By Jeff Hormann, Business Development Manager, Invario Network Engineers
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If you look around your office, how many devices do you see? Now, how many of those are old computers that you have replaced but still have sitting around taking up valuable space? You probably already know that you can’t just take this stuff and toss it in the trash can. So, what do you do with that unused equipment? 

By John Musso, Government Affairs Manager, Arlington Chamber of Commerce

Hello, fellow Arlingtonians!

I am John Musso, the new Government Affairs Manager at the Chamber. I’m more than happy to be in a role where I can support the Arlington community.

I graduated from George Washington University in 2019 with a degree in political science and public policy. Previously, I spent three years as a Local Government Associate for Stateside Associates in Rosslyn. I’m originally a native of New Jersey, but I’ve called Arlington “home” for the last three years. I’ve always had an interest in local politics and enacting change at the municipal level. I’m excited to join the Chamber in a position that fits my interests and focuses so well.

By Holly Harper, Principal,  Blue Bike Communications

Are you overwhelmed and stressed at work? Turns out 30% of ALL workers are. Wherever you are in an organization, you're probably seeing some stress, exhaustion, burnout, and maybe even resignations. 

What’s worse: 56% of employees believe their bosses don't even care about how they are faring under the strain of a post-Covid workplace. Meanwhile 90% of bosses believe their employees are happy with leadership’s engagement on well-being and work-life balance. 

​By Kyle Black and Clara Falkenheim, Interns, Arlington Chamber of Commerce
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​Throughout the month of July, the Chamber hosted two high school students from the PRIME internship program with Arlington Public Schools. Kyle Black joined us as our membership intern and Clara Falkenheim was our operations intern. Both students are rising seniors and placed as interns with the Chamber based on their fields of interest. Continue reading to learn more about these wonderful students!

By Brian Wendroff, CPA, Managing Partner, Wendroff & Associates, CPA
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​Whether you’re considering entrepreneurship, you’re running a start-up, or you have an established business, there are always improvements that can be made to how you manage your finances. 

For example, a well-organized budgeting and forecasting process ensures you’re aware of and adhering to the reality of your business' cash flow while thoughtfully planning for the future. 

​By Samantha Ruark, Communications Manager, Arlington Chamber of Commerce

Hello everyone! My name is Samantha Ruark, and I am the Chamber’s new Communications Manager. I joined the team on May 2, 2022, and am already fully immersed in the Chamber’s work.  

I am originally from North Carolina and graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2018 with a degree in Communications. After graduating, I moved to Newport, North Carolina where I worked as a Communications Specialist for an environmental nonprofit. Looking to live in a larger city, I moved to the DMV area in March 2020. Although my first year here didn’t go as expected due to the pandemic, I was still able to get to know the area a bit and create a new home in Alexandria, Virginia. I spent the past two years as an Executive Assistant at the Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington (which is a member of the Chamber). While I enjoyed my time there and the incredible work that they do, I was longing to get back into a communications role and am proud to be working here at the Chamber with our wonderful staff. 

By Todd Youngdahl, CFP® and Ann Blakey, CFP®, Washington Wealth Advisors
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As a small business owner, you’re used to giving your all to the business, but it’s important to know which self-employment plans make sense for your needs. Knowing what retirement plan options are available to you, and to offer your employees, if applicable, can allow you to remain on track.

​You have options when it comes to determining which self-employed retirement plan can help you achieve your retirement goals while you focus on your business. Each plan has their own contribution limits, tax advantages, and employee benefits. ​

By Will Mulligan, Membership Engagement Manager,  Arlington Chamber of Commerce 
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Hello everyone, I am Will Mulligan, the new Membership Engagement Manager at the Chamber. I am happy to be joining the Chamber staff as of May 1, 2022, and begin working with all of our members. 

I was born in Worchester, Massachusetts and I graduated from Murray State University in 1998 with a degree in Political Science and Economics. Since then, my professional career has given me the amazing opportunity to live all over the country. I have spent the last two years as the Executive Director of the Indian River Michigan Chamber of Commerce, so I am bringing in a lot of great experience to my role here in Arlington. A little bit about me — I am a golfer and curler, love to cook, and enjoy trying the food of different cultures. I am looking forward to exploring Arlington’s fantastic culinary scene! I also enjoy going out with my dog Fuji for a hike or even just some time at the dog park. 

By Lesa Hanlin, Director of Strategic Initiatives, University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies
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Coming back from my first monthly Director’s meeting at a former position, I had a decision to make. How much of the high level information I’d learned at the meeting should I share with my staff? On the drive back, I worked out my approach. 
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What I was grappling with was transparency. In a recent Forbes article, transparency is defined as “the practice of being open and honest with others, no matter how challenging it might be” (Atchison, 2021).  

​Transparency is one of the top factors consistently cited for employee satisfaction. The more transparent employees feel the management is, the more satisfied they are with their jobs. The benefits of transparency go far beyond job satisfaction, of course, contributing to a healthy culture, genuine relationships built on trust, more innovation, higher employee retention, and some say there’s a financial benefit to workplace transparency as well.

​By Sam Miller, Intern, Arlington Chamber of  Commerce
Hello everyone! My name is Sam Miller and I have been interning at the Chamber since mid-January. I am residing in Arlington for this semester only, as I am graduating from Roanoke College with a bachelor’s in communications in May. Originally, I am from Massachusetts, which is where I will be returning to this summer. Spending a semester in Arlington has been the most exciting semester of my college career. ​