By Brian Trompeter
The Vienna Business Association (VBA) has installed its 2023 board of directors, and members say they’re eager to stay active in local affairs.
Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert swore in the new board members during a Feb. 9 ceremony at American Legion Post 180.
“You have been elected to a position of trust and responsibility,” she said. “I know you appreciate the confidence of the members who have placed in your hands the administration and formation of the Vienna Business Association for the coming year.”
VBA’s 2023 board members include chairman Greg Kunstbeck (NOVA Contracting), Akram Aleahmad (United Bank), Craig Burns (eXp Realty), Elizabeth Korondy (Inspire Holdings), outgoing chairman Jeff Bollettino (School of Rock), Karen Kerrigan (SBE Council), Karen Thayer (Vienna town government), Kathy Georgen (Georgen Scarborough Associates PC), Laura Morrow (Laura Morrow Wellness), Paula McGinnis-Doyle (Body Grace Fitness & Yoga) and Preeti Penati (Studio 76).
Bollettino, who led the association during the pandemic, expressed relief at being able to turn over the reins to Kunstbeck.
“I always considered it my mission to keep VBA alive through COVID,” Bollettino said.
VBA raises much of its money from its annual Oktoberfest, but last year’s festival got canceled because of Hurricane Ian. Organizers are hoping better weather will grace this year’s event on Oct. 7.
The business group undertook austerity measures to get through the pandemic and suffered a setback with Oktoberfest’s cancellation, but continues to forge ahead, Georgen said.
“We are running lean, but we are running mean,” she said.
VBA’s foundation, which receives proceeds from alcohol sales at Oktoberfest, has distributed a total of $18,500 to local non-profit groups, Georgen said.
Colbert said VBA and its members were a critical part of the town, not only for providing goods and services, but also for bringing people together.
The mayor complimented local businesses for taking part in the town’s annual “Light Up Vienna” decorating campaign during the winter holiday season.
“It really makes our town come alive and look nice,” Colbert said.
The mayor and VBA executive director Peggy James encouraged VBA members to stay abreast of the town’s current “Code Create” initiative to rewrite the town’s decades-old zoning code.
While the Vienna Town Council has taken some detours in the ongoing discussions, it soon will return to the vital matter of the town’s Maple Avenue and Church Street commercial corridors, Colbert said.
Colbert reminded the group about the third annual Mayors’ Fitness Challenge, to be held from March 18 to May 13, and how easy it is to participate. The initiative is a friendly competition between Vienna and the cities of Falls Church and Fairfax. Vienna won the trophy last year and hopes to keep it in town again this year, said Colbert, who was a power-lifter in college.
The town also on March 2 will launch a business-related Website, she said.
