City Manager Andrew O. Trivette is pleased to announce the hire of Yuri Adams as the City of Williamsburg’s Economic Development Director, effective immediately.
Adams has served as the interim director for the past year and as economic development specialist since 2017. As director, she will oversee the Economic Development Department, which is responsible for recruiting and retaining businesses to the City of Williamsburg. She will also manage the Tourism Development Fund, serve as landlord of the Triangle Building, and staff the Economic Development Authority.
Adams was chosen after a rigorous nationwide recruitment and selection process. She succeeds Michele Mixner DeWitt, who was promoted to assistant city manager in August 2021.
“I’m very excited to make it official and have Yuri serve as the next director of economic development,” City Manager Andrew O. Trivette said. “Over the past year, she has done nothing but respond to the needs of businesses, improve our standing as a community in the eyes of prospective businesses, and earn her position on the City of Williamsburg’s leadership team through her performance.”
In her role as the economic development specialist Adams managed the Business Retention & Expansion program, acting as staff liaison between the City and its existing businesses; administered the Economic Development Authority grant programs and incentive packages; and managed the department’s social media channels, newsletters, and website.
Adams has previously served as chair for ASPIRE Young Professionals of the Williamsburg Business Council and executive secretary on the board of An Occasion for the Arts, volunteers on the Business Council’s Economic Growth Committee, and is a member of the LEAD Greater Williamsburg Class of 2019.
“I have loved working with our business community for the past five years, and am beyond thrilled to expand on that work in this role,” Adams said. “Williamsburg is such a special place, and to share its story with prospective businesses is a joy and honor that I do not take lightly. I am delighted to have this opportunity to serve our citizens and business community and look forward to a future of guiding and assisting Williamsburg’s growth through economic and tourism development.”