Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Privacy protected and confidential information is restricted from public access for 75 years (Code of Virginia 42.1-78). Restricted records in this collection have been placed in sealed envelopes but not removed. Types of sealed information may include, but is not limited to: proprietary records.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

Records of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, 2003-2022 (bulk 2018-2021). Accession 53496. State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Transferred on 7 January 2022 and 12 January 2022 by the Office of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, 1111 East Broad Street, 4th Floor, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.

Biographical Information

In 1970, the Governor's Management Commission Study recommended the creation of six "Deputy Governors" assist the Chief Executive in his managerial duties, compatible functions of government were grouped under these administrative heads, who would serve as the Governors top management team or "secretariats," as they are called now. The General Assembly in 1972 created six Secretariats positions initially. As government reorganized, that number fluctuated when government agencies expanded or consolidated.

The Secretary of Commerce and Trade oversees the economic, community, and workforce development of the Commonwealth. During the Administration of Governor Ralph Northam (2018-2022) thirteen agencies and boards reported to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade: Board of Accountancy, Department of Business Assistance, Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Minority Business Enterprise, Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Housing Development Authority, Virginia Racing Commission, Virginia Resource Authority, and Virginia Tourism Corporation.

Esther Lee served as Secretary of Commerce and Trade from 2018 January - April. After she left Governor Northam appointed Brian Ball, who had served as Deputy Secretary, to Secretary of Commerce and Trade (2018-2022). John Begala served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade from 2020 November - 2022 January. Robby Demeria served as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Technology from 2018 June - 2020 May. Angela Navarro served as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade from 2018 May - 2020 September. Cassidy Rasnick served as Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for Rural Economic Development 2018 February - 2022 January. Turner Widgen served as Special Assistant 2018 August - 2020 November and as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade 2020 November - 2021 August.

Scope and Content

Records, 2003-2022 (bulk 2018-2021), of the Secretary of Commerce and Trade during the administration of Governor Ralph Northam (2018-2022). The collection is housed in 17 boxes and includes agendas, briefings, brochures, calendars, clippings, correspondence, financial statements, itineraries, memorandum, newsletters, notes, programs, publications, reports, surveys, and other documents.

Topics include the creation of an Amazon headquarters in Northern Virginia (Arlington, Va.); efforts to entice clean energy and offshore wind; broadband grants to rural areas; advancing equity in state contracts; creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation; creation of the Virginia Innovation Partnership Act to support high-technology jobs and businesses in Virginia; established an Interagency Task Force on Worker Misclassification and Payroll Fraud; and Dept. of Mines, Minerals, and Energy Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines, among others. Of note are materials relating to COVID-19 and the efforts of the state to assist citizens and help with the economic recovery of the state. Issues such as eviction and housing stability, GO Virginia, economic recovery funds for small business and nonprofits, how to reopen the state, and grants to support tourism, among others, are included.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into seven (7) series: