News from Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce

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04.26.2012

In This Issue

Welcome Allison Davis, Member Services Director
New Members
Warm Hearth Village Luncheon
Leadership 2012 Update
Business After Hours
Events & Happenings
Legislative Insight
2012 Chamber Magazines
Contact Us

New Members

Help us WELCOME

our newest Members

Easy Wind Stables

Leah Allen

3850 horse Farm Rd.

Blacksburg, VA 24060

540.808.9143

Website

Stratus Environmental Solutions, Inc.

Dean Kaiser

PO Box 1108

1501 Lark Lane

Blacksburg, VA 24062

540.961.0998

Member Services Director Welcome

Welcome Allison M. Davis, Membership Services Director

Allison is a Montgomery County native, born and raised in Blacksburg, Virginia. She attended Margaret Beeks Elementary, Blacksburg Middle and High Schools. Allison holds a bachelor's degree in Music Performance from Elon University and a master's degree in Opera from Loyola University in New Orleans. Allison acted as the Administrative Director and Program Coordinator for Summer Opera Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. for five years. She also taught private music lessons and assisted with marketing efforts at Music & Arts in Huntersville, N.C. She was a regular performer with Opera Carolina before returning to Blacksburg two years ago.

Most recently Allison worked as the Marketing Director for the Creekmore Law Firm, PC and the Membership Director for Blacksburg Country Club. Allison also completed Leadership NRV in 2011 and has been a Montgomery Chamber of Commerce Ambassador for over a year. She also serves the American Business Women's Association as Vice President of Marketing and is a member of the Founders Chapter of BNI.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to serve the community I love through my new role with the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. I am passionate about marketing and look forward to meeting you all and assisting with creating more visibility for your business through networking events, advertising, and new programming this year! Thank you for the warm welcome with so many kind calls and emails. I hope you will come by the office for a visit soon! " Allison M. Davis

Education and Preparation is EVERYTHING

In recent months we have read and heard in the community that education is critical to the health of our community. Leadership New River Valley will have a first-hand look at the education system in Montgomery County on May 17. This session is often known as Education Day and our sponsor is The Virginia Tech Foundation. Terry Mitchell, Vice President for the VT Foundation and Leadership Alumni ('05) will speak to the many achievements and initiatives of this organization. This year the VT Foundation has two representatives enrolled in Leadership NRV; Julie Rosenberger and Tim Graff. This year is also of historical significance as Ray Smoot, Ph.D., has stepped down from his leadership role and John Dooley, Ph.D. will assume the helm prior to the May session.

Our day will begin at Prices Fork Elementary School with breakfast. Brenda Blackburn, Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools and several of her administrative team members will provide information on the state of the school system. This session is positioned early in our curriculum because so many of the future sessions often reference the role of education as important to the achievement of their outcomes. This allows the participants to see how education is connected to their identified qualities of a good community. In addition to the standard education information, the presentation will also include the services provided to eligible students. The Leadership New River Valley Class of 2012 will hear from two of the student leaders who are enrolled in Career and Technical Education.

Following their jam-packed morning session, the participants will travel to New River Valley Mall for lunch and to learn more about the local community college. Mark Rawh, Vice President for Workforce Development will speak to the role of the community college in today's world. The class will tour the facility at New River Valley Mall and will learn more about the transfer programs (Associate of Arts Degrees) and the terminal degrees (Associate of Science Degrees) as well as the many non-degree programs offered through New River Community College.

In an effort to improve the public speaking skills of the participants, Steve Matuszak, Adjunct Faculty and Graduate Teaching Assistant will work with the class members. Matuszak has a background in communications, owned an Executive Education Training Company in Chicago which focused on humor and improvisation. This will be an engaging opportunity for the NRV Class of 2012.

Interested in joining the Class of 2013? Call the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce at 540.552.2636 for more information

LEADERSHIP NRV REUNION

The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Leadership Alumni Reunion designed to connect and reconnect the graduates of the Leadership New River Valley Program. This initial launch will be held at the Holiday Inn located on Prices Fork Road in Blacksburg on Thursday, May 3 from 5:30-7:30pm.

The cost of admission is $10 + 2 non-perishable food items (MCEAP).

What is a Leadership Alumni Association? This is going to be determined by the graduates of the program. A survey will be conducted at the LAA Reunion to determine what the members would like to see in this new program. Some of the areas being considered are: continuing education and advanced leadership training, community involvement opportunities, and additional opportunities for socializing and networking.

This will be such an exciting opportunity for the graduates to reconnect, collaborate, and create positive change in our community. We hope you will join us.

To register, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at 540-552-2636.