Economic Development 2023: BRYAN K. STEPHENS

PRESIDENT AND CEO, HAMPTON ROADS CHAMBER, NORFOLK

Published August 30, 2023 by Virginia Business

Stephens has headed the Hampton Roads Chamber for the past 10 years, promoting business concerns in the region, home to Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest naval complex, as well as significant manufacturing and hospitality sectors. 

The chamber maintained its U.S. Chamber of Commerce five-star accreditation in 2022, placing it in the top 1% of all U.S. chambers. Over the past year, the organization revamped its civic leadership development program, Lead757, and refocused its diversity, equity and inclusion program to be more actionable for businesses.  

A retired Army colonel, Stephens has won numerous military awards and decorations and is a graduate of West Virginia University, Golden Gate University and the U.S. Army War College. He is a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Offshore Wind Development Authority and serves on boards for the University of Virginia’s Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership and Lead Virginia.

TRAIT(S) I ADMIRE: Quiet confidence and fierce determination; humbleness

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Significance in life comes from giving.

SOMETHING I’D NEVER DO AGAIN: Run a marathon

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