Richmond, Virginia (January 2024) — The Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) awarded its 2023 Michael W. Woods Legislator of the Year Award to Del. Danny Marshall (R-Danville) at its annual Legislative Reception held in Richmond.
The accolade recognizes public officials who support economic and community development and actively engage in public policy efforts that advance prosperity in the Commonwealth.
Del. Marshall, elected in 2002, ranks sixth in seniority among 100 delegates and will represent the new 49th House District for the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session.
Del. Marshall became the first delegate from Danville to serve on the General Assembly’s House Appropriations Committee in more than 20 years when he was appointed in 2022. He serves on four of its seven subcommittees and chairs Commerce, Agriculture and Natural Resources. Del. Marshall is also vice chair of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee. Del. Marshall also served on the Commerce and Energy Committee and the MEI Project Approval Commission, which reviews financing for individual incentive packages for Major Employment and Investment projects to be financed by the Virginia Public Building Authority. He played a pivotal role in budget legislation supporter bills for the Center for Manufacturing’s $20 million expansion and the $30 million in funding for the Community Development Financial Institution Fund.
“Both within his district and across the Commonwealth, Delegate Marshall serves as a leader who is willing to work hard to support the funding needed to sustain economic development initiatives that transform the success of our state inclusive of critical funding for MEI prospects who make significant economic contributions to communities across Virginia,” Linda Green, VEDA President and Executive Director of Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, said in her nomination.
The former Danville City Councilman chairs the Virginia Housing Commission and serves on the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center. He and his wife, Kaye, have one daughter and two grandsons. Del. Marshall is a former competitor in professional car racing and shares ownership in Synergy Racing, a professional race team.
Green concluded her nomination by adding, “Del. Marshall is extremely committed to the success of the businesses and organizations across the Commonwealth and has devoted much of his life serving others. Perhaps his lightning speed and commitment to his driving that led to his forming a Porsche race team and racing cars in his spare time has been the lighting speed that has enabled him to juggle love for family, business, community and state – he does it fast and always to win!”
VEDA’s Legislator of the Year Award was named posthumously to honor Michael W. Woods, who monitored legislative and regulatory issues before the Virginia General Assembly and other state regulatory agencies for 15 years. For a list of previous recipients, visit. goveda.org/page/LOTY.
VEDA is a member-based professional association committed to providing training and development; networking opportunities; and serving as the voice of the economic development community, creating economic opportunity and prosperity for the Commonwealth of Virginia. VEDA's members is comprised of more than 600 economic development professionals and related industry professionals from across the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information about VEDA visit the website at www.GoVEDA.org.
