Lighthouse Labs names new managing director

Art Espey will be the new managing director of Richmond-based Lighthouse Labs, beginning April 17, replacing Paul Nolde, who is leaving to lead 757 Collab and 757 Angels in Hampton Roads.

Lighthouse Labs, launched in 2012, is an equity-free, early-stage startup accelerator.

Espey previously served as vice chair of Lighthouse Labs’ board of directors from 2015 to 2018 and recently rejoined the board.

“After a decade, Lighthouse Labs is at an inflection point, with an opportunity to think big and reinvent our work with founders, investors and the area’s innovation ecosystem,” Espey said in a statement. “I’m pleased to have the chance to build on the work previous leaders and the team have accomplished and look forward to continued success. I envision new and creative partnering opportunities with Paul and 757 Collab to foster innovation across the entire RVA757 megaregion.”

Espey is a serial entrepreneur and has experience in the full life cycle of startups. His background includes work in health care, analytics, manufacturing and construction. He also has experience in strategic leadership, private equity, diversity consulting, mergers and acquisitions and business development. Additionally, he served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He has earned degrees from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Eastern Michigan University and the University of Virginia.

Espey sits on the Virginia Bio+Tech Partnership Authority Board of Directors and was formerly vice chair of the American Red Cross in Southeastern Michigan.

Lighthouse Labs has accelerated more than 100 companies, investing more than $2 million. It runs an 11-week program for high-growth startups.