LEGISLATIVE OUTLOOK
MEDA 2017 Winter Conference
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Public and private sector leaders share their thoughts on economic development-related legislation that will be considered by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2017 session.
Read the MEDA Winter Conference Agenda (PDF)
Click here to read the Fall Conference Meeting Minutes
When
January 12, 2017 @ 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where
Governor Calvert House
58 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
Conference Speakers
The MEDA 2017 Winter Conference Speakers
Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr. was sworn in as the 62nd governor of the State of Maryland on January 21, 2015. In 2018, he was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second four-year term, receiving the most votes of any Maryland gubernatorial candidate and becoming only the second Republican governor to be re-elected in the 242-year history of the state.
In his first inaugural address, Governor Hogan reminded citizens of Maryland’s history as a state of middle temperament and pledged to advance the best ideas, regardless of which side of the political aisle they come from. He is recognized nationally as a strong, independent leader who consistently delivers real results and achieves common sense, bipartisan solutions.
After being elected by his fellow governors, Governor Hogan recently completed a successful term as chairman of the National Governors Association, and he consistently maintains one of the highest job approval ratings in the country.
Steven R. Schuh (born July 25, 1960) was sworn in as the 9th County Executive of Anne Arundel County on December 1, 2014. He grew up in Crofton and has lived in the County most of his life.
Previous to being elected County Executive, Schuh served two terms in the Maryland General Assembly representing District 31, which included Pasadena and parts of Glen Burnie and Brooklyn Park. He was a member of the Economic Matters Committee and was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Anne Arundel County Delegation to the House of Delegates.
Schuh has been in business for nearly 30 years. As president of the private equity firm Schuh Advisory, he started businesses that now employ more than 400 people in the region. He was previously a Managing Director of Maryland‐based Alex. Brown & Sons, the oldest investment banking firm in the United States, and of Credit Suisse, an international financial services firm.
Community service has always been important to County Executive Schuh. He has served on boards of the United Way of Central Maryland, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the American Red Cross Chesapeake Region, Severn School, Chesapeake Academy, Chesapeake Arts Center, and Eagle Cove School.
Schuh earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and government from Dartmouth College and master’s degrees in business and in education from Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University, respectively. He is also a graduate of the Leadership Anne Arundel Flagship Program and Severn School.
County Executive Schuh is the proud father of two college-age children, Brittany and George, and is engaged to Dania Blair. Steve and Dania are planning their wedding in 2015. They are members of St. Mary’s and St. Christopher’s by the Sea churches.
Wanting to be the Mayor of Annapolis since he was 18 years old, Michael Pantelides took office on December 2, 2013 and began implementing a fresh new approach of how government should be run. In the spirit of inclusion, he broke the old mold of how transition teams were staffed by requesting locals apply and sit on the committees, giving input at the grassroots level.
He is a fiscal conservative, an environmental advocate, and a champion of diversity. He successfully passed two budgets with no real estate tax rate increase, spearheaded a national environmental conference touted as a model for environmental best practices, and is the first to create the position of Hispanic Liaison in his office, reaching out the fastest growing constituent base in the nation.
The mayor continues to turn liabilities into assets, most recently the signing of the Annapolis Renewable Energy Park lease. This project takes an old landfill and turns it into a revenue stream for the city, generating $5 million over the next 20 years. He is also working in partnership with the federal, state and local government to ensure funding is put in place to mitigate flooding in Historic Annapolis.
Mayor Pantelides is committed to promoting progress, while preserving the past. He understands the delicate balance of bringing in the 200 new or expanded businesses since he took office, while ensuring this historic integrity of the city is not jeopardized.
Mayor Pantelides is a board member of the 21st century educations foundation, serves on the board of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Visitors Bureau, serves as a government representative on the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulations Board, sits on the County Executive’s Heroin Task Force, sits on the Legislative Committee for the Maryland Municipal League, and is the past Vice Chair of the Baltimore Regional Transit board. He is also an Ex Officio member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame.
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.
Tenure
First elected to the Senate in 2010. Member of the Senate since 2011. Member of the House of Delegates, 2003-2011
Current Assignments
2014 Minority Leader
2015 Finance Committee
2019 Health and Long-Term Care Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee
2015 Rules Committee
2015 Executive Nominations Committee
2015 Legislative Policy Committee
2015 Spending Affordability Committee
2015 Joint Committee on Legislative Information Technology & Open Government
2017 Joint Committee on Federal Relations
2017 Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology
2019 Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families
2015 Maryland Veterans Caucus
Past Senate Service
Transportation Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, 2015-2019; Property and Casualty Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, 2015-2017; Paycheck Recovery Commission, 2016-2017; Public Safety and Policing Workgroup, 2015-2016; Commission to Study Campaign Finance Law, 2011-2012; Health Occupations Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2014; Joint Committee on Transparency and Open Government, 2011-2014; Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Data Systems, 2011-2014; Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2014; Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2014.
Past House Service 2003-2011
Judiciary Committee, 2009-2011; Chair, Senate Select Committee No. 3, Harford County Delegation, 2015-2017; Chair, Select Committee No. 3, Harford County Delegation, 2009-2011; Civil Law and Procedure Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 2009-2011; Ways and Means Committee, 2007-2009; Finance Resources Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, 2007-2009; Deputy Minority Whip, 2003-2006; Environmental Matters Committee, 2003-2006; Environment Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2003-2006; Local Government and Bi-County Agencies Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2003-2006; Agriculture, Agriculture Preservation and Open Space Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2003-2006; Motor Vehicle and Transportation Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2006; Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2006; Chair, Natural Resources Workgroup of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2004; Wetlands and Waterways Funding Workgroup of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2004.
Public Service
Maryland Dairy Industry Oversight and Advisory Council, 2017-; Maryland Pesticide Reporting and Information Workgroup, 2013-2015; Pesticide Advisory Committee, 2011-; Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission, 2011-; Task Force on the Membership and Operation of the Baltimore County Board of Education, 2011; Agricultural Stewardship Commission, 2005-2006; Environmental Noise Advisory Council, 2003-2005.
Memberships
Maryland Fire, Rescue and EMS Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, 2003-; Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2003-.
Biographical Information
Born, Baltimore, Maryland, March 27, 1974; Essex Community College, A.A., 1995; University of Baltimore, B.S., Business Administration, 1997; Staff Assistant, Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., 1997-98; Beef Cattle Farmer, Castle Rock Farm, 1992-2008; Dairy Farmer, Owner, Cedar Side Farm, 1992-; Co-Owner and President, The Mill of Hereford, Inc., Feed Store, 1998-; Maryland Air National Guard, 2008-; Volunteer Firefighter; Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Company, Station 47, 1990- (Certified Firefighter I, II, & III, Emergency Medical Technician, Rescue Technician, Hazardous Materials Operations, Instructor I); Western Firefighter, Interagency Wildfire Crew, Maryland Forest Service, 1992-96; Married; two children.
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.
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.
Martin is an Executive Advisor to the Board of Directors for the Technology Council of Maryland, and he is the Founder and CEO of Selnova, LLC an advisory firm founded to help entrepreneurs accelerate the development of great ideas. He utilizes his leadership experience, knowledge, and access to a large network of technical and corporate professionals to support companies through critical transitions.
With over 30 years of experience developing and commercializing therapeutic products and devices, Martin 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. Martin has also provided technical support or corporate advice to companies in the biotechnology and food preparation market sectors.
Martin 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.
Sean Looney is Vice President, State Government Affairs for Comcast NBC Universal. 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 is also 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 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. Sean received a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ.
With over 20 years of economic development experience, Laurie Boyer Babb, CEcD currently serves as the Director of Economic Development at Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. She is 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. Over the past year, she developed the policies and procedures and implemented over $40 million in emergency grant programs established to assist businesses locally during the global health pandemic. She and her team provide support and guidance to companies interested in doing business in Montgomery County. Babb serves as a strategic and technical advisor to other senior managers, the County Executive and the County Council in evaluating new programs, policies and incentives for supporting new and existing businesses. She partners strategically with the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and the Maryland Department of Commerce on business attraction and retention efforts.
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.
Ms. Babb 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.
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.
Conference Sponsors
The MEDA 2017 Winter Conference Sponsors
