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2024 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 385
Commending Martha S. McClees.
 
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 8, 2024
 

WHEREAS, Martha S. McClees assumed the position of executive director of Virginia Beach Vision, Inc., in 2008 upon the retirement of its founding director; and

WHEREAS, Martha McClees has been central to growing Virginia Beach Vision’s reputation as a visionary, forward-thinking leader of the business community, as a valued partner by the city’s elected and administrative leadership, and as a resource for the region’s community leaders; and

WHEREAS, building on more than forty years of experience as a governmental affairs specialist and business lobbyist and as a community leader on numerous civic, city, and business committees and commissions, Martha McClees brought to the organization a well-versed understanding of the political systems, climates and challenges, and histories that continue to influence the future of Virginia Beach and its sister cities; and

WHEREAS, at the request of several elected city leaders, Martha McClees led Virginia Beach Vision’s efforts to mount the light rail campaign, necessitating the creation of a new board of directors, identification and engagement of grassroots advocates, adherence to regulatory requirements, and work with outside firms in the development of a marketing, advertising, and social media plan; and

WHEREAS, Martha McClees’ focus on the internal operations of Virginia Beach Vision led to greater member involvement, heightened communications internally and externally, and expanded ability to identify and focus on emerging issues; and

WHEREAS, Virginia Beach Vision was able to creatively adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide timely information on business relief and granting opportunities, and also used remote access meetings to sustain awareness of and involvement in key issues, thus allowing Virginia Beach Vision to be a partner in the community’s recovery; and

WHEREAS, during Martha McClees’ tenure, Virginia Beach Vision has influenced many initiatives and decisions that have shaped and will continue to shape the community, including the prioritization of regional road projects and funding and development plans for the former Virginia Beach Dome site, the 31st Street corridor, the city’s resort area, Strategic Growth Areas, flood mitigation and bond financing, the regional broadband network, and the emerging offshore wind industry; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Martha S. McClees hereby be commended for her professional guidance and administration of Virginia Beach Vision, Inc., over the past 16 years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Martha S. McClees as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for her lifelong engagement and contributions in making Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads region economically and culturally desirable communities.