APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2017
2017 MEDA Annual Conference
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What’s Working in Economic Development!
Traditional Economic Development dictates responsibilities for bringing together all the right components of business and government for successful implementation of projects that result in jobs and investment for Maryland. But outside the standard retention, expansion, and attraction methods are significant factors that come into play and contribute to successful results. Our conference will focus on a few of these innovative evolutionary ideas that impact What’s Working in Economic Development.
Keynote Speaker: Gray Swoope, President & CEO, VisionFirst Advisors
Click here to review the Winter Conference Meeting Minutes.
Review the 2017-2018 Slate of Officers.
When
Sun, Apr 30, 2017 @ 10:00 am - Tue, May 2, 2017 @ 2:00 pm
Where
Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay
100 Heron Blvd. at Route 50
Cambridge , MD 21613
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Conference Speakers
The 2017 MEDA Annual Conference Speakers
A recognized leader in economic development, Gray Swoope has served both the public and private sectors for more than three decades most recently as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce. He has held leadership roles for a variety of organizations, as well as managed successful economic development entities. His management style is described as focused and steadfast when it comes to solving problems and winning competitive projects. Swoope is also known for building highly effective teams noted for their ability to devise and implement strategic plans, and to get results. His expertise is international in scope, with a proven track record of successfully conducting business abroad.
Swoope served in Governor Rick Scott’s administration (2011-2015) as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce and President & CEO of its principal economic development organization, Enterprise Florida, Inc. Under his leadership, Enterprise Florida completed a record fiscal year in 2013-14, and increased competitive projects by 40%, resulting in 73% more new jobs and 95% more capital investment in the state than in 2011.
During Swoope’s tenure, Florida announced competitive project wins involving dozens of leading companies including Amazon, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Deutsche Bank, Embraer, GE, Hertz, Navy Federal Credit Union, Northrop Grumman, USAA, United Technology Corporation and Verizon. Since 2011 and in only 3 years, more than 728,000 private-sector jobs were added in Florida, surpassing Governor Scott’s goal of creating 700,000 private-sector jobs over 7 years.
Renée M. Winsky is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Leadership Maryland, a professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of the leaders throughout the state’s local businesses and communities. Each year, Leadership Maryland brings together a class of 52 local leaders selected from all sectors, industries, and geographic regions of Maryland to engage on the vital issues affecting the state and work to build solutions for real, actionable change. In this role she manages the day-to-day operations of the organization and facilitates the work of the Board of Directors. In accordance with the Corporation’s mission she plans and administers programs to develop leadership throughout the State. Prior to joining Leadership Maryland, Ms. Winsky served as the Executive Director of the Chesapeake Innovation Center, CEO of the Tech Council of Maryland, and as the President and Executive Director of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). She has held positions with the Information Technology Association of America (now TechAmerica), National League of Cities, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, Maryland Municipal League, and City of Greenbelt, Maryland. Ms. Winsky is also the president and founder of Bay One Group, LLC, a consulting firm that assists clients with a variety of subject matters, including economic development, entrepreneurship, government relations and advocacy, technology transfer and commercialization, university collaborations and partnering, and small business start-ups. Ms. Winsky is a member of the Maryland Commission on Service and Volunteerism, a Governor Larry Hogan appointment. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Economic Development Association and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee. She has served the Chesapeake Innovation Center, Maryland Association of CPAs, Maryland Business Incubation Association, Maryland Health Care Product Development Corporation, State Science and Technology Institute, UMBC Research Park Corporation, West County Chamber Government Contractor’s Guild, Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) and the Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Winsky is a graduate of the University of Maryland and a graduate of the Leadership Maryland Class of 2005.
Focusing on strategic planning and long-term goals, Scott Dorsey oversees relations with financial institutions, government agencies, economic development organizations and industry groups for Merritt Companies. He joined the Merritt in 1972. Scott is Chairman of the Board for the Maryland Economic Development Corporation and Maryland Business for Responsive Government, and sits on the Board and Executive Committee for the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, the Young Life-Urban Baltimore Board of Directors, M&T Bank Greater Baltimore/Washington Director’s Advisory Council, the Baltimore County Economic Development Commission, and the Board of Trustees for Junior Achievement of Central Maryland. In addition, he is a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University and an MBA from Loyola University in Maryland.
Bill Meagher is the current Chairman of The Greater Cumberland Committee, a business-based organization serving three states and five counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia on long-term projects of regional relevance in areas of economic development, transportation, education, energy and next generation leadership. He is currently focusing on several new iniatives specifically, a regional asset map from Morgantown WV to Cumberland MD, A Tri-State Addiction Symposium and Broadband to the underserved Appalachian Region.
Bill currently serves as a Board Member on the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and active member on the legislative committee. He is a Board Member of the Garrett County Economic Development Corporation and worked on the current Economic Development Plan. Bill is a founding member of the Oakland Revitalization Committee, which is helping bring businesses and economic development back to small town America. Bill is the past Chairman of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce where he served on various committees.
Since 1995 Bill has opened several businesses in Garrett County. Lakeside Creamery is a homemade ice cream shop and is Bill’s first business in Deep Creek Lake MD. He has also opened several other businesses such as The Copper Kettle Popcorn Factory a gourmet popcorn and chocolate shop, Funtime Water Sports that rents jet skis and pontoon boats, Deep Creek Donuts a made to order donut shop, Lakeside Commercial Properties which develops and manages commercial properties, Oakland Commercial Properties that restores and manages commercial buildings and Mountain Maryland Enterprises that develops residential homes.
Bill also teaches entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has also taught at the University of Maryland, University of Florida, Penn State and the University of Guelph. He has been a key note speaker at various trade organizations and trade shows. Bill is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. He is also a graduate of Leadership Maryland, class of 2011.
Carla A. Reid currently serves as General Manager and Chief Executive Officer for WSSC. She is the 12th General Manager and the first woman to serve in this capacity in the utility’s 98-year history.
Prior to re-joining the Commission, Reid served in positions for both Montgomery and Prince George’s County governments. She worked for Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker’s staff as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development and Public Infrastructure. In this position, Reid led all operations related to economic development including permitting, transportation, environmental matters and tourism. In 2007, she served as the Director of the Department of Permitting Service for Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett.
In 1986, Reid began her 20-year career at WSSC, ultimately serving as Deputy General Manager from 2005-2006. In addition to this role, Reid served as Chief of Mission Support, Chief of Customer Care, Meter Services Division Manager, Northern Meter Operations Section Head, Meter Maintenance Head, Field Operations Supervisor and Civil Engineer.
For seven years, Reid was an adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia, where an award was created in her name to recognize outstanding teaching on the UDC staff. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Howard University and a master’s degree in human resource management from the University of Maryland, University College. She is an active member of her community, having served on several boards for organizations such as DC Water, Melwood, Montgomery Alliance, the Prince George’s County Revenue Authority and Arts on the Block.
Marc Dubick, Principal/President, has over 30 years of experience as an institutional real estate investor and developer. Prior to Duball, Mr. Dubick served as Senior Vice President and shareholder of Lowe Enterprises, one of the country’s largest real estate pension fund advisors. Following 17 successful years at Lowe, Mr. Dubick formed Duball, LLC in 2004. He has been directly involved in the acquisition, investment, development or redevelopment of over 3.5 million square feet of commercial, retail and residential properties.
Mr. Dubick earned his J.D. from the Washington School of Law at American University, a BA in Economics from the University of Maryland, and graduated from the Gilman School in Baltimore. He has participated in the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers. He is a licensed real estate broker in Virginia, DC, and Maryland.
Alexander G. Núñez is Senior Vice President of Regulatory and External Affairs for BGE. Núñez oversees strategy and regulatory affairs, governmental and external relations, communications and marketing, BGE’s economic development work, community relationships, and relationships with the company’s large customers.
Professional History
Núñez previously served as the company’s Vice President of Governmental and External Affairs, where he was responsible for managing the company’s relationships with Maryland’s state and local elected and appointed officials, as well as with the various state and local government agencies. Prior to that role, he served as Director of State Affairs and as Senior Public Affairs Representative and Annapolis Counsel. Before joining the company in 2001, he worked for the Maryland General Assembly for several years, where he served as Committee Counsel to the Senate Finance Committee of Maryland.
Civic Involvement
Núñez contributes actively to several industry and community organizations. He serves on the Strategy Committee of the Institute for Electric Innovation. He has long represented the company in the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He is a founding member of the Greater Baltimore Committee’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He is past-president and remains a member of the Legislative Committee of the Maryland-D.C. Utilities Association.
Núñez serves currently on the boards of directors for Maryland Business Roundtable for Education and Audubon Maryland-DC. He also serves as an appointee on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board and the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs. Núñez is a graduate of the Leadership Maryland Class of 2005 and served on its board of directors for several years. He also served previously on the boards of directors for the Maryland Government Relations Association and the Utilities State Government Organization.
Education
Núñez received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctorate with honors from Valparaiso University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts of Maryland and in the United States Supreme Court.
Carol Gilbert is the Assistant Secretary and Director of the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The Neighborhood Revitalization Division implements state and federal grant and loan programs totaling more than $65 million annually for the revitalization of Maryland’s traditional and historic communities and for addressing the needs of vulnerable residents.
Before joining DHCD in the Spring of 2007, Ms. Gilbert was Program Officer at the Goldseker Foundation, specializing in community development grant making in Baltimore City. While at Goldseker, Ms. Gilbert was founding co-chair of the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition, a public-private partnership of more than fifty organizations working to prevent foreclosure and predatory lending practices.
In the 1990’s, Ms. Gilbert was executive director of the Neighborhood Design Center, a 40 year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to providing lower income communities with access to professional community design services. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Maryland College Park’s Graduate School of Architecture.
Allan H. Kittleman was elected Nov. 4, 2014 to serve as Howard County’s 9th County Executive. From 2004 to 2014, Kittleman had served in the Maryland General Assembly as the Senator representing District 9. From 1998 to 2004, Kittleman represented Council District 5 on the Howard County Council.
Kittleman was a partner with Herwig & Humphreys, LLP before serving as Of Counsel at Godwin, Erlandson, Vernon & Daney, where his practice concentrated on representing employers in worker’s compensation matters.
During his tenure in the Maryland General Assembly, Kittleman was known as a bipartisan, independent leader and tireless advocate for many legislative causes, including strengthening Maryland public schools, stimulating economic growth and increasing transparency in government. He demonstrated particular dedication to legislative matters involving civil rights, fairness and equity.
Improving the delivery of human services, closing the education gap and rebuilding aging infrastructure are among Kittleman’s top priorities as Howard County Executive. He has focused efforts on the revitalization of older communities, including the Long Reach and Oakland Mills village centers and sections of the Rt. 1 corridor. He is committed to open and transparent government, launching the county’s first open data portal and holding regular town hall meetings and roundtable discussions to gather public input on various issues.
Spurring economic development, encouraging businesses to expand or relocate to the County and maintaining a healthy tax base continue to be top priorities. Kittleman believes county government can provide top-notch services without burdening residents with unnecessary fees and tax increases, Howard County’s unemployment rate is among the lowest in the state and its commercial occupancy rates among the highest.
Kittleman is a Howard County native, who attended county schools, graduating from Atholton High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a J.D. with honors from the University of Maryland Law School.
He and his wife Robin live in West Friendship. They have four children – Haley, Mary, Robby and James.
William H. Cole is the president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), which serves as the economic development agency for the City of Baltimore. BDC’s mission is to retain and help expand existing businesses as well as attracting new opportunities, which will increase job opportunities and spur additional investment in city neighborhoods.
Prior to his appointment at BDC in 2014, Cole was the associate vice president of Institutional Advancement at the University of Baltimore. He was twice elected to the Baltimore City Council and represented its 11th district from 2007 to 2014. Cole also served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1999 to 2002 and was a special assistant to U.S. Representative Elijah E. Cummings from 1996 to 2003.
In addition to his BDC responsibilities, Cole is active on more than a dozen civic and non-profit boards. He is the chair of the Baltimore Hotel Corporation board, as well as a member of the boards of the Downtown Partnership, Waterfront Partnership, Visit Baltimore, the Central Baltimore Future Fund and the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore. He previously served as co-chair of the Baltimore Opportunity Collaborative, the regional plan for sustainable development.
Cole earned a B.A. in Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, and M.A. in Legal and Ethical Studies from the University of Baltimore.
A native Marylander, Cole has lived in Baltimore City for more than 30 years. He and his wife Michelle are the proud parents of three Baltimore City public school students.
President and CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Jeff Finkle is a recognized leader and authority on economic development. With the formation of IEDC in 2001 following the merger of the Council for Urban Economic Development (CUED) – where he was president for 15 years – and the American Economic Development Council (AEDC), Jeff set the course for a more effective and influential organization. Today IEDC is the world’s largest economic development membership organization and is a $5 million annual operation that is renowned for its leadership in professionalizing and diversifying the field of economic development.
Jeff previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and has received numerous awards over the years for his commitment to making sustainable economic development a priority in communities of all sizes. Significantly, in 2011 he was lauded by the U.S. Department of Commerce for his 25 years of stewardship over CUED and IEDC. Moreover, as a longtime leader in community service and philanthropy, in 2005 Jeff organized 250 economic development volunteers to work in Gulf Coast communities endeavoring to recover from Hurricane Katrina. In 1989 he also founded the Bollinger Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to children who have lost a parent who worked in the field of economic development.
A frequent lecturer and author of numerous articles, Jeff has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, Fox television and the Journal Report on PBS. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications in 1976 from Ohio University in Athens and pursued graduate studies in business administration at Ohio State University. He maintains a strong connection with Ohio University’s Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Affairs.
Sean Looney is Vice President, State Government Affairs for Comcast NBCUniversal. He represents the nation’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services before the General Assembly, Governor’s Office and state agencies in Maryland and Delaware. Sean joined Comcast in December, 2003 after retiring from a 19-year career at Verizon, Bell Atlantic and New Jersey Bell. He has served as the Treasurer of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW), and on the Board of Directors and Legislative Committee of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Sean has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, where he also was Chair of Maryland Hall’s Arts Alive Gala for several years He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leadership Maryland (LMD), and graduated from LMD’s Class of 1996. He has also served as President of the Maryland Government Relations Association (MGRA), on the Advisory Committee for Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG), President of the Board of Directors for the Maryland Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), President of the Smithsonian Institution’s Young Benefactors, and on the Catholic Charities of Baltimore Development Committee. He has done volunteer work for various organizations in the area since moving to MD in 1990, including the Travis Manion Foundation, Annapolis Lighthouse Shelter and St. Anne’s Infant and Maternity Home in Washington, DC. Sean was honored with the 2008 CASA Light for Children Award and was Leadership Maryland’s State Leader of the Year in 2003. He lives with his wife and two children in Annapolis, MD and Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ. Sean received a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Dr. James D. Fielder, Jr. is a highly regarded executive and public servant with a passion for leading change, focused on improving the economic well-being of Marylanders through educational and business opportunity.
He has served four Maryland governors, lending his talents and expertise in numerous leadership capacities. Some of these include his current position as: Secretary of Higher Education; Secretary of Appointments for Governor Hogan; Secretary of Labor, Licensing, and Regulations; Acting Secretary for Business and Economic Development; Member of Governor-elect Hogan’s Transition Team.
He also served as Towson University’s Vice President of Finance and Administration.
Secretary Fielder received his Ph.D. at Michigan State University in Higher Education, and his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Secretary Mike Gill is a business leader with four decades of experience as an entrepreneur, a technology executive, an investment banker, and a public servant. He was tapped by Governor Larry Hogan to lead the Maryland Department of Commerce (formerly the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development) in January 2015. Prior to his appointment, Mike Gill led Evergreen Advisors, an investment bank, as chairman and principal. Previously, Gill founded Hoyt Capital, an investment and advisory firm serving startups and growth companies. Mr. Gill was also a founder of First Page, which was acquired by Metrocall; served as chairman of Curtis Engine, a Baltimore power generator company; and was chairman of Bluefire Security Technologies, a mobile cybersecurity developer, from 2006 to 2008. In 1984, Gill founded AMERICOM, a Baltimore-based provider of cellular products and services to businesses in the area. Under Gill’s leadership, AMERICOM expanded nationwide with more than 1,200 team members. In 2000, it was acquired by Solectron. He started his career with IBM and held a number of positions in sales and marketing. He then became Director of Data Systems in the mid-Atlantic region for Ernst & Young.
Secretary of the Environment since January 21, 2015. Member, Governor’s Executive Council, 2015-; BayStat Subcabinet, 2015-; Governor’s Council on the Chesapeake Bay (Governor’s Chesapeake Bay Cabinet), 2015 Governor’s Subcabinet for International Affairs, 2015-; Smart Growth Subcabinet, 2015-. Chair, Asbestos Oversight Committee, 2015-. Vice-Chair, State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, 2015-. Member, Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture, 2015-; Animal Waste Technology Fund Advisory Committee, 2015-; Appalachian States Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, 2015-; Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, 2015-; Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee, 2015-; Climate Change Commission, 2015-; Chesapeake Bay Trust, 2015-; Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2015-; Coast Smart Council, 2015-; Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, 2015-; Executive Committee for Dredged Material Management Plans, 2015-; Maryland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council, 2015-; Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, 2015-; Maryland Green Building Council, 2015-; Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, 2015-; Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness, 2015-; Maryland Integrated Map Executive Committee, 2015-; Maryland Military Installation Council, 2015-; Interdepartmental Advisory Committee for Minority Affairs, 2015-; Task Force to Study the Impact of Ocean Acidification on State Waters, 2015-; Council on Open Data, 2015-; Ozone Transport Commission, 2015-; Pesticide Advisory Committee, 2015-; Maryland Pesticide Reporting and Information Work Group, 2015-; Renewable Fuels Incentive Board, 2015-; Scenic and Wild Rivers Review Board, 2015-; State Soil Conservation Committee, 2015-; Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 2015-; Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission, 2015-; Invasive Plants Advisory Committee, 2015-. Counsel, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, 2000-02 (environmental counsel & staff director to committees of U.S. House of Representatives, including science committee, 1985-2000). Assistant Administrator for Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2004-08 (deputy assistant administrator, 2002-04). Director, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, 2009-10. Born in Kentucky. Wake Forest University, B.A. (english); Emory University Law School, J.D.; George Washington University School of Law, LL.M. (environmental law). President, U.S. Water Alliance, 2010-15.
Herb Jordan was appointed by Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan as Deputy Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs. GOMA is the principal advocate for small business and the more than 200,000 women and minority owned businesses in Maryland.
Throughout Mr. Jordan’s prior management and information technology (IT) career, he has leveraged emerging technologies to provide solutions to tough problems for clients ranging from individual contributors to CEOs. Beyond technology, Herb has solid track record as a startup-specialist with skills in planning, business development, culture change, and management.
Mr. Jordan has over 20+ years of experience in management, information technology and business process improvement. He has previously worked for General Electric (GE), Maryland National Bank, Aon Consulting, MYCOM.com and USF&G Insurance. He has served the Maryland community thorough his work on the boards of the Minority Supplier Development Council, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Hawk Corporation, Baltimore City College PTSA and the Boy’s Hope Girl’s Hope of Baltimore City. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Maryland class of 2005.
Mr. Jordan was born and raised in Maryland. Mr. Jordan earned a B.S. degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is married and has two daughters.
Roy McGrath was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan in December 2016 to lead the Maryland Environmental Service – an independent, self-supporting state agency that protects and enhances Maryland’s environment by providing innovative operational and technical services. Mr. McGrath was confirmed to the position unanimously by the Maryland Senate in February 2017. He serves as Director and Chief Executive Officer of the 850 employee, $160M agency, and as Chairman of the nine-member Board of Directors. MES is a unique, not-for-profit public corporation that combines the public sector’s commitment to environmental protection with the private sector’s flexibility and responsiveness.
Previously, Mr. McGrath was a member of Governor-elect Hogan’s Transition Team and then served as the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff from 2014-2016, focusing on state business and economic issues. Prior to this role, he spent 18 years with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, a leading retail trade group, most recently as Vice President of Business Development. He also worked for the U.S. Government, including on the staff of former Maryland Congressman Wayne T. Gilchrest.
Mr. McGrath serves in the Governor’s Cabinet, is an ex-officio member of the Chesapeake Bay Cabinet, the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, is a member of the State’s Housing Finance Review Committee, and is an incoming member of the University of Maryland, College Park, School of Behavioral and Social Sciences Board of Visitors. He is a graduate of the University with a B.A. in Government & Politics and Economics, and is a lifelong Marylander.
Kenneth C. Holt was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development on March 11, 2015. Mr. Holt’s distinguished career makes him well-qualified to direct one of the most successful and innovative state housing finance agencies in the country.
As a past member of the Baltimore County Master Plan Advisory Committee and a past president of his neighborhood civic association, he gained on-the-ground experience with neighborhood revitalization, development and housing issues. His experience as a past member of the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission gives him a strong foundation in issues of fairness and housing equity. And his 25 years high level experience in the financial market gives him a thorough understanding of bond markets and how they work.
Mr. Holt comes to DHCD after serving as chairman and chief financial officer of Traitify, a software development firm that was recognized by Maryland’s Technology Development Corp. as the “most innovative” start-up company of 2013. Before that, he enjoyed a 25-year career at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Baltimore, where he has served as Branch Manager, Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Vice President.
As a member of the Maryland General Assembly (1995-1999), Mr. Holt served on the House Appropriations Committee and on the subcommittee on education and economic development.
Mr. Holt received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland College Park. He and his wife Mary E. Holt operate a family farm in Kingsville, Md. The couple have two children.
Special Secretary of Maryland Smart Growth
James F. Ports, Jr., was named Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in January 2022, the culmination of a career in public service spanning more than 30 years, including transportation posts at the local, state and federal levels and service as an elected representative in the Maryland General Assembly.
As Secretary, Mr. Ports oversees MDOT’s six transportation agencies – the State Highway Administration, Maryland Transit Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, Maryland Aviation Administration, Maryland Port Administration and the Maryland Transportation Authority – and leads operations and maintenance of state highways and bridges, tollways, transit systems, motor vehicle licensing, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore. Secretary Ports also serves as Chair of the Maryland Transportation Authority Board, the Maryland Port Commission and the Maryland Aviation Commission, and is a member of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors.
Secretary Ports previously served as Executive Director of the Maryland Transportation Authority, responsible for constructing, managing, operating and improving the state’s toll facilities, as well as financing new revenue producing transportation projects. The agency operates two turnpikes, two tunnels and four bridges, and is funded through tolls paid by the customers. Mr. Ports’ tenure at the MDTA was highlighted by advancement of critical infrastructure and completion of projects on budget and often ahead of schedule. Projects completed early include the new Interstate-895 bridge in Baltimore, statewide conversion to All-Electronic Tolling and replacement of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge westbound right lane deck, which was accomplished in one construction season instead of two seasons as initially projected. Under Mr. Ports’ leadership, the MDTA completed planning and began construction of the I-95 Express Toll Lane Extension in Harford County, launched construction of the new Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge in Charles County, began a project to install a new gating system on the Bay Bridge to improve safety and traffic flow and advanced the Bay Crossing Study in its Tier 1 National Environmental Policy Act review.
Prior to the MDTA, Mr. Ports served as MDOT Deputy Secretary of Operations, working closely with all six department agencies. It was his second stint as a Deputy Secretary, having served in that capacity from 2004 to 2007 during the administration of Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Mr. Ports’ extensive experience in multi-modal transportation and highway safety includes service as administrator and chief executive officer for Harford County Transit from mid-2009 to 2015. In this capacity, he was responsible for safe, effective and efficient operation and regulatory oversight of Harford County’s transit service including fixed bus routes and demand response service for the elderly and persons with special needs.
Prior to Harford County Transit, Mr. Ports served the U.S. Department of Transportation as deputy administrator (chief operating officer) for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2007 to 2009. He was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation with confirmation by President George W. Bush. As deputy administrator, he managed the day-to-day operations of the agency and oversaw its 10 Regional Offices across the nation. As the second highest ranking highway safety official in the nation, he was recognized as a national and international leader in vehicle, behavioral and roadway safety.
From 1991 to 2002, Mr. Ports served in the Maryland General Assembly as a member of the House of Delegates. He was ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee and served on numerous House-Senate joint committees and subcommittees, including the House Subcommittees on Transportation, Education and Taxes. He was elected by his peers to serve as the Minority Whip.
While in the House of Delegates and prior to his first appointment to MDOT, Mr. Ports was employed by the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. During his 21-year career, he rose through the ranks and held various positions including supervisor of the Industrial and Commercial Gas Field Operations.
Mr. Ports grew up in Baltimore County, graduated from Perry Hall Senior High School and earned an Associate of Arts in Business Management and Administration from Essex Community College. He also attended the Program for Emerging Political and Business Leaders at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in 1993, as well as a program at the Flemming Fellows Leadership Institute in 1997 and Executive Leadership Training at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government in 2006.
Mr. Ports served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Sergeant (E5) and was a Crew Chief on a CH-46 Helicopter. He is a life member of the VFW and the Marine Corps League and is a Disabled American Veteran. Throughout his life, he has served in many capacities for the benefit of his nation, state and community. Mr. Ports is an avid soccer fan. He and his wife Linda have enjoyed coaching and watching their three children, Chris, Jon and Kelsey, play various sports.
Kelly M. Schulz brings a wealth of knowledge to the Maryland Department of Commerce from her years of experience working in the government, in the private sector and as a small business owner. She had previously served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) since her confirmation in February 2015 and is also a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates.
At DLLR, she was responsible for managing an agency with nearly 2,000 employees and an operating budget of more than $375 million. Under her leadership, Maryland’s apprenticeship program grew to its highest level since 2008, with more than 10,000 apprentices statewide. DLLR’s Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland program received national recognition for both innovation and effectiveness and was named one of the Top 25 programs in the 2018 Innovations in American Government Award competition.
A former member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing Frederick County, she served on the Economic Matters Committee from 2011- 2015. In addition to local issues, then Delegate Schulz took special interest in legislation relating to banks and other financial institutions, business, occupations and professions, economic development, labor and employment, unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation.
Prior to embarking on a career of public service, Secretary Schulz sold real estate, worked as a program manager for a defense contractor and was a part-owner of a cyber security firm. She has received several awards including the Outstanding Recent Alumna Award from Hood College in 2011, and is proud to participate as a member in many local community organizations including the Libertytown-Unionville Lions Club and the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company. Kelly is also a past Board member of the Frederick County Habitat for Humanity.
Secretary Schulz obtained her Associates degree from Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York and later obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.
A native of Warren, Michigan, Kelly currently lives in Frederick County, Maryland with her husband John Nowell and has two sons, Brandon and Bradley.
Anirban is Chairman & CEO of Sage, an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore, Maryland that he founded in 2006. Mr. Basu is among the most recognizable economists, in part because of his consulting work on behalf of numerous clients, including prominent developers, bankers, brokerage houses, energy suppliers, law firms and business associations.
Mr. Basu has written several high-profile economic development strategies on behalf of government agencies and non-profit organizations, including co-authoring economic development strategies for Baltimore City and Baltimore County, Maryland. Among other things, Anirban serves as the chief economist to Associated Builders and Contractors (national) and as chief economic advisor to the Construction Financial Management Association.
In recent years, he has also focused upon health economics, the economics of education and economic development. He currently lectures at Johns Hopkins University in global strategy.
In 2007 and then again in 2016, Mr. Basu was selected by the Daily Record newspaper as one of Maryland’s 50 most influential people. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010.
Over time, Mr. Basu has had occasion to serve on many boards, including the boards of First Mariner Bank, the Baltimore School for the Arts, the Baltimore City Public School System, and Union Memorial Hospital. He is presently chairman of the Maryland Economic Development Commission and the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee. He was recently appointed to the University System of Maryland Foundation Board and is also on the Board of the Archdiocese of Baltimore School System and the Lyric Opera House.
Mr. Basu earned his B.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1990. He earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Master’s in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. His Juris Doctor was earned at the University of Maryland School of Law in 2003. His doctoral work in health economics has taken place at UMBC.
Shannon Landwehr is the President & CEO of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, a regional economic development organization, supporting Baltimore City and the six surrounding counties. Shannon was previously the Executive Vice President and led the EAGB’s location strategy efforts, the primary focus of which is corporate and small-to-medium business education in the Baltimore region, particularly as it pertains to location and workforce strategy decisions. Shannon also focuses on regional talent, workforce recruitment, understanding the needs of Baltimore’s regional businesses, and working with them in partnership to identify areas of opportunity. She is also Executive Director of the EAGB Foundation. Prior to joining the Economic Alliance Shannon was an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley and served as the Baltimore General Manager, and a Global Client Relationship Manager in Morgan Stanley’s Workforce Strategy Division. As General Manager, she advanced the Firm’s workforce and outsourcing strategy, and led the operational infrastructure for 1,100 employees in Operations, Finance, Legal & Compliance, Human Resources, Corporate Services and Technology & Data. As a Client Relationship Manager, Shannon was responsible for providing advisory services to internal business units regarding their global workforce strategy and outsourcing regulatory requirements, and overseeing the execution of their transition plans. She managed several clients, including Research, Sales & Trading, Bank Resource Management and Legal & Compliance. In her tenure at Morgan Stanley Shannon also served as the Baltimore Chief Operating Officer. Shannon has over 15 years of experience in finance, non-profits, marketing and consulting. Before joining Morgan Stanley, Shannon was the Chief Operating Officer at the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, where she also served as the Director of Marketing and Research. She has held other positions with TischlerBise, Mercer (Marsh & McLennan) Consulting, WorldCom and Commercial Real Estate firms. Shannon earned her Master of Arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Finance from the University of Arizona, Eller College of Management. Shannon serves on the boards of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, and Regional Manufacturing Institute (RMI) of Maryland. She has been selected to participate in Leadership Maryland’s Class of 2017. Shannon is also actively involved in various community initiatives throughout the Greater Baltimore and Mid-Atlantic regions with a focus on programs impacting children and animals. She currently resides in Baltimore City, Maryland.
Amy Bonitz leads the non-profit BARCO whose mission is to provide affordable and sustainable facilities for Baltimore’s growing community of artists, designers, creative ventures, performers, and nonprofit arts organizations. BARCO acquires, develops, leases, and manages properties that enable creative individuals and small businesses to thrive. BARCO recently completed the redevelopment of the Motor House, a $6 million multi-purpose arts hub and Open Works, an $11.5 million maker space in Baltimore’s Station North Arts & Entertainment District. Amy is also providing technical assistance to several artist-led projects as part of the Mayor’s Safe Artist Space Task Force. Prior to joining BARCO Amy led her own consulting firm that specialized in mixed-use and neighborhood development including the $18 million Centre Theater project in Station North. She also worked with the University of Maryland BioPark and the Southwest Partnership on a multi-year neighborhood planning process that led to the creation of a new organization to revitalize seven neighborhoods near the BioPark.
Donna F. Dodson is the Associate Director Chief Cyber Security Advisor of the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) and the Chief Cybersecurity Advisor for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). She is also the Director of NIST’s National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE). Donna oversees ITL’s cyber security program to conduct research, development and outreach necessary to provide standards, guidelines, tools, metrics and practices to protect the information and communication infrastructure. Under her leadership, ITL collaborates with industry, academia and other government agencies in research areas such as security management and assurance, cryptography and systems security, identity management, security automation, secure system and component configuration, test validation and measurement of security properties of products and systems, security awareness and outreach and emerging security technologies. In addition, Donna guides ITL programs to support both national and international security standards activities. She recently led the establishment of the NIST NCCoE. Through partnerships with state, local and industry, the NCCoE collaborates with industry sectors to accelerate the widespread adoption of standards-based cyber security tools and technologies. Donna’s research interests include applied cryptography, key management, authentication and security testing. She has led technical teams to produce standards, guidelines and tools in each of these areas. Donna received two Department of Commerce Gold Medals and three NIST Bronze Medals. She was a Fed 100 Award winner for her innovations in cybersecurity and in 2011 was included in the top 10 influential people in government information security. Recently, FedScoop recognized Donna as one of DC’s Top 50 Women in Tech.
Beth was born and raised in Baltimore County and attended Catonsville High School. She completed her bachelors of arts in Political Science at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. She has been in the hospitality industry for over 30 years. In 2005 she founded the Chesapeake Culinary Center. The center’s focus is on job training, youth education and economic development for the area. In partnership with the Caroline County Public Schools, Town of Denton, Caroline County Government and other organizations for programming and the rehabilitation of the original high school for Caroline County built in 1901. The old building has been retrofitted with classrooms, training kitchens, and retail store featuring local products. The building lends itself to be a community kitchen incubator for farmers to create added value products, and promote small food based businesses entrepreneurship. The building also houses the Caroline Career and Technology Centers culinary arts class allowing high school students to gain a job skill. There are many programs at the center to benefit all members of the community.
Dr. Evan Malone holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics from the University of Pennsylvania, and Master of Engineering, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in mechanical and systems engineering from Cornell University. His research activities have spanned autonomous mobile robotics and 3D printing of electromechanical devices and biological materials.
Evan has worked on the conceptual design of particle accelerators at the US Department of Energy’s Fermilab high-energy physics laboratory.
He is founder and president of NextFab, a for-profit social enterprise which develops and operates a network of makerspaces which provides direct access to advanced manufacturing technology, technical training, product development services, and business acceleration and incubation services.
Through his NextFab Foundation, and its ROW3D program, Evan supports humanitarian, educational, and economic development applications of technology, including the development of makerspaces to serve domestic and refugee populations in conflict zones and frontline states.
Evan and spouse, archaeologist Jill Weber, own Jet Wine Bar, Rex 1516, and Café Ynez restaurants in Philadelphia. Evan is also a partner in Drive Passion PC Services, a cybercafé and office services company in the developing community of Mahube Valley, Gauteng, South Africa.
Kiesha Haughton is currently the Managing Director of the Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) an SBA certified women’s business center that provides business training and counseling services to women-owned enterprises, enabling them to start, sustain, and achieve scalable growth. Prior to heading up the MWBC, Kiesha gained over 15 years of non-profit and entrepreneurship experience in providing economic development solutions to small businesses, NGOs, and government agencies. She is also the business owner of Abeja International, LLC which focuses on providing management consulting and training services that assist in improving economic development opportunities for small businesses overseas. As the Director for the Central Region of the Maryland Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) Network, she was responsible for the business management and training services provided to small- and medium-sized companies in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Howard, and Anne Arundel Counties. Under her leadership, the Central Region succeeded in becoming one of the top performing regions in the State, which has led to national recognition and a number of awards.
Prior to her accepting the role of Regional Director, Kiesha’s range of services spanned every aspect of starting, operating, and expanding the companies of small business owners. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean and has done international development work with CARE Corps Peru.
Her educational background includes various business training certifications, an MBA from the University of Maryland with a concentration in international business, an MA in Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration from the University of Denver, and a BA in Government & Politics and German from the University of Maryland. A Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) through the NASBITE International Certification Program and an active member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Kiesha is a member of a number of boards and currently lives in Montgomery County.
Sharon R. Pinder is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC). — a non-profit corporation whose mission is to link corporations and government agencies with competitively viable Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs). A renowned expert in entrepreneurial diversity and inclusion, Pinder has transformed the landscape for minority and women owned businesses, leveling the playing field and creating increased opportunities for these businesses to succeed.
Pinder is best known as Maryland’s first appointed Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs and for her work as the architect of Maryland’s minority and small business reform movement. During her first three years in this position, the number of contracts awarded to Maryland’s women and minority businesses increased from 15% to 22% and payments to them increased by $1 billion. She was also responsible for the creation of the Small Business Reserve Program – the country’s first state level set aside for small businesses. Her work has served at a model for other states.
At CRMSDC, Pinder continues to bring change and innovation. In the first 18 months of her tenure, CRMSDC won $4 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency for a new MBDA Business Center, Capital Region, and the nation’s only Federal Procurement Center solely dedicated to helping MBEs obtain federal contracts. She also has implemented several signature programs significantly enhancing services to both corporate members and MBE suppliers.
Prior to taking the helm at CRMSDC, Pinder served as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development (MWBD) for the City of Baltimore. As a member of the Mayor’s cabinet, Ms. Pinder was responsible for the management of the City’s minority and women business programs.
Appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, Mr. Campos serves as Assistant Secretary for Project C.O.R.E (Creating Opportunities for Renewal & Enterprise) and small business development…an economic and revitalization initiative to eliminate blight in Baltimore City, expand business and community growth, provide new green space, affordable housing, mixed- use development, encourage investment through attractive financing and other incentives, generate jobs and strengthen the partnership between Baltimore and the State of Maryland. Prior thereto, Mr. Campos was appointed by the Governor as Maryland’s first Business Ombudsman responsible for investigating and resolving complaints, issues or problems between businesses, economic development organizations, communities and federal, state, and local agencies; and overseeing and administering Maryland’s customer service standards.
Mr. Campos is the Founder, Chairman and past President & CEO of the Minority Business RoundTable (MBRT), the first national organization for CEOs of the nation’s leading Hispanic American, African American, Asian American and Native American-owned businesses. MBRT provides a national forum for the 6 million CEOs of large and small, minority, veteran, HUBZone and women-owned businesses to address public policy issues; and serves as a unique resource on business issues including federal procurement, contracting, access to capital and coaching CEO’s on how to do business with large corporations, federal and state governments.
Prior to serving 15 years as President & CEO of MBRT, Mr. Campos was Vice President of Government Relations for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities where he served as chief executive managing Washington, D.C. operations including overseeing the nationally recognized internship program that has educated more than 6,000 interns. He has a distinguished public service career having served four years in the White House, Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget setting up Presidential Commissions, Councils and reorganizations of federal programs; Special Assistant to the first Secretary of Energy; Served as Special Consultant to the Administrator, Small Business Administration where he drafted the standard operating procedures for the U.S. federal government’s 8(a) minority business program; and served in the Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also served on the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Small Business Administration and National Small Business Advisory Council of the Department of Energy. He is widely recognized as a national business leader on small business, supplier diversity, access to contracts and capital with federal, state, and local governments.
Mr. Campos holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the United States International University, California Western School of Law (San Diego, CA) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Tammi Thomas serves as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). In this role, she is responsible for the development of TEDCO’s marketing, public relations and communications strategy and will contribute to TEDCO’s organizational strategic operations.
Ms. Thomas, a seasoned administrator, has extensive managerial experience in the higher education sector and possesses a record of success in jump-starting initiatives and helping them flourish. With more than 25 years of experience in the marketing and public relations fields, she has served as advisor and consultant to senior-level executives in industry, government and academia; developed and executed comprehensive strategic, marketing and communications plans; coordinated and managed internal and external partnerships and initiatives; and facilitated large scale panels, workshops, and discussions involving a variety of executive and managerial-level individuals in the technology, government, and higher education communities.
Previously, Ms. Thomas served as chief of staff to the president at Bowie State University. She provided strategic leadership and support for the president’s initiatives and priorities. Prior to this position, she served as vice president of strategic management for Data Solutions & Technology Incorporated (DST). The company, headquartered in Lanham, Md., provides a full spectrum of professional services in information technology, logistics and operations, management, and scientific and technology support. Before DST, Ms. Thomas served as the director of University Relations and Marketing at Bowie State University for more than three years. She was also director of Business Development and Marketing at the University of Maryland Baltimore County’s Research Park and Business Incubator, where she served for eight years. She has taught marketing and communications courses at Bowie State and the University of Baltimore as an adjunct professor.
Ms. Thomas earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Alabama State University and a Master of Business Administration degree in International Marketing from the University of Baltimore. She is a contributor to A Practical Guide to Business Incubator Marketing (NBIA Publications, 2007) and a guest editor of Bowie State University’s Undergraduate Journal of Research and Writing Across the Curriculum (Bowie State University, 2013).
Chris Moyer was appointed Director of Cecil County’s Office of Economic Development in December 2016. Chris has over a decade of proven performance in economic development, having served as Director of Business Development for the Baltimore Development Corporation. In Chris’ time there, his projects exceeded $2 billion in value and resulted in approximately 11,000 jobs for Baltimore City’s economy. Chris also has ten years of demonstrated success in business management and finance roles in the IT and financial services industries. Chris holds an MBA in Marketing from Loyola University Maryland and a B.S. in Finance from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland.
Aaron Kraus has more than ten years of experience in the energy policy and markets space. Prior to Greenworks Lending, he was a Director of Policy and Electricity Markets for SolarCity, one of the largest solar and energy storage developers in North America. He led national policy activities for the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) segment of the market. He focused on legislative and regulatory activities while building broad coalitions of partners and stakeholders. In addition to federal, state and local government affairs matters, he worked on project diligence and market development.
Earlier in his career, he was a member of the energy practice of Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked on third-party financing mechanisms for renewable and energy efficiency projects, natural gas procurement, and energy-related legislative and budget matters for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Aaron received his graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland.
