AED Staff

We’re Here To Help You

Arlington Economic Development staff are passionate about helping your organization excel in one of the most dynamic places in the nation.

Arlington, VA is truly an amazing location, filled with some of the most successful companies, charming neighborhoods and brilliant minds in the country. We will go to great lengths to ensure that you and your employees have access to everything you need to achieve your goals.

Leadership Team

Anna K. Nissinen, Chief Economic Development Officer and Director

Emily Cassell, Director, Arlington Convention and Visitors Service (ACVS)

Ifiok Ibanga, Operations Director — Ifiok Ibanga, Director, Operations

Deirdre Ehlen MacWilliams, Cultural Affairs Director

Marc McCauley, Director, Strategic Investment Group

Staff Directory

Director's Office

The Director’s Office provides executive leadership to AED’s divisions and staff and is responsible for setting the department’s strategic direction. The Director’s Office regularly engages and collaborates with the County’s leadership, other departments, and partner organizations to advance Arlington’s economic development goals.

Anna K. Nissinen, Chief Economic Development Officer and Director
(703) 228-0840 | Email | Bio

Kate Ange, Deputy Director
(703) 228-0840 | Email | Bio

Caitlin Anderson, Special Projects Manager
(571) 547-3862 | Email

Business Investment Group (BIG)

The Arlington Economic Development Business Investment Group (BIG) works with companies interested in starting, expanding or relocating their business to Arlington, VA. Primary services include providing industry and market data, real estate searches, navigating state and local incentives and supporting companies through County processes.

Brandon Bedford, Acting Director, Business Development
(703) 228-0816 | Email

Business Development
Contact Business Development if you are a new business interested in Arlington County or an existing business looking for opportunities to further engage or expand your business operations. Primary services include real estate searches, incentives, on-site business visits, workforce development, connections to local universities and strategic partners, and liaison services for local and state government agencies.

Adriana Bonilla, Assistant Director, Business Development
(703) 228-0807 | Email

Meghan Norden, Senior Business Development Manager
(571) 547-3868 | Email

Sumeet Saini, Business Development Manager
(703) 228-0813 | Email

Sindy Yeh, Senior Business Ambassador
Targeted Industries: Aerospace & Defense, Cybersecurity, Government Contracting Services, Nonprofit Organizations & Associations
(703) 228-0858 | Email

Business Intelligence
Contact Business Intelligence for demographic, workforce, and talent research and real estate data relating to Arlington County and the Northern Virginia region.

Melissa Hines, Senior Marketing Manager
(703) 228-0826 | Email

Tally Wolff, Innovation Ecosystem Manager
(703) 228-0872 | Email

BizLaunch, Small Business

BizLaunch is Arlington’s small business and entrepreneurial resource network. BizLaunch helps to strengthen the small business and entrepreneurial ecosystem through innovative programming, one-on-one consultations, business intelligence, market research and access to capital — helping businesses start, grow and scale.

Tara Palacios, Director
(703) 228-0853 | Email | Bio

Alex Held, Small Business Manager
(703) 228-0865 | Email

Lourdes Morales, Business Consultant
(703) 228-0838 | Email

Yeykin Valenzuela Pivaral, Small Business Manager
(703) 228-0865 | Email

The Creative Economy group serves as a bridge between Arlington’s robust tech sector and Arlington's creative industries sector. Here we highlight emerging and tech driven creative companies and promote the growth of small maker businesses in collaboration with other County departments, local universities and partnerships.

Susan Soroko, Director
(703) 228-1837 | Email

Strategic Investment Group

The Strategic Investment Group (SIG) provides technical assistance on commercial office, retail and hotel development opportunities within Arlington and monitors competitive market conditions and structures and manages a variety of public-private partnerships. SIG also provides advice and assistance on enhancing the appearance of commercial properties and serves as a liaison between the development community and Arlington County government agencies. SIG promotes placemaking by integrating award-winning public art into our built environment.

Marc McCauley, Director
(703) 228-0835 | Email | Bio

Jane Kim, Commercial Development Specialist
(703) 228-3732 | Email

Troy Palma, Regional Economist
(703) 228-0859 | Email

Public Art

Thomas Vannatter, Public Art Project Manager
703-228-3331 | Email

Tomora Wright, Public Art Project Manager
703-228-3771 | Email

Arlington Cultural Affairs

Arlington Cultural Affairs delivers public activities and programs as Arlington Arts. Our mission is to create, support and promote the arts, connecting artists and community to reflect the diversity of Arlington. We do this by providing material support to artists and arts organizations in the form of grants, facilities and technical resources; and presenting high quality performing, literary, visual and new media programs across the County.

Deirdre MacWilliams, Director, Cultural Affairs
(703) 228-0867 | Email

Arts Enterprise

Jared Davis, Scenery Studio Manager
(703) 228-6965 | Email

Kate Fleming, LAC Studio Administrator
(703) 228-0560 | Email

Lore Potoker, LAC Studio Administrator
(703) 228-0560 | Email

Community Arts

Sharon Raphael, Manager and Grant Administrator
(703) 228-0837 | Email

Cultural Development

Josh Stoltzfus, Deputy Director, Cultural Afffairs
(703) 228-0829 |Email

Jim Byers, Marketing Director
(703) 228-1847 | Email

Cynthia Connolly, Special Projects Curator
(703) 228-0818 | Email

Kylene King, Program Coordinator
(703) 228-0830 | Email

Facilities and Technical Services

Rhe'a Roland-Singer, CAD Campus Manager
703-862-0721 | Email

Andres Luque Turriago, Head Theater Technician
(703) 228-6985 | Email

Arlington Convention and Visitors Service (ACVS)

ACVS promotes Arlington as a dynamic destination to stimulate economic growth from hotel stays and associated visitor spending. Through StayArlington sales, marketing and visitor services activities, ACVS shares Arlington’s national history and local flavor in colorful and compelling ways that draw people enthusiastically to Arlington from across the U.S. and beyond.

Emily Cassell, Director

(703) 228-0875 | Email | Bio

Scott Baker, Marketing Manager
(703) 228-0877 | Email

Siham Chala, Visitor and Convention Services Manager
(703) 228-0874 | Email

Portia Conerly, Director of Sales, Arlington Convention and Visitors Service
(703) 228-0873 | Email

Roxana Rivera, Destination Sales Manager
(703) 228-5108 | Email

Administration/Operations

The Operations staff is responsible for the overall administration of AED’s County offices and ensuring the department works efficiently and in accordance with County policies. Staff handle technology requests, provide financial oversight and supervise all facilities and equipment management to ensure the smooth functioning of the department.

Ifiok Ibanga, Operations Director
(703) 228-0841 | Email | Bio

Jennifer Aguilar, Events and Marketing Specialist
(703) 228-0569 | Email

Mahyar Arani, Business System Analyst
(703) 228-0870 | Email

Jennifer Biehl, Salesforce Administrator
(703) 228-0831 | Email

Dawn Darling, Front Desk Administrative Specialist
(703) 228-0880 | Email

Rebecca Graham, Management and Budget Specialist
(703) 228-0855 | Email

Erica Williams, HR Administrative Specialist
(703) 228-0822 | Email