Hampton Roads Chamber exec retires

In her 33 years with the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center, Debra Hamilton Farley helped launch 252 businesses that created more than 9,000 jobs. Now, she’s taking a break — Farley retired on April 28.

“Debra’s contributions to the small businesses community she has served over her sterling career is invaluable,” said Bryan Stephens, president and CEO of the Hampton Roads Chamber, in a statement. “Her expertise and servant leadership has resulted in incalculable economic development but most importantly, it has resulted in enhanced quality of life for countless individuals in the small business community. She leaves a tremendous legacy!”

When she began her career with HRSDC, Farley was a client services administrator and rose to the role of assistant executive director. The HRSDC is a program of the Hampton Roads Chamber and part of the Virginia SBDC network.

“Debra’s commitment to her clients was unparalleled,” Jolie Spiers, executive director of the Hampton Roads SBDC and vice president of small business with the chamber, said in a statement. “She gave each of the businesses she worked with her full attention and every available resource to help them launch, grow and thrive. Her mission was to help people’s dreams come true; her experience and leadership will be missed.”