Discover Fauquier December 2019
31
In recognition of its 97th year in existence,
the Fauquier Chamber of Commerce
held its 33rd Annual Meeting and Awards
Gala at Fauquier Springs Country Club
on November 2. The delicious food and
festive atmosphere delighted guests as
they recognized outstanding members of
the business community, including Lynne
Richman Bell, who of three nominees
was named the 2019 Business Person of
the Year.
Now in her sixth year as the executive director
of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fauquier, Lynne
notes that while at first she was involved in
all aspects of the club, she now focuses
on advocacy, fundraising, outcomes
management, and conducting needs analysis
to see how they can best serve the community.
"We measure our impact on
how we fit into the community,"
Lynne says. "No business
or nonprofit can exist in a
silo. We all need supplies,
partnerships, and relationships,
so our relationships with other
community organizations
are significant. It shows our
kids that every relationship
is valuable."
She added that anything is
possible for a person or an
organization if you put the right
pieces together, taking the time
to uncover the treasure. "Keeping that bigger
picture mindset is what drives me each day,"
Lynne says. "When I can give someone the
courage to uncover the capacity for excellence
that's inside them, it's amazing."
The Chamber presented several additional
awards throughout the evening. Three
businesses were nominated for the Large
Business of the Year award, which went
to Updegrove, McDaniel, McMullen &
Chiccehitto, PLC, and was accepted by
several of the managing partners.
Founded more than 40 years ago, this team of
experienced CPAs and accountants provides
customized tax, accounting, and financial
strategic planning services to individuals,
nonprofits, businesses, and trusts and
estates. What sets them apart is how they
work with their clients, getting to know them
throughout the year, not just at tax time. They
acknowledge that while artificial intelligence
may change the future of accounting, their
firm will remain focused on strategic planning
and innovative thinking.
In addition, three businesses were nominated
for the Small Business of the Year award,
which was accepted by Vince Vitali, owner
of Grioli's Italian Bistro.
Stemming from a family that has been
in the restaurant business for more than
half a century, Vince Vitali launched his
authentic Italian cuisine restaurant in
Bealeton 12 years ago and
feels blessed to serve the
community on a daily basis.
He has found the perfect
blend of combining timeless
family recipes infused with
a modern flair that keeps
customers coming back for
more. He emphasized that the
key to his success has been
investing in the community,
noting, "It's great to make
a profit, but if you can't
give back, you'll never truly
earn dividends."
Of three worthy nominees, Verdun Adventure
Abound was recognized as the 2019 Not-
for-Profit of the Year, and the award
was accepted by Honore Hastings, the
organization's executive director.
The 55-acre educational facility focuses on
experiential learning experiences through its
various challenge courses, including high
ropes and low ropes, as well as campsites,
an amphitheater, a 5K cross country course,
and much more. All of these elements are
used to provide teambuilding programs for
youth and adults alike; programs are tailored
to specific groups, which hail from local
public school systems, churches, Scouts,
and businesses and nonprofits too. Verdun
Adventure Bound continues to reach out into
the community to address concerns, such
as Project SCORE, which is geared toward
adults dealing with opioid addiction. More
than 10,000 children and adults benefited
from programs in 2019, and their hope is
that number will continue to rise.
The Fauquier Chamber of Commerce
and Discovery Publications salute all of
these individuals and businesses for their
outstanding accomplishments!
Fauquier Chamber of Commerce
Names 2019 Business Person of the Year
Sarah Marshall, Lisa Chiccehitto, Mary Leigh McDaniel,
Honore Hastings, Vinny Vitale, Lynne Richman Bell
Lynne Richman Bell
Business Person of the Year
~ Nancy Griffin-Bonnaire
Just 22 miles from Culpeper
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