2023 Economic Development Day in Annapolis

Danny graduated from Crisfield High School, received an Associate Degree in Accounting from Wor-Wic Community College and Business Administration at Salisbury University.

Danny is the current Executive Director for the Somerset County Economic Development Commission for the past 12 years. His position entitles him to focus on the retention and expansion of existing employers and the recruitment of new businesses to assist in the economic growth of Somerset County. He was previously employed with the State of Maryland in the Department of Labor, Licensing, & Regulation Agency for 12 years and formerly worked at the Carvel Hall Plant in Crisfield as Human Resources Manager, Time & Motion Study Observer for 10 years until its closing. He also owned & operated the Circle Inn Restaurant in Crisfield for 10 years.

He was the Past-Chairman of the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Somerset County Economic Development Commission. Danny serves as a board member for the Maryland Economic Development Association, Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, and was formerly a councilperson for 8 years at the City of Crisfield. He is also active as a High School Sports official in soccer & basketball.

Danny was raised in Fruitland, Maryland until 1975 then later moved to Crisfield, Maryland. He moved to the Princess Anne area in 2008. He is married to his wife, Cheryl who is a private music teacher, has a son Keith who graduated from University of Maryland College Park majoring in Electrical Engineering, and has two grandchildren Daniel Ryon, and Kaiden Nickolas. He enjoys all types of sports, cooking, playing trumpet in church, & spending time with his family.

Shaina Hernandez currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Wes Moore. In this capacity, she oversees issues relating to transportation, the environment, and economic development. Prior to her role with Governor Moore she served as Senior Advisor for Policy to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball where she led the development and implementation of the Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan, Ball’s plan to mitigate flooding in Historic Ellicott City. She also served as a subject matter expert on issues relating to emergency management, economic development, and the environment, and assisted in the passage of enhanced stormwater management regulations for the area surrounding Ellicott City.

Prior to joining the county executive’s staff, Hernandez served as Director of Local Government Affairs and Strategic Initiatives for the Greater Baltimore Committee, a coalition of regional business and civic leaders, where she led the organization’s local advocacy efforts, including expanding opportunities for justice-involved individuals. She also held several roles in the office of former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, including Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff. Hernandez resides in Baltimore City with her husband and children.

Brad Fallon serves as a Deputy Legislative Officer to Governor Wes Moore. Since 2017, Fallon has worked in and around the Maryland General Assembly where he has worked on a diverse array of legislation that impacts the lives of Marylanders. In his current role, Brad focuses on economic development, housing, workforce, community development, and a range of other topics that seek to expand opportunities for Marylanders.

Lori C. Valentine is the Vice President of Policy and Public Relations for the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), leading the organization’s business marketing and communications arm as well as its legislative teams. She is an experienced policy and public relations professional with years of experience in the public sector on the state and local levels serving as legislative directors for several state agencies, including the Maryland Department of Commerce (formerly DBED) and Prince George’s County government under former County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.
Prior to taking on her roles in Prince George’s County, Valentine gained valuable experience in legislative policy and negotiating after being tapped to serve as a legislative officer for Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich. On a mission to support Prince George’s County’s efforts to attract, retain and support the existing business community, she is focused on improving local entrepreneurs’ access to County programs and resources. Her team continuously creates stimulating communications and marketing collaterals that increase the visibility of the EDC programs and services, taking businesses to the next level of growth.
Lori can also be credited with contributions towards the passage of numerous pieces of legislation that support the business community’s ability to develop and expand in Maryland and Prince George’s County, supporting the County’s efforts to rebrand with its Experience, Expand, Explore campaign, coordinating County Executive Angela Alsobrooks record-breaking inaugural State of the Economy address, and creating diverse, interactive and informative programming to support the County’s business community.
Valentine is a proud native of Chicago, Illinois, a Juris Doctorate graduate of the Howard University School of Law, a MEDA Board Member, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Andrea Mansfield joined Manis Canning & Associates, one the of the premier lobbying firms in Annapolis, as a lobbyist in December 2015. With more than 20 years of government relations, management, and administration expertise, Andrea successfully executes advocacy efforts and programs on behalf of multiple clients before state and local executives and elected officials. Her broad experience and involvement with the Maryland Legislature on policy, fiscal and budget matters; and her ability to work with diverse groups and build consensus on complex issues is an asset to the firm.

Andrea has extensive experience at the state and local level, having led and coordinated policy efforts for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) and implemented the legislative agendas of state agencies. As MACo’s Legislative Director she advised, crafted, and implemented the common agendas and legislative goals of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.

In state government, she worked within three Administrations in positions of increasing responsibility, serving as legislative liaison to the Legislature for the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR); and Special Assistant, Director of Financial Aid, and Assistant Secretary of Finance Policy with the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Andrea is the current Chair of the Odenton Town Center Advisory Committee, serves on the board of directors for the Maryland Economic Development Association and as Co-Chair of the Public Policy Awareness Committee, and is a member of Leadership Maryland’s Class of 2019. She has a Master of Policy Sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Member of House of Delegates since January 14, 2015. Chair, Ways and Means Committee, 2021-. Member, Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, 2017-; Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2019-. Chair, Work Group to Address Police Reform and Accountability in Maryland, 2020-. Member, Spending Affordability Committee, 2022-. Member, Public Safety and Policing Work Group, 2015-16. Deputy Majority Whip, 2017-18. Member, Marijuana Legalization Work Group, 2019. Vice-Chair, Judiciary Committee, 2019-21 (member, 2015-21; juvenile law subcommittee, 2015-18; chair, family law subcommittee, 2017-18, member, 2015-20; chair, public safety subcommittee, 2019-21; member, family & juvenile law subcommittee, 2021). House Chair, Howard County Delegation, 2016-17, 2019-20. Member, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, 2015-; Women Legislators of Maryland, 2015-.
Member, Governor’s Workforce Investment Board, 2015-16; Neshante and Chloe Davis Domestic Violence Prevention Task Force, 2016-17; Governor’s Workforce Development Board, 2016-; Work Group to Study Child Custody Court Proceedings Involving Child Abuse or Domestic Violence Allegations, 2019-20; Task Force to Study the Maryland Orphans’ Courts, 2021.

Assistant Attorney General, District of Columbia, 2007-09. Past president, Commission for Women, Montgomery County. Past chair, Community Development Advisory Committee, Montgomery County.

Born in Columbia, Maryland, June 24, 1975. Attended Atholton High School, Columbia, Maryland; College of William and Mary, B.A. (government), 1997; Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 2000. Law clerk to Judge David W. Young, Baltimore City Circuit Court, 2001-02. Admitted to Maryland Bar, 2001; District of Columbia Bar, 2002; U.S. District Court for District of Maryland, 2003, for District of Columbia, 2006. Attorney. Associate, Bulman, Dunie, Burke & Feld, CHTD, 2002-07. General Counsel, KRA Corporation, 2009-. Member, Maryland State Bar Association; District of Columbia Bar Association. Vice-President, Silver Spring Chapter, The Links, Inc. Past member, Board of Directors, Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women. Leadership Montgomery, 2010. Leadership Maryland, 2012. Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Legislative Champion Award, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2018. 25 Women to Watch in 2018, Baltimore Sun, 2018. Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2020. Three children.

Member of Senate since October 1, 2013. Member, Finance Committee, 2015- (health subcommittee, 2015-18; energy & public utilities subcommittee, 2019-). Member, Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology, 2014-; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 2015-; Joint Committee on Unemployment Insurance Oversight, 2015-; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2019-; Joint Covid-19 Response Legislative Work Group, 2020-. Member, Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2013-15; Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2014; Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee, 2014; Maryland Economic Development and Business Climate Commission, 2015-16. Minority Whip, 2015-20. Member, Executive Nominations Committee, 2015-20; Legislative Policy Committee, 2015-20; Rules Committee, 2016-20; Marijuana Legalization Work Group, 2019. Chair, Kent County Delegation, 2013-; Queen Anne’s County Delegation, 2013-; Caroline County Delegation, 2015-.
Member, Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Advisory Committee, 2013-; Governor-elect’s Transition Team, 2014-15. Board of Directors, Upper Shore Regional Council, 2014- (council member, 2011-). Member, Task Force on the Maryland Clean Energy Center, 2016-17; Work Group on Rural Health Care Delivery, 2016-17; Strategic Energy Investment Advisory Board, 2016-; Oyster Advisory Commission, 2016-. Alternate member, Southern States Energy Board, 2019-.

Member of House of Delegates, representing District 36, Caroline, Cecil, Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties, January 12, 2011 to October 1, 2013. Deputy Minority Whip, 2013. Member, Economic Matters Committee, 2011-13 (banking, economic development, science & technology subcommittee, 2011-13; unemployment insurance subcommittee, 2011-13); Business Climate Work Group, 2013. House Chair, Queen Anne’s County Delegation, 2011-13. Member, Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2012-13.

Member, Bainbridge Development Advisory Board, 2011-; Mid-Shore Regional Council, 2011-; Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, 2011-.

Member, Economic Development Commission, Queen Anne’s County, 2002-06.

Assistant Secretary of Planning, 2003-04. Assistant Secretary, Department of Natural Resources, 2004-06.

Born in Washington, DC, May 2, 1964. Attended Bowie High School, Bowie, Maryland; James Madison University; Catholic University of America, B.C.E. (civil engineering), 1987; George Washington University, M.B.A., 2002. Vice-President, Jones Lang LaSalle, a commercial real estate services company, 2006-. Vice-President, Trammell Crow Company, 1999-2003. President, Queen Anne’s County Republican Club, 2002-04. Chair, Queen Anne’s County Tricentennial Celebration Committee, 2004. Youth football coach, 2006-09. Delegate, Republican Party National Convention, 2012. Past member, Board of Directors, Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, Inc.. Member, Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, Centreville, Maryland. Married.

Secretary Kevin Anderson is a business executive who has extensive experience in economic
and community development as well as public service. He was named by Governor Wes Moore as
Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce in January 2023.
Anderson is the founder & CEO of Cardinal Atlantic Holdings, an economic and community
development firm targeting scaled social impact and investment in urban centers. With
specializations in real estate and education technology, CAH advises funds, corporations and
governments on economic and community development strategy and projects.
Anderson previously served as Senior Vice President for Global Partnerships at EVERFI, Inc.,
an educational software company for financial literacy and life skills education where he led
government relations and conducted business development. Anderson helped create and launch the
company’s diversity content while securing public and corporate partnerships to support digital
innovation in school districts across America. A SaaS company, Anderson helped lead EVERFI’s growth
from 32 employees to over 600, and from $6mm in revenue to over $120mm during his tenure.
Before joining EVERFI, Anderson was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of City
First Homes, Inc. – a $6 million community land trust created to support workforce housing and
ensure ongoing affordability for working families in the District of Columbia. Launched in 2008 as the
District’s most aggressive affordable housing initiative, City First Homes navigated the financial crisis
stabilizing mixed income development and created over 100 units of affordable housing.
Prior to his appointment at City First Homes, Anderson was Chief Financial Officer and Vice
President for Equity Capital at the Jair Lynch Companies, Inc., a for-profit real estate and community
development firm in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for the financial management of JLC’s
public, corporate and real estate ventures. Anderson helped establish JLC’s initial investment fund, a
$120 million facility for commercial and housing development in the DMV region.
In 2000, Anderson served in Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams’ administration as
Special Assistant to the City Administrator and Chief of Staff at the D.C. Department of
Transportation. He helped usher an era of accountability and transparency in city operations and
managed the restructuring of DDOT to a cabinet-level agency. Anderson led the hiring of over 100
new employees, the establishment of a local trust fund for street and infrastructure maintenance and
implementation of performance metrics to meet citizen needs. Mayor Anthony A. Williams
proclaimed March 31, 2004 “Kevin Anderson Day” in the District of Columbia.
Anderson began his professional career at the investment banking firm of Pryor, McClendon,
Counts & Co., Inc. in Philadelphia, PA as an Institutional Bond Salesman. He served pension funds,
insurance companies, investment advisers, and money center banks. Anderson provided coverage for
PMC’s landmark financings as lead manager for the $320 million Atlanta Hartsfield Airport financing
and the $390 million Denver Airport financing.
Anderson is the former Chairperson of the NEA Foundation’s Board of Directors (National
Education Association), and recently completed 19 years of service on the Board of Trustees of
Lawrence Academy. He is a member of Leadership Greater Washington’s Class of 2006 and Leadership
Prince George’s Class of 2008. Anderson has held and holds professional licenses and designations in

securities trading, commodity futures trading, and economic development finance. He has also
prepared financial reports for expert testimony in D.C. Superior Court and local jurisdictions.
A native of Washington, D.C., Anderson graduated from Lawrence Academy in Groton, MA. He
holds a BA in Economics from Stanford University, and has completed finance, leadership, and executive
education at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University, and the National Development
Council. Anderson lives in Upper Marlboro, MD with his wife, The Honorable Tiffany H. Anderson,
daughter, Kendall, and twin sons, Kennedy and Kolby.