PRESS RELEASE. Businesses of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Officers Announced MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2008 WINNERS

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1 PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: November 14, 2008 CONTACT: Shane Adams, President/CEO Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce SUBJECT: Businesses of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Officers Announced MONTGOMERY COUNTY CHAMBER ANNOUNCES 2008 WINNERS AT ANNUAL DINNER Blacksburg & Christiansburg, Virginia The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce honored businesses and individuals at its 7 th Annual Dinner held on November 14, 2008 at the Inn at Virginia Tech & Skelton Conference Center. Over 300 local business leaders were on hand to congratulate the winners and show their support. Robin Reed, WDBJ 7 Meteorologist served as the Emcee for the event. For the first time in its history, the Chamber had two recipients for the Large Business of the Year category. The Award recipients included (also see attached information sheets for further information on each winner): DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Recipient: Jim McAlister First Bank & Trust Company SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Under 25 Employees Recipient: LeClair Ryan, A Professional Corporation LARGE BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR 25 or more Employees 1

2 Recipients: Modea Polymer Solutions, Incorporated Photos are available upon request. Distinguished Citizen of the Year 2008 They say the measure of a man comes not from how he compares himself to others, but how others compare themselves to him. When you take a look at our 2008 Distinguished Citizen honoree, you know someone around here doing a booming business selling measuring tape. Our distinguished citizen is only a man. He is not a superhero; but his dedication to his community is of super proportions. Every day, he gets up and goes to work. Every evening, he drives home. He was born into the region that he now serves both individually and professionally. Not only is he a native, he is a Hokie. Among the many things our citizen is involved with, he s an active alumnus in the Hokie Club. Exclusivity is not a part of this man s vocabulary. Anyone in contact with him can count on a warm greeting and sense of welcome. Our Citizen gets excited about his work and his life and throws himself whole heartedly into his family, church, and a myriad of organizations. It s not surprising that he inspires others to give back as well. He is active with the Boys & Girls Club, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, as well as the Montgomery County Economic Development Commission and New River Valley Duck s Unlimited. He spearheaded Operation Christmas Child through his church and extends an open invitation to his customers to join every Hokie tailgate. Distinguished Citizen Honorees are nominated, recognized and applauded by their peers. These men and women have gone above and beyond to serve in leadership positions, and give back to a broad range of people in our community. So I proudly recognize a great citizen, loving husband, father and grandfather; a true asset to our community... Jim McAlister of First Bank & Trust Company 2

3 2008 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD (Less than 25 Employees) 2008 s Small Business of the Year may not appear small because of their large dedication to their community and business principles. The client comes first always to this year s honoree, and they work diligently to ensure those clients feel the same way. You could say this business operates on three C s: Clients, community and company. The business model for them is simple: They treat their clients like they would treat themselves and vice versa. By holding themselves to a high ethical standard, their work only improves and reflects those values. It carries over into customer and peer satisfaction as reflected in the numerous accolades awarded to this company and its employees. Our small business honoree is loyal to the community it serves, even while they grow. They believe that when a surrounding environment starts to sprout, so will they. Time and again they ve put their heart into supporting organizations like the United Way, Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley and Sustainable Blacksburg. Their employees participate in the Rotary Club, the Virginia Active Angel Network and Leadership New River Valley, just to name a few. Clearly, the business principles set forth in this company s original business plan does not exclude the variables that shape what they are. They guarantee that every branch used to climb to the top of the tree is accounted for and not taken for granted. It is with great pleasure that we recognize this business tonight. They conduct business the way they would expect should they find themselves on the other side of the desk. This company has found a way to extend their branches without upending their roots. The 2008 Small Business of the Year is LeClair Ryan, A Professional Corporation 3

4 2008 LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD (25 or more employees) This year, for the first time in the Chamber s history, tonight we have two outstanding large businesses to honor. Let s begin with a business that has a lot of ideas. Since arriving in Blacksburg, this company has turned those ideas into a thriving business and keeps coming up with more. They are dedicated to their customers and employees and, more importantly, those customers and employees are devoted to them. Always looking forward, this company has grown from a small business to over 25 employees to keep up with the growing demand of their expertise. They don t oversee a client s project, they partner with that client. They partner with their employees as well, ensuring that no opportunity to keep moving is wasted. By doing this, they allow each individual to recognize their potential and place in the company. Then, they make it happen. The same can be said of their business endeavors. No stone is left unturned and no moss gathers on a client s project. Honest and realistic expectations are made without pushing the client to the sidelines. People matter to this company as much as innovation and to this business, there is no way to separate one without diminishing the other. The mission and goodwill doesn t stop outside of the office. This 2008 honoree volunteers their time with organizations such at the Lyric Theatre, Virginia Tech forums. They also support the business community through the Chamber of Commerce and networking events at Kent Square. This company takes their responsibilities seriously by making sure their clients and employees seriously value their work. Judging by the success and growth of this business, it s apparent their ideas are well-received. So please join me in congratulating our first recipient of the 2008 Large Business of the Year -- Modea 4

5 2008 LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD (25 or more employees) Our next recipient is all about balance. Whether it be dealing with clients, employees, partners or peers, our next honoree has the successful formula. They balance the small business principles that propelled them ever larger, and continue to deploy that successful theory so that their growth is not jeopardized. As inventors this company is not afraid to fail, because from those failures sometimes come unexpected results that turn into successes and happy companies. Our 2008 recipient has termed itself a well kept secret, entrenched with daily operations in the New River Valley but working on projects that hold international impact. Their employees are our neighbors and friends, but experts in their global community. Their clients range from small to large businesses in need of answers to problems that have them stumped. That kind of pressure is tempered by a management team that praises their employees achievements and creates a work atmosphere to be envied. Locally, this company is no stranger to the community. They consistently give back to education, recognizing both high school and college students with scholarships and cash prizes for academic achievements. They honor the teachers of these students and understand the challenges they face balancing work and life outside of school. They sponsor a recreational basketball team, give to After Prom and support Fire & Rescue organizations. By taking a personally professional interest in their client s needs, this company has adapted and positioned themselves for further success. Knowledge is an ever increasing commodity into this company s fold, and with a world class balancing act like theirs, they are sure to need that down the road. The secret is out, and this year s co-recipient of Large Business of the Year is Polymer Solutions, Inc. 5