Governor Abigail Spanberger announced defense technology contractor Hepburn and Sons LLC’s plans to invest $18 million in constructing a three-story, approximately 27,000 square foot corporate headquarters adjacent to NOVA LIVE in Innovation Park, which will support 80 new high-quality jobs.
Federal contracting is notoriously difficult to predict, yet the family-owned Hepburn and Sons has never been afraid of rough seas. After starting the company 16 years ago, they have grown the business to prime federal contractor level with more than 60 employees. Their expansion is rooted in trusted family values and their vision to support United States warfighting technology.
"Freedom has always been central to our company's story," said Scott Hepburn, President & CEO. "My brother, father, and I founded this company because we wanted to independently serve our nation’s warfighters. We believe in our customers, our employees, and our community; and we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone in Prince William County, Virginia, during our country’s 250th anniversary."
The company’s patriotic passion starts on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, where company patriarch Rick Hepburn graduated in 1976. After marrying Debby and having children Scott, Eric, and Samantha, the family moved all over the United States following Rick’s deployments as a naval engineering officer.
Today Hepburn and Sons applies the same tenets of technical expertise, engineering precision, and problem-solving from Rick’s career to support the U.S. Navy and many aspects of the national maritime industry. The company participates in both Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) programs, having received multiple awards focusing on naval power systems, shipboard electrical engineering, fault protection, additive manufacturing, and related maritime/defense technologies.
"Buildings don't create legacies; the people inside them do," said Deshundra Jefferson, Chair-at-Large, Prince William County Board of County Supervisors (BOCS). "We're excited to welcome the Hepburn family to Innovation Park and the greater Nexus234 Innovation District."
The BOCS approved the land sale of the 1.25 acres of county-owned land along Discovery Boulevard next to NOVA LIVE in June 2026.
"Congratulations to Rick, Debby, Scott, Eric, and Samantha on embarking on this new chapter of their company,” said Tom Gordy, Brentsville District Supervisor. "We are proud to provide the freedom to imagine what's possible and the opportunity to help us shape this community for years to come."
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with Prince William County Department of Economic Development & Tourism (PWCDEDT) to secure the project for Virginia. In addition to a $400,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund, the state will support Hepburn’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which provides consultative services and funding to companies creating new jobs to support employee recruitment and training activities.
"In addition to creating 80 new jobs with this expansion, we are thrilled to introduce a 2,300 square foot conference center at our new facility,” said Hepburn. “This conference center will serve as a dynamic hub in Innovation Park, bringing together clients, customers, partners, and community members for meaningful collaboration, professional development, workshops, product launches, and local events. By providing a modern space for innovation-driven gatherings, business showcases, and community initiatives, the center will strengthen regional connections, spark new ideas, support local entrepreneurship, and contribute to the economic vitality of our community."
The headquarters building is expected to break ground in early 2027 and be completed by summer 2028 as part of Innovation Gateway, a multi-phase commercial and research campus planned for approximately 16.5 acres along Discovery Boulevard.
"We are so excited Hepburn and Sons are anchoring new Class A office space in Innovation Park,” said Christina Winn, Executive Director, PWCDEDT. "Their building is anchoring our first phase of the Innovation Gateway’s campus, which will feature opportunities for commercial tenants in government contracting unlike anything we’ve ever seen before."
Media Contact:
Laura Berry, Marketing & Communications Director
lmberry@pwcgov.org