Kelvin G. Perry has joined the Danville Office of Economic Development as project manager.
His responsibilities include the recruitment and retention of businesses and developers to the River District, assisting with the management of grant and loan programs, assisting with industrial and technology-based recruitment, managing properties owned by the Industrial Development Authority, and enterprise zone administration.
Perry assumed his responsibilities with the City on April 3. Prior to joining the City, he was employed for 16 years by First State Bank as chief operating officer and then as president and chief executive officer. In addition, he assisted small businesses in southern Virginia with business and financial planning through his role as an independent consultant with the Longwood Small Business Development Center. Telly D. Tucker, director of the Office of Economic Development, said Perry has a wealth of experience in the finance and business development arenas, which will be a valuable addition to the economic development team.
"We are delighted to welcome Kelvin Perry onboard as project manager,” said Tucker. “His professional experience will broaden and diversify the expertise of the Office of Economic Development staff, and will allow us to improve our service delivery to new and existing business and industry.”
“I am very happy to be a member of such a dedicated and committed team of individuals,” said Perry. “These are critical yet exciting times for the Danville region. I look forward to bringing my expertise as a former banker and advocate for small businesses to encourage and promote opportunities for entrepreneurship and sustained growth.”
Perry is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a major in banking and finance. He also serves on a number of boards and organizations, including the Delta Nu Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the Hughes Memorial Foundation, the Danville YMCA, and Big Brother Big Sisters.