Across the Board

Board of Trade First to Host Volkswagen CEO. Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, will speak to members and guests at the Board of Trade’s Morning Star program on June 5 from 8:00 to 9:30 am at the Ronald Regan Building. At his first major speaking event since Volkswagen’s relocation to Herndon, Virginia, Mr. Jacoby will address how the region will help grow Volkswagen's business. The conversation, moderated by Jim Dinegar, President and CEO of the Board of Trade, will be followed by a brief question and answer session. The Morning Star Series is sponsored by Commerce Bank and targeted to regional business executives. Register

Dulles Rail Back on Track. As we told you on April 30, in an unprecedented reversal, the Federal Transit Administration announced that the Dulles rail project is back on track for approval. Rail to Dulles will move forward to final design – the final step in securing the $900 million critical to the project. While several hurdles still exist, this is a significant accomplishment, and I am proud that the Board of Trade was instrumental in the decision. Thank you to Board of Trade business leaders who worked step-by-step with Congress, Virginia lawmakers, White House officials and others to secure the reversal. The work is not finished, but the Board of Trade looks forward to working with all of the involved parties to ensure the project is completed on time and on budget.

Business Leaders Welcome Director of the DC Department of Health.  On April 30, the Board of Trade and Metro Teen AIDS hosted a luncheon welcoming Dr. Pierre Vigilance, the District of Columbia’s new Director of the Department of Health. The luncheon introduced business and community leaders in the health field to Dr. Vigilance. Dr. Vigilance spoke about the immediate administrative needs of the Department and his efforts to reduce the city’s high rate of heart disease, obesity, hyper-tension and HIV-AIDS.

Wilson Bridge Second Span Opens. The Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge reopens to the public on May 14 at 11:00 am. The completed bridge will ease congestion by unclogging the bottleneck across the Potomac River, which was considered one of the worst in the nation. The Board of Trade was instrumental in advocating for this critically-needed project. In the 1990s, the Board of Trade coordinated with Congress and regional government officials to secure project funding and filed an amicus brief during a lawsuit brought by bridge opponents.

An Inside Look at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. The Board of Trade brought business leaders inside CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield today during its Boardrooms Around the Beltway luncheon. Chett Burrell, President and Chief Operating Officer, hosted the program in CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s boardroom in Washington, DC. He provided an overview of the nonprofit health care organization that serves more than 3 million individuals in Northern Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Mr. Baker discussed the organization’s catalytic giving efforts – which will be increased from $50 million in annual giving to $100 million in the coming years – to improve the health care system and connect hospitals so they can learn from each other. He also spoke about the banking and insurance industries coming together, discussed the high cost of obesity and diabetes and dismissed rumors that CareFirst will go public.

Wolf Trap is Going Green.  Wolf Trap, an active member of the Board of Trade, worked with National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency to measure its carbon footprint, assess its waste management and refine its environmental action plan. You may notice Wolf Trap’s summer fleet of cars will be made up of hybrid vehicles. It has also enhanced recycling efforts, switched to biodegradable cups and optimized energy use in foundation offices. This and other equipment changes and new practices have resulted in a reduction of 11,700 kWh in electric usage in 2007, a carbon reduction of 77 tons. This savings is equivalent to NOT driving 133,642 miles. Learn more about Wolf Trap’s Go Green Initiative

A Culture of Wellness. The American Heart Association’s Start! Greater Washington program calls on all adults in the region – and their employers – to create a culture of wellness and physical health to combat risks of heart disease and growing healthcare costs. The American Heart Association provides a workplace tool for launching wellness initiatives, has established recognition programs for companies that promote health and fitness and offers participation in its annual Start! Health Walk. The Start! Greater Washington Heart Walk, chaired by Scott Wilfong, Chairman, President & CEO of Sun Trust Bank, will bring 10,000 people from across the region to the National Mall on November 1 to participate in a 2.9-mile walk benefiting the American Heart Association’s research and education programs in the region. Sign up