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RICHMOND EDITION
April 2015
Chartered June 1967
Letter from the President
2014-2015
Officers & Directors
Dear EWI colleagues,
President
We have another unique Firm Night lined up this month when we
visit Ironbridge Sports Park. Not only will we have a chance to
test our skills with the go-karts and driving range – but we will also
have a fun silent auction. What a great way to network and
collaborate.
Karen Kuhn, Federal Reserve
Bank of Richmond
Vice President
Toni Bastian
Richmond Region Tourism
Secretary
Later this month, I will be joining Toni Bastian and Michelle Lovatt
at the EWI Spring Conference hosted by EWI of Milwaukee. We are looking forward to
connecting with EWI members from other chapters and participating in the Academy of
Leadership program.
EWI Corporate has launched a membership campaign “Thrive in Five”. Beginning April 1
and running through August 31, chapters are challenged to recruit at least 5 new member
firms, with the chance to win a free LCAM registration. I am pleased to say that Richmond is
already well on the way, with two new firms poised to join our ranks this month. Please keep
those referrals coming.
Essie Weiss
Legacy of Virginia
Treasurer
Karen Huffman, Federal
Reserve Bank of Richmond
Fundraising Director
Dee Dee Van Buren
T.A.C. - Solutions
Retention &
Recruitment
Ann Bushey
Martin’s Food Markets
The Corporate Reading Rally theme for LCAM is Ignite your Imagination. Fundraising
Director Dee Dee Van Buren will be leading the Box Tops for Education initiative for our
chapter to benefit Emerson Elementary School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Details about this project
were announced in the Corporate EWI Connect last week, and are included on page 7 for
your convenience.
Sergeant-at-Arms
And speaking of LCAM – registration is open now, and early registration runs through May
31. Visit the corporate website for all the details: http://ewiconnect.com/?page_id=5003.
Whitney Worrell, Westminster
Canterbury Richmond
Donna Trevey
Dunmar Companies
Programs
Director-at-Large
I look forward to seeing you at Ironbridge Sports Park!
Warm regards,
Karen Kuhn
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Debbie Clark
Universal Corporation
Communications
Director
Like us on Facebook
Anita Saunders
Greater Richmond Partnership
Advisor
Angela Roisten
Virginia Credit Union
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com
Richmond Chapter Monthly Connect
ewirichmond.com
Richmond Board News
B/C/DP Director
Recruitment and Retention
By Debbie Clark
Universal Corporation
By Ann Bushey
Martin’s Food Markets
B/C/DP needs your help: If your firm would
like to donate items to the scholarship
goody bags, we need 19 items (they don’t
have to be identical) to give to the students
(13) and judges (6). Reynolds Community
College has once again offered to donate
the gift bags – now we need to fill them up!
Please bring to monthly meetings before the May 14 EWISP
night (we need 6) and before July 9th ASIST night (we need
13). You may give items to Brenda Long (ASIST Chair),
Elizabeth Frazier (EWISP Chair) or Debbie Clark (B/C/DP
Director). We also appreciate any firms who wish to sponsor
a dinner at the EWISP awards night (for students, their
parents, and sponsoring school counselor). This is another
great way to promote your member firm and give back to our
community! Reminder our ASIST awards program is July 9 at
Reynolds Community College.
SAVE THE DATE JUNE 6 for Richmond Raiders Game night
to partner with Project IMPACT and have a literacy night –
invite your colleagues and families.
Fundraising
By Dee Dee Van Buren
T.A.C. – Solutions
Wow! We appreciate your $5, it really adds
up. A great WIN/WIN you may get to go
home with some lovely Goodies and
support your community.
By the way EWI Gift Baskets are full or
lovely items! Kit Hull & Viki Frankenburger filled my Saint
Patty’s basket with Irish charm Bookmarks, paperweight’s,
green pen, etc. Dave loves my green pen!!) & of course the
O’Tooles gift certificate! Yes, I was one of the lucky ones last
month. The Virginia Credit Union also donated about 10
beautiful flowers from Strange’s Florist. We had lots of happy
winners!
If you missed the March meeting you
missed a good one! Not only was the
fabulous presentation Life Stages of
Financial Planning enjoyed by all but we
also installed 2 replacement reps and a new
firm. Please join me in welcoming
replacement reps Brittany Vincent and Rachel Griggs with
Cherry Bekaert. We are also thrilled to be welcoming new
member firm Strange’s Florist represented by Meg Gouldin. It
was truly an amazing night for our chapter!
Programs
By Whitney Worrell
Westminster Canterbury Richmond
Wow, what a wonderful meeting we had
last month! A huge Thank You to Virginia
Credit Union for hosting our Financial
Literacy Firm Night. Many thanks also to
our wonderful panelists and to our
moderator extraordinaire. The evening was
full of great advice and helpful tips regarding budgeting and
saving. EWI representative, Ashley Abplanalp, with The
Money Mom discussed the best steps for creating a personal
budget and sticking to it. Stephanie Gonyaw, with member
firm Sun Trust, told us how to retrain our brains to save more
for retirement. Elnetta Burke, with member firm Virginia Credit
Union, discussed why you’re never too young to plan for
retirement. Lastly, EWI representative, Kathleen Stull from
Dignity Memorial discussed the importance of owning your
own goodbye. Our moderator for the evening was Jennifer
Giovannitti with member firm, Federal Reserve Bank of
Richmond and she kept us on time and on track. It was a
lovely night that left everyone in the audience eager to start
saving more!
The hits keep coming… we’re in for another Firm Night treat
in April too. Can’t wait to see all of you at Ironbridge Sports
Park on April 9th!
Communication Director
By Anita Saunders
Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.
Are we missing your wonderful headshot &
company logo from our Chapter website? If
so, please take a moment to email them to
Anita at asaunders@grpva.com.
EWI of Richmond Chapter boundaries include the cities of Richmond, Williamsburg, Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial
Heights; and the counties of Caroline, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com
Richmond Chapter Monthly Connect
ewirichmond.com
Professional Development
Leadership tips from Dr. Heather Williamson, Transformation Group, LLC
Engagement And Culture Are Top Issues This Year
As the job turnover rate increases, HR departments have to turn their focus to what the core
issues are. Employees that are unhappy with their jobs either find a new job or underperform.
Either way, it makes for a difficult situation with business owners. For that reason, focusing
on engagement needs to be a high priority.
Where is the Breakdown in Engagement?
So often, the breakdown happens because we executives are spending too much time in the
office and not enough time with the employees. We are seeing the company and function of
the business from the numbers standpoint. When thinking of changes, we ask ourselves if the
change will increase profit.
Unless you put yourself in contact with your employees and their environment, it is hard to see what they are up against from day to
day. Employees that are being asked to do more than what they can manage feel frustrated and have a poor outlook on the company.
What Happens When Employees Have a Poor Attitude About Your Company?
When you have disgruntled staff, you can bet that other people will hear about it.
With the social media outlets they have access to, an individual may choose to vent to the general public. We cannot underestimate
the effect that our current and past employees can have on our branding.
Our team members understand the workplace culture and are more than willing to share that information with listening ears. This
includes friends, family, and other staff. Defining and improving the culture of your business is another key thing to focus on in 2015.
What Questions Do We Need to Ask?
If we are going to solve some of the workplace problems, we have to start asking the right questions so that we can implement the
right changes. With every change that you make, you should ask if it will make the environment easier to work in and enjoyable.
When the environment becomes too difficult, then employee production plummets. Staff will begin to see the employer as the problem,
instead of the solution.
We also have to ask questions like, "How do we come up with simple solutions to make the work environment easier?" The Staff has
enough difficult interactions in a day with customers and clientele. If they are in a difficult work environment, it will only add to their
attitude toward the company.
In order for us to build solid companies and boost production, we must develop teams that work hard. For that to take place, we have
to create safe and inclusive work environments that make day to day functions simple. Be the solution, not the problem.t
If you have any questions about this article, or about how we can enhance your engagement & business culture, contact us today!
~ Written for us by our associate Gary Sorrell, Sorrell Associates, LLC. Copyright protected. All rights reserved.
Heather H. Williamson Ph.D.
President
(Office) 804-598-9175
(Cell) 804-543-3333
www.TransformationGroupLLC.com
drheather@transformationgroupllc.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/drheatherwilliamson
Leadership * Performance * Strategy
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com
Richmond Chapter Monthly Connect
ewirichmond.com
The Servant Leader
When I was younger, I perceived a leader to be someone who possessed some inner, inexplicable quality
that was somehow inherited at birth; a quality that one was gifted by God or some higher power that enabled
him or her to seem super-human, almost Godlike themselves. While this perception may still be true in the
eye of the beholder, I have come to learn that what lies within a true leader, what sets him or her apart from
those who follow, what allows for this phenomenon of magnetism to exist, are loyalty to certain principles. I
have learned that true leaders require of themselves a degree of humbleness, gratitude, honesty and
integrity, all of which, in symphony together create a moral compass with which they can navigate life’s
challenges and assist in the growth and advancement of others.
The servant leader is one who recognizes the need to enrich the lives of those he or she serves as a means to creating success for
all. By creating more successful players on a team, the team becomes more successful. By putting clients, customers or guests
needs first at all costs, those people will in turn reward us with their future business, as well as that of their friends and
family. Surprisingly, many if not most businesses fail to do this well, or even at all. We must ask ourselves as business leaders if we
are charging our customers exactly what we should be for our products or services, meaning are we providing the same or slightly
better value than what they are paying us for? If so, then consider this: What would our business look like if we began providing more
value than our clients or customers could ever possibly pay for? How about our employees? What would our business look like if
we decided not simply employ our workers but to provide more value for them and more opportunity than they could have imagined
for themselves? How would our business look if all were offered the opportunity of a path to ownership? How would this affect
productivity? Morale? Sales? Culture?
I think the answer is obvious… So, how will you choose to lead?
~ Article by Greg Provance taken from EWIConnect Corporate Edition, Issue: 2014-15/6 ~.
Upcoming Webinars
Creating a Coaching Culture for Success
Elevate Efforts to Elevate Excellence
Business Ethics
Presenter: Marcel Schwantes, Leadership From The Core
Date: May 5, 2015
Time: 3:00 pm ET
Presenter: Brandon Kelly PhD, Eagle Consulting
Date: June 2, 2015
Time: 3:00 pm ET
Presenter: Matt Ellis, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society
Date: July 7, 2015
Time: 3:00 pm EST
Member News and Highlights
Congratulations to Lillie Stratton, a Chapter Honorary Member! Lillie’s artwork will be
showcased at the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield Art Show located 13801 Westfield
Road, Midlothian, VA (Watkins Annex) April 10, 2015 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no charge for
admission.
Congratulations to Kathleen Stull for her recent promotion to manager of the
Woody Funeral Home Atlee Chapel, a member firm. Way to go Kathleen!
T.A.C. Solutions Fundraiser "Bullets, Beer & Burgers” for the Chesterfield Chamber on
Monday, May 4, 2015 from 4pm to 8pm at Midlothian Capital Ale House. Enjoy $2 burger
night and get your Concealed Carry Handgun Permit! Get both your Florida non-resident
and Virginia permits in 1 class. The cost is $67/person. (You are responsible for food &
beverages) Register at the Chesterfield Chamber page on our website. www.TACSolutions.com
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com
Richmond Chapter Monthly Connect
ewirichmond.com
Dates to Note
Career Development Seminar &
Executive Appreciation Dinner
Speaker: Mark Mullinix, First Vice President
& COO, Federal Reserve Bank of
Richmond
Firm Night at
Ironbridge Sports Park
April 9, 2015
Accessorize Your Attitude Silent Auction
June 11, 2015
*Casual attire recommended
Seminar:
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Networking/Dinner:
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Federal Reserve
Bank of Richmond
April 23 - 25, 2015
2015 EWI Spring Leadership
Conference
“Leadership by the Lake - Spread
Your Wings & Mind”
ASIST Night
July 9, 2015
Hosted by EWI of Milwaukee
Location: Hilton Milwaukee City Center
Hosted by Member Firm Reynolds
Community College
Location: Reynolds Community College
EWISP Night
May 14, 2015
Speaker: Dr. Lisa D. Freiman, Director,
Institute for Contemporary Art, Virginia
Commonwealth University
Richmond Raiders Firm Night
August 13, 2015
Location: Sports Reality
Hosted by Member Firm VCU
Location: VCU at their School of Business,
Snead Hall Atrium
Chapter Literary Night With Project
Impact and the Richmond Raiders
June 6, 2015
Fun family event with reading program,
crafts, food and cheering on your favorite
Richmond Raider!
2015 LCAM
September 23 – 26, 2015
Hosted by Member Firm Richmond Raiders
Location: Richmond Coliseum
Time: 5:30 p.m
Game Starts at 7:00 p.m.
Tulsa, OK
More details to follow
Sending birthday wishes to the
following EWI members:
4-Denise Feys
5-Ashley Abplanalp
23-Kit Hull
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com
Richmond Chapter Monthly Connect
ewirichmond.com
EWI MEMBER FIRM SPOTLIGHT
Did you know that more than 7 million visitors come to
the Richmond Region annually and spend more than $2
billion? That’s $5.7 million a day! As the Region's primary marketer, Richmond
Region Tourism warmly welcomes meeting planners, tournament organizers, tour
operators, travel media and leisure travelers. A nonprofit organization, Richmond
Region Tourism offers a comprehensive array of information and services to assist
the Richmond Region hospitality industry in benefiting from the powerful economic
engine that is tourism. At Richmond Region Tourism, we are reminded that tourism
takes each one of us: those who work in the industry daily and those who live here
and tell others about it. We are all tourism! Our people are our biggest assets, and
it is your recommendations that matter. Remember to recommend the Richmond
Region for your regional, state and national meetings and events. And don’t forget
about your friends and family! With a nationally-acclaimed food scene, craft breweries, and a multitude of attractions
to suit everyone's taste, the Richmond Region has everything you need to entertain out-of-town guests. Check out
www.VisitRichmondVA.com/rrt-partners to see how you can partner with us to promote Richmond through our I Am
Tourism program.
EWI Firm Representatives
Michelle Lovatt
Toni Bastian
804-783-7401
804-783-7454
mlovatt@visitrichmondva.com
tbastian@visitrichmondva.com
Mission Statement
EWI brings together key individuals from
diverse businesses for the purpose of



Promoting member firms;
Enhancing personal and
professional development; and
Community involvement
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com
Richmond Chapter Monthly Connect
ewirichmond.com
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com
Richmond Chapter Monthly Connect
ewirichmond.com
EWI of Richmond Member Firms
36 Member Firms
43 Representatives
Altria Group Distribution Company (AGDC)
Barrett Capital Management, LLC
Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia
Bon Secours Richmond
Cater Nation
Cherry Bekaert LLP
Dominion Resources, Inc.
The Dunmar Companies
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.
Haley Buick GMC
Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown
Hunton & Williams
Ironbridge Sports Park
KSPH
Legacy of Virginia
Legal Resources
Martin’s Food Markets
The Money Mom
Reynolds Community College
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond Raiders
Richmond Region Tourism
Robert Half International
RVA Home Team w/Keller Williams Realty
Strange’s Florists, Greenhouses & Garden Centers
SunTrust Bank
TAC Solutions
Transformation Group, LLC
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg
Universal Corporation
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Credit Union, Inc.
Westminster Canterbury Richmond
Woody Funeral Home, provider of Dignity Memorial
EWI of Richmond Chapter Life Members
These women are chapter life members due to their special meritorious service
above and beyond the call of duty to the Chapter.
Diane Griffin, Dick Strauss Ford-Isuzu-Suzuki, Inc.
Marjorie C. Hawkins, American Airlines, Inc.
Fran E. Minner, Hunton & Williams
Jane S. Reilly, Greater Richmond Transit Company
Debora Honodel, Southern States Cooperative, Inc.
Chapter President, 1983
Chapter President, 1974
Chapter President, 1989
Chapter President, 1979
Chapter President, 1996
Thank you to each of you for all you have done and continue to do for EWI!
EWI of Richmond Chapter Honorary Members
These women are chapter honorary members due to their service as chapter president
and special service to the community while active in EWI.
Bev Beadles, Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company of VA
Jo Anne Cole, Retail Merchants Assoc. of Greater Richmond
Carolyn Raskind, Westminster Canterbury Richmond
Pat Sims, Robert L. Figg & Sons, Inc.
Lillie Stratton, Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.
Carolyn Yates, Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Elizabeth M. Perry, Trigon Healthcare, Inc.
Kit Hull, Bill’s Barbecue
Chapter President, 1987
Chapter President, 1973
Chapter President, 2000
Chapter President, 1972
Chapter President, 1993
Chapter President, 1994
Chapter President, 1995
Representative 1993-2012
Thank you all for your invaluable service to EWI!
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com
Richmond Chapter Monthly Connect
ewirichmond.com
Saturday May 2nd 9am-12pm
Assaults have been Increasing for the last 10 years!
Now Home Invasions are Increasing!
Refuse To Be A Victim® A Crime Prevention &
Personal Safety Strategies Program
*Guns are not discussed in this class
Designed for men, women & teenagers up on how to Stay Safe in your Home, Work, Traveling, Active Shooter
Protocols, the Psychology of a Criminal, and Recreational activities such as running, Technology fraud, & Proper use
of Stun guns, Taser’s, Pepper Spray, etc.*Guns are not discussed in this class.
“Can You Survive 3 Seconds?” is TAC-Solutions motto. The national average time civilians have to respond to an
attack is 3-5 seconds. Most people do nothing and so become a victim. Our business exists to help you have a plan
ahead of time to stay safe. During the heat of battle is not the time to make a plan.
A violent attack on you or a loved one will change your life. You will never be the same.
This class will make you more confident, aware and help you stay safer. Being married to a Police Officer for over 20
years I have heard stories. Unfortunately, I know there are bad people out there who hurt people. I have seen firsthand
what it does to my husband when he interviews the victims. I cannot imagine how the victim deals with the experience.
We want to do everything in our power to keep you out of harm’s way.
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible. We want to partner with businesses and non-profit
organizations to help raise awareness for personal safety and crime prevention. We can customize a shorter
version to suit your particular needs. This program qualifies for PSA’s.
Saturday May 2nd
9am-12pm in Bon Air
Only $45/person $100/family
Here is Dee Dee’s NRA interview with the Sportsman Channel:
http://www.nranews.com/cam/video/cam-and-company-2015-dee-dee-van-buren-staying-safe-in-the-nra-srefuse-to-be-a-victim-program
Check out our website www.TAC-Solutions.com for the 6 minute video called RUN, HIDE, FIGHT
Stay Safe, Dee Dee
Dee Dee Van Buren
Refuse To Be A Victim® Certified Instructor
2013 Top Instructor
DeeDee@tac-solutions.com
www.TAC-Solutions.com
804-874-2343
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EWI Corporate Offices 3860 South 2300 East, Ste. 211 / Salt Lake City, UT 84109 / Toll Free: 1.877.4EWI-NOW / Phone: 801.355.2800 / Fax: 801.355.2852
Online: ewiconnect.org Email: ewi@ewiconnect.com