Steve Swartz
President and CEO
Swartz Engineering Economics, Inc.

Steve Swartz is a founding member of Blue Ridge Heritage and was elected to be its President at inception in 2007. He chairs its Executive Committee and Site Committee, and sits on its Website Development Committee.

He earned a BS in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University (1966), a Masters of Civil Engineering from NC State University (1972), and has done postgraduate studies in Business and Finance at UNC-Chapel Hill (1984). He is registered as a Professional Engineer in seven states including Virginia.

Following a two-year tour of duty with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Steve has spent his entire career as a consulting engineer in public works, primarily in water-based utilities. He has worked with national and regional design engineering firms and with an international finance and management consultant. Currently, Steve is President and CEO of Swartz Engineering Economics, Inc., a consulting firm that he established in 1996.

Married with two sons, Steve and his wife officially began their Virginia life on Bull Mountain in Patrick County in 1993.

Presentation

Developing a Blue Ridge Cultural & Education Center

With the encouragement of Congressman Rick Boucher in 2005, a group of volunteers undertook the development of a visitor attraction in the vicinity of Rocky Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The project is well underway.

The fundamental aim of this endeavor is to enhance the economies of Floyd and Patrick counties by attracting more visitors to the Parkway and the surrounding area with a sustainable program of attractions. In partnership with the Parkway, Blue Ridge Heritage, Inc. is currently developing programs and facilities. This presentation is a brief synopsis of Blue Ridge Heritage’s journey with a glimpse of the destination.