Spanberger taps Carrie Chenery as Virginia’s next commerce and trade secretary

Carrie Chenery, a longtime economic development strategist, has been nominated by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger to serve as Virginia’s next Secretary of Commerce and Trade. (Courtesy of Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger’s office)

Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger announced Carrie Chenery as Virginia’s next commerce secretary Monday, tapping a longtime economic development strategist to help lead the state’s efforts to create jobs and attract new investment.

Spanberger said Chenery’s experience in government, regional development and the private sector aligns closely with his administration’s economic priorities.

“The Virginia governor’s primary job is to grow the Commonwealth’s economy and create good-paying jobs in every community,” Spanberger said in a statement.

“Maintaining a stable and predictable business environment is essential to attracting new investment and fostering the types of opportunities that allow Virginians to earn a good living, provide for their families and have confidence in a secure retirement.” »

Spanberger added that throughout his career, Chenery has brought together private industry, social partners and local governments to pursue these goals, calling his understanding of economic development ideally suited to the administration’s mission to make Virginia the nation’s leading state for business.

Chenery, a Virginia native, said she was honored to serve in what she described as a historic administration and said she shared Spanberger’s vision for the state’s economic future.

“I share the Governor-elect’s clear vision to position Virginia as the best place in the country to do business with a game-changing opportunity to lead progress in affordability, housing and energy,” Chenery said.

“My statewide work in economic, community and business development has given me a deep appreciation of the importance of realizing potential, building capacity, engaging diverse stakeholders and achieving practical results.”

Chenery added that she looks forward to leading Commerce and Secretaryship with a collaborative, business-friendly approach that supports Spanberger, regional partners and communities across the state.

Chenery brings approximately two decades of experience in economic development, public policy, government relations and strategic communications.

In 2018, she founded Valley Pike Partnersa company that helps businesses grow throughout Virginia through public affairs, business development and community engagement strategies.

Before that, she was executive director of Shenandoah Valley Partnershipa regional economic development and marketing organization.

During his tenure, the region announced new and expanding business projects representing more than $460 million in capital investments and 1,900 new jobs. The partnership also unified seven counties and five cities around a shared economic development vision and built coalitions among more than 160 private sector investors.

Earlier in his career, Chenery served as Virginia’s deputy secretary of agriculture and forestry, overseeing economic development efforts related to the state’s agricultural and forestry industries.

During this time, the Governor’s Fund for the Development of Agricultural and Forestry Industries contributed to more than $46 million in new private investment and the creation of more than 400 jobs.

She also worked as a legislation and policy manager at Virginia Economic Development Partnership and as director of government affairs at the law firm Williams Mullen.

Chenery is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and planning and agricultural and applied economics.

She is also a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia and previously served on the boards of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority and the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

Chenery has been recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect and as an Outstanding Alumna by Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

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She and her husband Taylor have two daughters.