Spring 2016

The Advocate
ISSUE 02 Spring 2016
A P u b l i c at i o n o f T h e H a r r i s o n b u r g - R o c k i n g h a m C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r c e
Kick Start Summer...ValleyFest
Returns for a 16th Year
May 28, 2016 | 11:00AM-7:00PM | @ Massanutten Resort
Live music, good food, tastings from local and regional wineries and
a quality selection of craft and microbrews…these are the things
that make ValleyFest an event that draws attendees back year after
year. Brought to you by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber
of Commerce and Valley Honda, Volkswagon, Nissan, and Subaru,
the 16th Annual ValleyFest Beer and Wine Festival will take place
May 28 from 11am-7pm. Held on the slopes of Massanutten Resort, the picturesque setting
is the perfect backdrop to the day-long festival full of entertainment and activities. This year, more than 40 craft and microbrews
will be on tap for sampling. Popular beers from MillerCoors, Blue
Moon and New Belgium will be served. Regional craft brewers
like Brothers Craft Brewing will be joined by newcomers Pale Fire
Brewing, Seven Arrows Brewing Company. In addition to the beer
selection, a variety of local and regional Virginia wineries will also
be on hand. Returning favorites include Mattaponi and CrossKeys
Vineyards, with several vendors making their first appearance. We
will also have three Virginia-based hard cider vendors. Hard cider
has grown in popularity over the past several years and we are lucky
enough to have several producers within the region. Bold Rock,
Blue Toad Cider and Cobbler Mountain will be on hand.
ment line-up includes returning favorite Rob Biler with his groups
Kanye Twitty and Here’s to the Night and local favorites
Bryan Elijah Smith & the Wild Hearts and Mike Davis. Ranging
from rock and country to pop and bluegrass, the line-up covers
a range of genres and decades. “Choosing a variation of musical
performers for ValleyFest is always at the top of our list. We want
bands that are relatable to all attendees and can get a crowd on their
feet, dancing and singing to the music,” says Chamber Director of
Marketing and Communications, Ashley Gordon. A big draw for many ValleyFest attendees is the live entertainment
and this year continues the tradition. Four groups will perform on
the main stage with acoustic sets returning in the wine area. Sponsored by MillerCoors and Blue Ridge Beverage, this year’s entertain-
Inside
This Issue:
Chamber Leadership Opportunities: p. 4&5 Elected Directors: p. 7 New Member Profiles: p. 10&11
Biz Blitz: p. 13 Continued on Pg. 9
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“100 Good Deeds to Celebrate 100 Years of
Community Service and Leadership”
MIKE GARBER, Chair, PBMares
GLENDA WESTERN, Past- Chair, MillerCoors Shenandoah Brewery
GREG GODSEY, Chair-Elect, Union Bank & Trust
KELLY BURKHOLDER, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. - Burkholder
& Associates
Mike Garber, PBMares
Chair, HR Chamber of Commerce
GARY CALLEO, RR Donnelley
FELICIA CRAWFORD, Liberty Press, Inc.
CORY DAVIES, RMH Foundation
DR. JOHN A. DOWNEY, Blue Ridge Community College
FRED EBERLY, Rockingham County
CAROL FLEMING, James Madison University
“If you do one good deed your reward usually is to be set to do another
and harder and better one.” – C.S. Lewis
“Every time you do a good deed you shine the light a little farther into the
dark. And the thing is, when you’re gone that light is going to keep shining on, pushing the shadows back.” – Charles de Lint
ROBERT FRAZIER, The Frazier Quarry
REBECCA HAUSHALTER, White Oak Lavender Farm
JEFF HILL, Local Chop & Grill House
KRISTIN ISENHART, Advantage Physical Therapy
ANDRIA JACKSON, Steven Toyota
CHRISTOPHER JONES, City of Harrisonburg
SCOT LILLY, Farm Credit of the Virginias
The excitement of unearthing the Chamber’s time capsule at Court Square
on April 26th has been gaining momentum and is surely going to be a
momentous occasion. Of course, by the time this article is published, we
will have already revealed its contents and, hopefully, learned a little bit
more about our predecessors and what was unique to that time period to
bury in the ground for 50 years.
CRAIG MACKAIL, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
KYLE O’BRIEN, Town of Broadway
JONAH PENCE, Farmers & Merchants Bank
HEATHER REAM, Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport
COURTNEY ROGERS, Immerge Technologies
CHRIS ROOKER, Kline May Realty/ The Harrisonburg Homes Team
Now, what shall we do to continue the celebration of our organization
surviving and thriving for the past 100 years? We have embarked on a
campaign for all of our Chamber members to do 100 good deeds to show
how much our community means to us. We want to highlight some of
the good deeds you do every day to make this a great place to live and
work. Personally, I think this campaign will be a piece of cake because
you do so much already. I know how much our businesses give back and
now we want to showcase that kindness.
JOEL SHANK, Dynamic Aviation
JENNIFER SHIRKEY, Lenhart Pettit PC
ANDY VANHOOK, Appeal Production
RYAN WAID, BotkinRose, PLLC
SKIP WEAKLEY, LD&B Insurance & Financial Services
CHAMBER STAFF
FRANK TAMBERRINO, President and CEO
So, when you are walking the streams on the Blacks Run cleanup day;
volunteering at the United Way Day of Giving; doing some painting or
construction on the VSCPA Day of Service; helping out at the Salvation
Army; picking up trash along the road; or attending one of the many
fundraising events to benefit our deserving not-for-profit organizations
we want to hear from you. Actually, we want you to submit photos of the
event and a description of your team and what you are doing. We want
to include you in our weekly newsletter and at the annual banquet showcasing your generosity. Please submit anything you have already done this
year to the Chamber staff and keep us in mind as the year progresses.
ASHLEY GORDON, Director of Marketing & Communications
SHEENA ARMENTROUT, Director of Membership Services
COREY TURNER, Manager of Finance & Administration
GET THE SCOOP
As a member of the Chamber, you have many opportunities to stay connected with what’s happening in our thriving business community.
WEBSITE: www.hrchamber.org
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/hrchamber
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/HR_Chamber
BLOG: hrchamber.bluekeyblogs.org
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/hrchamber
LINKED-IN: www.linkedin.com/company/harrisonburgrockingham-chamber-of-commerce
OFFICE PHONE: 540-434-3862
“Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone’s day.”
– Richelle E. Goodrich
“To be doing good deeds is man’s most glorious task.” - Sophocles
THE ADVOCATE, ISSUE 02, SPRING 2016
The Advocate is a quarterly publication of the HarrisonburgRockingham Chamber of Commerce. Read it online at www.hrchamber.org.
©2016. The information published in The Advocate are opinions of the
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce.
2 | The Advocate
Mike
“Building a Community”
Frank Tamberrino
President and CEO
As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, there is much that can be said and
reflected upon. The difficulty for us this year is trying to condense
100 years of people and activities into soundbites or short articles, and
choosing today what might have been important or relevant in past
years, without the benefit of being there, for public recognition and
accolades.
I equate the research we have done on the history of the Chamber and
its leadership to assembling the pieces necessary to construct a family genealogy. There are facts that are easy to find and some that are
uncovered in old boxes, files and newspaper articles. There are familiar names that are fairly easy to trace, and there are dead-ends. Some
decisions, actions and directions have background and documentation.
Others stand-alone but there are assumptions that can be made which
seem plausible given the time period and economic circumstances, and
still others appear to be isolated instances, although we know they were
probably not.
But we do know that the history of the Chamber builds upon itself,
from the first meeting of citizens to discuss the need for an organized
forum to make a difference in the community up to the last Business
Smarts, business council meeting or Business After Hours that members might have attended. It is truly remarkable, when you think about
it, that business leaders and representatives of educational institutions,
local governments, and civic and charitable organizations have been
meeting continuously since early 1916 with the common purpose of
improving the community, economically and otherwise. There has been
no gap even during war time, no period of apathy or disinterest, and
no time where people were just too busy to give their time and resources back to the community.
During several media interviews this year, I have found myself repeating a common theme. The reason for the Chamber’s creation and early
growth and the issues of highest importance are still the same today as
they were one hundred years ago. The Chamber was created to make a
positive impact on the current and future well-being of the community.
The highest priorities have centered around maintaining and improving
the business climate and the opportunities for business, individually
and collectively, to succeed and prosper. When the economy is thriving and dynamic, the community prospers. When the community is
dynamic and thriving, businesses prosper.
I admit a slight bias, given my position with the Chamber and a frontrow seat to all of the benefits we provide and the partnerships and
collaboration we have nurtured. But, I hope everyone in Harrisonburg,
Rockingham County and surrounding areas will also feel a sense of
pride in this organization, the history behind us and the good things
before us.
Frank
Calendar of Events
*Schedule complete as of press time; subject to change
Upcoming Annual Events
• Leadership HR Graduation - May 19
• ValleyFest Beer & Wine Festival - May 28
• Ribbon Cuttings/Groundbreakings - as requested
UPCOMING BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
*Held Every 3rd Thursday from 5-7 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)
•
•
•
•
May 5 - Christopher Williams Jewelers - Harrisonburg
May 26 - PBMares
June 16 - Classice Kitchen & Bath
June 21 - Valley Water Gardens
BUSINESS SMARTS BREAKFAST SERIES
*Held the 2nd Friday of each month, 7:30-9:00 a.m.
American National University, 1515 Country Club Road
The 2016 Business Smarts Series focuses on Smarter by the
Dozen
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
May 13 - The Art of Crafting HR Standards
June 10 - Leadership
July 8 - Cyber Security
August 12 - B to B Selling
September 9 - Public Speaking
October 14 - Communications
November 11 - Building a Business
December 9 - Cash Flow
For more information on the series and to register, visit our
website at www.hrchamber.org
COUNCILS & ROUNDTABLES
Hospitality Committee
Third Wednesday of each month, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Aging-in-Place Business Roundtable
Third Friday of each month, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
East Rockingham Business Council
TBD - email Sheena Armentrout at Sheena@hrchamber.org
Greater Ashby Business Council
Second Tuesday of each month, 12:00 Noon
Broadway-Timberville Business Council
Second Wednesday of each month, 12:00 Noon, Town & Country Rest. Diversity Business Council
Second Thursday of each month, 12:00 Noon
Shenandoah Women’s Alliance
Third Tuesday of every other month, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
www.hrchamber.org | 3
Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham
Cultivating leadership is an important component in the continual
betterment of our business community. With this in mind, The
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce offers two programs designed to promote leadership growth.
With a more than 30 year history, Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham (formerly Community
Leadership Program) has been
a stepping stone for many
leaders in Harrisonburg and
Rockingham County. The program, held over a ten-month
period, is a unique opportunity for participants to gain access to an extraordinary network of area leaders and get an up close
and personal look at the inner workings, and often collaborative
involvement, of many area programs and offices. From public safety
and local government to arts, culture, history and sustainabilty, the
program provides a comprehensive and enlightening look at Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
To learn more about Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham, and to
download an application for the upcoming 2016-2017 class, visit
www.hrchamber.org/leadershipHR.
LHR Graduation Set for May 19
Congratulations to the Leadership Class of 2016:
• Ana Aceituno, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
• Sheena Armentrout, HR Chamber of Commerce
• Casey Armstrong, Rockingham County
• Samantha Bosserman, DuPont Community Credit Union
• Quinton Callahan, Clark & Bradshaw
• Sarah Connor, Dynamic Aviation Group
• Jeffrey Deavers, Lantz Construction Company
• Wesley Dove, Blauch Brothers
• Sara Embree, May Supply
• Martha Gooden, City of Harrisonburg
• Lydia Heatwole, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
• Jason Hensley, City of Harrisonburg
• Jim Hershberger, Church World Services
• Jacqueline Hieber, The Collins Center
• Colby Horne, Bridgewater College
• Stephanie Hutchens, Sentara RHM Medical Center
• Margaret Jackson, Big Brothers Big Sisters HR
• John Langhans, City of Harrisonburg
• Jennifer Mongold, Rockingham County
• Glenn Myers, TSSi
• Jacob Ottman, Dynamic Aviation Group
• Leandra Ottman, Riner Rentals
• Susan Pinnell, McClung Companies
• Jason Ropp, Park View Federal Credit Union
• Grady Ruckman, CrossFit Harrisonburg
• Phillip Sheible, TSSi
• Daniel Shickel, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
• Kristi Strang Jackson, TSSi
• Ashley Summers, PBMares
• Tammy Warren, Union Bank & Trust
• Jay Webb, WHSV TV-3
• Emily Weller, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
• Jessica Williams, City of Harrisonburg
• Elizabeth Williams, United Way of Harrisonburg-Rockingham
• Arianna Williams, WHSV TV-3
Time Capsule Revealed After 50 Years
In February 1966, Chamber and community leaders gathered on the snow covered lawn
of the Courthouse to bury a time capsule filled with information and mementos from
the mid-1960s. Fifty years later, on the 100th anniversary of the State accepting the
charter to establish what was then the Harrisonburg Chamber of Commerce, Chamber
and community leaders once again gathered on the Courthouse lawn. The day was much
warmer and nicer, and those present received a glimpse into history as the contents were
revealed and set out on display.
For a complete list of the time capsule’s contents, please go to the Chamber’s website. If
you have any suggestions for items to be placed in the 2016 time capsule, which will be
buried in the near future, please contact the Chamber office.
(photo: Mike Garber and Frank Tamberrino begin the process of locating and uncovering the time capsule
before the crowd arrives)
4 | The Advocate
Bold-An Advanced Leadership Program
BOLD (Building Optimal Leaders by Design) is an advanced leadership course with a mission to “encourage excellence in the development of community leaders through mentorship with an emphasis on community involvement, ethics and philanthropy.” The program,
born from the Vision2020 community leaders’ sessions in 2010-2011, currently has its third
and forth cohorts underway and is accepting applications for a fifth. BOLD takes
Leadership Harrisonburg-Rockingham and any other community leadership program to the next level by pairing handpicked mentors
with mentees to collaborate over a two year period on in-depth discussions on critical business and community issues. For more information on the program and to download an application, visit www.hrchamber.org/BOLD today. The deadline for applications is late May.
Bold Lends a Hand to WHSV for the Big Barn Sale Benefitting EAUS
Each year, the mentees, mentors and steering
committee members of BOLD select a community service project to support. The intent
is to demonstrate the group’s commitment to
giving back to the community as well as to
strengthen individual bonds within each class.
BOLD Graduation Set for May 4
Congratulations to the BOLD Harrisonburg-Rockingham
Class of 2016:
Mentor
• Peter Yates, Daily News Record
• Garry Nichols, Nichols & Associates
• Janet Wendleken, The RMH Foundation
• Charlie Martorana, Union Bank & Trust
• Jill McGlaughlin, Classic Kitchen & Bath
• Matt Lohr, Farm Credit of the Virginias
• Chris Runion, Eddie Edwards Signs
• Tracy Jones, WHSV TV3
• Judith Trumbo, Virginia Mennonite Retirement
Community
Mentee
• Jonah Pence, Farmers & Merchants Bank
• Josh Mason, MillerCoors Shenandoah Brewery
• Kate Renalds, Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community
• Nick Perrine, PBMares
• Katie Montgomery Robinson, Sentara RMH Medical Center
• Shaun Mooney, JMU - Valley Scholars Program
• Matt Heatwole, Brown, Edwards & Company
• Jeannine Peterson, RR Donnelley
• Laura Toni-Holsinger, United Way of Harrsionburg-Rockingham
The class will be honored at a graduation luncheon on May 4 at Union Station.
www.hrchamber.org | 5
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Save the Date
Annual Golf Outing
September 2016
Brought to you by:
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact
Ashley Gordon at ashley@hrchamber.org or
540.434.3862, ext. 108
6 | The Advocate
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Four Elected to Serve on HRCC Board of Directors
Kyle O’Brien, Town of Broadway
Kyle O’Brien graduated from
University of North Carolina Asheville. He has been
Broadway town manager
for the past 16 years, prior
to that he was the Grottoes
town manager for 3 years. Other activities include past
President of the BroadwayTimberville Rotary Club, Board Member of the Fruit Processors
Water Cooperative , Board Member Broadway-Timberville Senior Citizens Center, Member of the Shenandoah Valley Electric
Scholarship Committee. Kyle lives in Rockingham County with
his wife Kelly and two sons, Patrick 13, and Andrew, 9.
Kelly Burkholder, Burkholder & Associates
A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial
Services, Inc.
Kelly Burkholder is a
Financial Advisor and Vice
President of Burkholder
& Associates; a financial
advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services,
Inc. with over 25 years of
financial industry experience. In her spare time, you
can find Kelly at the local
gym taking fitness classes
or climbing the tread wall
in preparation for her next
challenge, rock climbing. Kelly lives in Harrisonburg
with
her
husband
and
business
partner,
Brian and together they
Courtney Rogers, Immerge Technologies
enjoy the outdoors, experiencing the splendor of the Shenandoah
Valley, and spending time with their pets. Valley Partnership;
Courtney Rogers is the Web Accounts Manager for existing clients Board of Directors - United Way of Greater Augusta.
at Immerge Technologies, a web
solutions company that designs,
develops, and markets websites.
She brings 10 years of customer
service experience to Immerge. She
graduated from Old Dominion
University.
Robert Frazier
“I’m a husband to an amazing wife, father to two
awesome kids, a native to the Shenandoah Valley, and
a Christ believer. After graduating from Harrisonburg
High School, I went to Virginia Military Institute
where I earned a B.A. in History and International
Relations. My family and I returned to the Valley
four years ago to work in our fourth generation family business-The Frazier Quarry-after serving in the
United States Marine Corps for roughly ten years.
I am currently working on getting in to and pursuing an MBA at Darden School of Business, enjoying
time with my phenomenal family, and volunteering
through my church and as an advocate with Court
Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A) for Children.
I am proud to be from the Valley, and pumped to be
in a position to help shape the bright future of our
area!”
2016 HR Chamber Executive Committee
• Mike Garber, PBMares - Chairman
• Glenda Western, MillerCoors - Past Chair
• Greg Godsey, Union Bank & Trust - Chair - Elect
• Jonah Pence, F&M Bank - Vice Chair, Membership Services
• Heather Ream, Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Vice Chair, Programs
• Cory Davies, RMH Foundation - Vice Chair, Community
Relations
• Joel Shank, Dynamic Aviation - Vice Chair, Finance
www.hrchamber.org | 7
Providing Real Estate
Settlement Services
Title
Car eret
1056 B Chicago Avenue
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
540-438-9531
tony@carterettitle.com
www.carterettitle.com
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE &
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
8 | The Advocate
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Continued from pg. 1
Back by popular demand will be acoustic music in the wine
area tent. Acoustic sets were a big hit in years past and will
certainly be an added bonus for those attendees who spend
most of their time in the wine and craft area. Trail of the Lonesome and local favorites, Mike Davis and Kelly May Brown and
Randy Baker, will perform sets from 12-2:30pm, 2:30-4:30pm
and 4:30-6:30pm, respectively. Visit www.valleyfestbeerandwine.com to read more about the musicians and to listen to
their music.
ValleyFest is the Chamber’s largest publicly attended annual
event. Proceeds are used to benefit the local community
through a variety of educational and civic endeavors. The
continued growth and success of ValleyFest is a direct result
of supportive sponsors, chamber members, and volunteers. Volunteers, in particular, are a tremendous asset and the event
would not be possible without the nearly 100 individuals who
donate their time in different capacities throughout the day. To
volunteer for a shift, contact Ashley Gordon at 540.434.3862
ext. 108 or ashley@hrchamber.org. All volunteers receive free
admission and a ValleyFest t-shirt.
ValleyFest is brought to you by a number of supportive local businesses including: Valley Honda, Volkswagen, Nissan,
Subaru, MillerCoors, Blue Ridge Beverage, Massanutten
Resort, Appeal Production, Blue Ridge Bank, Homer’s Automotive, Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, and The Reserve
at Stone Port and media sponsors The Harrisonburg Radio
Group, I Heart Radio, the Daily News-Record, and WHSVTV3.
ValleyFest is held rain or shine. Festival admission includes
sampling and a souvenir cup (while supplies last).
A full list of participating wineries, breweries and vendors can
be found at www.valleyfestbeerandwine.com
Ticket Info:
• Advance Ticket - $25.00
• At the Gate - $30.00
• Designated Driver/Underage Ticket - $10.00
Tickets for ValleyFest are available online at
valleyfestbeerandwine.com or the following locations:
HR Chamber of Commerce
800 Country Club Road, Harrisonburg
Valley Honda Volkswagen
296 Lee Jackson Highway, Staunton
Massanutten General Store, Market & Concierge Desk
Massanutten Resort, McGaheysville
www.hrchamber.org | 9
New Member Highlights
Working
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1st Class Services is your first-class
solution for successful bulk mail
projects. A woman-owned business,
our wide range of mailing services includes folding, personalization, merging your personally addressed letter with the corresponding envelope, live stamping, and managing your mailing
lists. See us first to format your mail piece and minimize your
handling and mailing costs.
We are the first automated mailing service in the Shenandoah Valley. Since 1992, we do can do all classes of bulk mail. Our USPSapproved software and bar coding can save as much as 30% in
postage costs.
Corporations find direct-mail advertising—such as brochures,
catalogs, newsletters, and sales letters—is one of the most effective
ways to reach both new and existing clients. Direct mail’s advantage is that you know who is getting your message. Direct mail
communicates personally with your target audience. You control
who receives your message, when it is delivered, what is in the
envelope or brochure, and how many people you reach.
Other services include updating your database by national change
of address (NCOA), polybagging, tabbing, , high-speed printing
of addresses and bar codes, laser printing, and color or black and
white copying.
Contact Linda Greene at linda@firstclassservicesinc.com, 540432-0082 or 800-991-MAIL (6245)
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Integrity Home
Mortgage Corporation
Integrity Home Mortgage Corporation first opened its doors in
2005 built with the concept to close loans on time and as promised while providing their customers with excellent customer
care. At our Harrisonburg branch you will find a creative team of
mortgage specialists available to assist you in finding the financing that suits your needs. We specialize in custom mortgages
with lending solutions to best support your current life situation.
We have an array of home loan programs to choose from and
will educate you and walk you through the process every step
of the way. With our team of experienced loan officers, we will
make your experience as hassle free. Whether you are a first time
home-buyer or a seasoned homeowner we are here to assist you
with your mortgage financing. We understand that it is more
than just an investment; it’s your home.
10 | The Advocate
Swartz Photography
Swartz Photography offers one-stop professional photography
and marketing services. Owned by the husband-and-wife team of
Ryan and Ashley Swartz, thecompany specializes in photographing interiors, architecture, and small business marketing campaigns.
The Swartz team delivers images directly to clients, but can also
use them to produce marketing materials with the help of their
in-house graphic designer and writer!
From newsletters to websites and advertising campaigns, Swartz
Photography manages one-time and recurring projects efficiently
and professionally.
The company offers easy online scheduling, fast turnaround
times, and volume discounts to keep their services convenient
and affordable. With satisfied clients such as Kline May Realty,
James Madison University, Rhodenizer Construction, Cinnamon
Bear Cafe, and Shickel Corporation; Swartz Photography is here
to help Valley businesses grow.
New Members...cont.
Want to get pampered at the newest spa in Harrisonburg? Come
visit Bluestone Bodyworks, a full service day spa conveniently
located at 70 E. Mosby Road, near the new Stone Spring Extension. Enjoy the ease of online booking on our website, bluestonebodyworks.com, and Facebook page.
We offer facials, massage, waxing, and nail and body treatments,
as well as custom spray tans! Our expert staff has over 25 years
of combined experience and includes Massage Therapists Taryn
Callahan and Tess Sherman, Esthetician Shannon Lafy, and Nail
Technician Cassy Buracker. As an Aveda concept spa, we offer the full line of retail, as well
as incorporate Aveda’s natural products into our spa treatments.
Our historic brick and bluestone house is the only spa in the
valley that offers both a full kitchen and private relaxation room,
making us the perfect choice for bridal parties and events. We are excited to have The Chamber of Commerce welcome our
business to the community. Join us Thursday June 2 at 4:30pm
for our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on our spacious front porch.
An Open House will immediately follow. Beverages and heavy
hors d’oeuvre will be offered, as well as raffles for full service
treatments and products. Gift Certificates will be available for
purchase.
The Hub Coworking is an innovative, membership-based work
space for professionals, entrepreneurs and freelancers in downtown Harrisonburg.
Members have 24/7 access and use of traditional and standing
desks, collaboration tables, and lounge areas to work from, plus
two fully-equipped conference rooms. The conference rooms and
open spaces are also available for rent by non-members for off-site
meetings and events.
Free perks include a coffee and snack bar, monthly happy hours, a
copy-print-scan station, and basic office supplies. The Hub is bike
friendly and even has a shower. Even better, a General Membership is only $100 a month.
We also offer Corporate Memberships for larger businesses who
benefit from a downtown outpost. Our Inventor Membership
providing office space and access to prototyping equipment at
JMU’s X-Labs.
While all of those features make for a super cool office, the best
thing about The Hub is something entirely different. We hear
over and over again that the energy, networking, and casual
interaction are the most valuable things for our members. We’ve
created a true community of coworkers, provide the ability to
work for companies across the country and not feel isolated, connect entrepreneurs with contacts and resources, and do it all in an
exciting and energetic work space.
The Hub Coworking
thehubhbg@gmail.com
(540) 578-0527
www.thehubcoworking.com
Kirsten and Chris Moore, owners
Harrisonburg-Rockingham Embrace Campaign for Grade Level Reading
In March, Harrisonburg and Rockingham County were accepted into the national Campaign for Grade Level Reading. This is a
voluntary program designed to ensure that all children are reading at the third grade proficiency level by the end of the third grade.
Statistically, this benchmark is a consistent determinant of a child’s future success in life.
The designation and recognition followed an application submitted by the local We Read to Succeed Committee, a consortium of
local civic organizations and educators convened by the United Way with Mary Ann Alger leading the effort. The HarrisonburgRockingham Chamber of Commerce was represented by President Frank Tamberrino. He was interviewed by the DNR and noted
that the reading connection to education was both a quality of life issue for the community and a workforce issue for future employers, as today’s preschoolers and elementary school students are the next generation of workers. The first project under discussion will
be to provide every child enrolled in Pre-K with an age-appropriate book free of charge. This is an ambitious, but achievable goal
with the help and collaboration of local businesses, community organizations and public and private school systems.
If you have a desire to help with the Pre-K book project, United Way, Big Brother Big Sisters and the Massanutten Regional Library
will provide three key points of contact, or contact Frank Tamberrino at the Chamber. Details were still being worked out as The
Advocate was going to press.
www.hrchamber.org | 11
Meeting & Event Venues Abound in City, County
With its rolling valley floor and surrounding mountains, the
Shenandoah Valley is an ideal location to host a meeting or event
Harrisonburg/Rockingham County has plenty of
and
options when it comes to venue space. Whether you are looking for
a celebratory venue or a high tech space to host your next business
meeting, Chamber member businesses offer modern, professional,
and high-quality spaces to fit your meeting and event needs.
1380 Blackberry Lane is a newly established Event Venue located
west of Harrisonburg. The 9000 square foot building includes a
chapel, kitchen, and additional rooms. The five acre site includes
beautiful views of the surrounding valley with multiple locations
for outdoor event use. Massanetta Springs Camp & Conference Center located just east of
Harrisonburg, offers various buildings on over 200 acres. 17 meeting rooms can accommodate groups from 8-300 people. An open-air
auditorium can hold 700 and a lake view pavilion is available for
outdoor events. Mountain Valley Meeting & Retreat Center in Harrisonburg is
set-up for a variety of events including meetings, social events, and
company picnics. The location is both convenient and relaxing. Dining and recreational activities are available. On Sunny Slope Farm is located in Harrisonburg and this 67 acre
farm has breathtaking vistas, a lovely hilltop pavilion with reception
Barren Ridge Vineyard in Fishersville offers an elegant ballroom
tent, kitchen area, and luxury dressing rooms in the adjacent barn
that is ideal for corporate dinners or private parties. The second-sto- style building. ry space accomodates up to 150 people and offers stunning views of
the vineyard, valley and the Appalachians in the distance.
Quality Inn of Harrisonburg has a conference room serving up to
67 people with up-to-date amenities and is always business friendly.
Bluestone Vineyard, located in Bridgewater, offers several locations throughout the vineyard with beautiful views of the Alleghany
Mountains and the patio can accommodate up to 120 seated
Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center in Historic
guests.
Staunton is a 124 room hotel with two gorgeous ballrooms, a full
service restaurant, and rooms for business meetings and conferences. Clear Spring Homestead, located in the historic and beautiful
town of Dayton, is a bed and breakfast with colorful gardens, gorgeous scenery, and a wonderful history. The venue can host weddings, receptions, and conferences with room to spare. Information regarding each of these businesses is available on the
Chamber website, www.hrchamber.org or by calling 540-434-3862. Courtyard by Marriott is centrally located in the city of Harrisonburg and has two meeting rooms with an available 1100 square
feet. Both meeting rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi, offer on-site
catering, and are perfect for meeting, events and retreats. Cross Keys Vineyard, located in Mt. Crawford, is available for
events large and small, from a small client dinner to a large holiday
party. Cross Keys staff is available to help create the perfect wine,
food and atmosphere for your event.
Days Inn Harrisonburg is conveniently located off of interstate
81 and has a banquet facility as well as a conference room with an
excellent and friendly staff.
Early Katering is a full-service catering company offering affordable excellence and superior service. Kay has over 25 years of experience catering weddings, corporate functions, receptions and private parties. Hampton Inn of Harrisonburg can host a variety of events and
business meetings with flexible facilities seating up to 40 guests. 12 | The Advocate
2016 Sponsorship
Opportunities
The Chamber relies heavily on the support of member
businesses for sponsorships throughout the year. From
breakfast meetings like the Post Session Legislative
Breakfasts to large-scale events like ValleyFest, there are
many opportunties to be involved. Not only is it a great
way to get your name out to fellow members and the
public but it shows that you support your community.
If you are interested in learning more about upcoming
opportunities, contact the Chamber at 540.434-3862
or ashley@hrchamber.org.
Chamber Supports V3 Training
In early April, the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber
of Commerce collaborated with the Virginia Department
of Veterans Services and the local Workforce Investment
Board to bring a statewide training program to Harrisonburg. Human resource and personnel recruiters spent April
6th at the Ice House learning about the Virginia Values
Veterans (V3) program, which was created to help former
and transitioning military members connect with employers, providing support and incentive funds to employers. If
you are interested, go to www.dvsv3.com for more information.
BizBlitz Held to Showcase Local Entrepreneurial Spirit
In mid-March, the Shenandoah Valley Innovation Coalition held BizBlitz weekend, an intense two days of taking ideas through the stages of developing business plans and then to funding pitches. This was the third year for this event, with locally owned BidWrangler being showcased this year as a
success story from two years ago. Teams formed around ideas on Friday evening, honed their business concepts, talking points, prototypes and business plans on Saturday through Sunday afternoon. Business pitches were then made in front of a team of judges who asked
pointed questions and ranked the teams. Reflip, an app designed to help pricing of used and surplus goods, was the top team this year.
Awards were donated from area businesses and organizations, with WHSV providing a generous marketing package to the winning team
once their idea turns into a formal business entity.
2016 Business After Hours Schedule
Check out the Chamber’s Website at www.hrchamber.org for
the full 2016 Business After Hours schedule. Many first time
hosts are on the list so plan to attend and get to know more
about these member businesses!
www.hrchamber.org | 13
Help Us Welcome Our New Members
Agrodolce Italian Restaurant
Joe Penza 1647 E Market Street Harrisonburg,VA 22801
(540) 615-5442
Appalachian Physical Therapy, Inc.
Vicki Terry 171 E Springbrook Rd Broadway, VA 22815
(540)901-9501
http://aptfc.com
Back Home on the Farm
Lynne Hess
3231 Willow Run Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
http://www.BackHome-ontheFarm.com
Bluestone Bike & Run
Kyle Coleman
1570 S Main St.
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
(540)434-5151
http://www.bluestonebikerun.com
Bluestone Bodyworks, LLC
Shannon Lafy 70 E Mosby Rd Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540)434-5000
http://bluestonebodyworks.com/
Edward Jones
Joshua Lowe 560 Neff Ave. Suite 100
Harrisonburg , VA 22801
(540)574-1013
GenHub Inc. DBA The Power Connection
Jordan Rohrer
2132 John Wayland Hwy
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540)574-0177
http://thepowerconnectioninc.net
Grace House, Inc.
Sue Kite
509 Third Street Shenandoah, VA 22849
(540)652-8926
http://www.GraceHouseShenandoah.org
14 | The Advocate
Harrisonburg Education Foundation
Regina Breeden
1 Court Sqaure
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540)434-9916
http://www.harrisonburgeducationfoundation.
com/
Hearing At Home
Michael Combs 128 West Bruce Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540) 437-0033
http://www.hearingathomeva.com
Hope Distributed Community Development
Felicidad Martinez
1871 Boyers Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540)578-3510
http://www.hopedistributed..org
INTEGRITY HOME MORTGAGE CORP.
Dwayne Martin 4145 Quarles Court
Rockingham, VA 22801
(540)208-7771
http://www.ihmcloans.com
Joe’s Griddle n Grill
Ronnie Owen
3356 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540)437-0061
http://www.joesgriddleandgrill.com
Kingdom Financial Solutions, LLC
Robert Bonniwell
35 Southgate Court, Suite 201
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801
(540)294-2671
http://kingdomfinsol.com
Little Grill Collective
Camille Sallette 621 North Main St
Harrisonburg, VA 22802-4620
(540) 434-3594
http://www.lilgrill.com/
NAIFA Shenandoah Valley
Christy Miller 57 S Main Street Suite 514
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540)434-2500
Neogas North America
Terry McCormick
266-B Evans Road
Lugoff, SC 29078
(803)408-8866
http://Neogas.us
Paradise Energy Solutions
Joe Sadonis
730 Parkview Avenue
Staunton, Virginia 24401
877)851-9269
http://www.paradisesolarenergy.com
Piedmont Concessions, LLC dba
‘’Crabdaddy’s’’
Michael Kelly
1809 East Main Street
Waynesboro, VA 22980
(434)249-8274
Robert M. Frazier
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434)270-2925
Rockingham Educational Foundation,
Inc.
Katie LaPira
100 Mount Clinton Pike
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
(540)564-3218
ttp://refi.rockingham.k12.va.us/
Saucy Dogs, LLC
Michelle Galindez
1780 C South Main St.
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540)560-8593
Swartz Photography
Ashley & Ryan Swartz
9498 Rawley Pike
Hinton, VA 22831
(540)383-6071
http://www.swartzphotograph.com
White Birch Communities
Patricia Hughes
847 Oakwood Dr.
Rockingham , VA 22801
(540)879-9699
http://whitebirchcommunities.com
emu.edu/mba/learn-more
MBA & MA in Organizational Leadership
JOIN US for an OPEN HOUSE May 2, June 13 or July 11
Drop-in open house 4-7 p.m., Campus Center suite 206
Come learn about our new graduate certificate options!
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE &
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Leadership for the Common Good
Harrisonburg, Virginia
CONNECTIONS2016 presents
Developing Your Business
Workforce Development
November 15, 2016
JMU Festival Conference & Student Center
Sponsorships Available
Economic
Development
Community Development
The Annual Chamber “Business Connections” is still
months away, but preliminary work has begun on the event.
The Small Business Development Center remains our
partner in this event.
There is a great opportunity available sponsors for this
popular event.
Business Development
If interested, please contact the Chamber office at your earliest convenience
540.434.3862 or ashley@hrchamber.org .
www.hrchamber.org | 15
Presorted - STD
US Postage PD
Permit #13
Hburg VA 22801
800 Country Club Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
www.hrchamber.org
This edition of The Advocate brought to you by:
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