2025 MEDA Primer for Economic Development in Maryland

Alexander K. Austin, is a results-driven and dynamic business leader, offering 20 (+) years expertise in diverse fields ranging from, Workforce Development, Business Acquisitions/Advisory Services, Business to Consumer solutions & Entrepreneurship.

Alexander is the President and CEO of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization representing the businesses of Prince George’s County. Operating as one of the largest chambers in the state of Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan region.

Known as an Intrapreneurial & Entrepreneurial Leader! Alexander has created a unique portfolio of diverse skills and achievements ranging from creating new- products & services for the local market, owning operating a professional sports franchise, publishing a book, as well as advising mid-market company acquisition and capital raise strategies.

Alexander currently serves on the Governors Workforce Development Board, The Comptroller of Maryland Business Advisory Council and The Maryland Department of Transportation Attainment Report Advisory Committee 2023. In addition, he has also worked within organizations to contribute to their organic growth, building and scaling new innovative projects that impact the local business community. For his work and commitment, Alexander has been featured within the Washington Business Journal, Baltimore Sun and PG Suite magazines.

Having been born and raised in Prince George’s County, Alexander is passionate about the counties continued growth and advancement. As a native Prince Georgian, he is focused and committed to bridging the gap, aligning the efforts of the business community, representing one voice for Prince George’s County Businesses.

He is a family man, happily married to his wife Candice and proud father to his three wonderful children, Jordan, Savannah and Xavier. Whenever he’s off professional duties, he enjoys exercising, creating new business idea’s and spending time with Family.

His Belief – “Family is the nucleus of success”

His Life’s Motto – “We are only bound by the limits of our own conviction,” –
Robert F Smith

Laurie (Boyer) Babb is a Director of Economic Development on the Business Development team at the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). She focuses on business retention/expansion projects, real estate/site selection and efforts to recruit corporate headquarters. She also manages the ACE Loan Fund program which provides loans to small, minority, and woman-owned businesses.

Ms. Babb previously served as the Economic Development Manager for the Business Advancement Team in the Office of the County Executive, Montgomery County Government where she was 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. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she developed policies and procedures and implemented over $40 million in emergency grant programs established to directly assist local businesses.

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. She has 20+ years of economic development experience.

Ms. Babb is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery Class of 2014 and Leadership Frederick County Class of 1997, currently serves as a Past President of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and is co-chair of the MEDA Professional Development Committee, on the Leadership Committee of NAIOP DC-MD, and on the Sponsorship Committee of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) MD Suburban.

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.

Rosa Cruz, a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), is Chief of Staff at the Maryland
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). As a member of the
executive team, she is responsible for managing organizational workflow and
communications and defining parameters of implementation on cross-functional
teams. She was previously at DHCD from 2008 to 2012 as Deputy Director of
Communications.
Prior to returning to state service, Rosa was Vice President of Communications for the
Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) in Annapolis where she
managed program initiatives and communication strategies that helped AAEDC attract
and retain businesses in Anne Arundel County.
Her professional experience includes serving in the Governor’s Office and working in
television news production for several media outlets on the east coast including ESPN,
Fox News’ DC bureau and local news stations in Baltimore, Maryland and Richmond,
Virginia.
Rosa is the co-chair of the Professional Development Committee of the Maryland
Economic Development Association (MEDA) as well as a board member. She also serves
as the President of the Board of Directors of the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn
Park, Maryland.
She holds a Master of Arts in Public Affairs/Journalism from the American University
and a BA in International Studies from George Mason University.

Logan Dean serves as Apprenticeship Program Manager for the Maryland Department of Labor. He coordinates a statewide team of apprenticeship experts who help employers develop high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs which train workers in more than 200 occupations. The Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program is responsible for developing and promoting apprenticeship opportunities across a diverse range of industries, while safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Maryland’s almost 13,000 Registered Apprentices. Prior to joining the Apprenticeship team, Logan served as Policy Analyst for Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning and Director of Service Learning at the Living Classrooms Foundation.

With over 20 years of expertise across municipal, county, and state economic development, Heather holds a wealth of knowledge in transforming communities.

Heather’s career spans a range of economic development focuses, from business and community development to downtown revitalization. After graduating from Hood College with her B.A. in Business Administration, she started her career in economic development, working with the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development. She then transitioned to the Maryland Department of Commerce as Director of Regional Growth and Retention before returning to Frederick in 2017 to serve the Frederick County Office of Economic Development as Deputy Director.

Most recently, Heather served as the Assistant Secretary of Business and Industry Sector Development with the Maryland Department of Commerce.

In this role, Heather oversaw all aspects of the state’s business development efforts, including domestic and international business attraction and in-state business retention and expansion efforts; strategic industry sector development; economic development finance programs; and the agency’s advocacy and support for military and federal assets in the state.

Continuing her dedication to economic development, she became a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in 2007 and is a graduate of the Leadership Frederick County (2011) and Leadership Maryland (2017) programs.

In 2012, Heather received the Leading Women Award from the Maryland Daily Record, which honors women under forty for outstanding career achievements. Recipients are chosen based on their professional experience, community involvement, and dedication to inspiring change.

Heather was honored by the Development Counsellors International (DCI) 40 Under 40 Awards in 2015, which celebrate the top forty economic development professionals under forty who show exceptional leadership, dedication, and innovation in their work every day.

Richard Griffin, AICP, CEcD is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick.
In that role oversees four City Departments including the Department of Economic
Development, Downtown Parking Department, Frederick Municipal Airport, and Weinberg
Center for the Arts. Griffin is accredited economic developer and urban planner with over 30
years of experience.
During his 20+-year tenure in Frederick he has overseen major City Projects including the design
and development of award-winning Carroll Creek Park, airport expansion, and parking garage
development along with coordinating complex development projects delivering jobs and tax
base in downtown and commercial corridors. He has worked with many businesses in Frederick
including AstraZeneca, Fort Detrick, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Stulz,
Wilcoxen, Precision For Medicine, and many small mom and pop shops, and minority and
women owned businesses.
Richard has experience working at the city, county, regional, and federal level in Maryland,
Virginia, North and South Carolina and Washington State. He served on the district staff of the
late US Representative James Clarke from the 11th District of NC. He is a US Army veteran
having served as a Cavalry border guard on the East German Border during the cold war and as
a commissioned Armor officer in the NC National Guard and Army Reserves.
Mr. Griffin holds degrees from Western Carolina University and Clemson University. He is the
President of the Board for the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), and
serves on the Boards of the Fort Detrick Alliance, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center,
Inc, and others. He is Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and volunteers as a scout leader and youth
mountain bike race team coach. His wife Lynne is a FCPS teacher and they live, work, and play
in Downtown Frederick.

Drew Jabin

Jennifer Jones is an industry thought leader with over 20 years of business and leadership experience in the private and public sectors. During her tenure in the public sector, Jones has been an integral part of the Howard County business ecosystem, directly assisting and forging valuable relationships with thousands of Howard County businesses. Over the course of her career, Jones has served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Howard County Government, where she helped thousands of businesses survive and thrive through the pandemic. She also served as the Vice President of Business Development at Live Nation, where she was responsible for business analysis and market expansion.

In her most recent role as Business Development Strategist for the County Executive’s Office, Jones advised on economic development, holding over a dozen business roundtables to understand and address challenges, and implemented entrepreneurship and small business initiatives. Jones is an active Howard County resident and public servant, serving as a board member of several community and business organizations, including the Howard County Tourism Board, Columbia Festival of the Arts, Howard County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Downtown Columbia Partnership and the Howard County Center of African American Culture.

Jones holds a Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law, a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University.

Jayson Knott is Senior Director of the Office of Business Development at the Maryland Department of Commerce. He leads teams responsible for attracting new businesses to Maryland, growing existing Maryland businesses, and providing assistance to Maryland small businesses. Knott began his tenure with the Department in 1998, first working in publications and advertising, and then moving into business development in 2000. Prior to the Maryland Department of Commerce, he spent nine years coordinating publications for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Knott received his BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1987, and has completed numerous continuing education courses with IEDC. A Westminster native, Knott lives in Towson with his wife and two sons.

Mindy Lehman is the Chief Government Program Development, Affairs & Policy Officer at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). She brings over 20 years of experience leading government affairs and serving as representative at the state and federal levels.

In her role, she leads TEDCO’s Government Program Development, Affairs & Policy department, serving as TEDCO’s chief liaison with State, Federal and local elected officials, and government, including broad-based policy development, intra and inter-agency coordination, and guidance on program implementation and management to ensure compliance with statutory requirements. She advises TEDCO’s senior management on issues including State budget priorities, tech-led economic development, tech transfer and commercialization, entrepreneurial development, and venture capital investing. Mindy also oversees the development and implementation of TEDCO initiatives and programs resulting from legislation. Including the recent Equitech Growth Fund & Commission and Cyber Maryland Program.

The Equitech Growth Fund, a part of TEDCO’s Cultivate Maryland initiative, was established by the Maryland General Assembly to increase Maryland’s competitiveness as an innovation economy. This was in response to a recent study outlining the need for more diversity and inclusion in Maryland’s technology ecosystem. In a similar vein, the overall objective of the Cyber Maryland Program is to help build and accelerate a talent pipeline that materially reduces Maryland’s cybersecurity industry vacancies.

Prior to TEDCO, Mindy held executive leadership roles at Maryland Bankers Association (MBA). During her time at MBA, she led governmental affairs and served as an advocate for the industry. Mindy worked closely with MBA leadership on COVID-19 related initiatives, including: the Paycheck Protection Program, public and private partnerships, and industry efforts to assist customers during financial hardship. Additionally, she spearheaded MBA’s innovative Emerging Leader program, a flagship offering designed to help build diversity and inclusion while giving participants a unique opportunity to connect with Maryland and national industry leaders.

Prior to MBA, Mindy served eight years with the Maryland Independent College and University Association, as the director of governmental affairs. She also served as a legislative aide to Delegate Ronald A. Guns, chairman of the Environmental Matters Committee.

Mindy serves as a board member of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Maryland, and the American Red Cross of Central Maryland. She is a member of MEDA.

Mindy holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware in political science and a master’s degree from UMBC in public administration.

Christine McPherson serves as the Assistant Director of the Community and Economic Development Partnership Team and the State Coordinator of the Main Street Maryland Program at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) . In this role, she works collaboratively with local governments and nonprofit organizations across the state to provide technical assistance, program support, and professional development.
With over a decade of experience in the Main Street field, Christine brings a wealth of expertise in place-based economic development, small business support, and nonprofit leadership. Prior to her work in downtown revitalization, Christine spent five years in community development, including a dedicated service as an AmeriCorps member.

With over 20 years of experience in public and private funding at the federal, state and
local levels, President & CEO, Dawn R. Medley is a recognized thought leader who has
developed, implemented and managed operations in sectors like CDFIs, CDCs,
commercial banking, economic development and small business finance. She
specializes in U.S. Small Business Administration’s loan programs and economic
development financing programs, managing a $60 million portfolio that enhances local
economies and supports job creation. Driven by a passion for expanding access to
business financing, Mrs. Medley has championed business education and empowering
the next generation of entrepreneurs. FSC First has been instrumental in removing
barriers to capital that has resulted in $162.5 million in financial assistance that was the
catalyst for another $1.5 billion in private capital community investment.
Mrs. Medley has been a Task Force member for gubernatorial business forward
initiatives, provided testimony to the Maryland General Assembly, and drafted legislation
that has become law to provide access to capital for immerging small businesses.
She holds a B.S. in Business Administration, focusing on Business Law and Public
Policy, from the University of Maryland University College. She serves on the Board of
Directors for the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and the
Maryland Commercial Lenders Association (MCLA).

Since 2015, Tamar has served on the Regional Growth and Retention team of the Maryland Department of Commerce, the state’s economic development agency. Based in Frederick, Tamar works with businesses across industries and in all stages of the business life cycle to connect them with state and ecosystem resources, develop business opportunities, and address challenges. Prior to joining Commerce, she served as a local government affairs director for the Maryland Association of REALTORS® and led the federal public policy operations at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Tamar holds the Certified Economic Developer designation from the International Economic Development Council. She earned her BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA from The University of Texas at Austin, where she was a Lyndon Baines Johnson Scholar.

Dr. Candace Pruett is the Assistant Regional Director for the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Corridor Region, where she supports small business development and economic growth across Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George’s, and Montgomery Counties. In her role, Candace oversees regional strategy, partnership engagement, and business consulting initiatives that help entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their ventures.

Candace is a recipient of the 2017 SBDC State Star Award, recognized nationally at the ASBDC conference for her contributions to the small business community. She has also been awarded a 40 under 40 award for the National SBDC program in 2022. Candace is a GrowthWheel Certified Business Advisor and a FranFit Advisor. A committed leader in economic development, Candace serves as a member of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Young Leaders Group and was awarded the MEDA Rising Star Award in 2023. She has also played an active role in shaping entrepreneurship education as an adjunct professor and judge for the annual business plan pitch competition at Anne Arundel Community College from 2016 to 2020.

Candace holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and both her MBA and B.S. in Management from Salisbury University. Her research interests focus on generational dynamics and the role of organizational culture in knowledge transfer.

Cindy Stewart Rivarde serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. She combines her extensive experience and demonstrated success in creating vibrant downtown spaces, encouraging economic growth, and promoting cultural initiatives to lead REDI in new and inventive ways that attract, grow, and retain businesses within the City of Rockville.

She joined REDI after serving as the Deputy City Manager for the City of Coral Springs, Florida—a city with 133,000 residents and more than 1,000 employees. In that role, she helped to manage a $198 million annual budget and had direct responsibility and oversight of the Economic Development Office, Community Development Services, Community Redevelopment Area Operations, Communications and Marketing, as well as other departments.

Prior to her role as Deputy City Manager for the City of Coral Springs, Cindy served as Community and Economic Developer for the City of Modesto, California. Her broad responsibilities included economic development, community development, planning and zoning, building, and engineering and road design. She excelled in bringing in new business and fostering business expansion, creating marketing and development plans for city-owned destination assets, overseeing the operation of the Convention and Visitor Bureau, and securing funding and financing for various projects.

She obtained her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law, a master of fine art in painting from Towson University, and a bachelor of arts degree in dramatic art/studio art from the University of North Carolina. Cindy invests in continuous professional development through education offered by the International Economic Development Council and remains active in the profession as a member of many industry-related organizations and frequent speaker.

Brian has dedicated his career to serving communities throughout Maryland as an economic development professional. Working directly with stakeholders at the community, County, and State level; he aims to leverage his experience and knowledge to find solutions and opportunities to better Maryland’s communities.

A resident of Howard County, Brian and his wife are raising their two children in the Historic Ellicott City community, where they have committed to the long term recovery and success of the community.

Kari Snyder is the Director of Community & Economic Development Partnerships for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Neighborhood Revitalization division. Kari leads the team that implements Main Street Maryland, Project Restore, Community Health & Safety Works, Operating Assistance Grants, Community Investment Tax Credits and Endow Maryland Tax Credits.

Prior to joining DHCD, Kari was the executive director of the Southeast Community Development Corporation, a 48-year-old non-profit organization that promotes healthy, vibrant and diverse communities in southeast Baltimore City. Kari joined Southeast CDC from Baltimore’s Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc., which brings capital to neighborhoods and builds local community development capacity. Kari has almost two decades of experience designing and implementing comprehensive place-based revitalization strategies that have improved the vitality of neighborhoods and commercial areas.

As TEDCO’s Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Tammi Thomas is responsible for the overall strategic direction, execution and management of TEDCO’s marketing and fundraising strategies. Her leadership is instrumental towards the organization’s success in identifying, investing in, and growing Maryland-based technology and life science-based start-ups. Tammi is an award-winning communicator with more than 30 years of experience in marketing, technology, economic development, higher education, and entrepreneurship. Among other awards, she recently received the Distinguished Women Award from the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland (2024) and was named one of I-95 Business’ Influential Women (2025).

She serves on the World Trade Center Institute’s CEO Council, Maryland Momentum Fund Advisory Board and President of MEDA’s Board of Directors.

Tammi earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Alabama State University and an MBA from the University of Baltimore. She takes great pride in her daughter, Sydney, who’s a nuclear engineer serving on a guided missile submarine. Go Navy!

Roger Venezia has been an economic developer for 40 years. He serves as Director of Operations & Special Projects for the Division of Business and Industry Sector Development at the Maryland Department of Commerce. In this capacity he serves as chief administrative officer of the agency’s largest division. He has been with Commerce since 2000.

Mr. Venezia has held marketing, research, and managerial positions for three different county economic development offices in Maryland. He served as Director of the Cecil County Office of Economic Development during which time he led the effort to develop the county’s first economic development strategic plan. He also served as Research Manager for PECO Energy Company of Philadelphia, one of the country’s largest electric utilities.

Mr. Venezia earned his Certified Economic Developer designation in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a second major in Economics from the University of Delaware.