2016 Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course in Maryland
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The Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of economic development. The course is designed to prepare participants for the challenges they face in the practice of developing communities.
Laurie Boyer is the Economic Development Manager in the Division of Fiscal Management for the Montgomery County Government Finance Department. She is responsible for overseeing the County’s economic development incentive programs and for managing contracts with third-party vendors who provide economic development-related services on behalf of the County.
Previously, Laurie served as the Executive Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), a public-private economic development partnership in the City of Rockville, and as Executive Director for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.
In May 2006, Boyer earned her professional Economic Development Certification (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council. She has nearly 18 years of economic development experience.
Ms. Boyer 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. In 2012, she was named one of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women” by The Daily Record.
Ms. Boyer 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.
Greg Cole joined the Department in 1998 after 25 years of banking and commercial finance. He oversees the statewide activities of eight finance programs and twelve tax credits used to leverage private capital investment and stimulate economic development. Projects range from small business to the Fortune 100’s. In 2010, he became the state’s principal architect working with the U. S. Treasury to establish the State Small Business Credit Initiative, a first ever federal funding of $1.5 billion dollars directly to state’s economic development efforts. Maryland originated this concept and received a $23 million share.
He serves on numerous economic development boards including the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), the Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO), and the Rural Maryland Council. Additionally, he is the state’s board member to the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), a national organization promoting economic development through creative finance.
He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and lifelong resident of Howard County.
Greg Cole joined the Department in 1998 after 25 years of banking and commercial finance. As the Director, he oversees the statewide activities of eight finance programs and twelve tax credits used to stimulate economic development and leverage private capital investment. Projects range from small business to the Fortune 100’s. Further, he serves on numerous economic development boards including the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), the Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO), and the Rural Maryland Council.
Tracy Kitts is IEDC’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) responsible for organizational development, business development and human resource management at IEDC. Tracy has over 15 years experience as a C-level executive in association management and has over 20 years experience in entrepreneurship and entrepreneur support.
Tracy was previously the long-time COO of the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) and was director of a business incubation program for nine years prior to joining NBIA. He is a noted expert on business incubation and has contributed to numerous works on industry best practices. He has been asked to speak on topics related to entrepreneur support in countries around the world and has developed, and delivered, train-the-trainer programs on this topic. His most recent train-the-trainer project was in Morocco and funded by Higher Education for Development (HED) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Further, Tracy has worked in software development, web application development, early-stage venture financing, and real estate development. He has done extensive public speaking on building effective teams and respect in the workplace. He has a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and an MBA from Ohio University.
Latrice is a Business and Employment Consultant and ReEntry Project Manager with Frederick County Workforce Services (FCWS). Her background includes over 12 years as a Sales Executive specializing in Executive Coaching and Communication, Leadership Development and Sales Performance programs. For the last 8 years, Latrice has served as Business and Employment Consultant with FCWS and was featured in the Frederick Magazine as one of Frederick’s top Women Leaders. She holds an MBA and countless other workforce development credentials.
Mrs. Lewis has a unique perspective on Workforce and Economic Development having spent time in private industry, the government sector and the Frederick County School system. She understands not only what businesses need and how the economic landscape is changing, but also what our next generation of workers are expecting, lacking, and bringing to the workforce of the future.
She is a sought after speaker in her community, by the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, professional networking groups, schools and colleges – she has truly earned a reputation for being a “Trusted Business Advisor” in the Frederick County community.
Amy Seitz has nearly twenty years of professional experience in both private and public sector enterprises. She was formerly the Director of Community Access & Partnership for the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization within the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Ms. Seitz was responsible for maintaining and cultivating relationships statewide with key stakeholders in community and economic development. In her role, she was responsible for strengthening and expanding the marketplace for the Division’s programmatic services and technical assistance including oversight of tax credit and grant programs totaling $5 million. Additionally, Ms. Seitz also served as the Statewide Coordinator for the Main Street Maryland program and State Leader for Keep Maryland Beautiful.
Prior to joining DHCD, Ms. Seitz worked as the Director of Development and Communications for Preservation Maryland and worked as the Executive Director for Hampden Village Main Street in Baltimore City. Ms. Seitz’s wide-ranging knowledge in strategic planning, public relations, marketing and economic development also includes work at the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
Ms. Seitz received her Bachelor’s degree in Historic Preservation from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. Her professional development includes the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Leadership certification and the Maryland Association of Nonprofits Standards of Excellence certification for nonprofit management.
Sandy Sponaugle is the CEO & Founder of Platinum PR. Sandy is a publicist, marketing consultant, public speaker, spokesperson, and public relations team leader.
Since 2002, Sandy has guided her company to help small businesses and community organizations get exposure for their services and build engagement with their target audience. Sandy is passionate about helping communities in the mid-Atlantic region grow and diversify their economies and job opportunities for residents. She brings her expertise in communications, social media, marketing, economic development, and tourism to help clients create & implement customized communications plans right for them.
Sandy previously served as a Business Development Specialist in the Frederick County Office of Economic Development in Frederick, MD. Sandy is an active community member, with membership in various organizations — the American Advertising Federation of Greater Frederick, the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
As a graduate of Shepherd University, with a Bachelor of Science in economics and business administration, she serves on the board of directors for the Scarborough Society of Shepherd University and the Shepherd University Alumni Association. She also serves on the board of directors for the Jefferson High School LSIC and the Washington High School Business Advisory Council. Sandy believes in “service above self” and is an active member of the Shepherdstown Rotary.
Sandy received the Van Ryzin Award for volunteerism from the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle. Sandy has also been recognized as a Young Gun by West Virginia Executive Magazine for her entrepreneurial successes and community service activities. And she was recognized as the PR Professional of the Year by The American Advertising Federation – Greater Frederick (2013). Sandy is a member of the Leadership Maryland Class of 2016.
Dan Taylor is the Managing Director of Business and Neighborhood Development at the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC). Since joining BDC in 2013 he has managed the disposition and redevelopment process for more than two dozen city-owned properties, and has worked on real estate and economic development projects in commercial areas throughout Baltimore. Dan has led BDC’s small business & neighborhood response to the COVID-19 crisis and has been BDC’s lead on the development of Harbor Point, Downtown’s Westside, and redevelopment of the Inner Harbor. He manages a 20-person team that assists businesses and developers throughout the City.
Dan holds a Masters of Community Planning Degree from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan, where he was a dual-major in Economics and Political Science. Dan has lived in Baltimore City since 2007 and currently resides in the Hampden neighborhood.
Lisa Webb, CEcD, LGWebb LLC, is the leader of a consulting firm
specializing in business development strategies and relationships. With over
20 years professional experience, most recently Ms. Webb served as Economic
Development Director in Cecil County, working to best position the county
for attraction, retention and expansion. Previously, she served as Business
Development Director for Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, and Project
and Policy Development Manager for Harford County Office of Economic Development.
Ms. Webb also led the Fort Meade Regional Partnership in a successful and unique business
marketing and attraction effort. She took the lead on issues related to transportation, land use,
water and sewer, and development projects; and managed issues pertaining to infrastructure
improvements and impact studies. Ms. Webb earned her designation of Certified Economic
Developer (CEcD) in May of 2007, holds a Master of Business Administration from the
University of Phoenix, and is a graduate of the Oklahoma University Economic Development
Institute. She is a member of several economic development organizations including the
International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and serves on the Board of Directors
for the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA).
