Autumn Bailey Business Development Manager at The HIVE Virginia Beach Business Resource Center
Autumn Bailey Business Development Manager at The HIVE Virginia Beach Business Resource Center Autumn Bailey is currently serving as a Business Development Manager II at the Virginia Beach Department of Economic Development providing small business services, trainings, and resources to the small businesses of Virginia Beach through the HIVE Business Resource Center. Ms. Bailey has ten (10) years of experience in assisting businesses with starting, improving and growing their business, all the while advocating for businesses in need through Community Based Organizations, Non-Profit Organizations, Community Development Corporations, Community Development Financial institutions, the local government and directly with small businesses in the Washington, DC area. Ms. Bailey previously served as a Business Consultant at her Consulting Company, The Bailey Group LLC, a Co-owner of Community Kitchen Works, Inc. and a Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate. Prior to pursuing self- employment Ms. Bailey held the position as a Small Business Advisor with the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif) and a Senior Business Consultant with the Small Business Development Center at Anacostia Economic Development Corporation allowing her to service minority owned and low to moderate income small businesses. Prior to Ms. Bailey’s work in Business Development, she performed duties for eight (8) years as a Program Manager with the District Department of Environment and the DC Energy Office assisting low-income District residents through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Weatherization Assistance Program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program utilizing the services of government certified small businesses to execute the programs she managed. Ms. Bailey obtained a Master’s in Business Administration in 2010 from the University of Maryland, University College and a Bachelor of Art in Social Work in 2003 from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. With an educational background embedded in helping people and originating from a family of entrepreneurs has driven her passion for helping small businesses and assuring they receive the services and support needed to thrive as business owners. Ms. Bailey continues to make other people’s success a priority and desires to continue to assist local business owners obtain their dreams, through the knowledge and skills she has obtained over the years.
Debra Hamilton Farley Associate Executive Director of Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center Debra Hamilton Farley Associate Executive Director of Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center https://www.hrsbdc.org Debra has a thirty-two (32.5) year tenure with the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center/Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. She is the Associate Executive Director and a Certified (VASBDC) Small Business Analyst. In these positions, she assists Clients (1) who desire to start a new business and/or (2) who need assistance in further developing an existing business. The main concerns of the center are to assist in increasing and maintaining economic development within the Hampton Roads Area. Debra’s formal education includes: Graduation from Thomas Nelson Community College, currently the Virginia Peninsula Community College (Associate in Business Administration), Hampton, VA; Hampton University (Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, minor/marketing, Summa Cum Laude). She completed a Masters’ Program in Global Management, from Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Most recently, Debra’s focus leans towards continuous development of “Small Business Industry Specific and the Underserved Community through Cohorts.” Debra is innovative in servicing the business community and has been noted for her accomplishments by many during her tenure. A few professional accomplishments are as follows: VASBDC State Star, voted by peers throughout VA; Women in Business Achievement Award, Inside Business; Recognized as the Minority Small Business Advocate of the year through the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce; and Recognized for 30 Years of Service and Dedication to the Chamber Industry by the Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce’ Executives. Born and raised in Macon, GA, Debra currently resides in Hampton, VA, where she has lived the past 33 years. She is married to Tommie Farley, Jr. and they have three (3) daughters (Lashanna, Danah & Teira) and two (2) granddaughters (Briana and Cora). Debra volunteers her time as an active member of Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, where she serves as one of nineteen (19) Stewards (this is the highest position next to the Pastor within the African Methodist Episcopal Denomination). Additionally, through the years she served as Executive Assistant to the Pastor; Mass Choir Member; Missionary Society Member; VP Pastor’s Aide Organization; and Director, Junior Church Programs. She is currently serving as the Church (Sunday) School Superintendent.
Jay Grant Executive Director of LISC Hampton Roads Jay Grant serves as the Executive Director for LISC Hampton Roads. Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development finance institution (CDFI) with 38 offices nationwide. He and his office specialize in affordable housing production, wealth-building, and small business assistance/commercial corridor revitalization largely in effort to positively address social determinants of health in the region. LISC Hampton Roads began in 2020 through a generous contribution by Sentara Healthcare. Prior to coming to LISC, Jay brings over fifteen years of experience in housing, community, and economic development, having worked at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). At DHCD, Jay fostered long-term public-private partnerships to support development projects and strategies aimed at improving quality of life. He was deeply involved in COVID-19 relief efforts for the state and managed a $50 million annual community development budget. He served as director of outreach, planning, and compliance and, previously, as deputy director of community development. At HUD, Jay spent nearly a decade managing multi-jurisdictional efforts related to housing, infrastructure, and neighborhood revitalization in his role as a senior community planning and development representative. Earlier in his career, he assembled and analyzed community development data for the state and also worked in the policy and lending departments of The Reinvestment Fund. Outside of work, Jay volunteers at his church, in youth sports, and served on the board of the Relationship Foundation of Virginia (now known as Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia) for four years, culminating with serving as its chair in 2019. He is life-long gardener and newly minted small-scale vintner, producing a unique dessert wine since 2020 from grapes grown on his property. Jay is married to Kourtney Grant with whom he has three young kids. Jay holds a B.S. in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech and a Master’s degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
Jolie Spiers Executive Director of Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center Jolie Spiers is Vice President of Small Business for the Hampton Roads Chamber and Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center. Both organizations help set the conditions for business success in Hampton Roads and provide resources for entrepreneurs to build solid foundations and focus on business growth. Prior to joining the Chamber and the SBDC in June 2022, Jolie lived in Rochester, New York where she worked in fund development and community engagement with the University of Rochester and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Other experience includes positions in marketing, community development, media relations and freelance reporting. Her degrees are from the University of Mississippi Meek School of Journalism and the University of Rochester Simon Business School. She is delighted to be back home in Hampton Roads and enjoys exploring the region’s best places to eat (all small businesses!).
Brian Owens Program Manager at Black BRAND Brian is a Virginia Beach-raised creative and business professional with a passion for the people. He began his journey of entrepreneurship through music. Owens has been a professional musician and music business strategist for over a decade. His band, The Special Guests, has been especially impactful in the 757 by raising money and awareness for Hampton Roads based charitable causes, working with local business owners, planning shows at the Norva, and opening First Fridays on Granby St in Norfolk. Owens was Chief Communications Officer and co-founder of the neuroscience-based music-tech startup, Secret Chord Laboratories. He has been responsible for fundraising, corporate strategy, establishing and growing strategic partnerships, and communications both internally and externally. Through SCL, Owens has been able to nurture an expanding network of business mentors, tech startups, entrepreneurs, investors, music professionals, community leaders and influencers.
David White Executive Director of Virginia Maritime Association Mr. White is Executive Director of the Virginia Maritime Association (VMA), where he has been employed since 2003. With a membership of over 450 companies, the VMA is “The Voice of Port Industries” and has been promoting, protecting, and encouraging domestic and international trade through Virginia’s dynamic ports since 1920. Mr. White also serves as the Executive Vice President of the Hampton Roads Shipping Association; whose purpose is to negotiate and maintain the collective bargaining agreement with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). Representing these interests, Mr. White actively participates in the following organizations: ❖ National Association of Maritime Organizations – Secretary & Treasurer ❖ Virginia Freight Advisory Committee – Chairman ❖ Virginia Harbor Safety Committee – Immediate Past Chairman ❖ Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority, Advisory Committee on International Trade – Member ❖ Virginia Port Authority Stakeholders Committee - Member ❖ Hampton Roads Business Roundtable – Member ❖ Elizabeth River Project – Board Member ❖ WHRO Public Media – Board Member Mr. White is an alumnus of the College of William & Mary. Since its first publication in 2020, he has been named each year to the Virginia 500 Power List, which features the commonwealth's most influential leaders. In 2022 he was presented the Meritorious Public Service Award from the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. His treasures are his lovely wife and three daughters.
Sabrina Wooten Councilmember at City of Virginia Beach
Sabrina Wooten Councilmember at City of Virginia Beach Council Member Wooten was sworn into office on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 to fill the unexpired term of the seat Mayor Dyer vacated as the Centerville district representative in Virginia Beach. On November 3, 2020, Council member Sabrina Wooten was re-elected as the first African American to serve a second term ever on Virginia Beach City Council. She is a native of Stuttgart, Germany, but grew up in Hampton Roads and has lived in Virginia Beach for over 16 years. Her passions include combatting poverty, advocating for local businesses and homelessness and protecting our natural resources and quality of life. Sabrina brings eighteen years of business, leadership and administrative experience in the private and non-profit sectors. Wooten is the creator and host of the Ignite Business Series Seminar that takes place annually to support local, small, women, minority and service disabled business owners. The business series provides businesses with the resources and tools they need to grow and expand. Wooten's professional mediation firm Strategic Impact Services, LLC, provides mediation services and business management solutions to business organizations and the community. Additionally, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at Old Dominion University where she teaches Contemporary Business Management, Public Administration and Regent University where she teaches American Government. She was appointed to the 2018 Board of Governors for the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations and Executives. Prior to the November 2018 election, Wooten was Vice chair of the City's Minority Business Council, and Chair of the Outreach Committee. She was also a member of the Virginia Municipal League and is a member of the National Small Business Association, the National Society of Leadership and Success Honor Society and the National Association of Professional Women. Wooten is also a former Police Chaplain for the Virginia Beach Police Department. A published author, Wooten graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. She received master's degrees in business management and public administration from Regent University. She also earned a certificate in biblical studies from Liberty University and a certificate in practical theology from Regent University. She is a PhD candidate and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management and leadership. Wooten resides with her husband, Donald in the Centerville District.