur), Holston River Brewing Co. (Bristol, Tenn.); Right Mind Brewing (Blacksburg), Right Turn, Clyde Brewing Company (Narrows); Rising Silo Brewery (Blacksburg); The River Company Brewing (Radford); Studio Brew (Bristol); Sugar Hill Brewing Co. (St. Paul); Sunken City Brewing Company (Hardy); and Wolf Hills Brewing Co. (Abingdon). Three more, Buffalo Mountain Brewery (Floyd), Headspace Brewing Company (Marion) and State Street Brewing (Bristol), will be opening soon. The website for the brew trail is www.mountainbrewtrail.com. The Southwest Virginia Mountain Brew Trail app can be downloaded at https://appsto.re/us/m4sRlb.i Back in 2015, Sen. Warner spearheaded the Southwest Virginia Craft Beer Summit, a one-day event in Abingdon, Va., sponsored by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Foundation. This initiative brought together industry leaders and community stakeholders to discuss economic development opportunities surrounding craft beer, including the development of this trail. As Governor, Sen. Warner helped push for similar initiatives aimed at bringing economic opportunities to Southwest Virginia through tourism, including the creation of The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, ‘Round the Mountain: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Network and Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway. Cubic Inc.’s Billy Kulkin feels Bristol is unique and can’t be defined using just one word.
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Bristol’s Biggest Block Party featured music, food, fireworks and Bristol’s new branding theme .
AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Bank of Tennessee Named One of the Best Banks to Work for in 2017 Bank of Tennessee has been named one of the Best Banks to Work For in 2017. The Best Banks to Work For program, which was initiated in 2013 by American Banker and Best Companies Group, identifies, recognizes and honors U.S. banks for outstanding employee satisfaction. “I am so proud of our culture of customer, team and community spirit at Bank of Tennessee. This positive attitude permeates all we do and it is nice to be recognized as part of this elite group by the American Banker,” said Roy Harmon, Chairman and CEO of Bank of Tennessee. Determining the Best Banks to Work For involves a two-step process. The first step involves an evaluation of participating companies’ workplace policies, practices, and demographics. In the second step, employee surveys are conducted to directly assess the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace. The combined scores determine the top banks and the final ranking. Full results of this year’s program are available in the September issue of American Banker Magazine. The program is open to commercial banks, thrifts, savings banks and other chartered retail financial institutions with at least 50 employees in the United States. Bank of Tennessee is a community bank headquartered in East Tennessee, including its divisions Carter County Bank and Mountain Community Bank. For more information, visit www. bankoftennessee.com or call (423) 378.9500. Member FDIC.
Studio Brew Ties for Top Spot In Virginia Craft Brewers Cup This year’s Virginia Craft Brewers Cup awards competition produced some expected results as well as surprises. Those at Virginia Craft Beer Magazine have fun each year analyzing the results to determine which breweries actually had the most success across the board. The magazine weighted each medal awarded: 3 points for gold, 2 for silver, and bronze receives 1 point. Based on scoring it was determined a three-way tie with Studio Brew (Bristol, VA), Lake Anne Brew House (Reston, VA), and Smartmouth Brewing Company (Norfolk, VA) each earning 6 points.
Jones Appointed to Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission President and CEO of United Southeast Federal Credit Union Janice Jones has been appointed to the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission. Jones, who has 47 years of experience in credit unions, is a member of the Bristol Morning Rotary Club, serves as chair of the board of the Bristol TN/VA Chamber of Commerce, served on the Credit Union National Associations (CUNA) Federal Credit Union Subcommittee for four years and most recently served as a board member with Volunteer Corporate Credit Union. She received her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Tusculum College, and acquired her Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation and is active in the Northeast Tennessee Chapter of Credit Unions. Speaker of the House Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, said Jones is uniquely qualified to serve on the Tennessee Financial Literacy Commission. “I believe they will greatly benefit from her voice and expertise,” Harwell said. “I am grateful that Janice accepted this appointment, and have full confidence that she, along with the rest of the commission, will continue to do great work on increasing financial literacy across the state.”
King University Ranks Among the Best in the Country • Christian Universities Online (CUO), an independent online resource for prospective students and their families researching Christian higher education, has ranked King University among the best in the country among Christian colleges and universities. • For the 14th consecutive year, King University has been named one of the best regional colleges, according to The Princeton Review. The well-known education services company lists King among its “Best Southeastern” recommended schools in the “2018 Best Regional Colleges” website feature that posted in Aug. 2017. The feature is accessible at https://www. princetonreview.com/college-rankings/best-regional-colleges. Only 140 colleges in 12 Southeastern states made The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” list for 2018. Collectively, the 658 colleges on The Princeton Review’s “regional best” lists constitute approximately 25% of the nation’s 2,500 four-year colleges.
Congratulations to our local friends at Studio Brew for their achievement!
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AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS Wellmont, Mountain States Receive Approval For Merger in Tennessee The proposed merger between Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance reached an important milestone on Sept. 19, 2017 with approval of the systems’ Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA) application by Tennessee officials. Tennessee Commissioner of Health John Dreyzehner announced the decision following the department’s review of the health systems’ commitments to protect rural access to care, invest in needed healthcare services, reduce the pace of healthcare cost growth and establish regional programs to improve population health. Both Mountain States and Wellmont delivered certificates of acceptance to the state after unanimous votes of both systems’ boards of directors. According to the terms of the COPA, the systems have 90 days to complete the merger, a period of time during which Mountain States and Wellmont will complete the legal work to form Ballad Health. Virginia officials are set to render their decision on the systems’ cooperative agreement application by Oct. 30. “We believe this merger will result in sustaining high-quality health care for our region, will reduce the growth in costs and will create one of the nation’s leading health systems,” said Mountain States President/CEO Alan Levine. “We are grateful our state leaders see the public benefit of our proposal, and we applaud the state for the time they took throughout this process. But ultimately, our greatest appreciation is extended to our boards, our team members, our physicians and our community leaders who have provided input, guidance and support. The intended outcome of this merger will only happen if we sustain that support.” “We are energized and excited about what the future holds for Ballad Health and the people we serve in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia,” said Wellmont President/CEO Bart Hove. “We’re thankful to have the opportunity to work with state officials in both Tennessee and Virginia to help make our vision for better health in our region a reality.” Under the leadership of the Integration Council, formulated at the beginning of the merger planning process, 17 functional teams consisting of representatives from both organizations have been meeting to help prepare the systems for integration, which is expected to take place in early 2018.
Ring Named Chair of Regulatory Steering Committee for ACMA David Ring, the Corporate Manager of Governmental Affairs & Strategic Projects for Strongwell, was recently named Chair of the Regulatory Steering Committee (RSC) for the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA). Ring will lead the committee in its efforts to identify all regulatory and governmental legislation issues impacting composites manufacturers. He will also assist to provide analyses of the issues and their implications, action recommendations and oversight of program management. Ring has served in various management roles at Strongwell since 1990. He has been in his current position since 2010. In addition, Ring acts as Strongwell’s official representative to government agencies.
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Where The Sinclairs meet the
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