Meet the Team

Ken McFadyen, Botetourt County Director of Economic Development

Ken joined Botetourt County, Virginia in July 2016 as Director of Economic Development, following seven years as executive director of the Blue Ridge Crossroads Economic Development Authority in southwestern Virginia. Located in the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Botetourt County is engaged in all facets of economic development, including industrial recruitment and expansion, small business development, and workforce development.  Ken’s organizations and their accomplishments have been recognized by the Center for Rural Virginia, Virginia Association of Counties, and Southern Economic Development Council.

Ken’s economic development experience is diverse, ranging from industrial recruitment to downtown revitalization and historic preservation.  Ken served on the Virginia Economic Developers Association (VEDA) Board of Directors, as president in 2018, and chaired the Legislative Day committee.  In 2017, Governor-Elect Ralph Northam’s Transition Team asked Ken to participate in the Policy Council on Commerce and Trade, which delivered a detailed policy document to the governor at the beginning of his term.  The Virginia Economic Development Partnership has asked Ken to serve on its strategic planning and Virginia Business Ready Sites Program committees.  In 2018, he was nominated for “Small Business Advocate” with the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Ken has completed the County Administration course and Basic Economic Development Course at the School of Government, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He presents frequently at the Virginia Institute for Economic Development and Virginia Industrial Development Authorities Institute, coordinated by Virginia Tech, and has delivered presentations at the requests of Governors McAuliffe’s and Northam’s administrations.

Previously, Ken served in county and municipal management, attaining International City/County Management Association (ICMA-CM) Credentialed Manager status, and also with a non-profit economic development organization that promoted the White House’s American Heritage Rivers Initiative. He is an Eagle Scout and past president of his Rotary Club. Ken earned an undergraduate degree in history & pre-law and a master degree in public administration from Appalachian State University, where he also taught as an adjunct instructor in political science.  And, for the fun of it, he earned a master degree in American history from Emory & Henry College.

Ken is involved in Scouting, currently serving as an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 211 in Daleville, Virginia.  Ken and his wife, Melanie, have two children, Sara and Conor, and they reside in Fincastle, VA.  

Luke Campbell, Botetourt County Operations Assistant

Luke Campbell began working for Botetourt County in 2014 in the General Services department before moving to Economic Development in 2018. As Operations Assistant, he manages and researches data specific to Botetourt and lists the inventory of local sites and buildings on the Virginia Economic Development Partnership's (VEDP) website. Luke also assists with both large and small business retention and expansion projects including special marketing campaigns like the "Right Here in Botetourt County" commercials. 

In 2019, Luke completed the Dale Carnegie Course Skills for Success, and in 2021 completed the Basic Economic Development Course through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He has been a member of the Virginia Economic Development Association (VEDA) since 2018 and is an alternate member of the Western Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority (WVRIFA). He also serves as an alternate board member of the Botetourt County Chamber of Commerce and is involved with the Chamber's Young Professionals Organization.

 Luke grew up in Roanoke and is a graduate of Virginia Western Community College and Roanoke College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. Before switching careers to local government, Luke was a high school AP English teacher for two years. He has been a soccer referee for over 20 years and is a Level 2 CrossFit trainer at a local gym. In 2015 and 2017 Luke attended the Paris American Academy Writing Workshop to hone his craft of which he performs on stage as part of a local arts group.

Kim Stewart, Administrative Assistant

Kim Stewart joined the Botetourt County Economic Development Team in 2022 as the Administrative Assistant.  Kim has years of experience in the Economic Development and Business fields and is a big asset to the team. 

Kim grew up in Forest, VA and is a graduate of Mary Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in English.  She has continued her education by completing the Virginia Industrial Development Authorities Institute and Virginia Institute for Economic Development through Virginia Tech’s Continuing Education Program.  She has also completed the Basic Economic Development Course through the University of North Carolina’s School of Government. She most recently served for five years as the Administrative Assistant for Campbell County’s Economic Development Department.  Kim is also a member of the Virginia Economic Developers Association.

In her free time, Kim enjoys working with her church, music, reading and spending time with her family.  She loves being outside and is excited to explore the scenic beauty of Botetourt County.