Jory Woods

Jory Woods is an economic and community development specialist for the Center for Economic and Community Engagement. He graduated from James Madison University in 2021 with a B.S. in Political Campaign Management and Communications through the Independent Scholars program. Before and after graduating, Jory’s civic engagement experiences have ranged from work within political action committees, fieldwork on both state and federal elections in Virginia, serving as an analyst at a national media firm, and nonpartisan grassroots community organizing. 

In 2023, Jory moved to Greenwood, where he served as a success advisor and project manager at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Through an innovative pilot program, he helped students navigate challenges including college affordability, accessibility, career pathways, and food insecurity.

Before joining the center in 2026, Jory finished a Master's of Public Policy at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy where he also served as a Tadler Fellow working with Buchanan County’s Industrial Development Board to help develop projects and secure funding. 

When he’s not on I81, Jory and his wife Jess enjoy reading, hiking, and spending time with their very loud and needy cats Kaya and Koshi.