Public Policy Committee
An important part of Chamber membership is awareness and advocacy on matters of public policy that directly impact Charlottesville and Albemarle County. The Chamber strives to raise key issues as an honest broker and constructively provide a crucial business perspective to many challenges and opportunities in our community.
The Public Policy Committee serves as a legislative and regulatory think tank for the Chamber Board of Directors and the many roundtables and councils of the Chamber, to help inform the organization’s advocacy efforts and initiatives. The committee also reviews legislative action and, when necessary, recommends action to the Chamber Board of Directors. Only the Board of Directors can decide whether the Chamber will take a formal position on issues of public policy. The Public Policy Committee and Chamber of Commerce DO NOT endorse candidates for office.
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Leadership
Chair: Mariane Doyle, McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia
Executive Committee:
Kara Chandeysson, Ting
Nick Digiorgio, United Bank
Chris Engel, City of Charlottesville Office of Economic Development (Ex Officio)
Lorri Haney, Advanced Network Systems Inc
Charles Hartgrove, Virginia Institute of Government (VIG), UVA Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service
Rebecca Ivins, Hourigan
Todd Rowley, Old Dominion National Bank
Jennifer Siciliano, UVA Health
John Spilman, LUMOS
Neil Williamson, Free Enterprise Forum
Rudy Fernandez, Northrop Grumman
Courtney Cacatian, Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau
With questions regarding this group, please contact Andrea Copeland, Chief Operating Officer.
Public Policy Focus Areas
The Chamber believes in a thriving regional economy and a balanced approach to decision-making. The Board of Directors, under advisement from the Chamber’s Public Policy Committee, has endorsed the following five focus areas for our organization’s advocacy efforts.
1. Economic Vitality
We will advocate for expanding economic opportunities to improve the quality of life for current and future residents.
2. Education/Workforce training
We support efforts to attract, build and retain a well-educated, well-trained workforce to maximize the effectiveness of our business community and retain businesses.
3. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We support policies and programs that break down barriers to change, provide fair and equitable access to economic opportunities and resources, and encourage community collaboration and inclusiveness.
4. Infrastructure
We support consistent maintenance and ongoing improvements of critically needed infrastructure to enable businesses to succeed. We also welcome new and advanced infrastructure that supports the future growth of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
5. Contemporaneous regional/statewide issues affecting Chamber members
We seek broad regional cooperation among Chambers and other business advocates to advocate collectively with a common voice, both for short-term issues and longer-term plans that fit within the Chamber’s mission.