New 2024 Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Board Leadership Set to Propel Businesses Forward
Alexandria, VA – The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to introduce its newly elected Board Leadership ready to chart an exciting course for the year ahead!
Representing a diverse group of businesses and industries, these exceptional individuals share an unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity and driving innovation in Alexandria’s business community.
The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Board is geared to embark on a journey that promises to build on the Chamber’s already strong impact on the Alexandria community, setting the stage for a year filled with exciting developments and strategic initiatives.
The Chamber ALX’s President and CEO Joe Haggerty expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The Chamber has enjoyed an impactful 2023, with a strong increase in membership and member engagement. We are excited to support the growth of a rapidly growing and evolving Alexandria business economy, equipped with the support of this group of visionary leaders.”
As the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce continues its legacy of supporting local businesses and shaping Alexandria’s economic landscape, its 2024 Board team embodies the spirit of collaboration, resilience, and leadership that will undoubtedly leave a lasting imprint on the vibrant and thriving community it serves.
The Chamber ALX’s New Board Leadership
Chair of the Board – Ann Harbour, Johns Hopkins University and Medicine
Ann Harbour, Director of Government Affairs-Virginia for Johns Hopkins University and Medicine, assumes the role of Chair of the Board. With over a decade of health policy experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge. An Alexandria Chamber of Commerce 40 Under 40 Honoree, Harbour’s strategic prowess and community commitment make her a valuable addition to the Board.
Chair-Elect – LaJuanna Russell, Business Management Associates
LaJuanna Russell is a visionary with over 20 years of experience in executive leadership. A sought-after speaker, she turned a $500 investment into an award-winning, multi-million-dollar business. LaJuanna shapes leadership, diversity, and inclusion, contributing to various boards, including Small Business Majority and The George Washington School of Business Advisory Board. The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is honored to have her serve as their Board’s Chair Elect in 2024.
Development – Sue Goodhart, The Goodhart Group
Sue Goodhart, CEO of The Goodhart Group, boasts 30 years of real estate expertise. Under Goodhart’s leadership, The Goodhart Group has been named among the top real estate teams in the country by the Wall Street Journal. Sue has been recognized as a top producer by Washingtonian Magazine, Northern Virginia Magazine, Arlington Magazine, and DC Living. Sue’s commitment to Alexandria earned her Overall Business of the Year in 2019, showcasing her impact on the community.
Finance – Lisa Stover, CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
With extensive experience in accounting, Lisa Stover has worked exclusively with not-for-profit organizations for over 19 years. Lisa has comprehensive knowledge of all areas of not-for-profit accounting, including audit, regulation, accounting services, and consulting. She has a wealth of experience developing accounting policies and procedures manuals, managing large finance and administration teams, assessing finance and accounting systems, and implementing technical accounting standards. Lisa is an active mom of two wonderful girls and an animal lover with two rescue cats and two rescue dogs.
Government Relations – Garrett McGuire, AT&T
As Regional Director for External and Legislative Affairs at AT&T in Virginia, Garrett McGuire has been instrumental in AT&T’s 5G rollout throughout Virginia, helping educate lawmakers and the community about 5G technology and infrastructure. Before AT&T, Garrett worked for elected leaders in a legislative and campaign role at the local, state, and federal levels. He led state government relations advocacy for a trade association representing an American manufacturing sector. Garrett and his wife Meghan live in Alexandria with their daughters and dog.
Governance – Mandy Frohlich, American Physical Therapy Association
As the American Physical Therapy Association’s Chief Operating Officer, Mandy is responsible for leading the association in strategic planning, operations, governance, legal affairs, and people strategy. With 20+ years in government affairs, Mandy’s extensive experience in payment policy and communications, combined with her prior role in Congressman Mike Thompson’s office, Frohlich will bring several years of experience to The Chamber ALX Board.
Membership – Bob Brant, Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh
Bob Brant, a Land Use & Zoning practice group member at Walsh Colucci, focuses on securing zoning and land use entitlements. His expertise extends to representing condominiums and homeowners’ associations in Northern Virginia. With a commitment to membership, Bob shapes Alexandria’s landscape through his valuable legal contributions.
New Board Members
Michael Babin, Neighborhood Restaurant Group
Michael Babin has opened over 26 hospitality and retail concepts under the auspices of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group. NRG’s award-winning restaurants have been featured in publications ranging from the Washington Post and Washingtonian magazine locally to the New York Times, Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, Saveur, and many others nationally. Michael has been named Best Restaurateur/Restaurateur of the Year by Washingtonian, CityPaper, and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. Ten years ago, he founded Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making the regional food system healthier and more equitable for all.
Carter Batey, CareFirst
Carter Batey, Director of Government Affairs at CareFirst, is responsible for legislative and regulatory affairs in the Commonwealth and works to craft and implement policy at the state level. Carter is a veteran of local, state, and federal political campaigns, from City Council and State Senate to Presidential primary and general election contests. A seasoned veteran in political campaigns, Carter’s experience in the Virginia State Senate spans key policy areas. As a West End resident, Batey previously served as the Chair of the City’s Social Services Advisory Board and the Alexandria Historic Restoration Preservation Commission and is currently a gubernatorial appointee to Virginia’s Family and Children’s Trust.
Phillip Blane, Hotel Heron
Born in NYC, Blane combines culinary expertise with a Master’s in Healthcare Administration. He has previously managed assisted living communities and served as the Chef and Owner of a neighborhood restaurant in Washington DC for nearly seven years. He is a Hotel Management expert and looks forward to the opening of Hotel Heron in Spring 2024.
Dr. Lauren Fisher, Del Ray Psych & Wellness
Dr. Lauren Fisher, clinical psychologist and co-founder of Del Ray Psych & Wellness, leads a team passionate about healing, growth, and transformation. As President of the Del Ray Business Association, Fisher is passionate about supporting small businesses, encouraging collaborative and innovative partnerships among firms, promoting community well-being, and fundraising for Alexandria nonprofit organizations. She is credited with originating and running the Annual Bands & Brews Bar Crawl and The Candy Cane Bar Crawl, which has raised over $60,000 in the past six years, and for growing the Well Ray Festival, Alexandria’s largest outdoor wellness festival. She is the prior recipient of the Chamber’s 40 under 40 Award (2019), The Best in Business Rising Star Award (2020), and VIP Magazine’s Most Inspiring Women Award (2021). She is a graduate of the Alexandria Chamber’s Leadership Program (2021) and currently serves on the Alexandria Chamber’s Minority Business Council.
Lisa Katic, Wine Gallery 108
As the owner of Wine Gallery 108, Lisa brings a 5-star wine experience to Old Town Alexandria. Her boutique features fine wines, organic, sustainable, and natural craft beer, gourmet foods, local art, and handcrafted gifts. Before opening Wine Gallery 108, she was a principal at K Consulting. Lisa is a Certified Specialist of Wine and holds a degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Jay Quander, 1799 Prime Steak & Seafood
With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, Jay is known for his sharp leadership and dedication to success. Opening restaurants from Manhattan to Virginia, Jay’s imaginative and innovative approach to the hospitality industry, along with his unwavering commitment to amazing food and impeccable service, has had an impact on Alexandria’s culinary scene and beyond!
Catharine Rice, Ting Internet
Catharine Rice serves as Ting Internet’s Community Engagement & Public Affairs Manager. A 13-year resident of Alexandria in Del Ray, Rice served on the City’s IT Commission for ten years. Before her position at Ting, Catharine was a consultant to local communities, assisting them in improving their local broadband networks. Highlights of her work include playing a pivotal role in strategically utilizing millions in local ARPA broadband funds to attract a fiber gigabit company to serve a desperately broadband-underserved population and obtaining a $1.2 million EDA CARES grant, which provided fiber to the homes of four low-income, rural communities.
