NVC marked a major milestone this week, celebrating its centennial of regional leadership, advocacy, and economic impact during its Annual Members’ Meeting. The event brought together business leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to recognize progress, honor leadership, and chart the path forward for Northern Virginia’s economy.
In her opening remarks, NVC President and CEO Julie Coons reflected on the Chamber’s pivotal role in shaping the region’s economic narrative, particularly in recent months.
“Over the past six months, NVC has been called upon by legislative bodies, advocacy organizations, and the media to share how our members plan to respond to the clarion call to address the greatest challenge our region is facing: our historic reliance on the federal government,” said Coons. “NVC is truly committed to serving as the voice of the business community for the Region. Thank you to each of you for lending your voice, experience, and time to support our mission. We’re proud to call each of you a member.”
Celebrating NVC Leadership and Legacy
The meeting also marked a transition in NVC’s leadership, setting the stage for its next century of influence. NVC recognized Mark Carrier, President of B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group, for his dedicated service as Chairman of the Board. Richard Pineda, President and CEO of CALIBRE, was officially welcomed as the incoming Chairman, bringing a fresh perspective and deep regional experience to guide NVC.
Distinguished leaders were honored for their enduring contributions to the region:
Scott McGeary, retired Director of State Public Policy at Washington Gas, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long commitment to advocacy and public service.
Dr. Anne Kress, President of Northern Virginia Community College, was awarded the Impact Award for Workforce in recognition of her leadership in strengthening the region’s talent pipeline and her instrumental role in launching the NOVAnext workforce initiative in partnership with NVC and Virginia Career Works.
NVC also inducted seven exceptional leaders into the NVC Honors:
- Kristina Bouweiri, Reston Limousine
- Jim Dyke, McGuireWoods Consulting
- Scott McGeary, Washington Gas
- Ben Rodgers, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management
- Fred Thompson Jr., Thompson Hospitality
- Maria Harris Tildon, Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
- Stephanie Turner, MITRE
NOVA Roadmap and Business Insights
As part of its centennial focus, NVC unveiled highlights from two forward-looking initiatives:
The NOVA Roadmap, a new strategic vision led by NVC in partnership with Accenture, aims to guide the region through the next phase of economic transformation.
NVC also shared key insights from its Q2 Business Leader Survey in partnership with Pinkston, offering a real-time look at how Northern Virginia business leaders view the region’s opportunities and challenges.
The event concluded with a warm welcome to the newly appointed members of the NVC Board of Directors, who will help steer the Chamber’s priorities in the years ahead.
Watch: Centennial Reflection
Explore 100 years of impact through NVC’s Centennial Slideshow, and relive the excitement of the Annual Members’ Meeting through the event photo gallery.
