David Denny
MANAGING PARTNER
David W. Denny joined SHEDC after a varied career in sales, marketing and economic development that has spanned over 35 years. David’s personal and professional mission statement is: To do something impactful, to be challenged personally and professionally and never stop growing, to help others find their paths to success and to always seek new and creative ways to accomplish goals.
Professional Experience
Sanford Holshouser Economic Development Consultants, LLC – Raleigh, North Carolina
Managing Partner in an economic development consulting firm working with both public and private clients domestically and internationally.
David W. Denny, LLC – Blacksburg, Virginia
Established successful consulting business working with private and public-sector clients. Projects developed and managed in sales, business development, marketing and economic/industrial development domestically and internationally. Responsible for all aspects of business and project management and funding of projects.
Radford University; International Trade Center – Radford, Virginia
Director under contract for a business outreach program within the Business Assistance Center. Responsible for counseling and educating companies and students in issues related to international trade. Developed programs including the I3 Network of international business exchange encompassing 8 “hubs” in 7 countries. Responsible for identifying, soliciting and securing external funding through grants.
Thompson +Litton – Radford, Virginia
Thompson +Litton is a 46-year-old engineering/architectural firm with five offices located throughout southwestern Virginia, and TN/WVA.
Senior Project Manager – Responsible for identifying projects, business development, contract negotiation, grant development/finance, personnel and financial management of projects, client satisfaction and repeat business generation. Managed planning studies, designs and multi-million-dollar construction totaling over $13Millions.
Director of Marketing – Overall marketing and business development responsibilities. Focused on lead generation, direct business development and business development support for six Project Managers as well as market analysis and forecasting
Draper Aden Associates
Draper Aden is a multi-discipline engineering, environmental and surveying firm with offices across Virginia and North Carolina.
Director of Marketing – Directly managed the activities of three full-time and one part-time employees and indirectly managed the business development activities of the technical staff. Conducted direct business development activities with industrial and government clients including Department of the Navy and US Postal Services. Performed strategic and implementation planning. Trained/supported the business development efforts of Principals and team leaders. Developed extensive positioning, communication, CRM database, reporting and client satisfaction/retention programs. Managed firm PR and wrote articles for state/national press. Managed departmental budgeting, forecasting and expenditures.
GEOCOMP Corporation/Geotesting Express – Concord, Massachusetts
Director of Sales and Marketing – Responsible for developing, implementing and managing all sales/marketing functions and project management domestically and internationally. Pursued major colleges/universities nationally, Federal and State agencies/departments and domestic and international organizations and firms. Work focused on major landfill closures and development and mitigation of EPA “Superfund” sites mainly in the Northeast. Government customers and clients included DoD, EPA, FHwA, UN, State Universities and Departments of Transportation.
Westinghouse Environmental and Geotechnical Services, Inc. – Raleigh, North Carolina
Manager of National Accounts – Developed business with Fortune 500 companies requiring environmental and geotechnical services. Targeted industrial, and financial organizations. Negotiated and secured national services contracts and coordinated company resources required to address national, multi-site clients' needs. Actively participated in major proposals for national clients and for large government solicitations.
Wykeham Farrance, Inc. – Raleigh, North Carolina
Wykeham Farrance, Inc. was the United States subsidiary of an international (British) manufacturer of geotechnical and construction testing equipment including software and data acquisition systems.
Vice President – Operations officer and sales manager.
Worked directly with numerous International Customers, State institutions of higher education, Federal laboratories, Engineering firms and States Departments of Transportation.
Education
MA, Anthropology (Archaeology), University of Tennessee
BA, Geology, Washington and Lee University
Continuing Education (Economic Development)
Virginia Institute for Economic Development
Advanced Course: “Practical Applications of Finance in Economic Development”
Advanced Course: “Marketable Industrial Sites and Buildings”
Advanced Course: “Community Preparedness”
27th Annual Economic Development Course; UNC-Chapel Hill
World Trade Institute; Virginia Tech
Professional Activities and Memberships
Virginia Economic Development Partnership (Participation in task groups and committees related to product development, strategic planning and lead/communication protocols.
Virginia Economic Developers Association (22 years; Member of 3 Committees and Chairman
of Sponsorship Committee)
Society for Marketing Professional Services (President of Virginia Chapter for 2 Terms, Board Member for 7 years)
Away from the Office
David lives to travel and to experience many different cultures. He resides in Durham; NC having moved there after living in Massachusetts for 6 years and in the mountains of Virginia for 22 years. He loves anything done outdoors, reading, studying archaeology, watching birds, caring for all types of animals, gardening and challenging himself to learn something new every day. David is an avid fan of English soccer!