Tyler Rosá
30, Attorney at Williams Mullen, Virginia Beach
Business community involvement:
CBDX Vice President, tHRive Member
Civic contributions:
Sister Cities Virginia Beach Board Member, Virginia Bar Association Wills for Heroes Chair
Something that sets you apart from the crowd?
I like to think that I have an enthusiasm for meeting people and building relationships that is unique. My dad always told me that, “The only thing more infectious than enthusiasm is the lack of it,” and that is something I’ve tried to embody in my professional career.
Someone who keeps you motivated?
My family is a big source of motivation for me. They sacrificed a lot to get me where I am today, and trying to honor their sacrifices makes me want to give my all on a day-to-day basis.
Tell us about a recent accomplishment that you’re proud of.
As chair of the Virginia Bar Association Wills for Heroes program, I worked with my counterparts at the Virginia State Bar to put on a free estate planning clinic for first responders in Hampton Roads. It’s my understanding that it was the first time something like that has occurred in the commonwealth. Collaborating with the Virginia State Bar chairs, Melissa Moser and Nicolle Vasquez, to provide a small token of appreciation to our incredible first responders is something that I am very proud to have been a part of.
Most important aspect you look for in a workplace?
The most important aspect I look for in a workplace is the people. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to learn from some of the best attorneys in the commonwealth and to work with people who genuinely want to see me succeed. It has allowed me to grow into a more well-rounded professional and has given me dozens of mentors to model myself off.
What would you be doing if you weren’t in your current position?
I would probably be coaching baseball and teaching. I took a year off between college and law school and coached baseball and football at my alma mater, and it was a great experience. Although it was bittersweet to watch the game from the sidelines, facilitating and being a part of that type of comradery was still very rewarding and difficult to replicate elsewhere.
What new idea or development are you most excited about in Coastal Virginia right now?
I am most excited about the opportunity to leverage the multiple subsea fiber-optic cables connecting Virginia Beach to Europe and South America. I think the vision of Coastal Virginia being a digital port for the rest of the world is a natural extension of the port and shipping identity this area has had for generations and has the potential to provide unparalleled technological infrastructure that will be attractive to any business.
What do you think is Coastal Virginia’s biggest challenge?
I think Coastal Virginia’s biggest challenge is the “brain-drain” phenomena. Coastal Virginia has excellent schools that provide world-class education from kindergarten to college, but those students tend to look elsewhere for professional opportunities. I believe Coastal Virginia needs to invest in attractive and lucrative business opportunities for young professionals so we can retain the talent we develop. Having those individuals living in and contributing to the region as well as experiencing the other challenges facing Coastal Virginia will help our region economically and in responding more creatively to solving those problems we currently face and those yet to come.
Favorite place in Coastal Virginia to go on the weekends?
My favorite place in Coastal Virginia is the Virginia Beach Oceanfront during the summer. There is a great energy when the boardwalk and restaurants are filled with visitors. Plus, it’s hard to beat the combination of sun, sand and an orange crush while listening to great live music.
From his nomination:
“In a profession where experience can make a world of difference, you’d never even guess that Tyler has only been practicing law for a few years. More specifically, Tyler brings a broad array of experience and insight into his position as a real estate and financial services attorney with Williams Mullen.” —Scott Krystiniak, professional colleague and friend
