"A Century of Achievement;" - what an honor to be selected by my Chamber colleagues to serve as Chair the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2013 - our Chamber's 100th year of building enterprise and our Greater Charlottesville community. Thank you!

As we complete our first century and embark upon our second century, our Chamber's dedication to representing private enterprise, promoting business and enhancing the quality of life in our Greater Charlottesville communities is as strong as it has ever been. Our strong, century-long Chamber foundation of remarkable members and leadership is the key. Our Chamber's first century, which began on April 18, 1913, saw our Chamber at the center of:

· Founding of the American Red Cross - Central Virginia Chapter (1917);

· Assisting the early success of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (1923);

· Founding the United Way - Thomas Jefferson Area (1943);

· Identifying, surveying and advancing the site for the Charlottesville Albemarle Airport (1947);

· Envisioning and securing business support for the Charlottesville Downtown Mall (1959-1970s);

· Creating the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau (1970s);

· Establishing "Leadership Charlottesville" (1982);

· Helping to build the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development (1996);

· Leading the way for the US29 Corridor Trees (1990s); and, just this past year,

· Establishing a broad-based five-chamber regional chamber affiliation, with more than 1,300 member and affiliate member enterprises.

Businesses and civic organizations are Chamber members: 1) to build their enterprises, and, 2) to build our community. We are committed to advancing a vibrant business community and our overall civic community. This commitment is stronger when we work together, building upon our individual efforts. We have a history of making meaningful impacts on our community; with your engagement, we will continue that legacy of service.

Two cornerstones of our Chamber are member services and advocacy. Our member services span a broad spectrum. Our thoughtful, facts-based advocacy is focused on business and non-profit sustainability and business growth. In all that we do, the needs of our members are always our chief concern.

I thank my Chamber colleagues for entrusting me with our Chamber's stewardship in this our 100th year. I look forward to working with you during 2013 and beyond to meet our challenges and opportunities and continue to help make our Greater Charlottesville community a wonderful place to live and work. Thank you.

Valerie Long, Esquire, Williams Mullen

2013 Chair of the Chamber Board of Directors