DATE: Wednesday, September 10, 1997         TAG: 9709100569

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MEREDITH COHN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS                      LENGTH:   80 lines

PENINSULA'S CHIEF CREATOR OF JOBS PLANS TO RETIRE IN OCTOBER

In more than 13 years as the Peninsula's chief salesman, Julius A. Denton III has had a hand in bringing to the region more than 25,000 jobs.

Next month, he plans to give up his own.

Denton, known as Bud, will retire as president of the Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Council on Oct. 31.

He came to the council in 1984, when it was just 5 years old. His task: Create good jobs and improve the quality of life in an area comprising four cities and three counties.

``The leadership here on the Peninsula wanted to change its image; they didn't want to be the stepchild of the Southside anymore,'' said Denton, who was the council's fourth director. ``We created an aggressive marketing strategy. I think we - I say we because Bud Denton didn't bring one business here - were successful.''

Denton used his $1 million annual budget to help lure companies such as Canon Virginia, Gateway 2000, Solarex, Tyrolit Abrasives and United Parcel Service to the Peninsula. In all, capital investment from about 100 new businesses, many of which later expanded, tops $1 billion.

Denton said he's most pleased about Canon, which came to Newport News in 1985, invested $150 million and created 1,800 jobs. It was the first Japanese company to locate in the state, Denton said. Canon has since expanded and helped lure other foreign businesses to Virginia.

Area business and government officials, some shocked by Denton's retirement, praised his work and called him one of the best in the economic development business.

His position, however, will not likely be filled. At the suggestion of a consultant, the region plans to merge the council with other local bodies that are responsible for marketing the area and supporting business.

The proposed Peninsula Economic Development Alliance would include the council, the Peninsula Port Authority of Virginia, the Peninsula Advanced Technology Center and Peninsula Industrial Finance Corp. The new alliance still needs approval from local elected officials.

Denton, 58, who plans to continue living in Williamsburg, said he was asked to apply to lead the alliance but plans to become a consultant instead. He wouldn't rule out consulting for the new organization if he were asked.

``It's a new job and maybe they need a new face at the top,'' said Denton. He said he had been considering leaving his post for about a year, but the proposed alliance hastened his decision.

The merger is not the first change for the council, which has existed in one form or another since the 1940s and is the oldest regional economic development body in the state. Denton said others have borrowed from his organizational strategy, including South Hampton Roads, which recently created the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, a public-private partnership for economic development.

Many on the Peninsula said the new alliance won't detract from Denton's accomplishments over the years.

``He was probably the top salesman we ever had, and he was effective, as evidenced by the numerous new businesses, many of which expanded over the years,'' said John Lawson, former chairman of the Virginia Peninsula Economic Development Council. Lawson is president and CEO of W.M. Jordan Co., a construction company that won bids to build for some of those new businesses, including Gateway 2000.

Keith Taylor, director of economic development for James City County, agreed that Denton's retirement would be the Peninsula's loss.

And Newport News Mayor Joe Frank said Denton has been ``a real contributor to the economic welfare of our community.''

Even the competition on the Southside, Portsmouth Economic Development Director Matthew James, said he was impressed with Denton.

``We've traveled on foreign trade missions together,'' he said. ``In my opinion, he's one of the best at working with prospects in a professional manner, one of the best at closing a sale.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

Julius A. Denton III, known as Bud, is stepping down, but may be a

consultant.

Graphic

DENTON DEALS

Here are some of the companies Bud Denton helped bring to Hampton

Roads...

[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]

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