Advertisement

Header Utility Menu

  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Events

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

  • Login

Virginia Business

Mobile Menu

  • Issues
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Law
    • Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Startups
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • COVID-19
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • 2022 Virginia Business Political Roundtable
    • Women in Leadership
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read The Issue
    • Power Up Virginia 500
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Suggest execs for 2023

Advertisement

Header Primary Menu

  • Issues
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • Issues Archive
  • Industries
    • Banking/Finances
    • Law
    • Real Estate
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Energy/Green
    • Federal Contracting
    • Government
    • Healthcare
    • Hotels/Tourism
    • Insurance
    • Ports/Trade
    • Small Business
    • Startups
    • Technology
    • Transportation
  • Regions
    • Central Virginia
    • Eastern Virginia
    • Northern Virginia
    • Roanoke/New River Valley
    • Shenandoah Valley
    • Southern Virginia
    • Southwest Virginia
  • Reports
    • Best Places to Work
    • Business Person of the Year
    • CEO Pay
    • COVID-19
    • Generous Virginians Project
    • Legal Elite
    • Most Influential Virginians
    • Maritime Guide
    • Site Locator
    • The Big Book
    • Virginia CFO Awards
  • Company News
    • For the Record
    • People
  • Opinion
  • Lists
  • Awards/Events
    • 2022 Virginia Business Political Roundtable
    • Women in Leadership
    • Diversity Leadership Series
    • Virginia 500
    • Legal Elite
    • CFO Awards
    • Big Book of Lists
    • 100 People To Meet
    • Best Places To Work
  • Virginia 500
    • Read The Issue
    • Power Up Virginia 500
    • Buy an award plaque
    • Suggest execs for 2023

Home News Regions Shenandoah Valley New leader joins economic development organization

New leader joins economic development organization

Published November 30, 2018 by Brian J. Couturier

Jay Langston.
Photo courtesy Shenandoah Valley Partnership

The Shenandoah Valley Partnership, a regional economic development group, is welcoming a new leader.

Jay A. Langston becomes executive director of the Harrisonburg-based economic development organization in early December. He succeeds Carrie Chenery, who stepped down to start a consulting firm and spend more time with her young daughter.

Langston, formerly the managing director of business retention and expansion at the Richmond-based Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), says he’s been interested in the region since both his wife and son attended James Madison University.

“It was appealing for both personal and professional reasons,” he says.

Langston says the Shenandoah Valley has a diverse economy, including a strong manufacturing base, agribusiness, tourism, education and a major highway — Interstate 81 — that supports distribution facilities.

Langston, who received a bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech and master’s and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, says he’s excited to return to regional economic development. 

Before joining VEDP, Langston was the executive director of Virginia’s Gateway Region, an economic development organization covering three cities and five counties in the Petersburg area.

In 2010, Langston received the Virginia Economic Developers Association’s Cardinal Award, its highest award for economic development leadership, career accomplishment and service.

He plans to recruit and retain businesses in the region by emphasizing not only its economic assets but also its livability. He notes the Shenandoah Valley has many tourist and recreational attractions and good school systems. Those assets will help attract, retain and grow businesses, he says.

Langston also believes that the region’s quality of life will help it keep younger people who otherwise might leave rural areas for other opportunities.

“How can we keep the college graduates coming out of our area? How can we keep the high school graduates coming out of our area?” he asks, rhetorically.

Langston believes the valley’s economic and lifestyle advantages will help it retain and develop businesses.

“It’s a great place with all the ingredients to be successful,” he says.

Related Stories

Virginia Business logo

250,000-square-foot cold-storage facility opens in Mount Crawford

Eastern Mennonite University expands nursing program

Northam named Appalachian Regional Commission states’ co-chair

Governor to help oversee the program that brings funding to the Appalachian region

Trending

13th annual Best Places to Work

Report: Air taxis could land Va. $16B in new biz by 2045

Morrissey’s Petersburg casino bill fails in Senate Finance

Magical moments

Cox expands Myers’ role to East Coast

Sponsored Stories

Working at Pinnacle Financial Partners

What Logistics issues will have the biggest impact on you in 2023?

In the New Year, Aim for Better Cybersecurity

4 innovative ways to create capacity

WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHEN YOU NEED IT?

P.A.I.N.T. Your Financial Mountain

5 Benefits of Treasury Management Services from Atlantic Union Bank

Blazing trails in the digital landscape

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trending

13th annual Best Places to Work

Report: Air taxis could land Va. $16B in new biz by 2045

Morrissey’s Petersburg casino bill fails in Senate Finance

Magical moments

Cox expands Myers’ role to East Coast

Sponsored Stories

Working at Pinnacle Financial Partners

What Logistics issues will have the biggest impact on you in 2023?

In the New Year, Aim for Better Cybersecurity

4 innovative ways to create capacity

WHERE IS THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHEN YOU NEED IT?

P.A.I.N.T. Your Financial Mountain

5 Benefits of Treasury Management Services from Atlantic Union Bank

Blazing trails in the digital landscape

Get Virginia Business directly on your tablet or in your mailbox!

Subscribe to Virginia Business

Advertisement

Advertisement

Footer Primary Menu

  • virginiabusiness.com
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Footer Secondary Menu

  • Industries
  • Regions
  • Reports
  • Company News
  • Events

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Sign Up

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram Get Our App

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy

Footer Utility Menu

Copyright © 2023 Virginia Business. All rights reserved.

Site Maintained by TechArk