Leadership
Leadership
Patty Simonton
President
View Bio ExpandPatty Simonton is an MCEDC Strategic Initiatives Manager, focusing on projects that drive entrepreneurial activity in the county. Among these projects, Patty is spearheading the organization’s efforts to streamline the entrepreneurial journey for founders in the county through the development of an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub.
Prior to joining the MCEDC team, Patty was the director of the Be Green Business program at Bethesda Green. In this role, she guided the Innovation Lab to become a federally recognized entrepreneurship support program for founders building for-profit business models around innovative and sustainable solutions to tackle environmental and social challenges. Patty considers herself to be a conscious capitalist, and brings extensive experience working with startups, social entrepreneurs and impact investors, and specializes in program management and operations, strategic planning, mentorship and for-profit business development.She is a long-time mentor and former community manager for the Mentor Capital Network and an Activator for the Coralus community, where she invests in women and non-binary entrepreneurs working on the world’s to-do list.
Patty earned her degree in International Business from Georgetown University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. She has also earned certificates in Entrepreneurship Center Management from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) and Impact Measurement and Management for Sustainable Development Goals from Duke University.
Email: patty@mdinnovate.orgLinkedIn Profile
Shervonne Cherry
Vice President
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Mike Thielke
Treasurer
View Bio ExpandMike is the executive director for Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC), a private-sector, non-profit organization having a mission to advance and develop the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout the eight counties of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. In this position, Mike plays a leadership role in ensuring that the Eastern Shore is connected to the rest of the Maryland statewide ecosystem of entrepreneurs, mentors, coaches, and investors. Mike has been instrumental in starting a network of coworking spaces, called hotDesks, which now has four locations throughout the region. These spaces serve as the backbone for the delivery of accelerator programs, business competitions, and numerous programs and events targeted to creating a stronger and better connected ecosystem. Mike is also part of a group kicking off the PinOak Capital investor group which is a result of the increased deal flow opportunities developing on the Eastern Shore.
Email: mike@esec.mdPhone: (410) 770-9330
LinkedIn Profile
Brett Schreiber
Secretary
View Bio ExpandBret Schreiber has worked for 20 years in the field of government and community relations, driving policy and economic development initiatives and developing strong ties to local, state and national legislators and policy leaders. Currently, Mr. Schreiber is Vice President for Life Sciences and Technology for Fulton Bank. Fulton Bank is a $22 billion financial institution based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Bret oversees the development of a new division for Fulton Bank, creating disruptive, innovative initiatives to support and grow the life science and technology industries in Fulton’s five state footprint.
Email: bschreiber@fultonbank.comPhone: 443-825-5700
LinkedIn Profile
Board Of Directors
Chuck Bubeck
Executive Director
Maryland Innovation Center
Howard County
Stephanie Chin
Hutch Program Manager
Fearless Technology
Tim Jones
Founder and Managing Principal
TBJ Investments LLC
George Nemphos
Co-Founder Managing Member
Nemphos Braue LLC
Marianna Pappas
Program Director
Novella Center for Entrepreneuership
Stacy Wassell
Director, Remote Work Center
Frostburg State University
