National Volunteer Month (April) has been celebrated on and off since the 1940s but gained official recognition since 1990. This month is dedicated to promoting, encouraging, and celebrating volunteerism. Without volunteers donating their time and passion to the causes they care about, most endeavors would never be possible.

During this Chamber Chat, Bryan Stephens, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber, and Angie Bezik, Vice Chair of the Government Affairs Committee of the Chamber, speak about the 2022 General Assembly Session. One of the highlights from this chat is the passage of legislation to provide insurance to small businesses with employees of 2 to 50 people. They also preview the Special Session that begins April 4 to work on the state budget and deal with a few final pieces of legislation.

Season 2 of Chamber Chats of kicks off with the Chris Stone, Chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber Regional Board of Directors. Stone is also the Senior Principal at Clark Nexsen and became Board Chair in December 2021. The Hampton Roads Chamber is proud to serve this region as an Impactful Advocate, Inspiring Ignitor, Regional Collaborator, and Powerful Economic Partner.

In this next episode of Chamber Chats, President & CEO Bryan K. Stephens sits with City of Norfolk Councilwoman Andrea P. McClellan and Glen Robertson, Attorney at Wolcott Rivers Gates Attorneys at Law. Topics of discussion surround past experiences and knowledge gained from previous leadership exchanges and upcoming expectations for the 2022 Leadership Exchange to Charlotte, North Carolina; coming June 2022.

In this next episode of Chamber Chats, President & CEO Bryan Stephens sits with Dana C. Beckton, Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at Sentara Healthcare. Bryan and Dana discuss various topics surrounding diversity including Diversity in the workplace.

In this next episode of Chamber Chats, President & CEO Bryan Stephens sits with Bob Pizzini, Managing Partner & CEO of iFLY Virginia Beach. Pizzini is a Navy Special Operations veteran of 26 years and the owner of a multi-million-dollar business of iFLY Virginia Beach and Program Creator of Elevate Your Leadership. Pizzini is a leadership coach, unconventional mentor, and a high energic motivational speaker.

In this next episode of Chamber Chats, Hampton Roads Chamber President & CEO Bryan Stephens sits with Bob McKenna, Retired Navy Commanding Officer and current President & CEO of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. McKenna talks about the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and it's mission, values, and goals; Also the challenges of a CEO and why its important to join a chamber of commerce.

Mental Health is one of the biggest issues that we are facing that has come to light during the pandemic. In our next episode of Chamber Chats, host Priscilla Monti, Senior Vice President of Programs and Communications welcomes: -Kurt Hooks: CEO Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center -Dr. Cynthia Romero: Director of the M. Foscue Brock Institute for Community and Global Health at EVMS.

In this next episode of Chamber Chats, President & CEO Bryan Stephens sits with Ron Lewis, Retired General and Vice-Chair of Hampton Roads Chamber Military Affairs. Various topics were discussed including continued love and recognition for military families; and ways to increase that recognition. Ron has 30 years of senior executive experience in Defense, Aerospace, Acquisition, Global Security, and Public Affairs. He spent most of his career working as a strategist, leader, manager, and director. The organizations he led ranged in size from 30 to 20,000 personnel. Much of his recent experience was at the cabinet-level in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific regions. Ron is a proven strategic planner, team builder, change manager, and communicator and the Hampton Roads Chamber is gracious for his service to our country and our Executive Committee.

In this next episode of Chamber Chats, President & CEO Bryan Stephens and Vice President of Programs and Communications Priscilla Monti reminisce about past Inter-Regional trips and talk about the Upcoming Denver, Colorado Inter-Regional Leadership Exchange Conference. Special Guest Panelist includes Real Estate Executive Dorcas Helfant-Browning, CEO & Vice Chair of iFLY Virginia Beach Bob Pizzini, and Chairman of the Board Steve Romine.