LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS HELPING GERMANNA PREPARE TO LAUNCH CUSTOMER SERVICE ACADEMY

Plow & Hearth founder Peter Rice talks about the elements that are critical to strong customer service.

Peter Rice, founder of Plow & Hearth, is facilitating a group of area business leaders planning a Germanna Community College Customer Service Academy.

The Academy to be offered by GCC's Workforce and Continuing Education program, will assist the region's business community in improving the quality of customer service.

Rice provided insight into how Plow & Hearth became an outstanding customer-focused company.

Among the local business leaders putting the Germanna Customer Service Academy are Rice; Bob Hagan of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce; Bob Alexander, CEO ofPratt Medical; Brian Baker: Executive Director of the Rappahannock Region Small Business Development Center; M.C. Moncure, Stafford County Tourism Manager; Colleen Hairston, President of the Fredericksburg Hospitality Association;Russell Seymour, Director of Economic Development for Spotsylvania County; Tom Blalock of Union Bank and Trust; Judi Bartlett, Associate Dean of Instruction at Germanna; Sharon Clark, Owner of Cameleer; Susan Barnhardt, owner of Pepperberries; and Jim Charapich of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce.