Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation Announces New Board Members, Reappointments

For Immediate Release
August 13, 2024

Contact:
Michael Mitchell, Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Michael@thinkmoco.com

Raven Padgett, Senior Manager, Communications
raven@thinkmoco.com

Montgomery County, Md. – The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) announced several changes to its Board of Directors. Elana Fine, CEO of VWG Wealth Management, is the new Board Chair. Fine, who previously served as Vice Chair, assumes the helm from Kevin Beverly, who will now serve in the capacity as Immediate Past Chair. The executive committee will comprise of:

• Elana Fine, CEO of VWG Wealth Management, Board Chair
• Kevin Beverly, former President & CEO, Social & Scientific Systems, Immediate Past Chair
• Mukesh Kumar, Ph.D., President and Chairman, Akan Biosciences, Vice Chair
• Devang Shah, Managing Partner, Law Office of Shah and Kishore, Secretary
• Jennifer Hsin, Partner at CNF Investments, LLC, Treasurer

MCEDC welcomes Todd Pearson, Pete Briskman and Andy Chod to the Board. Pearson is the President and COO of Saul Centers Inc.; Briskman is Executive Managing Director and Co-Lead for JLL’s Mid-Atlantic Life Sciences Practice; and Chod is Co-President of Minkoff Development.

All three bring their vital experience from the real estate sector and join a team of executives from Montgomery County’s key industries, education leaders and government officials.

Three members will not be returning to their board positions:

• Gracelyn McDermott, VP, Kaiser Permanente
• Ken Mills, Board Chair and former CEO, REGENXBIO
• Alberto Lacaze, CEO, Forterra

“Our Board provides diverse perspectives and an enthusiastic commitment to furthering economic development initiatives in Montgomery County,” said MCEDC President and CEO Bill Tompkins. “Elana brings exceptional leadership to the Board and our new members will provide unique expertise in the real estate sector, from which we will greatly benefit. We appreciate the continued work of our recently reappointed members, and thank Gracelyn, Ken and Alberto for their service to MCEDC and Montgomery County. I am encouraged by the dedication our Board has in building on our success and continuing to position Montgomery County as the premier location for companies to locate and expand.”

Visit here for complete Board member bios.

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is the official public-private economic development organization representing Montgomery County, Maryland, and is funded by the Montgomery County Government. Created in 2015, MCEDC is led by a Board of Directors of business executives. Its mission is to accelerate business development, attraction, retention and expansion in key industry sectors while advancing equitable and inclusive economic growth. For more information, visit our website. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.