West Nova News

Dario Campolatarro, managing director at Hilb Group Mid-Atlantic, said that he is thrilled to have been nominated for the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Community Leadership Awards in the Executive Leader Award category.

 “I’m really proud and honored – certainly humbled – to be selected,” he told the West Nova News. “I mean, there’s a lot of really good people in the community, so I’m thrilled about it.”

The chambers awards recognize leaders not only for what they accomplish in business, but also what they contribute to the community, the chamber said in a press release. Campolatarro contributes time to multiple organizations that do work he values.

“What you get involved with should be something you’re passionate about, and then it’s easy” he said. 

With the hectic life many lead, it can be easy to not find time to give back if the way a person contributes to their community is something that they don’t really care about deeply, he said.

(1:25) “So, finding things that are important to you and really getting involved, I think, is essential,” Campolatarro said. “And then just committing to something long-term, and trying to make an impact.”

It can be tempting for some in business to join organizations purely for the sake of having that service on their resume, he said.

(1:50) “But, I think if somebody looks for something they’re truly passionate in, then all of a sudden it becomes a lot easier to do it,” he said.

Campolatarro has found his passions shift over the years, though much of his work has focused on helping children, such as with the Greater Washington Boys and Girls Club and the toy program for the Loudoun County Salvation Army, he said. 

He is currently closely involved with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the CEO Cabinet, as well as Step Sisters, an organization his wife, Ashley, founded to support local women who are going through treatment for breast cancer.

As a member of Loudoun SHRM and the CEO Cabinet, Campolatarro has the opportunity to engage in a number of ways to assist other business professionals grow professionally, he said. He is especially excited about his work with the CEO Cabinet, which he chairs.

The CEO cabinet, an organization composed of local business leaders, focuses on three primary areas: education and workforce readiness, transportation, and attainable housing, he said. That provides opportunities to be involved in everything from K-12 education to adult education to addressing socio-economic hurdles that hold many local residents back in finding affordable housing.

“One of the things we’re in the process of doing now is, we’re going to be supporting some charities – which, historically, we haven’t done consistently,” he said. “So, that allows CEO Cabinet members, possibly, to bring forward their passion projects, and create an environment where the organization can support those.”

As a Loudoun County resident for more than two decades, Campolatarro said that he sees involvement in the community where one lives as an essential value.

(6:35) “I try to encourage my team to also pursue their passions, as far as whatever organizations or charities or how they spend their free time – or even sometimes work time,” Campolatarro said. “I want to encourage them to be able to pursue those, as long as they are committed to the organization and getting involved, rather than just joining something and never doing anything. I really want people to join boards, participate in events, really roll up their sleeves and do the work.”

The 2021 Community Leadership Awards winners will be announced at the Chamber’s 53rd Annual Meeting & Community Leadership Awards. The event will be virtual this year at noon on Jan. 27.