The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce held their annual swearing in ceremony and gala Friday, March 1, at Gannett Headquarters. With four Metrorail stations and dozens of redevelopment projects coming soon to Tysons Corner, this year’s board is especially focused on the future.

“McLean continues a period of unprecedented changes and growth, it’s our responsibility as leaders to champion the interests of local businesses and our citizens,” said John Brough of Chain Bridge Bank, the chamber’s incoming chairman. “To maintain as the great and diverse community it is, we must create a vibrant business district which will nurture the interests of locally owned retail establishments, restaurants and other businesses for the benefit of everybody in McLean.”

Brough said one of his personal goals over the next year is to increase both membership and participation within the chamber.

“Now is the best time to get involved,” he said. “The chamber really has a fantastic set of programs.”

“The McLean Chamber is founded on the tenets of education, advocacy and collaboration,” said Bridget Bean, chamber member and deputy chief operating officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration. “When I first met [chamber President] Marcia Twomey and [past Chamber Board Chair] Merritt Green, I knew immediately I had to join … that the Small Business Administration had to be side by side, elbow to elbow, with the small businesses here in McLean.”

Members of the board were sworn in by Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34) and Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville). The 16-member board features six new members, representing banks, real estate companies and even the McLean Community Center.

The chamber also honored longtime volunteers Lucy Chatelain and Virginia Foley for their service.

More information can be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.mcleanchamber.org/"www.mcleanchamber.org.