Merger Approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

 

 
Prince William Chamber of Commerce
Press Release
For Immediate Release              
Date:  July 7, 2010                                
        
Contact: Andrea Whaley; Associate Director of Communications
   Prince William Chamber of Commerce
   awhaley@pwcgmcc.org, 703-753-7436
                                                           
                                                                                                             
 
Merger Approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission
Prince William Chamber of Commerce is official as of July 2nd
 
The merger of the Prince William Regional and the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chambers of Commerce was approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) on July 2, 2010. Approval by the SCC was the final legal step in forming the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, the unified voice for business in Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
 
Following the June 17th vote by members of the former Prince William Regional and the Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chambers of Commerce to approve a merger of the two organizations, paperwork was immediately filed with the State Corporation Commission. The approval of the merger creates the single organization, the Prince William Chamber of Commerce. Both of the former Chambers have been dissolved into the new, unified organization, which will include the best attributes of each. The new Chamber will be the largest chamber of commerce in Northern Virginia.
 
Todd House, Co-Chair of the Prince William Chamber, described the merger as a step forward for the entire Prince William community. “With this merger, our community now has a united voice advocating for a strong economy and vibrant quality of life in Prince William, allowing us to have a larger presence in Northern Virginia,” said House. 
 
“I am excited by the opportunities this presents for local businesses. The Prince William Chamber will offer expanded benefits and resources to companies of all sizes and types, with access to more networking forums, informative business seminars and community outreach activities,” said Molly Grove, Co-Chair of the Prince William Chamber. She noted that special councils will enable Chamber members to meet along common industry lines and areas of interest, including groups for small businesses, young professionals and government contractors. 
 
Members seemed to echo the positive sentiments shared by Chamber leadership. 
 
“I believe that the merger of the two Chambers has created an enhanced business environment for those companies and organizations located in and around Prince William.  Three overriding benefits are:  a vibrant new Chamber with the resources to reach across the entire region and into those communities to our north, south, and west; a larger membership base to provide more opportunities for networking and teaming; and an advocacy organization whose size demands attention from government agencies and business,” said Dave Grover, CEO of Washington Square Associates.
 
“One Prince William Chamber will provide all members with additional opportunities to prosper…I am excited,” said Greg S. Ellwood, managing partner/owner of Sunbelt Business Brokers of Northern Virginia.  
 
The more than 1,800 member organizations of the two former Chambers have now become “founding members” of the Prince William Chamber, in recognition of the significant role that these business leaders played in making the merger a success. 
 
The new organization has already begun to build upon the expertise of the staff of the two former Chambers, with Debbie Jones, president of the now-dissolved Prince William County-Greater Manassas Chamber and Laurie Wieder, president of the now-dissolved Prince William Regional Chamber serving in executive management positions. A search for a CEO for the Prince William Chamber of Commerce is underway. 
 
“Our membership will be well-served by a united Chamber of Commerce,” said Wieder, “Immediate benefits include a greater network for members to rely on as they develop new customers, ideas and partnerships. Over time, area enterprises will enjoy the benefits that come from a strong business voice that can empower members to shape an even more vibrant economy and quality of life in Prince William.”
 
“The new Prince William Chamber will allow us to serve members on a new level. We will continue to offer the variety and quality of programming to which members are accustomed, but now they also can choose from an expanded offering of services and events located throughout the County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. With this merger, our members will be connected with business leaders throughout the region,” said Jones. 
 
According to Craig Max, an attorney with the law firm of Vanderpool, Frostick & Nishanian, PC, ‘’Filing with the SCC and receiving the State's approval for the merger was the final hurdle in a process that has involved many hours of hard work and planning by numerous volunteers as well the staffs of both of the former chambers. This transformation will allow for a unified message throughout Prince William. As of July 2, there no longer are two Chambers, but instead one Prince William Chamber of Commerce.” Max filed the necessary paperwork to see that the merger received State Corporation Commission approval.
 
Following the dissolution of the two former organizations, operations have already begun to merge with plans to operate from a central headquarters office in the next six months. Information on the Prince William Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.PWChamber.org.
 
 
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The Prince William Chamber of Commerce is an organization of more than 1,800 businesses and community organizations working together to sustain a strong, supportive business environment and high quality of life in Prince William County, the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park and the surrounding area. For further information regarding the Chamber call 703-368-6600 or visit www.pwchamber.org