Board of Directors
The MEDA Board of Directors stands with the nation in condemning racism and injustice. We stand with our black communities throughout Maryland who are seeking true change that results in both equality and unity for each and every one of us.
MEDA truly believes in transforming lives by creating opportunities, inspiring innovation, and enriching communities. As an organization, we are committed to using our platform and our voices to influence change through education, understanding, and open honest dialogue. We support our colleagues who have suffered long enough while many remained silent.
As members of the economic development community, we find ourselves in a unique position to enact positive change in our state. As a profession, we are often in a front-line position to confront challenges that arise in our community, and we intend to give this challenge of racial injustice our most diligent and heartfelt attention. We will work toward meaningful change to promote equality, unity, and inclusive economic development for the future through our actions and not just with our words. We encourage all our members to commit to doing the same and work with us to bring about that change.
We’re Proud To Present
The 2020-2021 MEDA Board of Directors
Heather Gramm joined the Maryland Department of Commerce as Senior Director of Strategic Industries and Entrepreneurship in June 2019. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of the state’s efforts to grow the strategic industries of biohealth and life sciences, cybersecurity and aerospace, manufacturing, energy and agriculture. In addition, she oversees Commerce’s strategic initiatives for entrepreneurship, small business, and workforce development.
Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Director for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development overseeing the county’s business development efforts, including business attraction, retention and expansion, small and minority business development strategies, as well as industry-sector development in the county’s targeted sectors.
Heather has more than 17 years of experience in municipal, county and state economic development in a variety of roles including business development, community development and downtown revitalization. She earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Hood College and the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification through IEDC. She serves as President of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Board of Directors.
Danny graduated from Crisfield High School, received an Associate Degree in Accounting from Wor-Wic Community College and Business Administration at Salisbury University.
Danny is the current Executive Director for the Somerset County Economic Development Commission for the past 13 years. His position entitles him to focus on the retention and expansion of existing employers and the recruitment of new businesses to assist in the economic growth of Somerset County. He was previously employed with the State of Maryland in the Department of Labor, Licensing, & Regulation Agency for 12 years and formerly worked at the Carvel Hall Plant in Crisfield as Human Resources Manager, Time & Motion Study Observer for 10 years until its closing. He also owned & operated the Circle Inn Restaurant in Crisfield for 10 years.
Danny serves as the Secretary on the Executive Board for the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and on the Board of Directors for the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance. He was the Past-Chairman of the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce and was formerly a councilperson for 8 years with the City of Crisfield. He is also active as a High School Sports official in soccer & basketball.
Danny was raised in Fruitland, Maryland until 1975 then later moved to Crisfield, Maryland. He moved to the Princess Anne area in 2008. He is married to his wife, Cheryl who is a private music teacher, has a son Keith who graduated from University of Maryland College Park majoring in Electrical Engineering, and has two grandchildren Daniel Ryon, and Kaiden Nickolas. He enjoys all types of sports, cooking, playing trumpet in church, & spending time with his family.
Mr. Griffin has served as Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick, Maryland since 2002. An urban planner and economic developer with 25 years of experience, Richard has worked at the city, county, and regional level in Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Washington.
During his tenure in Frederick he has overseen several million in public and private revitalization including the design and development of award-winning Carroll Creek Park and million’s in renovations and new infill development delivering jobs tax base in downtown.
His previous assignments include serving as the executive director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership, Program Manager of Comprehensive Planning for Loudoun County, Virginia and Senior Regional Planner for the Appalachian Council of Governments , and on the district staff of US Representative James McClure Clarke (11th NC)..
Mr. Griffin holds degrees from Western Carolina University and Clemson University. He serves on the Board for the Downtown Frederick Partnership, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. and others.
In his current role as Vice President of Financial Services for the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, Steve is responsible for managing the, Arundel Community Reinvestment Fund, Anne Arundel Incentive Fund, the Next Stage Fund and the VOLT Fund. Steve is responsible for managing financial services staff and developing the protocols and processes used to manage the flow of applications for all of the corporation’s lending programs, from origination and underwriting to the closing and servicing of loans. Steve oversees a portfolio of approximately 100 small business loans totaling approximately $7 million.
Steve has more than a decade of finance and lending experience. Prior to arriving at AAEDC, he served as Vice President of Private Business Banking for BankAnnapolis. Previous to that, he was at the Harbor Bank of Maryland for four years as Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer.
Steve holds an MBA and a bachelors degree in marketing, both from Frostburg State University.
Steve has served on the Board of several non-profit organizations including the Maryland Economic Development Association Foundation, Arundel Child Care Connections, and the Maryland Commercial Lenders Lending Association. He is currently the Treasurer of the Maryland Economic Development Association.
Kimberly A. “Kim” Clark
Kim Clark is the Executive Vice President of the City of Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC). In her capacity as EVP she oversees neighborhood development, downtown development, capital budgeting, commercial revitalization, and urban design and planning.
Among her achievements at BDC, Kim helped structure public private partnership financing for several major redevelopment projects, including several Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects; the redevelopment of Belvedere Square, all parcels at Inner Harbor East, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS) for several major developments, including the Westside and the several grocery store projects. She was instrumental in retaining several businesses of all sizes and assisted smaller businesses with expansions and in the development of the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore.
Kim is the Secretary of the Maryland Economic Development Association, Treasurer of the Urban Land Institute Baltimore Council, Board member and Committee Chair of the Star Spangled Flag House, Board member of the Emerging Technology Centers, Leadership Maryland and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts and is a member of the International Economic Development Council. Kim graduated Leadership MD in 2009 and is a Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Class of 2007 graduate.
N. Gordon Knox focuses his practice on complex commercial, real estate and corporate transactions. He handles all aspects of tax-exempt financings, commercial financings and affordable housing development financings. In the public finance area, Mr. Knox has extensive experience serving as bond counsel and counsel to issuers, bond purchasers and trustees. He represents national, regional and community banks and other financial institutions in structuring, negotiating and documenting transactions involving New Markets Tax Credits, construction loans, SBA loans, letters of credit, equipment leases and commercial loans secured by real estate and/or personal property. Mr. Knox advises lenders in connection with troubled credits and has extensive experience in documenting and negotiating forbearance agreements and restructuring credit facilities. He also serves as outside general counsel to business owners and real estate developers.
Mr. Knox is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., 1998), the American University in Cairo (M.A., 1993) and the College of William & Mary (A.B., 1990).
John M. Wasilisin
CEO/Executive Director
Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Program/Maryland$aves
John M. Wasilisin has compiled an outstanding career in spanning business/government service over the last 41 years, 31 of which have been in the economic/workforce development field. This experience has included progressive positions at the state and local levels of government and has involved significant partnerships with the business community.
As CEO/Executive Director of Maryland$aves, Mr. Wasilisin will work with the Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Board to develop a savings program for employees that do not have access to a retirement plan at their place of employment.
Mr. Wasilisin served as President/Chief Operating Officer of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). In this capacity, John was responsible for assisting in the development of policy and directing programs to further advance the mission/role of the Corporation. TEDCO’s mission is to facilitate the creation of businesses and foster their growth in all regions of the State through the commercialization of technology, and to be Maryland’s leading source of funding for technology transfer and development programs and entrepreneurial business assistance.
Mr. Wasilisin previously served as Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Budget and Management. In this capacity, he oversaw the day-to-day administration of the department, which includes operating budget analysis, personnel services and benefits, information technology, procurement and capital budgeting.
Prior to this position, Mr. Wasilisin served as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. In this capacity, he oversaw the day-to-day administration of the department, which included workforce development, unemployment insurance, financial regulation, labor and industry, safety inspection programs, apprenticeship and training, occupational licensing, and Maryland’s horse racing industry.
Prior to returning to state government in 2003, Mr. Wasilisin served as the Chief Administrative Officer to the Baltimore County Executive, the highest appointed official in Baltimore County Government. He served in this position from January 1999 to February 2003. As Chief Administrative Officer, John was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of County government, coordinating the efficient and effective delivery of County services to over 750,000 residents by supervising each of the department and agency heads in their charge to carry out and implement the policies and initiatives of the County Executive and the County Council. Under his administration as Chief Administrative Officer, Baltimore County government was recognized by Governing magazine as one of the four best-managed large counties in the United States. For fiscal year 2003, Baltimore County had a total budget of approximately $1.9 billion and over 8,000 employees.
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Prior to his appointment as the County Administrative Officer, Mr. Wasilisin was the Director of the Baltimore County Office of Employment and Training, the agency responsible for administering the federal and state workforce development programs in Baltimore County. Under his leadership, the Office of Employment and Training received two Presidential Awards for outstanding employment and training programs. The Presidential Awards are the most prestigious in this field and have given the Office of Employment and Training a national reputation. In August of 1994, the agency opened the Baltimore County Reemployment Assistance Center, the first of its kind in Maryland. This center assists laid-off individuals in their search for new employment opportunities.
Mr. Wasilisin has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Administration from the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business. He sits on the boards of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), Leadership Maryland and the Presidential Scholar Business Advisory Council at Towson University. Mr. Wasilisin is also a graduate of the 1999 GBC Leadership program and the 2005 Leadership Maryland program.
Lucas is currently a Senior Economic Development Advisor for FirstEnergy Corporation (FE), one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, including ten (10) distribution utilities and over 6 million customers. As part of a system-wide economic development team, Lucas oversees all of FirstEnergy’s economic development activities in its Maryland and West Virginia territories. Along with promoting the area for business development, he works closely with county, regional and state level officials to facilitate economic growth and job creation. Lucas has 30 years in economic development and related experience both in the public and private sectors. He has also worked in FirstEnergy’s Energy Efficiency group managing all of the Commercial and Industrial programs for Maryland and West Virginia, and has extensive experience working in the regulatory framework in FE’s mid-Atlantic territory. Lucas has a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Troy University and a Master of Science degree in Economic Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute in Norman, Oklahoma.
Fabian D. Walters, Jr., Miles & Stockbridge.
Fabian D. Walters, Jr. focuses his practice on corporate law and all aspects of public finance.
He has represented clients in transportation, health care, technology, real estate, finance and retail as well as faith-based organizations, political jurisdictions, and state and local entities.
In his public finance work, Fabian serves as bond counsel and counsel to underwriters and issuers in connection with fixed and variable rate bonds, tax increment and special taxing district bonds, bonds supported by letters of credit and bond insurance, public issues, private placements, bank-qualified bonds, and taxable bonds financings. He also advises various issuers on securities laws and disclosure obligations related to public offerings.
Fabian’s corporate practice includes representation of for-profit and not-for-profit entities in commercial real estate transactions, debt financing, negotiation and drafting of shareholder agreements, equipment purchases and leasing.
He is a board member of Itineris, which serves adults with autism in the Baltimore region, and of the Monumental City Bar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Monumental City Bar Association.
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.
Ebony Stocks
Executive Vice President
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation
Biography
Ebony Stocks is the Executive Vice President with the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, an organization that provides business services that help attract, retain, and expand businesses in the County. She previously administered the County’s premier $50 million economic development tool, the Economic Development Incentive Fund which leveraged over $1 billion in capital investment and created over 13,000 jobs. Ms. Stocks is a Certified Economic Development Finance professional who has managed several financing and incentive programs. Ms. Stocks has worked in commercial lending providing non-traditional financing to rapidly growing small businesses. Ms. Stocks has a Master’s degree in Real Estate Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Trish Heidenreich has been the Economic Development Director for the Town of Bel Air since 2006. Prior to joining the Town, Trish spent 25 years in the music and entertainment industry, focusing on concert production, business development, marketing and real estate. Trish is a member of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and is Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee. She is also a member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and is Chair of their Sustainability Committee. She holds an IEDC Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation. In addition to her certification, Trish holds a Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in Communications and Television Production from Concordia University in Montreal.
Denise is the Deputy Director for the Carroll County Department of Economic Development
Ms. Robertson-Slagle was appointed Director of Economic Development for Calvert County, Maryland in July 2017. In this role, Ms. Robertson-Slagle directs all services and activities of the eleven person department including attracting increased capital investments and expanding and diversifying employment opportunities, tourism development and agriculture development and marketing.
Ms. Robertson-Slagle is a results-oriented and strategic leader with over 25 years of extensive experience in planning, organizing and implementing economic development functions from conception to completion, including working with new and expanding businesses and cultivating relationships between counties, local business community and economic development agencies at the state, regional and federal level.
She previously served as Calvert County’s business retention and business development specialist. Prior to joining the department, Ms. Robertson-Slagle served as director of the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) where she provided leadership in planning, coordinating and overseeing the development, delivery and reporting of all professional programs, activities and services for the Southern Maryland region. She also served as director of government/member relations with the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and business development specialist with the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development where she worked directly with local jurisdictions on business retention and expansion projects.
Ms. Robertson-Slagle currently serves as the Co–Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Program Committee, is a founding board member of Southern Maryland Innovates initiative and is the current Chair of the new Southern Maryland Regional Innovation Collaborative. Her past board experience includes The Patuxent Partnership, Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Board and Leadership Southern Maryland.
Ms. Robertson-Slagle earned her Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management Development from the College of Southern Maryland and Bachelors of Science Degree in Marketing from the Robert H. School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park. She is a 2018 graduate of Leadership Maryland and a 2010 graduate of Leadership Southern Maryland.
Ms. Robertson-Slagle is the proud mom of two. She and her husband Jeff reside in La Plata, Maryland.
Andrea Mansfield joined Manis Canning & Associates, one the of the premier lobbying firms in Annapolis, as a lobbyist in December 2015. With more than 20 years of government relations, management, and administration expertise, Andrea successfully executes advocacy efforts and programs on behalf of multiple clients before state and local executives and elected officials. Her broad experience and involvement with the Maryland Legislature on policy, fiscal and budget matters; and her ability to work with diverse groups and build consensus on complex issues is an asset to the firm.
Andrea has extensive experience at the state and local level, having led and coordinated policy efforts for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) and implemented the legislative agendas of state agencies. As MACo’s Legislative Director she advised, crafted, and implemented the common agendas and legislative goals of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.
In state government, she worked within three Administrations in positions of increasing responsibility, serving as legislative liaison to the Legislature for the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR); and Special Assistant, Director of Financial Aid, and Assistant Secretary of Finance Policy with the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
Andrea is the current Chair of the Odenton Town Center Advisory Committee, serves on the board of directors for the Maryland Economic Development Association and as Co-Chair of the Public Policy Awareness Committee, and is a member of Leadership Maryland’s Class of 2019. She has a Master of Policy Sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Rhonda Ray currently serves as the Managing Director, Office of Policy, Research and Government Affairs with the Maryland Department of Commerce. In this role she oversees and directs a team responsible for research, government affairs, policy and program development, and performance measurement. She has an in-depth knowledge of State government and extensive experience in public policy, advocacy and organizational development.
Rhonda began her career at the Maryland Department of Commerce in 1996. After working as a Legislative Liaison Assistant for a little more than a year, Rhonda was appointed Director of the Office of Legislative Liaison in 1997 and has led various iterations of the unit for more than 20 years. She has been a key member of the Department’s leadership team for two decades and has provided organizational development and strategic planning advice for a number of Secretaries.
Prior to joining Commerce, Rhonda was the Director of Public Policy for the Maryland Food Committee. She led the policy and political strategy team for a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating food insecurity and welfare dependence. Rhonda also served for two years as a Governor’s Policy Fellow, appointed by Governor William Donald Schaefer, and worked with the State’s Minority Business Enterprise Program at the Maryland Department of Transportation and at Commerce’s predecessor agency, the Maryland Department of Economic and Employment Development. Her academic research has focused on job creation and economic development.
Past volunteer experience includes serving on the boards of Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore and Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity. She is a proud member of Leadership Maryland, class of 2014. Rhonda currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the Maryland Economic Development Association and co-chairs the Public Policy Committee.
A strong and enthusiastic supporter of public administration and public service, Rhonda continues to mentor undergraduate and graduate students who, like her, have accepted the calling of public service and wish to pursue a career in public policy and government. She has had a lifelong commitment to education and teaching and spent several years as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) in the political science department leading an upper level course in Public Administration and Policy.
Outside of work, Rhonda has an intense love for the performing and visual arts and spends her free time traveling, cooking and reading.
Robert C. Brennan has served as the Executive Director of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation since May 2004. Mr. Brennan directs a staff composed of nine administrative, finance and development specialists whose responsibilities are to assist with financing, project development, accounting and management of MEDCO’s projects. He has 20 years of experience in banking and finance.
Mr. Brennan previously served as Senior Vice President of the commercial lending business banking group of First Fidelity Bank (formerly Bank of Baltimore) and Vice President/Unit Head of Signet Bank. He serves on a number of advisory boards, including Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program, Emerging Technology Centers and MEDA. Additionally, he is an ex officio member of the Board of Directors for Bainbridge Development Corporation.
He is a graduate of the Leadership Maryland program, is a past president of MEDA and was inducted into the MEDA Hall of Fame in 2011.
Allison Akers is a marketing and communications specialist enthusiastic about all things Anne Arundel County. Allison is the Marketing and Outreach Manager for Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC). In this role, Allison is responsible for the strategic messaging and marketing promotions of all AAEDC programs, with a strong focus on digital engagement throughout multiple platforms to highlight Anne Arundel’s assets, innovative ecosystem & great quality of life. Since starting at AAEDC in 2016, Allison has worked closely with the marketing team to facilitate the launch of a new website, year-over-year increase in social media metrics and website engagement, and management of the “New Tech Hub on the Bay” video marketing campaign that led to the 2018 MEDA Economic Development Marketing Award for AAEDC.
Allison serves as the co-chair of the newly formed MEDA Young Leaders Group, helping to establish the group proposal foundation and coordinate events. Allison also serves on the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business Alumni Chapter Board and the Public Relations Society of America-Chesapeake Chapter Board.
Prior to working with AAEDC, Allison spent three years working as the Marketing and Communications Specialist for the Maryland State Judiciary where she created the social media program and policy for the Maryland Judiciary and acted as a court liaison to many recent notable high profile trials with national and international news media. Past work also includes grassroots marketing and events management for the MD, DC, VA region with a private retail sports company and a brief stint in the music marketing industry. She graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Marketing and is a proud Terp alum.
MEDA Staff
Pamela J. Ruff has served as Executive Director of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) since 2000. MEDA is a statewide membership organization of nearly 500 public and private professionals dedicated to job growth and retention in Maryland. As Executive Director, Ms. Ruff is responsible for all aspects of management at MEDA and for their 501c3 entity, The MEDA Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Ruff has an extensive background in economic development marketing that began in 1981 when she joined the Baltimore Briefing Center (BBC) where she served in a number of capacities. The BBC expanded from a regional to a statewide focus and became the Maryland Communications Center (MCC) where Ms. Ruff served as Deputy Director. Both centers operated as the primary marketing support service for Maryland’s economic development professionals in both the public and private sectors.
As Executive Director of The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Ms. Ruff has been responsible for the business operation of a statewide association providing programming, professional development and networking opportunities to nearly 500 public and private sector members throughout Maryland. She has built a portfolio of work that includes programs and partnerships bringing together regional, state, local, and private sector interests at all levels of economic development. Developing programs on topics as diverse as manufacturing, technology, community development, workforce development, environmental issues, and business development shows her proven understanding of the general and broad-based effort known as economic development. At MEDA, Ms. Ruff also oversees the delivery of economic development professional development courses that instruct knowledge and skills to the organization’s community of members.
Ms. Ruff is a Past President of Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna and a former director of the Havre de Grace Economic Development Advisory Board. She was a member of the Maryland Board, an advisory board to Maryland Life magazine. She Chairs the Membership Committee and serves on the Program Committee at Leadership Maryland.
Ms. Ruff earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Mass Communications from Towson State University and her Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University. She is a 1998 graduate of Leadership Maryland and a 2006 graduate of the Harford Leadership Academy.
Ms. Ruff is a resident of Baltimore City.
