The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce handed out its 2007 business awards last week and named Lynn Hampton Business Leader of the Year.

We need to find a way to let more people know about these amazing businesses that are all located in Alexandria, said Councilman Rob Krupicka. The Chamber recognized a group of businesses that really show the breadth of what is available here and most people just arent aware of them.

The New Business of the Year is Diva Designer Consignment and Other Delights. Located on Pitt Street in Old Town, the shop has something for everyone, old and new.

The Retail Business of the Year is Why the Rooster Crows, a shop with everything for baby and small treasures for pampering mom.

The Professional Service Business of the Year is Maid to Order, a cleaning service to meet the pickiest individual.

The Hospitality Business of the Year is Food Matters, the gourmet, family-style eatery at Cameron Station.

The Small Business of the Year is Video Solutions, marketing and consulting services extraordinaire.

Finally, and new this year, the Work Force Champion award went to Flippo Construction Company Inc. for its innovative attention to teaching its workforce to speak English and its managers to speak Spanish, ensuring success for everyone.

Business Leader of the Year
Lynn Hampton is successful in business and spends her free time giving back to the community she now calls home, Alexandria.

Hampton grew up in Louisville, Ky., and still returns for the Kentucky Derby and to visit family. She came to Alexandria in 1988 and began working at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on Jan. 1, 1989. She is MWAAs chief financial officer.

Things have changed a lot since 1989. We have gone from spending millions a year to billions a year, mostly on new construction, Hampton said. We are spending about $2 million a day on construction projects at Dulles and Reagan, and things are going very well.

Personally, Hampton has been chair of the Chambers board of directors twice, serves on the board of directors of the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, is the vice chair of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, is a past member of Friends of the Torpedo Factory, is a member of the board of directors of Vantage Trust, a nonprofit organization that manages deferred compensation programs and is on the board of directors of The Access Group, a nonprofit organization that provides student loans for college students.

She is proud of the Chamber award and proud of the work the Chamber has done. The Chamber provides a unified voice for business in Alexandria, she said.