James City County names Waltrips recipient of Captain John Smith Award

October 7 , 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Keith Taylor, JCC Director of Economic Development
(757) 253-6607 or econdev@james-city.va.us

James City County s Captain John Smith Award for outstanding business achievement was presented at the 12th Annual Celebration of Business to local airport co-owner/operators Larry and Jean Waltrip. The County’s Board of Supervisors, Economic Development Authority (EDA) and Office of Economic Development hosted the annual business celebration on Oct. 5 in the Robert V. Hatcher Rotunda at Jamestown Settlement.

“The Waltrips are two people who have spent a lifetime contributing to our community on both a business and personal level,” said EDA

Chair Virginia B. Hartmann.  She also cited  their several successful local businesses, including a recycling operation and a mulch business. 

They are most closely identified with The Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport, established in 1970.

The Waltrips’ airport, developed and operated largely by their own resources in cooperation with Mary Waltrip and Tim Waltrip, Larry Waltrip’s mother and brother, was named Corporate Citizen of the Year by the Williamsburg Area Chamber of Commerce in 1998.  Larry and Jean Waltrip were inducted into the Virginia Aeronautical Society Hall of Fame in 2001.  Both also have contributed countless hours as community volunteers.
EDA Chair, Ginny Hartmann, and Captain John Smith Award Winners,  Jean and Larry Waltrip
Economic Development Director, Keith Taylor, and award winners Jean and Larry Waltrip
SandyWanner (County Administrator), Jean Waltrip, Keith Taylor (Economic Development Director, and Larry Waltrip
 
pproximately 80 guests participated in the County’s salute to major industrial, technical and business service companies.  “Business, in all its many forms, is a huge part of having a healthy community, and we are gathered here this evening to recognize and celebrate that,” stated Board of Supervisors Chairman, Michael J. Brown.

Initiated in 1994, the Captain John Smith Award honors businesses, organizations, groups or individuals that have made significant contributions to the County and citizens in terms of tax base, employment or philanthropy. Past recipients have included: The Williamsburg Pottery, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Wythe Will Distributing, Ball Metal, Service Metal Fabricators, Printpack, Wal-Mart Import Distribution Center, and Avid Medical.