Stay Together: The Work of Belonging and Building Thriving Communities
Luanne Rife - Moderator
Executive Director - Cardinal News
Luanne has worked in local news for four decades as a reporter, editor, editorial page editor, and commentary editor at newspapers in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Tennessee.
She took an early retirement from The Roanoke Times in April 2021, after 16 years there, when she learned continued staff cutbacks meant little ability to do in-depth reporting. She then cofounded Cardinal News to create a sustainable news organization to tell the important stories of Southwest and Southside Virginia.
She transitioned to the business side of news, and has led Cardinal News to be recognized nationally, including being named startup of the year in 2023 by the Institute for Nonprofit news.
She has won dozens of journalism awards, including national honors, and several fellowships but is most proud of her awards from non-journalism organizations that recognize the significant role that independent reporting plays in healthy communities.
Jason El Koubi
President and CEO - Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Jason El Koubi was named President & CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) in 2022 after serving as Executive Vice President of the state economic development organization for nearly five years. Working with a wide variety of partners, Jason leads the development and implementation of a strategic plan for Virginia’s economic development. The plan aims to position Virginia as an economic growth leader among U.S. states while ensuring all regions of the Commonwealth participate in that growth. As part of this work, Jason serves on the leadership team for transformational projects, including Virginia’s successful bids for Amazon’s HQ2, AWS’ $35 billion investment in multiple data center campuses, Micron’s semiconductor fab expansion, and LEGO’s only U.S. manufacturing operation. Under his leadership, VEDP has helped secure more than 800 economic development projects across every region of Virginia, representing more than 125,000 new, direct jobs and more than $100 billion in capital investment.
He was previously President and CEO of a regional economic development organization in Louisiana. Under his leadership, the organization delivered a new, nationally competitive economic development program for a nine-parish (county) region after Jason led one of the most successful fundraising campaigns of its kind in the nation.
Prior to that, Jason served as assistant secretary of Louisiana Economic Development (LED), where he led initiatives that helped secure record levels of economic development, while dramatically improving Louisiana’s position in virtually every state business climate ranking.
He previously served as policy director of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber, where he directed policy and research activities during the economic recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Under his leadership, the organization’s policy team won the top economic development research award in the nation for two consecutive years.
Allie Evangelista
President - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol
A proud Brazilian, Allie came to the U.S. shortly after graduating from college. Having to start from scratch, her first job was as a hotel housekeeper. Her tenacity would pay off in 2006, when she joined the gaming industry as an Assistant Slot Operations Manager in Missouri. Allie would continue to climb, becoming Director of Casino Operations and then Vice President of Casino Operations at an Iowa casino in 2014. Five years later, she would become the Vice President and General Manager of the Hollywood Gaming and Racetrack property in Ohio. Allie’s most recent position was Vice President and General Manager of the Hollywood Casino Perryville in Maryland.
Sean McMurray
Executive Director - Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia
Sean McMurray currently serves as the Executive Director of the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia. More than 30 years working as a senior healthcare executive has helped him better understand the issues impacting the health of the people who live in our region. He served as the CEO of Johnston Memorial Hospital for nearly 14 years (2003-2016). Sean also had management responsibility for and served as a director on the boards of both Russell County Hospital and Smyth County Community Hospital.
Sean earned his master’s degree in health administration from Brigham Young University. He also achieved certification as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, the highest professional credential for healthcare leaders. His volunteer work included service on the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association Board (three terms), representing the interests of Southwest Virginia at the state level. His board service extended to organizations such as the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Barter Theatre, and the United Way of Southwest Virginia, where he served as chairman of the board.
Steve Johnson
Owner, Johnson Commercial Development
Mr. Steve Johnson, is a native of Huntsville, Alabama. The 1988 graduate of Virginia Tech is President of Johnson Commercial Development and resides in Bristol, Tennessee.
A standout tight end for the Hokies, Mr. Johnson was a two-time Honorable Mention All-American. He finished his career sixth on the Hokies’ all-time list for career receptions and eighth in touchdowns. Following his college career, he played for the New England Patriots before embarking into commercial development.
Johnson Commercial Development, formed in 1995, is a full-service real estate development and management company. It has grown into one of the leading and most experienced real estate development companies in the Southeastern US.
Johnson Commercial Development developed The Pinnacle, a one million square feet, open-air, mixed-use lifestyle center off Interstate-81 at Exit 74B in Bristol, Tennessee. The Pinnacle serves consumers from a five-state region and is the number one most visited lifestyle center in the state with eight million visitors annually, over 2,500 employees and $265 million in sales.
Mr. Johnson has three accomplished children. His eldest daughter, Paulena, is a graduate from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and currently resides in New York City pursuing her career in modeling. His second daughter, Lexi is a graduate of Virginia Tech and currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee where she works for CBRE doing investment sales and tenant representation. His son, Steven, is a senior at East Tennessee State University.
