By Nate Delesline III
nate.delesline@insidebiz.com
Before an audience of more than 600 people gathered at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce was awarded 4-star accreditation by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 9.
Presented at the chamber’s annual meeting, the honor puts the organization in the top 3 percent of America’s 7,022 local and regional chambers, officials said. Accreditation recognizes the chamber for its sound policies, organizational procedures and positive community impact.
The presentation of the honor followed remarks by former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, the event’s featured speaker. Chamber President and CEO Bryan Stephens also highlighted the chamber’s 2015 achievements and 2016 initiatives.
Chambers of commerce, Stephens said, play the lead role in working to shape the economy and workforce development conditions, which in turn, make communities great places to be.
“The fact that the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce now has been recognized in the top 3 percent of all chambers certainly indicates that our relevance and our impact in the community is very positive, and that’s what pleases me most,” Stephens said. With the combined dedication and expertise of the chamber staff and volunteers, “we can really now in 2016 take it to the next level, because the chamber is not slowing down. If anything, we’re going to pick up velocity now.”
Wilder shared anecdotes from his time as governor, including how he went about balancing Virginia’s state finances and championed the establishment of a state revenue reserve, which is colloquially known as the rainy day fund.
Wilder was the first African American to be elected governor in the U.S. He led Virginia from 1990 to 1994 and served as Richmond’s mayor from 2005 to 2009. He recently published a memoir, “Son of Virginia: A Life in America’s Political Arena.”
When he was being sworn in as mayor of Richmond, Wilder said his grandson posed a question to his mother.
“He said, ‘Didn’t you say granddad was in the senate of Virginia?’” Yes, they responded. “And then he was lieutenant governor?” Yes, they said. “And then he was governor?” Yes. “Now we’re here for him to be sworn in as mayor? Isn’t he going backwards?”
The story prompted a chorus of laughter.
But Wilder said he viewed serving as Richmond’s mayor as a progressive move, something that that people who believe in good government should be willing to do and proud to do.
