Sandy Ratliff

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT SANDY RATLIFF

Sandy Ratliff is a seasoned economic developer with over 34 years of experience serving the Commonwealth of Virginia. As VP Community Solutions with Locus, formerly known as Virginia Community Capital, serving Southwest Virginia, Ratliff works with new and expanding businesses to offer startup consulting, entrepreneural growth mentoring, support community revitalization and assist businesses to identify sources of capital to move their business plans forward. Before joining LOCUS, she worked as the Business Services Manager for the, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), in the agency’s Abingdon office. Sandy has lead the creation of successful business support programs including the Social Media for Small Business, iPad for Business, iMarketing, eCommerce and Promotion, Technology in Business, Noon Knowledge Professional Development Series, Mobile Marketing, and the Entrepreneur Express Workshop. Prior to that role, she was the Director of Marketing for the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority for 15 years, a regional organization focused on economic diversification and job creation within the coalfields of Virginia. Ratliff is a member of the Virginia Economic Developers Association, Chair of the Mountain Empire American Red Cross Board of Directors, Member of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce Board and Chair of the Small Business Committee, and Director of Online Outreach for First Christian Church ofAbingdon. She received the 2011 YWCA Tribute to Women award, the 2012 Western Virginia Workforce Development \"Professional of the Year\" award for her work in economic and community development, and the 2016 \"High Tech in Government\" award from the Southwest Virginia Technology Council. Specialties: Economic development, small business development, sales growth counseling, branding and marketing consulting, social media consulting, and community development.