Larissa LaCour named director of Executive Briefing Center in Arlington
LaCour has been instrumental in shaping the award-winning meeting center’s growth since 2013.
Larissa LaCour, who has guided the Executive Briefing Center at the Virginia Tech Research Center — Arlington to multiple national recognitions since 2013, has been named director of the award-winning executive center and meeting venue.
“Larissa’s strategic vision and commitment to excellence have been instrumental in establishing the Executive Briefing Center as a premier destination for professional engagement,” said Susan E. Short, associate vice president for engagement with Outreach and International Affairs. “This advancement recognizes her extraordinary leadership and ongoing contributions to Virginia Tech’s presence in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area.”
LaCour, who previously served as assistant director and manager of the center, has shaped its growth since 2013, building strong partnerships with industry leaders and government agencies.
“I’ve been working in higher education my whole career and have always worked in a department that oversaw facility operations,” LaCour said. “I’ve had the good fortune of having some amazing mentors — women who had a passion for facilities and understood how they can come to life if you know what to pay attention to.”
The Executive Briefing Center (EBC) features state-of-the-art conference technology, including immersive visualization capabilities and advanced audiovisual systems. These technological advantages, combined with exceptional service, have established the center as a leading venue for executive education and professional development for clients both internal and external to the university.
“Our venue is beautiful, and our technology is top-notch, but it’s our team that makes the EBC great,” LaCour said. “I hear it from clients all the time — it’s our absolute best asset, our people.”
The center’s operations team includes event operations supervisor Will Simmons and a group of international graduate students who serve as event assistants, providing front-line customer service.
“Leading this venue and representing Virginia Tech here in the greater Washington region has always been a point of pride for me,” LaCour said. “I always say, ‘I have the privilege’ of managing the EBC, because it truly is a privilege.”
LaCour earned a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs administration from the University at Buffalo, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on human resources.
