Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) Secretary Mike Gill has appointed three new senior staff members who will play key roles in attracting, retaining and growing businesses in the State and promoting Maryland as a great place to do business.

The appointments, which are part of a larger new organization of the Department, are Allison Skipper as the Managing Director of Marketing and Communications; Greg Derwart as the Managing Director of Administration and Technology; and Steve Pennington as the Managing Director of Business and Industry Sector Development.

"We are fortunate to have attracted three very talented and experienced team members who will play an integral part in achieving our most important goal of bringing new businesses to Maryland, and helping our existing businesses grow and thrive," said Secretary Gill. "Maryland has tremendous assets and opportunities, and I look forward to working closely with my entire team to tell our story to the world."

In her new role, Ms. Skipper will oversee the Department's marketing, media relations, creative services and interactive media units and lead a strategic branding and advertising campaign. Ms. Skipper previously served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the South Carolina Department of Commerce, leading the agency's strategic communications and marketing activities and serving as the Department's spokeswoman.

With more than 20 years' experience in the private sector and with government and nonprofit agencies, Mr. Derwart will oversee the administrative team, as well as the Department's IT unit. He previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts (BOPA), where he worked on the Star-Spangled Spectacular celebration which generated $164 million in economic impact.

Mr. Pennington will lead the Department's business development efforts, working to drive Maryland's growth in strategic industries like biohealth, cybersecurity and aerospace, boost innovation and entrepreneurship and enhance DBED's regional development teams. He will also oversee DBED's finance programs and tax credits.

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