1999-2000
"Excellence in Business" Awards
May 23, 2000
Evergreen Country Club
In business from 1935 - 2000, the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 65 years of excellence this year. Our accomplishments are made possible by the outstanding contributions of our members.
Each year the Chamber recognizes the best of the best, businesses and individuals that have helped the continued growth and success of the Chamber.
We extend a special thanks to:
Kent Franklin and Gregg Hunt of Evergreen Country Club for hosting the event
Executive Gift Boxes for donating the centerpieces and door prizes
Colgan Air, Country Inn & Suites, and the Rivermen for donating the raffle prize
Tim Shaw of New Dominion Shakespeare Festival for serving as Master of Ceremonies
SYNERGY ONE Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the event
The Awards Committee: Patti Leonard, Chair, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.; Darrell Baker, Raven Services, Inc.; Poppie Bergere, PWC-GM Chamber of Commerce; Randy Frostick, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C.; Susan Jacobs, Long & Foster Realtors; Debbie Jones, PWC-GM Chamber of Commerce; Mark Laskowski, Potomac News; Karen Nottingham, B.A.R.N.; Greg Shoemaker, Manassas Journal Messenger; and Mike Tracy, AMCOM
Gold Star Award: Jan Sutton, Farmers Insurance Group
The Gold Star Award is given each month to a Chamber member who goes "above and beyond" for the Chamber.
If you looked in the dictionary under "Chamber Supporter" you would find a picture of this Chamber member. Not only does Jan participate on several committees including Small Office/Home Office, Exhibits and Ambassadors, she attends the majority of events that these and other committees organize throughout the Chamber year from trade shows to business before and after hours. A tireless supporter of the Chamber in her professional capacity, she promotes membership in the Chamber to all she comes in contact with. She is intimately familiar with the phrases "Chamber day, Chamber week, Chamber month" and affectionately refers to the Chamber office and her 'satellite location'.
Member of the Year: Deborah Kahley of F&M Bank
The Member of the Year Award is given each year to the individual who has put forth 100% effort in his or her Chamber endeavors.
This year, Deb is celebrating 10 years with the Chamber this year, having been involved with the Chamber since 1990. Deb is currently Vice President of Government Relations and Chair of the Annual Dinner Dance Committee. She has served as Vice President of Membership, Vice President of Community Relations and Vice President of Member Programs and Services. She has served on the Ambassadors Committee, the Shrimpfest Committee, the SOHO Committee, the Capitol Steps Committee, and the Public Relations Committee. F&M Bank (formerly Security Bank) received the Small Business of the Year Award. Deb is not only involved in the Chamber, but is involved in the community as well. She is a Board Member and Secretary of SERVE, Inc., and is on the Festival of Trees Committee for BARN. The Chamber congratulates Deb Kahley, our Chamber Member of the Year!
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Bibb of Capitol Telephone and Security
This award recognizes an individual who is new to the Chamber but has become active and truly taken advantage of the various benefits of membership in the last year.
Kevin jumped right into the Chamber and has been very active over the past year. He is a member of the Technology Committee, donated and installed a new security system at the Chamber office, and participated as a sponsor in the Business to Business Expo. Congratulations, Kevin Bibb, our "Rookie of the Year" and thanks for all of your hard work and dedication to the Chamber. We look forward to a continued partnership in the future.
Randy Frostick, President presents Kevin Bibb with his award
Committee of the Year: Economic Development Committee
The Economic Development Committee was extremely busy this year and planned several events. This committee was responsible for the Economic Development Luncheon held in March, the Transportation Breakfast held in October, and the Transportation Luncheon held in September. Congratulations to the Economic Development Committee, our Chamber Committee of the Year!
Members of the Economic Development Committee include: Kevin Kelley, Chair, Falcon Graphic Solutions, Inc.; Bob Anderson, Metro Sign & Design; John Atkinson, Swart, Lalande & Associates, P.C.; Roy Beckner, S.W. Rodgers Co., Inc.; Mary Bergere, NOVEC; Patricia Bradburn, Juice Plus +; Louis R. Brooks, Brooks & Boge; Jim Bryant, Manassas Cab Co.; Mary Elsesser, Department of Economic Development Prince William County; Bill Flynn, Computer Training Depot; Mark Holcomb, Dominion Semiconductor LLC; Deborah Kahley, F&M Bank-Northern Virginia; Shelia A. Larson, PRTC-Potomac & Rappahanock Transportation; Michael Niero, DataCity, Inc.; Dan Radtke, RE/MAX Olympic Realty-Dan Radtke; John Rulison, Raven Services Corp.; Rick Slusher, Virginia Employment Commission; Roger W. Snyder, City of Manassas; Michael R. Vanderpool, Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, P.C.; and Edward B. Wright, Wright Realty.
TWillhamber's Business of the Year awards are presented to successful businesses that have made outstanding contributions to the Chamber and to our community as well.
Business of the Year (up to 5 employees): Moon Shadow Photography
You've seen her at all the luncheons and numerous other events. Debbie Del Tejo has been involved with the Chamber for two years and serves on the Annual Dinner Dance Committee. She won the Gold Star Award in April.
And, here today is Moon Shadow Photography in the role of Event Photographer. She donates her time and services to the Chamber and many other organizations. She currently serves at President of the Prince William Professional Networkers, and is a member of the Old Town Business Association. Debbie is a "cheerleader" for the Chamber, recruiting new members and making existing members happy.
Moon Shadow Photography was started in 1997. Due to an expanding and thriving business, Debbie recently moved locations to a larger space. We are proud to present Debbie Del Tejo, Moon Shadow Photography, with the Business of the Year award!
Debbie Del Tejo, Moon Shadow Photography
Louis E. Maroon Business of the Year (6-15 employees): Swart, Lalande & Associates, P.C.
The award is named after the late Lou Maroon who was a community and civic leader, a small business owner, and a friend to many people in Manassas.
The Chamber's Board of Directors voted to name the award in Mr. Maroon's honor in 1993.Swart, Lalande & Associates, P.C. has been in business since 1960, and has been members of the Chamber since 1965. Swart, Lalande & Associates, P.C. believes in the importance of the Chamber and each employee serves on a committee, including Community Relations, Small Office Home Office (SOHO), and Ambassadors. They have sponsored many events including a New Member Orientation, Pat on the Back, June 6th Grand Slam Luncheon, and Kick-off Breakfast. John Atkinson is a past president of the Chamber.
Along with being involved with the Chamber, Swart, Lalande & Associates, P.C. is heavily active in the community. John Atkinson is the Chairman of the Foundation Board for Prince William Hospital, a past president of Historic Manassas, Inc., member of Manassas Rotary, member of Evergreen Country Club, past or current Chairman of the Administrative Board and the Permanent Endowment Committee of Grace United Methodist Church, past Chairman and Director of the Prince William Health System and Prince William Hospital, and Treasurer of the Estate Planning Council of Prince William County. Chas Rannells is past President of Fair Oaks Rotary, Board Member of Manassas Rotary Foundation, and past Chairman of All Saints Finance Council. Debbie Bennett is on the Board of Trustees of St. Luke's Lutheran School and is President of the Blue Devil Athletic Boosters Club. Debbie Atkinson is a Board Member of Friends of the Foundation, Prince William Health System.
Business of the Year with 16 or more employees: COSTCO Wholesale
COSTCO Wholesale has been in Manassas since 1992, and has been a member of the Chamber since that time. Employees attend many Chamber events throughout the year including luncheons and business before and after hours. COSTCO has sponsored many events including the Business to Business Expo, where they provided many wonderful deserts for Expo attendees and exhibitors; the Old Time Picnic where they provided all of the paper products; and has been a generous donator for the Annual Silent Auction every year.
COSTCO is also very active in the community. They have won the United Way Gold Award yearly since opening and contribute to the Children's Miracle Network campaigns yearly. In the education arena, COSTCO participates in the Adopt-a-School Communities in School program and donates backpacks yearly. They also donate food products and bakery items daily to SERVE, Inc.
In 1999 COSTCO won the Neighbor-to-Neighbor Award from United Way. Congratulations to COSTCO Wholesale for being the Business of the Year!
"Behind the Scenes" Business Award: Deem Printing Co.
Mike Deem and his crew at Deem Printing Co. were the clear choice of this year's "Behind the Scenes" Business. Deem Printing Co. prints and donates all of the In Print newsletter envelopes for each issue. In addition they did a wonderful job in printing the Holiday Open House invitations and the Annual Dinner Dance invitations. Deem Printing Co. has recently moved into a larger space to accommodate an expanding and prosperous business. Thank you to Deem Printing Co. for all of your generosity, not only with printing, but more importantly with your time.
Randy Frostick, President presents Mike Deem with this award
"Behind the Scenes" Individual Award: Molly Hastedt, George Mason University - Prince William Campus
This award recognizes the individual who contributes to the Chamber in ways that help us continue strong programs.
Molly has been involved with the Chamber for the past 2 years. She currently serves on the Old Time Picnic Committee and the JOBS2000 Committee. She received the Gold Star Award in October for all of her hard work on the Old Time Picnic last year, coordinating the entertainment including the volleyball tournament. Molly was a tremendous asset to the Not-for-Profit Summit in October, by securing the location, helping set-up the room, and was on hand throughout the day to help with anything that was needed. She has been a major player in setting up the Grant Proposal Writing Workshops that will be held this summer by a joint effort of the Chamber and George Mason University.
Molly is very involved in the community, as well as the Chamber. She is a graduate of the 1999 Community Leadership Institute, member of the Prince William Education Foundation Golf Committee, member of the I-95 Partnership and the I-66 Partnership. She also finds the time to organize a ladies golf group, Mason Swingers & Friends, which several Chamber members belong to.
Congratulations Molly, and thank you for all of your hard work for the Chamber. It truly is appreciated!
Molly Hastedt, George Mason University-Prince William Campus
Chamber Project of the Year: Meet the Media 2000
The Chamber Project of the Year singles out an event that made its mark on businesses and the community as a whole.
Meet the Media 2000 was a new event this year, and was coordinated by the Communications Committee. Meet the Media 2000 drew over 100 members to hear a panel discussion of local media members speak on how to deal effectively with the media. Attendees walked away with a wonderful media guide with 12 contacts, information on how to write an effective press release, and a press release template.
Thank you to the Communications Committee and the sponsors of Meet the Media 2000. Without all of your support, this event would not have been as successful: Cal Hackeman, Chair, Grant Thornton LLP; Creston Owen, Falcon Communications Solutions, Inc.; Kevin Kelley, Falcon Graphic Solutions, Inc.; Donna Ballou, Prince William Health System; John Skaggs, Morningside Courier Services, Inc.; and Ellen Mundell, Grant Thornton LLP
Nonprofit Member of the Year: S.E.R.V.E., Inc.
With over 120 nonprofit organizations as members, our nonprofit member of the year distinguished themselves with a strong commitment to the community.
Since 1991, SERVE has been a member of the Chamber and has sponsored many activities. Recently they have sponsored a New Member Orientation and this summer will be sponsoring a Business After Hours and one of the Grant Proposal Writing workshops. They received the Shelley Krasnow Community Service Award in 1992.
They are extremely involved in the community serving on numerous committees including the Prince William United Way Community Needs Committee, Coalition for Human Services of the Prince William Area, George Mason University Social Work Intern Board, Head Start Policy Council, Homeless Services Network Council, and Prince William Partnerships for Health.
SERVE, Inc. has received many other awards including the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors in 1995, the Circle of Love Pioneer Award in 1999, and the Prince William County Affordable Housing Award in 1995.
Gail Cline, Executive Director for S.E.R.V.E., Inc. is an active member of the Community Relations committee and is on the Chamber Speaker's Bureau List. Congratulations to SERVE, Inc. and thank you for all that you do for the Chamber and the community!
Randy, President (right) presents the award to SERVE, Inc.
The Karen F. Brown Spirit Award: Kris Evans, East to West Embroidery
The Spirit Award was established in 1995 to acknowledge the member who is responsible for recruiting the most new members to the Chamber. This year over forty members were eligible for the award, which represents a 300% increase in participation since 1995!
This year's Spirit Award winner epitomizes what the Chamber is all about. The Chamber is dedicated to the success of all its members and represents companies and organizations of all sizes. Our members support one another and the Chamber at the same time. Collectively and individually the winner has promoted and participated in Chamber events as well as encouraging others to join.
Randy Frostick, President presents Kris Evans with her award
The Outstanding Service Award: O.P. Ditch of InterPublishing Group
This award is not given every year, but is given to individuals who have supported the Chamber over many years. These individuals are shining examples of true commitment, not only to the Chamber, but to our local community as well.
O.P. Ditch currently serves on the Board of Directors and is Chair of the Technology Committee. He was instrumental in getting the Chamber on the web, and continuously puts a lot of work and hours into the Chamber web site. O. P. participated in the Business to Business Expo, has been a sponsor in numerous events including JOBS2000, the Annual Dinner Dance, and the Polar Bear Scramble.
Not only does O.P. donate his time and energy to the Chamber, but to the community as well. He currently provides several nonprofit organizations with web space, and hosts and updates pages for The Center for the Arts. He also serves on numerous technology committees for the county.
The Chamber would have no web site, and would not have most of the technology in its office today if it were not for the work from this one man. Thank you O.P. Ditch for all of the hours, time, and energy you have put into the Chamber! You are truly deserving of the 1999-2000 Outstanding Service Award! Congratulations!
Randy Frostick, President (left) presents O.P. Ditch with his award