Touhill leaving Arlington Economic Development

Arlington Economic Development Director Ryan Touhill is leaving his job on Nov. 7, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce confirmed Thursday.

Kate Ange, who joined AED as deputy director in September 2023, will be acting director when Touhill departs to become community and economic development director for Phoenix, Arizona.

Touhill joined AED in November 2022, coming from the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, where he was senior vice president and chief of staff. There, he helped with the successful campaign to land Amazon.com’s HQ2 East Coast headquarters.

At AED, he and his team helped secure CoStar’s headquarters relocation from Washington, D.C., announced in February 2024.

He also helped launch the Arlington Innovation Fund, which helps support local tech startups. Recipients have included SportAI, which provides analytics for fantasy sports and sports betting, and GenLogs, an AI company specializing in ground freight supply chains.

Lately, amid the Trump administration’s cuts to the federal workforce and federal contracting spending, Touhill has been working to help spread the word about assistance and resources for those who have been laid off.

“Ryan Touhill’s thoughtful, methodical approach and collaborative partnership have been tremendously impactful,” Kate Bates, president and CEO of the Arlington Chamber, said in a statement. “He established a clear vision for AED through a strategic plan and defined key performance indicators to measure progress, leaving a strong foundation for the department to build on. I am confident that Deputy Director Kate Ange and the leadership team will continue to advance this work with the same dedication and strategic focus.”

Arlington County will “soon begin” recruitment for the AED permanent director role, according to a Friday news release.

In a LinkedIn post, Touhill wrote, “I am excited to begin a new chapter in my economic development and public service journey … with the City of Phoenix. … Over nearly 20 years of living, learning, working, and serving in Northern Virginia, I had the privilege of working with exceptional individuals. Together, we collaborated on projects small and large, helping to drive positive change in the communities we served. Many of you offered your guidance, mentorship, and friendship which often helped me navigate my career and work. I am very grateful for your generosity and will carry those experiences forward as I serve a new community.”