Economic Development 2023: ROBERT J. ‘BOB’ STOLLE

Editor’s note: Stolle announced his resignation on Aug. 31, after publication of the Virginia 500.

A former state secretary of commerce and trade under Gov. George Allen, Stolle brings years of experience in economic development and public policy to his role leading VIPC.

Formerly the Center for Innovative Technology, VIPC is a not-for-profit corporation created in 1985 by the General Assembly as an economic development organization for the technology sector. VIPC provides strategic commercialization and funding support to Virginia-based tech startups.

In December 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that VIPC would receive $173 million in federal funding to expand its seed and early-stage startups investments through VIPC’s Virginia Venture Partners division.

Stolle became the organization’s chief executive in September 2020, formerly serving as senior vice president of policy and regional initiatives and as head of the entrepreneurial ecosystems division.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Stolle started the Richmond Technology Council (rvatech), formerly the Greater Richmond Technology Council, which has 400 corporate members. He serves on several boards, including for the Virginia Space Grant Consortium and Verge. He also is chairman of the St. Joseph’s Parish Finance Committee.

FIRST JOB: Navy pilot

MOST VALUED POSSESSION: My German Shepherd — but she thinks I’m her possession.