What attracted you to join the team at Virginia’s Gateway Region?
The opportunity to serve all seven communities and work with their government leaders and citizens was very attractive to me. We have some wonderful local leaders and my job allows me to be a part of a team that is focused on improving the quality of life for citizens.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
I love to read, travel, cheer on the Wahoos and can often be found at a softball field supporting my girls!
What is your favorite thing (or things) about the communities within Virginia’s Gateway Region?
That’s an easy one – it’s my home! I was raised in Colonial Heights and live in Dinwiddie County so I’m well aware of what these seven communities have to offer. The Gateway Region is a wonderful place to raise a family, and I want to be a part of ensuring that citizens have high quality job opportunities so that they can choose the region as their home.
The 2023 theme for Women’s History Month is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories” – How do you tell the story of VGR through your work?
The story of our communities is one that is easy to tell, and I love that part of my job. As Director of Customer Experience, I ensure that our investors are always up-to-date on all economic development news in the region. I host events that showcase some of our projects and our businesses. I also work on our monthly newsletter; it’s available to all and I encourage you to sign up!
What has been one of your favorite projects to work on with VGR?
Every project is exciting for the region, as they bring jobs and opportunities for our citizens. But if I had to choose just one, it would be the DroneUp project in Dinwiddie County at Richard Bland College. It’s a very unique project, having DroneUp on-site at RBC, and it is proving to be transformative for the College.
What are you most looking forward to for the Gateway Region?
I really see the tide turning in our region. As a lifelong resident, I have lived through the struggles of some communities and am fortunate to now be witnessing the growth and re-birth of some. We have some great sites that we are marketing on a daily basis, and the addition of the pharmaceutical cluster in Petersburg will provide opportunities for citizens of all the localities we serve. The future is bright in the Gateway Region!