Chamber Welcomes Melvin Burruss, Kirby Hutto, Christy Phillips to Board of Directors
Three new members joined the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in February.
Melvin Burruss, Kirby Hutto, and Christy Phillips have joined the Board, whose members are responsible for general governance, direction, finances, procedures and policy-making for the Chamber of Commerce.
“We have a tremendously talented, experienced and engaged Board of Directors,” said Board Chairman Pete Caramanis. “Out of a long list of potential Board candidates for 2019, Melvin, Kirby, and Christy rose to the top. We couldn’t be more pleased that all three have enthusiastically agreed to help shape the Chamber’s future direction at this critical time in Charlottesville’s history and help ensure the Chamber Board includes voices from diverse sectors of our business community.”
The Chamber Board of Directors includes 25 members serving three-year terms. Board candidates are selected based on their personal talents, experience and enthusiasm for the work, as well as the need to represent a broad range of industries and backgrounds among the overall Board membership.
Attorney Melvin Burruss earned his Juris Doctorate (JD) from Florida State University College of Law as well as a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford University School of Business. His practice of law has focused primarily on personal bankruptcy law. He has extensive experience in the mortgage banking and investment fields, having worked for major Wall Street banking and investment firms. As an adjunct professor at the University of Texas-Arlington, he taught business and marketing management.
Burruss is the producer and host of the award-winning local cable television community program, The Neighborhood Law Center Inc. He is Vice-Chairman of the Chamber Business Diversity Council.
Kirby Hutto has been the General Manager of the Sprint Pavilion since construction of the downtown concert venue began in 2004. A longtime music promoter and supporter of the arts in Charlottesville, Hutto brings in regional and national performing artists that attract numerous visitors to the Charlottesville area each year. Hutto has served as a board member of the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau. He was recognized by CACVB with the 2018 Tourism Achievement Award for his many contributions and tireless work to “positively impact local commerce and elevate Charlottesville as a significant music destination in Virginia.”
Christy Phillips is the Chief Talent Officer for WillowTree, a mobile innovation agency that builds digital products for some of the world’s leading brands. She leads the team responsible for hiring the best talent from all over the country and creating a world-class employee experience.
Phillips says she feels fortunate to work for a company committed to creating an inclusive work environment, which has helped WillowTree earn national awards such as Fortune magazine’s and Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work lists. She holds a BS in Management Information Systems from the University of South Florida.
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to representing private enterprise, promoting business and enhancing the quality of life in the Greater Charlottesville communities. Founded in 1913, today the Chamber includes more than 1,300 member and affiliate member enterprises. Chamber members employ more than 45,000 people in the Greater Charlottesville region, representing an estimated total payroll of more than $1.9 billion a year.