PWC’s economic development chief to lead VA. economic partnership

Martin Briley has resigned as head of Prince William County’s Department of Economic Development to head Virginia’s Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and become its president and chief executive officer. He was chosen unanimously by the VEDP board of directors.

Briley’s letter of resignation, according to his office, said he would begin his new job Oct. 24 and leave his county post Oct. 21. 

Briley said of his appointment, “It has been both an honor and a privilege to work with such a tremendous group of talented colleagues and passionate leaders here in Prince William County. I remain deeply grateful to the leadership of Prince William County for these many years of confidence, support and guidance as we worked successfully to build the economy of our community. I am confident that these successes will continue uninterrupted as the economic development team in place represents the very best in the nation.”

According to a VEDP press release Sept. 20, the new chief executive officer was selected after a six-month national search. Briley has headed Prince William County’s department of economic development since 1997, and has 25 years’ experience in national and international business development and management.

The VEDP release notes that during his tenure in the county, announced investment rose from an annual average of $20 million to $250 million per year. It currently comes to $3.45 billion. At place employment has soared 50 percent, adding 36,000 jobs. Briley replaces Jeffrey Anderson, who has held the post six years.

Between 2000 and 2010, Prince William County earned a ranking of #13 in the nation for job growth among counties by CNN Money. The department’s success was noted with a commendation from the General Assembly. In spring 2010, the county received AAA bond ratings from Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

Before coming to Prince William County, Briley’s office reported he worked for Virginia Department of Economic Development, subsequently VEDP, and was international marketing director. Before working for the state Briley was employed by Honeywell’s Tetra Tech International as director of finance and administration, and worked on large-scale development projects in the Sultanate of Oman. He also worked as an assistant professor at Macau Institute in Southeast Asia and for the governor of Alaska.

The new VEDP head holds a bachelor of science degree and a master of public administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a member of the International Economic Development Council and a certified economic developer (CEcD).

VEDP is a marketing organization, created by the General Assembly in 1995 to “encourage, stimulate and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth,” the press release noted. The partnership is a state authority, governed by a 23-member board of directors appointed by the governor and the General Assembly.