Linda S. Vassallo, Director of Economic Development holds a B.S. Degree in Mass Communications from Towson State 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 24 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. Ms. Vassallo is a board member of Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM), currently serving as president; and a board member of the Patuxent Partnership, currently serving as secretary. She is also a member and previous chair of the Southern Maryland Economic Development Association, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and graduate of Leadership Maryland, a thriving network of informed, engaged leaders who are helping shape the future of Maryland. She previously served as board member to the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and was a member and previous chair of the MEDA awards committee.

Joyce Stinnett Baki, Tourism Program Specialist, has more than 20 years of tourism experience and attended Prince George’s Community College and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She is responsible for development and marketing the County’s dynamic tourism program and structuring programs and services that will attract visitors to the County. Prior to joining the Department of Economic Development, she served as Sales Director for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County CVB for five years and as Director of Sales for the National Aquarium in Baltimore for eight years. She has taught travel and tourism industry courses as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Baltimore County in Catonsville, MD. In 2006, Ms. Baki was awarded Maryland Tourism Person of the Year at the Maryland Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Hospitality.  In 2000 she received the Audrey Davenport Hospitality Person of the Year award at the same conference.  Ms. Baki is a member of the American Bus Association (ABA), National Tour Association (NTA), Maryland Tourism Council (MTC), Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA), Meeting Professionals International, Maryland Motorcoach Association (MMA), Pennsylvania Bus Association (PBA) and Virginia Bus Association. She is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM).

Danita Boonchaisri, Business Development Specialist, holds a B.S. in Communications and an M.S. in Business Management from University of Maryland University College. She has 17 years of experience in the fields of marketing and communications and over seven years of experience in economic development. Ms. Boonchaisri is responsible for managing the Calvert County Industrial Park and Patuxent Business Park. She is 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). 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 (PRSA), the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and serves on the Advisory Board of the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She is also a 2008 graduate of Leadership Maryland.

Maria Dorsett, Business Retention Specialist, holds an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a B.B.A. from Loyola University in Baltimore. For five years, Ms. Dorsett was a Business Counselor for the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) where she counseled clients with their start-up ideas, business plans, strategic goals and market research. Prior to that, she was employed at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration where she assisted small businesses in developing strategies for exporting products and services overseas and also worked on bilateral trade issues in an effort to help small U.S. companies gain greater access to foreign markets. Ms. Dorsett is responsible for promoting and facilitating the retention of small business in Calvert County.  This includes regular visits among the local business community, assessing their needs and coordinating specific resources to help assure their success.  She comes from a background of working with the small- and medium-sized business community.  She is an advocate for small business in Calvert County and works closely with partner organizations to bring all available resources to small business owners. She is a member of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) and the Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA).

Mark Volland, Marketing and Communications Specialist, holds a B.A. in Journalism and Government from University of Maryland University College. He 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. Mr. Volland has more than 15 years of experience in journalism, publications, marketing and public relations. Prior to joining the Department of Economic Development, he served as Communications Manager at the College of Southern Maryland and as Communications Specialist with Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. He also worked as a reporter and editor with The Recorder newspaper. Mr. Volland is a member of the City-County Communications & Marketing Association and Public Relations Individuals in Southern Maryland (PRISM).