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Louisa Strayhorn and Dr. Cornel West.

Director Steps Down From State Agency Facing Overhaul

New Journal and Guide Staff Report
 
      Louisa Strayhorn, the Director of the Virginia Department of Business Assistance,  says she is stepping down from that post.

     Strayhorn released a letter dated last Sunday stating her reasons for her departure including directing more attention toward her consulting firm based in Virginia Beach. Strayhorn said that her company,  LSA Consulting LLC, has landed a new contract and she wanted to devote more time ensuring  her company's successful execution of that contract.
       “I am glad to be home,”  Strayhorn told the New Journal  and Guide two days after she released her resignation letter.  “I could not continue as head of that agency while seeking to develop  this contract obligation because it would have been a conflict of interest.   This opportunity allows me now to pursue some things both home and abroad and I think this is a great  opportunity for me personally and entrepreneurially.,"
     Strayhorn was the second of two African Americans to sit on the Virginia Beach City Council, In her state agency, she directed 47 employees and had a budget of  $12.7 million.

     Strayhorn said that  during her tenure, one of her success stories was streamlining the process by which small and minority businesses apply and compete for state funded contracts.  

      She said that  her proposal to have the agency sponsor a class to teach small and minority businesses owners to develop bond ratings was turned down by the lawmakers. But she said that she is working with individuals in Hampton Roads to acquire private funding for that class which she hopes will begin in May.

     The Virginia Department of Business Assistance  was created to provide support and guidance to small and minority businesses in

Posted April 9, 2008

     
Virginia to negotiate the sometimes bureaucratic  maze of the state billion dollar procurement system. Some 30 percent of the state good and services are acquired through small and minority firms.  

      Gov. Timothy Kaine, signed an executive order upon entering office with the goal of securing a 40 percent use of minority businesses in providing state goods and services.
     "My service to Governor Timothy M. Kaine and the constituents of the Commonwealth of Virginia has come to a close. In order to accept a global contract to provide business development and strategic communication services it is necessary to immediately restore LSA Consulting, my consulting business," Strayhorn said in her letter dated April 6.
During Strayhorn's last months at the helm of the Virginia Department of Minority Business Assistance,  she had to beat back an effort by Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates to abolish the agency and merge its job with the Economic Development Partnership.     
     Strayhorn said she was challenged by tightening of funding via the state budgeting process and annual efforts to abolish  the agency. But she said efforts must be continued to support and develop small and minority enterprises in  Virginia.
     “I will still be involved in helping small businesses move head,” said Strayhorn. “Perhaps a lot of   the things I wanted to achieve  can be achieved beyond the walls of government. I think there are a lot of  avenues for me to do that. I think I got insight into how to do that while serving the people Virginia for two years. It was a great experience.”  

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