The Hampton Roads Chamber was honored to welcome the area’s newest leaders at the annual CEO Welcome Breakfast on November 15. As the region’s premier pro-business organization, this event offers the opportunity to meet with and celebrate the men and women who have risen to the top of their field this year.
The ceremony honored leaders from three categories: Municipal, Nonprofit, and Business.
Among those honored was Chesapeake Mayor Rick West, who had just been sworn into office 12 hours before the event. “This is one of the greatest things the Chamber does. It is a confirmation and encouragement knowing I have people behind me. Knowing I have the business community behind me is amazing.”
Event Presenting Sponsor Cherry Bekaert partner Barbara Smith said, “The CEO Welcome hits home with Cherry Bekaert because it recognizes leaders. Being a leader is hard but also very rewarding. You have an impact on your company and your community.”
Hampton Roads Chamber CEO & President Bryan K. Stephens gave each leader a glass paperweight with the Chamber’s logo. “We want these leaders to look to the Chamber to help them and their business. We set the conditions for businesses to succeed and success begins at the top. Each of these new leaders is in a powerful position and we need all the decision makers in the region to work together to make Hampton Roads the economic powerhouse we know it can be.”
Special thanks to WTKR News3 Managing Editor and Anchor Barbara Ciara who was the event’s Mistress of Ceremonies.
The following list includes the men and women who were recognized at the 2017 CEO Welcome Breakfast:
Business Leaders:
Jeffrey Farrar, Old Point National Bank
Joel Flax, Cohen Investment Group
Dianne Greene, ADP
Terri Hall, Clark Nexsen
Michael Harris, IntellecTechs
Carrie Smaha, vh.Agency
Chris Stone, Clark Nexsen
Bennett Zier, Entercom Communications
Nonprofit Leaders:
Carolyn Carpenter, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Christine Everly, Young Audiences Arts for Learning Virginia
Wes Hall, Hampton Roads Sports Commission
Amanda Insetta, The Virginia Gentlemen Foundation
Reese Jackson, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare
Dennis Matheis, Optima Health
Marissa Nihill, American Red Cross of Coastal Virginia
Thomas Quaintance, Virginia Stage Company
Municipal Leaders:
Larry Boone, Norfolk Police Chief
John Rowe, Portsmouth Mayor
Robert Moore, Portsmouth Economic Development
Rick West, Chesapeake Mayor
Thank you to our CEO Welcome Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor, Cherry Bekaert, Host Sponsor, Regent University; Gold Sponsors, Opportunity Inc., Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Kroger; Media Sponsors, Inside Business, WTKR News3; Video Production Sponsor, Neptune Video Creations; Bronze Sponsor, BB&T