Business Appreciation Celebration Breakfast
May 14, 2008
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Thirty-five business leaders and others interested in the success of small businesses gathered at the James River Conference Center on May 14 to celebrate Business Appreciation Week. The agenda included breakfast buffet; a keynote by Julie Doyle, President and Executive Director, The Education and Research Foundation, Inc.; and, recognition of those businesses and individuals who have participated in the One Programs facilitated by the Office of Economic Development for The City of Lynchburg.
Expanding on Warren Buffet's statement, "In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.", Julie Doyle shared her rear view lessons learned. Her first lesson, from her college days: Find your strengths and surround yourself with people that have complementary skills and interests. The second lesson from her corporate experience: Understand the strengths and limitations of your clients and the importance of investing in your business. From being a parent: Treat people the way you want to be treated. Employees and clients will be loyal. And from her involvement on the City of Lynchburg School Board: Do the right thing when people are looking and especially when they aren't.
Prior to concluding, Doyle challenged the City of Lynchburg to 1) expand its commitment to small business by focusing on work force development; 2) make a strong commitment to encourage, even incentivize, young African-Americans who have left the area to get a college education and return to our area to work professionally or start their own businesses; and 3), add a few more flights in and out of Lynchburg. Thanks to Julie for making our Business Appreciation Celebration a success.
Businesses and individuals who participated in the 2007-08 One Programs were honored with plaques presented by Marjette L. Glass, Director, Office of Economic Development. Among the honorees were: Billy McBratney, McBratney Marketing; Kathi Gegner, Linkhorne Elementary; Lori Attmore, Courtyard by Marriott; Kelvin Moore, Moore + Goldman Architects; Gino Rucker, Fleet Laboratories; Chuck Felmlee, Assistant Deputy Commonwealth Attorney; Will Tyler, Information Technology, City of Lynchburg; Wayne Stark, Sweet Briar College; Mike McPeake, Hurt & Proffitt; Peggy Hobbs, AREVA NP; Dr. Scott Garrett; Denis Deane, Westminster Canterbury; Dan Laslie, Laslie's Auto Body; Paul Sunwall for Calvin Falwell, Falwell Aviation; Judy Berryman, Seven Hills Urology Center; B.J. Thomas, Linkhorne Elementary; Tony Tucker, Heritage High School; and Vickie Spencer, Bank of The James.