Membership Committee

Matt Miller serves as the Executive Director of the Cumberland Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), where he leads strategic initiatives that are driving economic growth, attracting investment, and advancing transformative redevelopment throughout the City of Cumberland. Under his leadership, the organization has become a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable community revitalization, helping position Cumberland as a model for rural economic development and small-city renewal.

With more than ten years of experience in economic development, five of which in executive leadership, Matt has led a diverse portfolio of redevelopment projects, strategic planning initiatives, workforce development programs, and business retention and attraction efforts that have strengthened Cumberland’s economic foundation. His work has focused on revitalizing historic commercial corridors, repurposing underutilized public assets, expanding entrepreneurial opportunities, and aligning workforce development with the evolving needs of regional employers. Through these efforts, he has helped attract new investment, support local businesses, and create opportunities that enhance the quality of life for residents throughout the region.

Matt has extensive experience securing and administering competitive federal, state, and private grant funding, successfully managing complex, multi-partner projects from concept through implementation. His expertise includes economic development strategy, public-private partnerships, organizational leadership, project management, stakeholder engagement, and intergovernmental collaboration. He is known for building consensus among diverse stakeholders, fostering strong relationships across the public and private sectors, and delivering practical, results-oriented solutions to complex community challenges.

Throughout his career, Matt has remained committed to advancing sustainable economic growth while preserving the unique character and heritage of Appalachian communities. His leadership emphasizes innovation, accountability, transparency, and measurable outcomes, with a focus on creating long-term opportunities for businesses, residents, and future generations.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Matt is actively involved in community service and civic leadership. He serves on the boards of the Maryland Economic Development Association, Carver Community Center and the Allegany College of Maryland Foundation, and is a longtime member of the Western Maryland Jaycees, where he has dedicated years of volunteer service to community improvement initiatives and leadership development.

Ebony Stocks is the former Executive Vice President with the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, an organization that provides business services that help attract, retain, and expand businesses in the County. She previously administered the County’s premier $50 million economic development tool, the Economic Development Incentive Fund which leveraged over $1 billion in capital investment and created over 13,000 jobs. Ms. Stocks is a Certified Economic Development Finance professional who has managed several financing and incentive programs. Ms. Stocks has worked in commercial lending providing non-traditional financing to rapidly growing small businesses. Ms. Stocks has a Master’s degree in Real Estate Development and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.

Susan Banks is the Director of Dorchester County Economic Development. She oversees the county’s Economic Development and the day-to-day operations of the Eastern Shore Innovation Center Business Incubator. Prior to this role she served as the Business Development Manager for the Economic Development office for 5 years where she focused on attraction and retention strategies. She sits on several boards including the Crossroads Community Inc and is involved with many local organizations. Susan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Salisbury University and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Policy and Management from American Public University.

DeJonna Farrar serves as TEDCO’s Assistant Director, Digital Marketing & Communications where she works closely with the Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Tammi Thomas, to support activities to increase TEDCO’s brand and broaden reach.

Before joining TEDCO, DeJonna held several marketing roles and earned her B.S. in Business Communication from Stevenson University. While there, she co-founded W.O.R.T.H. (Women of Resilience, Tenacity, and Humility), a leadership organization dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships, career development, and holistic support for women across campus.

Deeply committed to community engagement, DeJonna actively volunteers with Baltimore-based organizations and remains involved with her alma mater, Cristo Rey Jesuit (CRJ) Baltimore. She has shared her insights as a guest speaker at multiple events, including Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.’s Youth Symposium, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland’s Leading Ladies annual event, Mentoring Mentors’ Community Day, and CRJ initiatives. She also serves as a member of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Young Leaders Committee and the American Marketing Association – Baltimore Chapter.

Outside of work, DeJonna enjoys motherhood, Zumba classes, quality time with loved ones, and animated movies. Her favorite motivational speaker is Les Brown.

President & Chief Executive Office, Leadership Maryland

Meash believes that economic development is the solution to most of the challenges facing any community.

As a municipal economic developer, he’s convened roundtables to address imminent workforce development challenges; produced radio, television, and digital advertising for business attraction as well as retail marketing; and authored legislation to reformat and reconstitute the Main Street America program in Taneytown. He sincerely believes in engaging with collaborators from across Maryland and across the country, and he is always ready to discuss Taneytown!

In his free time, find him cooking, at the theater, traveling, or doing the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Ardys joined Towson University in 1996. During her 25+ years with the Division of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research, Ardys has led numerous initiatives to expand its reach throughout the region and has fostered cross-campus collaborations between the Division and other University units.

As director of business engagement and operations, Ardys oversees the StarTUp at the Armory facility and serves as the lead contact for organizations, individuals, and companies engaged in StarTUp events, programs, and initiatives. Ardys is a key leader on the StarTUp team and leads the team’s efforts in promoting and managing the StarTUp. Through relationship building, designing compelling and sought-after events, forging partnerships, and creating value-driven initiatives, Ardys creates excitement and awareness about the StarTUp.

Ardys recently served as senior strategist for BTU and anchor initiatives, and was responsible for managing, formulating, communicating, and executing investment strategies for BTU—Partnerships at Work for Greater Baltimore. Her work focused on scaling, sustaining, aligning, and institutionalizing investment projects. Additionally, Ardys leads Towson University’s economic inclusion agenda and broadly facilitates TU’s anchor mission strategy, including collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to develop mutually beneficial partnerships that support the anchor mission and BTU engagements.

Ardys has also served in several leadership positions. As executive director of policy and strategic initiatives, se oversaw the implementation, execution, and monitoring of the Division’s strategic plans, including short and long-range goals, campus integration, and operational policy initiatives. As executive director for the former Applied Research and Technical Services group, she provided leadership and management of a diverse team of professionals—Center for GIS, Cloud Services & IT Consulting, Regional Economic and Studies Institute—working across a wide range of disciplines. Collectively, these teams provide analytical, technical, and research services to the region’s federal and state agencies, county and local governments, non-profit organizations, and private sector companies. As managing director of the Center for GIS, she oversaw project management; maintained the group’s reputation for competence among clients, vendors, partners, and official entities by setting standards for excellence in service and deliverables; and developed and maintained infrastructure to support business processes.

Andrew’s career spans small business management, real estate, commercial property management, and economic development, culminating in his current role as Senior Business Development Representative for Appalachian Maryland with the Maryland Department of Commerce. He lives in Hagerstown with his wife, Dr. Tara Sargent, and is proud of his two perfect children. Andrew is deeply engaged in his region, serving on the Fletcher Foundation Board, Washington County Convention & Visitor Center Board, Garrett County Heritage Area Advisory Board, the Senator George C. Edwards Fund Board, and the Hagerstown/Washington County Industrial Foundation Board. Andrew enjoys entertaining family and friends in Blue Ridge Summit, PA, and Keene Valley, NY in his free time.

Professional that works with the business community & regional partners to mitigate workforce challenges to make our county a better place to live & work. Currently serve on the MEDA Membership Committee, Maryland Tourism Coalition Education Committee, Lower Shore Workforce Alliance Business
Systems Committee, Ocean City Chamber of Commerce Summer Work Travel Community Support Group and Better Together Worcester Family Support Center Board. Loves living in Berlin with her husband, two girls and three fur babies.

Currently serving as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s primary liaison for community engagement and External Relations. Walter works to engage UMES as an institution in Community Engagement and Economic Development activities. He is responsible for creating and maintaining a flow of communication with local businesses, organizations, and municipal leadership that fosters an environment of collaboration and partnerships. Walter works to create seamless organizations, through process engineering and making order out of chaos. As the Coordinator for Outreach and Strategic Initiatives, he provides guidance on and assistance to the University with strategic partnerships related to engagement with internal and external constituents.