Julia Boas Promoted to Director of Business Investment at Roanoke Regional Partnership 

We are thrilled to announce Julia Boas’s promotion to director of business investment at the Roanoke Regional Partnership. Boas’s exceptional leadership as director of talent strategies since 2022 helped shape the region’s talent narrative and workforce initiatives, and we look forward to the energy she’ll bring to her new role. 

Headshot of Julia Boas, Director of Talent Strategies for the Roanoke Regional Partnership
Julia Boas is the new director of business investment

Julia began at the Partnership in 2014 as the director of events and marketing for the Roanoke Outside Foundation before becoming the director of marketing for the Partnership and eventually moving to the talent strategies role. In less than two years, Boas has built a new talent portal in Get2KnowNoke.com, revamped the Talent Ambassador Program, spearheaded the region’s first Talent Summit and a Fall Career Expo, and created the new Onboard|ROA program, all while providing regional talent solutions to support attracting and developing workforce for new investment projects and expansions. Her work has been revolutionary in the local talent attraction landscape and has even caught the attention of leadership at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). 

“Julia has proven time and again that she has the vision and drive to elevate our region,” noted John Hull, executive director. “Her leadership in talent attraction has been transformational, and we’re excited to see her bring that same energy and innovation to business investment.”  

People seated in a classroom as they listen to a panel discussion.
Julia Boas addressing Talent Summit attendees at one of the lunch-and-learn panel discussions.

Bringing years of expertise in marketing, community development, and economic strategy, Boas is a perfect fit for business investment. She will focus on recruiting new businesses to the region, working with local developers on business retention and expansion, and developing relationships with site selectors and consultants. Boas’ new title took effect November 1, and she has already hit the ground running with prospect visits, conferences, and trainings. 

“I truly believe I have the best job in the world. For a decade, I’ve been privileged to work alongside an extraordinary team of changemakers, waking up every day inspired to build a more vibrant and economically dynamic Roanoke Region. This community is my passion project, and I’m eager to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the next decade head-on,” said Boas. 

Boas (far right) at the Onboard|ROA graduation event at Golden Cactus Brewing

Boas is moving into the role of longtime Partnership employee Ann Blair Miller, who is retiring after an impressive tenure of 25 years in economic development. To help bridge the gap and provide the bandwidth for some incredibly exciting and rare opportunities, Miller will still work on a temporary, part-time basis. The Partnership is hosting an event for global site selectors as well as top-tier VEDP events that will showcase the region’s value proposition, and Miller’s assistance is vital to their success.  

While she is moving to this new role, Boas’s talent attraction prowess will not be lost. She will oversee her replacement to continue the upward trajectory of the programs and initiatives she’s developed and led. Interviews are already taking place, and the Partnership hopes to have that position filled in early 2025.  

Partnership staff are excited about these changes and are ready to support Boas in her new role in any way they can. Please join us in congratulating Julia on this new adventure!