City Manager Ken Larking announced today the resignation of Telly Tucker as director of economic development. Tucker is leaving to take a similar position in Arlington County.
Tucker’s last day with the City of Danville will be Jan. 10. He will join Arlington County on Jan. 13.
“The Danville region has had a tremendous amount of success recruiting and expanding local business and industry during Telly’s time as economic development director,” Larking said. “While losing him will be a challenge for us, I am happy for him and his family as he pursues new opportunities.”
Tucker joined the City as director of economic development on July 1, 2014, and led the office’s business attraction, retention, and River District revitalization efforts with a staff of four full-time employees and one economic development consultant.
“Danville holds a very special place in my heart,” Tucker said. “I find it difficult to find the words to express the gratitude and appreciation I feel for the incredible team of professionals I’ve worked with, and the relationships that I’ve developed over these last five and a half years.”
He continued, saying, “The leadership, support, and spirit of collaboration in this region is unlike any other I’ve ever experienced, and undoubtedly there are many more great things on the horizon for this wonderful community!”
During his tenure in Danville, Tucker’s team had 21 economic development announcements, totaling 1,645 new jobs and more than $448 million in new capital investment. Ten of these announcements were regional projects in partnership with Pittsylvania County.
Also, the River District saw significant growth and investment in new residential and commercial development.
Before coming to Danville, Tucker was the assistant director of economic development in James City County, enterprise zone program administrator with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, and economic development specialist with the City of Lynchburg.
In Arlington County, Tucker will lead the 50-employee economic development department, which has responsibility for business investment, real estate development, tourism and hospitality, arts and culture, and marketing. Arlington is also home to the Pentagon, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and Amazon HQ2.
For Danville’s next director of economic development, Larking said he would conduct a comprehensive search using a process similar to the hiring of recent department directors.
