3578 HRCC 8/29/13 8:25 PM Page 1 Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Summer 2013 CHAMBER CORNER AMBASSADOR COMMITTEE TRUSTEE PROFILE MAKES A DIFFERENCE With more than 1,800 people in 11 states, Dixon Hughes Goodman is the Summer 2013 largest certified public accounting firm based in the Southern U.S. and the 15th largest in the nation. In addition Business Leaders Meet with Candidates for Governor and Political Action Committee to comprehensive accounting and advisory services, the firm serves Attorney General Announces Incumbent clients of all sizes internationally and reduce the individual income tax rate from 5.75% to 5% and reduce Endorsements Caron Crouse in all 50 states. Office Managing Partner business income tax from 6% to 4%. Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Dixon Hughes Goodman’s 80 year Ambassador Committee members who attended the Chamber’s Business After Hours held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott were (from left) Lamont Maddox, Guidance Law Firm Comparing transportation issues of northern Virginia to Hampton Roads, history combines deep industry P.C.; Rhonnda Claiborne, Keller Williams Elite; Patrick Kelly, CMIT Solutions of Virginia Beach Debra Hamilton Farley, Associate Executive Director and experience, comprehensive accounting Metro; Nicki Tickle, Panera Bread; and Heather Platz, Regent University he agreed that both regions have challenges, but added that Hampton he Hampton Roads Business Political Action Committee Certified Business Analyst for the Small Business Development Roads has different challenges given it’s surrounded by water. Center of Hampton Roads (SBDC), was selected as the Virginia and advisory services and a strong (HRBizPAC), a public policy committee of the Hampton commitment to personal service. The Ambassador Committee is a diverse group of approximately T SBDC Network’s State Star for 2013. This annual award recognizes 15 volunteers dedicated to making a difference in the Chamber and Regarding the public private partnership proposal for the Port, he said, “I Roads Chamber of Commerce, announced its recommendations an exemplary performer who makes significant contributions to The company draws on immense the community. Ambassadors are liaisons between the Chamber for incumbent endorsements for the Virginia Senate and House their SBDC network and who demonstrates a strong commitment to resources to combine the staples was happy with the outcome of rejecting the proposals.” Cuccinelli small businesses. In the Virginia SBDC Network, staff members of audit, tax and accounting with and new and existing members. These volunteers help the Chamber’s has a high standard for the Port and said that we have to have confidence of Delegates. The Chamber is dedicated to serving its members from the 29 statewide offices nominated and then voted for innovative consulting and management membership department bring in new members and inform current (from left) Ira Agricola, Senior VP of Governmental Affairs for the Chamber; Terry McAuliffe; that every year, Virginia will do better under the proposal than without it. and communities by creating economic prosperity, healthy the award recipient. Jody Keenan, State Director of the Virginia advisory services. Dixon Hughes members of the benefits, services and programs offered by the Jack Hornbeck, President & CEO of the Chamber; and Dean McClain, Municipal Affairs Director business climate and enhancing the quality of life throughout SBDC Network (pictured left), and Jim Carroll, Executive Director Goodman’s real value, however, lies in Chamber. The 2013 Committee Chair is Neeraj “Raj” Agarwal, for the Chamber “In the next Governor’s term, we’re going to have a few years advantage Hampton Roads. The HRBizPAC carefully considered incumbent of the SBDC, presented Debra with the award at a reception the ability to offer those resources, Financial Consultant with Hornor Townsend & Kent, Inc. with the widening of the Panama Canal over our competitors on the east held in Norfolk on June 4. Debra has worked for the SBDC, an n March 21, Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat running for Virginia voting records and a comprehensive questionnaire on key customized in a way that can work coast,” he said. “What I’m proposing, would allow us to double up.” He affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber, for 23 years. For more information about the committee, contact Marianne Governor, met with the Hampton Roads Chamber to highlight policy issues to evaluate candidates was sent to state-wide for you. Visit www.dhgllp.com for O wants to bring internationally focused businesses to this region. more information. Collins at 757-664-2504. campaign issues. McAuliffe believes to be the best place for business, candidates. we have to focus on making the Commonwealth the best in efficient His energy strategy includes coal and offshore. “I have not said never to Senate Endorsements government, education and transportation. uranium mining,” he said. “If we’re going to mine it here, we have to be Kenny Alexander (D 5th) confident we can do it safely.” He said, “Transportation is a key driver. If you don’t have a system Louise Lucas (D 18th) that works you will not be able to create economic diversity.” Just On July 24, the Hampton Roads Chamber hosted Senator Mark Herring, Jeff McWaters (R 8th) Welcome New Members Anniversaries as transportation is a core function of government, if commuters are sitting Democratic candidate for Attorney General. Herring highlighted key John Miller (D 1st) in traffic for two hours a day, that’s not a big incentive to do business campaign issues, such as transportation and education. Thomas Norment (R 3rd) Join us in welcoming these new Chamber members. For the most current member directory, visit www.HamptonRoadsChamber.com Congratulations to the following businesses that celebrated milestone or reside in Virginia. Frank Wagner (R 7th) membership anniversaries from May - July 2013. Herring has supported countless transportation packages, and secured MAY Advanced Business Brokerage/CWA Capital JULY John Cosgrove (R 14th) Partners Regarding education reform, McAuliffe said, “We have got to do better. funding for needed overpasses and other road projects. On the passage Bryan & Willis Solutions LLC Bahama Breeze Island Grille 25 YEARS 10 YEARS All-Star Glass and Mirror, Inc. Education is the single most important thing we can do to build a strong CDG Commerce Business Consulting Services Master Cleaners, Inc. Beach Marine Services of HB 2313, he said, “We had an opportunity to move forward or House Endorsements Brain Balance Virginia Beach The Chick Company, LLC DBA Budget Blinds of DJP Limited OBBCO Safety & Supply, Inc. Bennetts Creek Farm Market Virginia and what our kids need to build successful lives.” just continue to stagnate, and I am very proud of the progress we Clearview Church Mamye BaCote (D 95th) the Oceanfront e:countable, LLC Pallett Oil Co., Inc. Chemical Cleaning Specialists CRC Health Group have made.” He added, “It’s important to be flexible if it accomplishes Gordon Helsel (R 91st) Cirquesa Dreamquest Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ Ft. Eustis Campus Rowena’s, Inc. Kerma Medical Products, Inc. McAuliffe said, “There is a reason I am a nomination with no competition. Dominion Capital Partners the main objective.” Comfort Keepers Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University/Norfolk Sumitomo Machinery Corp. of Old Dominion Steel & Container I have lived in Virginia for 20 years, I chose to live here and raise my five Daun Hester (D 89th) E.T. Lawson EternaWell Fitness & Wellness Enterprise Car Sales - Norfolk America Co., Inc. Matthew James (D 80th) Grassfield Cookies LLC children.” McAuliffe explained that he wants Virginia to be the best that With respect to economic Float First, LLC Envirowash of Virginia Beach TFC Recycling Hampton Roads Metro Woman Magazine it can be for his children and future generations. S. Chris Jones (R 76th) The Gates of West Bay Fenwyck Manor 20 YEARS Vicom development, Herring noted, “It’s Human Enchanced Technologies, LLC Barry Knight (R 81st) The Health Journal HR Design Partners, LLC important to make progress, and I Want It All Consignment Boutique Hampton Roads Termite & The Republican candidate for Governor, Inner Space Systems, Inc. and Garage Concepts James River Audio Visual Services Corp Pest Control, Inc. 5 YEARS transportation and education Lynwood Lewis (D 100th) Inner-View, LTD Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, met Jessica Padilla Tax Service Jamie Pittman - Verizon FiOS Richard Morris (R 64th) Jaceys Deli SLAIT Consulting Birsch Industries, Inc. are the fundamental building Kitty Hawk Kites Land'or International with 30 business and community leaders at the John White - State Farm Taylor's Do-It Centers Carraro North America , Inc. blocks of this.” He went on to Lionell Spruill (D 77th) Navy Federal Credit Union/Business Services Loan Simple Virginia Beach Vision, Inc. Commerce Systems Group Chamber on June 4. Cuccinelli said, “State Lil' Waves LLC Chris Stolle (R 83rd) New Genesis Worship Center Prohealth Nursing Services, LLC say, “The education component The Master's Touch Painting Company Exit Realty Central experience is unique to me. Whoever you nTelos Wireless – Virginia Beach R2R Marketing Jay Steer, PC CPA is not only the right thing to do Ron Villanueva (R 21st) Mischief's Parties 15 YEARS elect on November 5 will have two months to Ocean Blue Jewels Reed Integration, Inc. Jeion Ward (R 92nd) Pandora Jewelry (Lynnhaven Mall) American Diabetes Assoc. KBS for the kids as they grow up, R. L. Howell, DDS & Assoc. PC Dr. John Scanlon DO/Addiction Medicine put an entire administration together and, more Rick's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Gold Key Resorts Lesner Inn but it helps provide us with a Mike Watson (R 93rd) R. W. A. Restoration and Remodeling STAR/System Technologies Advanced Research Tidewater Home Funding, LLC difficult, prepare a two-year budget.” He said, Sea Ranch Resort National Multiple Sclerosis Society, (from left) Ira Agricola, Senior VP of Governmental David Yancey (R 94th) Sterling Information Partners, Inc.