2020 MEDA Annual Conference (ONLINE)

Heather Gramm joined the Maryland Department of Commerce as Senior Director of Strategic Industries and Entrepreneurship in June 2019. In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of the state’s efforts to grow the strategic industries of biohealth and life sciences, cybersecurity and aerospace, manufacturing, energy and agriculture. In addition, she oversees Commerce’s strategic initiatives for entrepreneurship, small business, and workforce development.

Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Director for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development overseeing the county’s business development efforts, including business attraction, retention and expansion, small and minority business development strategies, as well as industry-sector development in the county’s targeted sectors.

Heather has more than 17 years of experience in municipal, county and state economic development in a variety of roles including business development, community development and downtown revitalization. She earned a B.A. in Business Administration from Hood College and the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification through IEDC. She serves as President of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Board of Directors.

Mr. Griffin has served as Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick, Maryland since 2002. An urban planner and economic developer with 25 years of experience, Richard has worked at the city, county, and regional level in Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and Washington.

During his tenure in Frederick he has overseen several million in public and private revitalization including the design and development of award-winning Carroll Creek Park and million’s in renovations and new infill development delivering jobs tax base in downtown.

His previous assignments include serving as the executive director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership, Program Manager of Comprehensive Planning for Loudoun County, Virginia and Senior Regional Planner for the Appalachian Council of Governments , and on the district staff of US Representative James McClure Clarke (11th NC)..

Mr. Griffin holds degrees from Western Carolina University and Clemson University. He serves on the Board for the Downtown Frederick Partnership, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. and others.

Renée M. Winsky is the President and Chief Executive Officer for Leadership Maryland, a professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of the leaders throughout the state’s local businesses and communities. Each year, Leadership Maryland brings together a class of 52 local leaders selected from all sectors, industries, and geographic regions of Maryland to engage on the vital issues affecting the state and work to build solutions for real, actionable change. In this role she manages the day-to-day operations of the organization and facilitates the work of the Board of Directors. In accordance with the Corporation’s mission she plans and administers programs to develop leadership throughout the State. Prior to joining Leadership Maryland, Ms. Winsky served as the Executive Director of the Chesapeake Innovation Center, CEO of the Tech Council of Maryland, and as the President and Executive Director of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). She has held positions with the Information Technology Association of America (now TechAmerica), National League of Cities, National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors, Maryland Municipal League, and City of Greenbelt, Maryland. Ms. Winsky is also the president and founder of Bay One Group, LLC, a consulting firm that assists clients with a variety of subject matters, including economic development, entrepreneurship, government relations and advocacy, technology transfer and commercialization, university collaborations and partnering, and small business start-ups. Ms. Winsky is a member of the Maryland Commission on Service and Volunteerism, a Governor Larry Hogan appointment. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Economic Development Association and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee. She has served the Chesapeake Innovation Center, Maryland Association of CPAs, Maryland Business Incubation Association, Maryland Health Care Product Development Corporation, State Science and Technology Institute, UMBC Research Park Corporation, West County Chamber Government Contractor’s Guild, Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) and the Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Winsky is a graduate of the University of Maryland and a graduate of the Leadership Maryland Class of 2005.

Susan Banks is the Director of Dorchester County Economic Development’s Office. She oversees the county’s Economic Development office 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 Dorchester County for 5 years where she focused on attraction and retention strategies. Combining her experience in customer service, technology and procurement for both a global manufacturer and international relief agency, she works with community stakeholders and economic development officials to maximize resources and results for the county.

Currently, she sits on the Board of Directors for The Business Finance Group. Susan has a B.A. in Political Science from Salisbury University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management with a concentration in Environmental Planning from American Public University.

First elected to Maryland House of Delegates in 1994, Senator Eckardt currently serves in the Senate of Maryland representing District 37, Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot and Wicomico Counties. Senator Eckardt is a member of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the Health and Human Resources Subcommittee and the Joint Committees AELR, Audit, Pensions, Children Youth and Families, and Fair Practices and Personnel Oversight. She is the Senate appointed member to the Maryland Environmental Trust, the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee, the Governor’s Commission on Suicide, the Governor’s Commission to Study Mental and Behavioral Health in Maryland and Mental Illness and the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Policy and Funding Committee.

During her 20 years in the House of Delegates she was a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Health and Human Resources, Capital Budget, and Pension Oversight. She has also served as a member of the following Joint Committees; Welfare Reform; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review; Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services; Committee of Children, Youth and Families, the House Special Task Force on Drug and Alcohol Abuse, and Spending Affordability. She is past Chair of the Eastern Shore Delegation, the House Republican Caucus and past President of the Women’s Caucus.

Senator Eckardt retired in 2003 as a full-time Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist employed at the Eastern Shore Hospital Center since 1973. Past employment has included part-time psychiatric nursing clinical instructor for Salisbury University, part time at Eastern Shore Hospital Center and as an Independent Practitioner in the Community. She has also worked part-time with the Dorchester County Health Department as a school health nurse and volunteers in her nursing role at Eastern Shore Hospital Center focused on special projects She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Nursing with a Masters of Science degree and maintains certification as a Psychiatric Nurse Clinical Specialist by the American Nurses Association. Senator also volunteers as a co leader for Alzheimer’s caregiver support groups.

In the Community Senator Eckardt serves as a Board Member of the following organizations: Mid Shore Regional Council; Channel Markers Foundation, Inc.; Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center; Sailwinds ,Inc., and the Wye River Upper School Board. She is a board member of the Harry Hughes Agroecology Center and serves on University of Maryland’s School of Agriculture and Research, Dean Beyrouty’s Global Leadership Council. The Senator is also a continuous volunteer at Visiting Angels: Senior Care and Home Care. Currently, Senator Eckardt retains membership in the Maryland Nurses Association District IV. She is the past President of the Maryland Nurses Association and Chesapeake Health Planning System, Inc.

Other accomplishments include: Graduate of Flemming Fellows Institute, Shore Leadership Inaugural Class and Leadership Maryland – 2001. She serves on the Health Committee for both the National Conference of State Legislatures, American Legislative Exchange Council, and is on the Board of Women’s Legislative Network. In 2003, 2005, and 2007 she was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women and as a three time winner, was inducted into the Circle of Excellence. She has received numerous recognitions and awards for her legislative activities.

She is married to Dick Eckardt of Cambridge and they have three married sons and nine grandchildren: The Eckardt’s are active members of Christ Episcopal Church in Cambridge.

Profile
Rodney Oddoye is senior vice president of governmental and external affairs, leading BGE’s legislative initiatives throughout Maryland. He oversees state affairs, external affairs, corporate relations, marketing, and large customer services. The BGE vice president of governmental and external affairs reports to Oddoye.

Professional History
Oddoye has held various leadership and financial positions during his 17-year tenure with BGE. Prior to his current role, Oddoye served as chief customer officer and vice president of customer operations, responsible for overseeing the processes, systems and planning that support internal and external customer interfaces. He was previously director of electric operations north east where he was responsible for the electric distribution, operations and maintenance, for new business activities in Baltimore City and Harford and Baltimore counties and overseeing key strategic new business and economic development initiatives, as well as lighting operations and new business for all counties served. He also led BGE’s financial operations organization and its Long-Range planning efforts, both of which were key elements of yearly financial plan execution with consideration of financial impact and alignment with maximizing shareholder value. He received the Power Engineering Society’s Recognition for his leadership of the Bowie Electric Reliability Action Plan Project, an electric reliability initiative that improved customer experience for residents of Bowie, Md.

Civic Involvement
Oddoye serves on the board of directors for the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), the academic flagship of the University of Maryland Medical System, providing health care services on its two campuses. UMMC is a national and regional referral center for trauma, cancer care, neurocare, cardiac care, etc., and has one of the largest solid organ transplant programs in the country. He is on the board of trustees for the third oldest zoo in the United States, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, and on the board of trustees for Baltimore Center Stage – the State Theater of Maryland. He is on the board of directors for the Center for Urban Families – a leading voice in the national conversation on responsible fatherhood strengthening urban communities by helping fathers and families achieve stability and economic success. He is a member of the Power Engineering Society – IEEE, and the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE). He is also a 2019 graduate of Leadership Maryland and a 2014 graduate of Leadership Maryland – Anne Arundel County.

Family
Oddoye was born in Accra, Ghana and spent several years in Gaborone, Botswana before relocating to Maryland to attend university. He currently resides in Crownsville with his wife and three sons.

Education
Oddoye earned Bachelor of Science degrees in electrical engineering and physics from the University of Maryland College Park and Washington College, and is a graduate of Loyola University Maryland’s executive master of business administration program.

Todd is the Business Development Manager, at the State of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. As the Business Development Manager of the Neighborhood Business Works Loan Program, Todd promotes lending to new and expanding small businesses located in Priority Funding Areas and Opportunity Zones across the state. The Neighborhood Business Works Program recently surpassed the milestone of more than $40 million in lending to over 170 small businesses.

Prior to Todd’s current position, he was a Portfolio Administrator that managed the Division of Credit Assurance’s Multifamily Asset Management Team. The team reviewed the financials (P&L Statements, Balance Sheets and Audits) of all State of Maryland, Department of Housing’s 565 Multifamily Rental Housing Properties (50,000 units) for low income families and elderly tenants throughout the State of Maryland.

Todd’s passion is spending time with his wife and three sons. He also enjoys mentoring the youth in Baltimore with his non-profit, We RISE. He knows the importance of giving back by mentoring the youth in the inner city of Baltimore where he was born and raised.

Over the last 29 years Jeff has been a designer, CEO, educator, consultant, and investor. He enjoys the creative process, both from an artistic and organizational perspective. Currently he’s bringing these divergent experiences together in order to help companies develop more conscious, purpose-driven business models; and to help investors build societal as well as financial value. He tries to bring right and left brain thinking to problem solving, business creation and investing ideas; hopefully asking better questions and using his expertise to make the lives of those around him more fulfilling and successful.
As the CEO of The Porter Group and Founder and Executive Director of Conscious Venture Lab, Jeff is an evangelist for the transformation of capitalism. Working with private investors and early-stage businesses his goal is to create businesses that are operating at the intersection of profit and purpose. As an expert in the emerging field of Conscious Capitalism Jeff has been invited to speak or present at a number of universities around the country on the topic of impact investing and new models of business. These include: the University of Maryland, the Darden School at the University of Virginia, Yale University, Columbia University, the Booth School at the University of Chicago, Howard Community College and the University of Baltimore.

Stephanie Geller is the Founder and Director of Community Wealth Builders, a nonprofit initiative focused on promoting and catalyzing community wealth building models and strategies across Baltimore. She also is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the nation’s first locally-focused grassroots crowdfunding platform, the Maryland Neighborhood Exchange, which aims to foster a more sustainable, robust, and resilient local economy by expanding investment crowdfunding across the state.

Previously, Geller worked at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, where she also focused on promoting community wealth building. In that role, she created and co-taught with faculty from the UMD business and law schools the first-ever, joint MSW, MBA, and JD graduate-level class, which engaged students in analyzing opportunities for new employee-owned businesses based on anchor institution procurement. Geller’s previous nonprofit experience includes nearly fifteen years as a Research Project Manager at Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Civil Society Studies, where she managed, oversaw, and coordinated all facets of the Center’s two major research projects focused on U.S. nonprofit organizations. Geller received her MSW with a specialization in Social and Community Development from the University of Maryland School of Social Work, has a BS in Urban and Regional Studies from Cornell University, and completed public policy training at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Joseph Cureton is the Chief Coordinating Officer at the Obran Cooperative, (the first worker-owned conglomerate) where his work focuses on bringing new worker directed enterprises to life. He is a serial entrepreneur and founding member of Core Staffing, Bmore Black Techies, and Tribe Works all projects that fight to overcome the challenges faced by modern workers. He is also a software engineer (Drexel University) and classically trained chef (Johnson and Wales) by trade.

Keasha Haythe has been an Economic Development Professional for 15 years and served most recently as Dorchester County’s Economic Development Director from 2008-2016. In her role as Director, she developed a track record of initiating sound policies and innovative strategies to foster economic growth. Partnering with private and public stakeholders, she championed education, entrepreneurship and expansion of existing businesses as key economic drivers. She unveiled a countywide brand marketing campaign entitled “water moves us.” Ms. Haythe spearheaded the development of Dorchester County’s Technology Park and developed the Eastern Shore Innovation Center, the first business incubator on the Eastern Shore, which opened on February 4, 2016. She has secured more than $10M in funding for economic development projects, business expansions and start-ups.
Ms. Haythe is now the President of Zoe Economic Development Group, LLC., an economic development consulting firm she launched in March 2016. She provides business consulting and advisory services to individuals, businesses and local governments. Additionally, she is the founding executive director of The Foundation of HOPE, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established to help women and young girls. The first program launched under the foundation will be the Economic Development and Empowerment Program for sixth grade girls attending Easton Middle School. The program will cover topics including: addressing low self-esteem, bullying, social media, workforce development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The program will teach them to be community leaders and viable contributors to the future workforce.
Ms. Haythe is a Certified Economic Developer, a national recognition of professional skill mastery that denotes the highest levels of professional attainment and a commitment to continued growth. She is a member of many professional organizations and serves on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center, the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Foundation, and was appointed by Governor Hogan to serve on the Maryland Marketing Partnership Board under the Maryland Department of Commerce. Additionally, she also serves as President of the MEDA Board of Directors.
Awards Include:
2009-What’s Up Eastern Shore, Mover and Shaker under 40
2011-Delmarva African American Pride, Outstanding Achiever
2011-Dorchester NAACP, Day of Service Award
2012- Daily Record, Leading Women under 40
2014-Dorchester Ministers & Citizens for Change Honors Award
2015-Daily Record, Maryland’s Top 100 Women
2015-Talbot NAACP Harriet Tubman Medal
2016-Fireflies “100 Women of Elegance” Award
An Eastern Shore native, Ms. Haythe is a member of TriLife Christian Center in Easton where she serves on the finance committee, ministerial team as an Ordained Evangelist and oversees the usher’s ministry. She is married to Marcus L. Haythe Sr., and they have three children; Marcus Jr., Miniah and Isaiah.

Rob Nichols is the president and CEO of the American Bankers Association, which represents banks of all sizes and charters and is the voice for the nation’s $20 trillion banking industry.

Rob joined ABA in August 2015 following ten years at the helm of the Financial Services Forum, a non-partisan financial and economic policy organization. Before joining the Forum, Rob served in the George W. Bush administration as the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Treasury Department, a position requiring confirmation by the United States Senate. In this role, he acted as chief spokesperson and head of the office of public liaison, serving as Treasury’s lead representative with the media, business, professional trade organizations, consumer groups and the public.

Rob’s earlier career highlights include working as communications director to U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton and press secretary to the late Rep. Jennifer Dunn, a former member of the House leadership, and in the West Wing as an aide in the Office of the Chief of Staff in the George H.W. Bush administration.

Rob is a recipient of the Alexander Hamilton Award, the highest honor of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He also is consistently ranked as one of Washington’s Top Lobbyists by The Hill and was described as one of the “new generation of trade group CEOs” by The Washington Post.

In 2020, Rob was elected to serve a two-year term as chairman of the International Banking Federation, whose members include the national banking trade associations representing every major financial center. As chairman, Rob works with IBFed members to develop international consensus on critical issues, actively engaging with international standard setters and global supervisory bodies on issues that affect banks across borders and around the world.

Rob serves on the Board of Governors of FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) and is a Corporate Advisory Council member at the Children’s National Hospital.

Rob is a graduate of the George Washington University.

Sean Looney is Vice President, State Government Affairs for Comcast NBCUniversal. 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 has served as 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 Travis Manion Foundation, 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, MD and Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ. Sean received a Masters of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ.

Maryland Higher Education Secretary Dr. James D. Fielder is an effective and highly regarded executive and public servant with a passion for leading change, focused on improving the economic well-being of Marylanders through educational and business opportunity.

He has been appointed by four Maryland governors, providing his talents and expertise in numerous leadership capacities. These include:

Current Secretary of Maryland Higher Education Commission;

Secretary of Appointments;

Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation;

Deputy & Acting Secretary for Business and Economic Development;

Assistant Secretary for Department of Economic & Employment Development

Member of Governor Hogan’s Transition Team.

He also served as Towson University’s Vice President of Finance & Administration, as well as the Director of Budget, Personnel & Institutional Research at the University of Michigan – Flint.

Secretary Fielder received his Ph.D. at Michigan State University in Higher Education, and his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Ben Grumbles is Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment. He was appointed by
Governor Larry Hogan and confirmed by the Maryland Senate in 2015. His duties also
include serving as Chair of the Governor’s Chesapeake Bay Cabinet and the Maryland
Climate Change Commission and Vice-Chair of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Ben has served previously as President of the U.S. Water Alliance, EPA Assistant
Administrator for Water, Director of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, and
senior staffer and counsel for the Transportation and Infrastructure and Science
Committees in the U.S Congress.

Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio is an Eastern Shore native, born and raised in Talbot County, Maryland. Her father was a boat builder and waterman, and her grandfather was a farmer, giving her a unique perspective on the Chesapeake Bay, the maritime industry, and agriculture.

She attended St. Michaels High School and in her senior year was selected to participate in the Legislative Page program in the Maryland House of Delegates. It was that experience that influenced Jeannie’s decision to study political science with an environmental policy track at Salisbury University and eventually seek public office.

She worked for both the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Air and Radiation Management Administration and the National Audubon Society (Maryland-DC Office). In 2003, she was appointed to the Maryland House of Delegates making her the youngest women in the nation to serve at the state level at that time. While in the House of Delegates, Jeannie worked on economic and environmental issues as well as protecting the heritage and interests of the Eastern Shore. In 2014, she joined the Hogan administration serving most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff, where she advised on issues related to agriculture, energy and the environment and natural resources.

Jeannie and her husband reside in Talbot County. They are avid boaters who also enjoy fishing and hunting.

Kenneth C. Holt was appointed secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development by Governor Larry Hogan in 2015 after serving on the new administration’s transition team. As secretary, he manages the state’s housing finance, mortgage insurance, and community development programs.

Secretary Holt is a former member of the Maryland General Assembly where he served on the House Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee on education and economic development. During his 25-year career with Morgan Stanley in Baltimore, Secretary Holt served as senior vice president, branch manager and portfolio manager. He was previously chairman and chief financial officer of Traitify, a software development firm that was recognized by Maryland’s Technology Development Corp. as the “most innovative” start-up company of 2013.

Secretary Holt gained on-the-ground experience with neighborhood revitalization, development and housing issues as a past member of the Baltimore County Master Plan Advisory Committee and a past president of his neighborhood civic association. His experience on the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission gives him a strong foundation in issues of fairness and housing equity.

Secretary Holt earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland College Park. He and his wife Mary operate a family farm in the Kingsville community in Baltimore County. The couple has two children.

Secretary Robert S. McCord provides comprehensive leadership of the Department’s mission, objectives, and initiatives. With the Maryland Department of Planning since 2015, he has served as Assistant Secretary of Operations and Deputy Secretary. McCord comes to Planning with private sector and public experience. He worked in private practice in Bel Air, Maryland before joining the Harford County Law Department in 1998 as Deputy County Attorney, then County Attorney from 2004-2014. He has seen issues from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore as a trustee on the Local Government Insurance Trust. He is an Adjunct Professor, University of Baltimore School of Law, 1990-present. He holds a degree from Loyola University Maryland, B.A. (Business Administration and Philosophy), 1983; M.B.A. (Marketing), 1985; University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D. cum laude, 1989.

Wendi Peters was appointed Special Secretary of Smart Growth by Governor Larry Hogan on
August 24, 2017. Prior to her appointment as Special Secretary, she served as Secretary (2016-
2017) and as Deputy Secretary (2015-2016) of the Maryland Department of Planning.

Special Secretary Peters serves as Governor Hogan’s representative to the Appalachian Regional
Commission, an economic development agency that represents a partnership of state, federal and
local governments.

Wendi has been a community leader for more than two decades, including two terms as an
elected Councilwoman for the Town of Mount Airy. She has served in volunteer roles on the
Board of Appeals, Planning Commission, Downtown Revitalization Committee as well as
Committee Chair for the Maryland Municipal League and a mentor in the Business Volunteers
Unlimited School and Business Partnership. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of
Mount Airy Net, a cooperative of churches and civic organizations providing a safety net of
support for those in need.

Wendi is a graduate of Villa Julie College, Loyola University Maryland and is a Fellow of the
Academy for Excellence in Local Governance, University of Maryland, College Park.

Wendi was selected three times as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for her leadership,
community service and mentoring which has earned her recognition in the Circle of Excellence.
She was also inducted into the Mount Airy Hall of Fame for her leadership and commitment to
community.

Jimmy Rhee was appointed Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs by Governor Larry Hogan, and began service to the State of Maryland in January 2015. As a coordinating office within the Executive Branch, this unit connects the small business community, including firms owned by minorities, women, and veterans, to greater economic opportunities. Direct oversight of the state’s Small Business Reserve, Minority Business Enterprise, and Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise procurement programs across 70 agencies resides with the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs.
With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience in enterprise creation, growth and change management, Mr. Rhee has an extensive record of directing turn-around situations ranging from manufacturing to software companies. His career also includes four years of service as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Active in the community, Mr. Rhee serves as a board member for various organizations. He earned a Master’s in Science and a Master’s in Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University.

Tiffany Robinson was appointed secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor in July 2019. Robinson leads the Maryland Department of Labor in protecting and empowering Marylanders by safeguarding workers, protecting consumers, and cultivating a thriving workforce that meets the demands of Maryland’s dynamic economy.

The Maryland Department of Labor has several divisions including unemployment insurance, occupational and professional licensing, financial regulation, labor and industry, workforce development and adult learning, the Maryland Racing Commission, and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. The agency employs nearly 1,650 workers and has an operating budget of more than $450 million.

Before becoming secretary, Robinson served as deputy chief of staff to Governor Hogan. In this role, Robinson was responsible for oversight of the state departments of Labor, Health, Human Services, Juvenile Services, Aging, Disabilities, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Community Development, and Education, as well as the Higher Education Commission, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Maryland Insurance Administration and the State Archives.

Robinson was previously the assistant secretary at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and was director of the Community Development Administration, the designated housing finance agency for the state and the largest division within the department. In that role, Robinson was responsible for nearly $1.5 billion in annual program production, including management of the operations, administration, and financing of the state’s mortgage, residential energy, small business and local infrastructure programs, as well as affordable rental housing development and asset management.

Prior to the Hogan administration, Robinson was the administrator of Housing and Community Development for Harford County Government. Before entering into public service at the local and state level, Robinson, a Maryland attorney, was in private practice, specializing in legal matters related to securities law and real estate transactions. She served on the Maryland Advisory Committee for the United States Civil Rights Commission and on the United Way of Harford County Board from 2011-2013.

Robinson received her bachelor’s degree in political science from UMBC and helped lead the University’s volleyball team to a conference championship. She received her juris doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of law. Originally from Missouri, Tiffany now lives in Havre de Grace, MD with her family.

Kelly M. Schulz brings a wealth of knowledge to the Maryland Department of Commerce from her years of experience working in the government, in the private sector and as a small business owner. She had previously served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor since her confirmation in February 2015 and is also a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates.

At Labor, she was responsible for managing an agency with nearly 2,000 employees and an operating budget of more than $375 million. Under her leadership, Maryland’s apprenticeship program grew to its highest level since 2008, with more than 10,000 apprentices statewide. The Department’s Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland program received national recognition for both innovation and effectiveness and was named one of the Top 25 programs in the 2018 Innovations in American Government Award competition.

A former member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing Frederick County, she served on the Economic Matters Committee from 2011- 2015. In addition to local issues, then Delegate Schulz took special interest in legislation relating to banks and other financial institutions, business, occupations and professions, economic development, labor and employment, unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation.

Prior to embarking on a career of public service, Secretary Schulz sold real estate, worked as a program manager for a defense contractor and was a part-owner of a cyber security firm. She has received several awards including the Outstanding Recent Alumna Award from Hood College in 2011, and is proud to participate as a member in many local community organizations including the Libertytown-Unionville Lions Club and the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company. Kelly is also a past Board member of the Frederick County Habitat for Humanity.

Secretary Schulz obtained her Associates degree from Monroe Community College in Rochester, New York and later obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.

A native of Warren, Michigan, Kelly currently lives in Frederick County, Maryland with her husband John Nowell and has two sons, Brandon and Bradley.

Gregory Slater was nominated to serve as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in December 2019 after more than two decades of public service. On February 24, 2020, he was confirmed as Secretary by the Senate of Maryland.

Mr. Slater’s career has been defined by dedication, performance-driven transportation, and collaborative and creative problem-solving. With 22 years of experience at the MDOT State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), Mr. Slater worked his way up from where his career began in Plats and Survey operations to leadership positions on both the engineering and planning/programming offices to become Administrator in 2017.

His career growth includes nearly a decade as the MDOT SHA Director of Planning where he developed a keen understanding of the transportation system’s and MDOT’s critical role in the safety, accessibility, mobility, economic vitality and quality of life for all Marylanders. Mr. Slater describes Maryland’s transportation network as a “system of systems” and knows how each mode of transportation must function safely and efficiently for residents and businesses to thrive. He promotes the integration of smart technology and performance data to help MDOT unlock solutions to some of Maryland’s greatest transportation challenges with a focus on building the foundation of a transportation system for the next generation to thrive.

As Secretary, Mr. Slater leads a transportation department with more than 10,000 employees and an operating budget of nearly $5.4 billion. He oversees every aspect of state transportation, from its highways, roadways, transit systems/services and toll facilities to motor vehicles, the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore.

Mr. Slater is a lifelong Marylander, a 1997 graduate of Towson University and leads many committees and efforts to strengthen the industry within the Transportation Research Board and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Anirban Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland with an office in Indonesia. The firm provides strategic analytical services to energy suppliers, law firms, medical systems, government agencies, and real estate developers among others.

In 2014, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed him Chair of the Maryland Economic Development Commission (2014-2021). He also serves as chairman of the Baltimore County Economic Advisory Committee. He is also the Chief Economist to Associated Builders and Contractors and Chief Economic Advisor to the Construction Financial Management Association. He serves or has served similar functions for Visit Baltimore, Maryland Realtors, and Marcum, LLP.

He has lectured at Johns Hopkins University, most recently in Global Strategy, and has also taught international economics, urban economics, micro- and macroeconomics at Hopkins. His radio show can be heard weekdays on 88.1FM, WYPR, Baltimore.

In both 2007 and 2016, the Daily Record newspaper selected Mr. Basu as one of Maryland’s 50 most influential people. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010.

Mr. Basu has been on many boards over time, including First Mariner Bank, the Baltimore City Public School System, Port Discovery, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and Union Memorial Hospital. He is currently on the boards of the University of Maryland School of Law, St. Mary’s College, the University System of Maryland Foundation, the Center for Emerging Media, the Lyric Opera House and the Archdiocese of Baltimore School System.

Mr. Basu earned his B.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1990. He earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Master’s in Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park. His Juris Doctor was earned at the University of Maryland School of Law. His doctoral work was completed at UMBC with a concentration in health economics.

Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz has named Tom Riford as one of two new assistant secretaries, Mr. Riford is responsible for managing the Division of Tourism, Film, and the Arts and the Department of Marketing and Communications. Mr. Riford was most recently the executive director of the Thomas Kennedy Center Inc. Riford served for more than a decade as the president and CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he was successful in significantly driving up visitor spending and visitation, and is the former vice president of Homewood Retirement Centers. He also served as marketing director for several years with the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission.

Mr. Riford is an award-winning public relations and marketing professional, as well as a reporter and anchor, and has reported the news for decades in Hagerstown on WJEJ and other radio stations. He has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and is a decorated Marine Corps veteran.

Michael Haynie has devoted his entire professional career to the lodging and hospitality industry. After attending Northeastern University in Boston, Ma. He took on various entry level positions before rising through the ranks to the executive level positions he has held for many years. Mr. Haynie has experience in every facet of hotel operations and has served in leadership capacities in hotels ranging from economy to luxury.

Mr. Haynie served as the Vice-President and Managing Director of Baltimore’s Tremont’s Hotels which encompassed the upscale Tremont Plaza Hotel and the economy Tremont Park Hotel. He also spearheaded the debut of the award-winning Tremont Grand events venue. Under his leadership, Baltimore’s Tremont’s ascended to new levels of profitability due to the strategic initiatives Mr. Haynie implemented. Mr. Haynie has also served as a General Manager with Hilton and Intercontinental Hotels in Baltimore, Boston, and Hartford; as well as a General Manager with independent and branded hotels in Charlotte, Hartford, Boston and Washington, DC.

Mr. Haynie currently serves as President of Parkway Hospitality Management and Consulting, a company devoted to working with hospitality and tourism related companies assisting with strategic planning and economic development and growth. In 2012, he also started the Maryland Center for Hospitality Training which prepares Marylanders with soft and social skills for successful transition into the workplace.

While developing his extensive professional portfolio, Mr. Haynie has also held numerous community service leadership roles in the Baltimore area.

Mr. Haynie currently serves as Chairman of the Board for the following organizations; The National Academy Foundation School and The Maryland Tourism Coalition. He also heads the Vestry Board for St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Baltimore City. He currently serves or has served on the board of directors for each of the following professional organizations: The Maryland Tourism Development Board; Visit Baltimore Board of Directors; Charles Street Development Corporation; the Downtown Management Authority, The Downtown Partnership Board of Directors; the Hospitality Advisory Board for the Morgan State University School of Hospitality, The Maryland Hotel and Lodging Association; President of the Waverly Main Street Organization, Northwestern High School Advisory Board, College Bound Foundation Board of Directors and a few others. Mr. Haynie also served on the Task Force which studied a Post Labor Day School Start as an appointee of the Governor of the State of Maryland. Mr. Haynie was honored by the Maryland Hotel & Lodging Industry in 2007 as the state’s “Hotelier of the Year” and in 2009 as the “Office of Tourism Development as the “Mentor of the Year”. In November of 2019, Mr. Haynie was named the “Tourism Person of the Year” for the State of Maryland by the Maryland Tourism Coalition. Mr. Haynie lives in Baltimore City and is a strong advocate for public school education and very active in his community.

A business consultant and partner of Fronterra Resources today Mike and his wife Jan operate 4 tourism related business in Garrett County, Maryland. Fronterra Resources is the parent company of Savage River Lodge, Cornucopia Café, Little Crossings Pantry and SRL Outdoors.

Mike graduated from Hagerstown Comminuity College and Frostburg State University. Mike is also a graduate of Leadership Maryland 2007 and Leadership Washington County 1989.

Mike belongs to many outdoor organizations: Sierra Club, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Issac Walton League. He is President of Garrett Trails.

T.J. has spent 30 years in marketing and advertising, more than half of that time in broadcast sales, working for professional sports
properties including the Baltimore Orioles, Maryland Jockey Club (Preakness Stakes) and Infinity Broadcasting/CBS Radio’s NFL rights
holders associated with the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles Radio
Networks.

Most recently, T.J. served as President of A. Bright Idea Advertising & Public Relations for the past 15 years overseeing operations at the
agency’s corporate headquarters in Bel Air, Maryland and other offices in Burbank and Sonoma, California.

T.J. utilized his corporate management experience to generate revenue and enhance client relationships for A. Bright Idea in both Maryland and California. As a member of A. Bright Idea’s Executive team, T.J. collaborated daily with the agency’s various creatives to help execute client campaigns using traditional and non-traditional media for organizations including Amtrak, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore Orioles, First Virginia Community Bank, Sonoma State University, U.S. Army National Guard, Smithsonian Museum, Pasta Sonoma, Stella Marris, Town of Yountville, Baltimore City Public School and U.S. Department of Interior—Bureau of Land Management.

T.J. is currently the Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer for the Baltimore Orioles. With a focus on bringing visitors to downtown Baltimore from throughout Maryland and the surrounding area, he brings outside industry expertise and the business acumen to drive tourism and create local economic impact.

As the Chief Revenue Officer, Brightman’s background in media and sports industry revenue generation allows him to employ fresh strategies to attract new fans and retain existing ones, helping Oriole Park at Camden Yards build on the nearly 75 million fans who passed through its gates.

In his role with the Orioles, Brightman’s extensive sports marketing background and passion for the team fuels his focus on revenue generation. His responsibilities include ticket and corporate sales for Baltimore and Sarasota, Fla. revenue operations.

T.J. is active on many local Boards and marketing committees in Maryland and California, lending his time to nonprofits and other philanthropic efforts. T.J. is currently the Chair of the Membership Committee for the Alumni Society Board at the Pennsylvania State University Bellisario College of Communications, his alma mater, working alongside the Dean and other alumni business leaders mentoring students pursuing future careers in advertising and broadcast industries.

T.J. and his wife, Anita, split their time between Maryland and California and have two children.

Since 1995, the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association has been led by Susan Jones and the non-profit organization continues to serve as the voice of hospitality. An experienced leader and master multi-tasker, Susan’s philosophy has always been to connect, communicate and collaborate. Building consensus has always been a key element of her leadership style. Through the years, she has received numerous awards including, Worcester County and State of Maryland Tourism Person of the Year, Foodservice Monthly Foodservice Leader of the Year, Tourism Advocate and Visionary Impact Awards. However, her proudest moment was receiving the Phillips Lifetime Achievement Award, along with a Governor’s Citation for that award. She and her husband Clay are the parents of Lindsay, 21 and Allison, 19 who both attend Salisbury University’s Perdue School of Business. Her favorite motto is the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you’d have done unto you.” In her spare time, she enjoys being in a boat, reading magazines and hanging out with family.

As CEO and Executive Director of TEDCO—Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies—Troy leads the organization’s mission to support economic development growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. He leverages his expertise from over 25 years in the fields of investment management, higher education, telecommunications, information/communication technology, management consulting, and non-profit leadership/management.

Prior to joining TEDCO, Troy served as Chief Operating Officer at the University of the District of Columbia. He also founded and serves as Managing Member of LeMaile Stovall LLC, a management consulting firm focused on strategy, operational performance and capital stack formation. Troy was Interim President for Zenith Education Group, a $400M+, 56-campus career education system. He was a Principal with Butler Snow Advisory Services, serving higher education clients. He has also worked at senior levels in higher education as EVP/COO at Howard University and Sr. VP/CFO at Jackson State University. He co-founded and operated as the first President/CEO of GulfSouth Capital, Ambassador John N. Palmer’s (Skytel founder) multi-million dollar family investment office; he served global technology and telecommunications clients as a Sr. Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Co.; and held positions at Southwestern Bell Telephone (now AT&T), Bell Labs and Rockwell International.

Troy earned a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Southern Methodist University cum laude, a master’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Dr. Anuja Sonalker is the founder and CEO of STEER Tech. STEER is focused on developing secure automated vehicle technologies that will massively enable situationally aware, cyber robust automated driving applications. Dr. Sonalker brings experience from both the automotive industry and US cybersecurity defense sector. Prior to STEER, Dr. Sonalker headed the Automotive Security Group in the Cyber Innovation Unit at Battelle where she patented and led advanced research in vehicular environments and transition to market strategies before moving onto TowerSec, an automotive cyber security company where she was V.P of Engineering and Operations. During her career, Dr. Sonalker has established collaborative research efforts and strategic partnerships, provided project management, and helped set the strategic direction for the commercialization of technology. Dr. Sonalker is currently the Vice Chair of the SAE Vehicle Cybersecurity Systems Engineering Committee and Co-Chair of ISO 21434: Automotive Cybersecurity Framework. Dr. Sonalker also serves on the Board of Visitors for the Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, Board of Directors of the Economic Development Authority of Howard County, Maryland, and Board of Directors of the BWI Business Partnership. She holds a Ph.D in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland College Park.

María Pílar Rodriguez, born in the Dominican Republic, started her woman-owned small business (WOSB) over 11 years ago, she is the founder and President of MPR Business Solutions, LLC. Recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for 2012 by the Daily Record of Baltimore. This coveted accolade crowned María Pílar with statewide recognition, overdue and richly deserved. María Pílar is as well known for her boundless energy as she is for her professional credentials and achievements.

A graduate of John Jay College, NY, NY, a seasoned paralegal/administrative assistant, she augmented these credentials with multiple accreditations as a Spanish interpreter, translator for governmental institutions, private sector and multiple Maryland court systems has been extensive. As a small busines consultant, she advocates for small businesses and economic empowerment of Latinas in the United Sates.

María Pílar is currently the Executive Director of the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MDHCC), the premier state-wide institution for the representation and advancement of business interests before the public and private sectors. At the MDHCC, we focus on developing a business network that provides the Hispanic community and the Business community at large with cohesion and strength. The Hispanic Chamber delivers its members the three proven “P’s” to propel businesses towards success: Promotion, Partnerships and Procurement Advice. In these uncertain times, as we all struggle with an unprecedented disruption of business activities in the face of a global pandemic, we realize that every struggle is an opportunity for creativity and innovation.

Ms. Rodriguez is a devoted member of her community at the local, county and states levels. She is involved with private organizations and non-profits to advance opportunities for women in businesses, Hispanic small business, the Hispanic community and charitable organizations. By any measure, she is a person of multiple talents, immense energy and personal devotion to the highest standards of performance.

Ganiyat Badmus is the Founder and Clinical Director of Bluntly Coached, LLC- A Coaching, Counseling, and Consulting firm that focuses on both the micro and macro levels of human interactions within a larger system. She is a consultant who provides training and seminars on topics related to Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. Ganiyat also plans and executes comprehensive stress management seminars for C-level managers.

In the past, Ganiyat practiced as a Social Worker in the Maryland child welfare and community health systems. She worked for the departments of Social Services, Health Department, and Early Head Start programs providing family services and community outreach. Ganiyat further worked as a Case Manager and a Licensed Mental Health Therapist in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on the beautiful Eastern Shore of Maryland. In that capacity, she provided outreach to migrants and immigrants in her local community ensuring that they have equitable access to quality healthcare.

Ganiyat has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Salisbury University. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical (LCSW-C) with licenses in Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia.