Cindy Creasy Woolfolk believes a strong community stems from vibrant local businesses. Her mission to support and promote Richmond-based companies is fundamental to James River Trade Exchange, which she started in 2004.

A veteran marketing entrepreneur with advertising experience and media skills, Cindy became familiar with professional barter organizations about 10 years ago when she started advising friends who created a trade exchange in New Orleans.

In developing James River Trade Exchange, she looked at existing models and applied her extensive promotions skills. She understood that the list of trade quality members is the exchange’s greatest asset. To promote that, member pages online are not restricted but searchable by the general public.

“We want our members to get new business and for people to see who they can trade with,” says Cindy, whose award-winning advertising and public relations company, Creasy Woolfolk Concepts, is a trade member. “We want them to get cash business, too.”

Jim Roman of Business Owners Institute has been a trade exchange member for a couple years. “I teach business owners how to build better businesses. When I have empty seats in a workshop, I can offer those seats for trade. … Cindy suggested how I could maximize my efforts by offering those otherwise empty seats on trade, helping me build my business.”

Cindy is a member and former vice president of the Network of Enterprising Women and her Business Network International group, BNInsteins, which named her Notable Networker for 2009.

A graduate of the mass communications/advertising program at Virginia Commonwealth University, Cindy is married to Dr. Royce W. Woolfolk Jr. and the mother of sons Royce Woodson and Nicholas. She has served as a team mom for the Richmond Little League for a dozen years.

“Rarely does one have the opportunity to get to know, let alone work with, such a warm, caring and creative person as Cindy Creasy Woolfolk,” says Re/Max Commonwealth Realtor and fellow BNInstein Claire Shaffner. “She inspires everyone who has the privilege of knowing her.”

Patti Jo Knight

After a 25 year career in customer service and accounting, Patti Jo has much to offer James River Trade Exchange as Client Relations Director. Not only does she possess vast experience and exceptional work ethics, she consistently maintains a positive attitude and is very excited about James River Trade!

Patti Jo will be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have regarding trade transactions, JRTE policies, accounting, and marketing your business through e-mails blasts, etc. In short, her objective at James River Trade is to make trading easier and your JRTE membership beneficial.

Please feel free to call her anytime at 804-257-7126 or e-mail her directly.

Connie Roden
Membership Sales Representative
connie@jamesrivertrade.com

Connie Roden brings over 25 years serving Richmond companies and individuals. Her extensive sales, marketing and customer service skills together with being a small business owner makes her keenly aware of the challenges small businesses face today.

Connie’s husband George, CPA, owner of Roden and Associates, is currently a member of JRTE. Connie has been a member as well. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring my experience as a small business owner and entrepreneur to JRTE, and look forward to helping companies experience the savings and growth that we have experienced by being a member of JRTE. “

Testimonials from Connie’s previous clients clearly define the qualities JRTE embraces: “She has the ability to genuinely listen to companies’ needs and understand them.” “Connie never flinches from going the extra mile for her clients. She truly cares about all the people she works with, and that caring is always evident.” “She is responsive to needs, honest, knowledgeable and professional. I know we can count on her to get back to us promptly.”

Kathy Ritz brings over 35 years of customer service and communication skills to JRTE as well as extensive fund raising experience with organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Atlee High School Orchestra Boosters. She is a firm believer in supporting local businesses and is proud to be part of the JRTE team to work with current members to maximize their membership. Her primary focus will be on helping members spend the trade dollars that they have accrued as well as identifying and approaching potential new members in the Ashland/Hanover area. She will also be working on a few special projects, so keep checking the website for details!

Kathy is a native New Yorker who relocated to the Richmond area in 1981. She enjoys sports (Go Giants! Go Rutgers Scarlet Knights!), gardening, traveling, and volunteering whenever she can. She currently lives in Mechanicsville with her children, Kristyn and Stephen, both of whom are students at James Madison University.

Kathy graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

Chris Miller joins JRTE with over 10 years of experience in media sales and small business consulting. As part owner and founder of several local businesses, Chris brings vast knowledge of the trade industry, general business development and marketing technology/systems.

Chris also has served as the Regional Internet manager for 10 Clear Channel radio stations. He will provide consulting for James River Trade Exchange's website and Email marketing to help keep our members informed of available trade opportunities and new member alerts.

In addition to his technological skills, his primary focus will be on new client acquisition and partnership strategy implementation.

Jonathon Hamer joins the team not only as a web site developer but a member as well. Owning his own graphic design business since 1996 our solutions have ranged from collateral material for Richmond's downtown canal opening, to retail newsletters for a number of different companies and from web site design and hosting for local organizations to print ads for businesses and brochures for non-profits.

Whatever your graphics needs, HamerDesign Inc. can help.

Now offering time lapse photography on trade. (Click here to learn more)