Cari Tretina, executive director of the Henrico Economic Development Authority, outlined the county’s economic priorities last Thursday during a ChamberRVA open forum, offering an early look at her vision about two months into the role.
Tretina appeared alongside Angie Rodgers, who became director of the City of Richmond’s Department of Economic Development in July 2025, after serving as deputy chief administrative officer for economic development in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
While Rodgers is new to the region, Tretina is a Henrico native and brings more than a decade of county government experience to the position. She succeeded longtime EDA director Anthony Romanello, who announced in August that he was stepping down after more than six years leading the agency, on Jan. 1.
Tretina told VPM News she’s acclimated to the role seamlessly so far.
“It is exceeding my expectations,” Tretina told VPM News. “This job attracted me because it’s a visionary position for Henrico County, the community that raised me and made me the woman I am today. … It’s really exciting.”
Tretina began her career with Henrico as an intern and has worn many hats since: budget analyst, director of administration for the Division of Fire, interim director of Recreation and Parks, chief of staff and, beginning in 2022, deputy county manager. She said the transition has felt natural due to her longstanding relationships across county leadership.
“I used to work on one side of East Parham, and now I’m on the other,” she said. “The EDA is just one component of the amazing machine that is Henrico County.”
Henrico’s economic strategy is guided by its 2030 strategic plan, which identifies target industries where officials see the strongest growth potential.
One focus is attracting new corporate headquarters and financial services firms by marketing renovated “trophy,” office spaces to companies outside the Richmond region.
Tretina also highlighted the county’s interest in aerospace and aviation development connected to Richmond International Airport, calling the airport an “underutilized asset.”
Henrico has partnered with the state to prepare hundreds of acres of airport-adjacent land for development, supported by a $1 million grant to accelerate site readiness for aviation-related employers.
Life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing represent another major opportunity, according to Tretina. Regional investments — including Eli Lilly’s pharmaceutical manufacturing project in neighboring Chesterfield County — are expected to generate supply-chain growth throughout Central Virginia.
“We’re really excited about all the announcements that have happened with localities around us, because we’re going to be part of that supply chain, whether it’s people or parts for pharmaceutical manufacturing,” Tretina said.
Rather than competing with nearby projects, Henrico aims to attract suppliers, research companies and workforce talent tied to the expanding industry.
Tretina also addressed the county’s Best Products Reimagining initiative, launched after the collapse of the proposed GreenCity arena-anchored development.
Henrico issued a request for interest in May 2025, seeking ideas for redeveloping the 93-acre former Best Products headquarters site near interstates 95 and 295 along East Parham Road. Multiple development teams responded, and county officials are now reviewing proposals.
“We’ve generated a lot of interest since the RFI and we’ve been very intentional in our review process,” Tretina said. “We’re working to bring together the best group of developers to make the most of what we have.”
The county repurchased the Best Products property last September, reimbursing roughly $1 million previously paid by developers. The existing 1980s-era building is expected to be demolished after officials determined renovation would be too costly.
Tretina hinted that residents could hear several announcements about the project this year, but there’s no definite timeline for when the county plans to engage with potential developers.
