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Fauquier Salutes Chamber of Commerce Award Winnersby KRISTEN ARMSTRONG, Staff Writer |
| Shock and surprise were the emotions of
the night for award recipients at the Fauquier County Chamber of
Commerce's 20th Annual Meeting and Business Person of the Year Award
Dinner, held Nov. 9. Kathy Harper of Discovery Publications and George Scheulen of Scheulen, Patchett & Edwards PC were each awarded the 2006 Business Person of the Year Award. And Stanley Parkes of Edward Jones Investments was named 2006 Local Small Business Veteran of the Year. Harper was completely surprised that she won. “It was a shock to be chosen,” she said. “But it was also such an honor that I was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce and by the business community as someone who has been outstanding in a particular area.” Harper's husband, Bill Harper, founded Discovery Publications, and she has been publisher of the three community news publications since his death 10 years ago. She had to learn the printing business from scratch. Winning the award is particularly meaningful for that reason, she said. Harper credits the success of the publications to her staff and the papers' close relationship with the community. “I would never be here if it were not for my dedicated staff,” she said. “They are very caring individuals who work very hard in support of the businesses in this community.” Harper does not connect with the community through work only. She has been involved in numerous organizations, such as the American Cancer Society and the Business and Professional Women's Foundation. She also volunteers at St. John's Evangelical. Harper has lived in Fauquier County for 22 years, and is a mother of two. Her daughter, Katie Harper Quadrini, is the account executive for Discovery's Centreville publication, and her son, Paul Harper, who attends the University of Mary Washington, is a contributor. Scheulen was shocked, as well. “I was speechless initially, really caught off guard,” he said. “But it was certainly a great honor and a huge surprise.” Scheulen said he counted himself lucky that Harper also was a winner. She gave her acceptance speech first, and that gave him a moment to gather his thoughts. “I let ladies go first!” he said. Scheulen has worked at his Warrenton-based CPA firm for 24 years, and is well-respected by people in his profession and in the community. He a member of the Virginia Society of CPAs and the Warrenton Rotary Club. He is on the board of directors of the Northern Piedmont Community Foundation and is a past president of the Fauquier County Chamber of Commerce. Scheulen is a Virginia Tech alumnus and president of the Fauquier Hokie Club, which raises money for the school's athletics department. As to why he won the award, he thinks it's because he's “been active in the community and active in the profession.” And he said that receiving the award was a “tremendous experience.” Scheulen and his wife, Barbara, have two children. His son, Brian, works at his firm, and his daughter, Laurie Gilmore, is a teacher at Marshall Middle School. Winning the 2006 Small Business Veterans Award was unexpected for Parkes, a former Army captain. “I really enjoy working in Fauquier County,” he said. “It was a surprise and an honor to receive this award.” A Mississippi State graduate, Parkes was part of the school's ROTC program and joined the Army after graduation in 1984. He fought in the first Gulf War and worked as a counterintelligence agent in Somalia before leaving the service in 1993. Today, Parkes is an investment representative for Edward Jones Investments, and works with about 1,100 clients. Parkes truly loves his community and tries to stay active in it. “I was stationed at Vint Hill Farms, and I liked it so much I stayed,” he said about his decision to live in Fauquier County. “I'm not a Virginian by birth, but I'm a Virginian by choice.” He is involved in the Rotary Club and is on the Salvation Army's board of directors. He will take an active role in the latter group's holiday kettle drive this season. “When we have slots to be filled, I'll be on the corner ringing a bell,” he said. Parkes is not afraid to go all out when it comes to community service. He drove supplies down to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina last year. Parkes and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters. Mandy attends Blue Ridge Community College, and Samantha is a student at Culpeper High School. |