June 1, 2026: Culpeper Young Professionals
This month’s Young Professional Spotlight is
Cody Banks with Banks Graphic Design! We
are proud to have Cody on the Culpeper
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors as
well as serving as Chair of our Membership
& Marketing Committee! Thank you Cody for
all that you do for the Chamber!
Cody Banks, Owner and Creative Director of
Banks Marketing & Design, is a dynamic
young professional whose creativity,
leadership, and commitment to community
have made a lasting impact in Culpeper. Originally from Madison, Virginia, Cody has called Culpeper home since marrying his wife, Kiersten, in 2013. Over
the course of the last decade, he has built both a thriving business and a reputation as a champion for local organizations.
With more than 15 years of experience in graphic design, marketing, and branding, Cody founded Banks Marketing & Design to support small businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies through an approach that leads first with connection and trust. What started as a side hustle has now grown
into a successful and locally known small business with multiple team members and even an internship program featured on the Virginia Career Works podcast for its impact on workforce development.
Cody’s talent and dedication have earned widespread recognition. Banks Marketing & Design has been named Best Graphic Design Agency in Best of Culpeper with design accolades including the Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council. Cody himself has also been nominated for Young Professional of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year, reflecting both his professional excellence and community influence.
A true advocate for local business success, Cody generously gives his time and expertise through educational programming with the Chamber of Commerce with trainings on topics such as Ethical Usage of AI and Branding for Nonprofits. He serves on the Chamber Board, chairs the Membership and
Marketing Committee, and acts as a coach for Career Partners’ signature ESquared program, helping guide the next generation of professionals.
Outside of work and volunteering, Cody enjoys hiking, tackling home projects, and, most interesting of all, building a racing lawnmower with several friends. This year’s chosen charity, Operation First Response, holds special meaning for Cody, honoring his family’s military legacy: his great-grandfather served in World War II, and his grandfather was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Cody Banks exemplifies the spirit of a young professional who blends creativity, service, and leadership to strengthen both business and community.
June 3, 2026
We had a great turnout for the ribbon cutting, celebrating Xpress Copy & Graphics and their 20th anniversary! It was wonderful to come together and recognize two decades of service, creativity, and commitment to our local business community. Be sure to stop by, celebrate, and help congratulate Xpress Copy & Graphics on 20 years in business!
June 9, 2026
A big thank you to Eddie’s Engraving — our go-to partner for all things awards, plaques, trophies, and custom engraving!
We’re excited to share that Eddie has delivered the official 2026 CulpeperFest trophies!
One for our Mascot Race Champion and one for the winner of the Soundwave Showdown Competition!
These beautifully crafted awards are ready and waiting… now it’s time to see who will take them home!
Friday, June 12
4–8PM
Germanna Daniel Technology Center
Come cheer on the competitors and see the winners crowned — CulpeperFest is FREE to attend!
June 11, 2026
Please join us in welcoming our Summer Intern, Jackson Romero!
We are thrilled to have Jackson joining the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce this summer through the PATH Foundation!
Jackson is a graduate of Eastern View High School and is currently a sophomore at Virginia Tech. He also participated in the Career Partners E2 program, helping him build valuable skills and career experience along the way.
This summer, Jackson will be splitting his time between UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center and the Culpeper Chamber! While he’s with us, he’ll be working on outreach calls, social media content creation, database auditing, and so much more.
We’re excited to have his energy and talent on the team and hope many of you will get the chance to connect with him in the coming weeks—including at CulpeperFest! Be sure to stop by, say hello, and help us give him a warm welcome! Welcome, Jackson! We’re so glad you’re here – it is going to be a GREAT summer!
June 16, 2026: CulpeperFest
Rain couldn’t dampen the spirit of Culpeper!
Despite the weather, our community showed up in the best way possible on Friday for CulpeperFest, proving once again just how special this town truly is. A HUGE thank you to the incredible local businesses, the dedicated volunteers, and every single person who braved the rain to come out and celebrate with us.\
Your support, energy, and community pride mean everything. We are so grateful for all of you—and so proud to be part of Culpeper!
June 17, 2026: Lisa Peacock
After three decades of extraordinary dedication, Lisa Peacock is retired from Culpeper Human Services, leaving behind a legacy that has touched countless lives across our community.
For 30 years, Lisa has been a tireless advocate for the people of Culpeper, consistently going above and beyond in her role. With an estimated 27% of our citizens receiving assistance through social services, her work has truly made a difference at every level. From supporting families and children to ensuring care for our elderly and most vulnerable neighbors, Lisa’s impact has been both profound and far-reaching.
Under her leadership, Culpeper Human Services has grown into a multifaceted agency—operating Full Circle Thrift store and Kid Central, as well as providing Head Start programs, foster care services, family and child protection, homeless shelter, and elderly services. She has also strengthened partnerships with local organizations and built new ones, ensuring even greater support for those in need.
Lisa’s commitment extends well beyond her role—serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Public Transportation Board alongside Amy, Aging Together, Culpeper Housing & Shelter Services, New Pathways Tech and previously the Chamber Board. Her dedication and service were recognized when she was named the 2024 L.B. Henretty Memorial Outstanding Citizen Award winner—a true reflection of her heart for this community.
Today, we simply want to say THANK YOU. Thank you, Lisa, for your passionate leadership, your unwavering commitment to people, and the lasting impact you have made on Culpeper. You will be deeply missed, but your legacy will continue to inspire us all.
Chamber Members: Don’t miss BIE Day on July 31! Booth space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon.
Connect with 1,200+ CCPS staff and showcase your business before the school year begins.Not a Chamber member? Reach out to us to learn how you can get involved.Limited sponsorship opportunities are also still available!
BIE Day, July 31 (Reminder)
Chamber Members: Don’t miss BIE Day on July 31! Booth space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot soon.
Connect with 1,200+ CCPS staff and showcase your business before the school year begins.
Not a Chamber member? Reach out to us to learn how you can get involved.
Limited sponsorship opportunities are also still available!
June 25, 2026: Julie Bushong History Room
What a special moment at today’s ribbon cutting, celebrating the surprise dedication of the Culpeper County Library’s History Room in honor of Julie Bushong, Local History & Genealogy Specialist.
Julie has dedicated 30 years of service to preserving and sharing Culpeper’s history, and it was wonderful to see her recognized in such a meaningful way. During the ceremony, she shared a story from her early days at the library.
While in training, she asked about one of the rooms and was told, “Oh, we don’t go in there.” Little did she know that her career would go on to transform how our community connects with and values its history.
We are so grateful for Julie’s passion, knowledge, and lasting impact on Culpeper. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!
June 25, 2026: Culpeper Young Professionals
For the Chamber’s June Business Development & Assistance Council (BDA) meeting, we took a field trip to Epiphany Catholic School and had the pleasure of hearing from Principal Peter Schultz about the incredible work happening there.
Epiphany serves students from Pre-K through 8th grade, with full-time care options and an average class size of just 10–12 students, allowing for more personalized learning. While rooted in the Catholic tradition, with students attending Mass once a week, the school warmly welcomes both Catholic and non-Catholic families.\
Some highlights from the visit:
- Focus on skills, habits, self-discipline, and student advocacy over test scores
- Emphasis on childhood development, hands-on learning, and “letting kids be kids”
- Strong enrichment opportunities including arts, music, sports, gifted programs, and a new special education program
- Dedicated staff of 26, including 14 teachers, supporting about 111 students (with room to grow!)
- Commitment to community engagement, from service projects to local events
We also learned about their efforts to help address the childcare gap in Culpeper and their goal of supporting the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally.
A big thank you to Mr. Schultz and the Epiphany team for hosting us and sharing your passion for education and community!
June 26, 2026: Voda Cleaning & Restoration
We were excited to celebrate a ribbon cutting for Voda Cleaning & Restoration of Culpeper – Warrenton and the opening of their new location at 211 W. Evans St.
Since 2024, Voda has been proudly serving the Culpeper community, and this new public-facing space marks an exciting step forward in their growth. Their team provides professional cleaning and restoration services, helping homeowners and businesses recover and maintain their spaces with confidence.
Congratulations to Voda Cleaning & Restoration on this milestone. We look forward to seeing their continued success in Culpeper!
