Anniversary Gala

The special events committee has been overwhelmed with the response for our first anniversary gala. Ticket sales continue to exceed our expectations, and new tables continue to be added.

If you want to attend the gala and have not purchased tickets yet, please make sure you don’t delay any longer. Ticket sales end at noon on Friday, May 30th (TODAY!). Click here to purchase tickets (if it’s not too late).

For those of you who have already purchased tickets get ready for an event to remember! Dinner, dancing, Justin Nelson, founder of the NGLCC , comedian Sabrina Matthews, and the beautiful Norfolk Sheraton Waterside await you!

We’d like to once again thank all of our sponsors: Gold Sponsor, Charles Schwab; Silver Sponsors Colors of Choice Painting, RBC, New Life MCC and The Hershee Bar; and in-kind sponsors The New Leaf and Distinctive Event Rentals.

Surprisingly, a large number of our ticket sales for this event have come from non-members. In appreciation of their support, HRBOR is offering a special discount to anyone attending the gala who then becomes a new member. Details and membership applications will be available at the registration table.

Annual Meeting Minutes

The first annual “meeting of the membership” was held May 14th at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside.

It is with a mixture of sadness and well wishes that HRBOR said farewell to founding board members Christianna Flynn, Melanie Brown, Heather Staples and Pat Mulligan. Their talents, dedication and vision will be sorely missed.

Stepping in to take on the work of these founders are newly elected board members Jodi Butler of Butler & Spinato Real Estate Settlement Services, Tim Fincham of OneCoach Virginia and Dr. Julie Stickell of Stickell Chiropractic. We look forward to their fresh vision for the future of our organization.

A new executive board was also elected at the annual meeting. Shannon Bowman was elected president; Nicole Carry replaced Shannon in the vice-presidents role; Don King replaces Pat Mulligan as the secretary; and Stacey Allin remains in her current position as treasurer. The new board and officers promise a continuity of the ideals set out by the founding board as well as fresh, new ideas to move HRBOR ever farther toward fulfilling its stated mission.

New Members

Corporate Members

Lo Lumsden & Stephanie Eubank, Family Medical Practitioners ~ Barry Menser, Barry’s for Hair ~ John Tang & Bill Jenkins, V2K Window Décor & More

Non profit members

Constance Fahey, The Artist’s Gallery ~ Lorraine Currow & Jennifer Holcombe, Dominion Derby Girls ~ Rev. Peggy Buelow, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

Individual members

Donna Palmer, Portfolio Weekly ~ Shirley Jones Brand, Nikken Independent Wellness Consultant ~ Tom Edwards, Cavalier Telephone ~ Carol Rood, Arbonne International ~ Jackie Gilmartin, College Park Executive Suites ~ James Sears, Pampered Chef ~ Karen Balint, Nalco Company ~ Peggy Buelow, Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services ~ Pete Buelow, National City Mortgage

Associate members

Craig Taylor ~ Vivian Orgel ~ Marcia Young.

In June we look forward to introducing corporate members Lisa Ann Pierce, Target Publications and Mark Barr, Worthy Capital, LLC; non-profit member Kimberlee Humphrey, Community Mediation Center of Southeast Virginia; individual members Miles Burcher, Priority Auto Group, Gary Brocksmith, Tapestry Solutions, Diana Glasier, National City Mortgage, Faith McKeone, 2PM, LLC and Felix Borges. We also welcome our first ever student member, Krista Glisson, currently a student of business at Virginia Commonwealth University.

May Third Thursday

It was a perfect spring day in coastal Hampton Roads. The sun was shining, a cool, bay breeze was blowing and 80% of HRBOR’s members turned out to network at the “new” Ocean View Fishing Pier.

Our gracious host, Ronnie Boone of Judy Boone Realty insured everyone enjoyed themselves at his magnificent location overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. We thank him for his generosity and hospitality.

HRBOR members were not only treated to food and happy hour priced beverages, but also were the first to see Ronnie’s new head boat which will be ferrying customers around the bay starting this summer.

HRBOR also benefited from Ronnie’s donation of the use of this beautiful, new boat for a fundraising raffle. $1090 was raised, and one of our newest members, Shirley Jones Brand, won the raffle for herself and 80 of her friends to enjoy.

May’s event was full of opportunity. Donna Palmer of Portfolio Weekly attended offering HRBOR members a special deal on advertising in Portfolio’s 25th anniversary edition, along with a drawing for one free advertisement. HRBOR was given the centerfold two-page spread, ACCESS Aids Care won the drawing for the free ad, and our members easily over-filled the remaining space. Make sure to pick up a copy of this momentous edition of Portfolio Weekly -available now!

Shirley Jones Brand was indeed the evening’s luckiest attendee, in addition to winning the head boat excursion raffle, her name was also drawn for free tickets to the Hampton Roads Men’s Chorus. Another new member, Tom Edwards of Cavalier Telephone won another set of tickets.

Upcoming Third Thursdays

June’s Third Thursday event is being held at and sponsored by Five Points Community Farm Market located at 2500 Church St in Norfolk. Debbie Melby of Colors of Choice Painting and Sue Weiner of L’Escape Travel are sponsoring the bar.

Opportunities to spotlight your business at June’s event are still available. Food sponsors are needed. If you’re interested, please contact our Third Thursday event chairperson Cindy Cutler at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Sponsors gain exposure through HRBOR home page logo placement, “advertising time” at the event and recognition in pre/post-event announcements, newsletters and press releases – not to mention the appreciation and good will of your fellow members!

July’s Third Thursday event is being held at The Franklin Condominiums in downtown Norfolk courtesy of one of our newest corporate members, Worthy Capital. They’re planning to have The Vintage Kitchen provide the food – you won’t want to miss it.

Member to Member Benefits

For those members who don’t currently offer a member to member benefit, please consider joining in this mutually rewarding service. Contact the membership chairman, Don King at 470-6948 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to include your business in this important membership benefit/service.

Click here to see what other HRBOR members are offering you.

Member Sponsored Events

Stop working harder. Start working smarter. Tim Fincham of OneCoach Virginia has announced a seminar to help entrepreneurs and professionals grow their small-business revenues so they can achieve financial freedom and live extraordinary lives.

Click here to get more information on this seminar.

While you’re visiting the forum/calendar area, check out what other members are posting, and feel free to post events of your own. This is what the space is for - it’s just one more of the benefits of HRBOR membership!

Request for Committee Members

HRBOR depends on the contributions of its members for manpower, focus and direction. As a volunteer run, non-profit organization our success is closely tied to your involvement. There are a number of opportunities available to become more involved with HRBOR.

The marketing committee, which affects and contributes to virtually all aspects of HRBOR, is making a concerted effort to increase membership and participation. Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and get involved!

All of HRBOR’s other committees are always on the lookout for dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers. Click here to see all the opportunities available. Contact the committee chair and share your talents with your organization!

Request for Articles

Members are encouraged to make suggestions about what they’d like to see in the newsletter, and guest columnists/budding authors are welcome to submit material for possible inclusion. Submissions should be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , subject “e-news.”

Please share your success stories with us. Have you made a network connection through HRBOR that has expanded your business? Did sponsoring a HRBOR event increase your business? How has one of our non-profit members affected you? Did someone from HRBOR do work for you? Tell us how your membership in HRBOR has affected your business, career or life and let us tell others!