August 28, 2023

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DSA HONOREE SPOTLIGHT

Teamwork is everything: veterans understand that we all find success by working together.

"How can we ever do enough to thank and serve through our actions those who volunteer to go into harm's way to fight our nation's wars? I live with that question every day."

 

That's the mantra of the 2023 Distinguished Service Awards' Lifetime Service Award Honoree James Schenck, President & CEO, PenFed Credit Union. We sat down with James to discuss his path as a veteran and how the business world can tap into the veteran employee advantage:

 

"Those who have served in our nation's military bring an amazing amount of leadership, resilience, wherewithal, and focus on the mission to our business world. They live with a purpose. They love to do things bigger than themselves. They love to give back to society. They have high levels of integrity and ethics. That's what veterans bring to a business organization."

 

Giving back is what first led James to military service. He was a young man when 8 special operations force members lost their lives during the failed Iran hostage rescue mission of 52 Americans who extremists held from 1979-1981. The images and stories of those soldiers sparked a desire in James to dedicate his life to military service, and he immediately shared this plan with his father, an enlisted marine in the Korean War and a combat-wounded veteran. "I wanted to make it my mission to bring our men and women home if they were ever put into harm's way."

 

His father's sage advice was the start of James's brilliant career: "study hard, go to West Point, and become an Army aviator." His advice paid off, and James soon found himself a U.S. Military Academy West Point Cadet and, later, Harvard Business School graduate. James flew Black Hawk helicopters during his 13 years of service in the U.S. Army, trained other Army aviators, and taught Economics and Finance at West Point. During his assignment to the Pentagon, James, by then a Major and working for the Secretary of the Army, received the Legion of Merit for his contributions. Since becoming PenFed's CEO in 2014, James has supported his fellow veterans by hiring veterans, donating 2% of the organization's net income to over 200 military charities, and raising over $50 million for veteran causes...

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Finalists Named for the 2023 Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards

Finalists for the 21st Annual Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards were named at last Thursday's Finalists Celebration. Finalists were named in one of four revenue categories for Contractors of the Year in and one of three revenue categories for Executives of the Year.


Winners will be named at the popular GovCon Awards Gala on November 1st. Registration will open soon. Details and the complete list of finalists can be found here.



The GovCon Awards are brought to you in partnership between the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and Professional Services Council.

IN PERSON

UPCOMING SIGNATURE EVENTS

C-Suite Roundtables by Invitation, Members-Only

September 6th

How have Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) impacted economic development within our Region? What does the future hold for commercial development?


We invite you to our next C-Suite Roundtable which will address these questions and more when Chris Clemente, CEO of Comstock, and Jeff McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, lead our next discussion on September 6th. We’ll start with a visit to the famed Reston Station model room at the JW Marriott Condo Sales Office for a glimpse into the future and talk about successful PPPs and strategies for economic development. Following the discussion, join us for a networking lunch at Davio's, just a few steps away. Our C-Suite Roundtables are for members only, at no charge.  


If you would like to add your name to our C-Suite Roundtable list, please contact Carmen Sevilla, Chamber Senior Manager, Member Engagement, at csevilla@novachamber.org.

Distinguished Service Awards

September 12th | 8:30-10:30AM | Army Navy Country Club

Unique within our business community, military veterans have innovated and created more enduring, impactful businesses than any other industry in America. In recognition of their sacrifices and ongoing contributions critical to our community's strength and stability, the Chamber hosts the Distinguished Service Awards, the Greater Washington Region's preeminent event honoring the leadership and contributions to veteran success demonstrated by veteran-owned businesses within the Greater Washington business community. Along with an elite keynote speaker, DSA winners are showcased at a powerful morning ceremony that draws a who's who of military and veteran business leaders.

Register Here

Champions for Accountability

September 19th | 8:30-10:30AM | Chamber Office

SPEAKERS:

  • Julie Coons, President and CEO, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  • Eileen Ellsworth, President & CEO, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
  • Laura Giangiuli, SVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, CALIBRE Systems
  • Kendall Holbrook, Chief Executive Officer, Dev Technology Group, Inc.
  • Elizabeth Hughes, Senior Director of Insight Region, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
  • Arthur E. (Bud) Morrissette, IV, CEO & Group President, Interstate Moving | Relocation | Logistics



MODERATOR: Laila Salguero, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Peraton


Imagine your business with a stronger, more collaborative workforce. One that draws from a variety of perspectives and pools expertise sourced from diverse backgrounds. One that attracts the best talent and joins your team and mission together toward a successful future. 


That’s the power of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).


While the Greater Washington Region’s population may be diverse, our workforce has not always followed suit. The Chamber has partnered with the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia to create Champions for Accountability, a community of leaders who recognize that future Regional growth is unequivocally tied to bringing together employees from all walks of life. Through peer-to-peer discussions and groundbreaking research, the goal is to strengthen our Region’s workforce and generate greater business success for all.


On September 19th, we will host the Champions for Accountability event at the Chamber’s office. This event will be an in-person collaboration—a DEI Think Tank—on how to implement and integrate DEI within an organization. Led by Champions for Accountability leaders including Kendall Holbrook, CEO, DevTechnologies, and Bud Morissette, CEO, Interstate Moving | Relocation | Logistics, Champions for Accountability will be your opportunity to meet with and learn from companies already finding business success in recruiting and retaining diverse talent. 


In addition to generous networking and discussion time, this event will include the results of our 2023 Champions for Accountability survey, a landmark research project pooled from the Greater Washington Region. 

Register Here

VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON

UPCOMING MONTHLY EVENTS

Greater Washington Apprentice Network Employer Briefing

September 5th | 2-3PM

Speaker: Ximena Harstock, Co-founder, BuildWithin

Register Here


Chamber 101 Members Only

September 12th | 12-1PM

Register Here


Speed Networking Members Only

September 19th | 2:30-4PM | Chamber Office

Register Here


Workforce Network

September 26th | 2-3PM

Speaker: Elizabeth Hughes, Senior Director of Insight Region, Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Register Here


Would you like to include your member organization's news in our next Doing Business issue? Sharing news is free for all members! All you have to do it complete the form on our website found here. The deadline to submit news is Friday at 12PM prior to our Tuesday newsletter.
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Doing Business is the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce's weekly e-newsletter focused on member-relevant news, Council Series updates, and upcoming events. Each month we will feature advocacy updates, a message from our President & CEO, and member-written blog posts. Subscription sign-up and past issues may be found on our website.

Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce
7900 Westpark Drive | Suite A550 | Tysons Corner | VA | 22102
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