Virginia's first lady visits VIR

Virginia First Lady Maureen McDonnell (left) and Virginia International Raceway managing partner Connie Nyholm took a spin in a Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup racecar at the Patriot Course at VIR on Monday. McDonnell came to VIR as part of the First Lady’s Initiatives Team Effort.

By: Tara Bozick | GoDanRiver.com
Published: August 30, 2010

ALTON — Virginia’s First Lady Maureen McDonnell couldn’t wait to take the wheel Monday.

Virginia International Raceway managing partner Connie Nyholm drove the first lady for a few laps at the Patriot Course at speeds between 95 and 100 mph. After instruction from Nyholm, Maureen McDonnell then drove another few laps in a Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup racecar.

Maureen McDonnell exited and took off her helmet after parking at the resort’s Oak Tree Tavern.

“That was too fun!” she said, all smiles.

Maureen McDonnell came to VIR as part of the First Lady’s Initiatives Team Effort, which spotlights Virginians who are creating a “Commonwealth of Opportunity” — a theme touted by Gov. Bob McDonnell’s administration.

In particular, the FLITE initiative emphasizes support for women in business, as well as promoting Virginia products, services and tourism.

Nyholm helped drive VIR from a club track to a tourist attraction and into the realm of research and development in its industrial park. The car the first lady drove was made locally and actually built in the industrial park, Nyholm told her.

Nyholm appreciates Maureen McDonnell recognizing women in business throughout Virginia.

Before partnering with Harvey Siegel to develop VIR, Nyholm had a commercial real estate business in New York — an arena with few women. Yet, she was active in the Women in Retail Real Estate.

“I’ve always lived in a man’s world as a businesswoman,” she said.

She grew up in Martinsville and said the area is supportive of women- and minority- owned businesses, but that women or anyone in business needs to be energized and excited to be in the business world.

Any small business faces difficulty in the current economic situation, she said.

“It takes a lot of guts,” Nyholm said.

Nyholm would like to continue to grow VIR to attract more business to Virginia and the region. That would involve a regional effort, she added.

According to study by Chmura Economics & Analytics, VIR has an annual economic impact of more than $77 million annually.

“We want to be a catalyst for economic development,” she said.

For more information about First Lady’s Initiatives Team Effort, visit www.firstlady.governor.virginia.gov.