Member News
Balance Technology Group Contracts with Springfield Animal Hospital
May 12, 2008 - Balance Technology Group of Springfield, VA, has contracted with Springfield Animal Hospital to make www.springfieldah.com a great resource for clients.
Balance Technology Group will work with Springfield Animal Hospital to make additions to the website that will enhance the value for clients. Staff photos and bios have already been added. Updates are planned to offer important information and forms.
“The Springfield Animal Hospital project allows us to use our skills for a local business that wants to provide excellent customer service online. We are pleased to support the effort,” said Tracy Betts, Balance Technology Group owner.
Balance Technology Group has provided web strategy and implementation for hundreds of websites for small and large businesses, tradeshows, non-profit organizations and government agencies.
Balance is a woman-owned interactive web firm that helps clients plan and implement cutting-edge web technologies to meet organizational goals. The company’s website is www.balancegroup.us.
Northern Virginia Residents win Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards
April 24, 2008 - More than 500 members of the public and private sector honored outstanding volunteers and celebrated volunteer service at the 16th annual Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards hosted by Volunteer Fairfax on April 24. The more than 200 honorees performed a broad range of volunteer activities including tutoring adults in English as a Second Language (ESL), funding homes for those with brain injuries, mentoring young boys, ministering to wounded police officers, and supporting foster children.
Volunteers were nominated in three categories: a competitive Volunteer Service Award in one of 13 categories; a Community Champion award, for outstanding community leadership, which is submitted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; or a noncompetitive Benchmark award for the number of service hours performed in a calendar year.
Aashish Bhimani (Cheshil Consultants Inc) won a Volunteer Service Award in the category of Education/Advocacy/Health.
Each member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors selected one volunteer to receive a “Community Champion” award. Chamber members Brett Coffee (CSCI) and Tawny Hammond (Lake Accotink Park) were honored with this award.
In addition to the Volunteer Service Awards, 177 individuals were honored for noncompetitive benchmark awards, which recognize volunteer service hours at the 100, 250, 500 and 1,000 hour levels. For a list of Benchmark Award winners, visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.
Doug McKelway, ABC7/WJLA-TV Anchor, emceed the event while the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, who served as honorary chairs for the program, presented the Awards to the winners during the ceremony. Dr. Alan Merten, president of George Mason University served as keynote speaker.
Established in 1993, the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards serve as a community-wide celebration of volunteerism around national volunteer recognition week. The Awards honor individual volunteers, groups, families, civic associations, volunteer programs and corporate employee groups that have given outstanding volunteer service through a broad range of activities and programs. Over the past 16 years, Volunteer Fairfax has honored more than 1,600 individuals for their commitment to the community.
Volunteer Fairfax is building a better community through service. As a respected leader of community volunteerism for more than 33 years, Volunteer Fairfax connects individuals, youth, seniors, families and corporations to volunteer opportunities at more than 700 organizations in the Fairfax County area.
Nomadic Appoints Dave Evensen to Lead Operations
April 14, 2008 - Nomadic Display, a world leader in portable and modular display solutions, has announced the appointment of Dave Evensen to the position of Vice-President of Operations. In this newly created position, Evensen will oversee Nomadic Display’s North American design, product development and manufacturing teams.
Pat Goeke, President of Nomadic Display, reorganized the product driven departments under new leadership to focus internal talent and resources on providing outstanding custom modular displays. “This is an exciting time for Nomadic. Dave brings a wealth of experience to Nomadic that will serve him well in his new role directing our overall strategy and operations to deliver exceptional display solutions to our customers.” says Pat Goeke.
“Joining Nomadic gives me the opportunity to work with an industry leader. I’m looking forward to collaborating with our design, manufacturing and R&D teams to generate new offerings that will meet Nomadic’s high quality standards and those of our customers.” says Evensen. Prior to joining Nomadic, Evensen served Nimlok for 23 years overseeing their manufacturing facilities and global new product development.
Nomadic Display revolutionized the display industry 30 years ago with the invention of pop-up technology. Today, the company is a leading producer of portable and modular exhibit systems with manufacturing facilities in suburban Washington, DC and Ireland. Nomadic products are sold through 200 showrooms worldwide. To learn more, visit www.nomadicdisplay.com.
Prosperity Bank & Trust Company To Merge With Union Bank & Trust Company
February 22, 2008 - In September of 2006, Prosperity Bank & Trust Company (“Prosperity”) became a part of the Union Bankshares Corporation family of community banks. On Monday, March 17, 2008, Prosperity will officially join the Union Bank & Trust family, the oldest bank in the Union Banksahres family - a community bank that has been serving Virginia fore more than 106 years.
“This is an exciting time for Prosperity Bank & Trust and the merger will allow us the opportunity to enhance the products we offer our customers,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Wright. “Our relationship with Union Bank & Trust will also give our customers access to a larger network of branches.”
As a benefit of the merger, customers will have access to 35 additional branches reaching south to Fredericksburg and Richmond and west to Charlottesville. Customers will also have access to 130 ATMs available for free of charge. Additionally, customers will also have access to the Union Bank & Trust Loan Office based in Prince William County.
Founded in 1902, Union Bank & Trust is one of the oldest and most respected banks in the Commonwealth. Union Bank & Trust is part of Union Bankshares Corporation, one of Virginia’s largest bank holding companies. Other members of the Union Bankshares Corporation are Northern Neck State Bank, Bay Community Bank, and Rappahannock National Bank. Union Bankshares also owns Union Investment Services, Inc. and Union Insurance Group, LL. Union Bank & Trust owns Union Mortgage Group, Inc.
Philanthropic Imaging Works for ImageWerks
December 20, 2007 - ImageWerks received the Outstanding Business Partner Award from the Prince William Regional Chamber. Accepting the award was ImageWerks co-owner Kathy Strauss. Nominated by Project Mend-A-House executive director Andrea Saccoccia, Strauss said, “My husband and co-owner GC Schow and I have adopted a corporate policy to give back to our community. I serve on the board of Project Mend-A-House and like the homes that it repairs; the not-for-profit organization’s publications were in need of mending. ImageWerks gave Project Mend-A-House’s marketing materials a major facelift. We created a branding look to all of their publications, brochures, flyers, stationary, business cards, and web site.”
Saccoccia said, “I don’t know what our organization would look like today without
ImageWerks’s branding. ImageWerks’ branding efforts transformed Project Mend-A-House’s marketing materials into sleek and professional products that immediately identify the organization.
Integrated Global Business Solutions
Helping Small Businesses Avoid Workplace Violence
Overall growth of an organization can be hindered due to the epidemic called workplace violence.
September 4, 2007 - The Employee Assistance Program devised by Integrated Global Business Solutions (IGBS) helps employees become familiar with the experts who can help them when they come across any violent situation at their workplace. Avoiding workplace violence helps foster the talent of employees, thus helping organizations to grow. Companies need effective and practical ways to avoid the epidemic called "workplace violence" because overall growth of an organization can be hindered by it - violence affects both the employees and employers.
As managers around the U.S. find various cases of physical or psychological violence in their companies, a systematic, participative and targeted approach is what they find to be successful in tackling this problematic issue.
Eric Reed, director of strategy and technology, IGBS, suggests, "Hiring processes can help in preventing employee-instigated violence. Written tests, aptitude tests and interviews give an idea of the personality traits that the candidate possesses. Not only will you find whether the person is suitable for the job requirements of your firm, but you can also discover hidden facets of the candidate's personality."
He further adds, "Identification of the problem is the first step towards solving it. So the first concern of any workplace violence prevention program should be the analysis of the cause of any such behavior. The next step is to develop a workable solution for it."
The escalating graph of physical or psychological violence occurring at workplaces nationwide can be reduced with the help of training. These training sessions, conducted by industry experts, aim to first discuss and then resolve any problems faced by employees.
Most of the incidents of workplace violence go unreported. This can encourage the tormentor to further trouble the victim. Information circulation, open and transparent communication can help reduce frustration & tension among employees, eventually leading to a more secure and stress free atmosphere for them.
Some tried and tested methods, such as group discussions, office and personnel meetings and a few others, can help reduce incidents of violent behavior in the workplace. Such activities offer employees a platform to speak out about any of the personal or professional problems they might be facing.
Also, regular feedback from employees can help management to evaluate the effectiveness of the changes that have been implemented, thus helping them to avoid aggression at workplace.
IGBS is a firm that provides a broad range of specialized consulting services which help clients to reduce risks, solve problems and capitalize on opportunities by providing innovative and strategic business solutions. Services are delivered exclusively by highly experienced, senior-level management consulting professionals. For more information about IGBS and its services, call 1-800-448-8136 or visit www.igbsinc.com.
The Sweet Smell Of ... Rising Gas Prices
August 3, 2007 - Getting asters to Arlington and phlox to Fairfax is all part of a day's work for the Metropolitan Florists' Delivery Cooperative, one of the oldest delivery pool services in the country. It's also a way small companies can save money on gas.
The 1970s gas crises and resulting price spikes at the pump spurred Washington, D.C.-area florists to unite, and members say the cooperative effort launched decades ago has helped provide welcome relief in the current era of high energy prices.
Karen Fountain, president of the family-owned business Flowers 'n' Ferns of Burke, Va., and a co-op member, said her shop has recently been paying about $2.85 a gallon for gas and has had to increase flower prices slightly to offset rising prices. Read the entire article on the Small Business on washingtonpost.com Blog.
Cathy Baumbusch Attends Specialized Listing Course
For Residential Real Estate Specialists
July 12, 2007 - Cathy Baumbusch, a Chamber member since 2005, has completed a highly specialized course in the new skills involved in obtaining and servicing real estate listings, conducted by the COUNCIL OF RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
The class was conducted in Springfield and is one of the required courses that must be taken by real estate agents and brokers in order to qualify for the coveted Certified Residential Specialist (CRS®) designation.
The course included techniques in seller counseling, pricing, various client servicing activities, marketing techniques and other programs designed to close sales on residential properties.
“Today’s real estate market is more complex then ever before and the listing process has become the key in the movement of residential properties,” said Cathy, “This course provided me with new input to enable me to serve both buyers and sellers of residences more effectively.”
Certified Residential Specialist Courses are presented in various cities throughout the United States in conjunction with the COUNCIL OF RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS an affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Interior Designer Joins Jerry's Paint & Wallpaper Center Staff
June 25, 2007 - Jerry’s Paint & Wallpaper Center, INC has announced the addition of interior design services. Sue Rosenbaum, designer, will be offering her services at the store location on Thursday afternoons and some Saturdays. Appointments can also be made, 703-569-2622.
Jerry’s will also be incorporating a line of fabrics and wallcoverings by Thibaut to our current extensive line of designer wallcoverings.
Sue Rosenbaum has more than ten years of experience in the field of interior design. She previously offered her design services through The Expo Center and Calico Corners. Ms. Rosenbaum has her own interior design firm A Room with A View. She offers an interactive process catering to the specific style and wishes of the client.
Try Change launches new online community dedicated to
Inspiring positive change through customized T-Shirts and Forums
June 22, 2007 - Try Change, one of Northern Virginia's newest companies, has announced the launch of their new website TryChange.org. TryChange.org is dedicated to spreading success stories of individuals and businesses throughout the world through inspirational t-shirts and online forums.
"We at Try Change feel an obligation to spread hope, faith, peace, diversity, and positive change not only in Northern Virginia but throughout the World Wide Web" said Vincent Stubbs, company president. "TryChange.org gives people a chance to share positive stories and purchase items with inspirational messages to share with others" said Stubbs.
TryChange.org has over 50 items with Try Change, Try Hope, Try Faith, Try Diversity, and Try Peace logos inscribed on them. A percentage of all profits will be donated to Volunteers of America Chesapeake.
Also on the website is the story on what prompted Vince Stubbs to develop this company in his spare time and forums where you can post your story of change and positive message that you would like to share with others. "It is our hope that people will share what has inspired them with others and spread a message of hope" said Chrissie Ksanznak, vice president of Try Change.
For more information on Try Change visit www.TryChange.org or email them at TryChange@aol.com. Read more about Try Change in the June 21 edition of The Springfield Times.
First Office Condo to Sell at Cary Professional Center
May 15, 2007 - Wellborn Management Co., Inc. is pleased to announce that Balance Technology Group, a current tenant at the Cary Professional Center has submitted the first contract for sale and will be the first purchaser at the Cary Professional Center.
Balance Technology Group, a strong supporter of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, will relocate to Suite A-201 located in the front of the building facing Old Keene Mill Road. We are excited to announce this significant development for Balance Technology Group.
If you would like to find out more information about sales and leasing activity at the Cary Professional Center please contact Vince Alexander at 703-464-7009 x14 or vince@wellbornmanagement.com.
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