Tuesday, August 12, 2003

Roanoke Valley Chamber President Named Best in State

Herald Staff Report

"A community leader, a volunteer and a great organizer ... she truly cares about the Roanoke Valley and its quality of life ..."

Those are among the thousands of words of praise describing Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce President Brenda M. Blackburn by city officials, business leaders and community residents.

The acclaim helped the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives select Blackburn as Chamber Executive of the Year for North Carolina.

Blackburn has led the Roanoke Valley Chamber for 12 years during which the chamber has become a positive, proactive organization in the community.

Chamber membership has grown from 350 to 625, and the Chamber budget has quadrupled despite the fact that both Halifax and Northampton counties, which the Chamber primarily serves, are Tier 1 counties and have experienced only a 3 percent growth.

"It has been an extremely rewarding experiences in a community that I love," Blackburn said a few days after the association's announcement at its annual banquet in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Blackburn was working in event management and sports marketing in Raleigh when her sister told her of the Roanoke Valley Chamber's quest of for a new leader.

She got the job, and for local businesses and the community, the rest has been a history of achievement.

In his letter of nomination, Chamber Board Chairman Ed Garris, said, "Brenda has a very high level of honesty and integrity. She offers unlimited energy, creativity and enthusiasm to her job and the community. She is a committed over-achiever whose years of service to our community cannot be underestimated."

Roanoke Rapids City Manager Rick Benton's nomination credited her with making the local Chamber of Commerce a benefit to the entire community and "perhaps the most effective in North Carolina."

Benton wrote, "Her efforts have made the Roanoke Valley Chamber a centerpiece for action in our community, the go-to agency when a community issue needs to be addressed and developed."

In announcing its award, the Carolinas Association said that Blackburn understands communities achieve the most success when agencies, businesses and organizations work together to achieve a common goal. Forming partnerships has been a major area of focus during Blackburn's tenure.

The Business-Education Partnership was formed with four local school systems to involve the business community in helping shape our students to better prepare them for the world of work. The Work First Partnership was developed to utilize the Chamber's strong standing in the business community to develop employment opportunities for Work First clients and to help identify gaps in employer needs and client skill sets.

In his nomination, Garris pointed to the Chamber's work with Halifax Horizons to enhance the economic development opportunities in Halifax County. He also noted the effort to pass the Mixed Beverage Referendum, the chamber's partnership with local police agencies in the Cop Alert Program, and its partnership to create the Fridays in the Park summer concert series.

"Brenda is committed to making the Roanoke Valley a better place to live, work and do business. She values our schools and seeks opportunities to ensure that our students are better prepared for the world of work," said Garris. He also praised her efforts to help dislocated and Work First clients through both employment and training.

Among the other programs that helped earn Blackburn the state honor were the annual Ducky Derby, the Business Expo, the Chamber gift certificate program, the community magazine Images and the Shop at Home program.

The Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives includes 100 chambers throughout the two-state area.

The Executive of the Year award is CACCE's most prestigious recognition and is awarded each year to one individual from each state.