Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce Honors Outstanding Members

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce honored some of its most committed and helpful members at its annual Awards for Community Excellence ceremony and annual meeting on Tuesday.

Virginia's strong economy, stable taxes and how improvements in education and the transportation infrastructure will have an impact on the Reston-area's economic future.

Chamber president and CEO Mark Ingrao said the ACE awards are given each year to recognize outstanding businesses, volunteers and committees that make GRCC.

This year's winners:

•  Committee Chair of the Year: Eric Davis of The Cobalt Company and Jill Collins of Jill Collins Public Relations Group (Communications Committee)

• Small Business of the Year: Mayflowers
• Medium Business of the Year: M&T Bank
• Large Business of the Year: Northrop Grumman
• Member of the Year: Angela Inzerillo of AdviCoach of Northern Virginia.
• New Member of the Year: Sam Cousins of Aflac – Sam Cousins
• Volunteer of the Year: Pat Barton of Party DC Events
• President’s Award: Matt Clary of Law Offices of Matthew A. Clary III
• Joe Ritchey Pinnacle Award: Mark Looney of Cooley LLP

Outgoing chairman Bill Byers of First Virginia Community Bank passed the gavel to incoming chairman Tim Sargeant of Dominion.

Byers led the chamber to 14 percent new member revenue growth in the last year, adding 113 new members, as well as retention rate that was 21 percent higher than last year.

"The chamber, like the state, is solid financially," Byers said. "But the challenges that face membership organizations are severe. "

Sargeant said he is looking forward to advancing the chamber mission through program offerings to members. It was also announced that C. Michael Ferraro of TRAINING SOLUTIONS, Inc. was elected by the membership as the Chair-Elect for 2012-2013.

Virginia Del. Ken Plum and Sen. Janet Howell administered the oath of office to incoming board members. Newly elected members include:  Michael Bradshaw of Google; Fred Bohlander of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.; Larry Hoffman of Marymount University - Reston Center; Beth Hughes of M&T Bank; Mike Jennings of BEI; John Maxwell of John Marshall Bank; and Joan Malkowski of Cassidy Turley to the 2011-2012 Board.

Several board members also retired at this year’s event. Retiring members include Mark Looney of Cooley LLP (1999-2010); Wayne Greenfeld of Wayne I. Greenfeld LLC (2005-2011);  Dianne Holland of Access National Bank (2010-2011); and Judy Redpath, CFP©, AIF© of VISTA Wealth Strategies, LLC (2005-2011).