The Online Newsletter for the Virginia Economic Developers Association
September 2021
President's Column
Reunited and it feels so good! Last week we gathered in Norfolk to hold our first in-person conference since the start of the pandemic. Approximately 220 members from across the Commonwealth came together to network, learn, and celebrate the return of VEDA’s signature conference events. Attendees were provided either red, yellow, or green bracelets to show their comfort level with social distancing and COVID protocols were put in place, but being able to meet in person was a significant milestone in VEDA’s return to normal. 
 
I’d like to thank Chris Gullickson (Port of Virginia) and Amy Jordan (Hampton Roads Alliance), our Fall Conference co-chairs, for planning an outstanding event. Their connections and commitment provided attendees with great panels that touched on important topics, such as unmanned systems and alternative energy. As always, Stephen Moret’s (Virginia Economic Development Partnership) commitment to VEDA and willingness to speak at our conferences is greatly appreciated. We’d also like to thank Robb Bohannon (Hunton Andrews Kurth) for providing VEDA’s public policy update; Robb, Todd, and the team at Hunton Andrews Kurth have done a fantastic job for VEDA in the first year of working with our public policy Chair Chris Lloyd (McGuireWoods Consulting, LLC) and the Board and we look forward to many more productive years ahead. We were honored to hear from the two candidates for Governor, Glenn Youngkin and Terry McAuliffe, both of whom pledged their support to working with the economic development community if elected. Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Connie Long, today and every day, for helping make VEDA and all of its events so successful.
 
In case you missed it, our keynote speaker, Sean Hand aka, “The Awkward Networker,” both entertained and informed us how to navigate a networking reception after months without practice. His book, That Was Awkward: Seven Secrets of an Awkward Networker, is a cornucopia of confidence builders and tips to carry out a conversation like a pro. Among them are ideas for how to smoothly exit a conversation, such as “the pass off” where you hand a conversation off to someone close by. I’ll give it a try right now: Have you read the rest of this newsletter? Keep scrolling; I should really get going but it was great talking with you. See you soon!

Steve Harrison
VEDA President
Hampton Roads Alliance
SAVE THE DATE AND PLAN TO ATTEND THE
VEDA WINTER MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Tuesday, November 30th - Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Staunton, Virginia
Registration and Details Coming Soon!
VEDA Fall Conference brings members back together to network and learn
VEDA's Fall Conference hosted 200+ economic developers and partners in Norfolk last week.

Check out the photos below!

Visit VEDA's website to see presentations and the recordings of the Live Streaming sessions from Thursday and Friday. Also available are speaker bios and the registration list.
FALL CONFERENCE VIRGINIA SPONSORS
FALL CONFERENCE COMMONWEALTH SPONSORS
2022 LANYARD SPONSOR
2020 and 2021 Cardinal Awards announced at VEDA Fall Conference
VEDA presented four leaders in economic development with Cardinal Awards at the VEDA Fall Conference in Norfolk. The Cardinal Award is the most prestigious honor bestowed by VEDA to deserving members. The award recognizes leadership in the field of economic development, outstanding professional accomplishments and exceptional service to the organization.
 
Recipients included James Noel, Jr. (York County Economic Development); John Loftus (Virginia Economic Development Partnership); Patrick Barker (Frederick County Economic Development Authority); and Deborah Flippo, (Draper Aden Associates). Barker and Flippo are 2020 Cardinal Award honorees, but because the VEDA Fall Conference was virtual last year, they were recognized last week. Noel and Loftus are 2021 recipients.
 
Noel, according to his nomination letter, “is a firm believer that economic development is capable of making enormous positive impacts on the lives of citizens and business owners in our communities, and he has dedicated his life to doing just that.” He has served in a direct role in economic development for more than 40 years, is the immediate Past President of VEDA. He was instrumental in guiding the organization during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his direction, York County has expanded its tax base and attracted multiple large employers to the area, with Noel spearheading several key transformative projects.
 
Loftus’ versatile skillset has equipped him to address economic development across the Commonwealth, according to his nomination letter. He was part of the original Business Ready Sites Program team, using his coaching and mentoring abilities to assist numerous localities in the Commonwealth. Additionally, Loftus played a key role in improving the Brownfield Grants and Tobacco Commission Megasites. His nomination letter lauds his charitable work, which includes assisting the Feed More food distribution effort, dedication to the Angel Tree process and leadership in raising funds to support Multiple Sclerosis.
 
Barker has exceled in economic development for more than two decades. Under his direction, Frederick County ranks ninth in the state after securing more than $300 million in capital and nearly 4,000 new jobs in the last 10 years. He has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America and one of the “40 Under 40 Rising Stars in Economic Development”. Barker is a Past President of VEDA and continues to serve the organization in various roles. The Eagle Scout is active in several charitable endeavors, including the Boy Scouts.
 
Flippo focuses on serving the economic development industry in her role at Draper Aden Associates. Her expertise and leadership have been exemplary on projects such as the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program, Virginia’s Industrial Advancement Alliance, the Roanoke Regional Partnership, the Rural Planning Caucus of Virginia and VEDA.
The nomination letter for Flippo salutes her as “a lighthouse for professionals of all ages in economic development.” She is also active in Fellowship Community Church and participated in two mission trips to Zambia.
Welcome New Members
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REGION 8
  • Debbie Irwin, Executive Director, Shenandoah Community Capital Fund, debbie@sccfva.org

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Join after October 15th and your dues investment is good until December 31, 2022! You also have the option to join for two years and receive a $50 discount in the second year of your membership
Take advantage of the many benefits that VEDA membership offers.
Check us out at wwwGOVEDA.org
VEDA/VEDP impactED Online Events -- See schedule and registration links on VEDA website
3 programs remain for 2021
Topics/Speakers to be Announced Soon.
Registration is free to VEDA members and is open now!
VEDA members in the news
Longtime Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) president, Gene A. Stinson announced his retirement effective December 31, 2021 after leading the Association for 23 years. The SEDC Board has created a search committee and will begin a nationwide search for Stinson's replacement.
The Virginia SBDC Network is partnering with the Federal Reserve Bank to conduct a Small Business Credit Survey. The findings will help in determining needs as well as gaps and opportunities to support business owners in accessing capital. CLICK HERE to access the survey which closes November 19, 2021. Results will be published early in 2022.
VEDA member Bryan Rothamel has been named Director of Economic Development for Culpeper, VA Economic Development. Rothamel was previously the economic development director for Fluvanna County.
Virginia's Gateway Region (VGR) has launched a campaign to market the region to grow a leading global cluster of advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing. The campaign includes new pharmaceutical cluster branding, production of a video, an article published on Livability.com, and campaign landing page on GatewayRegion.com, a marketing brochure as well as a social media campaign and public relations strategies.
Be sure to let the VEDA office know about your news. Email: VEDA@associationbuilders.com!
Coming soon...
VEDA members will soon be able to nominate candidates for the Rising Star Award (RSA) and the Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year Award (LOTY). The RSA will be announced at the VEDA Winter Membership Meeting in December. The LOTY Award will be announced at VEDA's Legislative Reception in 2022.

In December, VEDA members will be able to submit nominations for the 2022 Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA) which will be announced at the VEDA Spring Conference in 2022.

Also in December, members can apply for professional development scholarships which will be awarded early in 2022 to be used in 2022.

We will soon be announcing the slate of officers and directors for 2022. VEDA members will vote on this leadership slate at the VEDA Winter Membership Meeting on December 1, 2021 in Staunton, Virginia.
VEDA CORPORATE PATRONS 2021
SEVERAL LEVELS OF SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE.