Press Release
For Immediate Release
Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Prince William Chamber Business Awards Honor Local Businesses
Prince William, Virginia – On January 22,The Prince William Chamber of Commerce honored the nominees and recipients of its annual Business Awards at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. Winners of the 2014 Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards, who each receive a $1,000 check to continue their work, were also announced. Nominees included businesses large and small from a variety of industries, showcasing the diverse organizations that blend to make Prince William a national leader for job creation and economic growth. Northern Virginia Community College was the Presenting Sponsor of the event.
“We are proud to honor and celebrate our membership, those business and community leaders who truly represent the best of Prince William,” said Chamber President and CEO Rob Clapper.
While the sizes and industries of the nearly 60 nominated businesses varied greatly, dedication to community service was a common thread. Each of the nominees regularly stepped outside of their organization to make a difference in the community they serve, whether through the Chamber or one of hundreds of local not-for-profit organizations.
Resiliency Sponsor MTCI-Management & Training Consultants, Inc. was represented by their President & CEO, Dalena Kanouse. During her remarks, she praised the businesses in attendance for their commitment to business excellence and to the community, “This evening is an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ for all that you have done for our community. It’s a time for real affirmation from the business community that you’re doing the right things to make a difference. That means not only bringing jobs to our community, but also creating a corporate culture as a whole – truly making the Prince William community a great place to live, work and play.”
Cardinal Bank sponsored the Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards. Additional sponsors included Comcast, Prince William Today, Whitlock Wealth Management, City of Manassas, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, MTCI-Management & Training Consultants, Inc., and NOVEC.
Pictures from the 2014 Business Awards are available at facebook.com/pwchamber, and a full list of nominees and sponsors can be found in the events section of www.pwchamber.org. Following are descriptions of each winner, as they were announced during the 2014 Prince William Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
Behind the Scenes Business of the Year: Deem Printing
Deem Printing has been a member of the Chamber since 1991. Over the years they have provided countless dollars in in-kind goods and services. In fact, for the first three years of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s existence, they provided free custom-printed envelopes that enabled us to send out a monthly Chamber Pak to keep members informed and engaged—truly an invaluable service. They are a small, family-owned business with a commitment to quality printing and innovative practices and we are proud to call them a member of our Chamber. Unfortunately Mike & Jerry were not able to join us this evening because they are working so tirelessly in their business.
Behind the Scenes Individual of the Year: Steve Kubin, Primerica
You may recognize Steve from the many MB3 breakfasts where he has spoken on Education Committee initiatives like the Winter Warm Up and FBLA Speed Networking. He has sold raffle tickets at numerous events to raise money for the Scholarship program, sometimes even donning a cap and gown for the cause. This year, after years of behind the scenes help, he has also agreed to be a judge for the scholarship selection process, interviewing the students and working with others to select the final three students. There is not much that Steve has not volunteered to do in the name of helping the Education Committee meet their goals. Congratulations Steve, and thank you for all you do behind the scenes.
Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards: Health & Human Services
Catholics for Housing, Inc.
Catholics for Housing, although new to the Prince William Chamber, has a 34-year history of providing affordable housing opportunities to low and moderate income households throughout Northern Virginia. To date, they have created 67 such opportunities here in Prince William with a goal of increasing their presence here over the next two years. Their programs include paths to affordable homeownership and rentals, senior rental assistance security deposit assistance and a life skills program called “Choices” designed to provide basic information to help individuals move toward self-sufficiency. Each year, CFH provides services to approximately 392 people, without regard to race, creed, age, familial status or religion. Here in the Prince William region they have developed 33 townhomes in Dumfries and 19 in Bristow, with the goal of establishing even more opportunities for people in our community. For these reasons and more, we are pleased to present the Agnes Colgan Award for Health & Human Services to Catholics for Housing.
Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Awards: Arts & Education
Leadership Prince William
Leadership Prince William is a community-based leadership program designed to provide a source of diverse leaders who are prepared and committed to serve as catalysts for positive change in the Greater Prince William Area. Their signature program is a 10-month leadership development course.
In the last few years, Leadership Prince William has undergone some changes, including hiring their second Executive Director, Kathy Bentz. They have also added Glenn Vickers to the staff to help launch an additional youth-focused program. Along the way, they educate participants and alumni and help them to discover the leader within, challenging everything they knew about themselves. They are a remarkable organization and we are pleased to present them with this Agnes L. Colgan Community Service Award for Arts & Education.
Community Outreach: Steve’s Auto Repair and Tire
Business owner ST Billingsley is known for leading by example when it comes to community service. His employees know that he does not just donate funds, but also his time; serving on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Salvation Army. The shop has been a drop-off location for Angel Tree gifts and employees volunteered for a day of roadside clean-up with Keep Prince William Beautiful. Volunteering, transparency and providing service are a part of the culture at Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire, and that culture has become contagious. Steve’s has initiated an agreement with a parts supplier and an oil supplier to give a percentage of sales back to the Boys & Girls Clubs.
Your dedication to our community is inspiring! Thank you, and congratulations on earning the Prince William Chamber’s 2014 Community Outreach Award.
Business Awards:
Business of the Year – Up to 5 Employees: The Growth Coach-Northern Virginia
The Growth Coach – Northern Virginia is a fast-growing company that helps entrepreneurs and small business owners build the business they desire, earn the money they deserve, and enjoy the lifestyle they design for themselves through a strategic coaching and accountability process. Owner Dona Blackman is passionate about helping her clients unlock their potential for success in life and business of their dreams.
Dona is one of the Chamber’s most dedicated Ambassadors and has given her time and expertise over and over again to advance the goals of the Chamber. As an Ambassador, she is faithful to assist with the Chamber’s annual Silent Auction and Holiday Celebration. She also comes regularly to networking events and acts as a connector, especially for our new members, making them feel welcome and facilitating introductions to get them involved and welcomed right away.
She is quick to donate her time as a business coach – she has led our 5 Ways to Grow your Business Chamber recruitment seminar – providing prospective members with valuable business growth information and explaining the array of benefits Chamber membership has for one’s business. She went above and beyond too, after the session, to meet with each participant and provide them with individualized advice to help them in their specific area of need. Additionally Dona has presented to the Chamber’s Business Academy on several occasions.
In summary, Dona is an eager and reliable Chamber advocate and uses her expertise as a business coach to help our members thrive in any way she can.
Business of the Year – 6-34 Employees: Laser Quest Corporation
Oftentimes we find as a Chamber that businesses with a storefront keep long hours and are unable to really participate in many of the events and programs we offer. Their managers and employees find it difficult to move beyond the four walls of their business for purposes of community engagement. That is just one thing that sets Laser Quest, a laser tag arena near Potomac Mills Mall, apart. Manager Michelle Rao is a fixture in the Chamber. She is the Co-Chair of the Chamber’s Education Committee. In that role she has managed the National Young Reader’s Day and FBLA Speed Networking programs, both of which take huge amounts of time. Laser Quest’s community focus extends to allowing their employees to be very active in outreach projects. In October, the store hosted the “Spooktacular” to raise funds for the Chamber’s scholarship fund. Members and their children were invited to come play laser tag, win prizes and wear their costumes. A portion of the proceeds came back to the Chamber. Michelle managed the majority of the marketing for that event.
In addition to their involvement with the Chamber, LaserQuest also provides an excellent environment for their employees to grow and develop. They are committed to a positive and energetic work environment that encourages independent thought and the sharing of ideas. Full time employees receive benefits including Medical & dental coverage; a 401K plan and tuition reimbursement. Going beyond Laser Tag, they also provide learning opportunities for student field trips, helping them understand the science behind the games they are playing.
Business of the Year – 35+ Employees: Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted a three-year accreditation to the Cancer Program at Sentara Potomac Hospital. Additionally, this year Sentara Potomac Hospital, along with Sentara Healthcare, received the Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. Sentara Potomac Hospital and Sentara Healthcare were the only recipients of Outstanding Achievement Awards in Virginia.
Under Sentara Healthcare’s leadership, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center reduced the need for Prince William residents who require admission to a hospital to be transferred to an alternative facility by over 50%.
In the area of emergency services, Sentara Healthcare has increased the access and service to patients requiring emergency treatment by more than 10% and achieved a 11% year over year improvement in patient volume.
Their innovative medical leadership is impressive but their involvement in the community is also noteworthy. Sentara is a Chamber Partner and annual sponsor of our Prince William Valor Awards to honor police, fire and rescue workers. In December of 2013, they also hosted an MB3 Showcase to help new Chamber members integrate into the Chamber by having the opportunity for a free exhibit table. As noted previously, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center has given generously of their time, talent and resources not just for the Chamber but for the community making it a preferred place to work and live.
New Business of the Year: NOVA Medical & Urgent Care Center-Gainesville
The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted a three-year accreditation to the Cancer Program at Sentara Potomac Hospital. Additionally, this year Sentara Potomac Hospital, along with Sentara Healthcare, received the Outstanding Achievement Award, which recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. Sentara Potomac Hospital and Sentara Healthcare were the only recipients of Outstanding Achievement Awards in Virginia.
Under Sentara Healthcare’s leadership, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center reduced the need for Prince William residents who require admission to a hospital to be transferred to an alternative facility by over 50%.
In the area of emergency services, Sentara Healthcare has increased the access and service to patients requiring emergency treatment by more than 10% and achieved a 11% year over year improvement in patient volume.
Their innovative medical leadership is impressive but their involvement in the community is also noteworthy. Sentara is a Chamber Partner and annual sponsor of our Prince William Valor Awards to honor police, fire and rescue workers. In December of 2013, they also hosted an MB3 Showcase to help new Chamber members integrate into the Chamber by having the opportunity for a free exhibit table. As noted previously, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center has given generously of their time, talent and resources not just for the Chamber but for the community making it a preferred place to work and live.
Innovative Practice/Partnership of the Year: Yellow Cab Taxi & Sedan Service
Tammy Beard and the staff at Yellow Cab have been providing transportation to the citizens and visitors of Prince William County for over 35 years, but 2013 was a banner year for their organization. Last year they became the only licensed taxi service in Prince William to provide wheelchair accessible taxi service. They also added hybrid taxis to their fleet, better enabling them to provide safe, reliable and efficient transportation to the members of our community. As the needs change here in greater Prince William, Yellow Cab is committed to staying on the cutting edge and finding ways to meet those needs. In recent years they have initiated an unsubsidized senior discount program that allows those over the age of 65 to maintain transportation independence at an affordable rate.
Thank you for your work to keep the people of Prince William moving, safely and efficiently. Your commitment to innovation and serving your customers in new and outstanding ways is inspiring.
The winners of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce 2014 Business Awards. The ceremony, sponsored by Northern Virginia Community College, was held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas. Additional photos are available at facebook.com/pwchamber
