AED Staff

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. 

Michael Stiefvater, Acting  Director, Business Investment Group
(703) 228-0827 | Email | Bio

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. 

Adam J. Henry, CEcD, EDP, Senior Business Development Manager 
Targeted Industries: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IOT), IT & Emerging Tech 
(703) 228-0809 | Email

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

Marc G. Smith, Senior Business Development Manager 
Targeted Industries: Corporate & Regional Headquarters
(703) 228-0821 | 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. 

Brandon Bedford, Assistant Director, Business Intelligence 
(703) 228-0816 | Email 

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

Conor Courtney, Strategic Initiatives Manager 
(703) 228-0872 | Email 

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

The creative industries sector, from architecture to gaming and artificial intelligence, is the bridge between Arlington’s robust tech sector and creative economy. Promoting the growth of small maker businesses is the foundation of the Made in Arlington program. The creative economy highlights emerging, and tech driven creative companies in collaboration with universities, partnerships and other County departments. 

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

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; integrating award-winning public art into our built environment; and presenting high quality performing, literary, visual and new media programs across the County. 

Michelle Isabelle-Stark, Director 
(703) 228-0867 | Email | Bio

Arts Enterprise

Joan M. Lynch, Director
(703) 228-1852 | Email

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 
(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

Antoinette Essex, Operations Manager 
(703) 228-1838 | Email 

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

Public Art

Angela Adams, Director, Arlington Public Art 
(703) 228-3553 | Email  

Deirdre Ehlen, Public Art Project Manager 
(703) 228-3331 | Email

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

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

Robert "Mo" Rouse, Visitors Service & Film Office Coordinator 
(703) 228-0889 | Email

The Communications Division is responsible for the overall brand identity of AED and develops all marketing and brand collateral and messaging, including the website, trade show materials and executive messaging. Staff leads all marketing and content efforts, manages social media strategy and collaborates with other divisions to ensure brand and messaging consistency across platforms.

Cara O'Donnell, Assistant Director
(703) 228-0854 | Email

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, Acting Assistant Director
(703) 228-0841 | Email | Bio

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

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

Maria Leonzo, Human Resources Manager
(703) 228-0822 | Email 

Mike Powell, Business System Analyst
(703) 228-0870 | Email 

Lorena Rodriguez, Operations Support Manager 
(703) 228-0862 | Email