Management

C. Jones Hooks, CEcD
President & CEO

Hooks began his service as President of the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA) on August 30, 1999.

Since his arrival in Virginia, Hooks has received the Leadership Hampton Roads “Courage in Leadership Award” in recognition of his “fearless leadership and commitment to the future of Hampton Roads.” Additionally, under Hooks’ leadership, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance was ranked among the top 10 percent of economic development groups in the nation by Blane, Canada Ltd., a nationally recognized economic development marketing consulting firm.

Prior to joining the HREDA, Hooks was a Senior Manager in the Strategic Relocation and Expansion Services Practice of KPMG Peat Marwick in Atlanta, Georgia for two years. From 1987 to 1997, he was President and CEO of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission and President of the Albany, Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Hooks’ career of 25 years in diverse economic and community development experience began on Capitol Hill in Washington, D. C., where he served as an Assistant for Intergovernmental Relations and Legislative Aide to Georgia’s First District Congressman. Hooks spent six years as the Trident Impact Coordinator for the Department of Defense Kings Bay project at Kings Bay, Georgia.

Hooks is a 1975 graduate Cum Laude of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration and received a Masters in Business Administration from George Washington University, Washington, DC in 1977. He is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma in 1990 and a Certified Economic Developer.