The Board of Directors of the Annapolis Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) has named Lara L. Fritts as its President and Chief Executive Officer. Fritts is currently the Director of Economic Development for the city of Cudahy, Wisconsin. She is expected to assume her new position in Annapolis in January 2011.

As Cudahy's chief economic developer, Fritts negotiated development agreements expected to result in $66.3 million worth of new development in the city. In a one-year period, she met and followed up with over 180 prospects, resulting in six new businesses and 12 retained businesses. She also created and implemented an expedited development process for all proposed construction projects in the city.

Previously, Fritts was executive director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation in Alexandria, Virginia; President of the Washington, D.C. Technology Council; and Director of Membership of the Technology Council of Maryland. She also served as President and Executive Director and was involved in the creation of the Greater Rockville Partnership, now known as Rockville Economic Development, Inc.

"We are very pleased to have someone of the caliber of Lara Fritts as the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the Annapolis Economic Development Corporation," said Midgett S. Parker, Jr., Chair of the AEDC Board of Directors. "Her involvement in the successful start-up of the economic development corporation in Rockville was critical to her selection."

Fritts will be welcomed to Annapolis at the AEDC's launch celebration and fundraiser on Thursday, December 2 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. For information, or to purchase $50 tickets to the event, e-mail AnnapolisEDC@gmail.com.

Four new members and three ex-officio members also have been named to the AEDC Board. The new members include:

• Stewart Cohen, owner and proprietor of Peppers in downtown Annapolis, who has been involved with retailing for more than 45 years. Since 1996, he has operated Navygear.com. In 2004, Navy Gear/Peppers became the official Team Gear website and store for the U.S. Naval Academy athletic department. Since 1990, Mr. Cohen has owned Joe Blow T's, one of the main suppliers of screened-printed apparel to many of the country's largest retailers.
• Richard Franyo, proprietor of the Boatyard Bar & Grille in Eastport. Mr. Franyo spent 30 years as an investment banker and managing director with Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown and serves on a number of local boards and committees focusing on the environment, business development and community issues.
• Cardie Templeton, co-owner of 222 Severn and W&P Nautical, a 3.5-acre commercial mixed-use office complex and marina in Eastport, which houses approximately 60 tenants. Ms. Templeton is in charge of the daily management of the property, including community relations, property maintenance and repair, financial strategy and management, legal matters, and employee management.
• Chuck Walsh, former Chair of the Mayor's Economic Development Idea Transition Team. Mr. Walsh is an attorney and was a founding partner of Fleischman & Walsh for nearly 30 years. He is involved in real estate development in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

The three new ex-officio members are:

• Bob Burdon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.
• Connie Del Signore, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau.
• Michael D. Mallinoff, City Manager, City of Annapolis.

They join the founding nominees of the AEDC Board, who were named in July by Mayor Josh Cohen and the City Council: Chair Midgett Parker, and members Chip DiPaula, Reza Jafari and Mike Lofton.