Paul H. Grossman, Jr.

Paul H. Grossman, Jr. currently serves the Commonwealth of Virginia as the Director of International Trade & Investment for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP).  In this capacity, he is responsible for developing and implementing the Commonwealth’s international marketing strategy.  This includes the promotion of Virginia products and services to markets worldwide via export sales and the recruitment of international companies to establish business operations in Virginia. 

Under his guidance, VEDP-International Trade (VEDP-IT) has received national and international acclaim.  In 2008, the VEDP-IT received the nation’s highest export honor, the President’s E-Star Award based on three years of increasing performance. More than 450 companies have traveled overseas with VEDP-IT to conduct business during the course of his leadership.  These companies have contributed to the increase in Virginia’s exports, which now stand at historic highs, following 4 years of double-digit increases.  The Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) Program, created by Mr. Grossman has won two awards for excellence and innovation.  Mr. Grossman also created the Accessing International Markets (AIM) Program, the Commonwealth’s export development program designed for new-to-export companies, and the Virginia International Trade Alliance (VITAL), the nation’s first statewide public-private trade association devoted to the advancement of international commerce.  Mr. Grossman further enhanced VEDP-IT’s program by expanding its five overseas offices into a global network of consultants in 30 countries. 

In the realm of international investment, Mr. Grossman’s abilities have proven equally fruitful.  With an impressive list of marquee international companies investing in Virginia in the past 36 months, over 4,000 jobs have been created, and hundreds more saved.  Since assuming investment responsibilities in 2006, the percentage of VEDP-assisted announcements coming from international companies has risen three fold, and accounted for 35% of new job creation and 54% of new capital investment in 2008. 
 

In addition to Mr. Grossman’s 25 years experience in international economic development at both the local and state level in three states, he earned a Master’s degree from Thunderbird, the American Graduate School of International Management. He has lived and traveled extensively overseas.