2023 MEDA Annual Conference

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.

Wes Moore is the 63rd Governor of the state of Maryland. He is Maryland’s first Black Governor in the state’s 246-year history, and is just the third African American elected Governor in the history of the United States.

​​Born in Takoma Park, Maryland, on Oct. 15, 1978, to Joy and Westley Moore, Moore’s life took a tragic turn when his father died of a rare, but treatable virus when he was just three years old. After his father’s death, his family moved to the Bronx to live with Moore’s grandparents before returning to Maryland at age 14.

​​Moore is a proud graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy and College, where he received an Associate’s degree in 1998, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Afterward, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s in international relations and economics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

​​While at Johns Hopkins, Moore interned in the office of former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke. Moore was the first Black Rhodes Scholar in the history of Johns Hopkins University. As A Rhodes Scholar, he earned a Master’s in international relations from Wolfson College at Oxford.

​​In 2005, Moore deployed to Afghanistan as a captain with the 82nd Airborne Division, leading soldiers in combat. Immediately upon returning home, Moore served as a White House Fellow, advising on issues of national security and international relations.

​​In 2010, Moore wrote “The Other Wes Moore,” a story about the fragile nature of opportunity in America, which became a perennial New York Times bestseller. He went on to write other best-selling books that reflect on issues of race, equity, and opportunity, including his latest book “Five Days,” which tells the story of Baltimore in the days that followed the death of Freddie Gray in 2015.

​​Moore built and launched a Baltimore-based business called BridgeEdU, which reinvented freshman year of college for underserved students to increase their likelihood of long-term success. BridgeEdu was acquired by the Brooklyn-based student financial success platform, Edquity, in 2018.

It was Moore’s commitment to taking on our toughest challenges that brought him to the Robin Hood foundation, where he served for four years as CEO. During his tenure, the Robin Hood foundation distributed over $600 million toward lifting families out of poverty, including here in Maryland.​​

While the Robin Hood foundation is headquartered in New York City, Wes and his family never moved from their home in Baltimore.​​

​​Moore has also worked in finance with Deutsche Bank in London and with Citigroup in New York.

Moore and his wife Dawn Flythe Moore have two children – Mia, 11; and James, 9.​​

Myra Norton was previously the CEO of Community Analytics, an analyst at Northrop Grumman, a senior administrator in the College of Science and Technology at Temple University, and a professor in Mathematics and Statistics at Towson University and the US Naval Academy. Myra has been a speaker and facilitator at several industry events and she has collaborated with researchers from Harvard University, Babson College, University of Virginia, the National Institutes of Health, University of Maryland, and the University of Chicago. In her community, Myra serves on the Maryland Governor’s Workforce Development Board, where she chairs the Career and Technical Education Committee as a member of the Innovation, Development & Entrepreneurship Advisory (IDEA) Board that champions innovation and entrepreneurship across Johns Hopkins University; and as the Immediate Past Chair and member of the Executive committee of the Board of Directors for TEDCO.

David Kwabena Wilson, Ed.D., is the 10th inaugurated president of Morgan State University—Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University. For more than a decade, Dr. Wilson has not only been a transformative president at Morgan but has emerged as a leader among university presidents nationwide as well as an effective advocate for HBCUs and the role they play in developing leaders and serving the needs of their community, state, and Nation.

Dr. Wilson has a long record of accomplishment in his more than 30 years in higher education administration. He is a newly elected member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (AAA&S) and serves on the Lumina Foundation Board of Directors and the NCAA Board of Governors and Division I Board of Directors. He is the former chairman of the HBCU/China Network, and in 2010, he was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on Board of Advisors on HBCUs.

Dr. Wilson has also served on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology, the Board of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the Board of the American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U), and as a member of the National Science Foundation Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering.

Among the many recognitions received throughout his professional career he has been awarded the Maryland Senate’s First Citizen Award and the Transcendent Order of the African Eagle Award by the African Diaspora Nation and the African Union. In addition, Dr. Wilson has been named as a Baltimore Business Journal Top 10 CEO, an AFRO Newspaper ‘Person of the Year,’ a Baltimore Sun Business and Civic Hall of Famer, and one of the Maryland Daily Record’s ‘Power 30’ in Higher Education.

Prior to assuming his current position, Dr. Wilson served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Colleges and University of Wisconsin Extension; vice president for University Outreach and Associate provost for Auburn University; assistant and associate provost for Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Camden); and director for the Office of Minority Programs at the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation in Princeton, New Jersey.

Dr. Wilson received his bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s in education from Tuskegee University, and master’s and doctorate in education from Harvard University. He was also bestowed with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from his alma mater Tuskegee University.

Allison Akers is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Anne Arundel based systems integrator Vision Technologies. In this role, Allison is responsible for overseeing overall marketing direction, brand management, corporate communications, and strategic growth of the company.

Allison deeply believes in giving back. Allison serves on the MEDA Board of Directors and serves as the co-chair of the MEDA Young Leaders Group. Allison also serves as Past President of the Public Relations Society of America-Chesapeake Chapter Board, is the chair of Vision Technologies’ Charity Committee as well as a committee member of the Women’s Network Employee Resource Group, is a member of Fort Meade Alliance Rising Stars, and recently finished serving on the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business Alumni Chapter Board.

Allison is passionate about economic development and celebrating successful business growth in Maryland, developed through her prior work as Marketing and Outreach Manager for Anne Arundel Economic Development. Prior work also includes Marketing and Communications Specialist for the Maryland State Judiciary, time in grassroots marketing and events management for the MD, DC, VA region for Road Runner Sports, and a brief stint in the music marketing industry. She graduated from West Virginia University in May 2022 with an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications and holds a B.S. in Marketing from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. She is a proud Terp through and through.

Dr. Mustafa Al-Adhami is the founder and CEO of Astek Diagnostics. He holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). In 2020, he founded Astek Diagnostics with the aim of commercializing a one-hour antibiotic sensitivity test. Mustafa has 4 patents and 9 published research papers.

Secretary of Agriculture since March 2, 2023. Acting Secretary of Agriculture, January 18 to March 2, 2023.
Member, Governor’s Executive Council, 2023-; Governor’s Council on the Chesapeake Bay (Governor’s Chesapeake Bay Cabinet), 2023-; Governor’s Subcabinet for International Affairs, 2023-; Smart Growth Subcabinet, 2023-. Chair, Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture, 2023-; Animal Waste Technology Fund Advisory Committee, 2023-; Phosphorus Management Tool Transition Advisory Committee, 2023-; Renewable Fuels Incentive Board, 2023-. Member, Board of Regents, University System of Maryland, 2023-.

Board of Directors, Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation, 2023-. Member, Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Board, 2023-; Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, 2023-; Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee, 2023-; Chesapeake Bay Trust, 2023-; Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, 2023-; State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, 2023-; Commission on Climate Change, 2023-; Maryland Food Center Authority, 2023-; Interagency Food Desert Advisory Committee, 2023-; Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council, 2023-; Maryland Commission on Health Equity, 2023-; Maryland Horse Industry Board, 2023-; Invasive Plants Advisory Committee, 2023-; Commission for the Innovation & Advancement of Carbon Markets & Sustainable Tree Plantings, 2023-; Council on Open Data, 2023-; Pesticide Advisory Committee, 2023-; Rural Legacy Board, 2023-; Rural Maryland Council, 2023-; Scenic and Wild Rivers Review Board, 2023-; Seafood Marketing Advisory Commission, 2023-; Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, 2023-; State Soil Conservation Committee, 2023-; Spay/Neuter Advisory Board, 2023-.

Born in Prince George’s County, Maryland, 1975. Attended St. Mary’s High School, Annapolis, Maryland; Loyola University Maryland, B.A. (journalism), 1997; University of Colorado, M.A., 1998; University of Baltimore, D.C.D. (communications design), 2002. Founder, Grow & Fortify. Past executive director, Brewers Association of Maryland; Maryland Distillers Guild; Maryland Wineries Association. Past member, Board of Directors, Future Harvest; Maryland Tourism Coalition. Past president, Maryland Agricultural Resource Council. Past chair, Advisory Council, WineAmerica State and Regional Association. Adjunct faculty, Loyola University Maryland.

Susan Banks is the Director of Dorchester County Economic Development. She oversees the county’s Economic Development and the day-to-day operations of the Eastern Shore Innovation Center Business Incubator. Prior to this role she served as the Business Development Manager for the Economic Development office for 5 years where she focused on attraction and retention strategies. She sits on the Board of Directors for The Business Finance Group and is involved with several local organizations. Susan earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Salisbury University and a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from American Public University.

Deputy Secretary of Transportation Samantha Biddle has extensive experience in the transportation industry from her 17-year-long career in both the public and private sector. She spent about 8 years in the private sector as a transportation planner then moved to public service at the State Highway Administration for 6 years in various planning, strategic and leadership roles. Samantha has spent the past 3 years in executive positions within MDOT’s Secretary’s Office and was promoted to Deputy Secretary this year by Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. She is a graduate of the University of Delaware and is an American Institute Certified Planner (AICP).

Regan Brewer-Johnson is the President of the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC). In this role, she oversees the overall strategic vision, mission and programs of JARC Chicago, JARC Baltimore and JARC Rhode Island – nationally recognized workforce development organizations with combined annual budgets of $5.7 million.

JARC is comprised of Sector-Based Job Training Programs, Business and Workforce Services, and the Center for Working Families services. These programs target the manufacturing and construction industries. Brewer-Johnson’s responsibilities include leading the agencies’ strategic plan, directing fundraising efforts with government and private foundation funders and overseeing the agencies’ programs and operations. She has an exceptional track record for bringing in new funding streams, designing and implementing new programs, and establishing data-driven solutions to solve problems.

Regan came to JARC with several years of nonprofit community development experience, having worked in both a national foreclosure prevention program and a residential treatment center. Regan holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from DePaul University, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and is a 2010 Sector Skills Academy Marano Fellow through the Aspen Institute and Public/Private Ventures. In 2018, Regan earned her Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from DePaul University’s Management Development Center.

Nick Culbertson is the CEO of Protenus, a Baltimore-based data science company that brings AI and automation to healthcare compliance. Under Nick’s leadership, Protenus has been recognized by Gartner as a Cool Vendor in Healthcare Artificial Intelligence, by CB Insights as one of the Most Innovative Digital Health Startups, by Forbes as one of America’s Top Startup Employers, and by Modern Healthcare as one of the Best Places to Work in Healthcare.

Nick was named one of “Healthcare’s Entrepreneurs to Know” by Becker’s Hospital Review and received SmartCEO’s Executive Management Award. In 2021, Nick was named one of Baltimore’s Top 40 under 40 and EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year.

Prior to co-founding Protenus, Nick served eight years in the U.S. Army as a highly decorated U.S. Special Forces Operator (Green Beret) and Advanced Tactical Practitioner. He holds a B.S. from The Johns Hopkins University and currently serves on the executive board of The 6th Branch, a veteran-led community service organization in East Baltimore. Nick is also an active volunteer with several Baltimore initiatives focused on building workplace equity in the tech community.

Brian Darmody is Chief Strategy Officer for Assocation of University Research Parks (AURP) and former CEO.

Previously he worked at UMD College Park and University System of Maryland in a variety of economic development, legal and research administration roles, and earlier served as a staff member for a U.S Congresswoman, member of Maryland House of Delegates and served in the U.S Health Care Financing Administration Office of Attorney Advisor.

Secretary of Housing and Community Development since March 2, 2023. Acting Secretary of Housing and Community Development, January 18 to March 2, 2023.
Member, Governor’s Executive Council, 2023-; Commerce Subcabinet, 2023-; Governor’s Subcabinet on Infrastructure, 2023-; Smart Growth Subcabinet, 2023-.

Member, Maryland Affordable Housing Trust, 2023-; Interagency Committee on Aging Services, 2023-; Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Board, 2023-; Behavioral Health Advisory Council, 2023-; Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code Advisory Council, 2023-; State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, 2023-; Interagency Disabilities Board, 2023-; Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, 2023-; Financial Education and Capability Commission, 2023-; Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council, 2023-; Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, 2023-; Maryland Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, 2023-; Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2023-; State Coordinating Committee for Human Services Transportation, 2023-; Law Enforcement Coordinating Council, 2023-; Work Group on Low-Income Utility Assistance, 2023-; Council on Open Data, 2023-; Rural Maryland Council, 2023-; Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, 2023-; Two-Generation Family Economic Security Commission, 2023-; West North Avenue Development Authority, 2023-.

Member, Climate Change Commission, 2016-18; Local Government Advisory Committee, Chesapeake Bay Program, 2016-23.

President, City Council, Salisbury, 2013-15. Mayor of Salisbury, 2015-23.

Member, Natural Resources Conservation Advisory Committee, Wicomico County, 2009-11; Waterfront 2020 Design Committee, City of Cambridge 2009-12; Board of Housing Adjustments and Appeals, City of Salisbury, 2010-13; Salisbury-Wicomico Planning Commission, 2011-15.

Born in Salisbury, Maryland, July 3, 1982. Attended James M. Bennett High School, Salisbury, Maryland; University of Maryland, College Park, B.S. (architecture), 2004; Carnegie Mellon University, M.A. (urban design & environmental policy), 2007; Oxford University, M.S. (nature, society, & environmental policy), with distinction, 2008. Served in U.S. Army. President, Maryland Municipal League, 2021. Single; two children.

Connie Dean is the Career Technology Liaison for Queen Anne’s County Economic and
Tourism Development (QACETD) and began this newly created position in July 2021. Connie
builds and enhances partnerships between schools and local businesses with the goal of
providing career awareness for all students and promoting both Career and Technology
Education (CTE) and Careers in the Trades. By fostering relationships between QACETD, the
business community, and QAC schools there are new avenues in place for youth to gain
knowledge, experiences, and opportunities to support them in making well informed career
decisions. She focuses her efforts on developing projects and enhancing programs, that
contribute toward building a pipeline of a skilled and prepared workforce through engagement
with local youth, while strengthening career development for students.
Prior to her role as QACETD Career Technology Liaison, Connie served as the Academic and
Transfer Advisor for Chesapeake College, and served 35 years as Secondary School Teacher,
Secondary School Counselor and Career Counselor for Queen Anne's County Public Schools.
She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, Bachelor of Science Dual Degree in
Special Education K-12/Elementary Education K-8 from University of Maryland, Certification in
Guidance and Counseling with MSDE and various certifications in health/fitness and career
development. She serves on the Advisory Committee for the QAC Character Counts! program,
teaches fitness classes, and is on the board of directors for two local organizations that provide
services and funding for local community businesses and organizations. During National
Apprenticeship Week 2022, Connie received a State of Maryland Governor’s Citation for having
the largest number of students in Youth Apprenticeships on the Eastern Shore and for her
efforts to advance the Maryland Apprenticeship Program.

Elizabeth DeRose proudly hails from, what was considered to be at the time, the greatest small town in America – Peoria, IL! A graduate of the University of Illinois, Elizabeth holds a B.S. in Finance and had a successful first career in finance working for Kidder Peabody & Co. in Chicago, IL selling debt instruments to institutional investors. Eventually, her love of food and cooking called her to change careers and attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY where she earned a Culinary Arts degree and met her future husband. She returned to Chicago to join Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises as a Chef and then Director of Culinary Operations for a growing restaurant brand, Maggiano’s Little Italy. She moved to Frederick, MD in 2001, at which time she joined the national restaurant consulting firm, VSAG, as Vice President advising start-ups, expanding brands and turnaround businesses all over the country. She paused her restaurant career to make time for caretaking responsibilities and joined the nonprofit sector, serving as the Director of Operations for Service Coordination, Inc, a state-wide organization that provides services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2016, she had the opportunity to join Frederick Community College (FCC) to direct their newly expanding Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism Institute (HCTI). During her time at FCC, she has developed a vibrant internship program, successfully earned programmatic accreditation from the American Culinary Federation, developed and successfully implemented new programs including Baking and Pastry Arts, Hospitality Management, Food Business Entrepreneurship and Culinary Medicine. During her time with FCC, HCTI has been named as one of the top 10 culinary schools in the country and the student-run restaurant, 200 Monroe has earned Open Table’s Diner’s Choice award for the past 6 years. She and her husband are part-owners of a growing restaurant group, Oscars Alehouse, which currently has 3 locations throughout Maryland.

Rebecca L. Flora, AICP, was confirmed as Governor Wes Moore’s nominee for Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning on February 17, 2023, the latest achievement in a career spanning more than 35 years, including planning leadership positions in the public and private sectors.

As Secretary, Flora provides comprehensive leadership of the Department’s mission, objectives, and initiatives, including oversight of Planning Services, State Data Center, Maryland Historical Trust (MHT), and Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum (JPPM) in Calvert County.

Flora comes to the Department of Planning with extensive urban planning experience, having worked in the Pittsburgh area for more than
20 years in project management, community development, and was the first executive director of the Green Building Alliance (GBA), whose vision is to address climate change, advance human health, achieve social equity, and create thriving economies.

As the GBA’s first executive director, she led initiatives that established the western PA region as a pioneer and leader in the green building movement. Among her key accomplishments, she launched GBA’s innovative Green Building Products Initiative and led the development and adoption of Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan. She also supported several of the country’s “first” green projects, including serving as the LEED Accredited Professional (AP) for the world’s first green convention center.

Her professional background also includes nine years with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), where she served on the board and later as senior vice president for education and research and was a founding member of the LEED ND Core Committee, a group that takes the green certification concept beyond individual buildings and applies it to neighborhoods.

Following her career in Pennsylvania and Washington DC, she launched ReMAKE Group, LLC, a woman-owned Chestertown-based business where she led large scale brownfield redevelopment projects, and sustainability and resiliency plans in locations across the country.

Secretary Flora graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and received a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech. She also holds credentials as a green building and neighborhood development professional, (BD+C and ND) along with her planning AICP credential.

The greatest blueprint that Morgan State University Professor Dale Glenwood Green will ever encounter
was not drawn with ink and paper. Instead, the ‘plan’ was lived out before him by his grandparents. They
taught him how to build a life of purpose by valuing history, preserving Black institutions, and being
intentional with his existence. These beliefs were in essence inherited, as Professor Green has an ancestry
intertwined with some of the most consequential individuals in American history, including his maternal
line of Bishop Alexander Wayman and Frederick Douglass; and his paternal line of Reverend Samuel Green
and Harriet Tubman.
Professor Green is also a Partner in the fifth oldest African American architectural firm in the nation,
Sulton Campbell Britt and Associates, P.C. where he works to develop new sites and preserve historical
ones too. He is not only a respected leader in the building industry but also a sought after lecturer and
scholar of African American heritage. Amongst his titles, he is The Professor of the Practice for
Architecture and Historic Preservation at Morgan State University. As he teaches his students, he knows
he is doing more than building their careers. He is answering the call of his ancestors, shaping young minds
and skylines in the process.

Trish Gordon McCown, Director of Academic Affairs – Maryland Higher Education Commission

Trish is a strategic leader, influential team manager, and higher education policy administrator in her role as Director of Academic Affairs at the Maryland Higher Education Commission. She leads the daily operations for all postsecondary public and private degree granting and non-degree granting institutions.
Her career spans over two decades serving in administrative roles in public and private postsecondary institutions, workforce development programs, health care management, private sector training entities and over fifteen years working in the finance industry.
Trish joined the Maryland Higher Education Commission in 2012. In her previous role at the Commission, Trish served as the Director of the Maryland State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training Benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She held several leadership roles with the National Association of State Approving Agencies including the Legislative Director and the East Region Vice President.
Trish participated in planning committees of the Maryland State Plan on Higher Education. She also served as a board member on private career school boards in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In addition, she served as a board member and continues to volunteer for the Hosanna School Museum in Harford County, Maryland.
Trish earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance Management from Goldey-Beacom College, Wilmington, Delaware and a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is the proud mother of three sons graduating from community college, public institutions and private institutions within the state of Maryland.

Dr. Jeff Graham, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs has served Frostburg State
University for 16 years. His primary areas of responsibilities include career services, health
services, counseling services, veterans services, and prevention services. In addition to these
responsibilities, Jeff serves as the university's liaison to the Frostburg City Town-Gown
Committee, is a founding member of the Frostburg Community Coalition, and played an
integral role on FSU's Pandemic Response Team. Additionally, he participates in leadership
initiatives related to strategic planning, program assessment, and institutional evaluation.

Ramsey L. Harris is the Senior Vice President and Greater Maryland Market Manager for
Community Development Banking and the Corporate Responsibility Group at PNC. Harris provides strategic leadership and financial solutions for social challenges that focus on affordable housing,
economic development, community development lending and investing, financial education, and
revitalization/stabilization of neighborhoods and communities in distress.
As a native Baltimorean, Harris is very active throughout the Eastside and Westside communities. He
is passionately dedicated to making generational impact for families and communities in Baltimore
City and surrounding counties by promoting homeownership, financial literacy, health, and wellness.
Harris is also proudly committed to the empowerment of black entrepreneurs and advocacy for the
Minority and Small Business Community. He has cultivated effective partnerships with an array of
organizations, corporations, and institutions throughout Baltimore and the state of Maryland,
including: The National and Greater Baltimore Urban League; The National and Baltimore Branch of
the NAACP; The Baltimore Times, Inc.; The AFRO American Newspapers; Mayor’s Office of
Minority/Women Owned Business Development; The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland
African-American History & Culture; Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association;
Morgan State University’s School of Business and WEAA Radio; Coppin State University’s College
of Business; and the Youth Services Division of the Baltimore Police Dept., to name a few.
Harris currently serves on the following boards/commissions: Community Development Network of
Maryland; Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development’s Affordable
Housing Trust Fund Commission; Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore; St. Ambrose
Housing Aid Center; The Family League of Baltimore; The Center for Workforce Inclusion;
Light/Health/Wellness Comprehensive Services, Inc.; and Morgan State University/Earl G. Graves
School of Business and Management’s Entrepreneurial Development and Assistance Center (EDAC)
Advisory Board. He previously served on the boards of: Pimlico Community Development
Authority (PCDA); New Pathways, Inc./Pressley Ridge; Urban Financial Services Coalition; Year
Up Baltimore; and the Achievement Academy’s Community Advisory Board. He has also served as
a mentor/facilitator for the “Stocks in the Future” Program in conjunction with Johns Hopkins
University’s School of Education. Harris is a third generation Pastor and faith leader. He is the
Founder and Pastor of City Sanctuary Ministries in Northeast Baltimore, and a Chaplain for
Baltimore City Police Dept. He is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and has
received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the community.
Prior to his current role, Harris served as Vice President and East Territory LMI/CRA Business
Advisor in the Retail Lending Distribution Management division at PNC. Harris was responsible for
overseeing/executing strategic plans that enable the bank to achieve specific Community
Reinvestment Act (CRA) focused goals/measures of lending to businesses located in designated,
inner-city/Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) geographies throughout the entire East Coast.
Harris has nearly 20 years of leadership and business development experience in the
banking/financial services industry. Prior to joining PNC, he started his banking career as a Sales
Consultant at Bank of America. Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a
concentration in Business & Technical Writing and a minor in Religious Studies from the University
of Delaware.

Tiffany Harvey, Vice President, Government & Regulatory Affairs for Maryland and Delaware. In her role, Tiffany leads Comcast’s government advocacy programs in both states and represents the company’s interests in front of the state legislatures along with respective executive branch agencies and Attorney General offices.

A Maryland resident since 1990 with extensive legislative and legal affairs experience, Tiffany previously was Director of State and Government Affairs for Verizon, handling legislative matters before the Maryland General Assembly. Prior to that, she served as Chief Counsel for Legislative Affairs in the Office of the County Executive for Prince George’s County in Largo, Maryland, and the Office of the Attorney General in Baltimore.

Before working in legislative and government affairs, Tiffany spent several years as a trial attorney in Maryland.

Dr. Daraius Irani serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Applied Research at Towson University. In this role, he fosters the development of partnerships between business, government, and education that contribute to the economic vitality of the greater Baltimore region.

For over twenty years, Irani has served in several senior leadership roles at Towson University. As vice president, Irani provides leadership and management to over 70 highly-skilled professionals who work on campus and in state agencies across the state. Collectively, his teams work to open the doors of the university to solve pressing problems, further community collaboration, expand learning opportunities, and generate economic development.

Irani is committed to Towson University and has set priorities that reflect that commitment. These include working to better integrate the Division into the University; advancing Towson University’s reputation as a leader in applied research, education, and EdTech; and making positive impacts through university-community partnerships.

Additionally, Irani serves as chief economist for the Regional Economic Studies Institute (RESI) at Towson University, a policy group providing economic, fiscal impact, and policy analysis to state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private sector firms. During his tenure at RESI, Irani has managed and served as lead economist on well over 250 research and analysis projects. He also has produced over 100 economic and fiscal impact statements for a diverse portfolio of clients.

Irani is often called upon to provide economic presentations to organizations across Maryland. He has appeared on CNN, the Marc Steiner show, WYPR’s Midday, and Maryland Public Television’s Business Connection. He is often quoted in articles published by Maryland Daily Record, Baltimore Business Journal, The Baltimore Sun, and Washington Post.

EDUCATION
Dr. Irani holds a Ph.D. in economics from University of California, Santa Barbara; a M.A. in business economics from University of California, Santa Barbara; and a B.A. in economics from University of California, San Diego.

PERSONAL
Dr. Irani is an avid bicyclist and golfer.

FUN FACT
What are three websites everyone should have bookmarked? www.WSJ.com, www.economist.com and www.NYTimes.com

N. Gordon Knox focuses his practice on complex commercial, real estate and corporate transactions. He handles all aspects of tax-exempt financings, commercial financings and affordable housing development financings. In the public finance area, Mr. Knox has extensive experience serving as bond counsel and counsel to issuers, bond purchasers and trustees. He represents national, regional and community banks and other financial institutions in structuring, negotiating and documenting transactions involving New Markets Tax Credits, construction loans, SBA loans, letters of credit, equipment leases and commercial loans secured by real estate and/or personal property. Mr. Knox advises lenders in connection with troubled credits and has extensive experience in documenting and negotiating forbearance agreements and restructuring credit facilities. He also serves as outside general counsel to business owners and real estate developers.

Mr. Knox is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., 1998), the American University in Cairo (M.A., 1993) and the College of William & Mary (A.B., 1990).

Jen LaHatte is the Managing Director of Policy, Research and Government Affairs for the
Maryland Department of Commerce, the State’s primary economic development agency. In this
role she oversees a group of ten research and policy staff responsible for identifying and
enhancing economic development policies and providing high quality research products and
economic analyses leading to strategies that maximize the State’s economic growth. Jen has
worked for the Maryland Department of Commerce in a variety of roles since 2012, including
Director of Policy and Program Development as well as Business Policy Analyst, and has been
managing her division since 2021. Prior to joining Maryland Commerce, Jen worked for a
political fundraising consulting firm. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Peace
Studies from the University of Notre Dame, and lives in Cockeysville with her husband and two
young sons.

As the CEO of TEDCO—Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies—Troy leads the organization’s mission to support economic development through the cultivation of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. He brings to bear more than 25 years of experience in investment management, higher education, telecommunications, information/communication technology, and management consulting in this leadership role.

Prior to joining TEDCO, Troy was the chief operating officer at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), the nation’s only urban land-grant university. UDC encompasses a six-site community college, a four-year baccalaureate campus, and a law school, and serves 7,000 degree- and certificate-seeking students. He oversaw an array of critical functions at UDC, including capital construction, communications, emergency management, enrollment services, facilities management, government relations, information management, institutional research, marketing, public safety, risk management, and strategic planning, to name a just a few.

An entrepreneur at heart and in spirit, Troy founded the management consulting firms LeMaile-Stovall LLC and GTMS Partners, LLC. He also co-founded and served as the first president and CEO of GulfSouth Capital. His resume includes positions as the interim president of Zenith Education Group; principal at Butler Snow Advisory Services; executive vice president and chief operating officer of Howard University; and senior vice president and chief financial officer Jackson State (Mississippi) University, where he was awarded the Thurgood Marshall HBCU CFO of the Year. Earlier in his career, Troy held positions at McKinsey & Company, Southwestern Bell Telephone (now AT&T), AT&T Bell Labs, and Rockwell international.

Troy is a subject matter expert in capital stack formation and a frequent speaker on venture capital, economic development, and higher education administration, among other topics. He has published articles on entrepreneurship, venture capital, economic development, diversity and inclusion, and higher education.

Troy graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. He earned a master’s of science in computer science from Stanford University as a Bell Labs One Year on Campus Fellow, and an MBA from Harvard University. He was included in the Leadership Greater Washington Signature Program Class of 2019.

Troy gives back to his community in volunteer roles and has held board seats at Parkway Properties, Archipelago Learning, Internet America, School Status, the National Society of Black Engineers, Southern Methodist University (SMU) School of Engineering and Department of Electrical Engineering, DC Chamber of Commerce, MemberSuite, MuniStrategies, DC Housing Enterprises, National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO), and Zion Church.

Troy has also coached an award-winning youth robotics team, and is a USA Swimming-certified stroke-and-turn coach and chief judge official. A triathlete himself, he is married to marathoner Sonya L. Wiggins and is the father of two multi-talented young athletes, Zora Lauren and Langston Anthony.

Member of Senate since January 11, 2023. Member, Finance Committee, 2023-; Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2023-.
Member of House of Delegates, representing District 37B, January 14, 2015 to January 11, 2023. Member, Economic Matters Committee, 2015-23 (banking, economic development, science & technology subcommittee, 2015-18; public utilities subcommittee, 2015-23; workers’ compensation subcommittee, 2015-23; banking, consumer protection & commercial law subcommittee, 2019-23; joint electric universal service program work group, 2020-23); Study Group on Economic Stability, 2019-23; Joint Electric Universal Service Program Work Group, 2020-23. House Chair, Talbot County Delegation, 2015-23. Member, Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, 2015-23; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2015-23.

Member, Mid-Shore Regional Council, 2015- (executive board, 2015, 2018); Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, 2015-; Task Force on the Maryland Clean Energy Center, 2016-17; Aquaculture Coordinating Council, 2016-; Oyster Advisory Commission, 2016-; Reform-on-Tap Task Force, Office of Comptroller of Maryland, 2017; Task Force on Rural Internet, Broadband, Wireless, and Cellular Service, 2017-19; Work Group to Study the Transformation of Manufacturing in Maryland’s Emerging Digital Economy, 2021-.

Counsel, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives, 1997-2002.

Special Assistant to Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Governor, 2002-05.

Legislative Director to U.S. Representative Howard Coble of North Carolina, 2009-14.

Born in Fort Devans, Massachusetts, September 19, 1970. Attended Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire; University of Dayton, B.A. (political science), 1994; Pettit College of Law, Ohio Northern University, J.D., 1997. Admitted to Maryland Bar. Attorney. Operator, Carpenter Street Saloon, St. Michaels, Maryland. Married; two children.

Secretary of the Environment since March 2, 2023. Acting Secretary of the Environment, January 18 to March 2, 2023.
Member, Governor’s Executive Council, 2023-; Governor’s Council on the Chesapeake Bay (Governor’s Chesapeake Bay Cabinet), 2023-; Commerce Subcabinet, 2023-; Governor’s Subcabinet for International Affairs, 2023-; Governor’s Subcabinet on Infrastructure, 2023-; Smart Growth Subcabinet, 2023-. Chair, Asbestos Oversight Committee, 2023-; Commission for the Innovation and Advancement of Carbon Markets and Sustainable Tree Plantings, 2023-; Commission on Climate Change, 2023-. Vice-Chair, State Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, 2023-.

Member, Governor’s Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture, 2023-; Animal Waste Technology Fund Advisory Committee, 2023-; Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, 2023-; Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee, 2023-; Chesapeake Bay Trust, 2023-; Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2023-; Coast Smart Council, 2023-; Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, 2023-; Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board, 2023-; Executive Committee for Dredged Material Management Plans, 2023-; Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, 2023-; Maryland Efficient Grant Application Council, 2023-; Maryland Green Building Council, 2023-; Maryland Green Purchasing Committee, 2023-; Maryland Commission on Health Equity, 2023-; Invasive Plants Advisory Committee, 2023-; Maryland Military Installation Council, 2023-; Council on Open Data, 2023-; Ozone Transport Commission, 2022-; Pesticide Advisory Committee, 2023-; Phosphorus Management Tool Transition Advisory Committee, 2023-; Principals’ Staff Committee, Chesapeake Executive Council, 2023-; Project Green Classrooms Initiative, 2023-; Renewable Fuels Incentive Board, 2023-; Scenic and Wild Rivers Review Board, 2023-; Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, 2023-; State Soil Conservation Committee, 2023-; Susquehanna River Basin Commission, 2023-; Maryland Zero Emission Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council, 2023-.

Director, Workforce Planning and Management, Architect of the Capitol, 2003-09. Director, Business Partners Office (chief human capital officer), U.S. Department of Energy, 2009-11. Chief Operating Officer, Office of Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 2012-14. Chief Operating Officer and Regional Administrator, San Francisco, 2014-17, and Chief Performance Improvement Officer and Director, Office of Continuous Improvement, 2017-18, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Undersecretary and Chief Operations Officer, Environmental Protection Agency, California, 2019-23.

Born in Alexandria, Virginia. Attended T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria, Virginia; Strayer University, B.A. (business administration), 1994; Central Michigan University, M.S. (administration & international studies), 1999; George Mason University, M.P.A. (public administration), 2003.

Dawn Medley is Senior Vice President Business Finance Programs/EDI Fund Manager at FSC First

Annie Milli is the Executive Director of Live Baltimore, a nationally recognized, nonprofit residential marketing organization.

Responsible for overseeing all operations, Annie drives Live Baltimore’s mission to increase the City’s population, leads fundraising, heads government relations, and engages with the Board of Directors. Since taking on the role in 2017, Annie has authored two strategic plans, launched a robust data analysis program, enacted a financial sustainability plan, and increased annual revenues by more than 70%.

Having built her career in consumer advertising, Annie lends 20 years of marketing and communications experience to Live Baltimore. Annie previously held positions with Baltimore-based firms Siquis Ltd. and Eisner Communications. She has worked on accounts including US Airways, The Maryland Lottery, Marriott International, The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Bravo Health, Hooked On Phonics, the Lenox Corporation, and other notable brands.

Annie holds a BA in Advertising and Graphic Design from the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio and an MS in Communication Management from Towson University in Maryland, where she has also taught as an adjunct communications professor. She is a graduate of The Leadership class of 2019.

Annie lives with her husband and daughter in Northeast Baltimore City. She enjoys distance running, gardening, and channeling her excess creative energy into interior design projects.

Mr. Eli Modlin
Chief of Staff and Vice President of Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives
Eli Modlin was named Chief of Staff at Salisbury University effective July 31, 2019 and Vice
President of Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives effective January 1, 2023.  He served as
Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Government and Community Relations since February
2017, and held the position in an interim capacity starting in December 2016.
Eli graduated from Salisbury University with a degree in Communication Arts and a minor in
Political Science. He spent his summers as a U.S. Capitol intern in Washington, D.C. At SU,
Modlin was an active member of the campus community. Eli served as president and general
manager of the campus TV station, SUTV, where he conducted interviews with dozens of state
and local leaders including Governor Larry Hogan, Senator Chris Van-Hollen and other
members of Congress, the Maryland General Assembly and local elected officials.
In addition to the President’s Cabinet, he chairs the Town-Gown Council and serves on the
PACE Steering Committee, Safety Task Force, Neighborhood Relations Committee, and
Strategic Planning and Budgeting Committee.
Prior to joining SU, Eli served as the Public Affairs Officer for the Comptroller of Maryland
where, as a member of the Communications Team, he was responsible for writing speeches,
talking points and briefing memorandums for the agency. Before joining the Communications
team, he served as the special liaison officer and handled constituent matters and staffed the
Comptroller in Baltimore City, Baltimore, Howard and Wicomico Counties.
Eli is a member of the Salisbury University Chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa and an active
alumnus of Mount Saint Joseph High School. Eli, like most Sea Gulls, has a deep and abiding
commitment to Salisbury University. He is also a member of the inaugural class of the
Transformational Leadership Program, a collaboration between Salisbury University and the
Greater Salisbury Committee to engage the next generation of leaders.
Beyond the University, Modlin serves on the Board of Leadership Maryland, a statewide
leadership program that aligns public and private sector professionals to build a
better Maryland. He also serves on the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Board of
Directors and is a member of the National Folk Festival Executive Committee. He is a graduate
of the Leadership Maryland Class of 2020.
Raised in Catonsville, Maryland, Eli is happy to claim the Eastern Shore as his home.

As Director of the UMB Baltimore Fund, Mary engages a host of regional contacts and companies to promote and administer the program as well as support USM in the Baltimore region. The Baltimore Fund is a financial incentive for companies affiliated with University System of Maryland to relocate and expand operations in Baltimore City, including the BioPark and with other USM facilities and collaborative spaces. Additionally, Mary provides outreach and programming to support the innovation community including managing Anchor Ventures and as a member of the MIPS Review Board and TEDCO’s MII Board. Mary has been fostering economic development and technology innovation across the State of Maryland for over 20 years at the State, regional and local level.

Kirkland J. Murray
Advisory Committee Member, AIB Pillar 3 – College & Career Readiness
President & CEO, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation
Kirkland J. Murray is the President and CEO of Anne Arundel Workforce Development
Corporation (AAWDC), the workforce service provider for Anne Arundel County,
Maryland. He also proudly serves as a member of the AIB Advisory Committee for Pillar
3, College and Career Readiness. With a background rooted in Economic Development,
Kirkland has transformed AAWDC into an intelligence-driven organization.  Through this
work, AAWDC has become nationally recognized for its industry sector training model,
addressing the essential “soft skills” gap, and developing innovative work and learn
opportunities.  Kirkland is now shifting focus to get more candidates off the sidelines
and into successful careers through targeted strategies aimed at upskilling youth and
individuals in poverty. This includes successful implementation of Blueprint for
Maryland’s Future focusing on delivering quality career counseling and working with
partners to expand youth apprenticeships.

Deirdre Robertson is the Executive Director of FrostburgFirst, the Main Street Program and Arts & Entertainment District for Frostburg, MD. Now in her 5th year as the Main Street program director, Robertson holds a Master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communications from Marshall University and a Master’s in Information Sciences from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Robertson is thrilled to be a part of a thriving community and working together to implement a collaborative vision for downtown Frostburg, and hopes to contribute to making Frostburg a destination for arts and entertainment, cultural heritage, economic vitality, and historic significance.

Erin Roth currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning. In this role, she helps lead the division, which oversees a budget of approximately $160 million of federal and state funds and 460 employees. Throughout her tenure with the Department, Ms. Roth has led major initiatives and innovations for the state’s workforce system, including the strategic implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and a myriad of initiatives supporting business growth and jobseekers with barriers to employment. In addition to her role at Labor, Roth serves on the State Higher Education Labor Relations Board and the Board of Directors for both the Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc. and Leadership Maryland. Roth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from Loyola University Maryland, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

Jeremy S. Scholtes serves as outside general counsel to numerous companies, primarily in the construction, IT, and manufacturing industries, many of which are also government contractors.

Government Contracting
Jeremy assists federal and state government contractors in a variety of transactional and dispute matters including:

Regulatory interpretation and compliance
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses, and related agency supplements
MD, DC, and VA – state and local
FEMA Grant Compliance
Veteran Affairs (VA)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Draft, update, and negotiate contracts
Prime contracts and subcontracts
NDA
Teaming Agreements
Joint Ventures
Bid protests (classified and unclassified) – protest and intervenor (awardee) counsel
Agency; GAO; COFC
Small business (SBA)
Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals (MSBCA)
Local jurisdictions
Claims preparation and defense – most common include:
Breach of contract
Bond
Design or Construction Defect
Differing Site Conditions
Delay or disruption
Acceleration
Miller Act and “Little Miller Act”
Owner, prime, and subcontractor disputes – resolution, mediation, arbitration, and litigation
MDOT MBE/DBE – counsel, certification, and compliance
SBA matters – WOSB; SDVOSB; 8(a); mentor-protégé
Audits and investigations
Public Private Partnership (P3)
FOIA and PIA requests
Security clearance matters
Litigation (Federal; MD; VA; DC)
Construction
Breach of contract and warranty
Owner v Prime; Prime v Sub disputes
Mechanic’s Lien
Appeal of agency claim denials (judicial review of administrative decisions)
Commercial and Business
General breach of contract and/or warranty
Non-compete and non-solicitation
Shareholder and derivative claims
Fiduciary duties and responsibilities
Fraud
Defamation
Eminent domain and condemnation (Maryland)
Military Background
Before joining Miles & Stockbridge, Jeremy had a notable career with the United States Army, first as an infantry officer and then as a Judge Advocate General officer (JAG).

From 2001 to 2005, Jeremy served as a Rifle Platoon Leader in the 25th Infantry Division (Hawaii), and subsequently as a Ranger Platoon Leader, Battalion Training Officer, and Rear Detachment Commander in the 3/75th Ranger Regiment.
In 2005, Jeremy was selected through the Army’s Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) to attend law school. From 2005 to 2008, Jeremy was a law student at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
From 2008 to 2014, Jeremy served as a Labor and Employment Attorney, a Prosecutor, and the Chief of Regulatory Compliance and Ethics. He was assigned at Ft. Meade Garrison Command (Ft. Meade, MD), 17th Fires Brigade and I Corps (Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA and Iraq), and 2d Infantry Division (Korea), respectively.
He combat deployed to Iraq three times.
After 13 years of active duty, in 2014 Jeremy transitioned to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) as a JAG with 10th Legal Operations Detachment (Gaithersburg, MD) (2014-2016) and then 13th Legal Operations Detachment-Expert (Upper Marlboro, MD) and U.S. Army Legal Services Agency (2016-2017), representing Army Soldiers and former Soldiers in their appeals before the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals (ACCA) and the U.S. Army Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF).

After 21 years of combined Army service, Jeremy retired in July. He most recently served as a Lieutenant Colonel and an Adjunct Professor at The Judge Advocate General Legal Center and School in the National Security Department in Charlottesville, VA.

Jeremy graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law with a certificate in environmental law. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy (West Point), where he won the Superintendent’s Award.

Dr. Michael J. (Mike) Sosulski is currently the 31st President of Washington College in Chestertown, MD.
A seasoned leader in academic and student affairs, financial stewardship and change management, Sosulski took office on September 1, 2021, after serving as Provost at Wofford College in South Carolina for five years. In his first year as Washington College’s president, he has pushed forward with a $20 million investment in campus renovations, secured a new dining services partner for the campus, created a new senior leadership post for Dr. Alisha Knight, as Associate Provost of Diversity and Inclusion, approved the addition of Men’s and Women’s Golf as a new sport, and rebuilt his Cabinet to ensure the right leadership is in place to move the College into the next decade and beyond.
During his tenure at Wofford, Dr. Sosulski was instrumental in the redesign and reconstruction of a range of vibrant academic spaces, including the $4 million-dollar conversion of the Sandor Teszler Library into an Academic Commons; completion of the Rosalind Sallenger Center for the Arts; and the design and construction of a new $9.5 million Green Globes certified academic science building. Sosulski also appointed the first academic Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, created the Diversity Search Advocacy Program to diversify Wofford’s faculty, and led comprehensive work to strengthen shared governance, including the creation of an independent Rank and Tenure committee.
In addition to serving as Provost since 2016, he was also a full Professor of German at Wofford College. Prior to that, he was with Kalamazoo College, serving first as an Assistant Professor of German and eventually earning the roles of Associate Professor, Department Chair in German Studies and Associate Provost.
Sosulski’s scholarly interests include national movements and their expression in German culture; the history of German theater and film; Lessing, J.W. von Goethe and Schiller; German hip-hop; and second language pedagogy. He has authored numerous articles and the book Theatre and Nation in Eighteenth-Century Germany, which appeared with Ashgate Press in 2007.
Sosulski earned his BS in German from Georgetown University in 1987, and went on to receive an MA followed by a PhD in Germanic Studies from The University of Chicago in 1999. Prior to beginning graduate school in German, he spent a wonderful gap year studying saxophone performance at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.
A native of West Chicago, IL, Sosulski grew up a passionate Cubs fan and still roots for his home team to this day. He is married to Dr. Cori Crane, Associate Professor of German at the University of Alabama. They have two adult sons: Peter, who works in wilderness therapy in western North Carolina; and Nick, a recent graduate of Michigan State University who lives and works in the alpine resort town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

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).

Danny graduated from Crisfield High School, received an Associate Degree in Accounting from Wor-Wic Community College and Business Administration at Salisbury University.

Danny is the current Executive Director for the Somerset County Economic Development Commission for the past 12 years. His position entitles him to focus on the retention and expansion of existing employers and the recruitment of new businesses to assist in the economic growth of Somerset County. He was previously employed with the State of Maryland in the Department of Labor, Licensing, & Regulation Agency for 12 years and formerly worked at the Carvel Hall Plant in Crisfield as Human Resources Manager, Time & Motion Study Observer for 10 years until its closing. He also owned & operated the Circle Inn Restaurant in Crisfield for 10 years.

He was the Past-Chairman of the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Somerset County Economic Development Commission. Danny serves as a board member for the Maryland Economic Development Association, Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, and was formerly a councilperson for 8 years at the City of Crisfield. He is also active as a High School Sports official in soccer & basketball.

Danny was raised in Fruitland, Maryland until 1975 then later moved to Crisfield, Maryland. He moved to the Princess Anne area in 2008. He is married to his wife, Cheryl who is a private music teacher, has a son Keith who graduated from University of Maryland College Park majoring in Electrical Engineering, and has two grandchildren Daniel Ryon, and Kaiden Nickolas. He enjoys all types of sports, cooking, playing trumpet in church, & spending time with his family.

Secretary of Labor since March 2, 2023. Acting Secretary of Labor, January 18, 2023 to March 2, 2023.
Member, Governor’s Executive Council, 2023-; Commerce Subcabinet, 2023-; Smart Growth Subcabinet, 2023-; Governor’s Warrior to Worker Council, 2019. Co-Chair, Correctional Education Council, 2023-; Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Stakeholder Work Group, 2023-.

Member, Asbestos Oversight Committee, 2023-; Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code Advisory Council, 2023-; Interagency Disabilities Board, 2023-; Maryland Economic Development Commission, 2023-; Equal Pay Commission, 2023-; Maryland Green Building Council, 2023-; Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs, 2023-; Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2023-; State Coordinating Committee for Human Services Transportation, 2023-; Justice Reinvestment Oversight Board, 2023-; Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center Governing Board, 2023-; Work Group to Study the Transformation of Manufacturing in Maryland’s Emerging Digital Economy, 2023-; Council on Open Data, 2023-; State Board of Pilots, 2023-; Pricing and Selection Committee for Blind Industries and Services of Maryland and the Employment Works Program, 2023-; Maryland Small Business Retirement Savings Board, 2023-; Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, 2023-; Two-Generation Family Economic Security Commission, 2023-; Maryland Veterans Trust, 2023-; Governor’s Workforce Development Board, 2023- (career & technical education committee, 2023-); Youth Apprenticeship Advisory Committee, 2023-;

Labor Policy Director, General Counsel and Senior Labor Policy Advisor, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, U.S. Senate, 2003-10. Special Assistant to the President for Labor and Workforce Policy, and Senior Policy Advisor, Domestic Policy Council, The White House, 2011-14.

Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 2014-17.

Yale University, B.A.; Cornell University, M.A.; Yale Law School, J.D. Associate, Bredhoff & Kaiser, PLLC, 2000-03. Director, Workforce Policy, 2017-18, and Managing Director, Public Policy, 2018-23, U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft Corporation.

With over 20 years of economic development experience, Laurie Boyer Babb, CEcD currently serves as the Director of Economic Development at Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. She is responsible for the management and oversight of the County’s economic development financial incentive programs and the administration of contracts with third party vendors providing economic development services on behalf of the County. Over the past year, she developed the policies and procedures and implemented over $40 million in emergency grant programs established to assist businesses locally during the global health pandemic. She and her team provide support and guidance to companies interested in doing business in Montgomery County. Babb serves as a strategic and technical advisor to other senior managers, the County Executive and the County Council in evaluating new programs, policies and incentives for supporting new and existing businesses. She partners strategically with the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) and the Maryland Department of Commerce on business attraction and retention efforts.

Previously, Laurie served as the Executive Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), and as Executive Director for the Frederick County Office of Economic Development.

In May 2006, she earned her professional Economic Development Certification (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council.

Ms. Babb 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.

Ms. Babb 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.

Ms. Beaver has served as the Carroll County Deputy Director of Economic Development since 2001. Prior to that Ms. Beaver held several Carroll County workforce development roles serving Carroll County businesses and citizens for a total of 27 years.
Selected as a Leadership Maryland Class of 2021 member and elected MEDA secretary in April 2021, Ms. Beaver also currently represents Carroll County at the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore Advisory Board, the Baltimore Gas & Electric Carroll County Advisory Council, the Carroll Transit Advisory Council, and the Mid-Maryland Workforce Development Board. Previously, Ms. Beaver was a founding member, board member, and Secretary of the Carroll Technology Council (now Carroll Technology & Innovation Council) for 16 years.
Ms. Beaver holds degrees from Kutztown University and Towson University and resides in Westminster.

Richard Griffin, AICP, CEcD is the Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick.
In that role oversees four City Departments including the Department of Economic
Development, Downtown Parking Department, Frederick Municipal Airport, and Weinberg
Center for the Arts. Griffin is accredited economic developer and urban planner with over 30
years of experience.
During his 23-year tenure in Frederick he has overseen major City Projects including the design
and development of award-winning Carroll Creek Park, airport expansion, and parking garage
development along with coordinating complex development projects delivering jobs and tax
base in downtown and commercial corridors. He has worked with many businesses in Frederick
including AstraZeneca, Fort Detrick, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Stulz,
Wilcoxen, Precision For Medicine, and many small mom and pop shops, and minority and
women owned businesses.
Richard has experience working at the city, county, regional, and federal level in Maryland,
Virginia, North and South Carolina and Washington State. He served on the district staff of the
late US Representative James Clarke from the 11th District of NC. He is a US Army veteran
having served as a Cavalry border guard on the East German Border during the cold war and as
a commissioned Armor officer in the NC National Guard and Army Reserves.
Mr. Griffin holds degrees from Western Carolina University and Clemson University. He serves
on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), Fort
Detrick Alliance, the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc, and others. He is Rotary Paul
Harris Fellow and volunteers as a scout leader and youth mountain bike race team coach. His
wife Lynne is a FCPS teacher and they live, work, and play in Downtown Frederick.

Ebony Stocks
Executive Vice President
Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation

Biography

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

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).

Danny graduated from Crisfield High School, received an Associate Degree in Accounting from Wor-Wic Community College and Business Administration at Salisbury University.

Danny is the current Executive Director for the Somerset County Economic Development Commission for the past 12 years. His position entitles him to focus on the retention and expansion of existing employers and the recruitment of new businesses to assist in the economic growth of Somerset County. He was previously employed with the State of Maryland in the Department of Labor, Licensing, & Regulation Agency for 12 years and formerly worked at the Carvel Hall Plant in Crisfield as Human Resources Manager, Time & Motion Study Observer for 10 years until its closing. He also owned & operated the Circle Inn Restaurant in Crisfield for 10 years.

He was the Past-Chairman of the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Somerset County Economic Development Commission. Danny serves as a board member for the Maryland Economic Development Association, Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, and was formerly a councilperson for 8 years at the City of Crisfield. He is also active as a High School Sports official in soccer & basketball.

Danny was raised in Fruitland, Maryland until 1975 then later moved to Crisfield, Maryland. He moved to the Princess Anne area in 2008. He is married to his wife, Cheryl who is a private music teacher, has a son Keith who graduated from University of Maryland College Park majoring in Electrical Engineering, and has two grandchildren Daniel Ryon, and Kaiden Nickolas. He enjoys all types of sports, cooking, playing trumpet in church, & spending time with his family.

Renée M. Winsky is the president and founder of Bay One Group, LLC. Formed in 2012, the firm assists clients with a variety of subject matters, including leadership development, economic development, entrepreneurship, government relations and advocacy, technology transfer and commercialization, university collaborations and partnering, and small business start-ups.

From September 2013 to March 2022, Ms. Winsky served as 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.

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 a member of the Maryland Venture Fund Authority, a Governor Larry Hogan appointment. She serves on the Maryland Innovation Initiative and Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Funding Authorities as Senate President Emeritus Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. appointments. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Economic Development Association, where she is Treasurer, and The Maryland School for the Blind, where she is Secretary. She has served in volunteer, leadership and governance roles with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee, 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, where she is also a Lifetime Member.