The Hampton Roads Chamber is “Simply the Best” and has a five-star accreditation to prove it! At the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Membership, Clark Jackson of the U.S. Chamber presented Hampton Roads Chamber President and CEO Bryan Stephens with the five-star accreditation.\u00a0 \u201cThis puts the Hampton Roads Chamber in the top 1 to 2 percent of all 7000 chambers in the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event’s keynote speaker, Governor-Elect Glenn Youngkin, agreed with the assessment.\u00a0 “You have been recognized as one of the best in the nation. You deserve it. I\u00a0was humbled to receive your biz PAC endorsement.<\/p>\n
You jumped in with me.\u201d Youngkin outlined his Day\u00a0One\u00a0plan for Virginia.\u00a0 \u201cWe will transform government and make it work for us.\u00a0 Customer service will be words used in the Youngkin Administration.”\u00a0 Youngkin endorses pro-business policies to help remove the red tape that makes it hard for businesses to start and\u00a0survive.\u00a0 He spoke of eliminating the grocery tax, suspending the gas tax for a year, lowering taxes for veterans, and giving tax rebates for the overpayment.\u00a0 Youngkin spoke highly of the business community’s support\u00a0for his candidacy.\u00a0 “Now we are all on one team, Team Virginia.\u00a0 And Team Virginia is going to win.”\u00a0 Job creation, innovation incentives, and lowering the cost of living are Youngkin\u2019s priorities to make Virginia more competitive.\u00a0 Youngkin wants to offer support for the Universities and colleges, preparing the next generation of workers, and increase trade school programs for students who are not college-bound.\u00a0 Youngkin is looking forward to taking the oath of office and helping Virginia return to glory.\u00a0 “The spirit of Virginia is alive and rests in our current generation of dreamers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaker Sponsor Gold Key |PHR CEO Bruce Thompson introduced Glenn Youngkin to the crowd.\u00a0 He spoke of their initial meeting.\u00a0 \u201cI left that meeting with a smile on\u00a0my\u00a0face and pep in my step. We finally have someone who understands the business community.\u201d\u00a0 Thompson was Youngkin\u2019s campaign finance director and is now handling the multi-day inauguration celebration.\u00a0 \u201cBig, bold, inclusive, fun, and something for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
COX Communications Vice President Nneka Chiazor had the challenging task of following Glenn Youngkin.\u00a0 She rose to the occasion discussing her company’s commitment to helping build a better future.\u00a0 She told Youngkin, “hashtag, we got your back.”\u00a0 Chiazor highlighted the myriad of companies that make up the COX brand.\u00a0 “We hope you will look to COX to be your provider of choice for transportation, electric vehicles, fresh salad, and of course, broadband.”<\/p>\n
Presenting Sponsor Old Point National Bank President of Financial Services, Joe Witt, was proud to point out, “We have been around for 100 years.”\u00a0 And Old Point has been the presenting sponsor for the Hampton Roads Chamber Annual Meeting for 10.<\/p>\n
Member Spotlight Sponsor Reese Jackson highlighted the innovation underway at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.\u00a0 Neuroscience advancements, mother\/baby centers, and cancer treatment are all part of their growth.<\/p>\n
Hampton Roads Chamber President and CEO, Bryan Stephens delivered his annual State of the Chamber report.\u00a0 \u201cYour Chamber is healthy, growing, and more impactful than ever.\u00a0 All Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are strong and trending in the right direction.\u00a0 We have exceeded all financial objectives.\u201d<\/p>\n
The annual meeting of the membership marks the handoff of the Chairman of the Regional Board of Directors.\u00a0 The Chamber bid a fond farewell to Steve Romine of Williams Mullen, who led the board through 2021, and welcomed Chris Stone of Clark Nexsen for 2022.\u00a0 Jim Bibbs of Lifenet Health is 2022 Chair-Elect, and Dawn Glynn of TowneBank is 2022 Treasurer.<\/p>\n
Thank you to all our exiting board members and volunteers.\u00a0 Before his departure as chair, Steve Romine named Angie Bezik as volunteer of the year for her efforts as Vice-Chair Governmental Affairs.\u00a0 Amy Yendall is Ambassador of the Year.<\/p>\n
The last bit of big news out of the Annual Meeting is that as of January 1, 2022, Volunteer Hampton Roads will become an affiliate of the Hampton Roads Chamber.\u00a0 CEO Stephanie Gorham and her staff have already moved into the Chamber offices.\u00a0 Volunteer Hampton Roads Board Chair Christopher Pierson will also serve as Vice-Chair Volunteerism for the Hampton Roads Chamber.<\/p>\n
Thank you to Vice Chair for Interfaith Relations, Dr. Antipas Harris, for a lovely invocation.\u00a0 Local singer Marie Whitley began the event with a heartfelt National Anthem and ended the day belting out “Simply the Best!”<\/p>\n
Source : Hampton Roads Chamber<\/p>\n
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