Lee Downey Joins Hunton Andrews Kurth’s Public Affairs Group

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP announced today that Lee Downey has joined the firm’s Global Economic Development, Commerce and Government Relations group as director of economic and business development.

Downey will lead economic development work for clients of the group, the firm’s full-service public affairs arm. Launched in March 2018 under the leadership of Managing Director Todd Haymore, the group’s longstanding government relations practice expanded to include economic development, trade, communications and advocacy services.

“Lee has led business relocation and expansion efforts for dozens of companies and will be an enormous asset for our group and the firm as we assist clients with expansion, relocation, and investment opportunities in Virginia, nationally and globally,” Haymore said. “We are thrilled to have Lee on our team.”

Randall S. Parks, co-chair of the firm’s corporate practice, added: “Lee’s vast experience, reputation, and record of success will help our clients achieve their goals and offer new growth opportunities to our firm as a whole.”

With over 25 years of experience in planning and economic development, Downey has worked in all areas of economic development including site selection, marketing, business development, project management, incentives/tax credit negotiation and strategic planning. He also has experience with Opportunity Zones, the community investment tool established in 2017 aimed at encouraging investments in urban and rural communities, as well as Enterprise Zones and other discretionary community development funding programs.

Downey most recently led the city of Richmond’s economic development efforts, serving as deputy administrative officer for planning and economic development and as director of the Department of Economic and Community Development. Downey oversaw a successful economic development team that announced over 7,500 new jobs and $900 million in new investment during his seven-year tenure during a period of rapid growth in the city.

He also served as a business development project manager and a sites and buildings specialist at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. In his time with VEDP, Downey personally led projects that brought over 4,000 new jobs and $375 million of new investment to Virginia.