With almost 20 years of communication and media relations experience, Jennifer Y. Scott has assumed the position of executive director of the Hanover Association of Businesses and Chamber of Commerce
Published: July 01, 2009
By Melody Kinser
With almost 20 years of communication and media relations experience, Jennifer Y. Scott has assumed the position of executive director of the Hanover Association of Businesses and Chamber of Commerce.
The Doswell resident, who is president of Touch Points Public Relations, succeeds Cameron B. Wood who announced in January he was stepping down as the local business organization’s leader. Wood had held the office for more than two decades.
Scott was introduced by Wood to the business community during a business after hours in April.
“Having lived in Hanover for nearly 16 years, I have a true love for the county as a community,” said Scott. “I worked for several years at the Hanover County School Board, in fact, I started what is now Channel 99, the schools’ cable access channel.”
During her time working with the school system, she said she “learned so much about our business leaders and how much they love and support our community as a whole. Now that I’m working with the business leaders, it is a special feeling knowing how much they give to Hanover. Our businesses are the economic backbone for the county and they are working hard to survive this economic downturn.”
To help survive in today’s economy, the HABCC board, Scott said, is “working hard to find ways to save money for our members with new discount programs.
In fact, we’re rolling out several new programs including one for OfficeMax and FedEx. The savings are substantial and should really help our members.”
Scott has been making the rounds in the county, “meeting with business leaders and hearing their challenges with this economy. Entrepreneurs are very creative and adaptive people who will constantly fight to save their businesses.
“I believe with all my heart that businesses, especially the small business, will be the ones that help pull us out of this economic downturn. Our innovative businesses will figure out how to not just survive, but thrive.”
She welcomes the input of the business community and invites them to “reach out and talk with me about what they need from our organization. I am always willing to listen.”
Scott’s own business, which she started in 2004, is a communication company specializing in public relations and change management.
She holds an Accredited Public Relations professional standing from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
Her community involvement includes working with the committee that supported passage of the 2005 bond referendum.
Scott is a member of the board for the Hanover Tavern Foundation and the Chickaho-miny Disabilities Service Board.
As for Wood, the organization that he served will be recognized with a celebration in early October. “His dedication and tireless energy have made him a force for business in the county. They are large shoes to fill,” Scott said.
He will remain an active member of the HABCC board of directors and will work with Scott in the transition period.
