Happy New Year!
Changing of the Guard

Billy Thompson, who has served as President of GMBA for the past 7 years, steering GMBA during many changes in Merrifield will be stepping down as President in 2021. Billy will remain an active member, and continue to serve on the GMBA board.
A lifelong resident of the Vienna/Merrifield area, he has witnessed the transition of Merrifield from a collection of industrial parks to an urban model of mixed use.

Billy is enthusiastic about the opportunities in Merrifield and will continue to contribute and help introduce those opportunities to our diverse membership. GMBA thanks Billy for his dedicated leadership and vision for Merrifield over the past 7 years. GMBA wouldn’t be where we are today without the unique optimism and energy he brought to GMBA.

We are pleased to also announce that Kevin Warhurst of Merrifield Garden Center will be stepping into the role of President of GMBA. The Warhurst family and Merrifield Garden Center have been stalwarts in our community for 50 years. Their generosity and commitment to the community have been unmatched, and we look forward to Kevin’s vision and leadership.

Established in 1984, GMBA has been instrumental in helping fulfill the reality of establishing Merrifield as a great place to live, work and play. Members of GMBA have served on multiple task forces and planning committees for decades, bringing about a Metro station, Mosaic District, Halstead, Mill Creek, the development of the INOVA campus, and the upcoming mixed use project on Fairview Parkway.
A Message from Kevin Warhurst,
GMBA President, 2021

Hello and Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are looking forward to what we all hope will be a safe, healthy and prosperous 2021.

As the incoming president of the Greater Merrifield Business Association, I look forward to serving and working with the Board in leading this great organization in the year ahead. I realize that in stepping into this role, I have some really big shoes to fill, as Billy Thompson has done such a great job as our president over these last seven years. Thank you, Billy, for your service and leadership, and for putting your heart and soul into the GMBA. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.

As we continue to navigate our way through the pandemic, there is no doubt that our organization will face some challenges in the months ahead, just as we did throughout 2020. But there are also many opportunities to strengthen our existing relationships, and build new ones as we seek to grow our association moving forward. I look forward to facing those challenges together, and creating opportunities to better serve our members and our community.

As you know, the GMBA has played such an integral role over the years in helping shape Merrifield into the vibrant community that it is today. Whether you live here, work here, shop here, dine here, or play here, you know what a special place Merrifield is, and how important it is to the local economy. That is due in no small part to the GMBA, and by working together we can build on that record and continue to shape the future of Merrifield for many years to come.

I want to thank the Board of Directors for the trust they have placed in me, and the membership at large for the opportunity to serve this great organization.

Sincerely,

Kevin Warhurst
Vice President, Merrifield Garden Center
Member News, Events & Promotions
SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Reopening & New Guidance

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) would re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. Read the full announcement here
GMBA New Member Special
Now through February 28, 2021
20% off first year of membership,

If you are not a member of GMBA now, we invite you to “come and see.” Membership applications are available on our website, www.greatermerrifield.org 

While we are unable to meet in person during this pandemic, our members are encouraged to announce their events, news releases, job openings, etc. in our newsletter. We are dedicated to continue outreach through zoom meetings, assisting our members to build relationships and help them grow their business during the pandemic. We look forward to the time when we can resume in-person mixers, breakfast meetings and lunches. 

Questions? Email Peggy at Director@GreaterMerrifield.org
NEW members only.
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
Wolf Trap Streaming Sessions
Keeping Music Alive


For a full list of live streaming and rescheduled concerts, click here!