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 for consultancy on a targeted project, or on a broad issue affecting your economic development program. The combined experience of the council members enables us to provide flexible and supportive service that is focused on results. As a way to cater to all of our members, there is no fee for the service.
The services our Council members can provide include but are not limited to:
- Benchmarking
- Best practices
- Staff training
- Strategic planning
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.
Dick Story has been Chief Executive Officer of the Howard County Economic Development Authority since September 1993.
A seasoned economic development professional, Mr. Story has worked in the industry for 29 years. He holds the Certified Economic Developer designation and was named a Fellow Member by the International Economic Development Council for long-term service to the profession of economic development.
He has served the public sector as Executive Director of the Carroll County Economic Development Commission from 1979 to 1983 and as Executive Director of the Baltimore County Economic Development Commission from 1989 to 1991. Other leadership positions in economic development include the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Washington/Baltimore Regional Association, and Maryland Economic Growth Associates.
Mr. Story is active on several boards and commissions. He is a former Chair of the BWI Airport Development Council, past chair of the Area Business Development Officials Committee – 24 economic development organizations in the Greater Washington area, and a past chair of the Advisory Committee of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore. He chairs the Membership Committee of Maryland Economic Development Association. Mr. Story is on the Board of Directors of the Columbia Foundation, Humanim, Inc., the Baltimore Area Council/Boy Scouts of America, and the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Story serves on the Howard County Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Business and Education Partnerships, and is on Howard Community College’s Commission on the Future.
In addition to his work in economic development, Mr. Story has an extensive background in media and marketing. He was News Director of Carroll County Broadcasting Corporation and Senior Manager of Business Development for Atlantic Builders Group, Inc.
A frequent lecturer, Mr. Story has spoken nationally to the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Counties, and CoreNet Global, the international association of corporate real estate executives.
Dyan Brasington is the Vice President for Economic and Community Outreach (DECO) at Towson University. In her capacity as Vice President, Dyan leads an initiative to create and expand partnerships for the University to meet the needs of both private sector and government organizations, and to foster economic development in the region. Her responsibilities include managing RESI, an applied economics team who specialize in economic forecasting, market and fiscal impact studies and workforce studies; the Center for Geographic Information Sciences; the Center for Professional Studies; the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute; TowsonGlobal, the university’s incubator; the Center for Applied information Technology; and “TU in the Community”, the university’s portal to the community and to faculty. DECO is a multifaceted contract and research unit that provides services and solutions to the broader community.
Brasington brings to Towson University more than 30 years combined experience in economic development, management and technology. In her most recent past position as the President of the Technology Council of Maryland, Dyan was responsible for the management, direction, strategic development and growth of the association, comprised of over 700 corporate member organizations. Brasington developed a strategic vision for the Council to provide long-term legacy planning. Her initiatives included an advocacy program, the development of a technology incubator, and the creation of the Maryland Angels Council (MAC), which helped provide early stage capital for technology companies.
Dyan Brasington has developed and led government and private sector economic development agencies at the state, regional and local levels. Her experience includes being the Director of Economic Development for the State of West Virginia, the Director in Howard and Montgomery Counties, Maryland, and in Prince William County, Virginia and as an Industrial Representative for the Florida Department of Commerce.
Brasington is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), the professional designation in her field. She holds a Bachelors and Masters degree from Florida State University and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute. Brasington served two terms on the Board of the Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve, and on the Board of Directors of Leadership Maryland. Brasington has received recognition to include being named one of Washington DC’s 100 Most Influential Women, one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women on three occasions, is inducted into the Maryland Economic Developers Association’s (MEDA) Hall of Fame and is an Honorary Life Member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
Dyan serves on several boards and committees to include the Board of the IEDC, the past presidents and scholarship committees of MEDA, Chairman of the Education and Certification committee of the International Development Council (IEDC), the scholarship committee for the Maryland Economic Developers Association (MEDA), the Board of the Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation (MCCEI) and the board of Monument Bank, a community bank in Maryland. Brasington is an instructor in economic development for the Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course, and for IEDC.
In 2009, Dave joined the staff of Harvest Bank of Maryland as Executive Vice President. Responsibilities include: Operations, Compliance, Marketing and Business Development. Harvest Bank of Maryland is one of Maryland’s significant Community Banks.
Secretary David W. Edgerley comes to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development with an accomplished and varied economic development background. He has led innovative and ambitious economic development efforts in Allegany and Montgomery County, giving him a broad perspective on Maryland’s strong and diverse economy.
Dave began his career in Allegany County, directing both the Office of Development Assistance and the Department of Economic Development. There, he led the creation and redevelopment of six business parks, created Allegany County’s first business incubator, and implemented the county’s first Revolving Building Fund.
In Montgomery County, Dave continued to leverage the power of technology as an economic development driver. As Director of Economic Development, he created Montgomery County’s highly successful technology incubator network, now home to 80 life sciences and technology companies. He also led development of the Shady Grove Life Sciences Center and expanded high-tech business partnerships with Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland and leading technology companies.
Secretary Edgerley received his B.A. from Frostburg State University and an M.B.A. from Mt. Saint Mary’s University. He is also a past president of the Maryland Economic Development Association. Dave and his family live in Germantown, MD.
Jim’s well-rounded career includes a career in the public sector and private enterprise. He was the Secretary of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation for the State of Maryland and was also former Secretary of Business and Economic Development for the State of Maryland. Jim was also the President of On-Campus Management for Capstone Properties in Birmingham, Alabama. In that role, he was responsible for all operational and management functions of the company. Prior to that, he was the Vice President for Administration and Finance at Towson University.
Jim’s specialties include national business development efforts, financial and budget modeling, strategic planning, creating management policies, procedures, and programs.
Jim was recognized by President George W. Bush in 2005 for his innovative leadership in workforce development and was awarded the Governor’s Citation Award by each of the last three Maryland Governors. He also received an Excellence in Economic Development Award from the National Association of State Development Agencies.
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.
Born and raised in Salisbury, Md., Mr. Ryan received his undergraduate degree in Marketing and Economics from Old Dominion University and his Masters of Business Administration degree from Salisbury University.
Mr. Ryan began his work career as a sales representative for the pharmaceutical firm of Warner-Lambert Company. After District, Key Account and Divisional assignments, Mr. Ryan assumed the Regional Manager-Northeast position in Rochester, New York.
In 1993, he accepted his current position as Executive Director of the Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development Corporation, an organization charged with attracting and retaining businesses, industries and jobs in Wicomico County.
He lives in Salisbury with his wife and three children.
Ms. Burkholder is Senior Vice President at Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) where she has worked since 2009. She has served as Interim President and CEO, Director of Community Reinvestment Initiative, and Director of Business Development. During her 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 prepared 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, 2018) 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.
Robert C. Brennan was appointed the Executive Director of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), in May of 2004. Prior that time Bob was the Assistant Secretary for the Rural Regions in Maryland and had also been responsible for the Financing Programs for the Department of Business and Economic Development.
Mr. Brennan is responsible for the management of MEDCO which was created in 1984 to hold real and personal property for the benefit of private business and local and other state government economic development projects. MEDCO has over $2 Billion in outstanding projects which include the issuance of taxable and tax-exempt bonds used to support private activity financings. Additionally, MEDCO assist in the financing and ownership of numerous student housing projects for the State of Maryland institutions of higher education. MEDCO has also assisted in the creation of industrial parks and facilities in the rural regions of the state to provide attractive location solutions to business considering locating in these depressed areas of the State.
As the Assistant Secretary for the State’s Financing Programs, which provide a wide variety of financing services to businesses in Maryland, Mr. Brennan participated in the dealings with numerous high profile projects. These projects included the negotiations of several large transactions for the State such Northrop Grumman, Marriott Corporation, Allison Transmission, Aegon, Human Genome Science, DAP, Random House, National Association of Security Dealers, Giant Foods and Bechtel Power Corporation.
Mr. Brennan has over 20 years of experience in banking and financing. He was previously the Senior Vice President of the Commercial Lending Business Banking Group of First Fidelity Bank (formerly Bank of Baltimore); the Vice President/Unit Head of Signet Bank and started his career with Maryland National Industrial Finance, the asset based banking business group for Maryland National Bank.
Mr. Brennan is a life long resident of the State of Maryland and was raised in Baltimore County. He attended Loyola High School and graduated from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont. Mr. Brennan is a member of the board of trustees at Stevenson University and is a 2004 graduate of the Leadership Maryland program. He is a past President of the Maryland Economic Development Association and remains on the executive board. Mr. Brennan maintains his residence in Woodbrook, Maryland with his wife and has two grown children.
Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens appointed William A. “Bill” Badger, Jr. to the position of President/Chief Executive Officer of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) in August 1999. Prior to this appointment, he was the Senior Vice President of AAEDC. As President of AAEDC and cabinet official reporting to the County Executive, Bill is responsible for the promotion of Anne Arundel County as a business location. Mr. Badger is responsible for a budget of 3.3 million and a professional staff of nineteen. AAEDC also is a small business leader currently providing SBA 7A loan guarantees – the 6th largest Maryland SBA lender outside of Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties. Under Mr. Badger’s leadership, Anne Arundel County was number one in job growth for Maryland in the year 2001 and 2004. In 2003, AAEDC launched the Chesapeake Innovation Center (CIC), Anne Arundel County’s first business incubator. The CIC is the nation’s first incubator to focus on the development of homeland security technologies. In 2004, the CIC was awarded a National Security Agency contract to promote the development of leading edge technologies by emerging companies.
Bill is a 17 year veteran of employment with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), and served as the Senior Industrial Development Representative in the Division of Business Development. In that position, he marketed the State of Maryland as a business location to corporate prospects nationwide, and hosted corporate executives visiting Maryland. While at DBED, Bill was also the lead Development Representative for Maryland’s Biotech marketing efforts. Bill also served as a Business Retention Representative in the Maryland Business Assistance Center and was responsible for marketing state resources and assistance programs to local businesses in Montgomery, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s Counties.
Bill is a member of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and was awarded the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) by IEDC in recognition of his extensive knowledge and experience in the field of economic development. He is an active member of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), where he serves as immediate past President. He is also the Maryland/D.C. board of director for the Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC). SEDC represents economic development organizations from Maryland to Florida and west to Texas. Bill is currently serving as Chairman of the Greater Washington Initiative’s Area Business Development Officials Committee (ABDOC), representing 17 different economic organizations serving jurisdictions around the Washington D.C. area including Maryland and Northern Virginia. Mr. Badger is a board member of the BWI Partnership, immediate past Chairman of the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, Vice Chairman of the Baltimore-Washington International Airport Development Council. Bill also serves as a director on the boards for the University of Maryland Industrial Partnerships, Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, the Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference & Visitors Bureau, and the Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation. He has been Vice President of the Harbor Valley Homeowners Association for over fifteen years, and is the immediate past President/Chairman of the Andover Recreation Association (Swim Club) in Liuthicum, Maryland.
In addition to his numerous achievements, Bill was recently awarded the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year Award, and the Boy Scouts Good Scout Award by the Four Rivers District. Bill is a sought after speaker and is currently one of the hosts of Comcast’s Business Beat cable program, a monthly business cable interview show viewed by 2.5 million households in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. In 2004, AAEDC’s Anne Arundel County promotional video was awarded second place in the Telly Awards for excellence in video production. The Telly award represented 18,000 entries from 5 continents and honors the best in non-news video production. In May 2005, Bill was presented with the “Commander’s Award for Public Service” by Colonel John Ives, Base Commander at Fort George G. Meade in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The Commander’s award for public service is the highest award a military base commander can bestow upon a civilan. The Capital Newspaper in Annapolis named Bill a Who’s Up Award, as wel as one of the 25 most interesting and influential people in Anne Arundel County list.
Bill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Towson University and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. Bill resides in Brooklyn Park with his wife, Collen, and his daughter, Hilary.
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, and a Senior Executive at The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED).
Career Highlights
- Led Frederick County’s Economic and Workforce Development organization 2001- 2007
- Developed industry training as Associate Dean of Business and Industry Training for Frederick Community College in partnership with the Job Training Agency as Director
- Implemented and marketed statewide Advanced Technology Center Initiative (ATC) to deliver customized, business training through partnerships among MD Department of Business and Economic Development, Maryland Higher Education Commission and MD Community Colleges
- Managed and coordinated economic development programs and services for companies in Suburban MD region (Frederick, Montgomery, Howard, and Prince Georges Counties)
- Developed and managed customized training and recruitment programs for businesses
- Planned, funded and implemented 501(c)3 Technology Incubator in partnership with Hood College and Fort Detrick (Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc.)
- Coordinated the development of the Fort Detrick BRAC Action Plan
- Represented Frederick County on Governor’s Local BRAC Sub Cabinet Committee
- Built effective teams and developed staff potential, confidence and competence
- Planned, funded, implemented, evaluated and revised workforce development programs for nearly 2000
- County citizens each year as the Frederick County Director of Workforce Development from 1985-1996
Tim Troxell’s employment background has been closely tied to the economic development sector. He began his career with an electric utility company (Potomac Edison/Allegheny Energy) and spent the majority of his time working in their Economic Development and Major Accounts departments. He then moved on to become Director of Business Development for a general contractor and developer that specialized in commercial and industrial construction. Mr. Troxell became Assistant Director for the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission (EDC) in 1998, and became the Executive Director of the EDC in 2002.
Mr. Troxell is a graduate of Frostburg State University with B.S. degrees in both Business Administration and Economics. He obtained an MBA from Hood College in Frederick, and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute. In 1999, he earned the professional designation of Certified Economic Developer from the International Economic Development Council. Mr. Troxell holds professional memberships in the International Economic Development Council and the Southern Economic Development Council.
Tom joined the Economic Alliance in January of 2006 to manage the Region’s response to the 2005 Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) initiative. Since, he has coordinated regional marketing efforts reaching more than 8,000 federal employees, 4,000 defense contractors and 70 business, higher education and non-profit organizations. His work has helped foster expansion of major defense firms such as Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, L3, MITRE Corporation, Raytheon and SAIC. As President and CEO, he has expanded the organizations’ reach, increasing: business and investment activity, the involvement of higher education, and strategic marketing of the Region’s key industries, quality of life factors and opportunities for public/private partnerships.
Prior to the Economic Alliance, he served as Executive Director of Economic Development for Harford County, Maryland. There he led County efforts to secure the 2005 BRAC win for Aberdeen Proving Ground; helped develop and implement a technology plan and a redevelopment strategy for the US Route 40 Corridor; brokered the sale of 120-acres at the Higher Education & Applied Technology (HEAT) Center to Battelle; and launched the 2 million square foot public/private enhanced-use-lease project at APG known as the Government and Technology Enterprise (G.A.T.E.) Office & Technology Park. Overall, his efforts resulted in four-successive bond-rating upgrades for Harford County from Wall Street. Prior to Harford County, he managed projects in Baltimore County, Maryland resulting in new campus headquarters for T. Rowe Price, Bank of America, and the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
In the past 20 years, he has brokered transactions exceeding $5 billion in value, resulting in approximately 60,000 jobs. His expertise includes project finance, land use planning, infrastructure development, marketing, business development, legislative affairs and policy, community revitalization, workforce development and technology transfer.
Tom received the Baltimore Business Journal’s “Top 40 Leaders Under 40” award in 2001 and was recognized by the Greater Baltimore Technology Council as a “Believer in Technology” in 2002. He is currently Chair of Harford County’s BRAC Planning Advisory Commission and serves as Immediate Past- President of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA). Tom is an active member on various boards, including the M&T Bank Northeast Advisory Council, the Baltimore Downtown Partnership Board, UMBC President’s Advisory Committee and Alumni Board, the University of Baltimore’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, the Stevenson University Board of Advisors, the Central Maryland Transit Alliance (CMTA), and was recently appointed to the Governor’s Federal Facilities Advisory Board and The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation.
Tom is a graduate of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Certification in Public Administration and Policy. He is a graduate of the Harford Leadership Academy and is currently enrolled in the Maryland Leadership program. A ten year cancer survivor, Tom is a proud father and an advocate for community development and youth sports. He, his wife Melissa and two sons currently reside in Fallston, Maryland.
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.
Laurie Boyer, CEcD, is the Executive Director of Rockville Economic
Development, Inc. (REDI), a 501c3 public-private economic development
partnership in the City of Rockville helping businesses to launch, locate
and expand in the City through expansion, retention, recruitment and
entrepreneurship programs. In May 2006, Boyer earned her professional
Economic Development Certification (CEcD) from the International Economic Development
Council. She has over 16 years of economic development experience. Ms. Boyer is a graduate
of the Leadership Montgomery Class of 2014, and serves on the Board of Directors of the
Rockville Chamber of Commerce. She serves as Secretary of the MEDA Foundation Board, as a member of the MEDA Public Policy & Awareness Committee, and
is on the MEDA Council of Past Presidents. She is also a member of the NAIOP Maryland/
DC Chapter and the International Economic Development Council. In 2012, she was named
one of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” by The Daily Record.
Ms. Boyer 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.
Lawrence (Larry) Twele is CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA).
Before joining the Authority, he was the Director of the Carroll County Department of Economic Development, where he spent over six years guiding business development, business retention, workforce development and tourism. Before that, Larry spent almost seven years with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, where he held several positions including managing the statewide regional office system.
Major accomplishments include launching a regional business retention program and playing a key role in coordinating and facilitating major expansion projects in the Baltimore Region. Larry also spent seven years in management in a Fortune Global 500 manufacturing firm and three years as a manager of a small business. From 2013 to 2015, Larry served as the President of Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA). Currently he serves on the MEDA Board of Directors and is President of the MEDA Foundation.
Larry holds a Master’s Degree of Business Administration from Loyola University, Maryland and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland. He earned Certified Economic Developer credentials in 2009.
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.
