(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

RICHMOND, Va. – Parkersburg High School alumnus Chuck Peterson is retiring after 15 years with the Greater Richmond Partnership.

“I’ve been fortunate to work with outstanding economic development professionals under great leadership here in Greater Richmond,” said Peterson, vice president of research for the organization, in a press release. “During these 15 years I’ve been a member of a group that’s helped 185 companies which created 20,000 new jobs and invested $7.4 billion in real estate and equipment. And we continue to benefit as these companies continue to pay their workers and spend in our local economy.”

A certified economic developer from the International Economic Development Council, Peterson worked for 37 years in economic development. Prior to joining GRP, he spent 17 years at the West Virginia Development Office, where he advanced from research analyst to manager of the research and strategic planning department.

After graduating from Parkersburg High School in 1981, Peterson attended Marshall University. There he earned a master’s degree in geography, then started his career as the director of a downtown revitalization program in Keyser, W.Va.

“The most satisfaction I get from my job is when I meet someone who is working at a company that I played a small role in helping bring to Greater Richmond,” Peterson said in the release. “They can be an employee or a contractor working to install new equipment, but you can’t beat the feeling of doing something that’s had a positive impact on someone else’s life.”

Upon retirement, Peterson said he plans to continue his long-term passions of cycling, playing the electric and upright bass as well as traveling.

The Greater Richmond Partnership Inc. is the lead regional economic development organization for the City of Richmond and counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico in Virginia.