Our Next Speaker
Garth Larcen, Executive Director, Positive Vibe Training Board
Attended St. Bridget’s Catholic Elementary School, Benedictine High School, and Virginia Tech with a degree in Political Science
Opened two restaurants in Blacksburg. The first, The Sewer Sub Shop, while attending school. The second in 1976, a French Continental restaurant called The Possibility.
Operated an insurance and consulting business 1982 — 2005.
2 children: daughter- Blair, age 27, graduate of St. Gertrude’s High School and Warren Wilson College, son- Max, age 30, a graduate of Blessed Sacrament High School and attended VCU for two years. Max has Muscular Dystrophy and is the inspiration for the Positive Vibe Café
Began the GLMD Foundation in 2001 - A charitable foundation to operate a training restaurant for people with disabilities called Max’s Positive Vibe Caf.
Opened Positive Vibe Cafe - January 2008.
Has successfully trained and/or employed 200 people with either cognitive or physical disabilities.
Max’s Positive Vibe Café has received awards from the National Restaurant Association for the States Community Neighborhood Awai’d also, from the Virginia State Board of Education and Career Transitional Department as the Employer of the Year.
Locally, awards from The Virginia Museums for Creativity in Business and the Chamber of Commerce for innovative employment programs.
Positive Vibe Café has been covered in the Wall Street Journal and on the CBS Early Show and NBC Nightly News.
Received the first Outstanding Achievement Award from the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities in January 2006.
Positive Vibe was one of two non-profit organizations recognized nationally as the recipient Of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy New Freedom Initiative Award October 24, 2007.
Positive Vibe Café was selected as Employer of the Year by the National Division on Career Development & Transition, April 2008.
Positive Vibe Café was recognized by the Valentine Richmond History Center as a 2008 Richmond History MJer for Demtinstrating Innovative Solutions.