Virginia Economic Development Partnership Names Trade Consultant to Service Shenandoah Valley

New trade office will assist Virginia companies in exporting

Richmond - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the appointment of Jaap Vangroll as International Trade Manager for the Shenandoah Valley region. Mr. Vangroll will assist local companies in exporting their products and services worldwide. The Harrisonburg office will join VEDP's operating trade offices in Herndon, Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke. VEDP's international trade offices are located in São Paulo, Brazil; Frankfurt, Germany; Hong Kong; Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, Korea; and Mexico City, Mexico.

"VEDP's new Shenandoah Valley trade office will help us meet Governor Gilmore's goal to increase Virginia's international trade efforts," said Mark R. Kilduff, Executive Director of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. "Mr. Vangroll and all of our trade mangers will continue to assist Virginia's existing companies expand their businesses in the global marketplace."

Jaap Vangroll has gained years of experience in exporting through his 31-year career at the Goodyear International Corporation. There he served as regional export sales manager in South and Central America and assistant to the European regional director. He also held sales manager positions in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Greece. From 1989 to 1997, he served as the export regional manager for the Martino Tire Company in Miami, Florida. Fluent in three languages, Mr. Vangroll earned his college degree in the Netherlands.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business development and international trade. In 1999, Virginia exports amounted to $10.7 billion.