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.

Stephen Primosch
Vice President of Financial Services

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 is a principal and co-chair of Miles & Stockbridge, P.C.’s Real Estate and Transaction Finance practice group, with more than 50 lawyers. He is an experienced lawyer, focusing on public finance, commercial and real estate transactions in the firm’s Baltimore and Washington, D.C., offices. He handles all aspects of tax-exempt financings, commercial financings and affordable housing development financings. In the public finance area, he has extensive experience serving as bond counsel and counsel to issuers, borrowers, bond purchasers and trustees. Mr. Knox represents national, regional and community banks, and other financial institutions in structuring, negotiating and documenting transactions involving New Markets Tax Credits, construction 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.

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.

Dr. Daraius Irani serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research at Towson University. In this role, he fosters the development of partnerships between business, government, and education that contribute to the economic vitality of the greater Baltimore region.

For over twenty years, Irani has served in several senior leadership roles at Towson University. As vice president, Irani provides leadership and management to over 70 highly-skilled professionals who work on campus and in state agencies across the state. Collectively, his teams work to open the doors of the university to solve pressing problems, further community collaboration, expand learning opportunities, and generate economic development.

Irani is committed to Towson University and has set priorities that reflect that commitment. These include working to better integrate the Division into the University; advancing Towson University’s reputation as a leader in applied research, education, and EdTech; and making positive impacts through university-community partnerships.

Additionally, Irani serves as chief economist for the Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) at Towson University, a policy group providing economic, fiscal impact, and policy analysis to state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector firms. During his tenure at RESI, Irani has managed and served as lead economist on well over 250 research and analysis projects. He also has produced over 100 economic and fiscal impact statements for a diverse portfolio of clients.

Irani is often called upon to provide economic presentations to organizations across Maryland. He has appeared on CNN, the Marc Steiner show, WYPR’s Midday, and Maryland Public Television’s Business Connection. He is often quoted in articles published by Maryland Daily Record, Baltimore Business Journal, The Baltimore Sun, and Washington Post.

EDUCATION
Dr. Irani holds a Ph.D. in economics from University of California, Santa Barbara; a M.A. in business economics from University of California, Santa Barbara; and a B.A. in economics from University of California, San Diego.

PERSONAL
Dr. Irani is an avid bicyclist and golfer.

FUN FACT
What are three websites everyone should have bookmarked? www.WSJ.com, www.economist.com and www.NYTimes.com

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.

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.

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.

Lisa Webb, CEcD, LGWebb LLC, is the leader of a consulting firm
specializing in business development strategies and relationships. With over
20 years professional experience, most recently Ms. Webb served as Economic
Development Director in Cecil County, working to best position the county
for attraction, retention and expansion. Previously, she served as Business
Development Director for Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, and Project
and Policy Development Manager for Harford County Office of Economic Development.
Ms. Webb also led the Fort Meade Regional Partnership in a successful and unique business
marketing and attraction effort. She took the lead on issues related to transportation, land use,
water and sewer, and development projects; and managed issues pertaining to infrastructure
improvements and impact studies. Ms. Webb earned her designation of Certified Economic
Developer (CEcD) in May of 2007, holds a Master of Business Administration from the
University of Phoenix, and is a graduate of the Oklahoma University Economic Development
Institute. She is a member of several economic development organizations including the
International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and serves on the Board of Directors
for the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA).

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.

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.