Economic Development 2025: ROMANELLO, ANTHONY J.

Romanello announced in August that he plans to leave his post as Henrico’s economic development leader, a position he’s held since 2019, after working as a deputy county manager. He previously was county administrator for Stafford County and worked in local government for Richmond and West Point.

In April, the Henrico EDA filed a lawsuit against the former developers of the proposed $2.3 billion GreenCity mixed-used project, for defaulting on more than $5 million and not conveying the 93-acre site back to the county.

While GreenCity may take a while to get untangled, other projects are moving forward. For fiscal 2025, Henrico saw more than $8 billion in private investment, expected to generate 1,445 new jobs. That includes Iron Mountain’s planned data center complex in Henrico’s White Oak Technology Park.

Romanello earned his bachelor’s degree in American government and history from the University of Virginia and his master’s degree in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

INTERESTING PLACE I’VE TRAVELED: Milan. The cathedral “il duomo” is the most beautiful structure I’ve seen with my own eyes, and the chicken cutlets tasted just like my grandmother made.

WHAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT ME: I’m actually 6’3” tall and 160 pounds.

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