By Tad Lunger, Shulman Rogers
As a benefit of the Chamber membership, we offer all members the opportunity to get more involved by joining a committee. The Chamber’s committees are a great way to broaden your network while learning about issues that impact your business and the community. There are a number of open committees to choose from, allowing you to select the committee that best suits your goals and interests.
The Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee meets to advance ideas, policies, and legislation that strengthen businesses and the broader economic environment. Chamber members stay informed on emerging local, regional, and state public policy issues by interacting with the government officials who speak at committee meetings. To learn more about the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee, we present the Co-Chair, Tad Lunger of Shulman Rogers.
The Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee meets to advance ideas, policies, and legislation that strengthen businesses and the broader economic environment. Chamber members stay informed on emerging local, regional, and state public policy issues by interacting with the government officials who speak at committee meetings. To learn more about the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee, we present the Co-Chair, Tad Lunger of Shulman Rogers.
Tell me about the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee?
I believe advocacy for business is the core mission of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Businesses don’t get to vote, but how healthy our businesses are is hugely important to our community. Our committee focuses on bridging the political and communication gap between our business community and local and state government. We track everything they are doing and lobby for what we believe is good for businesses and the community. We also collect feedback from the business community and proactively lobby for change or help defend businesses when they are being hurt by governmental actions.
We have an amazingly diverse and professional membership on the committee spanning many industries active in Arlington. We want Arlington to be business friendly and we want to encourage new business investment in our county.
How has being involved in the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee impacted you?
It has been great. I have made a lot of great friends and gotten an understanding of what is important to businesses over a wide spectrum of industries that I wouldn’t have if I had not been a part of this committee. It has also reinforced my belief that you have to show up to make a difference, and our committee members do in so many ways which has been inspiring to me and kept me doing this for years.
When does the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee meet?
The committee meets every other Wednesday morning for a couple of hours, but I think what gets lost is that we fan out to all the commission and board meetings at night to do our part, we are down in Richmond for the legislative session, and we are persistently meeting with public officials and businesses for lobbying purposes. We meet in a lot of different forums as necessary to do what we need to do.
What is your favorite part about serving on the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee?
My favorite part is being able to give a political voice to a community that can’t vote. Arlington is my home town, a healthy business community is good for our community, it creates the social and economic mobility opportunity for all of us that live here. I believe this committee and its members are all striving for that and it is our way of serving this community.
Who would be a good candidate to join the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee?
Anyone who loves politics, our community, and can provide perspective on their business and industry. Keeping us up to speed with what they are experiencing gives the committee the opportunity to find ways to use our resources to help our membership. A single business has little chance at changing the course of government, but collectively with our membership, the Chamber is an effective political force. Anyone willing to volunteer to be involved in that effort would certainly be welcomed.
If you have any questions about the Community Action Committee or would like to join the committee, please contact the staff liaison, Scott Pedowitz at advocacy@arlingtonchamber.org or 703-525-2400.
I believe advocacy for business is the core mission of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Businesses don’t get to vote, but how healthy our businesses are is hugely important to our community. Our committee focuses on bridging the political and communication gap between our business community and local and state government. We track everything they are doing and lobby for what we believe is good for businesses and the community. We also collect feedback from the business community and proactively lobby for change or help defend businesses when they are being hurt by governmental actions.
We have an amazingly diverse and professional membership on the committee spanning many industries active in Arlington. We want Arlington to be business friendly and we want to encourage new business investment in our county.
How has being involved in the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee impacted you?
It has been great. I have made a lot of great friends and gotten an understanding of what is important to businesses over a wide spectrum of industries that I wouldn’t have if I had not been a part of this committee. It has also reinforced my belief that you have to show up to make a difference, and our committee members do in so many ways which has been inspiring to me and kept me doing this for years.
When does the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee meet?
The committee meets every other Wednesday morning for a couple of hours, but I think what gets lost is that we fan out to all the commission and board meetings at night to do our part, we are down in Richmond for the legislative session, and we are persistently meeting with public officials and businesses for lobbying purposes. We meet in a lot of different forums as necessary to do what we need to do.
What is your favorite part about serving on the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee?
My favorite part is being able to give a political voice to a community that can’t vote. Arlington is my home town, a healthy business community is good for our community, it creates the social and economic mobility opportunity for all of us that live here. I believe this committee and its members are all striving for that and it is our way of serving this community.
Who would be a good candidate to join the Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee?
Anyone who loves politics, our community, and can provide perspective on their business and industry. Keeping us up to speed with what they are experiencing gives the committee the opportunity to find ways to use our resources to help our membership. A single business has little chance at changing the course of government, but collectively with our membership, the Chamber is an effective political force. Anyone willing to volunteer to be involved in that effort would certainly be welcomed.
If you have any questions about the Community Action Committee or would like to join the committee, please contact the staff liaison, Scott Pedowitz at advocacy@arlingtonchamber.org or 703-525-2400.
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