Linda S. Vassallo, Director of Economic Development, holds a B.S. Degree in Mass Communications from Towson University. She was appointed Director of Economic Development in 1999 and previously served as a Marketing and Communications Specialist from 1996-1999. She has over 20 years experience in the fields of public relations, marketing and business development. Prior to joining Calvert County Government, she served as a communications associate for USEC, public information specialist for SAIC, special projects analyst at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and intern staff to the National Republican Senatorial Committee on Capitol Hill. She currently serves as board member to the Maryland Economic Development Association, is chair of the Southern Maryland Economic Development Association, a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the Maryland Association of Counties, the International Economic Development Council, the Greater Washington Initiative and graduate of Leadership Maryland, a thriving network of informed, engaged leaders who are helping shape the future of Maryland.

James Shepherd, Business Development Specialist, holds a B.A. degree in Economics and BusinessAdministration from Roanoke College, an M.S. in Management from University of Maryland University College and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP). Prior to joining the Department of Economic Development, Mr. Shepherd worked as a corporate president in the private sector for over 20 years and as a senior business analyst for the Small Business Development Center. He has 11 years of business development experience with the Department, is manager of the Calvert County Industrial Park and Patuxent Business Park, a business ombudsman for the County, a commercial site plan monitor on behalf of the business community, and administrator of the Calvert Economic Development Loan Fund (CEDLF). He was a Commissioned Officer in the United States Coast Guard from 1967 to 1971. He is a member of the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance and the Maryland Economic Development Association.

Danita Boonchaisri, Marketing and Communications Specialist, holds a B.S. in Communications and an M.S. in Business Management from University of Maryland University College. She has nearly 15 years of experience in the fields of marketing and communications. Ms. Boonchaisri is responsible for marketing the County and providing information about County businesses, business services and government initiatives to the public and local, state and national media. Ms. Boonchaisri also acts as the Public Information Officer for Emergency Management. Prior to joining the Department of Economic Development, she served as Director of the Small Business Development Center, Southern Region, and the Entrepreneur and Leadership Center at the College of Southern Maryland. She also worked as a Senior Administrator and Publication Manager at the American Physical Society. She is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Public Relations Individuals in Southern Maryland, the Maryland Economic Development Association and serves on the Advisory Board of the Maryland Small Business Development Center.

Kelly Robertson Slagle, Business Retention Specialist, holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland and has completed numerous continuing education courses through the International Economic Development Council. Prior to joining the Department of Economic Development, Ms. Robertson-Slagle was Director of Government/Member Relations with the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland. She also served as a Business Development Specialist with the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development and has over 10 years experience in business analysis, marketing, grant writing, program management and technical assistance. Her current duties include work in promoting and facilitating the retention of small business and other economic enterprises in the County, visiting the local business community to assess their business needs, monitor and document their progress, and coordinate the provision of specific local state and federal resources where applicable.  She is a member of the Maryland Economic Development Association, the International Economic Development Council and a Board Member of the College of Southern Maryland Alumni Association.

Erica Stone, Tourism Specialist, holds a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Maryland. Ms. Stone has over eight years experience in the fields of public relations, marketing research and special event planning. Prior to joining the Department of Economic Development, Ms. Stone served as a communications specialist with the United Service Organizations (USO). Ms. Stone applies expertise gained from her career with the USO where she managed public relations campaigns for major entertainment tours and used a variety of print and electronic products to publicize USO events in her current position as Tourism Specialist. Her duties with the Department include: establishing and maintaining effective relationships with media representatives and the local tourism industry, generating media coverage, coordinating the Department’s yearly tourism advertising campaign, working with travel writers and tour groups and developing collateral materials designed to attract visitors to the area. Ms. Stone is a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the Travel Industry of America, the North American Travel Journalists Association, and the Maryland Economic Development Association.