LEAD VIRGINIA

Culpeper Star Exponent

Business Monday

Jim Charapich

July 29, 2013

LEAD VIRGINIA is accepting applications for the 2014 session. I have been fortunate to be a part of the 2013 session of the program which has been operating since 2005. According to the LEAD VIRGINIA website the program is “modeled on the theory of social capital. LEAD VIRGINIA is a nonprofit and non-partisan organization that educates proven leaders about regional differences, opportunities and challenges across the commonwealth”.

The program offers seven sessions which begin in April and end in November. My experience has been exceptional as I have participated in the first four of seven sessions held thus far. There are no other programs that I am aware of that offer such rich and meaningful insight into the diverse areas of Virginia.

The first session ( April) was held in Williamsburg with an overview of the Commonwealth. We were led through discussions about Virginia’s dominant issues by world class subject matter experts. It is one thing to read about the issues, and yet quite another to engage in discussion with proven leaders from around the Commonwealth. This session, as with the others, spanned three days - Thursday, Friday, and part of Saturday.

The next session (May) was in Southern Virginia, formerly “South Side.” The area is rebranding to be Southern Virginia as an alternative to Northern Virginia. “Alternative” is my observation and the better term may be that Southern Virginia “compliments” the assets in Northern Virginia. SOVA has faced enormous challenges as the waters receded in the textile and tobacco industries all at once leaving the economy in drought. However, as with droughts, there are usually rains to follow, replenishing the ecosystem. Southern Virginia has recently worked to develop the economy with strategic workforce initiatives, robust high speed data infrastructure, and advanced educational networks. The lessons of leadership in SOVA confirm our position as the “Best State for Business.”

The next session (June) was in the Shenandoah Valley. The story of leadership in the Shenandoah Valley for me was about bold vision. As we heard from the leaders of the area, I thought of one word - Statesmen. They reminded me of what it must have been like to hear Washington and Jefferson during our colonial era growth as a state. Their leadership has brought together the 13 Counties and Cities of the region,  from Augusta to Page Counties to compete as a global economic force. They have been successful in leveraging the Community College System in concert with area universities and connecting them with business to cultivate a superior business environment.

The most recent session (July) was in Northern Virginia. There is no mistake - Northern Virginia is a global powerhouse. One fact struck me as bedrock, reflecting the undaunted nature of the NOVA economy - NOVA has the most intellectual capital in the US. There are more people with advanced education concentrated in NOVA than any other area of the US. In addition, the NOVA area economic development leaders have done a great job in attracting private sector growth and thus diluting the reliance on the Federal Government. Both sectors are strong and important parts of the economic picture and yet advancing the private sector enables diverse economic strength.

If you are interested in applying to participate in the 2014 Class of LEAD VIRGINIA, go to www.LEADVIRGINIA.org for more information. However, It has been said that the Class of 2013 is the best class ever. What will 2014 bring?