Town Center 1998 and Now

Town Center in 1994 aerial view. Town Center 2014 aerial view.

Established in 1994 as a legally separate unit of the City of Virginia Beach, the City of Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) is focused on increasing the city’s business development in order to expand the local tax base and create new job opportunities.

The VBDA advises and supports the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development in recruiting national and international companies, assists local businesses with their expansion needs, and implements innovative programs to keep Virginia Beach at the forefront of growth.

Meeting Information

In order to best promote compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, all documents are digitally uploaded and unsigned. Fully executed documents are available upon request.

  • When: Second Tuesday of every month, 8:30 a.m.
  • Where: Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development Office (4525 Main Street, Suite 700, Virginia Beach) or livestream.

The floor is open to speakers with a three-minute limit on a posted agenda item. To make speaking reservations or comments, contact Natacia James at NJames@vbgov.com or 757-385-6467 before 3 p.m. on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.

Name

Term

Term Begins

Term Ends

William Brunke, vice chair

Unexpired

Sept. 1, 2018

Aug. 31, 2026

Michael E. Harris

Unexpired plus 4

Oct. 21, 2025

Aug. 31, 2030

Donald Horsley

4 years

Sept. 1, 2024

Aug. 31, 2028

Akhil Jain

Unexpired

March 4, 2025

Aug. 31, 2027

Eric Keplinger, assistant secretary

Unexpired

Sept. 15, 2023

Aug. 31, 2029

Esmel Meeks

5 years

April 1, 2025

Aug. 31, 2026

Penny Morgan

4 years

Sept. 1, 2018

Aug. 31, 2026

​Lisa M. Murphy, chair

4 years

Sept. 1, 2017

Aug. 31, 2029

Michael J. Standing

Unexpired

Sept. 1, 2019

Aug. 31, 2028

David Weiner, secretary

4 years

Sept. 1, 2023

Aug. 31, 2027

Guenter H. Weissenseel, treasurer

4 years

Sept. 1, 2020

Aug. 31, 2028

Vacant ED Director, assistant secretary

City Council Liaison

  • Michael Berlucchi
  • Rosemary Wilson

Staff Liaison

Natacia James

4525 Main Street, Suite 700
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Phone: 757-385-6467 | Email: NJames@vbgov.com

Meeting archives are posted by the end of the meeting day. Recordings are available on the city’s YouTube channel under the Virginia Beach Development Authority playlist or via the direct video link below.

  • Jan. 13: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • Feb. 10: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • March 10: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • April 14: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • May 12: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • June 9: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • July 14: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • Aug. 11: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • Sept. 8: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • Oct. 13: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • Nov. 10: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video
  • Dec. 8: Agenda | Presentations | Minutes | Resolutions | Video