This weeks Friday Featured Local Business leader covers three businesses. After reading this you might wonder if Deb ever sleeps!
So, Deb, give us some background on your company. What do you do and why do you do it?
I am lucky to be a part of several great organizations.
The Rockingham Group is a local insurance company, headquartered in Harrisonburg, Virginia. We have policies for your home, car, business, farm, or rental properties. Our agents are located all over Virginia and Pennsylvania and are ready to help you.
I also work with my husband’s business – Van Horn Inspection Services. We provide home inspections and radon testing for the residential market in the Shenandoah Valley.
I work as part-time adjunct faculty in the College of Business at JMU. I teach Introduction to Computer Information Systems, a course focused on the role that information systems play in business and how they should be managed.
Do you have an ideal client? If so, what do they look like?
The ideal client in insurance is someone who is conscientious and responsible.
The ideal client for a home inspection will want us to help identify and prioritize maintenance and repair activities.
At JMU, my ideal student comes to class every week, pays attention, and engages in the conversation. No one wants to hear me talk all night, so I like for them to be involved.
What is your favorite success story in the past few years?
Learning to golf. I never thought I would like it, but after some encouragement, I went and had lessons from Nancy Brophy at Mulligans. She and Wendy Kern are amazing instructors and got a group of new and experienced female golfers out a few times. I realized that this is a great way to spend time with friends, get to know business contacts better, and get away from it all. I turn off the phone, except to take great photos while out, and enjoy the moments, even though I really am not a good golfer.
What do you like to do for fun? Favorite restaurant? Favorite place to spend a Saturday afternoon?
Spending time with my two wonderful daughters is a must. It is not unusual to find my husband and I brewing beer on a Saturday. And I love the chicken rollatini at L’Italia.
What is on your (iPod, radio, phone) while you work?
Dave Matthews Band, P!nk, and the Civil Wars are my top 3 right now.
What is your favorite book?
Favorite author is John Grisham, followed closely by James Patterson.
What is your favorite app for your phone or iPod?
Drawsomething, Trivie, and VDOT511
Where is your favorite place to vacation?
We love the Outer Banks.
What historical figure would you most like to have dinner with and why?
I would not want to have dinner with a historical figure – I believe the real people would not live up to the idolized versions in my mind.
If I could have dinner with anyone not living any longer, I would have a family meal and enjoy some delicious food, great conversation, and loving embraces.
