Pete Eshelman
Senior Director of Creative Strategies at Roanoke Regional Partnership- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Bonnie Cranmer
In the big scheme of things, Pete stands heads above the rest! Since taking the position focused on Outdoor Branding in the Roanoke, Virginia region, he has kept his eye on the prize. His efforts continually put southwestern Virginia in a very positive light, generating attention and creating the best events and programs for public participation. Thanks to Pete's efforts, Travel Virginia has many more positive and healthy activities to promote!
Kevin Costello, TMP
Pete Eshelman has single handedly brought the Roanoke Region into the national spotlight for it's many outdoor recreation assets. In doing so he has help the people who live, work, and visit the region to appreciate and participate in getting Outside in the Roanoke Valley. I completely respect Pete because he is one of those people who not only talks the talk but he walks the walk. Or in his case rides the bike, hikes the trail, kayaks the river, and climbs the mountain.
Bonnie Cranmer
In the big scheme of things, Pete stands heads above the rest! Since taking the position focused on Outdoor Branding in the Roanoke, Virginia region, he has kept his eye on the prize. His efforts continually put southwestern Virginia in a very positive light, generating attention and creating the best events and programs for public participation. Thanks to Pete's efforts, Travel Virginia has many more positive and healthy activities to promote!
Kevin Costello, TMP
Pete Eshelman has single handedly brought the Roanoke Region into the national spotlight for it's many outdoor recreation assets. In doing so he has help the people who live, work, and visit the region to appreciate and participate in getting Outside in the Roanoke Valley. I completely respect Pete because he is one of those people who not only talks the talk but he walks the walk. Or in his case rides the bike, hikes the trail, kayaks the river, and climbs the mountain.
Bonnie Cranmer
In the big scheme of things, Pete stands heads above the rest! Since taking the position focused on Outdoor Branding in the Roanoke, Virginia region, he has kept his eye on the prize. His efforts continually put southwestern Virginia in a very positive light, generating attention and creating the best events and programs for public participation. Thanks to Pete's efforts, Travel Virginia has many more positive and healthy activities to promote!
Kevin Costello, TMP
Pete Eshelman has single handedly brought the Roanoke Region into the national spotlight for it's many outdoor recreation assets. In doing so he has help the people who live, work, and visit the region to appreciate and participate in getting Outside in the Roanoke Valley. I completely respect Pete because he is one of those people who not only talks the talk but he walks the walk. Or in his case rides the bike, hikes the trail, kayaks the river, and climbs the mountain.
Bonnie Cranmer
In the big scheme of things, Pete stands heads above the rest! Since taking the position focused on Outdoor Branding in the Roanoke, Virginia region, he has kept his eye on the prize. His efforts continually put southwestern Virginia in a very positive light, generating attention and creating the best events and programs for public participation. Thanks to Pete's efforts, Travel Virginia has many more positive and healthy activities to promote!
Kevin Costello, TMP
Pete Eshelman has single handedly brought the Roanoke Region into the national spotlight for it's many outdoor recreation assets. In doing so he has help the people who live, work, and visit the region to appreciate and participate in getting Outside in the Roanoke Valley. I completely respect Pete because he is one of those people who not only talks the talk but he walks the walk. Or in his case rides the bike, hikes the trail, kayaks the river, and climbs the mountain.
Credentials
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate
USF Corporate Training and Professional EducationMay, 2021- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Roanoke Regional Partnership
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Director of Creative Strategies
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Nov 2022 - Present
Provide strategic guidance to outdoor asset development and talent attraction/retention teams for the Roanoke Region of Virginia. These initiatives include Roanoke Outside and Get2KnowNoke. Our team is focused on asset-based economic development programs - current focus is on outdoors and talent - that attract talent and investment to the region. We build brand awareness and cultivate a community narrative that tells the story as to why the Roanoke Region of Virginia is a great place to live, work, play, and invest.
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Director of Outdoor Branding
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Jan 2009 - Nov 2022
Developed and implemented asset-based economic development program to leverage natural assets to attract talent and investment to the region. Build brand awareness and cultivate community narrative. Develop outdoor infrastructure that engages community. Grow outdoor culture from the grassroots level...make it sustainable.
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Virginia Tourism Corporation
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United States
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Advertising Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Member Board Of Directors
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Nov 2018 - Present
Pete Eshelman, director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership, has been appointed to the Virginia Tourism Corporation board of directors by Gov. Ralph Northam. Eshelman’s appointment is not only recognition of the region’s commitment to growing the outdoor industry but also an acknowledgment of the contributions of traditional economic development and tourism. In 2009, the Roanoke Regional Partnership recognized that the region’s natural assets are a strength that wasn’t being used. Eshelman was hired to leverage our natural assets to attract investment and talent, while also changing the global image of the region. The Roanoke Outside Foundation is the most visible of the efforts; Eshelman is also director of the foundation. Eshelman’s appointment is recognition of the role the Roanoke Regional Partnership and Roanoke Outside Foundation have played in changing the narrative of the region to one that recognizes the outdoors as a community strength, with intentional efforts focused on building a community where people and businesses want to be.
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Roanoke Outside Foundation
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director
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Aug 2013 - Present
Created 501(c)3 organization with a mission to create economic growth by leveraging natural assets to attract investment and talent. Through business attraction, signature outdoor events, strategic partnerships, social offerings, and infrastructure investment, Roanoke Outside has established the Roanoke Region as a place where businesses want to locate and where people want to live. • Transitioned majority of initiatives started as Director of Outdoor Branding under the Foundation to create a clear separation of private and public sector funding. Became financially sustainable in under five years. • Created and maintain roanokeoutside.com, a resource website for outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the Roanoke Region of Virginia. • Developed brand-building events - Blue Ridge Marathon, GO Outside Festival, and Go Cross - that contribute to the region's image building and have had an $8.5 million economic impact on the local economy. • Donated more than half million dollars to more than 30 local nonprofits. • Led community crowdfunding campaigns to invest private dollars in public outdoor infrastructure projects including four river and lake access points, low-profile dock for improved lake access, and a bike park. • Facilitated the creation and operation of mentor programs designed to improve equitable access to the outdoors for underserved youth
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Founder
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2010 - Present
Developed a bucket-list marathon billed as America's Toughest Road Marathon to showcase the Roanoke Region. More than $8.2 million in direct economic impact. Developed a bucket-list marathon billed as America's Toughest Road Marathon to showcase the Roanoke Region. More than $8.2 million in direct economic impact.
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GO Outside Festival
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Roanoke, Virginia
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Founder
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Oct 2012 - Present
Founder of the GO Outside Festival - a free, three-day outdoor sports festival featuring live music, camping, pro athletes, equipment demos, workshops, clinics, races, and much more. A true celebration of everything outdoors. Inaugural attendance in 2012 was 4500 people, grown to 40,000+. Founder of the GO Outside Festival - a free, three-day outdoor sports festival featuring live music, camping, pro athletes, equipment demos, workshops, clinics, races, and much more. A true celebration of everything outdoors. Inaugural attendance in 2012 was 4500 people, grown to 40,000+.
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Director of Operations
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May 1994 - Dec 2008
Outdoor Adventure Retreat Center. Custom retreats for businesses, universities, and schools. Summer Youth Adventure Program. Provide strategic vision to define company goals. Implement systems for marketing, human resources, staff recruitment, training, and development. Empower staff with support and tools for accomplishing organizational goals. Create and implement all marketing and public relation campaigns
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Program Director
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Jan 1997 - Jan 2000
Worked directly with the Executive Director to ensure clients the highest quality of outdoor recreation. Coordinated program philosophy and trained staff to reach client objectives.
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Ski Rental and Repair Shop Manager
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Nov 1996 - Apr 1998
Greatest snow in North America Greatest snow in North America
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Education
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1992 - 1996
DePauw University
BA, Sociology, Economics
Community
