Our Mission
The Portsmouth Partnership is a group of volunteer business, professional and civic leaders who are committed to Portsmouth’s economic development in the broadest possible sense. The mission of the Portsmouth Partnership is to promote economic growth, leadership and education within the city of Portsmouth.
In pursuing a path toward a rich and rewarding quality of life for all of Portsmouth’s citizens, the Partnership’s members work to:
The Partnership has created several affiliates to effectively address these efforts: the Greater Portsmouth Development Corporation, the Partnership Development Corporation, the Lefcoe Leadership Foundation, the Portsmouth Partnership Foundation, and PortsEvents. In a typical year the Partnership’s briefing room hosts more meetings for other non-profits and organizations than for its own affiliates.
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Create job opportunities and tax revenue
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Identify and groom future leaders within the city
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Directly support worthwhile non-profit organizations
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Bring underutilized properties to their highest and best use
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Promote trade and tourism in Portsmouth’s historic Olde Towne district
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And foster support for Portsmouth’s public schools and their innovative programs
Our Vision
The Portsmouth Partnership shall support its mission by effectively:
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Fostering leadership
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Supporting education
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Encouraging economic development
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Helping to broaden the tax base in our city
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Recognizing Portsmouth’s role in our maritime region
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Being “issue driven” in seeking fulfillment of its mission
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Acting upon other issues identified by the Board from time to time
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Coordinating and cooperating with other localities on regional issues
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Supporting public safety as an essential component of economic vitality and quality of life
Our People
The Portsmouth Partnership consists of volunteer business leaders from across the community.
Officers
PRESIDENT
Dr. Johnny J. Garcia
CEO
SimIs Inc.
VICE PRESIDENT
Max Greenhood
President
Rocketbike
TREASURER
Ashton Lewis, Jr
Chief Operating Officer
First Team Auto Group
SECRETARY
Seth B. Royster
Attorney at Law
Cooper, Spong & Davis
Michelle Wren
Executive Director
Portsmouth Partnership
Directors
G. Robert Aston, Jr.
Chairman & CEO
TowneBank
Edward A. Barham
Buzz Franchise Brands
Julie Bartley
Dollar Bank
James E. Bento
Fairlead
Anna Bonet
CEO
Elizabeth River Crossings
Kate Brinn
Bon Secours Maryview
Medical Center
Stefanie Osfolk Brown
The Bier Garden
Bradford R. Cherry
Cherry Carpet & Flooring
Joseph M. Donnelly
President
Donnelly Real Properties, LLC
Michael P. Fitzwater
Special Events Virginia
Jaclyn Gordon
Owner/Consultant
Thrive Consulting, LLC
Herbert A. Haneman
President
Western Branch Diesel
Dr. Roberta Hansel-Union
CEO/Owner
Hansel-Union Consulting
William H. Hargrove, III
HBA Architecture & Interior Design
Dana M. Hathorn
Tidewater Community College
Stephen E. Heretick
Stephen E. Heretick, P.C.
David Host, Jr.
Riverside Enterprises
C. Bradford Hunter
AVP Commercial Lending
TowneBank
Ryan C. Kenrick
Williams Mullen
Stephen J. Korving
CFP
Korving & Company, LLC
Konner Pritchard
BB&T
Melissa Ramsey
River's Casino Portsmouth
Joel Rhew
Senior Vice President
Bank of America
Joel Rubin
Representative
Wheelabrator Technologies
William Taylor (Will)
Taylor Legacy Group
Matthew Tuttle
Total Business Solutions
David R. Tynch
President
Cooper, Spong & Davis, P.C.
Tamara S. Williams
Tidewater Community College
Ex-Officios
Alex Benitez
Edward Bland
Dr. Elie Bracy
Charles Brogan
Brian Donahue
Mayor Shannon Glover
Arial Jones
Peter Kopacz
Bruce LaLonde
Michael Voss
Rob Wilber
Donald Comer
Don Comer Ford, Inc
Robin S. Cooke
TowneBank
Camille Crofton
Principal Partner
Crofton Diving
Thomas Cross
Virginia Port Authority
JustinC. Lovell
President
Forsythe, Inc.
L. Louise Lucas
Senator
18th District of Virginia
Curtis C. Lyons
Owner
Roger Brown's Restaurant
William S. Magann,Jr. (Stan)
Project Manager
W. F. Magann Corp.
Cannon Moss
President & General Manager
Norfolk & Portsmouth
Belt Line
Peggy Murphy
TowneBank
Fred J. Pasquine
President
Fairlead
Christine N. Piersall
Partner
Williams Mullen
Robin Schmalbach
Chief Operating Officer
Integrated Management
Group, LLC
Chris Shelton
Ashton Shelton
Enterprises, LLC
Hope Sinclair, Ph.D.
Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads
Maurice D. Slaughter
President
Bayside Harley-Davidson