There was no single word repeated more often by Pittsburgh leaders than ‘collaboration.’ Pittsburgh’s recovery and growth has captured national attention and while elected officials and county executives do not hesitate in saying this “overnight success, was 30 years in the making,” they also look to each other for the credit of their success. Checking their egos at the door and joining forces to recover from staggering economic hardship, the Pittsburgh region began to think differently. Much of this success stemmed from merging into a united region that brings together ten counties and 130 municipalities over 745 square miles of Western Pennsylvania into one Allegheny County region. At the helm of their success is The Allegheny Conference with one administrator who oversees all the localities. Each mayor and Regional leader sit on the Conference and work together in advocacy efforts and major economic development. They speak as one voice and that voice has been heard.

The Hampton Roads Chamber is laser-focused on diversity for 2018. We’ve already hosted an inaugural diversity forum and had a successful start to the 2018 Glass series, which focuses on women in business.

            When we think of examples of leaders who have changed the trajectory of their field, they often share the same qualities. Leaders that reject the status quo, that question tradition, that think less of their own reputation and more of the footprint their choices make upon the community, exhibit visionary thinking and courageous leadership.  With every ribbon cutting I go to and every Chamber member’s successful grand opening, ground breaking or addition, I recognize that it is the business community that is taking the leaps of faith, and the risks that display courageous leadership and shape Hampton Roads into a region with a vision to actualize its true potential.

An efficient transportation system that meets the needs of business is key to a strong regional economy.  Fortunately, in Hampton Roads we have observed firsthand the beginning of a successful regional effort to advance many of our region’s strategic transportation projects.  Through the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), our region’s elected officials have identified and prioritized our region’s most important transportation projects.  Funding plans and strategies for these projects have been developed by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC).  The majority of the funds being used by HRTAC to advance these projects has come from a regional gas tax and sales and use tax, which only exists in two Virginia regions; Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. 

Do We Need a New Culture?

Black history month brings to mind the accomplishments and the profound influence that
African Americans have had on America.  Here in Hampton Roads we are rich in history and diversity and home to two of the nation’s top historically black colleges and universities. The talent and achievements of African-American business leaders can be felt throughout the region. From Norfolk Mayor Kenneth Alexander’s victory as the first African-American mayor of Norfolk, to Suffolk native Dr. L.D. Britt, Chairman at Eastern Virginia Medical School and the first black doctor to have an endowed chair in surgery, to Barbara Ciara, WTKR-TV Channel 3, news anchor and groundbreaker in media and communications.

As we ring in a new year with renewed focus and energy, we turn our attention to evaluating priorities and commit to upholding them throughout the year.  The Hampton Roads Chamber again this year will be unwaveringly resolute in our commitment to the business community and our support of initiatives for Veteran job transition.  Finding talented, skilled and competent workers is an unequivocal prerequisite to a business’s success and we are fortunate to have a pool of highly skilled, dedicated, subject matter experts in our transitioning military service members.  Utilizing this invaluable resource provides a unique advantage for the Hampton Roads business community.

Collaboration! We’re intentional in our efforts to work together for the greater good of the region. There’s never more than three degrees separation between us. We all understand the power of collective impact and the second and third order effects of our united efforts. We know a rising tide floats all boats. These are just some of the themes and messages that were consistent and common to all during our Inter Regional Visit (IRV) to Nashville recently. Without exception every community leader we spoke to illuminated the importance of working together toward a shared vision as a key element to their region’s phenomenal economic success.

Many years ago, I had the distinct honor of serving as chief of staff of one of the most decorated and combat-tested divisions in the Army, the 10th Mountain Division (light infantry) stationed at Fort Drum, New York.

If you want something done right, do it yourself. Right?