One day, you may find Amanda Glover pouring over expansion plans for a new company in Augusta County.

The next, you may find her speaking to a developer about a business who’s interested in opening a branch in the area. Or even pitching a site at the county’s business park to a CEO.

“Two days are seldom the same,” said Glover, a ‘02 graduate of Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It’s rewarding because I get to increase the quality of life for citizens of Augusta County,” said Glover, the director of economic development for Augusta County. Her job is to draw new businesses — including manufacturing companies, value-added agricultural business, and other small businesses — to the community to create a vibrant economic community.

Glover frequently toggles between the worlds of applied economics and development, often bridging the gap between the two. 

“I never thought I would use environmental law. I’m not a lawyer. But having an indirect understanding of the legal world has helped me, especially when reviewing ordinances and legal agreements with which we must comply,” said Glover.

While at Virginia Tech, Glover took engineering, business, and urban affairs and planning classes, in addition to the applied and environmental economics classes required in her major.

“Ag Econ can be very interdisciplinary if you want it to be,” said Glover. “Forming a multi-disciplinary academic plan really influences a well-rounded approach and a great foundation for what people are later exposed to in their career.”

Glover’s deep-rooted skills in applied economics, along with her broad scope of cross-disciplinary knowledge make her a Virginia Tech model alumna. And it’s these skills that allow her to excel in her career.

As Glover moves into her fourth year as director for economic development, she looks forward to all the ways she will continue utilizing her Virginia Tech education and maintain ties to her alma mater.

 

Contact:

Jillian Broadwell