Board of Directors
Leadership with Your Business in Mind
The Newport News Economic and Industrial Development Authorities are governed by a Board of Directors. The group's main goal is to further the mission of the EDA/IDA by helping to grow and diversify the tax and employment base of the City of Newport News.
Jennifer Smith-Brown
Chair (2021), Member of the Board since 2015
Ms. Smith-Brown is President and CEO of J. Smith Enterprises, a second-generation, family-owned Owner/Operator firm responsible for the franchise operations of several McDonald's restaurants.
Howard H. Hoege III
Vice Chair (2021), Member of the Board since 2019
Mr. Hoege is President and CEO of the Mariners’ Museum and Park, America's National Maritime Museum.
Alonzo R. Bell, Jr., CCIM
Member of the Board since 2017
Mr. Bell has over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate brokerage.
Faye Petro Gargiulo
Member of the Board since 2021
Ms. Gargiulo is a retired corporate executive of Riverside Health System, with over 30 years of experience in physician recruitment, communications, marketing, and strategic development.
Jameka Johnson
Member of the Board since 2021
Ms. Johnson is Director of Finance of PBMares, LLP, a Top-100 accounting and consulting firm serving U.S. and international clients, with offices in the Mid-Atlantic.
Jonathan P. Skinner
Member of the Board since 2017
Mr. Skinner is President of Harrison and Lear, Inc., a diversified real estate company operating in Hampton Roads for over 60 years.
Cathy Williams
Member of the Board since 2021
Ms. Williams is Supplier Diversity and Government Administration Manager for Ferguson Enterprises, the largest U.S. distributor of plumbing supplies and the third largest distributor of industrial and HVAC products.