Fredericksburg has a new director of economic development and tourism.
Josh Summits was hired to replace Bill Freehling, whose 10-year tenure ended June 25.
Summits, a Pennsylvania native, was the business development manager in Stafford County, where he worked since 2019. He’s spent 15 years working in urban development, community revitalization, and economic development. He begins working in Fredericksburg in mid-August.
“I have spent the past five years working with Stafford to bring transformative economic development projects to the Fredericksburg region,” Summits said in a release. “Each locality offers diverse and unique attributes and opportunities. The City of Fredericksburg has a robust list of amazing amenities and a thriving historical downtown. My core focus and energies will target corridor redevelopment and expanded business attraction and retention efforts.”
Summits graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor’s in urban and regional planning. He earned a master’s in regional planning from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
He also has previous experience serving as the business expansion and attraction specialist at the Urban Redevelopment Authority in Pittsburgh and as economic development coordinator for the City of Johnstown Pennsylvania. He is recognized by the National Development Council as a designated economic development finance professional and is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fredericksburg program.
“After a national search, we are very pleased to welcome a local professional with excellent Mid-Atlantic [Region] experience,” Fredericksburg City Manager Tim Baroody said. “Josh can hit the ground running, knowing the Commonwealth and the region well.”
Summits lives in Stafford with his son, Graham.
