Miguel Salinas Named Economic Development Assistant Director
Michael “Miguel” Salinas has been named assistant director of the Loudoun County Department of Economic Development. He assumes the position that was formerly held by the Director of Economic Development, Buddy Rizer.
“Miguel has proven himself to be the right choice both by his work as the interim assistant director, and throughout the interview process,” Rizer said. “His wide range of experience, from community development to planning to economic development and managing teams, made him a uniquely qualified choice for this role.”
Salinas has worked for Loudoun County Government since 2006, first as a senior planner and most recently as a program manager in the Department of Planning. Before coming to Loudoun, Salinas’ career includes serving as the planning director for Taos, New Mexico and working on a number of neighborhood revitalization and community development initiatives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“I feel that my experience as a community development specialist has prepared me for this role, and to contribute to Loudoun’s continued economic success,” Salinas said. “Leading a multi-year strategic initiative in the Planning Department to accelerate economic development in the Route 28 corridor has given me in-depth, hands-on experience with the county’s commercial development. In Milwaukee, I worked extensively on food system planning and micro-enterprise development, which also gives me a familiarity with and understanding of Western Loudoun’s issues and opportunities.”
Salinas will be responsible for managing the economic development department in the absence of the director; coordinating items for consideration by the Board of Supervisors; assisting in budget preparation; overseeing business retention and attraction efforts, and providing context on development, zoning and planning issues.