Her Story
About Kelly
Kelly Kirkpatrick Evko is an economic development professional and Director of Economic Development for King and Queen County, Virginia, serving in the role on a part-time basis. She brings approximately 15 years of experience in economic development, business development, sales, account management, and strategic planning. Her career has included corporate sales, nearly five years with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, consulting through The Riverlink Group, and economic development leadership roles with the City of Petersburg and the Town of Colonial Beach. She currently also serves as Economic Development Manager for the Town of Colonial Beach and as a Senior Consultant with The Riverlink Group.
Throughout her career, Evko has focused on helping communities and businesses identify opportunities for growth, strengthen economic development strategies, recruit new businesses, and improve existing business programs. Her experience includes working with localities, regional organizations, private-sector companies, leadership teams, and other stakeholders to advance economic development initiatives. One of her notable projects involved helping pursue a pharmaceutical cluster in Petersburg, including work connected to Civica, Phlow, and Ampac, with the initiative projected to generate more than $500 million in capital investment and thousands of jobs. She has also worked on business recruitment and site-selection projects across Virginia and has emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving successful economic development outcomes.
Evko holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from James Madison University and has pursued additional professional development through programs associated with Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service, the University of Virginia Darden School, the University of North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and the Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. She is involved with the Virginia Economic Developers Association, Southeast Economic Developers Council, and International Economic Development Council. Her community involvement includes serving on the Vestry of Church of Our Savior in Montpelier and volunteering as a USA Swimming official for approximately 20 years. Her professional approach is grounded in community impact, collaboration, relationship building, and a passion for helping Virginia communities create sustainable economic opportunities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kelly
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my approximately 15 years of experience in economic development, my educational foundation, continued professional development, and the mentors who have guided me throughout my career. My career began in corporate sales before I transitioned into economic development, where I gained valuable experience with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and later worked with communities and private-sector organizations on business recruitment, strategic planning, and growth initiatives.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering economic development is to stay involved in their communities and look for opportunities to make a difference. Economic development is a very rewarding career because the work can have a tangible impact on businesses, residents, and the future of an entire community.
I encourage the next generation to remain engaged, build relationships, and take an active role in the communities they serve. The opportunity to contribute and make a meaningful difference is one of the things that makes this profession so fulfilling.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I am looking forward to my next challenges and the opportunities that come with them. In my current role, I am focused on helping King and Queen County attract new industry while preserving the rural character that makes the community distinctive.
The county has a high rate of out-commuting, creating an opportunity to strengthen the local economic base and bring more businesses and employment opportunities to the community. My experience working on economic development initiatives in communities such as King and Queen County and Petersburg has reinforced for me the importance of thoughtful growth, collaboration, and strategic development.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Making an impact is one of the most important values to me. I was born and raised in Virginia, so I have a strong personal connection to the communities I serve and am passionate about helping them grow and develop.
I value work that produces meaningful results for communities, businesses, and residents. Whether I am working with local leaders, businesses, regional organizations, or other stakeholders, I want my work to contribute positively to the community and create opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
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