Hugh Keogh 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, this marks the last time around for this pundit who has enjoyed tremendously over the years the opportunity provided by "Chamber Briefings" to speak his mind on many topics, most affecting the business climate of Virginia.

 

My eighteen years at the helm of the Virginia Chamber have been marked by continual and rapid change, much success and some failure. Through all of that time I have made particular note of the persistent attractiveness of Virginia as a business location.  But another even more compelling characteristic of the Commonwealth has been the integrity and prowess of Virginia business people. 

 

Virginia is a classy state because it has classy people, and its business leaders are at the top of the list. Through their leadership and commitment to the Virginia Chamber, they have made this institution perhaps the most respected of its kind across the nation.

 

As I make my exit, I want to offer the Virginia Chamber staff a very warm and special thanks for their dedication, high standards, consummate professionalism, sacrifice and hard work. They have much to be proud of, and I am very grateful.

 

To all of those (400 strong) who attended, sponsored and participated in my Retirement Gala on June 16th, a boisterous thank you. The evening was extraordinary in so many ways and a smashing success. In fact, I'd like to do it again!

 

Let me also congratulate and welcome once again my successor, Barry DuVal. I wish Barry every success and beyond success, the pleasure and fulfillment this job has given me for nearly two decades.  He is a highly qualified, experienced, poised and dynamic leader, perfectly positioned to take the Chamber to the next level.  I have every confidence he will, with the full and enthusiastic support of the Virginia business community.

 

So folks, there you have it. I hope our paths continue to cross. Virginia will, I know, continue to prosper. Thanks for everything.

Cyndi Miracle 

 

Characterized as more of a sauté than a roast, Hugh Keogh's retirement gala at the Virginia Historical Society on June 16 elicited hearty laughter along with heartfelt tributes.  Nearly 400 well-wishers celebrated Hugh's stellar 40-year career in economic development, the last 18 of which he dedicated to the Virginia Chamber.

 

In keeping with the evening's sports theme, several former chairmen kicked off the frivolity, fanning the flames of a long college rivalry. Hokies Mike Anzilotti, Randy Lail, Bob Archer and Dan Carson previewed a video billed as a "Hokie Tribute" and proudly presented Hugh, the staunch UVA alumnus, with a football signed by Virginia Tech Head Football Coach Frank Beamer and themselves.

 

The roasters did not disappoint as they rhetorically tackled Hugh, using a variety of props, such as the Verizon "can you hear me now" spokesman and a remote-controlled red sports car. The Honorable Bill Howell, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, appeared via a video message, expressing his regret at not being able to attend because reruns of "Law and Order" were on that night.  Senator Mark Warner and former state economic development chief Mark Kilduff also joined the festivities via video.

 

"The Voice of Business" did not disappoint when it was his turn to retort. Hugh delivered a verbal blitz of his own, as well as some very poignant observations about the Commonwealth he has championed for so long.

The roaster line-up included Will Davis, Director of Chesterfield County's Economic Development; Jean Clary Bagley, the first woman Chair of the Virginia Chamber; Jack Hornbeck, President & CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce; Robert Woltz, President of Verizon Virginia and 1999 Virginia Chamber Chairman; and the Honorable Gerald L. Baliles, former Governor of Virginia.

 

The program featured a retrospective video of Hugh's career produced by the Chamber and an eloquent tribute from the Keogh kids delivered by Kevin Keogh. Please visit the Chamber's facebook page to see photos of the evening's highlights.

 

Finally, a special thank you to Altria and all our event sponsors for their generous contributions!
 
The Chamber staff would like to conclude with a famous Keoghism: "I'd rather be lucky than good any day."  We're the lucky ones, Hugh, for having the privilege of working with you!  We wish you all the best in your retirement, knowing that you will always be "at the top of your game" no matter what you do!

With support apparently waning for some of labor's national agenda, they have renewed their push to organize more workers before the fall election, this time in the public sector and again with the assistance of the U.S. Congress.

 

In the past thirty days, labor attempted to attach the "Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act" to an unrelated piece of legislation in hopes of passing it - with little public notice.  While the language was not successful, they will try again, and soon.  Time is running out. 

In a recent letter to Virginia's congressional delegation, Virginia Chamber Chairman Clint Morse asked all to work to defeat this ill advised effort. 

The Virginia Chamber, the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League are unanimous in their opposition to this effort.  We encourage you to contact your elected federal representatives NOW and ask that they STOP this effort.  A "NO" vote will not be sufficient. 

 

The current measures floating around are H.R. 413 (Virginia Congressman Connolly is a cosponsor), S. 3194, and S. 1611.

 

- Virginia Chamber Tort Reform Legislation.  During the 2010 General Assembly session, the Virginia Chamber introduced two pieces of tort reform legislation (HBs 309; 310/O'Bannon and SBs 363;366/Blevins) that would improve Virginia's civil litigation system. The House bills were referred to the state's Small Business Commission for study and perhaps a recommendation. The Commission will be taking up these proposals next month when it meets on July 19. The Virginia Chamber will be on hand to discuss the legislation and why it is vital that Virginia's civil litigation process be the most pro-business in the world.

 

If you would like to learn more about the two proposals, please see this column from several months ago that describes the proposals and how they would work in a real-world situation.

 

- Transportation Update. You may have read in the newspaper about some of the latest developments on the transportation front. In the event you have not, let us take the opportunity to get you caught up. The much discussed VDOT performance audit is underway. It is being conducted by Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, LLP, and it is slated to be completed by August. Several other audits are also taking place or are in the start-up stages as of this writing, including a JLARC review of VDOT's "programming and planning activities."
 
The audits are significant on two fronts. One is purely financial - transportation needs in Virginia outpace available resources. Just last week, it was reported that for FY2011, which begins July 1, our highway maintenance needs are more than double the resources that have been budgeted. Any savings realized will help meet those needs. The other reason these audits are important is political. For several years, concern has been expressed by some that prior to looking at new sources of revenue for transportation, this type of look needs to take place. Thus, this audit process is, for some, an integral first step in crafting a comprehensive transportation solution.

 

Going forward, the discussion will soon shift back to sources of transportation funding. It appears that some legislators are still fully convinced of the need for a tax increase of some sort while others are not. Making this ongoing dialogue more interesting will be the issue of any potential revenues from ABC privatization. Stay tuned! We are in for a fun summer and fall!

- So, You Want to Build More Affordable Housing? Here's How. Governor "McDonnell recently announced the formation of a Housing Policy Advisory Committee, led by Senior Economic Advisor Bob Sledd, to help develop the McDonnell Administration's housing policy.

 

This is a good idea for several reasons. One is the important role that housing and related industries plays in Virginia's economy. Another is the importance to economic development of having a robust, steady supply of well-built, affordable housing for current and future workers. A third reason is the basic notion that every Virginian should have, on some level, access to the three basic human needs: food, clothing and shelter (i.e., decent, affordable housing).

 

Everyone wants to feel like they are "pro-housing." But, just what does that mean? To different folks, it can very much mean different things, especially when the rhetoric and platitudes go up and consideration of real-world, on-the-ground solutions goes down. So, I am going to dispense with the normal platitudes that many times characterize op-ed pieces and instead offer some specific policy ideas that should at least be considered as part of the work of the Governor's Housing Policy Advisory Committee and others who are working to help ensure that all Virginians have access to decent, affordable shelter. ..."

 

You can read the remainder of this Bacon's Rebellion column here

 

- Here's to You, Uncle Hugh. As all the denizens Chamber World know, June 30, 2010, will go down in the annals of history as the time when the Virginia's economic development bench got thinner with the retirement of our President & CEO, Hugh Keogh. The only people happy about this are the economic development folks in other states and nations (i.e., our competitors). But, that is not anything you don't know already. So, let me share this personal note. Outside of being the Ernie Banks of economic development in Virginia (one the greatest, yet many times under-appreciated), he has also been one hell of a guy for whom to work. I know that there are several Keoghisms I will take forward that will serve me well in my career. Here's to you Uncle Hugh: Virginia is better off for your service, and I am better off for having worked for you.

Health Care Help
Our friends at the U.S. Chamber have done a splendid job attempting to explain in 44 pages what's in the 2,400-page federal health care "reform" law.  Their focus is primarily on employer issues and health care.  To see the book entitled "Critical Employer Issues in the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act," please click here

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Now in its sixteenth year, the exclusive ranking honors the achievements of the fastest-growing companies across the state for their numerous contributions to Virginia's economy. The ranking is based on revenue growth over a four year period. Joining as co-sponsors of the program are Goodman & Company, Virginia Business magazine, Westfields Marriott and SunTrust Bank.

 

To be eligible for consideration, all nominees must complete an entry form, available here, including four years of revenue/asset and employment information along with basic company information. Nominations may be submitted by companies directly or by third parties. To learn more about Virginia's Fantastic Fifty program, please contact Karen Surmacewicz or at (804) 237-1452.

 

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June 30

Committee on Energy & Environment - Richmond
 

November 3-4
Board of Director's Meeting - Hot Springs
 
January 26, 2011
Chamber Day at the Capitol
Annual Meeting
Old Dominion Assembly
 
January 27
Board of Director's Meeting - Richmond