Conference touts import of Port of VA

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 6/27/2011

 

I was able to attend the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives  (VACCE) conference last week in Norfolk. The conference was especially productive. The speakers and subject matter experts were excellent and very relevant to our local economy. It was no surprise that we stayed right on the Elizabeth River, an access point to the Port of Virginia. According to one of the speakers, a significant percentage of jobs in Virginia are directly and indirectly related to the Port of Virginia, including Culpeper.

The tour of the Port of Virginia is eye opening. Understanding the flow of products to and from the Port is important in understanding Virginia’s significance in global commerce. Virginia is positioned as one of the best ports in the world.

During the conference, we heard from Aubrey Lane, who serves as the Director - Hampton Roads District Commonwealth Transportation Board. Mr. Lane offered an insightful summary of transportation issues related to the Hampton Roads area as well as their relevance in the context of Virginia’s transportation needs. Culpeper, as well as most of the state, is affected by transportation issues in the Hampton Roads area due to their military and port presence. Virginia faces competition for jobs from other states and global port cities. The Governor’s transportation plan has made significant strides in solving some of the transportation issues that we face in attracting jobs. The cost of doing nothing would have been significant as well, considering that “75% of transportation dollars are directly related to the economy” according to Mr. Lane.

We heard from Alisa Bailey, President  & CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. Her opening comment, “Tourism in Virginia has a $17.7 Billion impact with a 5:1 return on investment”. Wow!! However, what really caught my attention was that most of the tourism related businesses are small business. This is another example of the importance for supporting our small businesses,  as a powerhouse for local economies. I was interested to hear that the “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan is now 40 years old….. and still very well known. Virginia is for History Lovers, Wine Lovers, Horse Lovers, Beach Lovers, Mountain Lovers, Fishing Lovers….. so true!!! Perhaps a reason that we have such a global presence.

We heard from several other speakers. One was John Broderick, President, Old Dominion University who offered insights into leadership. When asked what the greatest opportunity faced for our higher educational institutions today? “We need to begin earlier in developing and supporting STEM programs in K-12”.

Jim Charapich, President/CEO Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Derby can teach us life lessons

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent 6/20/2011

Where can you find art, engineering, leadership, personal achievement, family, and community all rolled into one program? I have been watching the Soap Box Derby on Blue Ridge Avenue grow every year. As I watched in the earlier years I was struck with the “Norman Rockwell” aspect of having a Soap Box Derby in our Town. The Soap Box Derby gives us a small town feel, something that defines Culpeper as a special place, a great community.

However, as the years progressed, the Derby has evolved and grown to be much more than the Derby of the early decade. It has produced winners, and not just those who have risen to National Soap Box Derby Achievement. It has produced a winning combination for families to join together. Father – Daughter teams, Father - Son teams, Mother – Daughter teams, And Mother- Son teams, and so on. The entire family gets involved. In today’s world of TV, video games, and other multi-media distractions, our families are challenged to find time to develop relationships that are so essential. The Soap Box Derby provides an opportunity for time to work together within a fun and meaningful mission.

In addition, I have taken notice of the collaboration and participation of the local business community. The cars are sponsored by many of the local businesses. They are carefully and artistically designed. Seeing the cars and the amazing artwork as the driver’s race is one of my favorite parts of the race. The colors are bright. Some have an almost iridescent glow as the sun reflects from their finish. As young adults, the drivers are able to gain a sense of pride in representing their sponsor as they drive for victory.

The drivers are also taught aspects of engineering that are determined by Soap Box Derby rules. From rotating wheels from race to race, to using weight in keeping the derby cars within regulations, the drivers are faced with understanding cause and effect. Like NASCAR drivers, the Soap Box Derby drivers must know their vehicle in order to race it to its best performance. I have watched as family teams have analyzed the track to access the best path to take during the short sprint. Everything counts in the race.

Racing a Derby car takes great confidence. The drivers are young and the crowds along Blue Ridge Avenue have grown every year. As the race proceeds, the names of the drivers are announced by the MC. The drivers are all local heroes by the end of the day. Their names etched in the hearts and minds of the community as winners for their effort.

The lessons of victory and defeat are real. The clock tells the story with each race. One driver will ultimately be faster than the other. The leadership learned in being gracious in victory serves as a lifelong lesson. The lessons learned in defeat, figuring out how to win the next race, are equally important in forming character for leadership.

I look forward to the race next Saturday. Drivers, start your engines!!!!

Jim Charapich, president/CEO Culpeper County Chamber of Commerce

Made in the Piedmont - Masco Cabinetry

Published in the Culpeper Times 6/15/2011

The kitchen is the heart of the home, a place where we unwind and indulge ourselves. The kitchen is where we are able to build our family relationships as we share meals and stories about our day. It is the place where we find restoration, nourishment, energy, and vitality. However, the role of kitchens can transition from time to time as our family status changes.

With these changing needs, cabinetry and kitchen design takes on an increasingly important role in our homes. In today’s housing environment we are staying in our homes longer. We are staying home more. We are more aware of how our space in used. Thus, keeping up with these changes requires a great deal of adaptability in the manufacturing of cabinets, one that requires sensitivity to the customers changing needs. In addition, making quality kitchen cabinets is an art and requires skilled craftsmen to deliver the products that help to support our varying and productive lifestyles.

As I offer a glimpse of products “Made in the Piedmont” of Virginia, it is remarkable to know that we have a cabinet manufacturer in Culpeper known for such quality and adaptability. Merillat Cabinets, a division of Masco Cabinetry, have been made in Culpeper for several decades. The manufacturing facility has weathered changes in the economy during that time. The current economic challenges have been felt by the entire cabinet industry, and yet, the Culpeper facility continues to deliver quality products and services successfully.

A significant reason for this success is that Masco Cabinetry is completely focused on continuous improvement. The facility follows a discipline known in manufacturing as Six Sigma. Masco Cabinetry is so focused on this discipline that the President of Masco Cabinetry Karen Strauss was just named the Six Sigma CEO of the Year by iSixSigma Magazine.

Masco Cabinetry was also named as one of the top ten places to work by iSixSigma Magazine. A testament to both customer focused product improvement as well as workforce focused continuous improvement. In today’s economic environment finding a differentiator is challenging. A culture of continuous improvement is one that takes time to develop. This is a distinct differentiator, one that sustains a company while enabling world class customer service at every level of the organization. From the “Craftsman” building cabinets in the manufacturing facility to the installer who bring the cabinets alive in our home, Masco Cabinetry is a clear leader.

When we as home owners recognize the brands offered by Masco Cabinetry, (Merillat®, KraftMaid®, QualityCabinets™, and DeNova™) it is because of the sensitivity to quality, pride, and process that exists at every level of the organization. By now you may be curious about what you can do with your current kitchen space? You may want to know where you could go to find out how to support our local Merillat brand? Merillat.com has been recognized as one of the best websites in the industry for its ease of use and inviting qualities. You can click on the dealer locator to find the best places for you to upgrade your kitchen and bath environments.

Thank you to Masco Cabinetry and the Culpeper associates for making Culpeper a successful part of your nationwide network of manufacturing centers.