Meet the Team
Renee's Biography:
Renee Chapline is the Executive Director of Virginia's Gateway Region, a regional economic development organization which serves the cities of Petersburg, Hopewell, and Colonial Heights, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry and Sussex. Renee joined the region with more than 15 years experience in global business development, marketing and communications.
Prior to joining Virginia's Gateway Region, Renee was credited with establishing an aggressive international marketing program to spur economic development opportunities for rural Virginia. She was also a key member in the "Top Development Group for 2003" as recognized by Site Selection magazine. Under Renee's leadership, Virginia's Gateway Region has been recognized by several Economic Development groups including the IEDC in 2006 for Outstanding General Purpose Website, and in 2008 for “Top Deal in the Country” by Site Selection Magazine for the Rolls Royce Engine facility in Prince George County. Renee has successfully prompted National Media attention for rural communities with the Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC World News and USA Today.
Currently, Renee is active with the Virginia Economic Development Association and serves on the Crater Regional Workforce Board of Directors. She also serves on the Regional Workforce Development Oversight Board of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Board of Directors for the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute (EDI) and is active with the Southern Economic Development Council.
Renee has also served as an economic development ambassador for Virginia in Asia, India and many parts of Europe, including as an instructor with EDI leading economic development training sessions.
Renee Chapline is the Executive Director of Virginia's Gateway Region, a regional economic development organization which serves the cities of Petersburg, Hopewell, and Colonial Heights, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry and Sussex. Renee joined the region with more than 15 years experience in global business development, marketing and communications.
Prior to joining Virginia's Gateway Region, Renee was credited with establishing an aggressive international marketing program to spur economic development opportunities for rural Virginia. She was also a key member in the "Top Development Group for 2003" as recognized by Site Selection magazine. Under Renee's leadership, Virginia's Gateway Region has been recognized by several Economic Development groups including the IEDC in 2006 for Outstanding General Purpose Website, and in 2008 for “Top Deal in the Country” by Site Selection Magazine for the Rolls Royce Engine facility in Prince George County. Renee has successfully prompted National Media attention for rural communities with the Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC World News and USA Today.
Currently, Renee is active with the Virginia Economic Development Association and serves on the Crater Regional Workforce Board of Directors. She also serves on the Regional Workforce Development Oversight Board of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Board of Directors for the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute (EDI) and is active with the Southern Economic Development Council.
Renee has also served as an economic development ambassador for Virginia in Asia, India and many parts of Europe, including as an instructor with EDI leading economic development training sessions.
Christian's Biography:
In his role as Research / IT Manager, Christian manages the data at the heart of the Gateway Region’s work. He coordinates regional research initiatives and supports project research needs, while serving as the in-house technical guru. He also strives to identify research strategies and opportunities to support the organization’s overall economic development goals and objectives.
In addition to his primary research role, Christian also provides complete IT support to the group and is responsible for the design, creation and maintenance of our website and in-house project tracking solution. He provides phone system support and is responsible for the setup and maintenance of our Windows Small Business Server and network.
This UK-native has a wealth of experience in economic development marketing, telecommunications, data research, market intelligence and project tracking. Before joining the Gateway Region in 2006, he worked with the specialist economic development marketing firm 310 Marketing in Richmond, VA. Christian received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Bridgeport and completed his master’s at Virginia Tech.
In his role as Research / IT Manager, Christian manages the data at the heart of the Gateway Region’s work. He coordinates regional research initiatives and supports project research needs, while serving as the in-house technical guru. He also strives to identify research strategies and opportunities to support the organization’s overall economic development goals and objectives.
In addition to his primary research role, Christian also provides complete IT support to the group and is responsible for the design, creation and maintenance of our website and in-house project tracking solution. He provides phone system support and is responsible for the setup and maintenance of our Windows Small Business Server and network.
This UK-native has a wealth of experience in economic development marketing, telecommunications, data research, market intelligence and project tracking. Before joining the Gateway Region in 2006, he worked with the specialist economic development marketing firm 310 Marketing in Richmond, VA. Christian received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Bridgeport and completed his master’s at Virginia Tech.
Emily's Biography:
As Business Development Manager, Emily coordinates each aspect of a project from initial requests for information to site visits and project completion. Before joining the Gateway Region, Emily served as the Program Manager for the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program with the Department of Housing and Community Development. Emily received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her master’s degree from UVA.
As Business Development Manager, Emily coordinates each aspect of a project from initial requests for information to site visits and project completion. Before joining the Gateway Region, Emily served as the Program Manager for the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program with the Department of Housing and Community Development. Emily received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her master’s degree from UVA.
Denny's Biography:
The Gateway Region’s Special Projects Director, Denny has been serving the region for more than three decades. A former Executive Director of VGR, Denny continues to support the organization in addition to his current role as the Executive Director of the Crater Planning District Commission.
Denny is actively involved with the US Route 460 realignment, as well as coordinating a regional response to the BRAC activity at Fort Lee.
The Gateway Region’s Special Projects Director, Denny has been serving the region for more than three decades. A former Executive Director of VGR, Denny continues to support the organization in addition to his current role as the Executive Director of the Crater Planning District Commission.
Denny is actively involved with the US Route 460 realignment, as well as coordinating a regional response to the BRAC activity at Fort Lee.