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C. Jones Hooks, CEcD
President & Chief Executive Officer

Hampton Roads Economic
Development Alliance
500 Main Street
Suite 1300
Norfolk, VA 23510
Voice: (757) 664-2620
Fax: (757) 623-3081
Email: jhooks@hreda.com

Jones Hooks began his service as President of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA) on August 30, 1999. HREDA was initiated in 1997 to provide a cooperative and aggressive business attraction program for Virginia's Hampton Roads Region - Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Isle of Wight County.

Since his arrival in Virginia, Hooks has received the Leadership Hampton Roads "Courage in Leadership Award" in recognition of his "fearless leadership and commitment to the future of Hampton Roads." Additionally, under Hooks's leadership, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance was ranked among the top 10 percent of economic development groups in the nation by Blane, Canada Ltd., a nationally recognized economic development marketing consulting firm. During the past two years, the Alliance has received several marketing awards, including Best of Class, Excellent, and Special Judges awards by the American Economic Development Council. Of utmost importance, over 3000 new jobs have been announced by the Alliance since Hooks arrived.

In September, Hooks was elected to serve a two-year term to the Board of the Virginia Economic Developers Association. Hooks also serves on the Opportunity, Inc. Board of Directors. (Hampton Roads workforce development)

Prior to joining the HREDA, Hooks was a Senior Manager in the Strategic Relocation and Expansion Services Practice of KPMG Peat Marwick in Atlanta, Georgia for two years. During his time at KPMG, Hooks took an active role in site location consulting for Fortune 500 companies. In addition, he was selected as the Project Manager for The Yamacraw Mission, a high-tech broadband initiative for the State of Georgia.

From 1987 to 1997, he was President and CEO of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission and President of the Albany, Georgia Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure, statewide developers recognized the commission as one of the most aggressive economic development organizations in the State of Georgia.

In 1994, Hooks was elected to serve as President of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the largest state organization for economic development professionals in the nation.

Hooks spent six years as the Trident Impact Coordinator for the Department of Defense Kings Bay project at Kings Bay, Georgia. While at Kings Bay, Hooks managed the organization, which was responsible for mitigating community impacts associated with the Navy's development of the $1.5 billion East Coast Trident Submarine Base. The Impact Coordinating Committee served eight governmental jurisdictions in two states - Georgia and Florida.

Hooks's career of 25 years in diverse economic and community development experience began on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. where he served as an Assistant for Intergovernmental Relations and Legislative Aide to Georgia's First District Congressman.

Hooks is a 1975 graduate Cum Laude of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration and received a Masters in Business Administration from George Washington University, Washington, DC in 1977. He is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma in 1990 and a Certified Economic Developer.

A frequent speaker on the subjects of economic development marketing, working with the media, and the responsibilities of development authority members in promoting economic development, Mr. Hooks enjoys sharing "best practices" with economic development groups.

Hooks, a native of Metter, Georgia, is married to the former Stephanie A. Weyer of Shreveport, LA. They have two sons.

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