Virginia Economic Review Podcast

Hosted by VEDP

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Learn about Virginia as a premier location for economic development, business, education, and quality of life

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April 7, 2026Episode 6024 min

A Biopharma Moment Decades in the Making: A Conversation With John Newby

John Newby is the CEO of Virginia Bio, the nonprofit statewide trade association that serves and promotes the life sciences industry in Virginia. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Newby about recent major life sciences announcements in Virginia, the Commonwealth’s momentum in the biopharma manufacturing industry, and decisions and investments that led to Virginia’s biopharma success.

April 1, 2026Episode 5912 min

The History and Future of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Virginia: A Conversation With Dave Maraldo

Dave Maraldo is the senior vice president of Human Health Manufacturing Operations at Merck, one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in the world. Merck recently announced a $3 billion investment in a new Center of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Small Molecule Manufacturing at its longtime Virginia site in the town of Elkton in Rockingham County. VEDP Vice President of Manufacturing Sneha Atwal spoke with Maraldo about Merck's long history in Elkton, innovations at the new facility, and what makes Virginia an attractive destination for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

April 1, 2026Episode 5816 min

The Urgency of Building Healthier Communities: A Conversation With Pam Cheng

Pam Cheng is executive vice president of global operations and IT and chief sustainability officer at AstraZeneca, which recently announced a new facility in Albemarle County — the company’s first in Virginia. VEDP Vice President of Manufacturing Sneha Atwal spoke with Cheng about the Commonwealth’s rapid rise in pharmaceutical engineering and the company’s plans for the new facility.

January 6, 2026Episode 5714 min

The Importance of Agility: A Conversation With Tamara Fields

Tamara Fields is the U.S. Public Service Industry Lead at Accenture, where she leads the company’s public service work across the country, and the managing director of the company’s Austin, Texas office. VEDP Vice President of Talent and Workforce Strategy Megan Healy spoke with Fields about new and traditional methods of upskilling, AI and its effect on the workforce, and the way companies can invest in their employees.

January 6, 2026Episode 5622 min

Putting Talent in the Right Place: A Conversation With Peter Beard

Peter Beard is vice president of policy and programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, where he leads workforce development programs and initiatives. VEDP Vice President of Talent and Workforce Strategy Megan Healy spoke with Beard about talent in Virginia and the rest of the country and the ways states and regions can help ensure alignment between skill development and employer needs.

October 15, 2025Episode 5518 min

The State of American Warehousing: A Conversation With Joe Dunlap

Joe Dunlap is a veteran of the supply chain industry, with stints at UPS, Accenture, and CBRE. VEDP Vice President of Logistics Eric Jehu spoke with Dunlap about the warehousing ecosystem in Virginia and nationally, how to better incorporate supply chain issues into site selection, and the concept of warehousing as infrastructure.

October 15, 2025Episode 5416 min

The Virginia Model: A Conversation With Stephen Edwards

Stephen Edwards has served as CEO and executive director of The Port of Virginia since 2021. VEDP Vice President of Logistics Eric Jehu spoke with Edwards about improvements at the port, how trade policy affects the port and its customers, and how the port serves as an economic engine for Virginia.

July 7, 2025Episode 5328 min

The Sweet Spot of Jobs and Livability: A Conversation With Julia Boas and Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams is the new talent and digital strategies program manager at the Roanoke Regional Partnership (RRP), and Julia Boas headed up the RRP’s talent strategies until recently taking over as director of business investment. VEDP Talent and Workforce Strategy Leader Megan Healy spoke with Williams and Boas about what the Roanoke Region is doing to attract and retain talent.

July 7, 2025Episode 5232 min

Visual Virginia: A Conversation With Andy Edmunds

Andy Edmunds is the director of the Virginia Film Office, an arm of the Virginia Tourism Corporation tasked with expanding the motion picture industry in Virginia. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Edmunds about the ins and outs of the film industry in Virginia and the economic impact of film production.

April 1, 2025Episode 5127 min

Investments, Tech Partnerships, and the Future of Cyber: A Conversation With Brad Medairy

Brad Medairy is executive vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton, a Virginia-based Fortune 500 company where he leads the national cyber account and focuses on the cyber missions of national-level clients. VEDP President and CEO Jason El Koubi spoke with Medairy about the key cybersecurity issues his company works on for its clients and the future of cybersecurity with the rise of AI and quantum technology.