TVRC Chamber News: The Voice of Business & Industry | April 2021

APRIL 2021

Chamber News THE VOICE OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Honoring the Greater Good

INSIDE: 04 | New Members 06 | The Book Nook Recap of All Winners from the March 18, 2021 Greater Good Awards

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair John Fox GreenSen, LLC

FEATURES 07 | The Circle of Excellence

Chair-Elect Scott Harvard First Bank

09 | Entrepreneur of the Year 10 | Small Business of the Year

Vice Chair Charles Daniels Integrus Holdings, Inc.

11 | Large Business of the Year Photo courtesy of Absolute Altitude

12 | Emerging Leader of the Year

DEPARTMENTS

15 | Citizen of the Year

04 | Letter from TVRC Staff

16 | Legacy Award

04 | New Members 05 | TVRC News and Events

Treasurer Adrian Taylor YHB

14 | Non-Profit of the Year

All 2021 Greater Good Award photos are courtesy of

06 | The Book Nook

Immediate Past Chair Tracy Vosika George Mason Mortgage, LLC At Large Member Patti Solenberger Solenberger’s True Value Hardware BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Sponsors

Emily Burner Shenandoah University Chamber Elite

Jenny Grooms WMC Foundation Jim Guisewhite SVN Commercial Specialists James Imoh Edward Jones Investments

Chairman’s Club

Kevin McKannan GlenLoch Legal P.L.C. President’s Club

Katrina Meade City National Bank Cary Nelson H.N. Funkhouser Nadine Pottinga United Way NSV

Media Sponsors

The Chamber apologizes for the missed logos in last month’s edition.

Missing were Grafton, iHeart Media, Navy Federal, and TechTeam Solutions.

Kristy Powers Navy Federal Credit Union James Stewart Grafton Integrated Health

Letter from the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber

CHAMBER STAFF Cynthia Schneider CEO

cschneider@regionalchamber.biz

Billy Whirley Director, Membership Development

bwhirley@regionalchamber.biz

The Greater Good Awards, presented by Valley Health and hosted by the Alamo Drafthouse, was undoubtedly a different event that thrived on the collaboration of our members.

While attendees were seated in different theaters to allow for proper distancing per state guidelines, we recognized years of membership with the Chamber, excellence within our community, and member impacts in 2020.

Having to choose a different venue and set up than that of years past could not have been brought together as well if it weren’t for Jeremy Shen of YHB, Dave Miles of Dr. Dave Leadership, Valley Health, and Absolute Altitude, who captured your pictures throughout the evening. We could not welcome the community out on an evening like this without the help of our sponsors. Thank you to our sponsors for the event, Valley Health (Presenting Sponsor); First Bank (Platinum Sponsor); Cundiff and Associates, CPA, P.C. (Gold Sponsor); iHeart Media (Gold Sponsor); YHB CPAs & Consultants (Gold Sponsor); Absolute Altitude (Silver Sponsor); and Winchester Printers (Silver Sponsor).

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Top of Virginia Regional Chamber

UPCOMING EVENTS View the full TVRC calendar at regionalchamber.biz

Welcome

New Members

Ribbon Cutting

VBW Spring Fling

Ribbon Cutting

Thursday, April 15 4:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 22 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 27 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

I CAN 2 Christian Books and Gifts

Winchester County Club

Valley Assistance Network

Thanks to our new members who joined the Chamber between March 1 and March 31. To learn more about membership benefits, call 540-662-4118.

Opportunity Scholars NoVA Environmental Solutions Mo Brothers Auto Repair Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham

Virginia Business Systems Ultimate Insight System Company Law Offices of Joshua E. Hummer, PLC I CAN 2 Christian Books and Gifts Groups Recover Together F&M Bank - Woodstock

Dan Hitchcock Membership Development Specialist

dhitchcock@regionalchamber.biz

Kory Campbell Director, Marketing & Communications

kcampbell@regionalchamber.biz

Danita Roble Director, Event Management droble@regionalchamber.biz

407 S. Loudoun Street Winchester, VA 22601 540-662-4118 regionalchamber.biz OUR VISION Be the voice of business for Frederick & Clarke Counties and the City of Winchester, Virginia.

OUR MISSION Provide programs and services to meet the business and professional needs of our members.

OUR PURPOSE Connect business and community resources for mutual success.

TVRC NEWS & EVENTS In the News: Chamber initiative urges area governments to utilize local businesses

By MATT WELCH The Winchester Star Mar 18, 2021

WINCHESTER — An initiative from the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber (TVRC) asks the Winchester, Frederick County and Clarke County governments to support local businesses.

The chamber’s Local Procurement Initiative encourages local governing bodies to “purchase and procure as many products and services as possible from our local businesses.”

Chamber Executive Committee Chair John Fox and CEO Cynthia Schneider have presented the initiative to Winchester City Council, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and the Clarke County Board of Supervisors.

Save the Date: April 22, 2021 | 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. | Winchester County Club Valley Business Women Spring Fling 2021 Join us for a fun and informal evening at the lovely Winchester Country Club to kick off the 2021 Valley Business Women program year.

Socialize with other professional ladies while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and adult beverages in a comfortable space reserved just for us! Find out the great programs we have in store for you this year!

Pre-registration is required. Register at regionalchamber.biz You’ll enjoy the beautiful and relaxing Country Club, hors d’ouerves, a cash bar, door prizes, and great company!

Upcoming Programs:

April 14, 2021 | 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Zoom Business Connections

“Our goal is to support local businesses by keeping money in our local economy in addition to generating more taxes from those purchases,” states a letter to the localities. “Hopefully, we will also see positive impacts in creating additional employment opportunities and the financial and social benefits of those positions.”

April 23, 2021 | 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. | Zoom Lead Share - Small Business Builders

The letter, signed by Fox and Schneider, acknowledges established relationships with vendors and service providers as well as requirements from the Commonwealth of Virginia, saying that the chamber does not wish to “make it difficult for the purchasing and procurement departments to function.”

Please visit regionalchamber.biz to learn more and register

“We ask that whenever there is an opportunity to utilize a local resource or business, they are explored,” the letter states. “We do not expect local businesses to be awarded business or contracts because of their geographic location.”

The chamber asks that when a local business option is utilized that it is notified so chamber officials can “congratulate and celebrate the achievement.”

“We would like to promote this initiative through the local newspapers, all TVRC media outlets and local government releases,” chamber officials said.

Fox said in an email that he has spoken with representatives from each locality and “everyone supported the plan.”

The chamber is planning a learning session that people can attend virtually to interact with purchasing and procurement personnel to learn how the process works for requests for proposals, quotes and bidding.

— Contact Matt Welch at mwelch@winchesterstar.com

April 27, 2021 | 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Zoom Lunch & Learn - Leadership with Sierra Collins

From left to right: Dr.

Jeff Feit, Dr. Colin Greene, Mark Nantz, Dr. Nicolas Restrepo, and Dr. Iyad Sabbagh

The Circle of

Excellence

The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber added an exceptional award to the Greater Good Awards to recognize a select group “I am very blessed to be surrounded by a great of individuals representing the Healthcare Industry in our team in the medical community” region. The Circle of Excellence Award was awarded to Dr. - Dr. Iyad Sabbagh Colin Greene, Dr. Jeff Feit, Dr. Iyad Sabbagh, Dr. Nicolas Restrepo, and Mark Nantz for their efforts, which went far Valley Health stood side-by-side with the Lord Fairfax Health beyond the call of duty to assure and protect the health and District early in the pandemic to provide testing and care for well-being of our entire region. higher-risk populations. At the time, an outbreak had been discovered in a nursing home, eventually taking the lives of 20 Innumerable people in various roles have worked tirelessly to people. Healthcare providers were tasked with quickly finding respond to challenges that the pandemic created. The Circle the populations within the care facility and separating those of Excellence individuals served in prominent roles, leading testing positive for the Coronavirus from those that were negathe efforts while displaying an extraordinary dedication to the tively testing for the virus. mission. Each award recipient quickly gave credit that their teams were ultimately responsible and deserving of the recog- Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic has tested the Healthnition. “You don’t get things like this without having an incredi- care resources of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and the ble team,” said Dr. Jeff Feit, acknowledging the work of Tonya resilience of its Healthcare Providers since the beginning. This Brown and Jason Craig. “None of this happens without them adversity fostered increased collaboration in the community and without many other people who have done incredible work from Valley Health’s effort working with the Lord Fairfax Healththis year.”

District to working with Shenandoah University to ready a large vaccination site for the general public at the James R. Wilkins, “If I had to sum up the activities in the last year, community, Jr. Athletics and Events Center on the Shenandoah University collaboration, and volunteerism have been the theme of the campus. Thank you all for your dedication to our region’s health success of fighting this COVID virus,” Dr. Colin Greene. and safety.

by Matt Swain, PR Manager Handley Regional Library System

The Book Nook is a monthly column courtesy of Handley Regional Library System that shares reading recommendations on business topics, career advice, leadership, and more to help drive your business – and career – forward.

The titles selected here are available as an eBook or audiobook on Hoopla, a free streaming platform for the community, with your library card.

Learn more and start reading and listening at www.handleyregional.org/hoopla.

Upgrade Soul

by Ezra Claytan Daniels For their 45th anniversary, Hank and Molly Nonnar decide to undergo an experimental rejuvenation procedure, but their hopes for youth are dashed when the couple is faced with the results: severely disfigured yet intellectually and physically superior duplicates of themselves. Can the original Hank and Molly coexist in the same world as their clones?

Your Best Year Ever

by Michael Hyatt We all want to live a life that matters. We all want to reach our full potential. But too often we find ourselves overwhelmed by the day-to-day. Our big goals get pushed to the back burner--and then, more often than not, they get forgotten. New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt wants readers to know that it doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, he thinks that this is the year readers can finally close the gap between reality and their dreams. Hyatt shares a powerful, proven, research-driven system for setting and achieving goals.

Need more inspiration? We help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals take care of business at your local library. Visit www.handleyregional.org/ business

Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner Tom Stamulis Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Tom Stamulis began the True North Group when he moved to the area in 2018. Since then, True North Group has grown more than 255% while providing cybersecurity services to the City of Winchester and other businesses in the local area and Northern Virginia. Growth alone does not win the Entrepreneur of the Year award. Tom has exhibited leadership, strong ethics, creativity, and economic impact to become the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber’s (TVRC) Entrepreneur of 2020 at the Greater Good Awards, presented by Valley Health, and hosted by the Alamo Drafthouse on March 18, 2021.

Tom is no stranger to the TVRC community as he graduated from the Community Leadership Program (CLP), offered by the Chamber, to build the next level of leaders in our area. He is also the co-chair for the Public Policy Committee. You may have experienced one of his free cybersecurity trainings that have been presented to the Kiwanis, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC). Through a partnership as the cybersecurity advisor for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Tom hosts a weekly Facebook Live that discusses cybersecurity threats and provides recommendations for how businesses can protect their sensitve digital data.

When the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the area, Tom successfully coordinated with CLP administration to migrate from in-person sessions to virtual sessions to allow the class to complete the requirements to graduate.

Tom launched the neXco National’s Winchester Core Chapter with the sole purpose of helping business owners grow their business through a foundation of networking and referrals. The chapter rapidly grew from five founding members to thirteen active members in less than three months.

When it comes to building the next level of professionals in our community, Tom hired a paid intern currently studying cybersecurity at LFCC to provide technical support to area businesses while learning how essential cybersecurity is to an organization.

Will Lawrence of Edward Jones Investments was also nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year award. His service to the area is not only exhibited through financial advice but also his work with TVRC’s Finance Committee, his hosting of the Senior Interest Networking Group (SING), and his organization of several food drives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Congratulations to Tom Stamulis of True North Group for his win of the 2020 Entrepreneur of the Year at TVRC’s Greater Good Awards. Congratulations to both Tom and Will for their contribution being noticed by community members to earn a nomination for the Greater Good Awards, presented by Valley Health.

Small Business of the Year Award Winner Kimberly’s Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber

Kimberly’s has been a staple of Winchester for the past 32 years, with owner Kimberly Sowers crediting that success to her family and community’s support. As she spoke to Chamber members through multiple theaters, Kimberly reflected on how being a working mother of five has built the next generation of Kimberly’s. “I guess they were lucky that they just didn’t know any better, that mom worked seven days a week but always somehow found some time for them.”

The second generation has begun as Kimberly’s oldest daughter Haley now runs the Ladies’ store. Dedicated service from staff members has allowed Kimberly’s to build a strong brand within Winchester. “Without them, by my side every day, nothing could happen at Kimberly’s,” Kimberly stated in her acceptance remarks.

Kimberly Sowers searched for one word, to sum up her Small Business of the Year award. Pride. She has plenty of reason to be proud of her accomplishments over the past 32 years, adding the Ladies shop, the Men’s shop, Kids shop, and recently opened Gourmet shop to bolster Kimberly’s offerings. She can certainly take pride in her family, her staff, and the community that has supported her for over three decades.

What may stand out more to area residents and visitors that come to the store is their relationship over their years of patronage, with some now bringing in the fourth generation to enjoy all that Kimberly’s offers. Customers have become friends with the staff.

“Her store is always decorated for the season and welcoming to visitors and townspeople alike. Everyone who visits the shop has high praise for the service with a smile from her and all her employees.” said Celeste Boreal of L’Auberge Provencale, adding, “Her attention to detail is unsurpassed.”

Congratulations to Kimberly’s for winning Small Business of the Year at the Greater Good Awards, presented by Valley Health. Also nominated for the award were: Clutter Troops, James Imoh - Edward Jones Investments, Netmaker Communications, and the True North Group.

Large Business of the Year Award Winner YHB Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber “2020 was a year we would all like to move on from, but I am so proud of the YHB family for serving our community with passion, resources, and hope. Hope that no matter what the future holds, as a community, we are unstoppable,” said YHB nominator, Jeremy Shen.

Payment Protection Program (PPP) loans, assisting with HR policies that were changing, and hosting free webinars that thousands of viewers took advantage of. That could have been difficult enough for any business.

YHB also realized that the racial injustice movement affected not only their facilities but their clients and staff. Staff members were allowed to peacefully demonstrate without taking Paid Time Off, and offices hung signs of support.

Accounting firms tend to be very scheduled and organized with how they conduct business, especially as tax time rolls around. Yount, Hyde, and Barbour (YHB) CPAs & Consultants were able to flip the switch as a virus spanned the globe causing unique business and working situations. The year also Congratulations to YHB for winning the Large Business of the saw a racial injustice movement brought to the forefront of our Year Award. They and their fellow nominees: Blue Ridge Industhoughts and a protest to the streets in front of YHB facilities. tries, Shenandoah University, The Village at Orchard Ridge, and Valley Health, have done outstanding work in a year that The organization found itself helping clients apply for needed most would say was anything but superb.

From left to right: Claire

Manspile, Jeremy Shen, Olivia Hutton, Will Murphy, and Adrian Taylor

Emerging Leader of the Year Award Winner Greg Vossler Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Greg Vossler is a born leader with a list of accomplishments and involvement in the area that goes on for days. The Chamber has had the pleasure of his membership for the past five years, a board member for three of those years, and he is a graduate of the Community Leadership Program. You can find his footsteps in many organizations throughout the region, from Blue Ridge Hospice to the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum to the Child Safe Center (nominated for Non-Profit of the Year).

Afterward, Master of Ceremonies, Mike O’Dell, spoke to the audience of Greg’s dedication growing up. He recalled the number of times that he threw a tennis ball against the garage in the driveway. Mike was proud to have witnessed Greg’s winning moment and now enjoys a quiet life since Greg has grown.

Even as Greg accepted his Emerging Leader of the Year award, he led others by offering some advice. He began with controlling the controllable stating, “Sometimes it feels like someone else is pulling the strings and we have lost all control.” His advice offered six areas that we could control; attitude, effort, emotion, beliefs, whom we associate, and how much we appreciate things we already have.

Being a self-described millennial, his next piece of advice spoke to how to apply that control of the controllable not to allow the influence of others to sway how we value ourselves and our belongings. “Water your own grass. The grass is not greener on the other side; it is the greenest where you water it. Invest in you.” he said.

His final two pieces of advice to the next level of leaders in the region echoed and expanded parts of the first two, diving into quality over quantity. Now that we have invested in ourselves, it is essential to take pride in delivering a quality product or service instead of an abundance in which we do not excel. What is essential that gets accomplished? Lastly, find a tribe and build something together. Referencing a Dwayne Johnson quote, Greg spoke to the importance of teamwork and collaboration with a decisive goal.

While Greg’s goal may be to make a difference in someone’s life every day, his wife and two sons make a difference every day in his life. “Thank you for putting up with my obsessive and overwhelming schedule,” he said to his wife, who was watching from another theater during his speech.

Greg’s win certainly did not come easy, going up against fellow nominee Lauren Gwinn. Congratulations to Greg Vossler for his win as the Emerging Leader of the Year and to Lauren for her well-deserved nomination.

“Because of the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber, I have made connections that are now friendships, mentorships, and beyond.”

- Greg Vossler

From left to right:

Jennifer Hall Nadine Pottinga Emily Fultz

Non-Profit of the Year Award Winner United Way/VAN Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber The United Way of the Northern Shenandoah Valley brought to light the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, representing a growing number of individuals and families who are working but cannot afford the necessities of housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation. The year 2020 exacerbated those struggles for individuals and families all over our region.

While the organization typically raises over 1 million dollars in donations, works with thousands of volunteers and donors, and distributes Community Impact Grants to more than 100 non-profits, they provided many more services to the community based on the needs presented in 2020. Call volume alone quadrupled within the year as the United Way NSV distributed over $655,000 in Federal CARES Act funding, partnering with the City of Winchester and Frederick County, Virginia.

Over the course of three months, 289 evictions or foreclosures and 524 utility shutoffs were prevented. They continue to maintain a Four out of Four-Star rating with non-profit watchdog Charity Navigator.

The Valley Assistance Network (VAN) was formed in 2017 to engage community resources to move individuals and families from crisis to financial security. Using a coordinated network of help services, VAN can assist clients with shelter, clothing, food, medical care, and job training. Current staff includes one full-time staff, one part-time, and many volunteers.

Congratulations, United Way of the NSV and Valley Assistance Network, for winning the Non-Profit of the Year. Other nominees were the Child Safe Center, I’m Just Me Movement, Literacy Volunteers, and The Laurel Center.

Citizen of the Year Award Winner Dr. Nicolas Restrepo Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber “Where would we be without Dr. Nicolas Restrepo? I’d rather not think it. We are indeed fortunate that he is with us,” Dr. John Lamanna said in conclusion of his nomination for the Citizen of the Year Award winner. After hearing and reading Dr. Restrepo’s qualifications from the Circle of Excellence, it was easy to understand why he had been nominated, but all of his work with Valley Health in collaboration with the Lord Fairfax Health District and Shenandoah University scratches the surface of his accomplishments.

Dr. Restrepo was nominated for the Citizen of the Year for his work as a catalyst for the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition. He recognized the epidemic level of substance misuse in our region, starting to work with law enforcement and community stakeholders in 2014. “Through his work with the Coalition, he has helped to improve the level of treatment and care for those suffering with the disease of addiction. His work with the SBIRT program has helped identify individuals at risk for substance use disorder and provide them with intervention and treatment services,” stated Winchester Public Defender Tim Coyne.

The SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) program has allowed Valley Health to screen more than 65,000 unduplicated patients since the program was implemented in 2017. Through Dr. Restrepo’s continued leadership, additional grant funding became available to expand like programming in our region. A 2019 expansion of the program increased efforts to include treating pregnant mothers struggling with substance abuse.

If that was not enough, Dr. Nicolas Restrepo is the Vice President of Valley Health and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Winchester Medical Center. In his tenure, he has implemented

“My thoughts on Nick... Very forward thinking, calm

individual who definitely puts others before himself. He has a calm demeanor and realistic approach to difficult situations that change in a seconds notice. He is not afraid to voice his opinion, which most times are based on data and facts, and can see issues from a number of different sides. He is willing to listen and be one who gets things done when needed. He is dedicated to his

profession and community and is a true partner to

the community. I am sure he will be humble with

the nomination and if he is fortunate enough to

win, although he will be thankful he will feel

embarrassed by the fuss of it all.”

- Deputy Chief Kelly S. Rice Winchester Police Department

many safety measures that have been adopted

by five other Valley Health hospitals,

according to a 2019 article by Winchester

Star reporter Josh Janney. Dr. Nicolas

Restrepo has been a force in the fight

against the Coronavirus, working

with health officials and peers to

control the spread and eventually

lead to the vaccination push

throughout the community. Now to

echo the thoughts of Dr. John

Lamanna, “Where would we be with out Dr. Nicolas Restrepo? I’d rather

not think it. We are indeed fortunate that

he is with us.” With so many kind words

and accomplishments within our region. We

would rather not think it ourselves. We are

indeed fortunate that Dr. Restrepo is part of

our community and look forward to what he

will accomplish next.

Congratulations to Dr. Nicolas Restrepo for winning Citizen of the Year. His fellow nominees Jenn Shea-Roop, Lauren Gwinn, Sheriff Lenny Millholland, Sabra Veach, and Tina Stevens-Culbreath have significantly impacted our community. Where would we be without any of them? We’d rather not know.

Legacy Award Winner Wilkin’s Shoe Center Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber “73 Years, Wow!” Mike O’Dell’s words boomed over the speakers at the Alamo Drafthouse. The audience had just heard the legacy story of Wilkin’s Shoe Center told from the beginning by James R. Wilkins, Jr. and elegantly continued by Philip and Kendra Brewer.

The story is really one that we all dream of. Pure hard work and determination leads to a store specializing in service (that happens to also sell shoes) to building a community, first for James R. Wilkins, Sr. and the Wilkins family and now for the Brewer family extending into their second generation, manager Madison Brewer.

If we had a theme that started to shape the Greater Good Awards, it was togetherness. Wilkins has been honoring the family tradition of Philip and the radiant working together to build something Kendra Brewer great, extending beyond our region.

The retail industry speaks so much about a small part of your inventory doing such a large part of sales, but you will not find this attitude at Wilkin’s Shoe Center. They provide what larger retail stores can’t, service and selection for every customer and their specific needs.

This story extends beyond a tradition of family. Hard work and dedication is the weave that continues to keep Wilkin’s Shoe

Center as a heartbeat in the City of Winchester. Could you imagine walking on Old Town to go in for a pair of shoes and just get pointed to some messy rack to hope you fit into what the mainstream consumer is wearing?

There is a dedication to the mission and servicing the community that helped all the Greater Good Award Winners make an impact in 2020. Wilkin’s Shoe Center has put that mantra front and center for 73 years and helped build this community. We spoke of the collaboration between Valley Health and Shenandoah University to create a spacious, reliable space to receive vaccinations. You can find the Wilkins name intertwined into that experience as well.

Wilkin’s Shoe Center defines legacy. That is why they were chosen for the first-ever Legacy Award presented by TVRC. Their impact can be seen all over the lovely city of Winchester.

Most of us can only dream of leaving behind a legacy of what we accomplished while we were alive. This legacy is a living, breathing legacy that will impact almost every city resident and many regional residents throughout their lives. Students will have a beautiful facility to succeed in and travelers will come into Winchester to find what they need and the service to exceed all expectations.

Congratulations to Wilkin’s Shoe Center, recipient of the first-ever TVRC Legacy Award.

Greater Good Awards

Volunteers

TVRC MEMBER TESTIMONIAL: Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Greater Good Awards!

Thank you to the many volunteers who helped make the Greater Good Awards a success!

Amy Feathers Brandi Campbell, Valley Health Urgent Care Carmen Richmond, Heart of the Home Design Build Jill Edlich, Ravenwood Foundation and Wine Club for Women Dr. Dave Miles, Dr. Dave Leadership Corp.

Matt Martz, The Management Group Sierra Collins, Sierra Learnership Collaborative Students from Interact Group – Handley High School

Jon Eye President

Our 2015 Outstanding Small Business win accelerated Mover Dudes and assisted us in taking the next steps to become an interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines. Now, not only are we moving businesses and residents within our community, we are bringing newcomers to the City of Winchester, Clarke, and Frederick Counties to enjoy all that this area has to offer.

Thank you to the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber for spotlighting the wonderful job that all of your members are doing in the community. Keep up the good work and of course, do it with a good attitude!

Fun with Membership

The Greater Good Awards in Photos courtesy of Absolute Altitude

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1. Emerging Leader of the Year Nominee Lauren Gwinn and Large Business of the Year Nominee The Village at Orchard Ridge 2. Entrepreneur of the Year Nominee Will Lawrence, Edward Jones Investments 3. Citizen of the Year of the Year Nominee Tina Culbreath-Stevens and Non-Profit of the Year Nominee I’m Just Me Movement 4. Non-Profit of the Year Nominee Literacy Volunteers 5. TVRC Chair of the Board John Fox draws the winning 50/50 ticket 6. Small Business of the Year Nominee Clutter Troops 7. Citizen of the Year Nominee Sheriff Lenny Millholland 8. Citizen of the Year Nominee Jenn Shea-Roop 9. Small Business of the Year Nominee Edward Jones Investments - James Imoh 10. Master of Ceremonies, Mike O’Dell wins the 50/50 drawing at the 2021 Greater Good Awards

Entrepreneur of the Year Nomination Will Lawrence - Edward Jones Investments Will is not your average financial advisor. He goes above and beyond for his clients and community. Will started the Senior Interest Networking Group (SING), allowing business leaders in the sennior care industry to come together to help each other and seniors in the area. Will is also a Kiwanis member and has volunteered at many projects with them, which has included flipping LOTS of pancakes. Will himself is trustworthy, compassionate, and is always looking for ways to imprve life for those around him. He also runs his Edward Jones with theses attributes making him a successful leader in business.

Will Lawrence’s dedication to his clients and community is always evident in what he does day to day. He is a leader in many ways, whether it be with our leadshare group SING, Kiwanis, or SHRM. Will is a positve, uplifting person who shows compassion for those he works with and for.

- Lauren Gwinn Small Business of the Year Nominations Clutter Troops Chuck and his team are a silent, yet mighty organization, with compassion and precision that no other organization shows.

Chuck helps his clients with some difficult decisions with support and empathy. He also volunteers and donates to projects within the community which includes the SING adopt a senior project and our March food drive for the Senior centers and Food bank.

- Lauren Gwinn James Imoh - Edward Jones Investments Edward Jones believes in helping out in the community. Edward Jones is active with the Alzhemer’s Association. Edward Jones Investments Local agents have served on the Alzheimer’s Association walk committee and volunteered at our local events. Office staff have shared information about the Alzheimer’s Association and our free resources with their clients.

- Sonya Amartey Netmaker Communications Netmaker Communications has experienced great growth this past year. Thay are expending their services outside of the telephone network, offering security cameras with thermal scanning to protect your employees from COVID. They have also been assisting their customers with transitioning to working remotely during this pandemic.

True North Group Tom is a trusted leader. He has been tested through a myriad of circumstances where his integrity and character have served him as his true north - a direction in both life and business that is unquestionably one that describes a servant leader. Tom is always looking to give of himself without expecting anything in return. An honest servant that always looks to serve his community and everyone around him.

- Jorge Gutierrez Large Business of the Year Nominations Blue Ridge Industries I have seen how this company has grown and adjusted for many years - adapting and expanding as opportunities arise. They have built and grown into a model of manufacturing using systems and processes that have allowed them to maintain overall quality and safety throughout their organization. They have taken the neccessary steps and actions to build their business in size/capacity, building, and warehouse space as well as employees.

- Todd Drunagel

Large Business Continued Shenandoah University At the behest of Winchester-area civic leaders, Shenandoah University (then Shenandoah College & Conservatory) moved north from Dayton, Virginia, to the Winchester community in 1960. In the 61 years that have followed, the university has both grown in tandem with the Winchester/Frederick County community, proudly anticipating and meeting the region’s needs by educating large numbers of community’s health care providers such as pharmacists, physician assistants and nurses, as well as educators and business professionals, and providing easy access to incredible performances through the university’s conservatory. Shenandoah’s devotion to the greater good is at the very heart of its mission statement, which says the university educates and inspires individuals to be “ethical, compassionate citizens who are committed to making responsible contributions within a community, a nation and the world.”

In 2020, a year in which many colleges and universities had to stay exclusively online, Shenandoah reworked its course delivery methods to offer classes that could be taken in-person and online simultaneously. It also saw its largest-ever incoming first-year class and surpassed its total enrollment record, with a student body exceeding 4,000 for the first time. Additionally, it is a major regional employer, with an annual regional economic impact of more than $145 million (more than 1,500 jobs are supported by its presence).

Its newest major building, the 77,000-square-foot James R. Wilkins Jr. Athletics & Events Center (WAEC), currently serves as the Winchester/Frederick County mass-vaccination site for inoculations to prevent COVID-19. Shenandoah has partnered with Valley Health and the Lord Fairfax Health District to offer these vaccinations, with qualified university members administering vaccinations, as other university staffers perform a host of other duties, including everything from clerical and data entry tasks to providing transportation from the center’s parking lot to the center for those who find walking difficult. Those who have received vaccinations at the center have given the joint effort high marks, inspiring people to post about their positive experiences on social media and in local news outlets, calling it, in one instance, “better than perfect.” Shenandoah’s president, Tracy Fitzsimmons, Ph.D., regularly greets those being vaccinated to make sure they feel fully welcome and cared for at the WAEC, which was constructed with the intent of it being used by the community in the event of an emergency.

The center is also the site of Shenandoah’s novel coronavirus surveillance testing effort, which uses a pooled saliva test developed and administered by the university’s Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy. The testing program allows Shenandoah to arrest any potential campus COVID-19 outbreaks (thereby also limiting impacts on the larger community) by quickly identifying potentially asymptomatic individuals, who are then sent on for diagnostic testing.

And, Shenandoah is home to the world-class Shenandoah Conservatory, which, during the pandemic, has continued to delight audiences in the community and around the world with a new streaming platform, CP4U (Conservatory Performs for You), featuring music, theatre and dance performance by its award-winning faculty and students and internationally acclaimed guest artists.

This is just a taste of how Shenandoah works toward the greater good of the Winchester/Frederick County community, which it has been delighted to call home for more than half a century.

- Emily Burner The VIllage at Orchard Ridge Orchard Ridge not only cares for 400+ 55 y/o and older residents ensuring they have all they need to stay Independent as possible They also offer many opportunities to their staff (education, rising within the company, bonuses, and pandemic appreciate payments), between the residents and staff they participate in many fund-raising activities for non-profits and participate in many hours in volunteer work.

- Lauren Gwinn

Large Business Continued Valley Health Valley Health has been a pillar in this community for a very long time. But this year…well what can I say. Mark Nantz walked into a pandemic and met every challenge thrown at him. Every staff person and administrator should be commended for the exceptional job in 2020 and we aren’t done yet. They have a long way to go and we support each and every one of them. They deserve this recognition of Large Business of the Year - Greg Vossler Non- Profit of the Year Nominations Child Safe Center Being on the Board at the CAC, I see single handedly how much impact the CAC makes in the surrounding community. Their ability to partner with hundreds of law enforcement, parents, and children allow them to have reach that is unheard of.

- Greg Vossler I’m Just Me Movement I’m Just Me Movement (IJMM), the only minority-led mentoring program in Winchester City and Frederick and Warren Counties, has symbolized the spirit of the Top of Virginia region. Tina and Rodney Culbreath, co-founders of the I’m Just Me Movement, work tirelessly to affect positive change in young people struggling to find themselves and resist the pull of bullying, drugs and alcohol, and other behavior that puts them in jeopardy. Most recently, IJMM has continued to serve youth and families during the Covid-19 pandemic by being innovative and implementing e-mentoring for 18 families that have been impacted by primary and secondary trauma. Prior to Covid-19, IJMM implemented Project Courage programs in Warren County Middle School and High School, serving 63 students and their families and mentoring other youth in Clarke, Frederick, and Winchester in their office on the Our Health Campus. I’M JUST ME MOVEMENT is rooted in relevant truth that speaks to hearts, minds, and emotions of young people when they are most open and vulnerable. Whether it is through our mobile resource center at community events or in or out of schools, children and youth understand and embrace their priceless value and individuality.

One only has to read the Mission and Vision statements to recognize how thoroughly this non-profit lives, breathes, and commits to “The Greater Good.”

Mission: Strengthening youth, families, and communities through mentorship, education and training, positive development, and community partnerships.

Vision: Thriving communities of people living life forward who are hopeful for their futures through overcoming adversity, advocating for themselves and making empowering, healthy life choices.

IJMM has been a consistent source of support helping families process past trauma and moving to hope through resilience and has often partnered with other organizations in our community to strengthen its impact. IJMM has worked closely with Discovery Museum to provide positive diversity camps. IJMM is also partnering with Lord Fairfax Community College students to offer resiliency workshops. Currently, Virginia House of Delegate Wendy Gooditis is seeking funding for IJMM to support at-risk students in the Winchester School System, and that project, led by IJMM, includes two other non-profits, Arte Libre and Selah Theatre.

IJMM is one of four minority-led organizations (out of a total of 27 around the state) to serve as the convener of Winchester Trauma Informed Networks. Voices for Virginia’s Children works with at-risk youth around the state and recognized the value of having IJMM serve in this role, to the benefit of our communities.

Over past years, IJMM has teamed up with Grafton, ARC of the Shenandoah Valley, and Frederick County Parks and Recreation to sponsor an Autism Awareness Race to raise awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion. The race this year will be held on April 10th. Please join us!

Finally, IJMM Executive Director Tina Stevens Culbreath stepped forward to organize and sponsor the “I Can’t Breathe Walk on Winchester” following the deaths of George Floyd and Brianna Taylor. In this role, Tina was instrumental in bringing a variety of

voices, people of all ages and a multitude of different groups, together to focus on Racial truth and Reconciliation and provide a local platform for healing.

All who know Tina Stevens Culbreath and her husband Rodney recognize the “good” that she works toward each and every day as she reaches out to empower those who have experienced trauma and lost hope. They come out of their interaction with Tina and other mentors feeling hopeful and strong in their ability to live life forward.

- Kate Simpson Literacy Volunteers Literacy Volunteers has been in service for the Winchester area residents since 1985 with such humble beginnings, starting in the home basement of a retired teacher, LVWA has been able to assist numerous (529 plus) individuals over the years. Not only do they assist adults in basic reading, writing and numeracy skills, they also assist, at a low cost, family immigration legal services. LVWA works hard to assist residents improve their skills to be more involved in the community as a whole. Its empowering and supportive for adults that may be overlooked by society.

- Lauren Gwinn Shenandoah Area on Aging The work that this entire organization does is beyond amazing, from the senior activity centers to the Meals on Wheels program, this nonprofit is working hard to ensure seniors in several different counties in the Top of Virginia are well cared for. The case management team works hard with other local home care agencies to ensure those that need care can receive it at no cost to them. The Senior Center leaders ensure (when COVID-19 is not happening) that their seniors have a welcoming loving environment to spend some of their day and provide them with a variety of activities to stimulate the seniors mind, body and soul. Not only are these employees of SAAA helping their seniors but they also offer to help other organizations and agencies. I have never worked with such a compassionate, loving, and amazing group of people.

- Lauren Gwinn The Laurel Center The Laurel center works so very hard to keep our women, children, and men safe from abuse. I have been involved with them for years and they deserve recognition.

- Wendy Murphy Bancroft The Laurel Center The Laurel Center provides invaluable services to the area as do most nonprofits. However, allowing women and children to stay there and get their lives back together after months and years of abuse is something that no other entity does. Sad to say that the Laurel Centers resources are used all too often. Their CEO, Faith Power and her staff are unwavering in their commitment. Community outreach and fundraising are added to their duties along with making people whole again. They always find a way to make things work. The Laurel center not only provides a safe environment, but assistance to clients and babysitting, finding employment, and new skills training. Often, clients come in with nothing other than the clothes on their back. The Laurel Center obtains clothing medicine and other everyday needs that we take for granted for these families. During our pandemic this year, nothing has changed. Faith and her team continue to provide the same high level of service that all first responders do. There are no days off at the Laurel Center. Families need help, clients need services, and the Laurel Center has been unwavering in their commitment to this community. I think of no other nonprofit that deserves recognition more than the Laurel Center.

- Sheriff Al Sibert

Citizen of the Year Nominations Sherrif Lenny Milholland What more can you say about Lenny, he is constantly volunteering in the local community, providing his free time to help local schools and community members, and his consistent drive to help small business and local business. Lenny is a model citizen and deserves this award more than anyone.

Lenny is on the Board of the Evans Home, Our Heath, Co-Chair for the CITAC at Timber Ridge School and member of the Command Board for the Northwest VA Regional Drug/Gang Task Force.

- Greg Vossler Sabra Veach We are nominating Sabra Veach, as she is vibrant part of many organizations in the Winchester community, she is active in the Winchester host Lions Club and was the Lion of the Year. She is currently VP of Winchester host Lions Club and the VP of Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. Sabra serves and is an active member of the Opequon Presbyterian Church, she is a member of the Elks Club, employed at SU and is a positive member of that team . Sabra is a devoted wife mother daughter and sister. You will see Sabra helping with many causes that benefit citizens in our community - Dale and Marsha Barley Jennifer Shea-Roop Since last March when the country shut down, Jennifer Shea-Roop and her family opened their front porch on North Braddock St to various types of donations, depending on who needed what. Sometimes cloths, sometimes food for area schoolchildren or those with food insecurities, toys to occupy children during the summer months, or at the Holidays, or furniture for families starting over.

Whatever it was she provided. All of these items were then delivered to whatever nonprofit or family had a need, both Bright Futures and the Valley Assistance Network were at the forefront. She invited her friends and the community to drop items off safely, and with limited or no contact, via Facebook and word of mouth. Donors could be anonymous if preferred. Overtime that porch evolved into a safe and magical place of peace, dignity, and self-respect.

Recipients one week could be donors the next. The ability to give back once you’ve received is priceless. The positive energy on their front porch is sometimes palpable as people from many backgrounds come and go, leaving whatever has been asked for for that week. They have delivered food, rented trucks to pick up and deliver furniture, and dropped off donations to various charities for distribution to deserving families and children. They have given some “ALICE” families living in area hotels a whole new start. Expecting no pay or recognition for their efforts, merely knowing they have quietly made a difference, one family at a time. That sort of social media influence, energy and motivation put to good use for our community, while involving areas teens and adults of all ages, should absolutely be recognized by the community. Thank you for your consideration - Lauri Bridgeforth Tina Stevens-Culbreath I am a Board Member of I’m just me movement (IJMM), but my interaction with Tina Stevens has been much more. When Tina manages her relationships, they exceed a professional interaction, you become a colleague but also family. As a young black woman of 25 years old, I recognize that Ms Stevens has even made history as one of the first black Councilwoman in Stephens City. Ms Stevens is fearless she is a history maker.

Through her relationships, I see what I can become. Not only did Ms Stevens bridge gaps amongst different nationalities, but I recollect a story in which she gained the support of Conservatives as well by knocking on every single door and leaving her personal number.

Ms Stevens is a ball of energy. I have never met a Councilwoman that works at your nearby grocery store, manages a nonprofit, a Trauma- Informed community network, and serves as a peer recovery specialist. When Ms. Stevens says she serves

the community, she does this through her words and actions. She’s down to earth and is not consumed with status but rather authenticity and passion.

I met Ms. Stevens at a conference and gave a presentation on advocacy and trauma-informed policy, which recognizes the way in which adversity impacts communities over a lifetime. I told Ms. Stevens about the momentum of VA’s trauma-informed community networks. Less than a year later, she now operates the Winchester Area Trauma-Informed Community Network.

There are 27 networks across the state, and since then, we have transitioned from the Campaign for Trauma-Informed VA to Racial Truth & Reconciliation VA. Ms. Stevens is one of the founders of this initiative, and has supported the mission to champion truth & justice for impacted communities through marches, such as the I CAN’T BREATH MARCHES, coalition meetings, speaking engagements, & more. Ms. Stevens also personally is committed to this. Foster care is overrepresented in Black communities & kinship care as well in because we have a take care of your own culture. Ms. Stevens has personally made sacrifies on behalf of this. Tina is a trailblazer & change agent in her community.

- Chloe I. Edwards Emerging Leader of the Year Nominations Lauren Gwinn It is with confidence and eagerness that I nominate Lauren Gwinn for the 2021 emerging leader of the year award! She has shown strength and innovation in not only the health care sector that we work in, but also in the community as a whole. Her response to the Covid pandemic set the pace for the recovery timeline in our industry. Her ideas and timely decision making really became the barometer for many of us that exist in the healthcare networking environment and the senior services market in the northern Shenandoah Valley.

As a vague sense of impending fear morphed into lockdown and professional isolation, Lauren kept in touch with both clients and colleagues with positive and informative messages. She emailed, called, and wrote notes to people encouraging them to stay positive and to understand the new sense of community that developed even though we were alone and severed from our old routine.

I know first-hand that so many people appreciated and came to rely on the attention from Lauren. But even more importantly, she became the voice of reason and common sense for so many of us. She keeps herself well informed and has been the first to pass on the most current, correct, an appropriate news and suggested precautions; as well as figuring out ways to connect while disconnected.

Her behavior and amazing ideas have been a warm beacon of sanity for the community, and it has allowed her organization to get back to an almost normal course of caring for and serving the community. She was just in term instrumental in creating the policy that allowed her company to get back to helping seniors; her plan is the best of their approach to managing care and caregivers during the pandemic. She reinvented her job description as COVID-19 became the primary focus of everyone’s personal and professional life. Many of the seniors and the employees of the Valley have her to thank for getting them back into a normal routine. She made it possible for so many caregivers to start earning what they were prior to the national shut down.

She is an advocate for the workforce around here and is also an example of how to ethically exist as a professional during uncertain and ever-changing times.

I know that I speak for many of us in the healthcare community when I say that Lauren’s creativity leadership and strong sense of morals make her an emerging leader through the pandemic and a constant within the local health care culture. She is invaluable and deserves to be recognized as an amazing citizen and leader. Lauren is a port in the storm to the people who need our health care system.

- Peter Lawrence

Lauren Gwinn When thinking about the emerging leader award I automatically think of Lauren. Lauren shows leadership in every area of her work, including the Senior Interest Networking Group where she takes charge and keeps us on track by pushing towards higher goals. She finds creative ways to build awareness and get the community involved in our efforts to serve our seniors. Lauren symbolizes the integrity and spirit that the Top of Virginia wishes to partner and has every intention to increase growth and margin. By Lauren’s leadership the Alzheimer’s Awareness chapter in Virginia also surpassed their goals for fundraising participation and spirit. If anyone should be awarded the emerging leader award it should be Lauren Gwinn.

- Shelby King Lauren Gwinn I have had the pleasure of working alongside Lauren over the last 3 years. We collaborate in many different aspects of our work. Throughout the years, I have seen Lauren grow tremendously. I have learned about her compassion and will to serve our community in many different ways. Lauren is involved in many different civic, community and charitable groups.

The Alzheimer’s Association is just one group that she is passionate about due to her personal experience with this horrible disease. Since the resignation of the former leader and committee chair of the Shenandoah Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s 3 years ago, Lauren has stepped into the Committee Chair leadership role and has made strides. She actively assists in planning events for The Walk to End Alzheimer’s as well as raising money and awareness for this cause that is so dear to her heart.

When Lauren is leading, people are eager to help. She shows such compassion and puts in her everything. Her peers see her passion to serve and in turn, it motivates them to put in the same hard work.

Lauren has a passion for serving the older adult community as well. Lauren is an active member of the Chamber’s Senior Networking Group; SING. Just to give you one example of her passion and dedication to our community, she is featured in an article in the Winchester Star with two of her SING colleagues shopping and delivering much-needed items to the local older adult population as well as the local food bank during the COVID-19 pandemic. This just proves that Lauren is always working for the greater good of our community. In addition to this, Lauren also creates smiles every year at Christmas by providing gifts and cheer to our local senior centers for their homebound seniors.

Since Lauren started with myPotential at home, A National Lutheran Service, I have seen her efforts really pay off. She has been instrumental in the growth of myPotential at home which serves from Winchester down to Staunton, VA. Lauren makes the difficult process of transitioning from hospital to home less stressful by being there for her clients every step of the way. I have worked with her on many cases where families were scared and stressed thinking of the next steps after a health episode but after talking with Lauren have felt a sense of calmness and relief.

To me, Lauren exemplifies the definition of an emerging leader. She is smart, talented and absolutely a high-achiever in her professional and personal life. She has grand goals for the future that I know she will achieve. She consistently produces a high quality of work and others in the organization look up to her. She is 100% a subject matter expert in her field and attains results by her own accord and with the help of others. She has the mentality and drive to do something great both inside this community and outside this community. If there were one person I could choose in our community as an emerging leader, hands-down it would be Lauren Gwinn.

- Lauren Wood

Lauren Gwinn Dear Chamber Leaders, I am writing today to express my support for Lauren Gwinn as the next Emerging Leader. This award has been an honor for me to have received, and I can honestly say I could not think of a more deserving young leader for this year’s award. I have known Lauren for several years, and her passion for improving the community is unmatched. Young Professionals sometimes get a bad reputation for being entitled and not willing to put in the work. Be it in her career or her dedication to the community, Lauren has always been the first to volunteer and has never failed to follow through and honor her commitments. Her dedication to this community and helping it advance to a better future should be honored. I am lucky to call her a friend and hope that Charles and I can soon welcome her as a fellow Emerging Leader.

- Andy Gail Lauren is a strong leader. She is knowledgeable and always willing to assist in any way that is needed. She is well organized and is able to take charge of any situation. She works well in a team environment and collaborates well with team members.

- Shelia Blaner I can say I am super impressed with Lauren’s leadership relating to the COVID vaccine clinic for residents. She put so much time and detail into making that a successful event. Her attention to detail and soft put persuasive ways impact me by showing me that I, too, could lead something as heavy as that event.

She knows what people want and need in leadership and it inspires people to show that same type of caring leadership.

People want to work with her because she gets things done but also because she shows how much she really cares. She is a genuine person, fair and honest. Lauren also is the type of leader that fights for what is right and advocates for those that may not be able to advocate for themselves, and that should be enough to inspire anyone!

- Lauren Wood Lauren is a leader in every task she takes ownership on. She works tirelessly to ensure all process are smooth from start to finish. Her attention to detail and ability to see obstacles help her be a better advocate for the changes that need to happen.

Lauren is someone you always want on your team!

Lauren always takes the time to show me everything I need to know to be successful, she is such a great resource and I am very thankful for her wonderful personality.

- Elizabeth Taylor “Lauren’s planning, organization and execution of the IL Covid vaccine clinic was truly a masterpiece. I realize the work and time that she put in far exceeded her regular job requirements.”

- Denise Kozlowski Lauren arises to the occasion and is always willing to help in the community. Food drives etc. She sets the proper example.

Work ethics are high. Lauren demonstrates what we should be doing to serve our community and senior population. She is a leader in her company. Goes above and beyond. Lauren takes on roles with the Senior Networking groups to set the proper example along with what needs to be done to support the community. Lauren partners with community leaders and businesses to build a better networking circle. I have had the pleasure many of times to partner with her for the better good of the patient and the family. She puts her client’s 1st and what their needs are.

- Faith in Action