Gov.-elect Spanberger announces appointment of next secretary of commerce and trade
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) announced the appointment for Virginia's next secretary of commerce and trade on Monday.
The morning of Monday, Jan. 12, the governor's office announced that Carrie Chenery, the former leader of a regional economic development partnership in the Shenandoah Valley, would serve as the next secretary of commerce and trade.
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Spanberger's office said Chenery is a native Virginian with two decades of experience in economic development, public policy, government relations and strategic communications who founded Valley Pike Partners in 2018.
Carrie Chenery Headshot (Photo Courtesy of Spanberger's office)
“The number-one job of the Governor of Virginia is to grow the Commonwealth’s economy and create good-paying jobs in every community. Maintaining a stable and predictable business environment is essential to attracting new investment and fostering the kinds of opportunities that allow Virginians to earn a good living, support their families, and have confidence in a secure retirement,” Spanberger said in a release. “Throughout her career, Ms. Chenery has brought together private industry, workforce partners, and local government to achieve these exact goals. Her deep understanding of economic development aligns with my administration’s mission to make Virginia the top state in America for business.”
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The governor's office shared that Chenery has prior experience in state government, including administration of the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) fund, related to Virginia’s largest private industries of agriculture and forestry.
“As a native Virginian, I am honored and excited to serve Governor-elect Spanberger in this historic administration. I share in the Governor-elect’s clear vision to position Virginia as the nation's best place to do business through a defining opportunity to lead affordability, housing, and energy progress,” Chenery said in a release. “My statewide work in economic, community, and business development has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of realizing potential, building capacity, engaging diverse stakeholders, and delivering practical results. I look forward to leading the Commerce and Trade secretariat with a collaborative and business-friendly approach that supports Governor-elect Spanberger, our many partners, and every region of the Commonwealth.”
