Meet the Team
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Renee's Biography:
Renee Chapline is the Executive Director of Virginia's Gateway Region, a regional economic development organization which serves the cities of Petersburg, Hopewell, and Colonial Heights, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry and Sussex. Renee joined the region with more than 15 years experience in global business development, marketing and communications.
Prior to joining Virginia's Gateway Region, Renee was credited with establishing an aggressive international marketing program to spur economic development opportunities for rural Virginia. She was also a key member in the "Top Development Group for 2003" as recognized by Site Selection magazine. Under Renee's leadership, Virginia's Gateway Region has been recognized by several Economic Development groups including the IEDC in 2006 for Outstanding General Purpose Website, and in 2008 for “Top Deal in the Country” by Site Selection Magazine for the Rolls Royce Engine facility in Prince George County. Renee has successfully prompted National Media attention for rural communities with the Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC World News and USA Today.
Currently, Renee is active with the Virginia Economic Development Association and serves on the Crater Regional Workforce Board of Directors. She also serves on the Regional Workforce Development Oversight Board of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Board of Directors for the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute (EDI) and is active with the Southern Economic Development Council.
Renee has also served as an economic development ambassador for Virginia in Asia, India and many parts of Europe, including as an instructor with EDI leading economic development training sessions.
Renee Chapline is the Executive Director of Virginia's Gateway Region, a regional economic development organization which serves the cities of Petersburg, Hopewell, and Colonial Heights, and the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry and Sussex. Renee joined the region with more than 15 years experience in global business development, marketing and communications.
Prior to joining Virginia's Gateway Region, Renee was credited with establishing an aggressive international marketing program to spur economic development opportunities for rural Virginia. She was also a key member in the "Top Development Group for 2003" as recognized by Site Selection magazine. Under Renee's leadership, Virginia's Gateway Region has been recognized by several Economic Development groups including the IEDC in 2006 for Outstanding General Purpose Website, and in 2008 for “Top Deal in the Country” by Site Selection Magazine for the Rolls Royce Engine facility in Prince George County. Renee has successfully prompted National Media attention for rural communities with the Wall Street Journal, CNN, ABC World News and USA Today.
Currently, Renee is active with the Virginia Economic Development Association and serves on the Crater Regional Workforce Board of Directors. She also serves on the Regional Workforce Development Oversight Board of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Board of Directors for the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute (EDI) and is active with the Southern Economic Development Council.
Renee has also served as an economic development ambassador for Virginia in Asia, India and many parts of Europe, including as an instructor with EDI leading economic development training sessions.
Emily's Biography:
As Business Development Manager, Emily coordinates each aspect of a project from initial requests for information to site visits and project completion. Before joining the Gateway Region, Emily served as the Program Manager for the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program with the Department of Housing and Community Development. Emily received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her master’s degree from UVA.
As Business Development Manager, Emily coordinates each aspect of a project from initial requests for information to site visits and project completion. Before joining the Gateway Region, Emily served as the Program Manager for the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program with the Department of Housing and Community Development. Emily received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her master’s degree from UVA.
Tim's Biography:
As Research Analyst, Tim manages regional data, contacts, sites and other information for businesses and for requests for information. He also manages computer software and hardware, and maintains VGR's Web presence. When time allows he researches strategies and opportunities to implement regional economic development goals and objectives.
Tim fills different shoes from time to time with work on communications and business development projects.
Bachelor's degree: University of Dayton - Communication Management
Master's Degree: Virginia Commonwealth University - Urban and Regional Planning
As Research Analyst, Tim manages regional data, contacts, sites and other information for businesses and for requests for information. He also manages computer software and hardware, and maintains VGR's Web presence. When time allows he researches strategies and opportunities to implement regional economic development goals and objectives.
Tim fills different shoes from time to time with work on communications and business development projects.
Bachelor's degree: University of Dayton - Communication Management
Master's Degree: Virginia Commonwealth University - Urban and Regional Planning
As Associate Project Manager, Carolyn Wren assists with business development activities, on projects including new and expanding companies. She works on marketing projects and helps organize events.
Carolyn is a graduate of the Urban and Regional Planning graduate program at VCU.
Carolyn is a graduate of the Urban and Regional Planning graduate program at VCU.
Denny's Biography:
The Gateway Region’s Special Projects Director, Denny has been serving the region for more than three decades. A former Executive Director of VGR, Denny continues to support the organization in addition to his current role as the Executive Director of the Crater Planning District Commission.
Denny is actively involved with the US Route 460 realignment, as well as coordinating a regional response to the BRAC activity at Fort Lee.
The Gateway Region’s Special Projects Director, Denny has been serving the region for more than three decades. A former Executive Director of VGR, Denny continues to support the organization in addition to his current role as the Executive Director of the Crater Planning District Commission.
Denny is actively involved with the US Route 460 realignment, as well as coordinating a regional response to the BRAC activity at Fort Lee.