Issue Position: Jobs

Issue Position

A job is not just a job. Our work makes up a large part of who we are. Our ability to provide for our family is a source of pride and self-worth.
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​I learned the value of work at a young age. Growing up in a family of five kids, we all shared in the household chores. Our weekly allowance was earned only if we completed our chores, which were assigned on a rotating schedule. Sometimes I would negotiate for an extra allowance by weeding mom's flower garden. My wife cut grass for 50 cents an hour to earn the money to buy her first transistor radio to listen to the weekly Top 40 countdown. (She still has that radio!)
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​While there is value in hard work, hard work alone often is no longer enough for the well-paying jobs of the 21st century. Workers need a skill set that matches the requirements of the high paying jobs of today and the future. In the information age, education and access to high speed internet are critical.
​As CEO of QVC Germany, I had to navigate the complex regulations of their cable, satellite and media world in order to build a successful TV shopping channel and created 2,400 new jobs.

​When we were deciding where to build our studio, call centers, and distribution facility, the availability of an educated workforce was the single most important factor.

​The cornerstones of creating more good jobs in the Northern Neck are an educated workforce and high speed internet.

​The same is true for our existing local businesses. They also need access to reliable high speed internet service and an educated workforce. ​​

​Over the last ten years I have provided resources and free consulting to more than twenty small businesses. These range from takeout food and diners to automobile collision repair, in-home healthcare, office cleaning, and funeral services. I understand the frustration and expense of dealing with regulations designed for large corporations with teams of experts and attorneys.
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The nature of work is also changing. We see this in our own family. Two of our sons are able to work from home and one has a corporate headquarters almost 2,000 miles away! One of our daughters-in-law is able to work from home because with internet access she is able to tie directly into the accounting functions of her clients even though her corporate headquarters is a three-hour drive away. At QVC, we had employees handing calls from home when the volume became too high for the call centers to handle.

In the information age, having the skill sets and access to high speed internet allows our young people to live and work where they choose and to put family needs first. When our young people are able to keep their roots in the Northern Neck, everyone benefits and our community thrives.

I do not underestimate the challenges facing the creation of new jobs. It will take more than just hard work. We need a delegate in Richmond who has experience negotiating with cable and satellite companies, someone with experience creating jobs in the 21st century information age.

Those who know me also know I am tireless and determined when faced with a huge challenge. My strengths are my analytical capability, planning skills, and strategic thinking. I will put these skills to work crafting the legislation we need for the Northern Neck to thrive, navigating the corridors of the House and using my negotiating skills to rally support.

While the task may be complex my objective is very simple. I want every business in the Northern Neck to thrive and all our folks to have jobs.

I want every child to dream big and have the opportunity to achieve those dreams.

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