Economic and Community Development Leader, Anthony J. Romanello, Joins S.I.R.
Today, S.I.R. is proud to announce that Anthony J. Romanello, one of Virginia’s most respected local government and economic development leaders, has joined the firm as Managing Partner to help cities, counties, and regions turn strategy into measurable, long-term results.
Romanello brings more than three decades of senior public-sector leadership experience, most recently serving as Executive Director of the Henrico County Economic Development Authority. His appointment strengthens S.I.R.’s leadership team as the firm continues to advance and deepen its work, helping cities, counties, regions and megaregions build competitive, resilient economies and strong communities.
“Anthony is widely known and deeply respected across Virginia’s economic development community,” said John W. Martin, Managing Partner and owner of S.I.R. “He is a seasoned governmental leader who understands how communities actually work - across political environments, economic ecosystems and jurisdictional borders. His arrival strengthens our ability to help communities make smart, consequential decisions and execute them in ways that deliver results.”
Romanello has served Virginia local governments since 1992, holding senior leadership roles including Assistant to the City Manager in Richmond, Town Manager of West Point, County Administrator and Deputy County Administrator of Stafford County, and Deputy County Manager of Henrico County. Appointed Executive Director of the Henrico County Economic Development Authority in March 2019, he led efforts to strengthen Henrico’s long-term economic competitiveness. In that role, he oversaw significant private investment and helped advance Henrico and the Richmond region as a center for innovation, workforce development, and inclusive economic growth.
S.I.R.’s Managing Partners: John Martin (Owner), Anthony J Romanello, and Rachel Yost
“Anthony brings rare, real-world experience combining high-level economic development strategies with practical ground-level execution,” said Rachel Yost, a 20-year leader at S.I.R. and Managing Partner. “His leadership in business retention and expansion, digital infrastructure and data center development, and regional collaboration directly align with the increasingly complex world our clients are operating in - and the decisions they are asking us to help inform and support.”
Romanello holds a bachelor’s degree in history and American government from the University of Virginia and a master’s in public administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a credentialed manager through the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and a graduate of executive leadership programs at Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Virginia. He also serves as an adjunct instructor with Virginia Tech’s Center for Public Administration, supporting the development of future public-sector leaders.
“From my experience, economic development is the growth engine that enables community development to shape opportunities for people, places, and prosperity,” Romanello said. “When economic growth and community development are intentionally designed to support one another, great communities are created and flourish. That belief has shaped my career, and it’s at the heart of how S.I.R. works with local governments. The firm doesn’t treat economic growth and community as separate conversations - it connects them in practice. That alignment is why I joined the S.I.R. team, to continue advancing this approach with others.”
Founded in 1964, S.I.R. is one of the nation’s longest-tenured independent strategic consultancies. The firm operates with a fully in-house, full-time professional team, including dedicated researchers and senior strategists - a model that enables S.I.R. to remain deeply embedded with clients from strategy development through implementation and ongoing advisory support.
From its historic headquarters in a former bank building in Richmond’s Fan District, S.I.R. serves economic and community development clients across the United States and throughout Virginia. Current Virginia engagements include work with the cities of Richmond, Portsmouth, Hampton and Newport News; Goochland County; the Roanoke Regional Partnership; RVA757 Connects; and the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor. S.I.R.’s active community development work supports Serve Virginia, 211 Virginia, and the Virginia Department of Social Services.
Romanello and his wife, Diane, live in Glen Allen, Virginia, and have five children. He was recognized in 2015 by the National Eagle Scout Association as an Outstanding Eagle Scout. He is also the author of Random Thoughts: Reflections on Public Service, Fatherhood, and Middle Age and the children’s book The Girl Who Lived on the Third Floor.