Travis Staton is a Founding Member, President, and CEO of EO Companies (EO), a Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in January 2024 to enhance economic opportunities in some of Virginia's most challenged communities.
Recently, Travis spearheaded a $26.5 million public/private partnership transforming an 87,000-square-foot former K-Mart building into a Regional Workforce and Child Development Hub in Abingdon, Virginia. This innovative hub now offers high-quality childcare for up to 300 children, provides back-office support for over 200 childcare operators, and delivers career exploration and hands-on learning opportunities to approximately 30,000 K-12 students annually, in collaboration with local employers. The Hub significantly addresses workforce development, attraction, and retention challenges crucial to Southwest Virginia’s economic future.
Prior to launching EO, Travis served two decades as President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Virginia. He strategically transitioned the organization from a traditional fundraiser to a community-impact model, emphasizing improvements in regional health, education, and financial stability. His visionary leadership established systems to bridge gaps between employers and educational institutions. He also successfully managed ten mergers and acquisitions, expanding the organization's operational reach to 17 counties and four cities, encompassing nearly 20% of Virginia.
Travis’s innovative efforts have received national recognition and support from prominent entities including the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Aspen Institute, The White House, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He has consistently been recognized by Virginia Business Magazine as one of the "Top 500 Most Powerful and Influential People" (2020-2025) and was named among Virginia's "50 Most Powerful and Influential Executives" in both 2022 and 2023.
