VIRGINIANS OF INTEREST
Carthan and Brian have been friends for more than 30 years and share a passion for all things Virginia! They lost touch for many years, but reconnected in 2020 while Carthan was involved with the Economic Development Office for the City of Petersburg and Brian was working on the Medicines for All Project at Virginia Commonwealth University. Both talked frequently about various issues facing the Commonwealth and started kicking around the idea of a podcast. Both Carthan and Brian consider themselves a bit technically challenged, so when the opportunity to host a podcast at Blue Ridge PBS in Roanoke presented itself, they jumped in with both feet!
We hope you enjoy the conversations!
VIRGINIANS OF INTEREST
Ep: 9 Virginians of Interest: Jill Loope, Director of Economic Development, Roanoke County
With 31 years of experience in business and economic development, Jill has managed public and private sector interests resulting in job growth and economic impact for communities in three regions of Virginia. She currently serves as the economic development director for Roanoke County where she facilitates community and economic development strategies for one of the largest suburban counties in western Virginia.
Responsible for all business development initiatives, Jill leads a four member team and oversees a multi-faceted work program that includes marketing and redevelopment strategies, community and business development, workforce development, business retention and expansion, and community and institutional engagement. She facilities productive programs that intersect business with higher education and government, resulting in collaborative partnerships with key institutions such as Virginia Tech.
Jill joined Roanoke County in 2000 from Caroline County located in the Fredericksburg region, and the City of Radford located in the New River Valley where she led the economic development programs in each community.
She has previously served on the Virginia Tech economic development advisory board, and has participated in the early creation of the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council.
With a focus on results, Jill brings a diverse range of experiences to her position that has resulted in nearly $1 billion in new business investment and thousands of new jobs during her career.
