Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 10, 1990 TAG: 9003102674
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Susan Lowell Butler, executive vice president of Washington, D.C.-based Women in Communications, spoke on how to face upcoming challenges to about 200 people at the chamber's annual dinner.
"You don't need a task force. You don't need a committee - just go volunteer," Butler said, stressing the need for businesses to take the lead in community service.
The chamber held its annual dinner at Owens Banquet Hall on the Virginia Tech campus. Top honors went to four local people.
Davis Walker received the 1989 Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award. Walker, vice president of industrial relations at Litton Poly-Scientific, has been on numerous boards and in civic groups such as the Kiwanis Club, the Jaycees, the New River Valley Hospice, and the Montgomery County Economic Development Commission, as well as playing Santa Claus during visits to many local schools and churches.
James and Gail Lucas received the 1989 Distinguished Businessperson of the Year Award. The Lucases, owners of Lucas Real Estate and a construction and appraisal company, have built several residential and commercial parks and are regarded as the "pioneers of the affordable home market in the New River Valley," according to the chamber.
Gary McCoy, principal of Harding Avenue Elementary School in Blacksburg, received the Award for Excellence in Education for his outstanding work with children, teachers and staff at the school.
Chamber president Dwayne Kittle, in his opening remarks, told the audience that 1990 is the "threshold of decision" for Blacksburg and New River Valley leaders.
He, too, urged chamber members to get involved in the community and help shape issues such as transportation in the valley, education and ties between government and business leaders.
Butler, in her speech, warned of several trends occurring in the '90s, including the decline of highly educated entry-level workers.
"New workers are going to be very hard to find and they're not going to be of a very high quality," she said.
By the year 2000, only 16 percent of the population will be between 16 and 24 years of age. Also, 50 percent of the available jobs will require a college education, although currently one out of eight adults can't read at the fourth grade level.
"Your ability to hire and retain good people will make or break you. If you've got some live ones, hang on to them. Buy them a house," she joked.
Butler also advised businesses to improve service, empower employees with more respect and responsibilities, get involved as a volunteer in the public schools and, "Hire women. Promote women. Women good."
by CNB