THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 16, 1996 TAG: 9602140205
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover story
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 180 lines
THE CHESAPEAKE DIVISION of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce recently recognized four Chesapeake citizens for their contributions to the city and to its business community.
The recipients of this year's annual chamber awards included longtime residents and relative newcomers who have made a positive impact on their community.
The awards were presented in January at the chamber's annual awards luncheon.
Sidney M. Oman
Commendation Award
Over the past 32 years, Sid Oman has watched Chesapeake grow from a sleepy agricultural community to a dynamic, growing municipality with a diversified business environment.
``I saw tremendous change while I was in office,'' said Oman of his three terms as mayor.
``And when I left office the growth continued. In 1988 our population was 144,000. Now we're at 187,000, and we've added many new, diversified businesses to the city. We've really experienced tremendous growth,'' he said.
The Commendation Award, the chamber's most prestigious award, recognizes service and support to the chamber and city.
If anyone knows the state of the Chesapeake business community, both past and present, it's Oman.
Since 1985 Oman has managed Oman Funeral Home, a business he co-owns with his son, Robert. His work with the chamber has included several board titles, including president and chairman. His tenure as chairman of the chamber ended last month and he will continue to serve on the chamber's board of directors this year.
On receiving the award, Oman predicted that Chesapeake's success in the future could hinge on the city's ability to maintain its identity while embracing regionalism at the same time.
``There is such a thing as divisional importance,'' said Oman. ``If the Chesapeake chamber is dominated by the regional chamber, thecity could lose its identity. But if you keep the cities in friendly competition and have a good time competing together, then each city has input into its own future.''
Still, Oman hopes to see the day when Hampton Roads communities work more closely together for their common good.
``Other regions smaller than we have been able to attract sport franchises and accomplish what we're in the process of tackling,'' he said. ``That's partly because they worked together and didn't quibble about the details.''
Nancy J. Cross
Athena Award
This is only the second year the Chesapeake Chamber of Commerce has included the Athena Award among its annual recognitions.
Despite its name, both men and women are eligible to receive the award. Three primary criteria are used to select Athena Award recipients: Candidates must demonstrate excellence in their business or profession, devote time and energy to their community and assist women in attaining their fullest potential.
Nancy J. Cross, this year's recipient of the award, attributes her success as a business person partly to the women in her family.
``My grandmother was a nurse on the front lines during World War I and another female ancestor of mine crossed the Oregon Trail,'' she said. ``My female role models were very strong and they encouraged me to go out into the world to take advantage of opportunities.''
Raised in Suffolk, Cross spent several years in North Carolina, where she attended college and worked as a promotion manager for WGHP, a television station in High Point.
In 1975, Cross joined the Commission on the Status of Women for the city of Greensboro, N.C. As administrator of the commission, she investigated and conciliated employment, housing and financial discrimination complaints. Her work with the commission encouraged her to help establish the North Carolina Equal Rights Amendment.
Cross said the Athena Award is especially significant for her because she remembers the time when women were not always welcome in the business world.
``I want young men and women to know that it wasn't always like this,'' said Cross. ``Things have changed a lot even in my lifetime.''
Although Cross believes women have a respectable presence in Chesapeake business and are represented well in such organizations as the Chamber of Commerce, she also believes more women should step forward to leadership positions.
``I think women should be encouraged to assume roles of responsibility,'' she said. ``A lot of women are more likely to work quietly behind the scenes, and that's not necessarily the best use of their talents.''
Mary C. Haddad
Chairman's Award
Mary C. Haddad's excitement over Fun Forest is as strong as ever. For nearly a year, Haddad took on the often overwhelming responsibilities of coordinating construction of the massive playground at City Park built entirely by volunteers.
``Fun Forest is the largest playground in Virginia and the largest fully handicapped accessible playground on the East Coast,'' she said with obvious pride.
For all her work on the project, which included approving architectural designs, organizing fund-raising events and overseeing 16 separate committees, she received the Chamber of Commerce's Chairman's Award. The annual award acknowledges service and dedication to the chamber, its members and directors.
Although Haddad admitted she found the honor touching, she stressed that her involvement in the project had nothing to do with personal recognition.
``When my husband came to me and said the chamber was looking for a project coordinator, I knew it would mean that I would be saying goodbye to my friends for a year,'' she said. ``But I decided to take it on, not only for the children, but to help improve the quality of life in Chesapeake.''
In the midst of the project, a fire in Haddad's Greenbrier home forced the family to move into the Marriott Hotel.
``I was receiving 20 faxes and numerous phone calls a day at the hotel. I felt like I should have tipped the switchboard operator,'' she joked recently.
Next on Haddad's list of ``to do's'' is to help the city realize the construction of a fine arts center.
``We have to do these things,'' Haddad said. ``We have to make sure that the people who live here will have a high quality of life.''
John R. Oliphant
Volunteer of the Year Award
With 23 years of experience as a Marine Corps squadron commander, John R. Oliphant was well prepared to command the volunteer effort of planning and building Fun Forest.
``There's a difference in how you deal with Marines vs. volunteers,'' Oliphant said. ``With volunteers, you need to find out what they want to do to contribute. That's the best way to make use of their talents and make them happy to be a part of the project at the same time.''
Oliphant signed up to head the volunteer effort in 1994 when the project began. With the help of his volunteer staff, he spent many hours last winter and spring recruiting workers.
``We placed ads in the paper and handed out applications at Wal-Mart and other places,'' he said.
When all was said and done, Oliphant gathered 1,000 volunteers who helped saw, hammer, sand and construct the playground that would become Fun Forest. Other volunteers helped prepare food for the workers and to support their efforts, which took place during 10 days last May.
``Much of it was done in the worst of weather,'' said Oliphant. ``There were times when I was standing in a few inches of mud.''
Oliphant received recognition for his time and efforts in the form of the chamber's Volunteer of the Year Award. Still, he has plans to head the volunteer effort for a second phase of construction at Fun Forest.
``It made sense for me to stick around. I already know how to go about recruiting volunteers, and I have a good idea of what to expect,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MORT FRYMAN
Former Mayor Sidney M. Oman's tenure as chairman of the chamber
ended last month and he will continue to serve on the chamber's
board of directors this year.
Nancy J. Cross, who won the Athena Award, advocates women in
leadership roles.
Mary Haddad coordinated the building of the massive playground, Fun
Forest, at City Park.
A former Marine, John R. Oliphant was well prepared to command
volunteers planning and building Fun Forest.
THE AWARD WINNERS
Sidney M. Oman Commendation Award
Former three-term mayor of Chesapeake; owner and co-manager of
Oman's Funeral Home; immediate past chairman of the Hampton Roads
Chamber of Commerce, Chesapeake Division.
Nancy J. Cross Athena Award
President and co-owner of Cahoon & Cross, a marketing and public
relations firm; chairperson of Paint Your Heart Out Chesapeake,
1995; immediate past treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce,
Chesapeake Division.
Mary C. Haddad Chairman's Award
General Coordinator of Fun Forest; present commissioner of the
Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission; past trustee and current secretary
of the Family and Children's Trust Fund (FACT), a program designed
to prevent domestic violence.
John R. Oliphant Volunteer of the Year Award
Volunteer coordinator, Fun Forest, Phases 1 and 2; market
manager, Challenge Constructors in Portsmouth; member, Hampton Roads
Chamber of Commerce, Chesapeake Division.
by CNB