2019 MEDA Winter Conference
- This event has passed.
Public and private sector leaders share their thoughts on economic development-related legislation that will be considered by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2019 session.
Presenters will include leadership from local, regional, and statewide organizations. We’ll also hear from key members of the Maryland General Assembly who will provide insights on the upcoming session.
Click here to download the draft agenda!
Click here to review minutes from the MEDA Fall Conference Business Meeting.
When
Thu, Jan 10, 2019 @ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Where
Governor Calvert House
58 State Circle
Annapolis , MD 21401
Book a Special Rate at the Historic Inns of Annpolis
* The special MEDA hotel rate is $129 plus tax and the cut off date is December 10, 2018.
You can also make reservations by calling directly to 800.847.8882 and reference the MEDA Room Block/Group #1012ES.
Conference Speakers
The 2019 MEDA Winter Conference Speakers
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.
Born on February 8, 1963 in Boksburg, South Africa, Gavin was raised in Perth, Australia by his single mother, Pauline. He attended Belmont City College located in Australia’s southwest coastal area near the Indian Ocean. Gavin worked his way across the world after departing Perth in 1984 after he dropped anchor in Spa Creek in 1992 with only $200 in his pocket, fell in love with Annapolis for its unique blend of history, maritime culture, and small-town friendliness, and fell in love again when he met future wife, Annapolis local Julie Williams. They married in 1997 and together they are now raising two children, Dash & Miles.
From his first job as a server at Middleton Tavern, Gavin showed the vision and entrepreneurial spirit for which he is so well known. He quickly learned the basics of business, raised capital, and navigated bureaucracy to open Annapolis’ first coffee shop, The Moon, in 1993.
In time, Gavin began to see potential in West Street – then considered the “wrong part of town,” where drug deals and prostitution were common. He opened pan-Asian restaurant, Tsunami, in 2000. A diverse group of residents, passionate about their community, responded to his vision and Tsunami soon became “the place” to be. Tsunami’s success encouraged Gavin to establish new restaurants, including Lemongrass and Metropolitan in 2005 and Sailor Oyster Bar in 2016. All of his business ventures are located on West Street in Annapolis.
But becoming a successful businessman was just the beginning for Gavin. His dedication to West Street and its communities inspired Gavin to help create the Sunday Arts Festivals, followed by the Annapolis Fringe Festival, the Chocolate Binge Festival, the Annapolis Color Run, West Street Holiday Light Canopy, and the wildly popular Dining Under the Stars.
Gavin is committed to preserving the historic character of Annapolis with leadership and vision to ensure it remains a dynamic, living city. This is why he challenged and defeated the City’s plan to demolish 100-year-old homes on West Street to make way for an 800-car garage. This area is now the West Village Precinct – a flourishing hub for local businesses, residents, and visitors.
Gavin knows that community connections are at the heart of West Street’s transformation. He has served on the boards of Friends of St. Johns College, Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County’s Citizens Advisory Board, and the West Street Business Association. Gavin also is a member of the Anne Arundel County Chapter of the NAACP and a founder of the Annapolis Arts District. He is longtime champion of public art and supporter of local musicians.
Elected Mayor of Annapolis in November 2017, Gavin is committed to bringing together business owners, community leaders, and residents to develop innovative ideas and economic opportunities for Main Street, Maryland Ave, West Annapolis and all parts of the city. These include 21st century transit solutions, a more transparent development process, strong community policing, and greater focus on the needs of the local community.
Gavin imagines an inclusive city, full of opportunities for all citizens as part of his One Annapolis vision. He is committed to our shared community and our shared future. His vision is for a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive Annapolis with infrastructure, services, and events that make it a wonderful place to work and live for all.
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.
Donald C. Fry has been the president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), the central Maryland region’s most prominent organization of business and civic leaders, since November 2002.
The GBC serves as a knowledgeable and highly credible business voice in the Baltimore region, Annapolis and Washington, D.C., on policy issues and competitive challenges facing Maryland. Its mission is to apply private-sector leadership to strengthening the business climate and quality of life in the region and state.
Fry served as GBC executive vice president from 1999 to 2002. From 1980 to 1999 Fry was engaged in a private law practice in Harford County. During this time he also served in the Maryland General Assembly. He is one of only a handful of legislators to have served on each of the major budget committees of the General Assembly.
Serving in the Senate of Maryland from 1997 to 1998, Fry was a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee. As a member of the House of Delegates from 1991 to 1997 Fry served on the Ways and Means Committee and on the Appropriations Committee.
Fry is a 1979 graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law. He earned a B.S. in political science from Frostburg State College.
Christine A. Ross joined the Maryland Chamber of Commerce as President/CEO in July 2016. Ms. Ross previously served as CEO of the Greater Bonita Springs Chamber transforming the 1,000-member organization through difficult times and winning the coveted five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for effectiveness and impact. She advocated for regulatory changes to improve the region’s competitive business climate, and worked to ensure quality workforce and education reform, progressive infrastructure planning for transportation, and technology.
Ross also led a wide range of economic development activities such as long range broadband planning for a five county area of 1.2 million residents as well as a a state-wide strategic update for the Enterprise Florida 2014-17 economic development plan.
She was voted Chamber Executive of the Year by the Florida Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives and her Chamber was recognized as Florida’s Chamber of the Year in 2014. That same year she earned her Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) status, only 500 chamber executives in the US have earned this designation.
Prior to her service at the Bonita Springs Area Chamber, Ross served in similar positions at the Falmouth, MA and Williamstown, MA chambers for a total of nine years. She also worked as the Program Director of the Berkshire Visitors Bureau and as Marketing Director at the Pittsfield, MA Tourism Council prior to her Chamber experience.
Ross has several Maryland connections including earning an MBA and a Master’s in Marketing from the University of Maryland University College. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. Ross is married and has three grown children, two of whom are in graduate school in the Washington, D.C. area.
Member of Senate since January 1975 (representing District 28, Prince George’s County, 1975-82; District 27, Prince George’s County, 1983-2002; District 27, Calvert & Prince George’s Counties, 2003-14; District 27, Calvert, Charles & Prince George’s Counties, since 2015).
Senate President since January 1987. Co-Chair, Legislative Policy Committee, 1987- (co-chair; management subcommittee, 1987-). Senate Chair, Investigation Committee, 1997-. Member, Rules Committee, 1983-; Executive Nominations Committee, 1991-98, 2001- Spending Affordability Committee, 1991-. Chair, Judicial Proceedings Committee, 1983-86. Deputy Majority Leader, 1983-86. Member, Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 1987-89. Board of Directors, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, 1987-. President, Southern States Senate Leaders Conference, 1988. President, Senate Presidents’ Forum, 1997-99. Chair, Southern Legislative Conference of Council of State Governments, 2001-02 (vice-chair, 1999-2000; executive committee, 2008-).
Member, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, 1975-1982, 1995-; Executive/Legislative Committee to Study the Feasibility of a Biennial Budget, 1985; Governor’s Oversight Committee on Liability Insurance, 1986; Chesapeake Bay Trust, 1987; Maryland Housing Policy Commission, 1987; Advisory Council on Lead Poisoning, 1987; Maryland Veterans Home Commission, 1987; State Commission on the Capital City, 1987-92; State House Trust, 1987-; Maryland 1992 Commission, 1989-94; Governor’s Task Force on Trees and Forests, 1990; Museum Assistance Review Panel, 1990-; Task Force on Affiliation Between Historic St. Mary’s City Commission and St. Mary’s College of Maryland, 1996; Hall of Records Commission, 1996-; Task Force to Study Retail Electric Competition and the Restructuring of the Electric Utility Industry, 1997-98. Presidential Elector, Maryland, 2000. Member, Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee, 2001-02; Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, 2007-; Maryland Access to Justice Commission, 2008-14; Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee, 2011; Advisory Board on After-School and Summer Opportunity Programs, 2012-.
Member, House of Delegates, representing District 3, Prince George’s County, January 13, 1971 to January 8, 1975. Member, Judiciary Committee, 1971-75.
Resident of Calvert County. Born in Clinton, Maryland, December 3, 1942. Attended Prince George’s County public schools; Surrattsville High School; University of Maryland, B.S. (business administration), 1964; University of Maryland School of Law, LL.B., J.D., 1967. Admitted to Maryland Bar, 1967. Attorney. Member, American and Prince George’s County Bar Associations; Maryland State Bar Association (special committee on citizenship & law-related education, 2002-). Member, Calvert, Surratts, Brandywine, Nottingham, Fort Washington, and Upper Marlboro Democratic Clubs. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2012. Chair, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Past officer or director of numerous boys and girls clubs; civic, fraternal, business, social and historical organizations. Board of Directors, Accokeek Foundation. Recipient of awards from Washington-area Boy Scouts, Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire Departments, Maryland Med-Chi, Maryland and Prince George’s County Police Departments, Sierra Club, and veterans groups. Outstanding Citizen, Prince George’s County Board of Trade. Outstanding Legislator, Maryland Municipal League. Public Service Award, AFL-CIO, Local 400. Outstanding Knight of Columbus. William P. Coliton Community Service Award, The Johns Hopkins University, 1986. Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, University of Maryland, 1988. Recognition Award, Maryland Association of Counties, 1993, 2004. William M. Bulger Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award, State Legislative Leaders Foundation, 1997. Tyser Medallion, University of Maryland Alumni Association, 1999. Louis Goldstein Award for Public Service, Maryland AHEAD, 1999. Achievement Award, Surrattsville High School Foundation, 2000. John R. Hargreaves Distinguished Legislative Fellow Award, Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, Salisbury University, 2002. Alumni Hall of Fame, University of Maryland, 2005. Citation, Maryland Healthy Air Act Coalition, 2006. Marylander of the Year, Maryland Historical Society, 2007. National Conservation Leadership Award, Accokeek Foundation, 2009. Outstanding Service Award, University of Maryland College Park Foundation, 2010. Distinguished Service Award, Maryland Council for Social Studies, 2011. Distinguished Legislator Award, Maryland Municipal League, 2014. Married; five children; thirteen grandchildren.
Member of House of Delegates since January 14, 1987 (representing District 30, 1987-2015; District 30A since January 14, 2015). House Speaker since January 8, 2003. Co-Chair, Legislative Policy Committee, 2003- (member, 1994-). Member, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 1994-; Spending Affordability Committee, 2003-. Member, Judiciary Committee, 1987-91. Deputy Majority Whip, 1993. Chair, Economic Matters Committee, 1994-2003 (member, 1991-2003; home inspection industry subcommittee, 1991). Co-Chair, Joint Committee on State Economic Development Initiatives, 1995-96. House Chair, Joint Committee on Health Care Delivery and Financing, 1995-98. Member, Special Joint Committee on Competitive Taxation and Economic Development, 1996-97. House Chair, Joint Committee on the Port of Baltimore, 2000-03. Chair, Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Legislative Redistricting, 2001-02. Member, Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2002. Chair, Anne Arundel County Delegation, 1992-93 (member, capital projects subcommittee, 2005).
Chair, State Commission on Physical Fitness, 1989-94. Member, Governor’s Commission on Baltimore City Automobile-Insurance Rate Reduction, 1995. Board of Trustees, Maryland Historical Trust, 1995-. Member, Advisory Committee to Study Funding Mechanisms for the Maryland Insurance Administration, 1997-98. Co-Chair, Study Panel to Review Economic Development Financing Programs, 1999. Member, State Commission on the Capital City, 1999-; Governor’s Task Force to Study the Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund, 1999-2000; Task Force on Regulatory Reform, 1999-2001; Government House Trust, 2003-; State House Trust, 2003-. Interim Chair, Board of Directors, University of Maryland Medical System Corporation, 2008 (member, 2004-). Member, Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, 2007-; Maryland Access to Justice Commission, 2008-; Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee, 2011; Advisory Board on After-School and Summer Opportunity Programs, 2012-.
Resident of Annapolis. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, January 4, 1947. Graduated from St. Mary’s High School, Annapolis; Temple University, B.S. (education), 1970. Teacher and coach, St. Mary’s High School, 1973-79. Administrator for youth athletics, Department of Recreation and Parks, Anne Arundel County, 1979-. Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2012. Served on a number of local boards, including those for Charles Carroll House, Inc.; Banneker-Douglass Foundation; Annapolis Touchdown Club. Coach of the Year (football), 1978; Man of the Year, Anne Arundel County Lacrosse Association, 1982. Anne Arundel County Sports Hall of Fame, 2004. Legislator of the Year, Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, 2005. Citation, Maryland Healthy Air Act Coalition, 2006. Honorary Park Ranger, Maryland Park Service, 2008. Distinguished Legislator Award, Maryland Municipal League, 2008, 2011 (certificate of appreciation, 2007; municipal super star, 2009). John R. Hargreaves Distinguished Legislative Fellow Award, Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, Salisbury University, 2008. Legislator of the Year, Maryland State Medical Society (MedChi), 2009. Champion for Children, Department of Human Resources and Maryland State Bar Association, 2010. John V. Kabler Memorial Award, Maryland League of Conservation Voters, 2010. Distinguished Legislator Award, Maryland Municipal League, 2011. First Citizen Award, Maryland Senate, 2012. Public Education Advocate Award, Public School Superintentendents’ Association of Maryland, 2012. Sara Carter Award, Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee, 2012. Outstanding Service Award, University of Maryland College Park Foundation, 2012. Married; two children.
Senator J.B. Jennings represents the 7th District of Baltimore and Harford Counties.
He is a life-long Marylander; attended and graduated from Baltimore County Public Schools and went on to receive his degree from the University of Baltimore.
He currently serves as the Minority Leader of the Maryland State Senate. In this capacity, as the highest ranking Republican in the Senate, he works directly with Governor Hogan and leads the Republican Caucus.
J.B. serves on the Senate Finance Committee, as well as the Executive Nominations Committee, and the Senate Rules Committee.
He has been the lead sponsor of numerous pieces of legislation that have now become law; many of which benefit military veterans, improve education and protect second amendment rights.
For almost 20 years, he has owned and operated a small business in northern Baltimore County. Additionally, J.B. is a proud member of the Maryland Air National Guard where he still serves to this day.
J.B. and his wife, Michelle, and their two children, J.W. and Kate, live on a farm in Harford County where they board horses and raise cattle and poultry.
Tenure
First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2006. Member of the House January 10, 2007 to January 14 2015, representing District 31, Anne Arundel County. Representing District 31B, Anne Arundel County, beginning January 14, 2015.
Current Assignments
2013- Minority Leader
2013 Legislative Policy Committee
2014 House Committee on Rules and Executive Nominations
2007- Health and Government Operations Committee
2019 Insurance and Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee
2019 Health Occupations and Long Term Care Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee
2013 Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families
2013- Spending Affordability Committee
2019 Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics
2019 Marijuana Legalization Work Group
2013 Maryland Veterans Caucus
Past House Service
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Workgroup, 2018; Opioid Workgroup, 2018; Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer, 2015; Joint Committee on Base Realignment and Closure, 2011-2012; Minority Health Disparities Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2007-2011; Government Operations Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2011-2014; Estates and Trusts Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2015-2017; Health Facilities and Occupations Subcommittee, 2017; Insurance Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2007-2019; Health Facilities and Pharmaceuticals Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee, 2017-2019; Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2010-2015; Chair, Anne Arundel County House Delegation, 2013.
Public Service
Maryland Health Care Reform Coordinating Council, 2011-2015; Maryland Communities for a Lifetime Commission, 2010-2011; Maryland Council for New Americans, 2009-2010; Workgroup on Clean and Healthy Waterways, Anne Arundel County Delegation, 2009-2010; Statewide Empowerment Zones for Seniors Commission, 2008-2009; Chair, Workgroup on Correctional Facilities Residential Drug Treatment, 2008-2009; Drug and Alcohol Abuse Council, Anne Arundel County, 2005-2007.
Memberships
Autism Awareness Advocate, 2003-2012; Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, 2005-2008; Vice Chair, Maryland Interfaith Recover Coalition, 2005-2006; Boulevard Park Improvement Association; North County Republican Club; Life Member, National Rifle Association; Public Policy Dispute Resolution Fellow.
Awards
The Casper R. Taylor, Jr. Founder’s Award, House of Delegates, 2018; Very Important Professional Successful by 40, The Daily Record, 2017.
Biographical Information
Born, Baltimore, Maryland, January 26, 1979; Chesapeake High School; Anne Arundel Community College; Restaurant Manager, FriendCo Restaurants, 1995-2000; Manufacturer Representative, REPS & Associates, Inc., 2000-Present; Chair, Church Council, Our Lady of the Chesapeake Catholic Church, 2001-02; Married; three children.
Jack McDougle is a champion of innovation-friendly and collaborative cultures; working with business, government and nonprofit organizations for more than 20 years to develop and implement breakthrough ideas that create sustainable competitive advantage. He focuses teams to thrive in complex environments, think with a global perspective and flexibly adapt to change while generating creative, viable approaches to challenging situations.
Jack founded Blutre Strategies in 2009 as a personal initiative to drive innovation and improve quality of life through economic capacity building, both in the U.S. and globally. One of his projects included serving as Senior Vice President at the Council on Competitiveness where he engaged more than 150 CEO’s, university presidents and labor leaders to formulate and lead a National Manufacturing Initiative – convening key thought leaders across the U.S. to construct strategies and programs enhancing U.S. manufacturing, increasing exports and creating jobs. This bipartisan public policy agenda was shared with officials and business leaders throughout the country.
Prior to Blutre, Jack served as Deputy Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce where he successfully helped lead turn-around efforts for the $2 billion 2010 Census Automation Program. As Deputy Assistant Secretary for Industry Analysis, he worked collaboratively with government agencies and the private sector to minimize the negative impacts of proposed regulations to the aerospace, energy, manufacturing, and construction industries. Jack also led global strategy and communications planning to advance U.S. export programs; directed analyses leading to Congressional approval of various trade agreements and supported trade missions ranging from Azerbaijan and Kuwait to China and India. While at the U.S. Department of State, Jack helped build and lead components of the U.S. hosted G8 Summit at Sea Island, GA.
In the private sector, at People’s United Bank, Jack was chosen by the CEO to implement a strategic business process, integrated with human resources and financial planning, which resulted in increased sales, customer retention, and profitability. He formulated new organizational change and talent performance concepts to enrich corporate culture and broaden decision-making parameters.
Jack regularly discusses economic, business, manufacturing, and trade issues with senior government and industry officials as well as presenting at various meetings and events. He’s been featured on PBS NewsHour and in numerous print publications. Jack earned his M.B.A. in strategy and finance at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
JULIE A. MUSSOG, President and CEO of Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation, was appointed on November 1, 2016. Prior to her appointment, she served as Controller of Anne Arundel County and as Special Assistant to the County Executive for Anne Arundel County. Prior to working at the County, she worked at the State of Maryland as a Legislative Aide. Prior to her time at the State of Maryland she worked at various finance and accounting roles in the private sector including PricewaterhouseCoopers, Pulte Homes and Dell, Inc. She has 20 years of experience in the private and public sector.
Ms. Mussog holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants and the Government Finance Officers Association.
Martin (Marty) Rosendale
Marty is the CEO of the Maryland Technology Council, a Partner with the Newport Board Group and a 35-year veteran of the Biotechnology industry. The Maryland Tech Council (MTC) is a collaborative community, actively engaged in building stronger technology and life science companies by supporting the efforts of individual members. It is the largest technology trade association in the state of Maryland with over 450 members.
With over 15 years of C level experience, Marty has led several successful businesses in various market sectors including medical biologics, drugs, medical devices, and plastics. He has launched, branded, acquired or commercialized more than 10 products and companies. He has raised equity-based capital for public and private companies and non-dilutive capital through strategic partnerships. Marty has also provided technical support or corporate advice to companies in the biotechnology, food preparation, and plastics engineering market sectors.
Marty has presented in public forums to numerous audiences on a variety of topics including, corporate investment, medical products, healthcare reimbursement, and infectious disease. He has been a Board member for Nuo Therapeutics, the Transplant Recipients International Organization and the American Red Cross, San Jose Region. He also served on the Health Advisory Committee for past California State Senator Diane Watson.
Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford is an accomplished attorney with a lifetime of experience in both the public and private sectors. He served as Associate Administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration, where he was responsible for increasing utilization of small businesses in government procurement, as well as continually improving the efficiency of the agency.
In addition, Lt. Governor Rutherford served as Assistant Secretary for Administration for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). He was nominated for the position by President George W. Bush, and confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate. As Assistant Secretary, Lt. Governor Rutherford led efforts that saved millions of taxpayer dollars.
Prior to serving in the USDA, Lt. Governor Rutherford served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) under Governor Bob Ehrlich. In that capacity, Lt. Governor Rutherford was responsible for more than $900 million in annual contract administration and 10 million square feet of State owned and leased facilities. As Secretary of DGS, Lt. Governor Rutherford continued to find creative ways to save Maryland taxpayers millions of dollars, while also initiating and completing the expansion and renovation of numerous State buildings.
In addition to his public service, Lt. Governor Rutherford has extensive legal and business experience, including service in business and government law, information technology sales, and small and minority business development.
Lt. Governor Rutherford holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Political Science from Howard University. Additionally, he has a Master’s Degree in Communications Management and a law degree, both from the University of Southern California.
Lt. Governor Rutherford resides in Columbia, Maryland with his wife Monica. They have three adult children.
Laurie Boyer is the Economic Development Manager in the Division of Fiscal Management for the Montgomery County Government Finance Department. She is responsible for overseeing the County’s economic development incentive programs and for managing contracts with third-party vendors who provide economic development-related services on behalf of the County.
Previously, Laurie served as the Executive Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), a public-private economic development partnership in the City of Rockville, and as Executive Director for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
In May 2006, Boyer earned her professional Economic Development Certification (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council. She has nearly 18 years of economic development experience.
Ms. Boyer 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. 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.
Sean Looney is Vice President, State Government Affairs for Comcast NBCUniversal. He represents the nation’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services before the General Assembly, Governor’s Office and state agencies in Maryland and Delaware. Sean joined Comcast in December, 2003 after retiring from a 19-year career at Verizon, Bell Atlantic and New Jersey Bell. He has served as the Treasurer of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW), and on the Board of Directors and Legislative Committee of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Sean has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, where he also was Chair of Maryland Hall’s Arts Alive Gala for several years He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Leadership Maryland (LMD), and graduated from LMD’s Class of 1996. He has also served as President of the Maryland Government Relations Association (MGRA), on the Advisory Committee for Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG), President of the Board of Directors for the Maryland Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), President of the Smithsonian Institution’s Young Benefactors, and on the Catholic Charities of Baltimore Development Committee. He has done volunteer work for various organizations in the area since moving to MD in 1990, including the Travis Manion Foundation, Annapolis Lighthouse Shelter and St. Anne’s Infant and Maternity Home in Washington, DC. Sean was honored with the 2008 CASA Light for Children Award and was Leadership Maryland’s State Leader of the Year in 2003. He lives with his wife and two children in Annapolis, MD and Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ. Sean received a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ.
Kelly M. Schulz brings a wealth of knowledge to the Maryland Department of Commerce from her years of experience working in the government, in the private sector and as a small business owner. She had previously served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) since her confirmation in February 2015 and is also a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates.
At DLLR, she was responsible for managing an agency with nearly 2,000 employees and an operating budget of more than $375 million. Under her leadership, Maryland’s apprenticeship program grew to its highest level since 2008, with more than 10,000 apprentices statewide. DLLR’s Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland program received national recognition for both innovation and effectiveness and was named one of the Top 25 programs in the 2018 Innovations in American Government Award competition.
A former member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing Frederick County, she served on the Economic Matters Committee from 2011- 2015. In addition to local issues, then Delegate Schulz took special interest in legislation relating to banks and other financial institutions, business, occupations and professions, economic development, labor and employment, unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation.
Prior to embarking on a career of public service, Secretary Schulz sold real estate, worked as a program manager for a defense contractor and was a part-owner of a cyber security firm. She has received several awards including the Outstanding Recent Alumna Award from Hood College in 2011, and is proud to participate as a member in many local community organizations including the Libertytown-Unionville Lions Club and the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company. Kelly is also a past Board member of the Frederick County Habitat for Humanity.
Secretary Schulz obtained her Associates degree from Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York and later obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.
A native of Warren, Michigan, Kelly currently lives in Frederick County, Maryland with her husband John Nowell and has two sons, Brandon and Bradley.
