Roanoke Regional Partnership executive director to retire

Beth Doughty, executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, announced Monday she will retire after 22 years with the public-private economic development organization. She plans to leave in December.

Roanoke Regional Partnership covers the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke, the town of Vinton and the cities of Covington, Roanoke and Salem.

“It has been an honor to work for the partnership, lead its evolution and work with a talented and committed team,” Doughty said in a statement. “I have been motivated by the many ways this organization makes a difference.” She joined the organization in 1990 as marketing director, served as executive director from 1992 to 1999 and then was president of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce from 1999 to 2008. That year, she rejoined the partnership as executive director, and also served as president of the Virginia Economic Developers Association.

Doughty also was named one of North America’s top 50 economic developers by Consultant Connect three times. The partnership, which was formed in 1983, has worked with partners to produce 19,000 jobs and $19 billion in investment in the region. In 2009, the organization launched Roanoke Outside, which promotes outdoor recreation activities and tourism, and in 2017 started Get2KnowNoke, a talent attraction and retention program connected to the region’s colleges and universities.

The partnership’s board of directors has formed a search committee to find Doughty’s replacement.

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