Rosana Chaidez

President & CEO, N.B. Handy

Rosanna Chaidez moved to Lynchburg in 2016, after accepting the position of president and CEO of NB Handy, a Lynchburg-based distributor for commercial roofing and machinery products. Chaidez had built a career in business, filling various business roles in systems, supply chain and operations, and sales and marketing. Before joining NB Handy, she worked for a flooring distributor. “I went from the floor to the roof,” she laughs. “I’ve covered many building material products.”

Chaidez appreciates the slower pace that Lynchburg offers its residents. But she’s quick to add that it’s only a slower pace if you want it to be. And when she’s ready to travel, whether for work or fun, Lynchburg’s central location makes it effortless. “I can easily go to D.C., Raleigh or Charlotte—I find it very convenient,” she says.

Chaidez has been particularly impressed with the way the Office of Economic Development and the Lynchburg Business Alliance assists newcomers in the area. “They make it easy to find the right connections and friends,” she says. “This is especially helpful for those of us who move to this area for jobs.”

Chaidez had never lived in Virginia before, previously calling Chicago and then Annapolis, Maryland, home. But she and her husband quickly grew to love the area and appreciate the surrounding hiking and outdoor activities—especially the view from the top of the 2.6-mile Sharp Top Trail. “We have met wonderful people that have become our friends, and we love the convenience of a smaller town and the quality of life it offers.”