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 23 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, currently serving as Secretary; a member and previous 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. 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, National Tour Association, Maryland Tourism Council, Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance, Meeting Professionals International, Maryland Motorcoach Association, Pennsylvania Bus Association and Virginia Bus 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 16 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, the Maryland Economic Development Association and serves on the Advisory Board of the Maryland Small Business Development Center. She is also a 2008 graduate of Leadership Maryland.

James Shepherd, Business Development Specialist, holds a B.A. degree in Economics and Business Administration 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 13 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 Treasurer of the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance and the Maryland Economic Development Association and is also a member of the 2009-2010 Leadership Southern Maryland class.

Kelly Robertson-Slagle, Business Retention Specialist, holds a B.S. degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland and holds an Economic Development Professional (EDP) designation from the Northeastern Economic Developers Association. She 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 12 years of experience in business analysis, marketing, grant writing, program management and technical assistance. Her current duties include 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, monitoring and documenting their progress and coordinating 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, Northeastern Economic Developers Association and an Executive Board Member of the Patuxent Partnership, Southern Maryland Workforce Investment Board and the College of Southern Maryland Alumni Association. She is also a current member of the 2009-2010 Leadership Southern Maryland class.

Mark Volland, Public Information Specialist, holds a B.A. in Journalism and Government from University of Maryland University College. He is responsible for providing information about County government initiatives to the public and the media, supporting County departmental outreach programs and assisting with County marketing efforts. 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.