What makes Richmond great?
The diversity of businesses, attractions, neighborhoods and people, as well as a newfound energy, makes Richmond a great place to live. At one time, the Region’s tagline was “Easy to Love,” and anyone who spends time here can immediately see why. You can be out to dinner on a Saturday night and find yourself in company with corporate leaders, small business owners and university professors alike. And that restaurant will most likely be sporting a mural by a local artist along its historic brick walls.
What are your grandest ambitions for Richmond?
To expand its legacy to include a broader story than just four years in the late 19th century and communicate to the world the quality of jobs, housing and life that we have here. We at the Chamber already know how committed the local business and non-profit communities are to the bright future of this city. Their buy-in gives me tremendous confidence that our shared goals can become realities.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Establishing the Capital Region Collaborative has been one of the most rewarding projects in my short time in Richmond thus far. The director of the Richmond Region Planning District Commission Bob Crum and I interviewed and surveyed more than 7,000 residents and from that compiled a list of seven priority areas that are key to the Region’s future. Our next phase – of coalescing resources to tackle these priority areas - is about to begin. Stay tuned!
Why do you do the great work for Richmond that you do?
Recently, the Greater Richmond Chamber held the Region’s first ever Start-Up Competition as part of our i.e.* initiative to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into realities. The number of contestants – 143 – far exceeded our expectations, and witnessing their enthusiasm and dedication along the way really captured for me the real reason why we do what we do here at the Chamber: we help the community realize its fullest potential. And the fact that our Start-Up Competition saw such fantastic support from some of our lead investors, including a $10,000 cash prize donated by accounting firm Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, indicates that businesses at all levels support local entrepreneurism here in Richmond.
What is important to the future of cities?
People, vibrancy, flexibility, team work.