Chamber Defense Affairs Committee Set To Expand Regionally With New CVPED Partnership
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) and the Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development (CVPED) today announced the Chamber Defense Affairs Committee (DAC) will be housed under CVPED starting in July 2025.
The move aims to increase regional economic growth in the defense & intelligence sector by expanding the geographic reach and impact of the DAC across multiple Central Virginia localities.
“It’s been an honor for the Chamber to steward the Defense Affairs Committee over the past 15 years, building meaningful relationships across our defense, intelligence, and veteran communities,” said Chamber President & CEO Andrea Copeland.
“We are proud of the foundation we’ve laid and are excited to transition this important work to our partner, Central Virginia Partnership for Economic Development,” said Copeland, who serves on the CVPED Board of Directors. “This move represents a powerful opportunity to enhance the Committee’s impact, expand its reach, and elevate its visibility. I’ve no doubt DAC will continue to thrive under CVPED’s leadership.”
A 2023 study by UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center, commissioned by the Chamber, analyzed the defense sector’s annual economic impact at $1.2 billion in the area encompassing the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Greene County.
The study evaluated direct, indirect, and induced economic impact including 7,347 jobs, $618 million in labor income, and $831 million in value added. Following the release of this data, the defense intelligence sector is now recognized as the second largest economic generator in the area (tied with the biotech industry and after the University of Virginia).
The Chamber first established an innovative Defense Enterprise Round Table in 2009. Renamed in 2019, the Defense Affairs Committee (DAC) has become the leading defense intelligence enterprise advocate for the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and Greene County. The DAC mission is to foster economic vitality in the greater Charlottesville region by further strengthening the relationships between the Chamber, the communities, the regional defense/intelligence community, and area veterans.
“The DAC leadership council looks forward to reframing our important work to a more regional lens,” said Rebecca Ivins, DAC Chair and CVPED Board member. “We are excited about transitioning to CVPED, and thank the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce for many wonderful years of support.”
“CVPED greatly appreciates the Chamber’s work to start up the DAC and ensure an excellent foundation for this important initiative,” added Blair Wiliamson, CVPED Chair.
CVPED and the Chamber thank the volunteer members of the Defense Affairs Leadership Council for their tireless efforts. In addition to Chair Rebecca Ivins, Council members include Vice Chair Trevor Henry, Past Chair Deborah van Eersel, Helen Cauthen, Chris Engel, Adrian Felts, Rob Jones, Eddie Karoliussen, Emily Kilroy, CSM Rosemary Leath (Ret, USA), Misty Parsons, Dillon Porter, and Alan Yost.
The Chamber has been integrally involved in launching a number of iconic local organizations, including CVPED itself in 1995. Chamber success stories include the American Red Cross – Central Virginia Chapter (1917), the United Way of Greater Charlottesville (1943), and more recently Network2Work (2013) and Venture Central (2021).