Nawbo Southeastern Virginia

Angela Barber,
Marketing Research Specialist/SWaM Coordinator
The City of Chesapeake

 

Jennifer Whitham

 

How long have you been a NAWBO SEVA Corporate Partner? 6 years

Thank you for being an active partner and advocate for NAWBO SEVA. Can you tell our readers why you are so passionate about the organization? NAWBO is a great way to network and build relationships with new and existing business partners who are looking for a variety of business services.

Based on your experience, what do you see as the most important thing a member or corporate partner can do to grow with NAWBO SEVA? Keep the lines of communication open, so that members know who you are and are aware of the services you provide.

Can you describe the key business services and solutions you provide? Local Government - Economic Development. Business development and retention, research and statistical data. Providing resources for Small Women and Minority Business.

In a few sentences, what makes your services unique? Although we provide services as a city government, every service we provide is tailored to our target audience, the business community. From our Economic Development Investment Program, to our Fast Track Permitting process, no business is too big or too small for us to work with.

Which city in Hampton Roads do you call home? Virginia Beach, VA

What do you like to do when you're not working? I enjoy spending time with my daughters (ages 7 and 12). Their different personalities keep me busy. I also enjoy bike riding, gardening and cooking.

The last really great book you read that you'd like to recommend to NAWBO SEVA members and partners? It's been a while since I've had time to read a good book... the reason... see answer to previous question!

Someone you admire and why? My Mother.... who always believed first in her faith. She taught my sisters and I that being successful is a choice and that the choices we make in life determine how successful we were to become.

The City of Chesapeake is part of Virginia's Hampton Roads, America's First Region, located at the midpoint of the US Atlantic Coast, 3.5 hours south of Washington, DC. Two-thirds of the US population and industrial production are within 750 miles (1,200 km) of Chesapeake, one of the 100 largest cities in America, and one of its best locations for business investment and quality of life. Hampton Roads is the 31st largest Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) in the United States. Salaries are below the U.S. average Local labor force is augmented annually by 17,000 exiting military personnel, 40,000 military spouses and more than 8,500 graduating college students Labor costs in Chesapeake are historically competitive nationally, particularly because of Virginia state laws that contain employer costs in the areas of workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. Chesapeake embraces the global village concept, blending the best of America with the cosmopolitan influences of over 80 foreign-based companies from 19 different countries . Consistently ranked by the FBI as one of the five safest U.S. cities with populations over 200,000, Chesapeake is a family-oriented city with a pace that's in keeping with dynamic global business community. For more information on Chesapeake Economic Development, please visit

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