Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness
Terrie Suit
Mrs. Terrie L. Suit was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell to the position of Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness in January of 2010. In this Cabinet level position Mrs. Suit works with federal, state, and local officials, as well as the private sector, to develop a seamless, coordinated security and preparedness strategy and implementation plan. She also serves as Virginia's Homeland Security Advisor and is the direct liaison between the Governor and the federal Department of Homeland Security.
The Honorable Terrie Suit spent nearly a decade representing the citizens of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. During her time in office she chaired both the General Laws Committee and the Virginia Housing Commission and served on the Commerce and Labor, Counties Cities and Towns, Education, Privileges and Elections and Agriculture Committees. Mrs. Suit's assignments dealt with a wide range of business issues as well as concentrations in housing, preparedness, base realignment and closure (BRAC) activities, and military relations. Prior to serving in the General Assembly, Mrs. Suit served for three years as a gubernatorial appointee to the Virginia Real Estate Board.
Before joining Governor McDonnell's Administration Mrs. Suit worked on business development and as a Government Affairs Director at the law firm of Williams Mullen. She focused her practice on helping companies and associations navigate the federal and state legislative and agency process, as well as advising businesses on relocation and expansion opportunities within Virginia. As a collateral duty she served on the Firm's Women's initiative and Diversity committees and spearheaded leadership training initiatives for the firm's Hampton Roads offices.
Mrs. Suit is an active community leader. She has served on the executive committee of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and was the 2006 and 2007 chair of the Chamber's Lead Hampton Roads Board of Trustees. Mrs. Suit has also served on the Virginia Beach Contemporary Art Center Board of Trustees, the Old Dominion University's Alumni Association Board and is currently a member of the Navy League of the United States. She has received numerous awards including the Hampton Roads Women in Business Honoree Award in 2009, the Hampton Roads Outstanding Professional Women in Public Service Award in 2005, the YWCA's Women of Distinction Award in 2004, The Leadership Hampton Roads “Julian Hirst” Leadership Award in 2003 and the Virginia Women's Attorneys Association 2002 Advocacy Award of Excellence.
Mrs. Suit grew up the daughter of a career US Army officer and continued her affiliation with the military during her 20 years as a Navy wife. Her husband, Tom, is a retired United States Navy SEAL. Mrs. Suit obtained her associates degree from Tidewater Community College and graduated from Old Dominion University with a bachelor's degree in political science.
Office of the Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness
Patrick Henry Building
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
For regular U.S. mail, please use the following address:
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone Numbers:
804.786.1201
Fax Line: 804.371.0038
