2017 Board Chair Melinda Dunford calls the meeting to order.
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual meeting and awards dinner at the Inn at Virginia Tech where Bill Roth, the former voice of the Hokies and current VT Communications faculty member, served as the master of ceremonies.
Board chair, Melinda Dunford, area manager for H.H Hunt, shared with the nearly 400 in attendance, progress gained over 2017 as the chamber moves to fulfill a very aggressive Program of Work as it seeks to reach 55 objectives and a 96% completion rate.
The Chamber has increased its assets by 114% and a 41.5% decrease in liabilities since 2014, she said according to a press release.
Dunford also announced the Chamber has moved to a more electronic-based communications system and the Chamber website redesign is scheduled to be completed on February 14, 2018.
Included in the annual meeting was the recognition of the following businesses and or individuals for their contributions to improving the business climate, quality of life and the local community.
The Montgomery County Chamber also announced the 2017 Business Award Categories and Winners:
Business of the Year: First Bank & Trust Company
Small Business of the Year: Hethwood Market
Distinguished Business Person(s) of the Year: Henry Bass, Automation Creations, Inc.
Outstanding Community Service: Melissa Stockwell-Gregson, Community Health Center of the NRV
Outstanding New Member: McAlister’s Deli
Chamber Volunteer: Samantha Livesay, CHP Homeownership
NRV Green Company: Hethwood Market
NRV Green Organization: The Town of Blacksburg
Non-Profit of the Year: Habitat for Humanity NRV Chapter
Distinguished Non-Profit Leader: Michelle Brauns, Community Health Center for the NRV
Technology Company of the Year: Pervida
Community Leadership Award: Angie Covey, New River Community College Foundation Anthony Wilson, Chief of Police Town of Blacksburg
Regional Economic Impact Award: The Virginia Tech Foundation
The nomination process was open to members and non-members from April through September. The nominees are vetted by a committee comprised of previous award winners.
The 2017 Awards committee was chaired by Melissa Yanhko of Ink Works Studio and Terri Mitchell, past-chair of the Chamber board of directors and assistant vice president with the Virginia Tech Foundation.
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce serves Blacksburg, Christiansburg and all of Montgomery County supporting approximately 650 local businesses through business advocacy, as well as educational, marketing and networking opportunities. The Montgomery County Chamber is not affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
For more information on membership, visit the chamber website at www.montgomerycc.org, Facebook page, or call The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce at 540.382.3020.
