2025 Economic Development Day In Annapolis

Born on February 8, 1963 in Boksburg, South Africa, Gavin was raised in Perth, Australia by his single mother, Pauline. He attended Belmont City College located in Australia’s southwest coastal area near the Indian Ocean. Gavin worked his way across the world after departing Perth in 1984 after he dropped anchor in Spa Creek in 1992 with only $200 in his pocket, fell in love with Annapolis for its unique blend of history, maritime culture, and small-town friendliness, and fell in love again when he met future wife, Annapolis local Julie Williams. They married in 1997 and together they are now raising two children, Dash & Miles.

From his first job as a server at a downtown restaurant, Gavin showed the vision and entrepreneurial spirit for which he is so well known. He quickly learned the basics of business, raised capital, and navigated bureaucracy to open Annapolis’ first independent coffee shop in 1993.

In time, Gavin began to see potential in West Street – then considered the “wrong part of town,” where drug deals and prostitution were common. He opened his first restaurant there in 2000.The success of that enterprise encouraged Gavin to establish additional ventures in the same corridor.

Becoming a successful businessman was just the beginning for Gavin. His dedication to West Street and its communities inspired Gavin to help create the Sunday Arts Festivals, followed by the Annapolis Fringe Festival, the Chocolate Binge Festival, the Annapolis Color Run, West Street Holiday Light Canopy, and the wildly popular Dining Under the Stars.

Gavin is committed to preserving the historic character of Annapolis with leadership and vision to ensure it remains a dynamic, living city. This is why he challenged and defeated the City’s plan to demolish 100-year-old homes on West Street to make way for an 800-car garage. This area is now the West Village Precinct – a flourishing hub for local businesses, residents, and visitors.

Gavin knows that community connections are at the heart of West Street’s transformation. He has served on the boards of Friends of St. Johns College, Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County’s Citizens Advisory Board, and the West Street Business Association. Gavin also is a member of the Anne Arundel County Chapter of the NAACP and a founder of the Annapolis Arts District. He is longtime champion of public art and supporter of local musicians.

Elected Mayor of Annapolis in November 2017, Gavin is committed to bringing together business owners, community leaders, and residents to develop innovative ideas and economic opportunities for Main Street, Maryland Ave, West Annapolis and all parts of the city. These include 21st century transit solutions, a more transparent development process, strong community policing, and greater focus on the needs of the local community.

Gavin imagines an inclusive city, full of opportunities for all residents as part of his One Annapolis vision. He is committed to our shared community and our shared future. His vision is for a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive Annapolis with infrastructure, services, and events that make it a wonderful place to work and live for all.

Brad Fallon serves as a Deputy Legislative Officer to Governor Wes Moore. Since 2017, Fallon has worked in and around the Maryland General Assembly where he has worked on a diverse array of legislation that impacts the lives of Marylanders. In his current role, Brad focuses on economic development, housing, workforce, community development, and a range of other topics that seek to expand opportunities for Marylanders.

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 20+-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 is the
President of the Board for the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), and
serves on the Boards of the 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.

Member of House of Delegates since January 9, 2019. Member, Economic Matters Committee, 2019- (workers’ compensation subcommittee, 2019-22; public utilities subcommittee, 2023-; chair, business regulation subcommittee, 2023-, member, 2019-, vice-chair, 2022); Study Group on Economic Stability, 2020-. House Chair, Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2023- (member, 2021-). Member, House Cannabis Referendum and Legalization Work Group, 2021-23. Deputy Majority Whip, 2022. 2nd Vice-Chair, Maryland Legislative Asian-American and Pacific-Islander Caucus, 2023- (member, 2019-; treasurer, 2021-22); Maryland Legislative Latino Caucus, 2019-; Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, 2019-; Women Legislators of Maryland, 2019-.
Chair, Work Group to Study the Transformation of Manufacturing in Maryland’s Emerging Digital Economy, 2021-23.

Member, Governor’s Commission on Asian-Pacific American Affairs, 2007-15 (past chair).

Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Montgomery County, 2016- (special projects director, 2011-15). Board of Directors, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, 2016-19.

Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, District of Columbia Economic Partnership, 2001-05. Public Information Officer, Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, District of Columbia, 2005-08.

Born in Shanghai, China, November 4, 1963. Ohio University, M.A. (organizational & interpersonal communication), 1993; Kogod School of Business, The American University, M.B.A. (marketing & global information technology management), 2001. Board of Trustees, Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, 2010-; Imagination Stage, 2018-. Elected Delegate, Democratic Party National Convention, 2024. Co-founder, Bio-Health Innovation, Inc. Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2018. Power 30 Manufacturing, Daily Record, 2021.