The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce relocated to new offices earlier this month.

Chamber officials celebrated the move from Suite 150 to Suite 230 at 1886 Metro Center Drive at a ribbon-cutting event on Friday, Jan. 10. The organization is responsible for managing business growth and development in the Dulles Corridor.

Late last year, the chamber named Charles Kapur, a banking professional, as president and Chief Executive Officer.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Ribbon Cutting today! Very excited to be in the new offices. Big accomplishment for a great team! Open House until 1pm today – stop by and say hello. pic.twitter.com/Fz9GNrByCH

— RestonChamber (@RestonChamber) January 10, 2020

Silver Line Extension May Open in September — “The opening of the Silver Line extension could come as soon as September if all things go according to plan, Metro officials said. But with a sprawling $6 billion project, that’s not always guaranteed. The extension is being completed in two phases. The first was opened in 2014 and added five new stations to the Silver Line: McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill and Wiehle-Reston East.” [WAMU]

Metro Board Delays Naming Rights Bid — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has withdrawn an item from its board meeting involving potential naming rights for the Innovation Center Metro Station. [Washington Business Journal]

Self-Driving Trucks are in Town — “The vehicle manufacturer Daimler Trucks and the technology firm Torc Robotics are now testing self-driving trucks on U.S. public roads for the first time with Interstate 81 in southwest Virginia as the initial target, CNBC reported in September.” [Fairfax County Times]

Last Day for Thanksgiving Food Drive Locations — Today (Monday) is the last day to drop off donations for the drive, which is organized by the Reston Community Center, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones. [Reston Community Center]

Photo by Jay Westcott

With the holiday season approaching, organizations are setting up campaigns to help those in need.

The Reston Community Center teamed up with the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones to collect food and basic necessities, while Food For Neighbors is sponsoring an online fundraiser to provide meals for those struggling with food insecurity.

On the Food For Neighbors’ website, anyone can donate money to help feed families. They are asking for amounts in $50 increments, which will provide a meal for one family.

Under the RCC, there are more than a dozen locations where people can drop off non-perishable items, including food, paper towels, plastic bins and hygiene items.

They are looking for food items that are unopened, unused and unexpired, including coffee, tea, canned products, oatmeal, dry beans and rice, peanut butter, jellies, flour, sugar, condiments and cooking oil.

Volunteers can sign up online to sort the items.

Below, is a list of locations where people can drop off new items.

• RCC Hunters Woods (2310 Colts Neck Road)
• RCC Lake Anne (1609-A N. Washington Plaza)
• Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce (1886 Metro Center Drive, Suite 230)
• Atlantic Union Bank (1800 Robert Fulton Drive, Suite 105)
• Hunter Mill District Office (1801 Cameron Glen Drive)
• Guide Post Montessori Herndon (13251 Woodland Park Road)
• Long and Foster Realtors (2100 Reston Pkwy, Suite 102)
• Reston Association — HQ (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive)
• Reston Associaton — Central Services Facility (12250 Sunset Hills Road)
• Reston Association — Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive)
• State Farm Insurance (11868 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 200)
• Tall Oaks Assisted Living (12052 North Shore Drive)
• The Harrison at Reston Town Center (1800 Jonathan Way)
• Washington Hilton Dulles (13869 Park Center Road)
• YMCA Fairfax County Reston (12196 Sunset Hills Road)

Photo via Facebook

Charles Kapur, a lifelong long resident of Northern Virginia and a professional in the banking industry, will lead the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce as President and Chief Executive Officer.

“It is an honor to serve the business community as the President and CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce,” stated Kapur. “Reston is a community unlike any other in Northern Virginia – it has a profound appreciation of its history, a diversity of cultural and economic opportunities for businesses and residents alike, and an enthusiasm for the growth of this region.

Kapur succeeds Mark Ingrao, who left the chamber shortly before his 10-year anniversary with the organization to lead the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association.

After joining the chamber’s Board of Directors in 2011, Kapur co-chaired the membership committee, served as treasurer and chair-elect, and completed two terms as chair.

Maggie Parker, co-chair of the chamber’s board, described Kapur as a “consummate professional.”

“He has devoted himself to Reston and Northern Virginia both as a businessman and volunteer for the past decade. We are indeed fortunate that he will be leading our business community’s biggest advocate, the GRCC,” Parker wrote in a statement.

Kapur kickstarted his career in community banking in 2001. He currently serves on the board of the Greater Reston Reston Arts Center and the Ashburn Rotary Club as a founding member and fundraising director.

In the past, Kapur has served on the boards of the Ashburn Society of Virginia, ArtsFairfax, and ACTS of Prince William County. He has been honored with the chamber’s annual President’s Award in 2016 and the Pinnacle Award last year.

Kapur’s position begins on Oct. 2. His first work will include preparing the chamber’s policy positions for the upcoming legislative session n Richmond and launching a new information series for members.

He has a bachelor’s degree in management from George Mason University and graduated from the Virginia Bankers Association of Bank Management in 2013. He lives in Bristow with his wife and two daughters.

Several local restaurants are offering special deals for the annual Northern Virginia Restaurant Week, which ends on Sunday (September 15).

The week, which is organized by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, features special menus and deals by local restaurants. This year’s event kicked off on Monday (September 9).

The following restaurants are participating:

• Carrabba’s Italian Grill
• Mon Ami Gabi
• Not Your Average Joe’s Kitchen & Bar
• Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
• Founding Farmers Reston Station

Restaurants will offer menus specifically designed for the event. Reservations are highly encouraged.

The event is sponsored by Boston Properties and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

Photo courtesy Mon Ami Gabi

The annual Reston Pumpkin 5K and Kids’ Pumpkin Dash is set for Sunday, October 13.

Although the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce dropped its plans to host the annual Flavors of Fall festival, the pumpkin dash is expected to feature the same activities and programs as in previous years.

Participants are encouraged to debut their Halloween costumes the event, which start at 8:15 a.m. at Reston Town Center.

Registration for the 5K is $20 per person through October 11 and $25 per person from October 12 to October 13. Registration for the kids’ event is $10 per person until October 11 and $15 per person from October 12 to October 13.

All runners will receive a T-shirt, race bib, and post-race refreshments.

Awards will be given baed. On several age groups to the top male and female participants.

More information about the event is available online.

Photo via Don Renner

For years, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce has sponsored and hosted the Flavors of Fall Festival.

But this year, the organization will drop the one-day flavors event, which gives attendees the chance to savor the flavor of autumn brews and food from area restaurants.

Low turnout over the last several years, as well as new priorities for the organization, pushed the chamber to drop the event this year.

GRCC’s Board of Directors and staff issued the following statement earlier today (July 18):

The very popular and successful Taste of Reston is not affected by this announcement and will go on as scheduled next June.

A sincere thank you to the chamber membership for the countless volunteers and support of Flavors of Fall. Thank you to Boston Properties for providing the Reston Town Center venue for the past ten years. We would also like to thank all of the sponsors and participants who made this event a part of their autumn schedules. 

The change of plans will not affect the Pumpkin 5K and Kids Dash, which has seen increases in turnout. That event is set for October 13 at Reston Town Center.

Photo by Don Renner

It’s not to early to get into fall mode. Registration is now open for the annual Flavors of Fall, a free annual festival that includes live entertainment, dancing, and family activities.

This year’s festival, which is organized by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, is set for Sunday, October 13.

The Reston Pumpkin 5K begins at 8:15 a.m. at Reston Town Center and the kids’ pumpkin dash starts at 9:15 a.m. Registration is $25 for adults and $20 for children age 14 and under. Prices rise after September 9.

Restaurants will also serve samples from their favorite fall menus. Two dozen tickets cost $20. Each sample typically requires between three and five tickets. Beer and wine requires six to seven tickets.

At the end of the race, awards will be given.

Registration is open online.

Northern Virginia’s largest outdoor food festival, Taste of Reston, returns to Reston Town Center this weekend.

The family-friendly event, which is organized by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, will include nearly 30 restaurants, a craft beer lounge, cooking demonstrations, beer on tap, live entertainment and a family fun zone tomorrow (June 14) and Saturday, June 15.

Festivities kick off tomorrow from 4-11 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Entrance to the festival is free, but food tickets are $1 per ticket or $20 for 24 tickets. Tickets can be purchased online.

Restaurants participating for a taste include Cooper’s Hawk, Not Your Average Jow’s and the Wine ‘n Dine Market Place. Live entertainment will be provided by Cherry Crush Band, New Blue Soul, Delta Spur and Vinyl Rhino.

The local YMCA will offer games and prizes in a family fun zone.

Parking is free for the duration of the event.

More information about the festival, which is expected to draw thousands to the town center, is available online.

Photo via Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce

Reston Landscaper Wins $200,000 in Lottery Scratcher — Brett Calhoun scratched the winning Jewel 7 ticket in his car, but had to send a picture of the ticket to his wife to make sure he was reading it right. Calhoun, a landscaper, bought the winning ticket the 7-Eleven at 29900 Centreville Road in Herndon. [Inside NOVA]

Taste of Reston Needs Volunteers — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers to help put on the annual event on June 14 and 15. Volunteers will receive a volunteer T-shirt and a dozen taste tickets. [Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce]

Reston Nonprofit Marks 140 Years of Supporting Military Families — “Before he got a job assisting military members and their families, Michael Meese was in the military himself. Meese served in the U.S. Army for 32 years, a period that included deployments to Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan and concluded with a stint as professor and head of the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. After retiring as a brigadier general, Meese became the chief operating officer for the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association, and he has worked at the Reston-based nonprofit since 2013, now holding the title of executive vice president.” [Fairfax County Times]

Flickr pool photo by vantagehill

Mark Ingrao, a leader who diversified Reston’s business community and launched new collaborations and programs, plans to leave his position as president and CEO of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce next month.

He plans to leave a few days before what would have been his 10-year anniversary with the chamber. Ingrao will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association. His last day is on June 27 — the chamber’s annual awards luncheon and member meeting.

Ingrao joined the chamber in July 2009 as the chamber struggled with nearly $150,000 in debt, declining membership, and the slowdown following the recession.

With Ingrao at the helm, the chamber’s financial position strengthened, membership increased and a new sponsorship strategy helped the organization position itself as a “collaborative organization and community steward,” according to Charlene Wheeless, the chamber’s chairman.

“Mark led the association to historic milestones, including growing the Chamber from the 13th largest in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area to the 7th largest,” Wheeless said.

She listed his accomplishments as the following:

• Retired $150K in debt within his first year;
• Reorganized the staff structure more focused on new members and membership benefits; 
• Positioned the Chamber as a founding member of the Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership, successfully advocating for our members at the Virginia General Assembly; 
• Led the Chamber’s Taste of Reston festival to being named the “Best Food Festival in Northern Virginia” by Virginia Living Magazine;
• Launched the B2G Matchmaking and Expo, which has become the largest event of its kind for government contractors outside the Beltway; and
• Created Northern Virginia Restaurant Week as a collaboration with other chambers in Northern Virginia

Ingrao says he’s been grateful and honored to serve Reston and its business community, which he has watched grow as the Silver Line comes to the the area.

“The development that has occurred in the last 10 years has been remarkable,” Ingrao said. “Reston is a planned community and it has everything that anyone would want: great housing, great work centers, great community. It doesn’t have to be built out and that’s what makes it unique.”

But that growth is not without challenge, Ingrao cautioned. Although he expects the completion of the Silver Line to reduce the number of Metro riders and commuters coming from Loudoun County, he anticipates managing traffic will be a major challenge for the community.

“I think there will be a lot of discussion about what the old Reston was and what the new Reston will be,” he said. “But the opportunities that are here will continue to grow and perpetuate.”

Ingrao’s successor has not yet been named. A search committee is leading the chamber’s recruitment efforts.

He hopes to continue to adopt a collaborative, transparent and inclusive leadership approach in his new position.

“I’ve been lucky to be here for 10 years,” Ingrao told Reston Now. “I’ve really enjoyed the people and the work that we’ve been able to accomplish. It’s been a great ride.”

 File photo

Candidates running for Hunter Mill District Supervisor will discuss their ideas about business issues at a candidate forum next week.

The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce is hosting a forum on Friday, May 17 from 8-10 a.m. at Cooley Law Offices (11951 Freedom Drive). Candidates vying for the seat vacated by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins will touch on issues including budget and taxation, growth and development, transportation, and affordable housing.

Tracy Baynard of McGuireWoods Consulting will moderate the event. After candidates make opening statements, Baynard will ask follow-up questions. No time is allotted to rebut other candidates’ responses.

Questions, which will not be shared in advance with candidates, will be pre-selected by GRCC’s planning committee and can be submitted to [email protected]. 

Four Democrats are running for Hudgins’ seat: Walter Alcorn, Laurie Dodd, Shyamali Hauth, Parker Messick, and Maggie Parker. 

Photo by Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce

Attention, foodies: Taste of Reston, the largest outdoor food festival in the area, returns to Reston Town Center on June 14 and 15.

Restaurants and community vendors will offer up food samples for the festival, which is produced by the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and has been voted “Northern Virginia’s Best Food Festival” by Virginia Living magazine for the last six years. The event also includes live entertainment on three stage, a family fun zone, and a Wine ‘n Dine area. Food vendors will compete for a “Best of Taste” competition as well.

On Friday, June 14, the event takes place from 4-11 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 15.

The event is free, but tickets are needed to buy food, beer and wine. The Wine ‘n Dine area allows attendees to shop with cash and purchase food items designed to eat at home.

A sheet of two dozen $1 tickets is for $20. Tickets can be purchased online. Garage parking is free for the duration of the event.

More information about the event is available on the Taste of Reston website.

Photo by Don Renner

The 28th annual Best of Reston Awards celebrated honorees for their philanthropy and volunteerism in the Reston and Herndon communities last Thursday night.

The event, held in partnership by Cornerstones and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, raised $504,660 for Cornerstones, a local non-profit. 

The honorees for 2019 are:

• Bob Schnapp from A Simple Gesture
• Ellen and Mike Jennings from BEI 
• Omicron Kappa Kappa Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity/OKK Foundation, Inc.
• Mina and Mark Fies from Synergy Design & Construction 
• Helen and Taylor Yi from Touching Heart
• Maggie Parker
• Roz Rakoff
• Kurt Rose, owner of Aspen Jewelry Designs

Del. Ken Plum said that he and State Sen. Janet Howell “always look forward to coming to Best of Reston, because, although we are heavily involved in the community, it always is the case when we come here we meet wonderful new people that we hadn’t known about.”

Get Excited! Best of Reston 2019 is only an hour away! Many thanks to our staff and volunteers who make events like this possible #BOR2019 #BestofReston pic.twitter.com/60Ng1QOhLm

— Cornerstones (@Cornerstonesva) April 4, 2019

Photos via Chip McCrea Photography