Keith Vander Vennet’s deep-rooted connection to Hampton Roads goes beyond his tenure as Chairman of the Hampton Roads Alliance Board of Directors.

It’s personal. He grew up in Newport News, spent his summers working in Virginia Beach and always found himself drawn back home—despite career stints in Orlando, Baltimore, Memphis and even Toronto.

“There’s something really special about this place,” he says. “It’s not just the attributes, the climate or the economic opportunities—it’s the sense of community.”

Now, as he steps down from his leadership role at the Alliance, he reflects on what the region has accomplished, the challenges ahead and why Hampton Roads must continue to think bigger, work together and invest in its own future.

A Career Rooted in Community

As a longtime executive at Ferguson, one of Hampton Roads’ most successful homegrown companies, Vander Vennet understands firsthand the intersection of business growth and regional identity.

Ferguson, which started as a small, local company, has since grown into a massive enterprise with over 30,000 employees all over the country. However, even as the company expanded, the leadership remained committed to its Hampton Roads roots.

“Our CEO is from Columbus, Ohio, but he understands that this is home,” Vander Vennet explains. “There’s a strong cultural pull here, a strong business pull. That’s why we, at Ferguson, continue to be involved in strengthening the region.”

When the company evaluated its investment in regional economic development, Vander Vennet took on the challenge of serving on the Alliance board while Ferguson’s CEO joined the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable. Their mission? To work together to attract businesses and talent to the area—ensuring Hampton Roads remains a competitive and thriving place to live and work.

Breaking Down Barriers, Building Bridges

There’s no doubt, for a region physically divided by rivers and waterways, there’s a need to build bridges. Literally and figuratively.

And Vander Vennet will admit it.

“For so long, we treated the tunnels and bridges as obstacles rather than connectors,” he says. “But these are the very things that make us great.”

Without bridges and tunnels we couldn’t unite a diverse region.

Without bridges and tunnels we couldn’t be home to the largest naval base in the world.

“We have the natural resources, we have the infrastructure, we have a business-friendly climate. Most importantly, we have the desire to work together.”

It’s exactly why during his tenure as Chairman, Vander Vennet pushed for even more regional thinking—encouraging municipalities to collaborate rather than compete.

He points to the Eastern Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority (EVRIFA) as an example of progress, where cities like Hampton contributed financial support to projects in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.

“This is what regionalism looks like,” he says.

That is what building bridges looks like.

Throughout his career, Vander Vennet learned that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for leadership and advocacy.

“People connect through stories,” he says. “The Alliance isn’t just about economic development—it’s about the people behind it. The stories of our region. How we’re connected.”

A Vision for the Future

As Vander Vennet transitions to the role of Immediate Past Chair, his passion for Hampton Roads remains strong. He believes the Alliance has evolved into an effective and unified organization, capable of bringing businesses, municipalities and non-profits together for the region’s collective benefit.

Providing volunteer leadership for the Alliance “has become a labor of love,” he says. “There’s a reason the rearview mirror is small and the windshield is big. We have to look ahead.”

For Vander Vennet, success ahead means Hampton Roads continues to become the great convener—a place where businesses, government and communities work together to attract investment, create jobs and build a thriving region.

“We have everything we need to be successful.”

Moving Forward

As Hampton Roads stands at the crossroads of economic opportunity, Vander Vennet’s message is clear: embrace what makes the region special, focus on collaboration, and build a community where people want to stay, work and thrive.

His commitment to the Alliance and the region won’t wane, even as he steps back from the board.

“I’m excited about the future with Robert Duvall taking over as Board Chair and working with Doug and team to do great things for economic development in Hampton Roads,” he said, adding that “I will continue to invest in the Alliance, no matter where I am. This isn’t just business—it’s home.”