Goochland County Chamber of Commerce

Archive for the ‘Business Highlight’ Category

The FURternity Pet Spa held a charity event “Grooming For Goochland” benefitting the Goochland Food Pantry on Sunday February 28th. With 3 employees, 6 volunteers and over 15 dogs, the event was a huge success. The grooming event included bathing, nail clipping, ear cleaning, cologne, bandannas and of course lots of love and attention! Breeds included Beagles, Labrador Retrievers, Springer Spaniels, Labradoodles, Pugs, Irish Setters, Australian Shepherds and many more! If the owners brought in canned goods with their pets they received 15 % OFF their total grooms, a 10% OFF coupon for future groom services, and the satisfaction of helping people in their own community. The event raised a total of $400 dollars and two large boxes of canned goods.

WOW, now that’s something to bark about! If you or someone you know would be interested in signing up for the next “Grooming For Goochland” event to help a organization or person in the community contact The FURternity at 804-457-4850 or go to www.thefurternityspa.com  and send an email. A special thanks goes out to all those who helped make the event a success!

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College has been awarded a $720,000 U.S. Department of Energy grant for the development of a new Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Career Studies Certificate. The new program will focus on electric vehicles; plug in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles.

Today’s vehicles are increasingly complex, as manufacturers design them to operate with sophisticated electric drive systems that provide for increased energy efficiency and employ “green” technology. As these new systems are incorporated into vehicles, service facilities must deal with developing and maintaining a supply of qualified techni-cians. Unfortunately, traditional college automotive programs do not cover these emerging technologies. Some manufacturer training exists in these areas, but it is limited in scope and not available to independent repair facilities. This new program will provide a source of trained tech-nicians in addition to providing educational opportunities in these new technologies for existing technicians.

“This grant will allow JSRCC to maintain its position of pro-viding leading edge automotive technology to our students. As manufac-tures move toward electric propulsion vehicles, JSRCC will be able to provide highly qualified graduates for these emerging technologies. By providing the courses in a distance learning format, the reach of the pro-gram will be national in scope,” said Bob Heinz, Ph.D., JSRCC Dean of the School of Business and Engineering Technologies.

In addition to including instruction on electric vehicles, plug in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles, the program will offer an advanced electronics course focusing on electronic control sys-tems for electric drive vehicles.

Vernell Mills Burton, lifetime resident, of Goochland County, shares some of her favorite childhood memories growing up in “God’s Country”, as her father Arnold called it. Vernell grew up on her family’s farm near the Henrico County line, with three sisters and a brother. As a child she would often pack a lunch and spend the day exploring the countryside with her cousin Charles (Valentine) on their ponies. Vernell remembers climbing the fire tower across from her Uncle John’s farm and looking out over the treetops for miles.

Today, rooftops have replaced many of the trees, as her Uncle John’s farm is now in the center of bustling Short Pump. Vernell watched as her own family’s farm and property were developed with new homes, as well.

“Goochland is growing, and changing as new families and friends enter the community”. This is an exciting time for Vernell, as she welcomes the opportunity to share her vast knowledge of Goochland County with clients interested in purchasing homes, farms, and land and with friends and family selling theirs. 45 years of experience in the Goochland real estate market give Vernell the experience clients count on when making difficult real estate decisions. Though we are in a tough market, Vernell remembers when mortgage rates climbed to 16 and 18%. “People couldn’t afford to buy at those rates”, she says.

Vernell became a realtor in 1964, a difficult time for women entering the profession. Vernell says, “When I began as a realtor we had to be sponsored by a broker. Being a woman made it hard to find a sponsor”.  Vernell was fortunate to have the opportunity to work for the Weinstein family for nine years, then for Morton Thalhimer.  In 1974 Vernell and two associates formed Triangle Realty, located first in Henrico County’s Koger Executive Center, then western Henrico County, in the Tuckahoe Village Offices.

After enjoying many years of success as a Real Estate broker and agent, Vernell decided to move her business closer to home. The growth in Goochland County allowed her the opportunity to use her lifetime knowledge to assist clients in her own community. 

Today, Goochland Realty, located in Manakin-Sabot, is conveniently located at the intersection on Broad Street and Hockett Road at 1601 Hockett Road. This location was originally home to Centerville Market, one of the first grocery stores in Goochland County.  Old timers remember the market fondly as the community center of Centerville. The once bustling grocery store, owned and operated by William Burton, Vernell’s husband, downsized to a convenience store in the late 80’s.  With this change to selling mostly prepared foods, Vernell became a pastry and dessert chef along with her real estate career. Since cooking is one of her many talents it seemed only natural when Vernell opened The Countryside Gourmet Restaurant. She enjoyed the restaurant business, but found her vision of imported gourmet foods and wines ahead of its time.

The experience was a lot of fun and hard work, nothing new for Vernell. After juggling her responsibilities in the community, her family, and business, Vernell decided to commit more time to her real estate career. She now shares the building with The Sunset Grill Restaurant. This allows her more time to attend events in the Goochland community.

Vernell joined The Goochland Chamber of Commerce when it was formed, and attends networking events whenever possible. She speaks highly of Doris Elderman; Executive Director of the Chamber. Vernell feels the Chamber is an invaluable resource for Goochland businesses. Pamela and Randall, Vernell’s children, are business owners and members as well. Pamela is a graphic artist, and designer of the Goochland Chamber of Commerce logo. Randall has a heating and air conditioning company serving Goochland residents and businesses, as well.

In addition to real estate and her family, Vernell’s years of service to the Goochland community is extensive. She served in dozens of volunteer positions, including six years as Director and President of The Chamber of Commerce, nine years as Director of the Goochland Historical Society and Christmas Mother in the early 90’s.

When asked about her time away from work and the community Vernell offers fascinating details of her ventures pursuing personal interests. Vernell is an avid gardener. She and William spend time traveling extensively to tour gardens all over the world. She describes her home and gardens at Oakley; circa 1834. The gardens at Oakley contain over 200 varieties of daylilies, as well as an extensive collection of native plants. She and William restored Oakley in the mid 80’s, before buying and restoring the last standing Lockkeeper’s house in Virginia. The Lockkeeper’s house, located on Cedar Point Road, is an amazing historic remnant of the original James River Canal System. It was built in 1834, and was used for overnight guests traveling upriver.

Vernell is a wealth of information when it comes to talking about Goochland County’s history. Her passion for the community is exciting and interesting!

    It would be hard to find a part of Goochland County that has not been touched in some way by Lawrence Nuckols. Except for nine months during the 1961 Berlin Crisis when he was stationed in Ft. Campbell, Ky., as part of the National Guard, he has lived and worked within a few miles of his birthplace on Ashland Road. And over the years, he has served as a leader in a number of the County’s business and civic organizations.  In 1955, when he was in the eighth grade, Nuckols got a job working at what is now the Centerville Exxon Station on Broad Street Road.  In 1960, a year after graduating and marrying his high school sweetheart, Anne, he bought the station. At the time it was the only service station in the area and had two bays. Nuckols expanded the station, adding state auto inspections and more bays, which he rented out. At one point during the 29 years he owned the business, he had 14 employees.

    Always a supporter of the high school’s work-study program, Nuckols included students among his employees. The work offered a great opportunity for them to hone their math skills. “Today, computerized cash registers tell you how much change to give back,” he says. “But back then, kids had to know how to count to make change.”

During the sixties, Nuckols recalls, he had a separate set of tanks where he sold Crown gas instead of Exxon. He called it Nuckol’s Mother Goose Regular and Mother Goose Hi-Test and sold it for about 6 cents less a gallon. He also remembers the mass confusion brought on by the gas shortages during the 1970s. Exxon allocated him a percent of what he had received the previous year, and he had to buy the rest on the open market. “Prices were crazy,” he says.

     Over the years, the station moved from full-service to self serve. Nuckols sold the station in 1989 but still works there part-time doing state inspections. He has dabbled in real estate and also raises beef cattle, at one time having 100-head.

     Anne and Lawrence are active members of St. Matthews Church. From 1971 to 1991, Nuckols served on the Goochland County Board of Supervisors. Prior to that, he was elected to serve as magistrate for eight years. He has also served with the Goochland County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association and is a long-time member of the Goochland County Chamber of Commerce.

    As chairman of the board of the Bank of Goochland, Nuckols was instrumental in choosing its location at the corner of Broad and Manakin Road. He was one of the founders of the former Bank of the James and served on its board, as well as that of its successor, Commerce Bank. Although he has seen a lot of changes in the area over the decades, Nuckols believes that good planning helps make growth a positive for the county.

During their travels to various conventions, Nuckols and his wife Anne noticed that some of the prettiest areas they flew over were the golf courses. Instead of putting a residential development on the pastures surrounding their home, Anne convinced her husband to develop a golf course. Today they enjoy overlooking the rolling fairways of the Sycamore Creek Golf Course, one of two public courses in Goochland County. 

    When asked what achievement he is most proud of, Nuckols answers: his family. In April 2010, he and Anne will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Anne’s family also has strong roots in Goochland County. Her grandfather owned the old Ellis’ Store at Broad and Manakin Road, as well as the land on which Sycamore Creek is located. The Nuckols have two daughters, Penny, a medical transcriptionist, and Sandi, a hair stylist. Both live on the Nuckols family place on Ashland Road and between them, have given Lawrence and Anne four grandsons. Two are now young men in their twenties, but the younger two are ages two and four.

Sam A. Smith, Senior Consultant with Dominion Benefits says there are three things he never thought he would see. A lifelong resident of Goochland County, he never thought he would be able to see the lights of a big business like Dominion Chevrolet from his front yard; he never thought he would see Broad Street Road become a four lane divided highway in front of his house; and he never thought he would see Route 288 completed.

 Smith may be surprised at how quickly these changes have come about, but the challenges of balancing a love and appreciation for the rural nature of the county with the needs of a growing population and business community are not new to him.

 A charter member of the Goochland County Chamber of Commerce and its first President, he remembers that it was difficult to convince some area businesses that an organization like the Chamber of Commerce would be beneficial to them. About 10 to 15 people came together to start the Chamber in 1979, including Smith, Bill Nelson, Frank Mealy, Frank Taylor and Garland Toney. They met at the Goochland High School for the first six months, and worried that no one would come to the first annual dinner because they were charging $8 a plate. In fact, close to 60 members and guest came that night and today the Chamber has over 400 members. Attendance at last year’s annual dinner at Luck Stone’s new corporate headquarters topped 220. Smith says the first Executive Director, Marian Elam, who served for 25 years, was a great cheerleader and helped establish a strong foundation for the organization. Today’s Executive Director, Doris Elderman, has built on that foundation and broadened the programs, increased membership and set the stage for its future growth.

Smith comes by his business acumen naturally. His parents ran three different businesses in Goochland County: the Bohemia Service Station and Forrest’s Tavern on Route 6, and Smith’s Motel on Route 250. “I spent my life there mowing grass every Saturday during the summer,” says Smith about the motel, which was one of three in Goochland at the time.

After graduating from Goochland High School, Smith went to work for Seaboard Coast Line Railroad and also served in the United States Marine Corps 2nd Marine Air Wing from 1968 – 1972. In 1976, he leased the old Ellis’ Store building in Centerville at the corner of Broad and Manakin Road and opened Smith’s General Store, which sold everything from cupcakes to horse feed. After 10 years he sold that location and opened a hardware store in the Broadview Shopping center located across the street. Smith and his wife, Bobbie, kept that business until 1992, when it was also sold.  

He took most of that year off, and then responded to his friend Lloyd Hick’s invitation to enter the life and health insurance business with Life Insurance Company of Georgia. Smith joined Kennedy, Partridge & Associates in 1995 which started his career in the employee benefits field. Kennedy Partridge and Associates merged with Dominion Benefits in 2005. Located in Innsbrook, Dominion Benefits develops benefit plans customized to fit each client organization’s culture, philosophy, objectives and competitive environment.

In addition, Dominion Benefits has developed a patented analytic system to evaluate employer health plans for its clients which include Ukrop’s Supermarkets, the University of Richmond and the Christian Children’s Fund.

As a Senior Consultant with hands-on experience as a businessman, Smith specializes in the administration of small and mid size employer benefit plans, and is a Chartered Life Underwriter, a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Registered Employee Benefits Consultant and a Registered Investment Advisor.

To get to work, Smith travels through the booming commercial development of Short Pump, and says he is sometimes surprised by the changes he sees. Smith is full of stories about how things used to be in Goochland. He can tell you about the Tri State Gang gangsters Robert Mais and Walter Legenza, who ran Forrest’s Tavern and Club Forrest on Route 6. He remembers when he was a boy how John Storosky used his expertise in setting dynamite to help them blow stumps off what is now Whippoorwill Road in Samary Forest, and the thrill of lighting the fuse and running for cover. And he can tell you about all the travelers and truckers that used to pass through Centerville before I-64 was completed. He can share many stories of his years as an active member of the Goochland Vol. Fire-Rescue Department, Inc. of which he is now a Lifetime member.

Hopefully, Smith will write it all down some day for his granddaughter, Samantha Elizabeth Smith, who he describes as “his eyeballs.”

He also admits that the changes haven’t all been bad. “I like the rural character of Goochland County even though I know that growth is inevitable,” Smith says, “but I do enjoy the closer conveniences we have today, too.” Sam can be reached at ssmith@DominionBenefits.com or by phone at 804-747-5300 ext. 310.

Handcraft Homes, LLC is building one of the first homes under the USGBC’s LEED for Homes program. When Handcraft Homes was founded in 2002 by brothers Wayne and Richard Grebe, a commitment to quality was foremost in their minds. This is reflected by the company’s slogan, quality, value, attention to detail. “This was the main reason we entered into the building business”, stated Wayne Grebe, President and CEO of Handcraft Homes. “We looked around at the homes being built and said, we can do better”, stated Wayne. Because Handcraft Homes has always been commit-ted to quality, stepping into the green arena was a natural progression.

Wayne and Richard Grebe both have completed training with Earth Craft House of Virginia, a local company providing green education, training and certifications. A member of the U.S. and James River Green Building Councils, Handcraft Homes is continually reassessing their methods and materials.

When asked why he thinks green building is important, Richard Grebe, the V.P. and Operations Manager of Handcraft Homes, said, “I believe green building practices are essential to the betterment of the standards of health, of individuals and the environment, not to mention the long-term financial benefits of homeowners. I would like to someday say, ‘I helped thousands of builders and home buyers build a home with a better planet stewardship in mind.” If you would like further information please contact wGrebe@HandcraftHomes.net