The Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is a 1400+ member and affiliates business development organization serving a population base of 530,000, with over 13,000 business entities, 4 major military installations, a NASA research facility, a Department of Energy laboratory, various National Park Service sites, and more.
The Chamber’s mission is to “Connect Business with Opportunity” and support the economic and business interests of the Virginia Peninsula and the Region. This mission is fulfilled by focusing on the “FACE” of the Chamber through Facilitating, Advocating, Communicating and Educating.
Major efforts of the Chamber include, but are not limited to, developing public policy, fostering strategic alliances, and acting as liaison with regional military commands and installations. The Chamber focuses on the solution of business related community issues through collaboration and facilitation by bringing solution-oriented resources together. The Chamber oversees its affiliates—the Virginia Peninsula Chamber Foundation, The Peninsula Chamber B-PAC, and LEAD Peninsula.
The Chamber is led by President and CEO Bob McKenna, who is responsible for its management and operations. A 1984 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, NY, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve and activated his commission in January 1985. He served for 27 years as a Surface Warfare Officer, with service in 5 ships, before retiring as a Captain in 2011, to make his home in Newport News, VA.
