Fairfax County EDA executive elected president of leading British/U.S. business organization

Fairfax County, Virginia USA, Thursday, January 21, 2010 -

The board of directors of the British American Business Association (BABA) elected Catherine Riley, vice president of marketing at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), president of the organization.

Founded in 1987, BABA is the premier forum for British and American business professionals in the mid-Atlantic region. Ms. Riley has served on the BABA Board of Directors since 2004 and been a member of its Executive Committee since 2008. She has chaired the BABA Strategic Planning Committee and has served on the Program Committee.

“I am honored to be elected president of BABA and I look forward to serving the membership in this new capacity,” Ms. Riley said. “Over the years, I have learned that BABA is the best organization in the region to promote significant U.S./U.K. business.”

“This is a well-deserved honor for Ms. Riley, who has worked with British companies on both sides of the Atlantic for many years,” said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. “This is also a great opportunity for Fairfax County because Ms. Riley will reinforce or establish important relationships with BABA’s membership.”

In 1998 the FCEDA opened a marketing office in London to assist British businesses interested in expansion into the U.S. The FCEDA also maintains offices in Bangalore, Frankfurt, Seoul and Tel Aviv.

At the FCEDA, Ms. Riley oversees three marketing divisions (National, International, and Small and Minority Business). Since her 2002 promotion to vice president, the FCEDA has worked with companies that have created more than 42,000 jobs in Fairfax County. Before 2002, Ms. Riley directed the International Division.

Ms. Riley holds a bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University and has additional training in real estate, management and economic development.