By Tim Ryan
As we mark the conclusion of our annual meeting, Innovate Hampton Roads embarks on an exhilarating new chapter, fueled by dynamic leadership and a renewed vision for the region’s innovation ecosystem. With the transition from Paul Hirschbiel’s esteemed tenure as Chairman, we proudly introduce our new leadership team, poised to build on his legacy while steering us toward future success.
Tom Marsden
Stepping into the role of Chairman is Tom Marsden, Vice President at Marathon Consulting. A seasoned technology leader, Tom brings over two decades of software development expertise, having honed his skills at global giants like Google and Amazon before settling in Virginia. Since joining Marathon Consulting in 2010 as a senior IT consultant and rising to the executive team in 2015, Tom has driven new client strategies and spearheaded application development projects. His technical prowess shines through his work with Microsoft Stack (ASP.Net MVC, C#, WPF), earning him a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) designation. A University of Waterloo software engineering graduate with a master’s from Virginia Tech, Tom is also a passionate community advocate, with past leadership of tHRive, a 2022 Hampton Roads Chamber Volunteer of the Year award, and vice chairmanship of Innovate Hampton Roads. His appearances on the Fervent Four Show Episode 173 and Marathon’s feature in our Disrupting the Tide documentary highlight his influence. Tom’s focus on mentorship and regional engagement promises to elevate Innovate Hampton Roads’ mission.
Alan Hagerman
Elected as Vice Chair is Alan Hagerman, a technology veteran with a track record of leading cross-functional teams across startups and growth-stage companies. Alan’s recent role directing infrastructure operations across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud—managing 600+ servers—demonstrates his ability to deliver scalable, cost-efficient solutions. His innovations include Infrastructure-as-Code with Terraform, observability enhancements via Grafana and Prometheus, and a 60% cost reduction through data center consolidation and cloud migration. As part of a Security Incident Response Team, Alan ensured SOC 2 compliance, while his customer engagement and Agile Product Owner certification underscore his strategic acumen. Active in the Hampton Roads tech scene through the Hampton Roads Innovation Collaborative and organizations like WHRO and VBPD, Alan is eager to drive cloud-first initiatives and operational excellence.
Joining the board is Brandi Quam, Senior Advisor for Technology Infusion and Acting Deputy Director at NASA Langley Research Center’s Strategic Partnership Office. Brandi’s expertise in strategic partnerships will enrich our innovation efforts, bringing fresh perspectives to the table.
This new era kicks off with exciting events: the Startup World Cup on August 21, 2025, at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach, showcasing regional entrepreneurial talent, followed by 757 TechNite, an evening celebrating innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. These initiatives reflect our commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem. As we embrace 2025, Innovate Hampton Roads stands ready to innovate boldly—join us on this journey!
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