Verge is pleased to add Jackie Lackey to the team as Vice President of Programs.

In her role, Lackey will help develop programming opportunities through the Verge alliance – including RBTC and RAMP – that will continue to propel the Roanoke and Blacksburg regional innovation ecosystem forward. Her work will include helping to create a stronger technology funding pipeline, jobs and talent investment, enhanced visibility for partners, and lead conversations in the industry.

“Jackie brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and energy to everything she does,” said Erin Burcham, President of Verge and Executive Director of RBTC. “We’re thrilled to have her as part of the team.”

Lackey brings more than 12 years of experience working with and helping grow start-up tech businesses in the Roanoke region and has enjoyed participating in RBTC as an active member and contributor. In her previous roles, she helped organizations grow their strategy, and most importantly, their people and culture.

She values working in a region where her efforts directly impact her community and its citizens. She has a passion for people and loves any opportunity to learn something new.

“Technology and innovation are exploding in this region! I’m honored and excited to contribute to the community of innovators putting this region on the technology map.”

Lackey is a native of upstate New York and brings with her a wide array of experience in diverse industries from restaurants to retail, to teaching, coaching, to automotive, and even digging soil samples for analysis for the farmers of NY.

A lifelong learner, Jackie holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Roanoke College and an MBA from Radford University.

When she is not working, she can be found having adventures with her husband and two boys, raising money and awareness for CureSMA, or baking.