Blevins named economic development director at UVa-Wise

A Southwest Virginia native with broad experience working with new and expanding businesses has been hired as the first Director of Economic Development at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Shannon Blevins, formerly a senior project manager with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance (VDBA), assumed her new post at UVa-Wise on Wednesday, July 25. For more than 15 years, Shannon Blevins has built, developed, managed and led teams of professionals in a variety of industries. After successful managerial positions at AT&T, Nexus Communications and Travelocity.com, Blevins joined VDBA’s Abingdon office in 2002. Since January 2006, Blevins has had a special assignment with VDBA coordinating state, regional and local efforts in support of the CGI and Northrop Grumman operations in Russell County.

“We are delighted to have Shannon take a leadership role in the College’s ongoing effort to support the economic development of Southwest Virginia,” said UVa-Wise Chancellor David J. Prior. “She is a proven leader, whose understanding of the region and the interactions between the private and public sectors will generate significant momentum.”

At UVa-Wise, Blevins’ initial responsibility will be to develop and manage the Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center in Lebanon. The Russell County Industrial Development Authority has contracted UVa-Wise to manage the center for at least the next three years. The center will work with the region’s emerging information technology sector and other businesses to provide customized training. Blevins will work closely with state, regional and local economic development officials to ensure that the training center is helping meet the needs of new and existing businesses.

“This move is a natural progression of the work that I have been doing for the past two years in support of the Northrop Grumman and CGI projects in the region,” Blevins said. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the region’s new IT employers and existing industry in helping to create a nexus between government, business and higher education in Southwest Virginia.”

In her new role, Blevins will work closely with Sim Ewing, UVa-Wise vice chancellor for finance and government relations.

“Shannon is smart, she’s articulate and she’s a shining example of Southwest Virginia and UVa-Wise,” Ewing said. “She was an essential player in the start of the region’s information technology industry and I know she will do a remarkable job coordinating the College’s economic outreach efforts.”
Blevins earned her undergraduate degree in business and public administration from UVa-Wise in 1991 and her MBA from Averett College in 1999. She also participated in the Virginia Industrial Economic Development program at Virginia Tech in 2002.

She serves on the board of directors of the Southwest Virginia Technology Council and the Manufacturing Technology Center. She is a member of the Society of Human Resource Managers and the Virginia Economic Development Association. Blevins lives in Coeburn with her husband and two children.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted July 26, 2007