CVI is a Employers Association, with a board of directors, comprised of senior executives from member companies, elected by the membership at the annual business meeting .  Directors serve for a term of three years. Membership in Central Virginia Industries is comprised of large and small manufacturers, educational institutions, banks,  hospitals, insurance companies, utility companies, and more.

In 1945, a group of Lynchburg industrial leaders saw the need for an organization to unite and coordinate the efforts of employers in the Central Virginia area to defend, promote and publicize the principles and objectives of the free enterprise system.

May 24, 1945, Central Virginia Industries was incorporated under the Corporation Laws of Virginia as a non-profit association of industries for the following purposes:  To encourage and support the industries of the State, afford a medium of cooperation among the industries,work for constructive policies, oppose class legislation, to initiate,encourage, foster, and promote constructive activities on behalf of industry.  Incorporators were officials of seven Lynchburg industries: Blue Buckle Overall Company, Craddock-Terry Shoe Corporation,Glamorgan Pipe and Foundry Company, Harris-Woodson Candy Company, Lynchburg Foundry Company, Heald Division of the Mead Corporation, and Old Dominion Box Company.

CVI's  represents approximately 100 businesses from all sectors of the central Virginia economy.

CVI provides a great networking opportunity to member companies who wish to interact and exchange ideas with each other on a variety of issues and topics within as well as outside of their own business domain.  CVI's main objective is to promote postive and productive relationships between employers and employees.  It is one of 68 independent, local and regional employer associations in 40 states providing a network of contacts to address management problems. Moreover, CVI fosters strategic alliances and partnership with public and private organizations within its region to maximize the return to its' shareholders.

CVI strives to:

• be a resource to the membership on matters of employer/employee relations and related areas of Human Resource Management
• provide programs and services that promote and support positive employer/employee relations
• monitor and inform the membership regarding policies and legislation which effect matters of employer/employee relations and related areas of Human Resource Management
• cooperate in economic and industrial growth initiatives in Virginia's Region 2000.