YesVirginiaBeach.com ~ Staff

Meet Our Staff

The Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development consists of a small team of business development professionals and support staff who are responsible for recruiting national and international businesses to Virginia Beach, while also assisting the City’s existing business community.

The team is ready to offer personalized assistance to address your business needs and provide valuable resources to ensure your relocation or expansion projects proceed smoothly.

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Directors Office

Emily Archer Deputy Director

Emily coordinates development and capital projects for the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach Development Authority.

Natalie Guilmeus Deputy Director

Natalie oversees the strategic alignment for all business development, including business attraction and retention, workforce, small business, and marketing.

Business Development

Looking for more information about Virginia Beach or how to locate, expand, or start your business here? If so, our experienced Economic Development team is ready to provide one-on-one assistance to meet your business needs or offer other useful resources to make your relocation or expansion projects as effortless as possible.

Most importantly, our services are free of charge, and business inquiries remain strictly confidential.

Natalie Guilmeus Deputy Director

Natalie oversees the strategic alignment for all business development, including business attraction and retention, workforce, small business, and marketing.

Paul Bayer Business Development Manager II

Contact me about: supporting the Virginia Beach business community. His specialization is attracting companies that support the defense ecosystem.

Dominique DeBose Business Development Manager II

Contact me about: business relocation or expansion assistance, specifically for the international sector.

Paige Fox Head of Business Attraction

Contact me about: business relocation or expansion assistance, specifically for the international sector.

The HIVE - Small Business Development

The HIVE is a business resource center designed to promote an innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Virginia Beach. The HIVE is committed to serving small businesses, particularly those that are in socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

Jada Ward Office Assistant I

Contact me about: the HIVE's administrative tasks and daily office operations as well as general information about the HIVE.

Business Retention, Expansion & Workforce

The Business Retention, Expansion & Workforce team focuses on supporting and strengthening the existing businesses in Virginia Beach. Its primary goal is to help businesses continue to grow and thrive. The team regularly meets with business owners and leaders to understand their needs, challenges, and growth plans.

Ihsane Mouak Business Development Coordinator

Contact me for: retention, expansion and workforce initiatives

Jadon Gayle Business Development Manager II

Contact me about: information on business development and related assistance.

Letitia Langaster Business Development Manager II

Contact me about: business relocation or expansion assistance, specifically with regard to maritime and logistics, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and cyber.

Nahla Saleh Business Development Workforce Manager

Contact me about: talent recruitment, training resources, and workforce solutions

Project Development

The Project Development Team manages multi-million-dollar capital improvement projects and the Virginia Beach Development Authority assets. They regularly collaborate across departments and with community stakeholders on special initiatives and public-private partnerships.

Emily Archer Deputy Director

Emily coordinates development and capital projects for the City of Virginia Beach and the Virginia Beach Development Authority.

Peter Gaytan Planner III

Contact me about: infrastructure, policy and regional planning questions, as well as questions about economic and tourism development projects for the City of Virginia… Email Phone

Denis Ozowara Project Development Administrator

Contact me about: project management with VBDA assets and Economic and Tourism Development projects.

Eric Severn Planner

TBD

Pamela Witham Project Development Planner III

Contact me about: Virginia Beach Development Authority assets and projects.

International Offices

The Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development travels around the world to meet with business leaders at their facilities or at industry-specific tradeshows and conferences. Our team is also well represented abroad with economic development consultants located throughout Europe.

Meet Our Team Across the Atlantic

Vicente Álvarez Fanjul European Representative

Contact me about: Spanish, Portuguese, and French market business interests in Virginia Beach (Based in Madrid, Spain)

Lucas Sierra European Representative

Contact me about: Spanish, Portuguese, and French market business interests in Virginia Beach (Based in Madrid, Spain)

Charles Macdowell UK and Ireland Representative

Contact me about: United Kingdom and Irish market business interests in Virginia Beach (Based in Ipswich, England)

Management & Administration

Beatriz Soares Campos Office Assistant II

Beatriz manages schedules and provides comprehensive clerical support, ensuring the seamless and efficient operation of the office.

Kayla Blake Dotson Executive Assistant I

Contact me for information about FOIA requests or for scheduling a meeting with the deputy directors.

Natacia James Administrative Technician

Contact me about: the Virginia Beach Development Authority, OLUCC, MEDAC or Cannabis Advisory Task Force.

Vicki Kelley Administrative Specialist I

Contact me about: information for the Capital Improvement Program, department procurement cards, FOIA requests and record management.