H
V
Upcoming Events
Henderson-Vance
Chamber of Commerce
Encouraging You to Shop Local First!
April 22: Candidates Forum to be held
at the Vance County Courthouse, County
Commissioner’s Chamber from 3:00 until 5:00
PM. Candidates for the Board of Education,
sheriff and other offices will be participating.
This event will be broadcast live by WIZS.
April 25: Administrative Professionals
Luncheon to be held at 12 noon at Thorndale
Oaks, 105 West Quail Ridge Road in Oxford.
Guest speaker for the event will be Allison
S. Capps, Assistant District Attorney, 9th
Prosecutorial District. Reservations are limited
so please RSVP to 252-438-8414 or info@
hendersonvance.org
May 2: Small Business of the Year
Luncheon for all area Chambers and their
winners.
May 3: First 2018 Meet Me in the Street
Concert featuring “The Konnection Band”.
Concerts will be held along Breckenridge Street in
Downtown Henderson from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.
Presenting Sponsor is NC Towing & Recovery.
Gold sponsors for the event are Duke Energy
and Maria Parham Health.
June 14: Second Meet Me in the Street
Concert featuring “The Castaways”. Concerts
will be held along Breckenridge Street in
Downtown Henderson from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.
Presenting Sponsor is NC Towing & Recovery.
Gold sponsors for the event are Duke Energy
and Maria Parham Health.
September 27: Third and final Meet
Me ion the Street Concert of 2018 featuring
“Liquid Pleasure”. Concerts will be held along
Breckenridge Street in Downtown Henderson
from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. Presenting Sponsor is
NC Towing & Recovery. Gold sponsors for
the event are Duke Energy and Maria Parham
Health.
2-3
Inside This Issue: Welcome Sandra Wilkerson and
Tammy Manning
Hester is Citizen of Year
Focus March/April 2018
The 80th Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Meeting and
Banquet was held on Thursday, February 1 at the VGCC Civic Center.
A major highlight of the event is the recognition of an outstanding citizen who has
made a significant contribution and demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of
Henderson and Vance County. This year, 2016 Citizen of the Year, Pete O’Geary presented
the 2017 Citizen of the Year Award to Tommy Hester.
Mr. Hester was born and raised in Henderson and after college, enlisted and successfully
completed training in the
rigorous Army Officer
Candidate School and
graduated as a commissioned
officer with the rank of
second lieutenant. A love of
Country that was nurtured
and fortified through
upbringing, education
and training formed the
foundation for a life-time of
civil service and a passion for
“giving-back” to his beloved
Vance County community.
Hester has served
as president of the
Henderson Rotary Club;
District Chairperson of the
Henderson-Vance Boy Scouts 2017 Citizen of the year Tommy Hester with
of America Fund Raiser; his family at the 2018 Chamber Banquet
President of the Henderson
RBC Centura Bank Board of Advisors and Trustees; Board Director of the Vance County
Public School Foundation; Board Chair of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development
Committee; Board Director of the North Carolina Golden Leaf Board; and, after
appointment by former Governor Pat McCrory, continues to serve on the North Carolina
Rural Infrastructure Authority and leads the agency as its Chair after unanimous election by
his peers. He also provides local leadership as a past and current Commission Chairman for
the Vance County Board of Commissioners.
As Chair of the Vance County Board of Commissioners, he has renewed dual
meetings between the Vance County Board of Education and the Vance County Board
of Commissioners; championed support for the construction of the new and desperately
needed Vance County Animal Shelter; works diligently to ensure adequate county financial
support of the Public-School System, Vance Granville Community College, and the
Henderson-Vance Public (Perry) Library; he has facilitated several visits of a North Carolina
Governor to tour Henderson and Vance County and to serve as keynote Speaker at a
Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting; and, he served as the
Please see Banquet, page 2
4-5 6-7
Thanks to Chamber Champions,
Ribbon Cuttings, Administrative Luncheon, Leader-
Meet Me in the Street ship Vance Underway
 focus business briefs news to use

Chamber Welcomes New Staff

Tammy Manning - Director of Finance
The Chamber welcomes Tammy Manning to the staff as Director of
Finance. Tammy brings years of budgeting experience to the Chamber
and has been active in Chamber events for many years. She is excited to
have the opportunity to work with the Chamber and the local community.

Tammy was born in the town of Saratoga, NC in Wilson County. She

graduated from Wilson Community College and moved to Vance County
with her family in 1994.

Tammy is Preschool Director of Holy Innocents Preschool (a half-day

program) and has been in that position for 18 years. She also serves
as part-time Ministry Support Coordinator for First Baptist Church of
Henderson.

Tammy is married to Mel Manning and they have 3 sons: Chris who is
an Edward Jones broker in Henderson and wife Meredith, Tyler who will
graduate from UNC Wilmington in May, and Blake who is a Junior at
UNC Wilmington.

Sandra Wilkerson - Director of

Administration & Events
The Chamber would like to welcome Sandra Wilkerson to the staff
as Director of Administration and Events. Sandra brings a wealth of
knowledge and experience to the position and looks forward to serving the
community in which she lives.

Sandra was born in Vance County and attended Vance County Public
Schools. She graduated from Hardbarger Junior College of Business
in Raleigh and attended Vance-Granville Community College and the
Institute of Government at UNC Chapel Hill.

Sandra retired from the City of Henderson as the Finance Director in

2011 with 32 years of service. She worked as Scheduling Manager for Dr.
Charles Burnham for the last 6 years.

Sandra attended the Leadership Vance Class of 2004 and has served as a
Chamber Ambassador for 11 years.

She is married to Danny Wilkerson and they have two children, Reece and

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Abby.
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Banquet
From Page 1
president of the KERR-TAR Council of Regional Government which includes Vance, Granville, Warren, Franklin and Persons
Counties.
In addition to the 2017 Citizen of the Year award, Mr. Hester has received the distinct honor of Rotarian of the year for the Henderson
District and, by proclamation of a former North Carolina governor, he has been recognized with the ORDER of THE LONG LEAF
PINE, North Carolina’s highest civilian award.
He has selflessly given of his time, talent and treasure to make Henderson and Vance County a better place for citizens to live, work and
play. Tommy and his wife Jenny have enjoyed their time together as husband and wife for 51 years. They have two children, son, Tim and
daughter, Hope Jackson, who with her husband Matt have blessed Tommy and Jenny with three grandsons, Chandler, Jason, and Bryson.
This year’s event included a delicious dinner and dinner music provided by Jerry Ayscue. A number of recognitions were made on
behalf of the Vance County Schools including recognition of Assistant Principal of the Year, Dr. Jacqueline Batchelor-Crosson of Pinkston
Street & L.B. Yancey Elementary Schools; Principal of the Year, Kristen Boyd of Aycock Elementary; Vance County Teacher of the Year
and North Central Region Teacher of the Year, Kedecia Stewart of Pinkston Street
Elementary; and Beginning Teacher of the Year, Estelle Mangum of L.B. Yancey
Elementary.
The Vance County Schools Shining Moment in Education award for 2017-2018
was presented. This award is presented to the most outstanding business/community
partner for the schools in a given school year. The recipient was Clearview Baptist
Church.
In the presentation, Stephanie Alston, principal at E.M. Rollins Elementary said of
the recipient, “Clearview Baptist Church has been an amazing partner with E.M. Rollins
Elementary School for the last few school years. Members of the church, under the
leadership of Virginia Paynter, provide tutoring services for students and serve as
mentors to students. They are in the school daily volunteering their time to work
with students individually and in small groups. The church members are wonderful
role models for the students. They provided more than 100 backpacks filled with new
school supplies for the school’s annual “Back To School Bash” at the beginning of the
school year. Church volunteers serve as weekly “Lunch Buddies” with students during
school. They give to E.M. Rollins students and their families in many ways on a regular
basis by donating: clothing, school supplies, health care packages and Christmas gifts for
students. Church members send school staff members letters of support and serve as
prayer partners for all interested staff. They also host school appreciation programs with
meals for staff members twice during the school year”.
Pam Norwood, Office Manager and Broker for Magnolia Management in Henderson, Pam Norwood, 2017 Chamber
received the 2017 Ambassador of the Year Award. This is the fifth year that this award has Ambassador of the Year with
been given and it recognizes the Chamber Ambassador who has most strongly given back husband Tony
to the community by volunteering their time, skills, and talents.
Keynote speaker for the evening was Joseph Dittmar, Sr., a survivor of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Joe Dittmar’s eyewitness
account of the sights, sounds and scenes from inside and outside the World Trade Center complex on 9/11/01 presented an intriguing
and gripping perspective on what really happened before, during and after the terrorist attacks. While steeped with facts and observations
of historic proportions, his presentation also presented concepts and ideas on what was learned that day and what lessons we can continue
to teach. These lessons are not only historical, but personal, philosophical, ethical and social. The recitation of his journey from the 105th
floor of 2 WTC all the way back to Aurora, IL in a 36 hour period provided a wealth of insight on an event that not only changed the
world, but changed the way we proceed with our daily lives as Americans.
Joe is a 39 year veteran of the insurance industry, where he is currently serving as Program Manager for Swyfft Insurance in Chapel Hill,
NC where he currently resides. He is a devoted husband, father of four and grandfather of two and is a member of the Naperville 9/11
Memorial Commission.
Presenting Sponsor for this special annual event is Duke Energy. Gold sponsors are Carolina Country Snacks, Maria Parham Health
and MARS Petcare and Silver Sponsors are BB&T, Envirolink, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC# 6091. Bronze
Sponsors are 3HC Home Health & Hospice Care, Benchmark Community Bank, Express Employment Professionals and J.M. White
Funeral Service.
Contributing Sponsors were CenturyLink, Franklin Brothers Nursery and Greenhouses, Henderson-Vance Economic Development
Commission, Lowes Home Improvement of Henderson, MARS Petcare, Schewels Furniture, The Peanut Roaster, East Carolina Tire/W.W.

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Properties, The Daily Dispatch and WIZS Radio.

chamber events happenings

 focus ribbon cuttings grand openings

Next Door Bistro

A ribbon cutting was held on March 19 to celebrate the
opening of Next Door Bistro. With over 25 years of
experience, the chef is excited to present her vision to all
of Next Door Bistro’s guests and the caring and committed
staff will ensure that you have a fantastic dining experience.
Many of the fresh ingredients used in the bistro are purchased
locally. Serving breakfast and lunch, the restaurant is also
available for private events: weddings, business lunches,
dinners, cocktail receptions, and more. Located at 219 S
Garnett Street in Henderson, contact Next Door Bistro at
(252)-572-2693 to see how they can be a part of your next
event. Operating hours are Monday - Friday: 7am - 3pm,
Saturday: Closed, Sunday: 10 am - 2pm.

Meet Me in the Street Concerts Set

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host another season of “Meet Me in the Street”, a series of
concerts offered free to the local community. Presenting Sponsor for this year’s events is NC Towing & Recovery.
The first concert for the year will be held on Thursday, May 3rd and will feature “The Konnection Band”. This band is a local favorite
and is one of the East Coast’s premiere party bands, specializing in a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R & B, Beach and
Oldies.
The second concert is set for Thursday, June 14th and will
host “The Castaways”. A reputable band known throughout the
South, The Castaways posses over fifty years of experience in the
beach music industry. From it’s beginning in Durham, NC in 1961,
The Castaways have been pleasing audiences with their unique
flavor of Beach, Soul, and Rock N’ Roll for generations of fans.
With 8 members on stage, The Castaways bring a full sound that
includes live horns, versatile vocals covering a variety of music and
high energy. Don’t be surprised if you hear some current country,
Top-40, or a little southern-rock as well!
The third and final concert of the season is on Thursday,
September 27th and will feature “Liquid Pleasure”. After more
than two decades of bringing audiences to their feet, this band has
become a multi-cultural icon. Veteran member Melvin Farrington
says “We love being in touch with people like us, who love a
variety of good music, and appreciate hearing it performed live”.
Liquid Pleasure presents a mix of Oldies, Beach Music and Disco.
In addition to the live music and dancing, a kids section will also
be included this year. So bring the whole family for an evening of
food, friends and fun!
Sponsors for this years concert series are: Duke Energy and
Maria Parham Health - Gold Sponsors; BB&T, Mars Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC #6091 - Silver
Sponsors; and 3hc, Benchmark Community Bank, Carolina Sunrock, Express Employment Professionals, Henderson-Vance Downtown
Development Commission and Waste Industries - Bronze Sponsors. Contributing Sponsors are CenturyLink, Coastal Federal Credit
Union, Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission, Hoyle’s Tire & Axle, NC Motorsports Park and Woodforest Bank.
Promotional Sponsors are Brewer Cycles, Fidelity Bank, Satterwhite Point Marina, Servpro and Union Bank.
All concerts are free to the public and will be held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting the Chamber at 438-8414 or jay@hendersonvance.org.

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Guardian ad Litem
On March 16th, the Chamber held a ribbon cutting for
the Guardian ad Litem program. The North Carolina
Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program equips community
volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by
advocating for their best interests in court. Since the
program was established in 1983, trained community
volunteers have worked alongside GAL staff and attorneys
to ensure judges have information and recommendations
needed to make the best decisions for children, who are
before our state’s abuse, neglect and dependency courts.
The NC GAL Program, which is part of the Administrative
Office of the Court, exists in every county throughout the
state. 235 children were represented by 89 GAL volunteers
in Judicial District 9 during FY 2016-2017. Imagine what
it would be like to lose your parents, not because of
something you did, but because they cannot or will not
take care of you. GAL volunteers watch over and advocate
for these children to make sure they don’t get lost in the
legal system or languish in out-of-home care. They stay
with each case until it is closed and for many children, their
GAL volunteer advocate will be their one constant adult
presence. Interactive training is provided locally by staff.
Community members are invited to consider becoming
involved. Information is available through the office in
Vance County 252/430-5121 or https://volunteerforgal.org/
menus/district-9.html

Springs Holistic Center, Inc.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Springs Holistic
Center on Monday, March 5th. Springs is a safe haven for
children and adolescents ages 5-19 and their immediate
family members. They offer life changing therapeutic tools
to heal and change families, by treating the entire family as
the client. Considering the mind, body, and spirit, Springs
provides mental health counseling and other services based
on a holistic individualized plan (which includes nutrition,
fitness, financial planning, tutoring, extra-curricular activities,
and parenting classes) to achieve its vision of empowered
children, balanced families, and healthy minds.
They are located at 425 S. Chestnut Street in Henderson. To
reach Springs Holistic Center, call them at 252-228-5888,
email change@thespringscenter.com or visit them on the web
at http://www.thespringscenter.com.

United Way of Vance County

The United Way of Vance County officially opened its
new office location on February 28, with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony. Members of the United Way of Vance County
Board of Directors were present for the ribbon-cutting. They
were joined by Curtis and Daniel White of W.W. Properties
and Rentals, which has worked with the board members to
provide the new office location, and Anthony and Gail Hatchel,
owners and operators of Kerr Lake Cornhole and Vinyl
Graphics, which provided the new sign for the building.
United Way Board of Directors in attendance for the event
included: Jane Haithcock, first vice president; Heidi Owen,
secretary/treasurer; Terri Hedrick, past president; and
members Michael Burns, Tommy Haithcock, Jessica West,
Marvin Williams and Nancy Wykle. Board members who were
unable to attend include: Dr. Shauna Guthrie, second vice
president; Jeffrey Allen; Charisse Lassiter; Donna Stearns;
and Gwen Williams. Those shown in the photo include, front
row from left, Jay Andrews, Michael Burns, Terri Hedrick, Jane
Haithcock, Heidi Owen, Marvin Williams, Tommy Haithcock
and John Barnes. On the back row, from left, are Anthony

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Hatchel, Gail Hatchel, Jessica West, Curtis White and Daniel
White.

ribbon cuttings other events

focus member news chamber briefs

Garden Gate Villas

On Friday, February 16, the Henderson-Vance County
Chamber of Commerce had a ribbon cutting for Garden
Gate Villas. Garden Gate Villas is a 56 unit senior apartment
home community. It is part of the LIHTC affordable housing
program and the goal is to provide quality, secure and
attractive housing for households below the median income
for that area. Garden Gate Villas offers 1 and 2 bedroom
units, with energy efficient refrigerator, range, dishwasher
and washer & dryer connections. The apartment homes have
open floor plans with a spacious private patio and additional
outdoor storage. The community boasts of many amenities
such as secured entry, elevator, game and craft room library,
computer center, fitness center and more. If you have interest
in Garden Gate Villas please call Terry at 252-430-1961 for
more information.

Thanks to our 2018

Chamber Champions

Chamber Partners

Chamber Patrons Chamber Contributor

Chamber
Advocate

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Administrative Professionals Day

Luncheon to be in Oxford this year
The Chambers of Commerce for Franklin, Granville, Henderson-Vance, and Warren counties along with the Vance-Granville
Community College Small Business Center will sponsor a luncheon honoring Administrative Professionals on Wednesday, April 25
beginning at noon. The event will take place at Thorndale Oaks, 105 West Quail Ridge Road in Oxford.
Guest speaker for the event will be Allison S. Capps, Assistant District Attorney, 9th Prosecutorial District. Reservations are limited,
so please RSVP to 252-438-8414 or info@hendersonvance.org by Wednesday, April 18th. Cost is $20 per person and the menu includes
Tomato Bisque, Assorted wraps, to include Chicken Caesar, Oriental Chicken, and others, Fresh Fruit Salad or House Chopped Salad,
Assorted Brownies and Cookies and Tea and water.
The first National Secretaries Week was organized in 1952 in conjunction with the United States Department of Commerce and various
office supply and equipment manufacturers. The Wednesday of that week became known as National Secretaries Day. As the organization
gained international recognition, the events became known as Professional Secretaries Week® and Professional Secretaries Day®. In 2000,
the names of the week and the day were changed to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace
with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of the modern administrative workforce. Many work environments across the world
observe this event.

2018 Leadership Vance Underway

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce kicked off its 201 Leadership Vance Program with an orientation breakfast at
VanceGranville Community College on February 7 followed by its team building and challenge course retreat on February 23 at the Fred
G. Bond Metro Park.
The Leadership Vance program is designed to inform, challenge and educate participants on the opportunities and needs of the
community and to strengthen their leadership skills while teaching about the social, economic, and political dynamics that shape our
community. The intensive training and exposure to all aspects of the community will provide participants with the historical background
and the skills necessary for civic and community positions. The program is ultimately designed to create a group of informed and
dedicated leaders who will contribute to the community.
Participants are exposed to various aspects of
Henderson and Vance County, specifically in regard to city
and county government, health and community resources,
economic development, agriculture and natural resources,
history and media and criminal justice and law.
Participants in this year’s class include: Mary Ann
Avery, Resource Developmental Director - Boys and
Girls Club of North Central NC; Ronald Bennett,
Director of Transportation - Variety Wholesalers;
Candice Braxton, Branch Manager - Union Bank; Dr.
Jacqueline Crosson, Assistant Principal - Pinkston Street
Elementary School; Rex A. Crouse (Adam), Asst. Director
of Clinical Practice - 3 HC; Tia Dixon, Administrative
Support Specialist - City of Henderson; Turner Pride,
County Extension Director - Vance County Cooperative
Extension; Christopher Reid, Compliance, Safety and
Asset Protection Manager - Walmart DC 6091; Trey
Snide, Sales Account Manager – WIZS; Jennifer Williams,
Asst. Tax Administrator - Vance County Tax office; Lisa
M. Falkner, Vance County Emergency - Management/Emergency; Monay Grant, Customer Relations Specialist - 3HC;
Dennis Jarvis, Director - Henderson-Vance County Economic Development; Christine Nguyen, Managing Editor - The Daily

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Dispatch; Hunter Peyton, Market President - BB&T
Not pictured are Trey Snide and Dennis Jarvis.
member news chamber briefs
 Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
414 S. Garnett Street, PO Box 1302, Henderson, NC 27536
PHONE: 252.438.8414 FAX: 252.492.8989
www.hendersonvance.org
2018 CHAMBER OFFICERS
Mel Manning Chair 2018 CHAMBER AMBASSADORS
Nancy Wykle First Vice-Chair
Hunter Peyton Second Vice-Chair/Treasurer Michael Bobbitt Individual
Susan Rogers Immediate Past Chair Cheryl Elman Dave Elman Hypnosis Institute
Shannon Gwynn West Hills Veterinary Center
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Freda Hawley Walmart Distribution Center #6091
2016-2018
Julia Langston Kerr Lake Country Club
Hunter Peyton BB&T
Tonya Moore KARTS
Brian Boyd Charles Boyd Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC,
Clareese Moss Shortcakes
Tammy Care Maria Parham Health
Pam Norwood Magnolia Management, LLC
Phil Hart Dataforge
Javier M. Plummer Vance County EMS
Phillip Hight Engine Masters
Joan Robinson Kittrell Job Corps Center
Larry Mathiot CenturyLink
Kimberly Robinson Rosemyr Corporation/AA Self Storage
Hal Muetzel Express Employment Professionals
Val Short Triangle North Healthcare Foundation
Chip Watkins Rose Oil Company
2017-2019
Tyler Brewer Brewer Cycles
Kim Jordan Fidelity Bank
Mel Manning Quality Investments
Jeff Wagner Walmart Distribution Center #6091
2018-2020
CHAMBER STAFF
John Barnes President
Dr. Levy Brown Vance-Granville Community College
Jay Andrews Director of Membership
Tanya Evans Duke Enerty
Sheri Jones Communications Consultant
Angie Jacobs Carolina Country Snacks
Vanessa Jones Work First Coordinator
Nancy Wykle The Daily Dispatch
Tammy Manning Director of Finance
Susan Rogers Chick-fil-A
Sandra Wilkerson Director of Administration & Events
Zack Satterwhite Caralina Sunrock
EX-OFFICIO DIRECTORS
Mission Statement
Tommy Hester Chair, Vance County
Board of Commissionerss
Dennis Jarvis Director, Vance County
Economic Development Commission
Phil Hart Chair, Henderson-Vance Downtown Development The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce rep-
Commission resents the interests of the business community in those matters
Dr. Stelfanie Williams President, Vance-Granville that affect the ability of local businesses to prosper and grow,
Community College
Eddie Ellington Mayor, City of Henderson and the ability of Henderson and Vance County to attract new
Dr. Anthony Jackson Superintendent, Vance County Schools businesses.
Marcus Barrow Chief, Henderson Police Department
Bert Beard President/CEO, Maria Parham Health
Paul Ross Executive Director, Henderson Family YMCA
Susan Rogers Immediate Past Chair - Chamber Board

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