NEWS

At work: I started Principle Advantage Government Relations Group in 2009. I found immediate success when awarded my first contract to represent my hometown of Virginia Beach.

Home and family: I am a proud mother and grandmother and live in Williamsburg.

Volunteer activities: I am the immediate past president of Champions for Children: Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads, having served in that position for 18 months. I raised thousands of dollars in grants and direct donations as well as raising awareness of child abuse in Hampton Roads. I brought special guests, like Gov. Ralph Northam, Del. Chris Stolle, and former Del. Daun Hester, as guest speakers to the Champions for Children annual breakfasts.

Motivating factor: Clients look to me to advocate on their behalf before decision-makers and lawmakers. I help clients understand what is and is not possible, doing my best to encourage the outcomes clients desire. Sometimes that means managing expectations in a manner that helps them realize success in a different way. 

Advice for women in business: Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to offer it, even from/to a competitor. You may end up teaming with that competitor someday!

Professional goal in five years: To grow Principle Advantage into a multi-discipline company with at least three employees.

The one thing I’d change about Hampton Roads: is the regional mindset to include revenue-sharing among the localities as the new, most useful tool closer to the top of the list of discussion items when considering regional opportunities.

Region’s biggest asset: Potential. Even with Hampton Roads’ military/DOD, port, and tourism assets, it is still a blank slate. There is much room to grow all these resources and bring new prospects to broaden economic endeavors.

Downtime: I enjoy being near the water – Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay, the James River, and reading a good mystery.

What really gets under my skin: poor customer service. Nothing ruins a meal, an event, or an outing with friends and family more quickly than poor customer service.