In honor and remembrance of Gerald T. Halpin (Feb. 15, 1923 – Aug. 14, 2017), the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce will host a breakfast to hear about his contributions to the Greater McLean community. Jerry Halpin was among those most responsible for the development of the Tysons Corner area as a preeminent commercial hub. Halpin co-founded WestGroup in 1962, starting with the purchase of 125 acres between Lewinsville and Tysons Corner from the Ulfelder family. Within 15 years, WestGroup had purchased 560 acres and developed two McLean office parks, WestGate and WestPark, that represented over half of the office space in Fairfax County. In recent decades, Halpin was a leader of efforts to adapt the Tysons Corner area to future needs and opportunities, including advocating for the extension of heavy rail. John Ulfelder will speak about Jerry Halpin and his legacy, and about the development of West*Group over the decades. Ulfelder, a former Partner and Senior Vice President at WestGroup, currently serves the Dranesville Magisterial District on the Fairfax County Planning Commission. A past-president of the Great Falls Citizens Association, Ulfelder has a distinguished record of civic engagement, and has served on the boards of: WETA, Inova Health System Foundation, McLean Project for the Arts, McLean Historical Society, and Great Falls Heritage, Inc.
“Mr. Halpin and WestGroup had a tremendous impact on the Greater McLean business community, and Mr. Halpin made enormous contributions to the civic and cultural life of Northern Virginia. We are delighted to present this opportunity to learn about his legacy and enrich our understanding of our past as we look forward to the exciting changes going on about us,” said Paul Kohlenberger, President of the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce. “We are honored to have Mr. Ulfelder share his experiences, and the story of WestGroup, with us,” Kohlenberger added.
Breakfast – Remembering Jerry Halpin and the WestGroup Legacy will be held at j. Gilbert’s Wood-fired Steaks & Seafood – 6930 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017; 7:30-9 a.m. Fees: Chamber Members: $20; Future Members: $30.