AUGUST 2021
Chamber News THE VOICE OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Perpetual Learning
INSIDE: 04 | New Members 08 | Build The Future 10 | Assisting on the Road to Recovery 12 | A Fresh Start Later in Life Thanks to LFCC
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
FEATURES 07 | The Core of the Community Festival 08 | Build The Future 10 | Assisting the Road to Recovery 11 | A Fresh Start Later in Life Thanks to LFCC 13 | ArtScape 12 Graces Old Town and More 15 | Business After Hours in Photos
DEPARTMENTS
Chair John Fox GreenSen, LLC Chair-Elect Scott Harvard First Bank Vice Chair Charles Daniels Integrus Holdings, Inc. Treasurer Adrian Taylor YHB Immediate Past Chair Tracy Vosika George Mason Mortgage, LLC
04 | Letter from the Chamber 04 | New Members
At Large Member Patti Solenberger Solenberger’s True Value Hardware
05 | TVRC News and Events
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Emily Burner Shenandoah University
Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Sponsors Chamber Elite
Jenny Grooms WMC Foundation Jim Guisewhite Sperry Van Ness James Imoh Edward Jones Investments
Chairman’s Level
Kevin McKannan GlenLoch Legal P.L.C.
President’s Level
Katrina Meade City National Bank Cary Nelson H.N. Funkhouser Nadine Pottinga United Way NSV
Media Sponsors
Kristy Powers Navy Federal Credit Union James Stewart Grafton Integrated Health
Letter from the Chamber This is the year to Back our Bravest
CHAMBER STAFF
Each year the Valor Awards recognize heroic acts of Valor from our very own community. Stories of an officer who had shots fired at him, firefighters who ran into a burning home in an attempt to save lives, or a citizen who saved a life by administering CPR are all examples of the amazing courage that it takes to put on the uniform of a public safety professional. The Ninth Annual Valor are opened beyond our membership to the general public. Our officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatch, and citizens continue to go above and beyond the call of duty and we ask that you do the same this year. As a community, let’s tell these brave men and women that we are thankful. Let’s show their families that we support their loved ones. Let’s take a moment to remember those lives lost in the line of duty. This year especially, join us Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 at the Frederick County Fairgrounds to kick off the Core of the Community Festival and show your support. Bring your friends and family out to recognize acts of Valor from 2021 before we celebrate into the night with the Chris Darlington Band. Fun fact, Chris is a Frederick County Sheriff himself, so tell him and all of his colleagues in our community, “Thank you for your service.” Let us show our public safety officers that we do Back our Bravest!
Danita Roble | Director, Event Management Top of Virginia Regional Chamber
UPCOMING EVENTS View the full TVRC calendar at regionalchamber.biz
Welcome
New Members
Valley Business Women Thursday, Aug. 18 Courtyard Marriott 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Valor Awards Thursday, September 2, 2021 Frederick County Fairgrounds Kicking off the Core of the Community Festival 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m
Thanks to our new members who joined the Chamber between July 1and July 31. To learn more about membership benefits, call 540-662-4118.
Grant Harris PestNow, LLC USA Insulation Tri-State Associate Member (703) 627-6425 (304) 901-4134 pestnow.com usainsulation.net/tri-state DDL Business Systems (540) 869-7855 ddlbusiness.com
UniFirst Corporation (540) 662-0202 unifirst.com
Market Street United Methodist Church (540) 662-6709 marketst.org
Cynthia Schneider, CEO
cschneider@regionalchamber.biz
Billy Whirley Director, Membership Development
bwhirley@regionalchamber.biz
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 PURPOSE Connect business and community resources for mutual success. 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.
TVRC NEWS & EVENTS Save the Date:
In the News:
2021 Valor Awards September 2, 2021 | 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Frederick County Fairgrounds
“Building Our Future” 2021 Gala Adults invited to celebrate 25 years in the community! Register Here
As part of the Core of the Community Festival, the Chamber will be kicking off the first night of events with the ninth annual Valor Awards event on Thursday, September 2, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. The program will include dinner, an awards ceremony including special guests Chris & Rosie, and a special concert from local artists, The Chris Darlington Band. The dinner menu will include BBQ Pork & Chicken from our local Shaffer’s Market in Middletown, Va.
Save the Date:
Register Here
Valley Business Women Wine Pairing with Jill Edlich (Wine Club for Women) August 18, 2021 | 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Courtyard Marriott Winchester This month, we are going to slow it down and enjoy some wine and food at the beautiful Courtyard Marriott. It will be our own little evening get away... Jill Edlich will be sharing her wine pairing experience with us while we just enjoy time away with good conversation in a vacation atmosphere. Can’t wait to see you there
Winchester, VA: The Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum is pleased to announce our 2021 gala event! This year’s theme is “Building Our Future” and is scheduled for Saturday, August 21st, 2021. Thank you to Valley Health for being the exclusive Foundation Sponsor. The event is the major fundraiser for the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum and tickets are $75 per person. This year’s event features Raised on Analog ~ a local cover band with an entertaining and energetic mix of Funk, Pop and Country. Guests will also enjoy local eats from Village Square, cupcakes from Rosie Cakes and cookies from Holmes Made. • • • •
Food and beverage tickets included Live music Auction items that build memories! Games galore!
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Labor Day Weekend Thursday
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Friday
Presented by Win these custom boards $10 per ticket
September 2nd, 2021
Saturday
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Frederick County Fairgrounds Register online at regionalchamber.biz or call 540-662-4118 or scan the QR code
Visit each link to learn more
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Build The Future
Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber
Area students will have a new way to stretch their minds and explore handson learning this fall when the Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center reopens the doors that once belonged to John Kerr Elementary. The colorful space will allow education in advanced technologies, health sciences, and professional skills with a work-based learning program attached to each academy beginning in the 2021-2022 school year for Handley High School students during the day. In addition, soon-to-be Laurel Ridge Community College will be using the facilities in the evening to provide certification programs for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades.
Work-ready skills are already in high demand as employers struggle to meet staffing requirements. The Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center looks to develop marketable certifications for youth and adults to meet the needs of our regional job market. A September 2020 released Occupational Outlook Handbook from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projected employment to grow by 6 ^ million jobs by 2029. Healthcare inEmil and Grace Shihadeh have inspired many dustries are expected to account for a children throughout many states and the Emil large share of the growth as five of the and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center in Winchester, Virginia looks to carry on that ten fastest-growing occupations are legacy of excellence as we look towards the medically related. However, the labor future of Workforce Development and Career force is projected to dwindle, especial- and Technical Education. ly when it comes to skilled technical Photo submitted originally in the Winchester labor. Employment opportunities Star and published December 7, 2017
are expected to grow by 3.7%, while the labor force is projected to shrink by 1.9% by 2029. This shift reflects the baby boomer population reaching retirement age. Currently, trades depend on that population as the average tradesmen is 55 years old. This collision course will have a significant impact on our economy. The manufacturing industry is expected to see the most significant decline in available workers, forcing them to consider alternative methods such as robotics to keep up with demands.
tion. CTE programs work to build problem-solving and collaboration skills that provide versatility when looking for careers. However, what may be more valuable to students than the skills they learn is the pride and confidence in themselves that they graduate with. It is fitting that the John Kerr building was renovated to provide this space to learn as many adults are using continuing education to provide new opportunities for their careers.
“If everyone is a lawyer or investment banker, who is going to be around to build things?”
Students will work with a wide variety of innovative equipment and real-world scenarios that allow for soft skills to develop as educators prioritize Career and Technical Education (CTE). The Advanced Technologies Academy will feature cybersecurity, network engineering, a programable robotic arm, and 3D printers to inspire the innovations that the workforce will need. The Valley Health System Health Sciences Academy provides hospital beds, practice headwalls, and a simulation ambulance to prepare students for the significant increase in the healthcare industry. The Professional Skills Academy offers a carpentry lab, welding, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. High school Built in 1972, the building’s open students will graduate with certificaconcept now provides a flexible space tions that allow them to find gainful for students and teachers. There are employment immediately. no bells that will ring to send students to their next class. Instead, students This hands-on learning opportunity will have ownership in how their time is has proven successful for retention spent. Renovating what was an outand graduation rates nationally. In dated facility for children has created a 2012, the national graduation avcutting-edge environment for innovaerage was 80 percent, where CTE tion. This renovation parallels Emil Shiprograms graduated at a rate of 93 hadeh’s personal story. Emil learned percent, according to the Office of to weld in the United States Air Force Career, Technical, and Adult Educaduring the Korean War. After learning
Emil Shihadeh
this trade, he was able to use those skills when he returned home from duty. In 1973, he became a teacher of metal fabrication. His programs developed children who were considered at-risk that graduated achieving the highest proficiency ratings in industry standards. Students found value in their skills, and therefore, they invested more of themselves into their education. The Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center will welcome students on Thursday, August 19, 2021.
Assisting on the Road to Recovery Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber
The Winchester City Sheriff’s Office Foundation (WCSOF) is committed to the battle against the opioid epidemic that has clutched the area. On Monday, July 26th, 2021, WCSOF board members Rich Weller and Tony Baker presented Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition Drug Court Coordinator, Tiffany Cadoree, and Executive Director, Lauren Cummings, with a donation aimed to ensure transportation for those attending drug court.
Above: NSVSAC Executive Director, Lauren Cummings and Drug Court Coordinator, Tiffany Cadoree smile after receiving a donation. Right: Winchester City Sheriff, Les Taylor joins WCSOF board members Tony Baker and Rich Weller to present the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition with a $1,500 donation to assist with transportation.
The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition (NSVSAC) is a coalition of law enforcement, health care, substance abuse treatment, and youth advocacy organizations and families impacted by substance abuse and addiction in the Winchester region. For more info about NSVSAC - roadtorecovery.info
A Fresh Start Later in Life Thanks to LFCC As published by: Lord Fairfax Community College Workforce Solutions May 2021 Seven years ago, Top of Virginia Re2014, Schneider assessed her future. Schneider was asked to be the chamgional Chamber CEO Cynthia Schneider Believing she had several more decades ber’s chief operating officer. She befound herself at a crossroads. Her job had of living to go and free of the demands of came the CEO nearly two years ago. ended and she was 58, but she wasn’t child-rearing, Schneider knew she didn’t Two of her children have also come to ready for retirement. want to retire. LFCC. One entered the military, and the other transferred to James MadiSchneider graduated from high school in “Because I was really self-taught, I didn’t son University and now has a master’s 1975, and went off to James Madison Uni- feel confident reentering the workforce,” degree. versity, but then moved to Kansas, where she explained. “I couldn’t define my skillshe earned an associate degree in bibliset well.” Besides her degree, Schneider has cal studies and leadership. That program come to LFCC for the Disney Instiwound up not attaining accreditation, and Taking advantage of a grant, Schneider tute’s customer service program and she spent 15 years in ministry and volun- came to LFCC in 2015 and 2016, earning the Leadercast program, both hosted teer work. her associate degree in general studies by Workforce Solutions. with a concentration in business. It was a Schneider married and had children. transformative experience. “What I found was those kinds of ofLater, she took a part-time data entry ferings are particularly helpful because position. In that role, she grew with the With her newfound confidence, she they help you see beyond your parcompany, becoming director of operations applied for an entry-level position with a ticular industry,” Schneider said. “You and helping it become a multi-million-dol- friend’s business. This led to her being see how your industry is connected to lar enterprise. hired as the director of finance and admin the wider community and world, which istration with the Top of Virginia Regional always inspires me to have the energy When she found herself unemployed in Chamber. After four years, to do more and give back more.”
ArtScape 12 Graces Old Town and More Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber
The Shenandoah Arts Council has proudly displayed their largest ArtScape collection to date for their twelfth year. With sixty banners, some were hung outside of Old Town Winchester as the project grew by 43 percent in the 2021-2022 display. ArtScape 12 welcomed three young local artisits in the inagural year of the Teen Art Club Exhibition in a collaboration with the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Mariska Sharma was the youngest artist at only age 11. Her line drawing banner of Marilyn Monroe can be seen at the Old Town Winchester Splash Pad to inspire other young artisits. Original artworks were available on exhibiton at the MSV from April to July. Opposite page: Winchester City workers hang a banner in front of the Taylor Hotel Top: ShenArts members gather for a photo to kick off ArtScape 12 Right: Mariska Sharma was the yougest artist to participate at age 11.
Fun with Membership
Ribbon Cuttings
Welcome National Tire and Battery to the Top of Virginia Regional Chamber! Stop in to see them for new tires, a new battery, and so much more. You can find them at their new facility on Adams Drive in Winchester. Go say hello to welcome them to the Chamber!
The stage and pavillion at West Oaks Farm Market has been a new favorite home for local musicians looking connect with audiences in a family-friendly setting. The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber was there for a ribbon-cutting and Business After Hours just before the Chris Darlington Band took the stage.
Fun with Membership
Business After Hours in Photos
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