Board of Directors Election

Welcome to these new members of the Board of Directors!

Indre Bauza, Supporting Strategies of Northern Virginia

Indre brings expertise in delivering accounting, bookkeeping and QuickBooks support services to small businesses. A Certified QuickBooks Advisor and Xero Certified Advisor, she looks forward to developing long-term relationships with small business owners who want to spend more time growing their business and less time managing company finances.

Indre holds a B.S. in Business and Accounting from Baltic International Academy and further deepened her knowledge in accounting while studying at Strayer University-Virginia. Fun facts: She was born on Christmas Day and speaks four languages: English, Lithuanian, German and Russian.

Robin Highfield, Baywood Hotels

Currently the Corporate Director of Sales for Baywood Hotels, I oversee the sales efforts and success of the Virginia region properties, which consist of approximately twelve properties. Baywood Hotels currently owns and manages four hotels within the Richmond Highway corridor, the TownePlace Suites Ft. Belvoir, the Candlewood Suites Ft. Belvoir, the Holiday Inn Express Alexandria and the SpringHill Suites Alexandria. I have been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, first in Ohio and now here in Virginia.

I am interested in being a member of the Mount Vernon Lee Chamber of Commerce because I strongly believe it is the support of a community that brings success to any business; with the forward thinking of how others would benefit through growth, improvement and education. Working together as a community/organization brings greater attention and focus for continued growth. I’ve always been a part of Chamber programs and organizations while working in Columbus, Ohio. I’ve held the position of Chairman for an off-shoot of the Chamber, Downtown Council, which focused directly on downtown development. Within the hospitality industry, I’ve also held board positions for the Hospitality Sales and Marking Association and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals, as well as worked with committees to raise money for scholarships, committees for special events, and given time to be part of a community outreach for the homeless.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kevin McNulty, Cox Communications

I have been in my role at Cox Communications for the last year and immediately became engaged with the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce. For me the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber plays a unique role, Southeastern Fairfax County is of immense strategic interest to my company and happens to be the community I call home. My wife and I reside in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County, along the Route 1 Corridor.

As it relates to Cox, Southeastern Fairfax County represents an area in which we have invested significant resources. Cox has served Fairfax County for 20 years and at the national level, Fairfax is one of the regions which our company believes will continue to grow. While other parts of the region may get more media attention, individually and on behalf of Cox, I understand the new opportunities that will be coming online as a result of Embark and the private capital that will follow this major infrastructure endeavor. As a key stakeholder in Southeastern Fairfax County, there is no better organization for Cox to participate. The Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber provides access to key policy decision makers and business leaders whom are critical to the future of our business.

I jumped at the chance to put my name forward for the Board of the Mount Vernon Lee Chamber because it would provide me the opportunity to enhance my role in the community and represent Cox at the same time. I can do so because of the commitment Cox makes to the communities in which we serve. It would be an honor to volunteer my time and experience to serve the Chamber and play a role in making Mount Vernon-Lee an even better place to live and work.

Ray Tate, Paul Spring Retirement Community

I, Ray Tate, was born in the small country town of Lewisville, Arkansas in 1976. I joined the United States Marine Corps and served four years, after graduating high school. I moved to Northern Virginia in 1999. Where I started my career in healthcare. With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, I have worked in nearly every department of a long-term care community. I obtained my Nursing Home Administrator’s license in 2010 and served as an Assistant Administrator in a skilled nursing facility prior to transitioning to an Assisted Living Administrator.

I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to make memories, regardless of age or disability. “If I can make one person smile, while providing an environment that thrives on care and compassion. The community will have memories that will live on past my lifetime.”

Dawn Threatte, Office Depot

My name is Dawn Threatte and I am the General Manager at Office Depot. I have been a general manager for 20 years and have worked at many retail businesses from small locally owned shops to Big Box stores. I have also worked in the corporate and government industries where I have held titles as far ranging as Administrative Assistant and Web Master.

I enjoy meeting and working with people from a variety of business sectors to gain insight and knowledge to which I may not have previously been aware.
I would like to serve on the Board to help businesses prosper, increase job opportunities and to help provide the means through which businesses can work together to the benefit of all.