Charles K. Collum, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Burke&Herbert Bank & Trust Company, will be honored as the 2009 Business Leader of the Year by the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce at their annual Business Awards Dinner on Friday, October 16, at 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Old Town Alexandria.
As well as paying tribute to the 2009 Business Leader of the Year, outstanding businesses in Alexandria will also be saluted that evening. The Annual Business Awards will be given in the following categories: Sustainable Business, Professional Service, New Business, Retail Business, Small Business and Hospitality Business. From these categories, an overall 2009 Business of the Year Award will be chosen.
Collum was selected for the Chambers top business award in large part because of his leadership and commitment to the Alexandria business community over the years and joins a distinguished list of honored business leaders since the program began in 1994.
Collum has had a stellar career with Burke & Herbert Bank for more than 38 years. He began his banking career with Alexandria National Bank in 1960. He joined Burke & Herbert in 1971 as a cashier, working his way up through the bank until 1999 when he was promoted to president and COO and became chairman of the board and chief executive officer in 2003. During his tenure at Burke & Herbert, the bank has experienced tremendous growth in assets, earnings and its branch network.
His commitment to the community has been obvious through his involvement with the Alexandria Police Foundation, the Alexandria Boys and Girls Club, the Rotary Club and is a past chairman of the board of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
We are extremely proud to have Charlie as our 2009 Business Leader of the Year, stated Tina Leone, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce President/CEO. He is the finest example of leadership in business as well as in the community of Alexandria. We are fortunate to have such a stellar person serving in so many ways to promote the best interests of our city.
Collum stated, It is truly an honor to be selected as the Business Leader of the Year. I am both humbled and excited by this recognition. Alexandria is a great city and I am happy to both live and work here.
For information on sponsorships and to make reservations to attend the Business Awards Dinner, please contact Janelle Schmidt, Communications and Events Director at 703-739-3808 or e-mail jschmidt@alexchamber.com. Reservations may also be made online at www.alexchamber.com beginning September 16.
