Richmond chooses next economic development director

Angie Rodgers will be Richmond’s director of economic development, taking over the position on Aug. 4.

She will succeed Matt Welch, who has served as the city’s acting economic development director following the June 2024 exit of Leonard Sledge, who left to become Hampton’s economic development director, a job Sledge previously held from 2013 to 2018.

Rodgers joins the city from Prince George’s County, Maryland, where she worked for the past five years as deputy chief administrative officer for economic development. In that role, she oversaw 10 county agencies, including neighborhood revitalization, business attraction and retention, small business support, lending and incentives, tourism, and workforce development. Before Prince George’s County, Rodgers served as chief of staff for Washington, D.C.’s deputy mayor for planning and economic development.

“Richmond has something for everyone,” said Rodgers in a statement. “From its beautiful scenery to a wonderful food and beverage scene and a host of historical and cultural landmarks, there is so much to love about the River City. It is an honor to join the economic development team. I look forward to doing my part to create a thriving, equitable business landscape that benefits all Richmonders and am grateful for the opportunity to do so.”

Mayor Danny Avula said that Rodgers brings expertise and a clear vision needed to attract, build and retain business in the city. He praised Welch for doing “an incredible job” leading economic development in an interim capacity.

Newly hired city Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II, who started his job Wednesday, said in a statement that Rodgers brings decades of experience in community building and economic development.

“There is no question that Richmond is ripe with economic opportunity,” Donald said. “In Angie, we will have a trusted leader who can harness that opportunity in a way that uplifts our community, continues to raise our city’s profile, and injects economic vibrancy into our communities.”

Donald was hired following a nationwide search. Despite being on the job for less than a week, the city is already starting to see some significant changes. VPM News reported Thursday that Sheila White,  director of Richmond’s finance department, resigned after leading the city’s finance department since 2021. Her departure is the first significant personnel shakeup under Donald.