Economic Development: JASON EL KOUBI

El Koubi succeeded Stephen Moret as leader of the state’s chief economic development organization in March, two months after being named interim president and CEO. Moret left to lead Indianapolis-based Strada Education Network, having earned a strong reputation for driving industry interest in Virginia, capped in 2018 with Amazon.com Inc. choosing Arlington County for its $2.5 billion-plus HQ2 East Coast headquarters.

El Koubi, who joined VEDP as executive vice president in 2017 with Moret, was also a major player in the Amazon deal and other big projects. He previously served as president and CEO of One Acadiana, a regional economic development organization based in Lafayette, Louisiana. A graduate of Louisiana State University and the London School of Economics, El Koubi has led development of Virginia’s first International Trade Strategic Plan and creation of VEDP’s real estate division.

He serves on the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s academic affairs committee.

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