Norfolk makes economic development head permanent

The City of Norfolk will keep Sean Washington as its director of economic development permanently after serving as interim director since August 2022, the city announced Tuesday.

His appointment was effective Nov. 6. Before serving as interim director, Washington was assistant director from November 2020 through August 2022, but he’d worked in the department since June 2017 as a business development manager and became secretary-treasurer of the Norfolk Economic Development Authority in October 2017. Washington became the interim head of the department when Jared Chalk left to take a job with the Hampton Roads Alliance.

As secretary-treasurer for the EDA, Washington managed the financial position of the EDA to include overall assets of about $29 million and $4.4 million in cash and equivalents. When he was business development manager for the city, he administered five small business programs, resulting in $4.5 million in grants being awarded to Norfolk businesses.

“Norfolk is a thriving community today thanks in large part to economic development efforts that have already occurred. We’ve worked hard to secure new businesses, additional jobs and the benefits such investment bring to our residents and visitors,” Norfolk City Manager Pat Roberts said in a statement. “Looking forward, Sean’s business acumen, expertise and familiarity with all of the advantages Norfolk offers to both incumbent and prospective business partners uniquely position him to help us author the next chapters in Norfolk’s economic success story. I can’t wait to see what comes next from Sean and his team.”

Before he worked for the city, Washington was an assistant vice president for BB&T for seven years, where he managed a $34.5 million deposit portfolio and $15 million lending portfolio.

Washington attended Hampton University, where he earned a business degree, according to his LinkedIn page.