Goochland County Chamber of Commerce

Archive for the ‘Chamber News’ Category

The Goochland County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution at its regularly scheduled June 1 meeting honoring Doris Elderman for her longtime service to the business community.  Elderman stepped down from her post as the Chamber’s Executive Director May 31 to devote more time to her ailing father. 

Elderman had been in the job for more than five years.   The Goochland Chamber represents nearly 300 firms.

2010 Board of Directors

“She understands and appreciates the challenges of businesses, and she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the mission and goals of the Chamber.  We look forward to having her on the job,” said Paul Miller, President

Bonnie Creasy

The Board of Directors of the Goochland County Chamber of Commerce named retired insurance executive Bonnie D. Creasy as its Executive Director, on June 1.  

Bonnie Creasy, a Goochland resident and the former owner of Classic Insurance Services LLC, replaces Doris T. Elderman.  Doris resigned May 31 after more than five years in the position.  

Bonnie founded Classic Insurance Services in Manakin-Sabot in 2000.  During the subsequent 10 years she established a successful business with six employees. She sold her firm earlier this year. Classic Insurance Services continues to operate and serve its clients well. 

Prior to launching Classic Insurance Services, Bonnie was employed at Hargrove Insurance Agency in Glen Allen, where she specialized in aviation insurance.  

Bonnie is a former member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. 

“She understands and appreciates the challenges faced by small businesses, and she has demonstrated a strong commitment to the mission and goals of the Chamber.  We look forward to having her on the job.” -Paul Miller 

The Goochland County Chamber of Commerce challenged GHS’s Digital Visualization class to come up with a creative image that would become the chamber’s newest campaign “Goochland’s Got It”* marketing logo.

The talented work submitted by the students made the voting by the Chamber’s Marketing & Communications Committee quite difficult, but in the end, only one prevailed.

Senior student William Davis’ art work was selected from all 26 entries for its originality, simplicity and well conveyed message “Goochland’s got the sun and trees and everything in between…”

On Friday May 21, Chamber President Doris Elderman, Chair of the Marketing & Comm. Committee Nora Ramsdell, Co-Chair Libby Clark, and Member Angela Carter visited the school to present William Davis with his Award of Creativity and a $100 Gift Card from Walmart.

L-R: Angela Carter, Nora Ramsdell, Doris Elderman, William Davis, Kimberly Berry

The class was pleasantly surprised and genuinely happy for William. 

They all agreed it was very well deserved and Ms. Kimberly Berry was very appreciative of the opportunity for the class to work on a “real life” project.  This class was the same class featured on a Gazette March article for their contribution of local buildings’ three-dimensional images to Google Earth.

After the presentation the chamber celebrated the occasion with pizza for lunch with the students.

“We are very pleased to have shared this experience with our local students and with the results we got from it. We wish all of them much success on their future endeavors and we look forward to a successful ‘Goochland’s Got It’ campaign with the help of William’s art work.” – Nora Ramsdell

*“Goochland’s Got It” is the Chamber’s newest campaign to help promote the community’s assets such as local merchants, leisure attractions, business opportunities and local activities.

Photo Credit: Libby Clark Photography

Saying good-bye is never easy, espcially to a person as influential as Doris. But we are greatful to have had her for the time she served as our director, mentor and friend.  The Chamber is what it is today because of her and we look forward to much success as we grow!

Thank you much for all you did Doris, we love you! – Nora Ramsdell

Member to Member Discounts!

Interested in offering special offers or discounts to other members? Visit the Member Discounts Pgm page and submit your Business Name, Description & Phone Number. No cost to participate.

Advertising Opportunity!

The Chamber is now offering the opportunity to advertise in 4 consecutive Goldrush newsletters (over 300 mailed) and 12 monthly e-news circulations (over 200 emailed). Cost to participate is $100 for a business card-size ad. Call the office 556-3811 for additional information. Download Order Form

Improving quality of life is an aspiration common to all of us, regardless of our political persuasion. I’ve come to appreciate over the years the vital role that chambers of commerce play in enhancing the quality of life in a community. It is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve a good quality of life without the support of a healthy and thriving business community.

As I begin my year as your president, I am focused on ways that your chamber can help maintain, and perhaps even improve, the excellent quality of life that we all enjoy in our county. My predecessor, Wayne Dementi, has already pointed us in the right direction through his tourism initiative and our chamber’s ongoing work with the public schools.

There’s more that we can do. I welcome your ideas. Let me hear from you.

Paul Miller

The Chamber would like to thank Goochland Farm Bureau for the telephone system that they donated to the Goochland County Chamber of Commerce and Brewer Communications for installing the system and providing the office with lessons on how to use the system!