MARBIDCO – Executive Director

• Executive Director
• Salary: $150,000 – $200,000
• Filing Deadline: 8/1/2026.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position functions as the chief executive officer having overall management responsibility for the successful operation of the Corporation. The position requires excellent human relations skills, extensive knowledge and commitment to issues pertaining to rural economic development, and familiarity with public and private sector programs that serve the agricultural and resource based industries in Maryland. A track record suggestive of energetic and innovative leadership and experience in effectively interacting with rural community and rural industry leaders as well as elected and appointed public officials is also required. This is a full-time, exempt salaried position primarily based in Annapolis, MD.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fosters an environment that facilitates broad support for Maryland’s farming, forestry and seafood industries as well as strong support for the mission of the Corporation.
• Supervises the staff and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Corporation.
• Establishes an organizational culture that promotes excellence in customer service delivery and sound financial management.
• Prepares Board meeting agendas, attends all regularly scheduled Board meetings, and informs the Board of Directors on the progress of the Corporation’s activities and initiatives.
• Prepares the annual budget, monitors the Corporation’s financial performance, and regularly reports to Board on the Corporation’s financial condition.
• Assists the Board of Directors with strategic visioning and implementation of policy.
• Responds to viable opportunities to advance agricultural and resource-based business and industry in Maryland through capital accumulation, technology transfer and commercialization, and new markets development.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders (federal and state agencies, commercial lenders, farm organizations and commodity groups, regional and local economic development agencies, educational institutions, etc.).
• Acts as a knowledgeable advocate in the public sphere for the agricultural, forestry, seafood and related-based industries, particularly in the economic development context.
• Maintains effective relationships with the Maryland General Assembly (e.g., the budget committees and the Rural Caucus) and other potential public and private sector funders.
• Maintains contact with Corporation stakeholders and officials from federal, state and local agencies and for-profit and nonprofit organizations to cement mutually advantageous linkages.
• Develops relationships with commercial banking institutions and other providers of rural capital and credit and ensure that the Corporation’s loan and grant programs are meeting established credit underwriting and programmatic objectives.
• Ensures that all required government reports are completed and filed in an appropriate and timely fashion.
• Undertakes other duties as may be assigned by the Board.

RELATED DUTIES WHICH POTENTIALLY MAY BE DELEGATED

• Provides staff support to the Corporation’s standing or ad hoc committees.
• Manages the Corporation’s loan and grant portfolios, monitors loans and grants to ensure that contracts are being serviced properly; and reviews records to verify that required program documentation is being maintained.
• Prepares program evaluations and reports and participates in the development of program standards.
• Oversees the design and production of periodic Corporation communications, published reports and other documents intended for internal or external audiences.
• Coordinates the compilation, preparation and distribution of informative lists or directories that may be produced from time to time.
• Writes and/or provides editorial direction to Corporation personnel in writing speeches, legislative testimony, columns, letters and articles to keep the public and policymakers informed of Corporation activities and accomplishments.
• Organizes regional and statewide informational workshops, seminars, and tours; guides the preparation, coordination and implementation of an annual meeting.
• Organizes and conducts on-site briefings to explain program opportunities and promote participation; develops program brochures and promotional materials.
• Assists with the planning and logistics coordination of Corporation special events.
• Conceives and helps implement various marketing activities; assists with the preparation and presentation of displays and exhibits; writes promotional and/or brochure copy and helps with the production of trade show handouts; and staffs trade shows as needed.
• Oversees the handling media relations including such activities as preparation of news
  releases and feature articles.
• Oversees the maintenance of the Corporation’s website, making sure the information contained therein is up-to-date and “on message”.
• Conducts occasional research on relevant policy issues and monitors legislation pertaining to agricultural and resource-based industry and rural economic development.
• Writes briefing memos, speeches and remarks related to Corporation events or policy development activities.
• Prepares routine correspondence and responds to requests for information from Corporation stakeholders, government officials, and others.
• Attends briefings and hearings conducted by public entities including the Maryland General Assembly and provides oral testimony as appropriate.
• Oversees and/or maintains files, records and other materials pertaining to the Corporation.

TYPICAL DECISIONS MADE

• These include exercising considerable latitude and sound judgment concerning the operations of the Corporation and in managing relationships with subordinates, stakeholders, and policymakers.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has significant direct and indirect supervisory responsibility. The incumbent will determine the scope of work and, duties and performance goals for Corporation personnel following established personnel policies. At the present time there is a staff of ten with the incumbent having three direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty (above) satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Attributes:

• Knowledge of the nature and objectives of the Corporation.
• Working knowledge of effective rural economic development practices and good understanding of the challenges affecting agricultural and resource-based industries.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with MARBIDCO board members, other employees, loan/grant applicants, bank officials and farm credit representatives, agribusiness leaders, state legislators, government officials (at the federal, state and local levels) and the general public.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven track record of working well under pressure and with all types of people.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of effective supervision, management and training.
• General knowledge of financial management, accounting and auditing practices and procedures, program planning and evaluation.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and use Microsoft Office software packages.
• Ability to travel and work varied hours in the performance of duties.

Desirable Additional Attributes:

• A leadership approach that is visionary, proactive, and politically savvy.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• A management style that is empowering, consensus and team building, and an appreciation and respect for the value of the contributions of Corporation staff.
• A competency to mediate and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to write quickly and effectively in the argumentative style for legislators, the pyramid style for editors, the sound-byte style for speeches and the sales style for marketing documents.
• General knowledge of the principles and techniques of loan administration, servicing, amortization and guarantees.
• Experience in planning meetings and /or staffing committees.
• Excellent follow-through and attention to detail.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year accredited college or university.
• At least 8 years increasingly responsible experience that correlates with the Essential Duties described above.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline may substitute for up to one year of required experience.

Certifications, Licenses, and registrations:

• Possession of a valid Driver’s License and ownership of an automobile.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS

Individual memberships likely to be required in the following organizations:

Maryland Economic Development Association
Maryland Farm Bureau

MARBIDCO organizational memberships (illustrative):

MARBIDCO will maintain several additional organizational or associate memberships with
appropriate stake-holding organizations (i.e., National Council of State Agricultural Finance
Programs, Maryland Forests Association, Delmarva Chicken Association, etc.)

TRAVEL and OVERTIME REQUIREMENTS

Given the fact that the Corporation has a small staff with a sizable workload – and a need to connect with stakeholders in various settings – moderate evening and weekend work will be required. Overnight attendance at trade association conferences as well as relevant professional development events is required (both in-state and out-of-state). Extensive travel by automobile throughout the State of Maryland is also required.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, a salary requirement, and the names of three references to:

‍ “MARBIDCO Executive Director”, c/o Hanu Pershad, Maryland Food Center Authority, ‍7801 Oceano Avenue, Jessup, MD 20794

To send electronically or for more information: hpershad@mfca.info