Fairfax County Economic Development Authority

Virginia climbed to No. 3 overall in CNBC's 2026 America's Top States for Business rankings, reinforcing the Commonwealth's position as one of the nation's premier destinations for business investment, innovation, and long-term growth. The annual rankings evaluate the factors companies prioritize most when making location decisions, including infrastructure, workforce, business competitiveness, and quality of life.

The Commonwealth earned the No. 2 ranking for Infrastructure, CNBC's most heavily weighted category in 2026, reflecting continued investments in transportation, digital infrastructure, site readiness, and project delivery that help businesses move at the speed of today's economy.

Since CNBC launched its Top States for Business rankings in 2007, Virginia has earned a Top 5 ranking 18 times across the 19 editions of the rankings, including a record six No. 1 overall rankings; more than any other state.

We are excited to announce the appointment of George D. Thomas as the next President and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, effective August 2026.

Fairfax County is at the forefront of industries reshaping the global economy, playing an increasingly important role in shaping America's economic and technological future. Thomas understands both how transformative industries evolve and what communities must do to compete successfully for the talent, investment, and businesses that drive long-term prosperity.

As President and CEO of Connected DMV, Thomas positioned the Greater Washington region as a national leader in quantum technologies and space commercialization. Through Quantum World Congress and SpaceNEXT, he united government, industry, academia, and investors to drive innovation and regional growth. Thomas' track record of building partnerships, aligning stakeholders, and growing transformative industry ecosystems will help advance the County's vision for sustained prosperity and global leadership.

Please join us in welcoming George D. Thomas to Fairfax County.

Read the full announcement in the comment section below ⤵️

Looking for fresh insights from one of Northern Virginia's most influential business leaders?👀 Join us at the 2026 Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE) Breakfast Ceremony and hear from keynote speaker Victor Hoskins, President & CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

Victor will share his perspective on the trends, opportunities, and challenges shaping our region's business community, making this more than just an awards ceremony; it's an opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.

Plus, you'll help us celebrate the outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals nominated for this year's ACE Awards🏆

🔗 Reserve your seat today: https://bit.ly/49pNu6w