John Hull

Executive Director

John Hull is the executive director of the Roanoke Regional Partnership.  He also serves as the executive director of the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority.

John has spent more than 17 years serving the Roanoke Region in various economic development roles. A graduate of Roanoke College, the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, and the Roanoke College Management Institute, Hull also has earned the certified economic research professional designation from the Council for Community and Economic Research. While managing the Roanoke Regional Partnership’s research and business investment functions, Hull has assisted in the creation of more than 6,000 jobs and the attraction of more than $1 billion in investment.

Pete Eshelman

Senior Director of Creative Strategies

Pete Eshelman is an outdoors guy. He is the director of our non-profit Roanoke Outside, founded the Blue Ridge Marathon – America’s Toughest Road Marathon, and the GO Outside Festival to help build brand recognition for outdoor recreation and increase recognition of the region as a place to live, work, and invest. His work has changed the region’s community narrative to one that places a high value on the outdoors. Pete also oversees our Get2knowNoke talent strategies program.

Ann Blair Miller

Special Advisor

Ann Blair Miller is responsible for the planning and implementation of special projects and events for business investment opportunities.  She previously worked for the Roanoke Regional Partnership for almost 20 years before working for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in the role of Business Retention and Expansion Project Manager from 2017-2019. Ann Blair is a past president of the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA), and has been involved with VEDA as either a Board Member or an Executive Officer since 2005. Ann Blair was the 2015 recipient of The Cardinal Award, which is the most prestigious award bestowed by VEDA. In 2024, Miller was named to North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers by Consultant Connect.

Lisa Link

Director of Operations

Lisa Link ensures that everything comes off without a hitch. She handles the details . . . coordinating investor meetings, prospect visits, accounting, and keeping the office running smoothly. Lisa joined the Partnership in 2010, after 13 years at the Roanoke Regional Chamber as vice president of membership and member services.

Kait Pedigo

Events Manager

Kait Pedigo joined the Roanoke Outside Foundation after nearly a decade of experience in the Roanoke Region’s outdoor industry and at the Roanoke City Parks and Recreation Department. Prior to that she studied theatre and worked in theater production at the University of Vermont.  She now manages our global brand-building events such as the Blue Ridge Marathon, Radical Reels Film Festival,Go Cross Cyclocross Race, and the Roanoke GO Outside Festival.

Stephanie Long

Director of Marketing

Stephanie comes to the Partnership with several years of marketing experience, most recently serving as the marketing coordinator with Roanoke Parks and Recreation (PLAY Roanoke) where she connected residents with their public spaces and one another while advocating for strong social infrastructure. Long herself is a boomerang, moving back to the area in 2014 from Charlotte, NC, making her uniquely positioned to tell the region’s narrative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in English Education, both from Virginia Tech.

Julia Boas

Director of Business Investment

Bringing years of expertise in marketing, community development, and economic strategy, Julia’s role as director of business investment focuses on project management as well as designing and implementing business recruitment strategies for the Roanoke Region. Her passion for innovation and collaboration ensures an exciting future for the Roanoke Region. Boas has previously held positions at the Partnership, including director of events and marketing for the Roanoke Outside Foundation, director of marketing, and director of talent strategies.