Director of Economic DevelopmentCharles Bennett is currently the Director of Economic Development and Tourism. Charles works to promote the City as a business location for domestic and international companies and organizations and to assist those businesses already located in Hopewell. Charles Bennett serves as a liaison, assisting locating businesses with introductions to city officials, business leaders, and to identify support services to assist new businesses, relocating or expanding existing businesses
Professional ExperienceFebruary 2023 – Current
Director Economic Development
• City of Hopewell
January 2019 – January 2023
Regional Director Project Management
• Colliers International
March 2002 – December 2018
Regional Director Project Management
• CB Richard Ellis of Virginia
January 1997 – February 2022
Operations Manager
• Sonitrol of Greater Richmond
Certifications and EducationRichmond Technical Center
- CBRE Project Management
- DCJS ES1
- VA DEQ Responsible Land Disturber
- Private Pilot SEL
- Sheet metal Layout and Design
Noteworthy Accomplishments- Author Project Management Book 2007; On Time and Under Budget a step by step guide to the Tenant upfit process.
- CFA Institute – Historic adaptive reuse of Martha Jefferson Hospital to new global operations center. Project size 150K SF, LEED Gold in Charlottesville.
- Chemtreat – Ashland, VA 25K SF New Laboratory, office and R&D Facility.
- Assembly Norfolk – 400 Granby Street 45K SF Historic Adaptive Reuse
- 4th Circuit Federal Bankruptcy Court – New construction, Winston Salem, North Carolina
- US Department of State – Arlington, VA 125K SF building renovation.
