About VEDP

Experience
Prior to joining VEDP in July 2017 as Executive Vice President, El Koubi was previously President and CEO of One Acadiana, a regional economic development organization based in Lafayette, Louisiana. Under his leadership, the organization developed and successfully launched one of the most successful capital campaigns of its kind in the nation to deliver a new economic development program for the nine-parish region. Previously, El Koubi served as Assistant Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, where he led initiatives that helped secure projects creating more than 63,000 new jobs along with more than $28 billion in new capital investment, while dramatically improving Louisiana’s position in virtually every state business climate ranking.

Education
B.S., Biological Engineering – Louisiana State University
M.S., Public Policy – London School of Economics

Experience
Prior to advancing to the role of Executive Vice President, Ted joined VEDP in 2023 to lead VEDP’s economic development efforts in the Knowledge Work sector, one of three sectors in VEDP’s Innovative Strategy for Economic Growth.  The Knowledge Work sector is composed of tech (digital, software, cyber), financial services, corporate headquarters’ business services, and professional services. To these roles, he brings over 30 years of experience in advancing roles in the Knowledge Work sector with Booz Allen Hamilton, Amazon Web Services, and Northrop Grumman. 

A 22-year veteran of the global consulting firm, Booz Allen Hamilton, Ted had several roles in increasing leadership, advancing to Executive Vice President and Partner during that time.  In his last role with Booz Allen, Ted led Booz Allen’s corporate business development capability, focused on the most strategic deals in Booz Allen’s growth pipeline (contract pursuits valued at >$100 million). 

Education and Accolades
B.A., English – George Mason University
M.S., Business and Corporate Finance – John Hopkins University
Executive-in-Residence and MBA candidate Mentor for The Carey Business Schools at Johns Hopkins 

Experience: 

Rushawna previously served as the Director of Operations for the 21st Surgeon General of the United States, where she provided strategic leadership in operational systems, supported senior leadership, and managed complex projects to ensure efficient office operations.

Prior to her role with the Surgeon General, she served as the Senior Operations Clerk for the Virginia House of Delegates, Senior Policy Analyst to the Governor of Virginia, Senior Assistant to the Mayor of Richmond, and Assistant Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. In each of these roles, she demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing policy initiatives, optimizing operations, and fostering collaboration across government sectors.

Education and Accolades:

B.A., Communication - Old Dominion University 
MBA, Public Administration - Virginia Tech
Veteran of the Virginia Army National Guard

Experience
Prior to joining VEDP in January 2020 as Vice President of International Trade, Agee served as Director of Marketing and Development at the Virginia Department of Agriculture, where she provided executive leadership to develop and implement domestic and international marketing programs designed to enhance the profitability of Virginia agribusiness. Before VDACS, Agee served in multiple positions in VEDP’s International Trade Division, where she worked with Virginia companies to develop and implement international sales strategies, identify and access target export markets, and provide counsel on specific international business issues. Agee also worked for the U.S. Government Accountability Office where she analyzed international trade and security assistance programs.

Education
B.A., International Studies, Political Science - Virginia Tech
MPP, Public/Private Sector Partnerships - University of Maryland, College Park

Experience
Prior to joining VEDP, Atwal served as Global Head of Regulatory Strategy & Emerging Issues with Celanese, a global chemical manufacturer. She has extensive experience in the chemical and plastics manufacturing industries, having also served in regulatory and compliance roles with Evonik, ChemTreat, and Nomaco. In addition to her extensive industry experience, Atwal brings valuable public sector experience to the role from her eight years as Environmental, Health and Safety Director with Wake County Public Schools, the largest public school district in North Carolina.

Education
B.S., Chemical Engineering – Virginia Tech

Experience
Prior to this role in June 2022, Barnett served as VEDP's Vice President of Business Investment where he worked with Virginia’s regional and local economic development organizations to identify and convert high-potential leads and prospects into project opportunities, managed site selection projects, and supported business retention and expansion activities for existing firms. Prior to that, Barnett served as VEDP’s Vice President of Communications and Promotions, where he directed VEDP’s marketing, advertising, and communications outreach programs to build awareness of the desirability of Virginia as a business location. Barnett served more than seven years in the United States Air Force and the Virginia Air National Guard, with assignments at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and Incirlik Air Base in Turkey.

Education
B.S., Mass Communications and Advertising – Virginia Commonwealth University

Experience:
Anita’s previous role as CEO of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Downtown Lafayette Unlimited in Lafayette, Louisiana, highlighted her ability to foster community revitalization. During her tenure, the district saw unprecedented growth, with over 60 new businesses opening and occupancy surpassing 90 percent. She also championed residential development, resulting in nearly 200 new housing units and laying the groundwork for long-term community vibrancy. Her earlier roles in marketing, communications, and government relations with One Acadiana, along with her foundational experience as a research associate and intern in local and regional economic development organizations, equipped her with a deep understanding of business attraction and community growth.

Education:
B.A., Organizational Communications — University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Experience
Before joining VEDP in May 1998, Cox served as a long-term substitute teacher with Henrico County Public Schools. Cox also spent five years with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as an Office Services Specialist in the Office of Product and Industry Standards.

Education
B.S., Psychology – Virginia Commonwealth University
M.T., Elementary Education – Virginia Commonwealth University

Experience
Prior to this role, Devan served as the Director of Corporate Intelligence at VEDP, where he identified high-growth companies for business attraction efforts through economic and financial analysis. Before joining VEDP in 2018, Devan worked as an investment banker, advising corporations and private equity firms on mergers and acquisitions. Devan served for seven years as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps, including tours to Afghanistan and the Republic of Korea.

Education
B.S., Oceanography – United States Naval Academy
MBA – University of Virginia Darden School of Business

Experience
Before joining VEDP in January 2022, Dreiling served as an account leader, senior program manager, and project manager at an engineering and construction company, where he focused his career on building major CapEx projects. As an account leader, he supported two global accounts establishing and launching numerous global service contracts. As a senior program manager, he was directly responsible for the delivery of four global industrial client programs with a total of 170 projects which were delivered with seven regional teams. As a project manager, he directly managed projects in over 15 countries valued at over $400M in construction costs.

Education/Credentials
B.S. Civil Engineering – Virginia Tech
B.S. Environmental Engineering – Virginia Tech
P.E. Professional Engineer – Virginia

Experience
Prior to joining VEDP’s Business Investment team in 2016, Goodwin previously served as Manager of VEDP's Project Research group, where she led efforts to create customized responses for client requests. Prior to joining VEDP in 1998, she was an Economic Development Manager at the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

Education
B.S., Business Administration, double major Marketing and Management – University of South Carolina
M.S., Information Science – University of South Carolina

Experience
Prior to joining VEDP in March 2008, Grenell was a Finance Investment Manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) managing investment balances for several PwC offices, as well as providing staff training and other special projects related to the merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand.  Prior to that, Grenell was a Finance Manager with Coopers & Lybrand (C&L), serving numerous clients in various industries and managing the internal finance functions for five C&L offices.

Education
B.S., Accounting – King’s College

Experience
Prior to joining VEDP in April 2019, Grundmann served as the Director of Manufacturing for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Prior to GDEcD, Grundmann worked in executive education for Georgia Tech and served in a variety of positions spanning a 20-year career at Georgia Quick Start, including Director of Marketing and Director of Operations. In the operations role, Mike led a team of project managers and instructional designers responsible for analyzing processes, assessing skill requirements, and designing highly customized training programs for major manufacturing and distribution operations.

Education
B.S., Business Administration/Marketing and Advertising – Indiana University
M.S., Information Systems Management – Keller Graduate School of Management

Experience
Before joining VEDP’s Research Division in 2018, Hartka spent five years with EY working in the firm’s Government & Public Sector practice. During his tenure with EY, he played a leading role delivering engagements and developing business with European Union Institutions, the French Treasury, and the African Development Bank among other clients. Hartka also previously worked as a consultant and writer for a digital communications agency and as an editorial consultant with an economic intelligence and advocacy firm.

Education
B.A., Foreign Affairs, French Literature – University of Virginia
MPA, International Public Management – Sciences Po Paris

Experience
Prior to this role in 2022, Hughes served as Network Manager at VEDP. Hughes started his career with VEDP in April 2013 as a Senior Support Technician and was later promoted to Associate Network Manager. Prior to VEDP, Hughes started his IT career at just 16, providing IT administration for a family-owned business and seeing them through significant growth and increasingly complex technology requirements.

Education
B.S., Business Information Systems — Virginia Commonwealth University

Experience:

Before joining VEDP in September 2023, Jehu was the Vice President of Business Development for Ardent Global Logistics based out of Virginia Beach. Prior to that, Jehu worked at Expeditors International, a top 10 global third-party logistics (3PL) company, for over seventeen years.  He started in the Norfolk and Richmond region as a district sales executive and held progressive roles in ocean services, order management, and business development.  He achieved his customs brokerage license in 2011 and was the Ocean Import Manager for Atlanta’s cornerstone operation, serving Georgia, Alabama, and parts of Tennessee. In his 18 years of experience working in the logistics industry, Jehu has displayed a unique ability to create holistic supply chain solutions by proactively collaborating with clients, leveraging strategic infrastructure and transportation markets, and developing cross-functional relationships.

Education:

Appointed to United States Naval Academy
University of South Carolina

Experience

Prior to rejoining VEDP in October 2023, Miller served as Vice President of Marketing at Chmura Economics & Analytics where he led the company's marketing efforts to raise awareness of its labor market technology platform (JobsEQ) and consulting solutions. Prior to Chmura, he spent nearly 20 years at VEDP, most recently as the Managing Director for Marketing where he led a team responsible for marketing Virginia as a business location to corporate executives and site consultants. Kevin began his career at VEDP in a variety of roles in the Business Development division prior to moving over to the Marketing and Communications division.

Education

B.S.B.A, concentration in Marketing - University of Richmond

Experience 
Prior to this role, Stuller joined VEDP in 2011 as a Business Development Manager focused on new and expanding businesses, with emphasis on the biosciences sector. He represents VEDP on several statewide boards and task teams for business and workforce. Before VEDP, Stuller worked for IBM Corporation in marketing and business development leadership in regional and national markets with commercial and public-sector clients.

Education
B.S., Business and Economics – Randolph-Macon College

Experience
Prior to joining VEDP in July, 2022, Wallmeyer served for over 20 years as an attorney at the Virginia Division of Legislative Services.  In that role, she staffed the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees and the House Appropriations Committee, where she worked extensively on legislation related to economic development in the Commonwealth, as well as issues related to finance, taxation, and appropriations. Over the course of her legislative career, she also staffed commissions and committees related to technology, public safety, transportation, agriculture, and the Freedom of Information Act.

Education/Credentials
B.A., Print Journalism – Washington & Lee University
M.A., Mass Communications – University of Florida
J.D. – University of Florida
Member of the Virginia State Bar

Experience:

Welch has assisted technology and business services companies relocating and expanding in the Commonwealth since joining VEDP in 2018. Prior to this role, Welch served as the Assistant Vice President, Knowledge Work where she helped design VEDP’s sector-focused model for lead generation and ecosystem development. Prior to that, Welch held progressive leadership roles in VEDP’s Business Investment division, culminating as Managing Director, Technology & Services, where she worked with Virginia’s regional and local economic development organizations to identify and covert high-potential leads and prospects into project opportunities and managed site selection projects. 

Before joining VEDP, Welch managed domestic and international economic development, stakeholder outreach, and legislative review in multiple gubernatorial administrations for the Secretariats of Commerce and Trade and Agriculture and Forestry. Originally from Bristol, Virginia, Welch has been recognized as the inaugural VEDA Rising Star Award recipient (2020), DCI’s Economic Development Top 40 Under 40 (2021), and Consultant Connect’s North America Top 50 Economic Developers (2023). In her 12 years of experience in economic development, Welch has been recognized for her collaborative approach to solving complex challenges, managing multiple stakeholders effectively while keeping clients’ needs at the forefront of the work.

Education:

B.A., Political Science, International Affairs - University of Mary Washington
MBA, Business Analytics - William & Mary
The Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership - University of Virginia