valley pike partners - with you
Valley Pike Partners is a nod to the road I grew up on, Valley Pike, which was the original Route 11 through Virginia's iconic Shenandoah Valley. This economic artery tied a string of vibrant towns and a still-thriving agricultural economy together along a route of commerce connecting this region and the Commonwealth to northern and southern population centers.
It was a steady, simple, practical, safe guide and efficient backbone -
the same way I want to envision and describe client work. "Partners" signifies my approach, background, and interest in working collaboratively with public, private, and nonprofit colleagues and clients to help companies, communities, and organizations grow in Virginia.
who
Carrie Chenery is a connected, thoughtful, strategic government relations and economic development professional who delivers public affairs solutions, business development strategy, and community and economic engagement counsel for clients in all regions of Virginia. Her mission through Valley Pike Partners (VPP) is to guide the Commonwealth's public and private sectors to work together more closely, find mutually beneficial solutions, and achieve sustainable growth.
VPP’s portfolio includes client partners in the health care, transportation, and energy industries, alongside academic institutions, economic development organizations, and community nonprofits.
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Carrie is the former Executive Director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership (SVP), the region’s economic development and marketing organization. SVP is the one-stop economic development resource for business attraction, business expansion, and workforce development opportunities in the Shenandoah Valley, representing 12 localities and over 150 private sector members. During her tenure, the region announced new and existing business projects representing over $460 M in capital investment and 1,900 new jobs.
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Prior to her leadership role at SVP, Carrie served the Virginia Office of the Governor as the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture & Forestry. She was responsible for the oversight and advancement of economic development efforts, including administration of the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) fund, related to Virginia’s largest private industries of agriculture and forestry. During her tenure, the AFID fund contributed to the announcement of over $46 million in private capital investment and the creation of over 400 jobs.
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Prior to her role in the Governor’s Office, she gained valuable, wide-ranging economic development, marketing, government relations, and communication experience across diverse industry sectors as the Manager of Legislation & Policy at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and as a Director of Government Affairs with the law firm Williams Mullen.
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A native of Virginia, Carrie is a graduate of Virginia Tech where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Policy & Planning and Agricultural & Applied Economics. She is also a graduate of the Political Leaders Program through the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia. Most recently, she served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority Board of Directors and the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
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Carrie has been named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect; one of the Top 10 under 40 emerging business leaders in the Shenandoah Valley by the Daily News-Record Business Journal; one of the Most Influential Virginians “On the Move” by Virginia Business magazine; and as an Outstanding Alumni by the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
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She lives in Staunton, Virginia, with her husband, Taylor, and their two daughters.
