OUR TEAM

Patrick J. Small, CEcD currently serves as the Director of Economic Development for the City of Manassas. In that capacity he is responsible for all aspects of business attraction, retention, expansion and for tourism. Mr. Small was hired by the City in August, 2014; prior to that he served as the Economic Development Director for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia. His other roles in Virginia included being the Assistant County Administrator in Isle of Wight County and Director of Economic Development/CEO of the Chamber of Commerce in Lancaster County.

Since 1994, Mr. Small has achieved executive level experience designing and launching innovative programs to create sustainable economic growth on the local government level. During his career he has assisted companies with investing more than $10 billion in new capital and with creating or saving more than 10,000 jobs. He is also an accomplished real estate developer completing more than $500 million in public development projects.

Tia W. Nelson serves as Assistant Director of Economic Development for the City of Manassas, leading business retention and expansion, recruitment, and marketing initiatives that strengthen the City’s economy and quality of life.

She brings nearly two decades of experience advancing community and economic development across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. As Business Intelligence Manager at the South Carolina Department of Commerce, she co-authored the state’s innovation plan linking entrepreneurs to funding and commercialization opportunities. Earlier, she spent eight years in progressively senior roles—from franchise consultant to co-owner—at SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia and Lexington, helping the company double volume and boost profitability by 17% through strategic leadership and community engagement. She also founded Midlands Anchor, highlighting regional innovators and civic leaders.

Tia holds a BA from Clemson University and an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech.