| Chesterfield Chamber Launches Recognition Program | | | | in-ground and above ground pools, swim spas, and |
| By Kathleen Hall | | | | vinyl liners," Parks explained. She and her brother, who |
| And the winner is... Medallion Swim Pool Co. | | | | is company president, serve on many local boards. |
| Medallion Swim Pool Co. in Colonial Heights is the first | | | | "We hire a lot of youth as well," she added. " We like |
| winner of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce | | | | to help them get the right start in life, working and |
| Business of the Year award. The launch of this award | | | | working with the public." |
| program coincides, and was inspired by, the chamber's | | | | "The Chamber promotes business in the county, but |
| five-year anniversary. | | | | we also wanted to recognize people who do good for |
| "We thought it would be nice to have a banquet or big | | | | not-for-profit, people who go beyond," Kaufman said. |
| event to honor the occasion and it also made sense to | | | | the Citizen of the Year award goes to Laddie Kibiloski, |
| honor a business of the year for 2004," said event | | | | a long-time active member of Crime Solvers and a |
| committee member Sam Kaufman. "We thought we'd | | | | volunteer for numerous county-based organizations. |
| start a tradition." | | | | Chesterfield County residents Barry Lynch and |
| Vicki Parks, vice president of Medallion, is the inaugural | | | | Sergeant Gerald Landrum were also recognized with |
| winner. "We're really excited about this," she said. She | | | | Outstanding Citizen Awards. |
| believes Medallion's entry stood out in large part | | | | On February 9, the chamber hosted its five-year |
| because of the depth of its community service and | | | | anniversary banquet and awards ceremony and |
| involvement. Medallion recently donated a $10,000 | | | | installed this year's officers and board. |
| swim spa to a local girl who was injured in a car | | | | Over 500 Chesterfield County businesses are |
| accident. The spa enabled the girl, paralyzed from the | | | | members of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. |
| waist down, to do water therapy in the comfort of her | | | | "In addition to being a forum for businesses in the |
| own home. | | | | Chesterfield area, [the Chamber] gives us' a single |
| Medallion is a growing company that has been family | | | | voice, especially in this current [political and business |
| run since being founded by Park's father in 1960. | | | | environment]," Kaufman commented. "It's important that |
| Kaufman said applicant for Business of the Year must | | | | business has a voice in local, state, and national |
| be Chamber members for at least two years, show | | | | government. The Chamber also promotes the county, |
| growth over the prior year and demonstrate | | | | which has a strong business climate. |
| community and Chamber involvement. | | | | Medallion Swimpool Co., Inc. |
| "We are the only pool company that manufactures | | | | |