About the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor
The Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor (BRIC) is a business-led, nonprofit organization serving Virginia’s newest megaregion, the connected corridor spanning Danville, Martinsville, Roanoke, and the New River Valley, including the communities in between. This megaregion functions as a shared economic system, linked by workforce flows, supply chains, and infrastructure.
Why BRIC Was Formed
For decades, communities across the BRIC megaregion pursued economic growth independently, often successfully, but without a shared platform to align priorities, elevate outcomes, or advocate collectively at scale. As modern industry, infrastructure, and federal investment increasingly operate at megaregional scale, the absence of coordinated business leadership became a limiting factor.
BRIC was formed to fill that gap: to provide a business-led structure that connects local success into a shared megaregional strategy.
Mission, Vision, and Purpose
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We amplify existing initiatives, uncover new opportunities through strategic research, and bring together and equip leaders to advocate for investment in transformative initiatives and infrastructure.
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BRIC is Virginia’s widely recognized fourth economic engine, the Commonwealth’s winning model for driving growth and opportunity for all.
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To harness the region’s strengths—its rich heritage, skilled workforce, and commitment to progress—to create new opportunities, attract investment, and enhance quality of life.
Boldness
We lead with courage and a clear vision.
BRIC Values
Resilience
We never give up. We build on our strengths and rise to meet challenges.
Innovative
We pursue creative, strategic, and future-focused ideas.
Collaboration
Working across boundaries to create shared success.
What BRIC Does
BRIC does not implement projects or replace local and regional economic development organizations. Instead, it strengthens their impact by aligning leadership, elevating shared priorities, and advocating for investment at a scale individual communities cannot achieve alone.
Convene senior business leadership across the megaregion
Align local, regional, and state priorities around shared outcomes
Advocate for strategic infrastructure and investment
Elevate data, performance, and real-world results
Support initiatives that require megaregional coordination
Governance & Leadership
BRIC is governed by a board of CEOs and senior leaders representing the breadth of the megaregion’s economy, alongside higher education and philanthropic partners. The board provides strategic oversight, sets priorities, and ensures accountability for outcomes.
Executive Director
BRIC is led by Rachel Yost, Executive Director, who supports board leadership and advances BRIC’s strategy, partnerships, and day-to-day operations.
In addition to her role at BRIC, Rachel also serves as Managing Partner for S.I.R., Inc.
Executive Committee
BRIC’s Executive Committee is composed of a subset of board leadership and provides strategic guidance between board meetings. The committee helps steer priorities, support accountability for outcomes, and advise on major initiatives and organizational direction.
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Board of Directors
Brad Hall
Jeff Haley
Tim Clark
Robert “Bob” Archer
Bob Wills
Steve Arner
Clark Casteel
Ben Davenport Jr.
Jim Frith
Telly Tucker
Paul Nester
Heywood Fralin
James McClain
Rick Barker
Jay Dickens
Joel Shepherd
Connie Nyholm
Brandy Salmon
Eddie Amos
Alexander Boone
Rick James
Jason Muehleck
John Asbury
John (Jack) Avis
Manly Boyd
William Farrell
William "Bill" Martin, Jr.
Robby Burton
Billy Kirby
AEP
Atlantic Union Bank
Blair Construction Co.
Blue Ridge Beverage Co.
Branch Group
Carilion
Danville Regional Partnership
First Piedmont Corp
Frith Construction Company
Institute for Advanced Learning
RGC Resources
RUI
Southwest Virginia Gas Company
Supply Resources
The Lester Group
Virginia Furniture Market
Virginia International Raceway
Virginia Tech
Consultant
Aboone Real Estate
Adams Paving
Ameristaff
Atlantic Union Bank
Avis Construction
Bassett Office Supply
Berglund Cars
Blue Ridge Aquaculture
Burton & Company
Carter Bank
Drew Parker
Dr. Paul Erwin
Debbie Petrine
Mark Pace
Bart Wilner
Russ Ellett
Tammy Finley
Richmond Vincent
Kate Keller
Jeremy Hoff
Bill Hume
Michael (Mike) B. Jones
Stephen Lemon
Lee Wilhelm
Tad Deriso
Maurice Royster
Kirtesh Patel
Neil Wilkin
David Wallenborn
Mimi Rainero Coles
Jonathan Richardson
Marty Muscatello
Bret Danilowicz
Robert Fralin
William Fralin
Manmeet Bhatia
Richard Gibson
Dan Summerlin
John Reeves
Carter Machinery
Chatham Animal Clinic
Commonwealth Care
E.C. Pace
Entre Computer Center
Excel Truck Group
Gentry Locke
Goodwill of the Valleys
Harvest Foundation
Hooker Furnishings
Interactive Design Group (IDG)
Intertape Polymer Group
Martin, Hopkins & Lemon, PC
McNeil Roofing
Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp
MVP
OMMA Management
Optical Cable Corporation
P1 Tech
Permatile Concrete Products Company
Pinnacle Financial Partners
Qcowork
Radford
RP Fralin Inc.
RUI
TMEIC
VT Corporate Research Center
WoodsRogers
Microporous