Va. Beach economic developer to lead Va. Beach Vision

Laura Hayes Chalk is leaving Virginia Beach’s economic development department to become the executive director of Virginia Beach Vision, a business advocacy group in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Vision announced Tuesday.

Chalk, who will start July 10, succeeds Martha McClees, who announced her retirement in November 2023.

Virginia Beach’s deputy director of economic development, Chalk joined the city in July 2019. Prior to that, she spent about seven years working for the Hampton Roads Alliance.

The executive director of VBV serves as the organization’s chief executive and works with its 130-member board of directors, which is comprised of business executives. Virginia Beach Vision focuses on seven areas: business development, comprehensive plan, crisis recovery, flood resiliency, member development, resort development and sustainability.

“Laura’s extensive experience in economic development and her deep commitment to the Hampton Roads region and in particular the city of Virginia Beach, makes her the perfect choice to lead Virginia Beach Vision into its next chapter,” Virginia Wesleyan University President Scott Miller, president of Virginia Beach Visions’ board of directors, said in a statement. “Her innovative approach and passion for community engagement are exactly what we need to drive our mission forward.”

A Williamsburg native, Chalk earned her bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and a master’s from Old Dominion University.