About Us
David W. Denny
Principal, David W. Denny, LLC
Co-Founder of Rural Resilience Advisors
David Denny’s career spans 40+ years with 30 of those working in economic development. He served for 12 years as a Partner with a national economic development/site location firm and was a Managing Partner for 7 of those years. Before forming his own economic and business development consultancy 21 years ago, David served 23 years in executive roles in marketing and business development with engineering, environmental, and architectural firms in multiple states. He also has gained experience and connections in international trade and investment, having been the Director of the Radford University (VA) International Trade Center, and Co-founder of the i3N international small business exchange network. I3N comprised one domestic and two UK “hubs” which helped small and start-up companies explore international trade through reciprocal trade missions and “soft landing” services.
David W. Denny, LLC: As Founder and sole practitioner, with a focus on small business development, local/regional economic development, and international trade matters. Over the 21 years since its founding, projects have included feasibility studies, pro-forma financial projections, development and operation of investor relations programs, reuse of land and buildings, and comprehensive economic development solutions. David has provided interim bridge management services for 3 Regional Economic Development Organizations for a combined service span of 8 years.
Example Clients Served: (Economic Development)
- Advantage West NC
- Radford University
- City of Richmond
- Salt River Project (AZ)
- Virginia Tech CECE
- City of Chesapeake
- Virginia’s Gateway Region
- Onward New River Valley
- Augusta County VA
- Powhatan County VA
- Carteret County NC
- JIDA – Wythe County area
- Virginia’s Growth Alliance
- Greater Williamsburg Partnership
- Prince George County VA
- Brunswick County VA
- VACEDA
- LEDCOM (UK)
David’s personal and professional mission statement is: To do something impactful, to be challenged personally and professionally, and never stop growing, to help others find their paths to success, and to always seek new and creative ways to accomplish goals.
Liz Povar
Principal, The RiverLink Group
Co-Founder of Rural Resilience Advisors
Ms. Povar has 45 years of experience in economic development at the local, regional and state levels, including business attraction, expansion and formation, group facilitation, strategic planning, community development and higher education/workforce connectivity.
She is the Principal of the RiverLink Group, an economic development consulting firm, state-certified SWaM #822198 and certified federal government small business (CAGE code 97NQ4). RiverLink provides advisory services to localities, regions, non-profits and private firms impacting the economic health of communities.
GO Virginia Region 3: Program Advisor (contract manager). Responsible for staff support for pipeline development and project oversight aligned with the Region 3 Entrepreneurial Strategy and other tasks as assigned. Previously served as Regional Manager. (2016 – continuing)
Albemarle County Economic Development Department: Principal contact. Prepared approach to and led facilitation of a one-day tabletop exercise designed to identify opportunities and barriers to collaborating with partners to achieve mutual success in economic development outcomes. Facilitated a one-day session with members of the Economic Development Authority, the University of Virginia Economic Development team, and County staff. (2022)
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative: Principal contact. Preparation of a formal Economic Development Strategic Framework used by the leadership of REC to implement a holistic business development strategy. Included an assessment of the REC-footprint economic base, role of utilities in economic development, and recommendations for goals, actions, and outcomes. (2019)
Hull Springs: Principal contact. Led a team responsible for developing a Business Plan for Selected Uses. Plan supports Longwood University and the Hull Springs leadership team in implementing a business development strategy optimizing the capabilities of Hull Springs designed to reflect the academic and environmental sensitivities of the property. (2018)
Powhatan County Economic Development Authority: Principal contact. Led a team that was responsible for development and facilitated guidance to the Powhatan EDA to launch its economic development strategy. Deliverables included: 8 learning sessions for the EDA; develop and train local leaders on Business Retention Strategy; baseline analysis of 30 existing businesses in the locality; develop a new economic development brand and website. (2017)