THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 8, 1995 TAG: 9504080269
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Virginia Beach embarked on a national search for an economic director last year only to chose one from across the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.
The commonwealth's largest city named Hampton's development director, Donald L. Maxwell, as its new director of economic development Friday.
A panel of Virginia Beach community, development and business leaders chose Maxwell from a field of 112 candidates culled from a national search, said City Manager James Spore.
``They were looking for someone with a great record of achievements who demonstrated through their experience they could close a deal and get things accomplished,'' Spore said. ``On a personal level, they were looking for somebody who was a real professional and who was dedicated to the profession of economic development, someone who could relate well with the business community as well as the community at large.''
Maxwell, who headed Hampton's economic development department for 17 years, lists several major accomplishments
He negotiated a $35 million contract to attract the North American headquarters of Lucas Industries, an English electronics firm, to Virginia. Lucas was the largest firm, formerly from Stamford, Conn., to relocate to Virginia in 1992.
He directed the property acquisition and development of Hampton Roads Center, a 300-acre high-tech research and office complex on the Peninsula.
He purchased the site and helped develop the $28 million Virginia Air and Space Center, which won a design award.
When Maxwell, 47, assumes his new position May 8, he will oversee a staff of 14 and an annual operating budget of $1.2 million to facilitate new business investment. He will be charged with retaining existing companies and helping them expand.
Maxwell also will lead the city's development strategies to improve business investment. Virginia Beach now depends primarily on its residents, who composes 80 percent of its tax base, for revenue.
City officials would like to reduce the dependence on residential tax revenue to 70 percent.
``It's important that the City Council has set economic development as their top priority,'' Spore said. ``The diversification of our tax base is an important long-range issue for Virginia Beach. We need in economic development someone who could fit into our team in that regard.''
Maxwell said his basic philosophy toward economic development dovetails with that of city leaders to target specific industries and companies that fit the city's vision.
``You need to be able to target your audience,'' said the native of Harrisburg, Pa. ``You need to know what businesses you want to go after.''
He also acknowledges that the needs of existing businesses must be met because ``a good deal of your growth comes from your existing businesses. Part of what attracts a business into the area is the existing businesses you already have there.''
Maxwell holds a master's degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Tech, an undergraduate architecture degree from Ohio State University and a certificate of advanced program studies from Yale University's School of Organization and Management.
Maxwell has earned a reputation as a team and regional player during his tenure as Hampton's top development leader.
``He's not one to withdraw if a project doesn't go to Hampton. He's gone on numerous team trips with me promoting the entire area,'' said Julius Denton, director of the Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Council. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Among the accomplishments of Donald L. Maxwell's
He negotiated a $35 million contract to attract the North
American headquarters of Lucas Industries to Virginia. Lucas was the
largest firm to relocate to Virginia in 1992.
He directed the property acquisition and development of Hampton
Roads Center, a 300-acre high-tech research and office complex on
the Peninsula.
He purchased the site and helped develop the $28 million Virginia
Air and Space Center.
by CNB