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Chamber Shares Accomplishments, Presents Argenzio Award
at2016 State of the Chamber

Media Release

Date: March 17, 2016

Media Contact Dawn Haun, Communications Director

(540)373-9537,

FREDERICKSBURG – Members of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce received a recap of the organization’s 2015 accomplishments at the 2016 State of the Chamber meeting. Susan Spears, Chamber President and CEO, presented the crowd witha brief report,recapping2015 activities and offered a video of what’s in store for the rest of 2016. She also highlighted on the Chamber’s signature program, Leadership Fredericksburg.

Bill Hession, Chairman, Board of Directors, reported the Chamber’s 2015 year to have been outstanding, noting the staff had organized 265 events including several new initiatives such as the “Community Conversations,” whichis a policy event series that tackled issues like theregion’s transportation crisis. “Like all the businesses here today, we continue to face challenges presented by a variety of factors, including a stagnant economy and continued governmental uncertainty,” said Hession. “But in the face of these challenges, the Chamber has grown and performed at a level of which any stakeholder could be proud.“

The Chamber presented its annual Joseph L. Argenzio Award to co-winners, Dave Corderman, senior partner of Academy Leadership Associates, and J.R. Flatter, president and CEO of Flatter & Associates. The Argenzio Award is named for the late Joe Argenzio, the youngest infantryman to land on Normandy during D-Day, who developed a special relationship with the Chamber toward the end of his life. It honors an outstanding volunteer who went above and beyond the call of duty in service to the Chamber.

Flatterwas a Fellow in the 2012 Leadership Fredericksburg class – despite also having a PhD in leadership development. He has sponsored the class each year and has sent his company staff through the program. He serves as a mentor each year and is active on the Chamber Board of Directors, serving as vice-chairman.

Corderman, who has a PhD in leadership development, runs Academy Leadership Associates, and has been a program mentor each year since it began in 2008. He’s also met with the class many times through the years and helped host “special” leadership events, such as a half-day seminar on business ethics.

“These two humble and incredibly generous community stewards offered us their time and talent in service to the Chamber,” said Susan Spears, Chamber President and CEO. “It’s obvious they care about the people who lead the businesses that make up the Chamber of Commerce. By assisting us with the preparedness of Leadership Fredericksburg sessions and coaching, they knowit helps our members. We are grateful for their service.”

The Chamber would like to thank the following sponsors of State of the Chamber 2016:

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Silver Sponsors:
Jarrell, Hicks & Waldman PC

Virginia Partners Bank

Bronze Sponsors:

Community Bank of the Chesapeake

Cyberbility

Right at Home

Project Management and Consulting, LLC and PMC Courier

Taskforce Staffing

Photo Caption:

Pictured left to right: Susan Spears, J.R. Flatter, Dave Corderman, and Bill Hession.

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