“Erin‘s experience leading talent and workforce development initiatives across the Region 2 footprint aligns very well with the RBTC’s desire to help our member companies retain, attract, and expand their workforces,” said Verge Executive Director and CEO Greg Feldmann. “She is a respected leader and a natural collaborator with deep connections across the region within the technology business sector, higher education, and local governments, all of which are RBTC’s natural partners as we work to grow the innovation economy and its supporting ecosystem in Region 2 of Virginia.”

A native of Southwest Virginia, Burcham graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, and holds a Master of Science in Leadership Studies, with a focus on economic development, from Virginia Tech, which she completed in 2017.

“I look forward to bringing my economic development, professional development, and business retention and expansion experience to my new role as executive director of the Roanoke – Blacksburg Technology Council,” said Burcham. “I am passionate about helping our regional technology and biotech companies grow.”

Burcham has a strong background in forging connections among community stakeholders. Most recently, she served as Director of Talent Solutions at the Roanoke Regional Partnership, the joint economic development entity that comprises eight local governments, and more than 200 private-sector businesses. At the Partnership, she successfully built alliances with higher education, local governments and regional businesses to improve the talent pipeline for our area. Erin spearheaded a business retention and expansion initiative involving more than 60 technology, advanced manufacturing, and healthcare businesses, and successfully led and managed two GO Virginia grants totaling $280,000.

Earlier in her career, Burcham served as Event Planner for Roanoke’s EventZone, where she managed logistics and volunteer personnel for a variety of large downtown festivals and events; and later held a position as Marketing and Program Coordinator at Virginia Tech’s Roanoke Center, where she managed all aspects of continuing and professional programs, including budgeting, fundraising, and developing partnerships with public and private companies and organizations in the region.

Burcham’s professional activities include serving on the Radford University Presidential Task Force for Experiential Learning; advisor for the Virginia Tech Foundation GO Virginia Biotech Innovation Infrastructure project; advisor for RBTC’s GO Virginia ELITE tech talent project, and board member for Junior Achievement, among others.

Verge Co-chairs Marty Muscatello and Ken Ferris stated, “We feel very fortunate to have found such a qualified and experienced person in Erin to be the next leader of RBTC and look forward to her contributions in her new role.”