QAC Entrepreneur is New Vice Chair of Chesapeake College Board

WYE MILLS – The Chesapeake College Board of Trustees announced its leadership for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Shelly Gross-Wade (Queen Anne’s County) replaces Milton Nagel (Caroline County) as Vice Chair. Reza Jafari (Talbot County) will continue as Board Chair.

Ms. Gross-Wade joined Chesapeake’s Board of Trustees in 2024 after first serving on the Chesapeake College Foundation Board.

“I consider it an honor and a privilege to be appointed by Governor Wes Moore to serve on the Chesapeake College Board of Trustees. Even more, I am delighted to serve as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and hope that my significant experience in community stewardship, corporate leadership, fiscal management, board development and governance can contribute in some way to the success of the college,” Ms. Gross-Wade said.

She added, “I am excited about the opportunity to be a visionary and transformational leader for the college and the community.”

Ms. Gross-Wade is the founder and principal consultant of Bay Crossing Consulting Services, and co-owner of the Woodland Retreat on Kent Island. She is the vice chair of the Queen Anne’s County Economic and Tourism Development Commission, a board member for Hospice of the Chesapeake and Maryland Economic Development Association.

Mr. Jafari, a Board of Trustees member since 2018, ascended to the chairmanship in 2024.

He is CEO and Founder of e-Development International, an executive advisory group based in Easton. Mr. Jafari currently serves as a member of Maryland Economic Council, the Talbot County Economic Development Commission, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Board of Governors, Channel Marker Board of Directors, a founding board member of the India, China and America Institute; the Co-Chairman of Connected City Advisory Board of Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and the Co-Managing Editor of “Connected City Blueprint” for WBA.