2022 MEDA Primer for Economic Development in Maryland

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.

David S. Iannucci has served in the Administration of Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker as the Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Economic Development since 2011. In that position, he directly oversees the activities of Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, FSC First, and the Conference and Visitors Bureau. Mr. Iannucci plays a prominent role on the County’s key projects such as the pursuit of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters, a new Regional Medical Center, and the Purple Line, working to retain and support the County’s existing business community, and oversight of the County Executive’s $50 million Economic Development Incentive Fund. In his 40 year career, Mr. Iannucci has served in many positions within state and local government. His previous positions include Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Executive Director of the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development, and under former Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer, Chief Legislative Officer. Mr. Iannucci is a 1979 graduate of the University of Maryland College Park. David S. Iannucci is also a former President of the Maryland Economic Development Association and is a member of the MEDA Hall of Fame. A long-time resident of Prince George’s County, he resides in Bowie with his wife and daughter.

Roger Venezia has been an economic developer for 40 years. He serves as Director of Operations & Special Projects for the Division of Business and Industry Sector Development at the Maryland Department of Commerce. In this capacity he serves as chief administrative officer of the agency’s largest division. He has been with Commerce since 2000.

Mr. Venezia has held marketing, research, and managerial positions for three different county economic development offices in Maryland. He served as Director of the Cecil County Office of Economic Development during which time he led the effort to develop the county’s first economic development strategic plan. He also served as Research Manager for PECO Energy Company of Philadelphia, one of the country’s largest electric utilities.

Mr. Venezia earned his Certified Economic Developer designation in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a second major in Economics from the University of Delaware.

Sharon Disque is the Economic Development Manager for the City of Gaithersburg, Maryland. She has more than 30 years of experience in economic development, including business park development, real estate sales and leasing, corporate site selection, community strategic planning, marketing and market analysis, and downtown redevelopment. Before joining the City of Gaithersburg, Sharon ran a community development corporation, provided real estate consulting services for clients in Maryland and West Virginia, and was Regional Director of Industrial Development for CSX Transportation. She began her career with the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission. Sharon earned a Master’s in Real Estate from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Virginia. She is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).

Director, Community & Economic Development, Harford County

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.

James E. Rzepkowski is the Assistant Secretary for the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at the Maryland Department of Labor. Within the Division are five Offices that implement the mission of the Division: Workforce Development, Adult Education & Literacy Services, Correctional Education, Fiscal Administration, and Workforce Information & Performance. From January 2019 to August 2019, he served as Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor.
Prior to his appointment by the Hogan-Rutherford Administration in February 2015, he served 8 years as the Corporate Director of Workforce Development at Constellation Energy Nuclear Group, LLC (CENG), headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. He developed and implemented the company’s mission critical workforce development initiative leveraging strategic partnerships with educational institutions in multiple states to provide a pipeline of skilled and qualified workers to meet the growing needs of the energy industry. Mr. Rzepkowski represented CENG on numerous national industry association boards focused on adult learning and technical training as well as state and local workforce development organizations.
Concurrent to his employment at CENG, Mr. Rzepkowski was appointed to the Anne Arundel County Board of Appeals in January 2007 to a four-year term by unanimous vote of the Anne Arundel County Council. The quasi-judicial Board that renders final decisions on appeals related to zoning, variances, licenses, permits, personnel, and executive, administrative, and judicatory orders in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Prior to joining CENG in February of 2007, he served 12 years in Maryland State Government in both Executive and Legislative capacities – three years as an Assistant Secretary within Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development and nine years as an elected member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing the 32nd Legislative District in Anne Arundel County.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and Politics, with Phi Beta Kappa Honors, from the University of Maryland – College Park.

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.

R. Earl Lewis, Jr., was appointed on January 20, 2016, to serve as Deputy Secretary of Policy, Planning, and Enterprise Services for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), which is comprised of The Secretary’s Office, State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA), Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA), Maryland Aviation Administration (MDOT MAA) and the Maryland Transportation Authority.

As Deputy Secretary, Mr. Lewis oversees the administration of twelve offices in the Secretary’s office. He also chairs MDOT’s Public Private Partnerships Steering Committee, reporting directly to the Secretary on the oversight of P3 initiatives by MDOT’s transportation business units. In 2017, he was certified as a P3 Foundations Professional by APMG International, a global accreditation agency. Mr. Lewis represents the Secretary as Chair of the State of Maryland’s Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council, The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board and often represents the Secretary on several other groups such as the Maryland Commission on Climate Change (MCCC) and the Commerce, International Affairs, and Smart Growth Sub-Cabinet as well as the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO.)

In 2018, Mr. Lewis received the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials National Corporate Executive of the Year Award, as well as the Baltimore Chapter of WTS Honorable Ray LaHood Man of the Year Award for being supportive of careers of women in transportation.
Mr. Lewis has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Virginia and an MBA and a second Master’s degree in Information Systems from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business.

Owen McEvoy serves as Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).

Prior to his current role, McEvoy served as DHCD’s Director of Public Information where he managed a team of marketing, communications, outreach, business development and customer service professionals. During his tenure, he directed a series of business development and marketing campaigns that have enabled the Maryland Mortgage Program to achieve more than $1 billion in mortgage reservations.

Before his time in Maryland state government, he served as Director of Media Relations and Public Information Officer for former Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh, where he worked extensively on land use and development issues. He also served previously as a Deputy Communications Director for Speechwriting for former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, and as an aide to former Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich.

A graduate of Villanova University School of Law and Georgetown University, he resides in Anne Arundel County with his wife.

Randy Baynes Sr. Economic Development Specialist Economic Development, BGE
Randy Baynes is a Sr. Economic Development Specialist in Governmental and External Affairs at BGE. He is responsible for ensuring a positive customer experience for our State and Local Economic Development Officials. Randy works closely with the administration of BGE’s Smart Energy Economic Development Incentive. The SEED incentive provides relief to construction and distribution expenses to qualifying new and expanding businesses in Central Maryland. Through this initiative Randy works with BGE’s New Business Design and Engineering teams to ensure a seamless customer experience. Additionally, Randy works with our state and local partners on the attraction, retention and expansion of businesses in BGE’s service territory. Randy is an active member of the Utility Economic Development Association (UEDA), a national organization of utility professionals that work to advance economic growth. Randy has been with BGE over 17 years and formerly held roles in Commercial and Industrial Engineering and Large Customer Services.
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT // For over ten years Randy was a coach and director of Loch Raven Recreational boys’ and girls’ soccer and lacrosse programs. Randy was formerly the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach for the Institute of Notre Dame, an all-girls high school in downtown Baltimore. Randy is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Archbishop Curley Alumni Association.
EDUCATION // Randy holds a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Geography from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and has taken additional coursework in Environmental Studies from Johns Hopkins University.
FAMILY // Randy is a lifelong Baltimorean, now resides in Baltimore County. He lives in Parkville with his wife Stephanie and three children, Jack 22, Ella 20 and Carter 17.

Frank is leading DHCD’s efforts in promoting and supporting investment into Opportunity Zones throughout Maryland. Frank will work with investors, businesses, and local leaders to capitalize on the Opportunity Zone tax incentives. Previously, Frank led the Maryland Venture Fund for several years and led the $100M raise for InvestMaryland in 2012.

Since its reorganization in 2015, Ms. Woepke has served as the Executive Director of the 25 voting and four (4) non-voting member Maryland Economic Development Commission. The Commission establishes economic development policy in the State and oversees the Department of Commerce’s efforts to support the creation, attraction and retention of businesses and jobs. Ms. Woepke coordinated the development of a Strategic Plan and works with the Department to oversee implementation, performance evaluation and tracking of the plan. She also coordinates the work of Subcommittees.
From its inception in 2015, Ms. Woepke has coordinated the Commerce Subcabinet, an 11 member State Agency Subcabinet with six (6) Workgroups – Customer Service; Job Creators; Small Business; Workforce Development; Regional Resources; and Sustainable Materials Management Maryland (SM3). The Subcabinet advises the Governor on proposals to enhance the State’s business climate, gathers information necessary to promotes its goals, collaborates to facilitate and expedite critical economic development projects; and provides additional assistance that may further the goals of the state and enhance business climate.
As part of senior leadership within the Department, she coordinates all Boards, Commissions, Councils and Authorities.
Prior to 2015, Ms. Woepke served as an Assistant Director in the Office of Military and Federal Affairs serving as the liaison to Fort George G. Meade, Walter Reed Military Medical Center, Joint Base Andrews, Naval Support Activity Annapolis and Army Research Lab Adelphia. Ms. Woepke was instrumental in the successful execution of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) decision, which resulted in over 19,000 direct jobs and nearly 20,000 indirect and induced jobs to the State.
Ms. Woepke also served in the Department as a Business Development Representative in the Capital Region assisting businesses of all industry sectors and size – from start-ups to large corporations.
Prior to joining the State of Maryland, Julie held Economic Development positions for El Cerrito, CA, Belmont, CA, Bowie, MD, Cape Coral, FL and Deerfield, IL.
Native of Chicago, Julie and her husband live in Annapolis and have two adult children.

Thomas Sadowski is MEDCO’s fourth executive director, beginning his tenure in August 2021. Appointed by the MEDCO Board of Directors and approved by the Governor, Mr. Sadowski directs a staff composed of ten administrative, finance and development specialists whose responsibilities are to assist with financing, project development, accounting, and management of MEDCO’s projects. In his role as Executive Director, Tom is dedicated to furthering MEDCO’s important mission to help advance Maryland’s economic development interests and facilitate economic growth that benefits citizens and communities across Maryland. Tom brings to MEDCO a depth and breadth of experience, a passion for the economic well-being of Maryland, and enthusiasm for a vibrant economy that is sustainable and competitive.

Tom came to MEDCO with more than thirty years of economic development experience and has held leadership positions at local, regional, and state levels. He has worked across all industry sectors, including aerospace, autonomous systems, cybersecurity, quantum computing, robotics, bio-health, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and education-technology.

Prior to working at MEDCO, Tom spent 5 years as vice chancellor for economic development at the University System of Maryland (USM), a major player in the success of Maryland’s economy. As the USM’s first vice chancellor for economic development, Tom focused on leveraging the talent, resources, and programming at USM’s twelve institutions and three regional centers to support the state’s economic development efforts and help grow strategic industries. He served as the USM’s senior representative on university-industry-government collaborations statewide. Tom was the system’s primary liaison to the state in support of recruiting companies and retaining and growing existing companies. Within the USM, his role focused on venture creation, tech commercialization, industry and government research partnerships, and workforce development. He also launched the USM’s $10 million venture Maryland Momentum Fund.

Prior to joining USM, Tom served as president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, where he focused on growing and attracting companies to the region and used federal and state grant dollars to create programs supporting innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship. He also served as director of the Harford County Office of Economic Development and as business development director for the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development.

Tom is very active in the community, serving as the chair of the board for Junior Achievement of Central Maryland, on the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland Technology Institute (MTech), and on the boards of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Cyber Association of Maryland, Maryland Information Security Institute (MISI), Maryland Marketing Partnership, Maryland Technology Council, UMBC Training Centers, the University of Maryland Medical System/Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, and the UMB Baltimore Fund Advisory Board.

He has received several honors, including the 2016 “Alumni of the Year, Distinguished Service” award from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and the 2014 “William Donald Schaefer Industrialist of the Year” award from the Baltimore Museum of Industry. He was also recognized by The Daily Record as a “Most Admired CEO” in 2015 and 2013 and an “Influential Marylander” in 2011.

A lifelong resident of Maryland, Sadowski earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, with a certificate in public administration and policy, from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in 1989. He is married with five children.

Tammi Thomas serves as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO). In this role, she is responsible for the development of TEDCO’s marketing, public relations and communications strategy and will contribute to TEDCO’s organizational strategic operations.

Ms. Thomas, a seasoned administrator, has extensive managerial experience in the higher education sector and possesses a record of success in jump-starting initiatives and helping them flourish. With more than 25 years of experience in the marketing and public relations fields, she has served as advisor and consultant to senior-level executives in industry, government and academia; developed and executed comprehensive strategic, marketing and communications plans; coordinated and managed internal and external partnerships and initiatives; and facilitated large scale panels, workshops, and discussions involving a variety of executive and managerial-level individuals in the technology, government, and higher education communities.

Previously, Ms. Thomas served as chief of staff to the president at Bowie State University. She provided strategic leadership and support for the president’s initiatives and priorities. Prior to this position, she served as vice president of strategic management for Data Solutions & Technology Incorporated (DST). The company, headquartered in Lanham, Md., provides a full spectrum of professional services in information technology, logistics and operations, management, and scientific and technology support. Before DST, Ms. Thomas served as the director of University Relations and Marketing at Bowie State University for more than three years. She was also director of Business Development and Marketing at the University of Maryland Baltimore County’s Research Park and Business Incubator, where she served for eight years. She has taught marketing and communications courses at Bowie State and the University of Baltimore as an adjunct professor.
Ms. Thomas earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Alabama State University and a Master of Business Administration degree in International Marketing from the University of Baltimore. She is a contributor to A Practical Guide to Business Incubator Marketing (NBIA Publications, 2007) and a guest editor of Bowie State University’s Undergraduate Journal of Research and Writing Across the Curriculum (Bowie State University, 2013).

President of Meridian Management Group, Inc.

David Ryan is a veteran economic development professional and the Executive Director of the Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development Corporation, a public – private partnership charged with strengthening the economy of Salisbury, Wicomico County and region.

Ryan shares a passion for promoting his hometown of Salisbury and as he implements meaningful programs and initiatives to succeed in the economy of today and tomorrow. During his tenure, he has helped create a cluster of telecommunications manufacturers and a growing life science sector, assisted in the formation and operation of a regional revolving loan fund, established the county’s first small business incubator, planned with the private sector a new industrial park and formed the county’s first business expansion fund for startup, existing and new businesses. He’s brokered more than $35 million in direct lending accounting for more than 6,000 jobs and more than $150 million in capital investment.

Ryan consistently serves on statewide task forces and committees, is a Past President of the Maryland Economic Development Association and is active on local advisory boards associated with Salisbury University, Wor-Wic Community College, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. In addition, he is a member of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Greater Salisbury Committee, the Delmarva Water Transport Committee and the Wicomico County Airport Commission.

From a community perspective, Ryan is active in Asbury United Methodist Church, serving as a past Treasurer and as an Executive Committee member to the Asbury Child Development Center, a pre-school ministry of the Church. He is a past board member of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, the Salisbury YMCA and a Past President of Lower Shore Enterprises, a non-profit corporation connecting people with disabilities to job opportunities.

Ryan received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Marketing and Economics from Old Dominion University and his MBA from Salisbury University. He is a former tennis professional, the longest actively serving Economic Development Director for a major jurisdiction in the State of Maryland and is a member of the Maryland Economic Development Association Hall of Fame.

Kim Clark is the Executive Vice President of the City of Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC). In her capacity as EVP she oversees neighborhood development, business development, capital budgeting, Small Business Resource Center, Emerging Technology Centers, Baltimore Main Streets program, marketing and research and analytics.

Among her achievements at BDC, Kim helped structure public private partnership financing for several major redevelopment projects, including several Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects; the redevelopment of Belvedere Square, all parcels at Inner Harbor East, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS) for several major developments, including the Westside and the several grocery store projects. She was instrumental in retaining several businesses of all sizes and assisted smaller businesses with expansions and in the development of the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore.

Kim is the Vice President of the Maryland Economic Development Association, Chair for Mission Advancement of the Urban Land Institute Baltimore Council, Second Vice President and Committee Chair of the Star Spangled Flag House, Board member of the Emerging Technology Centers, Leadership Maryland and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts and is a member of the International Economic Development Council. Kim graduated Leadership MD in 2009 and is a Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Class of 2007 graduate.
Kim Clark is the Executive Vice President of the City of Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC). In her capacity as EVP she oversees neighborhood development, downtown development, capital budgeting, commercial revitalization, and urban design and planning.

Among her achievements at BDC, Kim helped structure public private partnership financing for several major redevelopment projects, including several Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects; the redevelopment of Belvedere Square, all parcels at Inner Harbor East, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS) for several major developments, including the Westside and the several grocery store projects. She was instrumental in retaining several businesses of all sizes and assisted smaller businesses with expansions and in the development of the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore.

Kim is the Secretary of the Maryland Economic Development Association, Treasurer of the Urban Land Institute Baltimore Council, Board member and Committee Chair of the Star Spangled Flag House, Board member of the Emerging Technology Centers, Leadership Maryland and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts and is a member of the International Economic Development Council. Kim graduated Leadership MD in 2009 and is a Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Class of 2007 graduate.

Jayson Knott is Senior Director of the Office of Business Development at the Maryland Department of Commerce. He leads teams responsible for attracting new businesses to Maryland, growing existing Maryland businesses, and providing assistance to Maryland small businesses. Knott began his tenure with the Department in 1998, first working in publications and advertising, and then moving into business development in 2000. Prior to the Maryland Department of Commerce, he spent nine years coordinating publications for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Knott received his BFA from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1987, and has completed numerous continuing education courses with IEDC. A Westminster native, Knott lives in Towson with his wife and two sons.

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.

Jessica Reynolds is an international trade and investment specialist serving as Senior Director for the Office of International Investment and Trade at the Maryland Department of Commerce since August 2019. She previously served as a regional manager in this office, covering South Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Prior to joining Commerce, Mrs. Reynolds worked as a consultant for an economic development and planning firm, and as a Senior Manager and consultant in the international economic development field, working on US Government, World Bank, and other donor projects. She started her international career as an intern at the World Trade Center Institute in Baltimore.

Mrs. Reynolds holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Loyola University Maryland. She holds professional memberships in the International Economic Development Council and the Maryland Economic Development Association, and in March 2021,earned her CEcD certification as a certified economic developer.