Council of Past Presidents
The Council of Past Presidents is a leadership team whose primary objective is to provide confidential peer-to-peer mentorship to members.
The Council of Past Presidents consists of former MEDA presidents who are available to discuss with you and your leadership a targeted project, or a broad issue affecting your economic development program. The combined experience of the council members enables us to provide a flexible and supportive think tank to help you brainstorm your focused direction. As a way to cater to all of our members, there is no fee for this service.
To schedule one or more members of the Council of Past Presidents, please contact us at 410-347-1246 or email info@medamd.com
The services our Council members can provide include but are not limited to:
- Benchmarking
- Best practices
- Staff training
- Strategic planning
To view the MEDA Council of Past Presidents Council Protocols, click here.
Current Active Members of MEDA’s Council of Past Presidents:
The Council of Past Presidents consists of a group of economic development professionals who have a wealth of knowledge in the field. Bios on those who are available for counsel are listed below. Please contact us to schedule your confidential meeting.
David Edgerley, Senior Vice President, Brokerage and Acquisitions
Dave comes to Scheer Partners with an accomplished and varied economic development background. He led ambitious economic development efforts in Allegany and Montgomery County, as well as state-wide efforts, giving him a broad perspective on the Regions strong and diverse economy. Dave directed the Department of Economic Development in Allegany County. There, he led the creation and redevelopment of six business parks, created Allegany County’s first business incubator, and built, acquired and/or redeveloped 4 million square feet of manufacturing space.
As Montgomery County Director of Economic Development, he created Montgomery County’s highly successful technology incubator network, now home to life sciences and technology companies. He also led development of the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center and expanded high-tech business partnerships with The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, and leading technology companies.
On the State level, Dave served as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet as Secretary of Business & Economic Development (now Department of Commerce). In this capacity, Dave guided a staff of 300 professionals to with mission of improving and marketing Maryland’s Business Climate.
Michael S. Lofton, CEcD, held leadership positions in economic development for both state and county government. He retired from his position as President & CEO of Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) a public/private economic development entity he founded and which still exists today in Annapolis.
Prior to his position at AAEDC he served most of his career in Economic Development at the state level where he held positions at the Maryland Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) which later became known as the Maryland Department of Economic & Employment Development (DEED). The organization is known today as the Maryland Department of Commerce.
He served as Business Development Director overseeing state-wide business recruitment and retention efforts focused on bringing new business to Maryland and providing support to existing businesses.
He served as Deputy Secretary under Governor William Donald Schaefer before taking a position with AAEDC.
Mr. Lofton has spent his “retirement” advising communities throughout Maryland on their economic development efforts. His keen understanding of urban, rural and suburban communities keeps him in high demand for his consulting work.
During his tenure, he had achieved status as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), President of MIDAS (Maryland Industrial Development Association), and member of a number of boards and commissions. Mr. Lofton served as Executive Director of MIDAS which is currently known as MEDA. He is a past MEDA President and a member of the MEDA Hall of Fame.
Mary Burkholder is Vice President of BAE Urban Economics. Inc., a real estate economics consulting firm based in San Francisco, California. Ms. Burkholder heads up BAE’s Washington, DC office and leads the firm’s Mid-Atlantic practice. BAE’s services for public and private sector clients include financial feasibility studies, market analysis, economic development strategies, public-private transaction assistance, and development advisory services.
Prior to joining BAE, Ms. Burkholder was Senior Vice President at Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC). While with AAEDC, she also served as Interim President and CEO, Director of the Community Reinvestment Initiative, and Director of Business Development. During her eight year tenure, she oversaw dozens of successful business transactions, led successful outreach to small businesses, marshaled through Arundel Community Reinvestment Loans for improvements to businesses, and helped to prepare a successful fund manager application for the State’s new casino-funded small business assistance program.
Prior to joining AAEDC she served as Senior Vice President, Housing & Economic Development at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the nation’s largest non-profit Community Development Financing Intermediary (CDFI). From 2009-2013, after leaving LISC, she served as a Senior Consultant to the organization, advising on foreclosure response and neighborhood stabilization to cities and towns across the country.
From 2004-2006 Ms. Burkholder served as Assistant Secretary and Executive Director, Community Development Administration overseeing Maryland’s housing finance agency at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. There she managed all affordable housing programs in the state including a bond finance program, initiated the nation’s first statewide employer assisted housing program, and prepared and participated in annual meetings with bond rating agencies for housing revenue bonds.
Ms. Burkholder was employed at ZHA as Senior Associate for Maryland-based consultancy specializing in urban real estate and economic development from 2000 – 2004. There she performed market analysis for major commercial / residential developments, prepared redevelopment plans and economic development strategies for U. S. cities and towns.
From 1999 – 2000 she worked at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs as Deputy Director overseeing business recruitment and retention for the State of Illinois. And from 1996 – 1999 she served as Assistant Secretary of Marketing for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (Currently known as the Maryland Department of Commerce).
Ms. Burkholder served in a variety of positions at the City of Annapolis from 1988-1996 where she became the City’s first Economic Development Director.
Educated at University of Maryland with a Master of Public Health (degree completion, 2019) and Master of City Planning. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Her Post Graduate and Executive Education studies include Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government for State and Local Senior Executives Leadership Training and University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business for Executive Management in Housing and Public Finance
Ms. Burkholder has received a number of Awards and recognitions for her work.
David Ryan is a veteran economic development professional and the Executive Director of the Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development Corporation, a public – private partnership charged with strengthening the economy of Salisbury, Wicomico County and region.
Ryan shares a passion for promoting his hometown of Salisbury and as he implements meaningful programs and initiatives to succeed in the economy of today and tomorrow. During his tenure, he has helped create a cluster of telecommunications manufacturers and a growing life science sector, assisted in the formation and operation of a regional revolving loan fund, established the county’s first small business incubator, planned with the private sector a new industrial park and formed the county’s first business expansion fund for startup, existing and new businesses. He’s brokered more than $35 million in direct lending accounting for more than 6,000 jobs and more than $150 million in capital investment.
Ryan consistently serves on statewide task forces and committees, is a Past President of the Maryland Economic Development Association and is active on local advisory boards associated with Salisbury University, Wor-Wic Community College, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In addition, he is a member of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Greater Salisbury Committee, the Delmarva Water Transport Committee and the Wicomico County Airport Commission.
From a community perspective, Ryan is active in Asbury United Methodist Church, serving as a past Treasurer and as an Executive Committee member to the Asbury Child Development Center, a pre-school ministry of the Church. He is a past board member of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, the Salisbury YMCA and a Past President of Lower Shore Enterprises, a non-profit corporation connecting people with disabilities to job opportunities.
Ryan received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Marketing and Economics from Old Dominion University and his MBA from Salisbury University. He is a former tennis professional, the longest actively serving Economic Development Director for a major jurisdiction in the State of Maryland and is a member of the Maryland Economic Development Association Hall of Fame.
Vernon Thompson is the Executive Vice President at the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
Previously Vernon was the Executive Director of the Cecil County Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Agriculture; Executive Director at Bainbridge Development Corporation; Deputy Secretary of the Department at The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), as well as Assistance Secretary for Regional Development. Additionally, Vernon has served in various capacities in the real estate, marketing, and construction industries throughout his career.
J. Thomas Sadowski
Vice Chancellor for Economic Development
University System of Maryland
Columbus Center – 701 East Pratt Street – Baltimore, MD 21202
410-688-0013 mobile | 410-576-5742 office
tsadowski@usmd.edu
Executive Profile
Tom has more than 25-years in the economic development profession, working with partners in industry, higher education and at every level of government. His career projects exceed $10 billion in value and 50,000 jobs; these include the 2005 BRAC win for Aberdeen Proving Ground and numerous corporate and federal agency headquarters, research labs and industrial facilities for major public/private and non-profit clients.
Tom has held leadership positions at the local, regional and currently the state level. His work with the University System of Maryland (USM) is focused on fueling company creation and tech commercialization, growing R&D partnerships, developing internship and apprenticeship programs, and launching the USM’s new $25 million early-stage venture Maryland Momentum Fund. His efforts cover all industry sectors, to include: aerospace, autonomous systems, cyber/data sciences, bio-health, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, energy, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, agriculture and education-technology. Prior to the USM, he served as President & CEO of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore.
He is a lifelong resident of Maryland, a proud husband, father and graduate of UMBC. He enjoys coaching and is active on many boards, to include: Chair of the Board for Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTech) Advisory Board, Evergreen Advisors Advisory Board, M&T Bank Northeast Directors Board, Governor’s Appointee to the Baltimore Metropolitan Council Board, the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore Board, the Board of the Cyber Association of Maryland, the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation Board and Towson University’s Presidential Scholar Business Advisory Council. Toms is also Past President of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA).
Recent awards
2016 UMBC Alumni of the Year for Distinguished Service; 2015 Daily Record’s Maryland’s Most Admired CEO; 2014 Baltimore Museum of Industry’s William Donald Schaefer Industrialist of the Year; 2011 Daily Record’s Most Influential Marylander.
University System of Maryland is a $5 billion global institution with more than 170,000 students
enrolled across 12 campuses, 3 regional higher-ed centers throughout the State of Maryland and in more than 20 countries world-wide. The USM conducts $1.3 billion in sponsored research annually for
the federal government and industry partners.
David S. Iannucci has served in the Administration of Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker as the Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development since 2011. In that position, he directly oversees the activities of Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, FSC First, and the Conference and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Iannucci plays a prominent role on the County’s key projects such as the pursuit of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters, a new Regional Medical Center, and the Purple Line, working to retain and support the County’s existing business community, and oversight of the County Executive’s $50 million Economic Development Incentive Fund. In his 40 year career, Mr. Iannucci has served in many positions within state and local government. His previous positions include Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Executive Director of the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development, and under former Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer, Chief Legislative Officer. Mr. Iannucci is a 1979 graduate of the University of Maryland College Park. David S. Iannucci is also a former President of the Maryland Economic Development Association and is a member of the MEDA Hall of Fame. A long-time resident of Prince George’s County, he resides in Bowie with his wife and daughter.
With over 20 years of economic development experience, Laurie Babb, CEcD currently serves as the Economic Development Manager for the Business Advancement Team in the Montgomery County Office of the County Executive. She is responsible for the management and oversight of the County’s economic development financial incentive programs and the administration of contracts with third party vendors providing economic development services on behalf of the County. Over the past year, she developed the policies and procedures and implemented over $40 million in emergency grant programs established to assist businesses locally during the global health pandemic. She and her team provide support and guidance to companies interested in doing business in Montgomery County. Babb serves as a strategic and technical advisor to other senior managers, the County Executive and the County Council in evaluating new programs, policies and incentives for supporting new and existing businesses. She partners strategically with the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and the Maryland Department of Commerce on business attraction and retention efforts.
Previously, Laurie served as the Executive Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), and as Executive Director for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
In May 2006, she earned her professional Economic Development Certification (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council.
Ms. Babb is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery Class of 2014 and Leadership Frederick County Class of 1997, serves as Secretary of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Foundation Board, and is on the MEDA Council of Past Presidents.
Ms. Babb has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Spanish from Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV.
Keasha Haythe has been an Economic Development Professional for 15 years and served most recently as Dorchester County’s Economic Development Director from 2008-2016. In her role as Director, she developed a track record of initiating sound policies and innovative strategies to foster economic growth. Partnering with private and public stakeholders, she championed education, entrepreneurship and expansion of existing businesses as key economic drivers. She unveiled a countywide brand marketing campaign entitled “water moves us.” Ms. Haythe spearheaded the development of Dorchester County’s Technology Park and developed the Eastern Shore Innovation Center, the first business incubator on the Eastern Shore, which opened on February 4, 2016. She has secured more than $10M in funding for economic development projects, business expansions and start-ups.
Ms. Haythe is now the President of Zoe Economic Development Group, LLC., an economic development consulting firm she launched in March 2016. She provides business consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses and local governments. Additionally, she is the founding executive director of The Foundation of HOPE, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established to help women and young girls. The first program launched under the foundation will be the Economic Development and Empowerment Program for sixth grade girls attending Easton Middle School. The program will cover topics including: addressing low self-esteem, bullying, social media, workforce development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The program will teach them to be community leaders and viable contributors to the future workforce.
Ms. Haythe is a Certified Economic Developer, a national recognition of professional skill mastery that denotes the highest levels of professional attainment and a commitment to continued growth. She is a member of many professional organizations and serves on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center, the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Foundation, and was appointed by Governor Hogan to serve on the Maryland Marketing Partnership Board under the Maryland Department of Commerce. Additionally, she also serves as President of the MEDA Board of Directors.
Awards Include:
2009-What’s Up Eastern Shore, Mover and Shaker under 40
2011-Delmarva African American Pride, Outstanding Achiever
2011-Dorchester NAACP, Day of Service Award
2012- Daily Record, Leading Women under 40
2014-Dorchester Ministers & Citizens for Change Honors Award
2015-Daily Record, Maryland’s Top 100 Women
2015-Talbot NAACP Harriet Tubman Medal
2016-Fireflies “100 Women of Elegance” Award
An Eastern Shore native, Ms. Haythe is a member of TriLife Christian Center in Easton where she serves on the finance committee, ministerial team as an Ordained Evangelist and oversees the usher’s ministry. She is married to Marcus L. Haythe Sr., and they have three children; Marcus Jr., Miniah and Isaiah.
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.
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.
