Albemarle County Names Economic Development Director:
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors announced the appointment of Emily Kilroy as the next Director of Economic Development for Albemarle County. Kilroy, who has served as interim director since May 2024, has assumed the role permanently, effective immediately.
"Targeted economic development is critical to the future of our county, and we have confidence in Emily’s ability to lead this effort," said Jim Andrews, Chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors. "Her knowledge, vision, and experience are exactly what we need to steer Albemarle County toward sustained success."
"Albemarle County is on the cusp of incredible opportunities that will shape the regional economy for the future," Kilroy said. "From advancements in biotechnology, intelligence, national security, to clean energy, these diverse sectors are bound by our community’s remarkable drive for innovation and discovery. I am eager to support this thriving ecosystem and work to create pathways for our local learners to succeed in these emerging sectors. It is an honor to continue serving Albemarle County in this new capacity."
Trevor Henry, Deputy County Executive, added, "Emily’s breadth of experience, from her leadership in community engagement and her work with the County Executive’s Office on legislative priorities, gives her a unique and comprehensive understanding of the many elements involved in fostering economic growth. Her success exemplifies the importance of investing in the professional development of our employees, ensuring that we nurture and retain talent within our organization."
Kilroy has been with Albemarle County for 10 years, starting in the County Executive’s Office working on public engagement. She was promoted to lead the new Communications and Public Engagement Office in 2018. She later served on the County’s Executive Leadership Team as the Assistant to the County Executive before taking on the interim role in Economic Development. As interim director, she oversaw key initiatives aligned with the County's long-term economic strategy, including the partnership agreement with Home Depot for the first redevelopment at Fashion Square Mall and preliminary work for developing the next economic development strategic plan.
Kilroy’s educational background includes a Master’s in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from American University. She is also a graduate of the Senior Executive Institute at the University of Virginia.