HISTORIC TRIANGLE — Business news and notes from in and around the Historic Triangle.
Williamsburg Business Appreciation Award Nominations Now Open
The Williamsburg Economic Development Authority announced nominations for the 2024 Williamsburg Business Appreciation Award are now open. The nomination form can be found and submitted online.
Any person or business may nominate a City business for the Williamsburg Business Appreciation Award. Self-nominations are accepted.
Criteria for the award include:
- A physical presence in the City of Williamsburg
- Demonstrated Staying Power (Open for business in the City for at least 5 years)
- Employ fewer than 100 persons in the City of Williamsburg
- Innovativeness of Product or Service Offered (Illustrations of the creativity and imagination of the nominee)
- Responded Positively to Adversity (Examples of problems faced in the business and the strategies used to solve them)
- Contributions to Community-Oriented Projects
- Exemplary Customer Service (Evidence of customer satisfaction)
- Environmental Sensitivity (Attractive grounds and evidence of having implemented environmentally friendly policies)
The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, March 29. The award will be presented at the May 9 Williamsburg City Council meeting. More information, including a list of past winners, can be found at yeswilliamsburg.com/businessaward.
OTH Hotels Resorts Names New Chief Development Officer
Virginia-based OTH Hotels Resorts has appointed James Hansen as the company’s new Chief Development Officer.
Hansen brings nearly 25 years of executive level industry leadership experience to his new position, according to OTH, where he will work directly with CEO Todd Felsen to power what the company says is an aggressive growth strategy and long-term domestic and international expansion plans.
For more information on OTH Hotels Resorts and its portfolio of owned and managed hotels across the U.S., visit othhotelsresorts.com.
W&M Real Estate Foundation Names Executive Director
The William & Mary Real Estate Foundation announced it has named Logan Hall, a longtime real estate and construction management professional, as its executive director.
Hall previously served as preconstruction manager for Henderson, Inc., before joining the William & Mary Real Estate Foundation as director of operations. He started his new role as executive director on Feb. 10, where he will be responsible for developing and executing William & Mary Real Estate Foundation’s strategy, projects and overall operations.
According to William & Mary, the William & Mary Real Estate Foundation is a non-profit that seeks to acquire, hold, manage, sell, lease, and participate in the development of real properties in support of the educational goals of the university. It is led by an independent volunteer board of 11 directors and an executive director.
Chesapeake Bank Recognized by AARP for Role in Fighting Financial Exploitation
On March 6, AARP announced Chesapeake Bank and 166 other banks, credit unions and financial advisory firms that earned the BankSafe Trained Seal in recognition of the steps they’ve taken to curb financial exploitation, Chesapeake Bank announced.
To earn the seal, organizations must ensure over 80% of their frontline staff complete AARP’s comprehensive BankSafe training, alongside actively pursuing policies to address suspected financial exploitation, Chesapeake Bank said, adding eligibility for the seal also requires a positive standing in Better Business Bureau ratings and adherence to specific legal and regulatory standards.
Based on a Virginia Tech study, it is estimated that BankSafe-trained employees have helped prevent nearly $300 million from being stolen from the accounts of older adults since 2019.
A list of the financial organizations that qualified for the 2024 BankSafe Trained Seal can be found here. More information about AARP’s BankSafe trainings and resources, including how to sign up for the training, can be found at aarp.org/banksafe.
Chesapeake Wealth Management hires new President
Chesapeake Wealth Management recently announced the hiring of new President Scott H. Garber, who started with the company on March 5. The search for a new President stemmed from the announcement that former President John Sadler was stepping down at the end of 2023.
Garber comes from Trust Company of Virginia (TCV) where he has worked in the Williamsburg market since 2003.
Garber’s headquarters will be based out of the CWM office on 4804 Courthouse Street in Williamsburg.
NetworkPeninsula Selects New Executive Director
The Board of Directors of NetworkPeninsula recently announced the selection of Cynthia Callaway to serve as Executive Director.
NetworkPeninsula, originally named NetworkWilliamsburg, provides tools and training to help nonprofits fulfill their missions effectively.
Callaway will replace founder Karen Dutro. Since its founding in 2007, NetworkPeninsula has grown from 11 nonprofit members to 138 and their programs have been accessed by more than 350 nonprofits across the Peninsula.
Callaway served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Virginia Peninsula Community College (formerly Thomas Nelson CC) since 2006. Callaway will begin her tenure on April 1.
Williamsburg Winery Showcases Virginia Excellence at Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris
Williamsburg Winery represented Virginia among six wineries at the exclusive Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris trade show last month.
The annual business gathering provides a platform for wine and spirits professionals to connect, collaborate, and showcase their products on a global scale.
Williamsburg Winery, alongside its fellow Virginia wineries, participated in the event under the pavilion hosted by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and Virginia Wine. The pavilion featured exhibition booths highlighting the unique offerings of each participating winery.
The Virginia wineries also attended a “celebration of Virginia wine and cuisine” alongside guests, including U.S. Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco, Denise Campbell Bauer.
For more information about Williamsburg Winery and its award-winning wines, visit williamsburgwinery.com
Baylands Family Credit Union Sponsors $500 Pathways2Careers Scholarship
The Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce recently announced it is partnering with Baylands Family Credit Union to offer a $500 Baylands Pathways to Dreams Scholarship to benefit students taking part in the Chamber’s Pathways2Careers program.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must:
- Be a high school senior
- Attend more than half of scheduled local business visits
- Have an overall average of 3.0
- Submit application with completed essay question
A scholarship committee consisting of Greater Williamsburg Chamber Education Committee members is responsible for reviewing all applications and determining the recipients.
Learn more about Pathways2Careers at businesswilliamsburg.com/pathways-2-careers
