July August Chamber Magazine FINAL

Feature
Karen Hedelt welcomes DeShawn Robinson-Chew, owner of
SheEO, Inc. at a recent grand opening.
Courtyard by Marriott, to downtown Fredericksburg.
She has also embraced new tourism “products” (tourism venues and
events), including the Children’s Museum of Richmond--Fredericksburg,
the upcoming Fly City Bike Tours, the Marine Corps Historic
Half Marathon, and the growing list of events at the Fredericksburg
Expo & Conference Center that have significantly increased room
stays at local hotels and generated meals and beverage tax income for
the city. Under her management, a strategic plan for the Department of
Economic Development and Tourism was recently completed.
“Karen has dedicated her professional life to the betterment of our
community, and we have all benefited from her efforts. She will be
greatly missed,” said Bill Freehling, assistant director for economic development.
In 2010, when Hedelt assumed responsibility for the city’s economic
development, as well as tourism, she embraced the synergy between the
two initiatives. She oversaw the creation of innovative business districts
and incentive programs to encourage business growth. New tourism
and economic development websites were introduced, making it easier
for tourists and businesses to learn about Fredericksburg’s assets. She
was an early and strong supporter of the city’s Main Street program.
“Karen is passionate about the Economic Development Authority’s
grant programs, particularly the façade program because it has such
an impact upon the small businesses that participate in it,” said, Amy
Peregoy, economic development specialist. “That program has resulted
in a significant ‘facelift’ to downtown.”
Despite all these endeavors, perhaps the best evidence of Hedelt’s
dedication to Fredericksburg is her charming habit of picking up small
bits of trash on the sidewalk as she walks to meetings from her office
downtown. Also she can be found downtown on her day off, tending
to an otherwise neglected, small patch of green space near the city
parking deck.
Hedelt’s friends and professional associates know that her family
is very important to her. She and her husband of 36 years, Rob, a
columnist for The Free Lance-Star, have two grown children: Taylor,
who lives in Fredericksburg, and Carden, who lives in Charlotte, N.C.
When people ask Hedelt about her plans after retiring, she says only
that she wants to “take it easy, and then do something totally different.”
Whatever that is, Fredericksburg will likely be the beneficiary.
Originally from? I was born in
South Hill, Virginia but grew up
in Seaford, Delaware. Seaford is
about 35 miles inland from the
Delaware beaches and was home
to a DuPont nylon manufacturing
plant. It was a great place to grow up.
Who has been most influential to you? My father was a
businessman in the community I grew up in. Today, more than
25 years after his death, my family stills hears from former employees
who appreciated his work ethic, compassion and ability
to have fun while achieving good things. I try to emulate his
success at identifying strengths in people and encouraging them
to our common goals.
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Professionally,
I am most proud of the team I work with in the Dept. of
Economic Development and Tourism and consider our collective
work to coordinate a strong regional tourism program, stand up
a thriving Main Street program, and build tax revenue to the city
through business recruitment and retention and lessening tax
burdens on our residents to be our most meaningful accomplishments.
Personally, I am most proud of my children, Carden and
Taylor, and the fine people they have become.
What has been the best decision you have made? The best decision
I have made is to marry Rob Hedelt and move to the City
of Fredericksburg.
Hobbies? I'm an avid gardener and enjoy cooking and entertaining.
When I have spare time, I read. On vacation, I usually
read a book a day.
In Her Own Words:
Education? I graduated from
Lynchburg College with a B.A, in
English Literature/Writing and a
minor in business.
Favorite TV Show(s)? I mainly
watch sports and news on TV but
if I had to cite a favorite show or two, I would pick “The Closer”
and “Modern Family.” I was a fiend for “Downton Abbey.”
Are you involved in the community? Not as much as I would
like. I am active in the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club and
a longtime supporter of James Monroe athletics.
What are your retirement plans? I have projects in my garden
and yard that I'm anxious to tackle, more reading, more travel,
definitely more river time and better physical fitness are among
my hopes for retirement. After the holidays, I plan to select a few
community organizations to become more involved in and I hope
to find part time work to keep me occupied.
Favorite music or artist? I mainly have Motown loaded onto
my iPod but I also enjoy Adele and other current artists. My
favorite XM channel is “Coffeehouse.”
Best laugh you have had this week? I went to dinner with a
few girlfriends earlier this week. I can’t remember what the jokes
were but we sure did think we were hysterical.
Do you have a personal motto? I think the Golden Rule pretty
much is my life’s creed. “Do unto others as you would have them
do unto you.” Not very original but I think they teach that to us
when we’re very young for a reason.
10
Fredericksburg Regional Business
JULY/AUGUST 2016