Shape the Region's Housing Future

Developers, Community Planners, Builders, and More

The Central Virginia region is growing, but for many individuals and families, finding attainable housing is becoming increasingly out of reach. This summit brings together the people who can change that. Hosted by the Central Virginia Planning District Commission, this event brings together the region’s housing developers, realtors, local officials, lenders, and advocates to address a growing need: attainable housing that meets the demands of our workforce and sustains the economic vitality of our communities.

Attendees will hear from industry experts, explore actionable solutions, and leave with a deeper understanding of how we can work together to expand housing access for Central Virginia’s workforce, young professionals, and growing families.

June 25, 2025

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
300 Lucado Pl, Lynchburg, VA 24504

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Meet the Key Speakers

 

Jonathan Knopf

Executive Director for Programs

Housing Forward VA

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Jonathan Knopf

Jonathan is the Executive Director for Programs at HousingForward Virginia, where he leads housing research and education efforts across the Commonwealth. He regularly helps local officials, practitioners, and advocates find solutions to their housing challenges by telling stories anchored in data, crafting evidence-based policies, and designing effective communication strategies.

Since 2016, Jonathan's work has led to the nation's first combined community land trust and land bank, Virginia's first regional housing trust fund, increased investments in manufactured home communities, and other innovative successes. He has also led or contributed to numerous state, regional, and local housing studies that sustain efforts to expand housing affordability and security for all Virginians.

Jonathan holds a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. He serves on the board of directors for VCDC and Housing Families First and is a member of the policy advisory committees for HOME of Virginia and the Virginia Housing Alliance.

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Ryan Price

Chief Economist

Virginia Association of Realtors

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Ryan Price

For nearly two decades, Ryan has honed his knowledge of Virginia's economy and housing market in a variety of roles in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Ryan is the Chief Economist for Virginia REALTORS®, Virginia's largest trade association, leading a team of researchers that focus on housing market trends in Virginia, and the economic and demographic factors that move the market. Ryan received a master's degree in urban and regional planning from Virginia Tech, and a bachelor's degree in finance from James Madison University.

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Emily Hamilton

Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project

Mercatus Center at George Mason University

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Ryan Price

Emily Hamilton is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Urbanity Project at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Her writing has appeared in outlets including the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, and she writes an occasional column at Governing. Hamilton has testified before several state legislatures as well as the U.S. House of Representatives. She received her PhD in economics from George Mason University.

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and more

Agenda 

8:30 am - Registration, Continental Breakfast, and Networking

9:00 am - Welcome and Introductions | Chris Thompson, Director of Strategic Housing, Virginia Housing

9:15 am - Housing 101 & Housing Study Analysis | Jonathan Knopf, Executive Director for Programs, HousingForward VA

10:00 am - Economic Trends in our Region | Ryan Price, Chief Economist, Virginia Realtors

10:30 am - BREAK

10:45 am - Panel for Developers

• Edwin Gaskin, Echelon Resources, Inc.
• Ron Blackwood, LG Flint
• Tracey Ballagh, Rush Homes
• Daryl Calfee, Penny Lane Properties
• Facilitator: Sarah Quarantotto, Executive Director, Miraim's House

11:15 am - How to Streamline Housing Permitting | Emily Hamilton, Mercatus Center at George Mason University

11:45 am - Housing is Economic Development | Jarrod Elwell, Community Development Regional Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

12:15 pm - LUNCH and NETWORKING

• During lunch, we will present Development Opportunities and Acknowledgements of Area Project Successes

1:15 pm - Panel for Solutions

• Bryan Phipps, CEO/President, People Incorporated of VA 
• Terrick Moyer, Director of Operations, Lighthouse Beloved Community CLT 
• Shelby Carney, Special Projects Director, Partnership for Housing Affordability 
• Facilitator - Michael Craig, Housing Finance Analyst, PD&R

1:45 pm - BREAK

2:00 pm - Panel for Funding Resources

• Chris Thompson, Director of Strategic Housing, Virginia Housing
• Stephen Versen, Deputy Director, Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission 
• Tory McGowan, Real Estate Program Manager/IRF, DHCD
• Courtney Mailey, Virginia Main Street Program Manager, DHCD 
• Laura Dupuy, Loan Fund Director of VCDF 
• Brent Jenkins, Market Executive & Senior Commercial Banking Executive, Freedom First Credit Union
• Facilitator - Jarrod Elwell, Community Development Regional Manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

3:00 pm - CLOSING/Call to Action

• Possibility of Networking Social at Downtown Brewery