Keogh gets lifetime achievement award

The Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives has bestowed its lifetime-achievement award on Hugh D. Keogh.

Keogh has been president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber of Commerce for 17 years.

The award, presented Thursday evening during an event in Blacksburg, is given to a person who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the chamber profession.

Bob Hershberger, executive vice president of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance and immediate past president of the state chamber of commerce executives association, called Keogh a champion of economic development who works with the General Assembly to advance business causes.

Keogh is a former director of the Virginia Department of Economic Development.

"He has spent most of his distinguished career as an outstanding champion of economic development, combining his encyclopedic knowledge of the commonwealth with a powerful eloquence in articulating the many advantages Virginia offers as a business location," Hershberger said.

The past presidents of association created the award. It is the first time a lifetime achievement award has been given by the association, which is administered by the Virginia chamber. -- Emily C. Dooley