THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602020146
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Chesapeake Division swore in its new officers and directors at the chamber's annual awards luncheon Wednesday.
Wilbur F. Hawkins, deputy assistant secretary for economic development with the U.S. Department of Commerce, addressed the crowd and encouraged members of the chamber to continue their service to the local business community.
``Non profits like the Chamber of Commerce accomplish what the public sector won't do and what the government can't do,'' he said. ``Your commitment to the chamber improves the quality of life in Chesapeake. When businesses looking to locate here see that you're working together, that gives them that warm and fuzzy feeling they're looking for.''
David Y. Faggert, the chamber's new chairman, said he expects Chesapeake will continue to experience growing pains in the coming year.
``Certainly the city itself will confront the problems of growth,'' he said. ``There are always those that resist growth and want to maintain the status quo. Then there are those who have an interest in growth.''
Faggert hopes the chamber's new officers and directors will be able to foster area growth by providing businesses with the basics they'll need to start and retain a business in the city.
``That includes everything from supporting better roads to simplifying the business license process,'' said Faggert. ``I think if you stick to the basics of what you're supposed to do, you end up accomplishing more than if you make fancy promises and can't deliver,'' he added.
In addition to the swearing in of new officers, the chamber presented four awards at the luncheon.
Former Chesapeake Mayor Sidney M. Oman received the Commendation Award, the chamber's most prestigious award, for his outstanding support of the Chamber of Commerce and the city. Oman, co-owner of Oman Funeral Homes, is also immediate past chairman of the chamber.
Nancy Cross, president of Cahoon & Cross, a public relations firm, received the chamber's Athena Award for achievements in encouraging women in business.
John R. Oliphant accepted the Volunteer of the Year Award for his work as volunteer coordinator for the Fun Forest project and Mary C. Haddad received the Chairman's Award for her work as general coordinator for Fun Forest.
Officers for 1996 are as follows:
Chairman - David Y. Faggert of Faggert & Frieden
Chairman elect - Russell G. Hanson Jr. of Atlantic Mortgage & Investment Co.
Treasurer - Lynn K. Pierce of Central Fidelity Bank
Immediate past chairman - Sidney M. Oman of Oman Funeral Home
Vice chairman-community affairs - John J. Cali of Sumitomo Machinery Corp.
Vice chairman-economic development - Charles R. Earnest of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump Co.
Vice chairman-governmental affairs - John E. Warren of Maximum Controls Inc.
Vice chairman-organizational affairs - David F. Johnston of AT&T
Executive director - William J. Holloran by CNB