Chris Berry On The Net

As many of my local readers probably already know, the City of Roanoke has recently launched the Creative Communities Leadership Program, and is seeking 30 volunteers to serve as Creative Connectors during the 12 month campaign. I believe this represents an opportunity for the Roanoke Valley to take an important step forward in our ongoing efforts to strengthen and diversify the local economy. I have applied for one of the volunteer positions, and I have decided to share my application by posting it here. Anyone who would like to speak up in favor of my application, please do so in the comments.

February 4, 2009

Ms. Darlene Burcham
City Manager
215 Church Avenue, S.W.
Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building
Room 364
Roanoke, VA 24011

Dear Ms. Burcham:

I was very excited to learn about the new Creative Communities Leadership Program being undertaken by the City of Roanoke. Please accept this letter as my formal application to become one of the 30 Creative Connectors. After examining the online application form, I have made the decision to submit my application in an alternative format that better reflects my qualifications. I humbly suggest that you encourage others to do so as well. If you’re looking for people to think outside the box, it may not be wise to restrict them to filling in boxes on a form.

As for the statistical information requested on the application, being a 47 year old heterosexual white male does not earn me any diversity points. On the other hand, as an atheist firmly committed to the separation of Church and State, it appears that I represent the point of view of a very small minority in the Roanoke Valley.

I graduated from North Cross School in Roanoke, and earned a B.A. in Economics & Business from Randolph-Macon College. I also attended graduate school at the Rochester Institute of Technology, but did not complete the thesis requirement in time to earn my M.S.

My current employment situation is perhaps not my most obvious qualification for the post. The fact is that I have been unemployed for the past 13 months since selling a small business in December of 2007. My inability to find suitable employment opportunities in Roanoke does, however, give me a bird’s eye view of the problems faced by job-seekers in our local economy.

Prior to becoming unemployed, I was the founder and owner of Foodies. Starting a small business targeted at upscale professionals gave me a unique insight into the demographic challenges faced by local entrepreneurs. I also learned a great deal about the obstacles to new entrepreneurial ventures posed by various government agencies, particularly at the city level.

Before opening Foodies, I spent the bulk of my career in the commercial printing industry. I worked for companies ranging in size from small family owned enterprises to Fortune 500 corporations. While the bulk of my responsibilities were in the area of sales and sales management, at some point in my career I’ve been involved in virtually every aspect of the business. In my capacity as a sales executive, my performance placed me in the top 1% of producers nationwide for 10 consecutive years.

The application form shows a heavy emphasis on prior civic involvement and leadership as selection criteria. I suggest that these may not be the best standards by which to judge the people you are seeking. If fresh thinking and new ideas are the objective, you are less likely to get them by dipping into the same pool of candidates whose past leadership has gotten us to this point.

As far as my own civic involvement goes, my experience is limited by the fact that I am a relative newcomer to the Roanoke Valley. Even though I’ve lived here for roughly half my life, I did move away for twenty years before returning in late 2002. Since that time I have started a unique small business targeted specifically at the upscale young professional demographic that the city is so eager to cultivate. Through that business, I was a generous supporter of over a dozen local charitable and cultural organizations, providing both in-kind contributions and pro-bono services. I’ve also played an active role in organizing and promoting the annual Gallop 4 The Greenways event, and I’m currently in the process of creating a new website to increase the effectiveness of our individual fundraising efforts. In October of 2008, I was appointed to serve as a member of the board of the Economic Development Authority of the City of Roanoke.

While I’ve done my best to become an active and engaged member of the community, I don’t consider myself to be a leader in the traditional sense. Because of my generally introverted nature, I don’t have the networking or social skills required to be the spokesman for any cause. You won’t ever find me working a room or glad-handing with the local bigwigs. What I do have is the ability to develop new ideas and to devise creative solutions for challenging problems. I am also fortunate to possess the writing skills to express those ideas in a manner that is clear, concise, and convincing.

The fact that I have not lived in the area for my entire life is actually one of my best qualifications to become a Creative Connector. Even though I’ve moved over a dozen times, I’ve always considered the Roanoke Valley to be my home. I was one of those young professionals we hear so much about who left in search of greener pastures. After completing my education, I set out into the world in search of opportunities that were simply not available locally. Over the years, my career led me to a number of major metropolitan areas, including Richmond, Charlotte, Washington, DC, and even Buffalo, NY. I have first hand knowledge of what leads young people to leave, and what may eventually bring them back.

When I left Roanoke, the local economy was beginning to make the transition from decades of domination by Norfolk Western and General Electric. When I returned 20 years later, a new power player had emerged. While the growth of Carilion has been a boon to those in the healthcare industry, opportunities for people in other fields have not kept pace. I’m looking for a chance to share my experience to help local businesses grow, and create opportunities for the next generation of Roanokers. My goal is to ensure that when the time comes for my son to begin his career, remaining in Roanoke will be a viable option for him.

In addition to this long-term view, it is essential to focus on the present. Promising career opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds can only come about through diversification of our local economy. The primary focus of the economic development effort should be on creating an atmosphere that encourages entrepreneurialism, and takes advantage of the economic, educational and cultural resources of the region as a whole.

As for my abilities in Research, Advocacy, Communication, Writing and Creativity, I’ve addressed most of those points elsewhere. Just to be certain, here’s a quick self-assessment.

Research: This takes many forms. I can usually find what I’m looking for on Goggle, but don’t count on me to discover the cure for cancer.

Advocacy: Another term with many possible meanings. Can I convince other people to support an idea or a cause? Yes. Can I serve as the public spokesman for that cause? Probably not.

Communication: See Advocacy.

Business Reporting & Writing: One of my greatest strengths. See Communication.

Creativity & Innovation: Again, one of my greatest strengths.

As far as the problems facing Roanoke, I’ve written numerous articles over the past year that address the subject directly. The links at the end of this letter will give you a clear idea of my position on a wide variety of local matters.

As a result of my introverted nature and the fact that I have been self-employed for most of my time in Roanoke, I do not have an extensive network of professional references. What I do have is a large number of people who have come to know me through my writing and other community activities. I have posted this letter on my website and will ask my readers to provide the references. I hope that you will follow the conversation here.

Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Chris Berry
2220 Stanley Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24014

LINKS

New Ideas For Development Incentives
A Tale Of Two Neighborhoods
A Few More Thoughts On Miller’s Hill
Abandoned Downtown Landmarks Call For Creative Solutions
Time To Consider A New Home For The Food Court Vendors
Tell The Farmers To Shut Up
Why Chico’s Happiness Shouldn’t Matter>
Chico Was Not Happy Last Night”>
Missing The Point On Rockledge
Transportation Museum Should Hold A Yard Sale
Council Forum A Flop
Passenger Rail Service Doesn’t Add Up
Why I Stay In Roanoke
Why Regionalism Never Works
Intermodal Facility More Important Than Ever