Cari Tretina, currently serving as Henrico County’s deputy county manager and chief of staff, will assume the role of executive director at the Henrico Economic Development Authority (EDA) beginning January 1. She will take over from Anthony Romanello, who is stepping down at the end of 2025 after leading the organization for over six years. n nThe EDA board made its decision following Romanello’s resignation in August, opting after an extensive candidate evaluation process to promote from within. Tretina began her career with Henrico County in 2013 as a budget analyst and has since held various leadership roles across departments, including director of administration for the Division of Fire and interim director of Recreation & Parks. She was appointed chief of staff in 2019 and added the title of deputy county manager in 2022. n nEdward S. Whitlock III, chair of the EDA Board of Directors, praised Tretina’s leadership abilities and deep commitment to the community. “Cari brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership and innovation,” he said. “Her dedication to Henrico County is unmatched, having consistently demonstrated her commitment to the community’s growth and well-being throughout her career.” n nWhitlock emphasized that Tretina’s ability to build strong community relationships and her forward-thinking approach were key factors in the board’s decision. County Manager John Vithoulkas echoed this sentiment, calling her “an incredible talent whose energy is contagious” and predicting she will outperform economic development efforts in comparable regions across the country. n nTretina will step into her new role as Henrico continues recovering from the collapse of the GreenCity development project—an ambitious arena-centered district that failed to materialize. She is currently involved in the Best Products Reimagined initiative, a planned mixed-use development including a sports arena at the Parham Road site along Interstate 95, the original location intended for GreenCity. n nThe county officially repurchased the site in September 2025, returning approximately $1 million previously paid by the developer. Officials aim to select a development partner by December and transfer the property as early as January 2026, with hopes of opening a new arena by 2028. Romanello expressed optimism that a partner would be secured before his departure. n n“It’s been one of the great honors of my life to serve as executive director of the EDA, and Henrico’s future is bright,” Romanello said. “I’m working to accomplish as much as possible in the next 60 days and leave things in capable hands with Cari and the team.” n nAlthough the GreenCity project did not succeed under his leadership, Romanello oversaw significant economic gains during his tenure. Over six years, the EDA attracted major investments, including a Fortune 1000 corporate headquarters, data center developments, and more than $8 billion in private investment during fiscal 2025 alone—projects expected to create around 1,445 jobs. n nHe noted Tretina’s instrumental role in negotiating numerous EDA agreements, including redevelopment efforts at Regency, Virginia Center Commons, Glenwood Farms, and Rocketts Landing. Her contributions also include helping establish the Henrico Affordable Housing Trust Fund, managing restaurant relief through Nourish Henrico during the pandemic, overseeing vaccination campaigns, and securing the Varina Farms property along the James River. n n“Cari and I first worked together nine years ago when I joined the county,” Romanello said. “She’s an exceptionally talented professional who grew up here and truly understands the community’s needs. She’ll play a vital role in shaping our future.” n nWith a lighthearted tone, he added, “I wish her good luck in fixing some of the things I messed up.”
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Henrico selects Cari Tretina as new economic development director
Cari Tretina, Henrico County’s deputy county manager and chief of staff, has been selected to become the new executive director of the Henrico Economic Development Authority starting Jan. 1. She succeeds Anthony Romanello, who is leaving at the end of 2025 after more than six years at the helm. n nThe EDA board’s decision came after Romanello submitted his resignation in August. And after a lengthy review of applicants, the board ultimately tapped an internal candidate for the role of executive director. n nTretina joined Henrico’s government in 2013 as a budget analyst and has served in roles across county government, including director of administration for the Division of Fire and interim director of Recreation & Parks. In 2019 she became chief of staff; she added the title of deputy county manager in 2022. n n“Cari brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership and innovation,” Edward S. Whitlock III, chair of the EDA Board of Directors, said in a statement. “Her dedication to Henrico County is unrivaled, having consistently demonstrated her commitment to the community’s growth and well-being throughout her career. “ n nWhitlock added that Tretina’s confidence and passion for fostering relationships within the community were traits that the board felt would continue the county’s positive growth. n nCounty Manager John Vithoulkas described Tretina as “an incredible talent whose energy is contagious,” in a statement following the EDA’s selection. Vithoulkas predicted she will “run laps around localities we compete against nationally.” n nTretina will be stepping into the EDA director’s seat as the county continues to deal with the aftermath of the failed GreenCity development — Henrico’s sought-after arena-anchored district. She’s currently a part of the committee in connection to the Best Products Reimagined project, a planned mixed-use development with an arena, the portion of Interstate 95 at Parham Road that was to be home to GreenCity. n nThe site was officially repurchased in September 2025, with the EDA returning the roughly $1 million paid by the developer after the GreenCity deal collapsed. The plan is to have a partner selected by December and convey the property as early as January 2026, with hopes that a new arena could open by 2028. n nRomanello told VPM News that he’s hopeful the county will be able to select a partner before he steps away. n n“It’s been one of the great honors of my life to be executive director of the EDA and Henrico’s future is bright,” Romanello said. “I’m trying to get as much done as I can in the next 60 days and leave it in the good hands of Cari and the team once I’m gone.” n nAlthough Romanello wasn’t able to shepherd the GreenCity deal to the finish line, under his six years of leadership, Henrico’s EDA helped attract major investments — including Fortune 1000 headquarters, data center development, and more than $8 billion in private investment in fiscal 2025 alone, expected to generate some 1,445 jobs. n nRomanello said he has witnessed Tretina help lead dozens of EDA agreements, including the redevelopment of sites such as Regency, Virginia Center Commons, Glenwood Farms and Rocketts Landing. n nTretina also aided in establishing the Henrico Affordable Housing Trust Fund, guided pandemic-era patronage relief for restaurants through Nourish Henrico, oversaw county vaccination efforts, negotiated the acquisition of Varina Farms property along the James River and more. n n“Cari and I met nine years ago when I first came to the county. She’s an incredibly talented, young professional,” Romanello said. “She grew up in Henrico, she understands what the county needs and she’ll be a major contributor to our future.” n nHe added, jokingly: “I wish her good luck in fixing some of the things I screwed up.”