City Manager Ken Larking today announced the resignation of Corrie Bobe as director of economic development and tourism. Bobe will leave the City of Danville to join the Danville Regional Foundation (DRF) as director of economic development and regional collaboration.
Bobe will begin her new role at the DRF on May 4.
“I’ve been fortunate to work closely with Corrie during my entire 13-year career with the city,” said Larking. “The results of Corrie’s dedication to her hometown are easy to see, including the revitalization of the award-winning River District, multiple branding processes, substantial success in industrial recruitment efforts, our enhanced regional tourism promotion efforts, a renewed focus on housing, and much more. I am grateful that our region will continue to benefit from her experience and expertise to improve the economic outcome of Danville and the wider region through this new role within the Danville Regional Foundation.”
Larking said the City will conduct a comprehensive national search for Danville’s next director of economic development and tourism.
A Danville native, Bobe joined the department in 2009 and advanced through every level before being named director in 2020 following a national search.
“This region is at an inflection point unlike anything I’ve seen in my career, and I’ve been fortunate to have a front-row seat to how it got here,” Bobe said. “Returning to my home community and contributing to the growth and transformation underway has been especially meaningful and deeply rewarding. What drew me to this new role is the important work ahead — ensuring that the investments coming into our region create real opportunities for every community and every family across Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Caswell County. I am sincerely grateful to the City of Danville for the trust and opportunities provided to me over the past 16 years, and I look forward to continuing this partnership from a new vantage point.”
During her tenure, Bobe led the creation of the City’s tourism program in 2022, expanded support and programming for small, women-, and minority-owned businesses, and continued to advance revitalization efforts in key historic areas, including the River District. The department developed and marketed more than 5,600 acres of industrial land and helped secure major projects including Avio USA, Microporous, Caesars Virginia, Tyson Foods, and Staunton River Plastics. She has been named to Virginia Business magazine’s Virginia 500 Power List for multiple consecutive years and was recognized as a 2025 Women in Leadership honoree.
In her new role, Bobe will work across DRF’s service region—Danville, Pittsylvania County, and Caswell County—to align assets, institutions, and investments that support long-term regional growth and transformation.