Dani Poe, 38 / Assistant Director of Economic Development, Roanoke County
Dani Poe holds the position of Assistant Director of Economic Development for Roanoke County. She previously served as the Business Manager for the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, managing daily operations and risk management strategies. Poe engages in several community organizations, including serving as the Chair of Leadership Roanoke Valley and participating in the Roanoke Regional Chamber and Roanoke Boosters Club. Her commitment extends to involvement in the Wasena Elementary PTA to enhance education for her four children and peers. She has also worked with the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley and the Greater Blue Ridge March of Dimes. “Roanoke holds a special place in my heart,” Poe says. “Having grown up here, my desire to return and serve this community has been a driving force behind the choices I’ve made in my life. I am committed to making Roanoke a great place to live, work and raise a family. In both my personal and professional endeavors, I am dedicated to the ongoing effort to enhance the quality of life and promote the appeal of our region for businesses and residents alike.”
Professional and Educational Background:
- Former Business Manager for the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, where she managed daily operations and risk management strategies for various projects, including the “5K on the ROA Runway.”
- Prior experience with Downtown Roanoke, Inc., Hall Associates and Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group.
- Earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise, Sport and Health Education with a Concentration in Sports Administration, Radford University, 2007
Community Involvement:
- Chair of Leadership Roanoke Valley, dedicated to developing the next generation of regional leaders.
- Active participant in the Roanoke Regional Chamber and Roanoke Boosters Club.
- Engaged with the Wasena Elementary PTA, aiming to improve the quality of education for her own 4 children and their peers.
- Past involvement with the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley and the Greater Blue Ridge March of Dimes.
From the Nomination: “As a Roanoke native, Dani Poe is incredibly invested in the region and has dedicated her entire life, both personal and professional, to improving the Roanoke Region. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise, Sport and Health Education with a Concentration in Sports Administration from Radford University. She has a number of affiliations, most notably a Chair of Leadership Roanoke Valley, with additional involvement in the Roanoke Boosters Club and Wasena Elementary PTA.
Poe has held multiple positions where her main goal was to improve the quality of life in the region. She is currently Roanoke County’s Assistant Economic Development Director. Before that, she was the Business Manager for the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission, where she managed the day-to-day operations within the organization and oversaw risk management strategies in various projects, including the notorious 5K on the ROA Runway. She also worked for Downtown Roanoke, Inc., Hall Associates and Poe & Cronk Real Estate Group. Her professional experience and goals clearly show that she is committed to the Roanoke region’s growth and has become one of its greatest ambassadors.
Poe is extremely involved in the Roanoke community. She is currently Chair of Leadership Roanoke Valley, where she works tirelessly to develop the next generation of leaders in the place she calls home. She is also engaged with the Roanoke Regional Chamber and Roanoke Boosters Club. She is actively involved with the Wasena Elementary PTA as she has four young children and wants to improve their quality of education along with their classmates. She has been involved with the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley and the Greater Blue Ridge March of Dimes.
Poe truly has a heart of gold that burns for the Roanoke community. She constantly reiterates that this is her home and she isn’t going anywhere, so she wants to do all that she can to make it a better place for her children and future generations. She is always trying to help those around her grow and develop as individuals and leaders. She shares the wealth of information that she has gained from years of experience and is involved with those who can benefit. She never says no to helping the community and does it all with a smile on her face. She is the best ambassador for Roanoke and has seemingly flown under the radar. She deserves this award more than anyone and truly is the best role model for anyone wanting to build a successful life and improve their community.
She deserves this award more than anyone and truly is the best role model for anyone wanting to build a successful life and improve their community.”
What do you love about Roanoke?
“We live in such a beautiful region and the fact that it caters to a diverse range of individuals is such a bonus. Whether you’re interested in the outdoors or passionate about arts and culture, Roanoke has so many offerings. It has also proven to be a wonderful place to raise a family, thanks to the schools, clubs and sport offerings. We are just incredibly fortunate to call Roanoke our home.”
How does your passion impact our community?
“Roanoke holds a special place in my heart. Having grown up here, my desire to return and serve this community has been a driving force behind the choices I’ve made in my life. I am committed to making Roanoke a great place to live, work and raise a family. In both my personal and professional endeavors, I am dedicated to the ongoing effort to enhance the quality of life and promote the appeal of our region for businesses and residents alike.”
