The Lower Eastern Shore Region in Maryland is rich with communities that are drivers of job creation and investment for the counties in which they reside. Revitalization of these rural communities depends on many factors including reusing existing real estate and buildings, finding adequate funding to support business, building partnerships among public and private sectors, and understanding how regional cooperation impacts the future.
The Lower Shore Rural Economic Development Session is designed to bring attendees ideas to enhance the positives that already exist in our unique downtowns and communities. Discussions and speakers will highlight opportunities that are available to move these ideas forward to positively impact a resurgence in region.
In Cooperation with: Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties
This event is by invitation only and is open to elected officials, appointed officials and government staff that received an invitation.
Jake Day is the Mayor of Salisbury. Born and raised in Salisbury, he was elected to the City Council at the age of 30 and unanimously elected President. The Mayor’s budget was recently passed, opening a new era of investment in our youth, our neighborhoods, our downtown and our economy. Previously, Jake served as founding Director of the Center for Towns – a community design and engagement program serving the towns of the Eastern Shore. Jake has served as national President of the American Institute of Architecture Students and Editor-in-Chief of CRIT, a journal of architecture.
Jake earned a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Maryland and master’s degrees in Urban Design and Environmental Policy from Carnegie Mellon University and Oxford University. Jake is a Captain in the US Army National Guard, currently serving as the Senior TAC Officer at the Officer Candidate School. Jake is a member of the Next American Vanguard, Leadership Maryland, and the Smart Growth America Local Leaders Council Advisory Board. A Richard Upjohn Fellow, he previously served as a director on the American Institute of Architects national Board of Directors.
Jake and his wife Liz are the proud parents of Lily and Olivia.
•Graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a major in Photographic Arts and Sciences.
•He spent over 25 years in the photographic restoration business.
•In 2002 he was elected to the Salisbury, MD, city council and began working in downtown revitalization.
•In 2005 he was hired by the Town of Berlin and Pocomoke City to re-establish their Main Street Maryland Programs.
•He was hired by the Town of Berlin in 2009 as their first full time Director of Economic Development.
•Berlin was designated as a Maryland Main Street Community in 2010 and won the state’s Organization award the following year.
•From 2009 -2015 he managed the town’s Main Street Program & the town’s Maryland Art & Entertainment District as well as Berlin’s Department of Economic Development. He was also very instrumental in the town becoming “The Coolest Small Town in America” in 2014.
•He retired from Berlin but was coaxed by the Town of Snow Hill to become their Economic Development Coordinator.
•Currently he is attracting businesses to Snow Hill, while managing their Main Street Affiliate Program and assisting with the management of their Art & Entertainment District.
Charlie Fairchild is a real estate developer with projects in DC, Maryland and VA, and is a licensed real estate broker in Virginia. He has lived in Alexandria, VA all his life. Charlie graduated from St. Stephen’s High School in Alexandria, and attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. He has been involved in every aspect of developing and managing commercial properties through all kinds of economic cycles, for over 35 years; with current projects in Washington, DC, Cambridge and Edgewater, MD, and Harrisonburg, VA. With his extensive real estate knowledge, gained from years of experience in the industry, he is able to envision the wondrous possibilities of underutilized properties. He works as a team with city planners, county and state officials and local residents, along with architects, engineers, landscape designers, builders and tenants to create properties that aesthetically enhance areas and improve the lives of those who live and work in them.
34 years ago, Charlie married his college sweetheart Sue. They work alongside each other as Fairchild Properties. They have 3 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. Charlie coached his sons in wrestling and lacrosse and was, and remains active in and supportive of their places of education. He enjoys snow skiing, waterskiing, paddle boarding, hunting, fishing, boating and long walks in the woods. He treasures his times with family and friends.
Charlie is currently developing 2 projects in Cambridge: Cambridge Marketplace and Dorchester Marketplace, both on Route 50. He’s excited to see the positive impact these centers will make.
Mr. Gillis is a Principal with Devreco Development Real Estate Company and a Senior Advisor for SVN–Miller Commercial Real Estate. Bradley specializes in the adding value to commercial real estate. Gillis has a history of sales and leases of Medical/Professional Office, Industrial and Investment Properties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware. Starting his commercial real estate career in 2004, Gillis has secured well over 300 transactions resulting in a career volume in excess of $300 million. Notable clients that Gillis has worked with include Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, University of Maryland Medical System, Walgreens, CVS, Zoetis and Safran. Active in his community, Gillis is Past President of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, and the youngest ever to serve as President. Gillis is a member of the Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development, Greater Salisbury Committee, the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center Commission, and, in addition serves on the Career Advisory Board for Salisbury University. He holds the industry’s most prestigious designation, Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). Bradley earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, HI. Mr. Gillis lives in Salisbury, MD with his wife Kim and sons Jackson and Beau
Chick Hamm is a life-long community banker with strong ties to Harford and Cecil Counties. He was CEO and President of Mercantile County Bank until the time of its acquisition by PNC Bank in 2006. Today, Mr. Hamm is an Executive Vice President for PNC Bank with leadership responsibilities for commercial and institutional banking activity in rural markets including the Eastern Shore, Southern Delaware and Southern Maryland.
With 38 years of experience in the field, Mr. Hamm has held bank leadership positions with final levels of responsibility for financial performance, strategic plan development, operating and capital budgets, regulatory compliance, asset quality assurance and special project management.
Mr. Hamm completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Loyola College of Maryland, receiving a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1983. As an active community volunteer he has served on numerous boards supporting the economic, health care and educational needs of the community. Currently, he is a board member for Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, the Susquehanna Workforce Network, Cecil County Library Foundation, Union Hospital, Cecil College, and the Bainbridge Development Corporation. Mr. Hamm has also been elected to the board of the Maryland Bankers Association.
A native of Harford County, Mr. Hamm, age 55, and his wife, Anne, reside in the Elk Neck Area of Cecil County.
Jamie Heater is the executive director of Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District. Originally from Downtown Annapolis, Ms. Heater moved to Salisbury in 2001 to attend college, receiving both her M.B.A and undergraduate degree from Salisbury University. After graduation, Ms. Heater spent the next eight years creating local advertising campaigns as an Account Executive for 47-ABC, a local television affiliate. During that time, Ms. Heater volunteered her time to causes related to Downtown Salisbury, and quickly became a key player in the production of 3rd Fridays and the New Years Eve Ball Drop. Heater led the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District through its 2015 expansion and re-branding, before becoming its first full-time director in August of 2016.
Kenneth C. Holt was appointed secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development by Governor Larry Hogan in 2015 after serving on the new administration’s transition team. As secretary, he manages the state’s housing finance, mortgage insurance, community development and building code programs.
Secretary Holt is a former member of the Maryland General Assembly where he served on the House Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee on education and economic development. During his 25-year career with Morgan Stanley in Baltimore, Secretary Holt served as senior vice president, branch manager and portfolio manager. He was previously chairman and chief financial officer of Traitify, a software development firm that was recognized by Maryland’s Technology Development Corp. as the “most innovative” start-up company of 2013.
Secretary Holt gained on-the-ground experience with neighborhood revitalization, development and housing issues as a past member of the Baltimore County Master Plan Advisory Committee and a past president of his neighborhood civic association. His experience on the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission gives him a strong foundation in issues of fairness and housing equity.
Secretary Holt earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland College Park. He and his wife Mary operate a family farm in the Kingsville community in Baltimore County. The couple has two children.
Glenn Irwin, Executive Director
Ocean City Development Corporation
Mr. Irwin has worked for the OCDC since June 2000. The OCDC is a nonprofit organization charged with revitalizing downtown Ocean City. Among the items that the OCDC is involved in are: building renovation, design standards, public art, and management of seasonal employee housing, marketing, and special events.
Prior to moving to Ocean City to work for the OCDC, Mr. Irwin worked in South Florida. For 18 years he worked in various positions regarding downtown redevelopment, affordable housing, and urban planning, both in the public and private sector.
Mr. Irwin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rowan University (N.J.) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. He is a member of the American Planning Association and a certified planner (AICP). He currently serves on the Board of the Community Development Network and Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council as well as a member of the Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals.
Meredith Mears is director of Worcester County Economic Development, providing leadership for business attraction and retention efforts and executing job creation strategy in the County. In this role, Ms. Mears remains committed to her focus of building and sustaining strategic partnerships to establish and grow local industries and jobs. Prior to joining Worcester County Economic Development, Ms. Mears was the workforce division director for the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland where she oversaw a $1 million budget for workforce development services in the tri-county region. As an active member of the Maryland Economic Development Association, Ms. Mears is engaged in statewide issues affecting infrastructure, jobs and industry. She is a member of Leadership Maryland, a selected group of Maryland’s best and brightest leaders enlisted to create actionable, positive change in our communities, and she holds seats on several Boards of Directors including the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), the MEDA Foundation, Maryland Capital Enterprises, the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County and the Delmarva Water Transport Committee. Ms. Mears is also a Local Advisory Board member and Planning Council member for Wor-Wic Community College. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing from Salisbury University.
Since 1980, Peck Miller and his wife Patti have been residents of Ocean City. They raised their three daughters here and incorporated their mutual love of the water into every aspect of their lives. An Entrepreneur for over 35 years, Peck has found great success investing in numerous Ocean City properties, with most of the properties containing some aspect of water.
Peck graduated from Va.Tech with a degree in Architecture. His genuine interest in good design and commercial development and his love of the water set him on a career path that would eventually include the commercial development and operation of:
* Marinas
* Watersports Centers
* Clothing and Sports Retail Stores
* Restaurants and Nightclubs
* Design and Development of multiple condominium projects including Mahalo Condominium on 25th St. (a mixed use project), 4100 Oceanside Condominiums (another mixed use project), the 67th Street “Town Center” Boardwalk Shopping Center and the 123rd Street “Uptown Center”.
Peck is a real estate associate with Coldwell Banker and has served on the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Board for over 10 years, in addition to recently serving on the Comprehensive Planning Commission for Ocean City.
Peck’s Development Philosophy:
Peck approached the 123rd St. UpTown Center renovation the same way he approached every one of his redevelopment projects, keeping the following things in mind:
How can my design contribute to making Ocean City more attractive?
What are the assets of the existing property? Does it have waterfront, if so, how can I make it a focal point?
Does it have highway exposure? It’s okay to spend a little more on the front end to include these crucial elements: Attractive Coastal Style facades (that blend with the town’s location, interesting gables & roof pitches. Well lit parking lot, promenades, boardwalks, walkways and buildings, add color and MORE than the minimum required landscaping. All of these elements attract better merchants and a higher quality clientele who are attracted to brightly lit, clean, safe environments.
– City Manager, City of Crisfield, 2015 to present
– In 2006, elected Wicomico County’s first County Executive on a theme of “Building Bridges-Building Community”. Re-elected in 2010.
– Noted for building bridges to the county council, the minority communities, the education community, the business community, law enforcement and fire-fighters, agriculture, environmental and development interests and senior citizens
– Fruitland’s City Manager from 1984 to 2006, a time of unprecedented growth and prosperity.
– Executive Director of the Somerset County Department of Planning and Zoning – 1976 to 1984
– Administrative Aide to State Senator E. Homer White, Jr. 1974-1978
– Graduate of Washington College, Chestertown, MD.
– Graduate of James M. Bennett High School, Salisbury, MD.
– Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) – Past President
– Allen Lions Club since 1975 – four terms as President
– Citizens Advisory Board; Institute for Public Affairs & Citizen Engagement (P.A.C.E.) at Salisbury University (Past)
– Maryland Rural Counties Coalition (Past)
– Clean Chesapeake Coalition (Past)
– Greater Salisbury Committee (Past)
– Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce (Past)
– Fruitland Chamber of Commerce, Honorary Life Member
• Crisfield Chamber of Commerce (Present)
• Somerset County Economic Development Commission (Present)
• Board of Directors, Lower Shore MAC Maintaining Active Citizens (Present)
• Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council (Present)
• Married and father of two wonderful children
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 he continues to implement innovative programs to succeed in the economy of today and tomorrow. During his tenure, he has created a cluster of wireless component manufacturers, promoted a growing life science sector, facilitated 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 $26 million accounting for more than 5,000 jobs and more than $90 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, 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 its current 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, is the longest actively serving Economic Development Director for a major jurisdiction in the State of Maryland and hails from Salisbury, Maryland.
Manager, Main Street Princess Anne
With over 20 years of experience as a non-profit professional, Carrie has been involved in developing a variety of programs designed to help children and adults foster a connection with local nature, culture, and history. As the Manager of Main Street Princess Anne, Carrie strives to enhance, promote, preserve, and facilitate growth in Historic Downtown Princess Anne – fostering a vibrant atmosphere and cultivating a sense of community.
Through her work, Carrie partners with a variety of agencies, organizations, and businesses to provide exceptional opportunities for locals & visitors to explore local places and understand the complexities of local issues – fostering a sense of place in an effort to nurture stewardship of historical, cultural, and natural resources. In the past decade, she has worked extensively on developing strategies for working with communities of color on the rural Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Throughout her career, Carrie has organized programs, events & experiences for tens of thousands locals & visitors to the Delmarva region and raised millions of dollars in funding support. Carrie enthusiastically shares her love of the diversity of Delmarva’s nature and culture with her 10-year old daughter, Ella.
Conference Sponsors
The 2017 Lower Shore Rural Economic Development Session Sponsors
Registration
2017 Lower Shore Rural Economic Development Session
