Thank you for joining us for Economic Outlook 2026

Thursday, January 8th, 2025  | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Chesapeake College

As Queen Anne’s County enters a pivotal year, Economic Outlook 2026 brings together public and private sector leaders, town officials, developers, and community stakeholders to evaluate the economic landscape and chart a forward-thinking path. This year’s event emphasizes infrastructure development, localized perspectives from North QA, Mid-County, and Kent Island, and integrates town voices to ensure a truly representative discussion of growth and opportunity.

Attendees will receive an update on key performance indicators (KPIs) through a “Year in Review,” gain clarity on statewide policy shifts for 2026, and hear directly from developers and major project leaders shaping the built environment.

Whether you’re a policymaker, investor, business owner, or community advocate, this event offers crucial insights into the region’s trajectory and actionable data for planning ahead.

8:00 am: Registration, Networking & Breakfast

 

8:40 am: Welcome & Opening Remarks

Shelly Gross-Wade, Chair, Economic Development Commission 

Philip Dumenil, Queen Anne’s County Commissioner

 

8:50 am: Economic Snapshot – 2025 Year in Review

A data-driven presentation highlighting Queen Anne’s County’s performance across jobs, housing, business growth, infrastructure investment, and population trends.

Heather Tinelli, Director, QACETD
Jeff Rank, Director of Finance, Queen Anne’s County
Harry Coker, Jr, Secretary of Commerce

 

9:20 am: Infrastructure 2026 – Projects Powering Progress

An overview of current and planned infrastructure developments—including roads, broadband, utilities, and public services—and their economic impact.

Todd Mohn, County Administrator, QAC
Steve Cahoon, Public Facilities Planner, QAC
Megan DelGaudio, IT Support Manager, QAC

 

9:50 am: Community Voices – Focused Perspectives from North QA, Mid-County & Kent Island

Local leaders present region-specific economic developments, challenges, and opportunities in a moderated panel format.

Moderated by Patrick McLaughlin, Queen Anne’s County Commissioner
Christopher Corchiarino, Queen Anne’s County Commissioner
Ashley Kaiser, President of Centreville Town Council
Charles Rhodes Jr., President of Church Hill Town Commissioners

 

10:30 am: Break

 

10:40 am: Developer Spotlights – Projects Through Their Lens

Moderated panel of developers behind major projects, sharing insights on what’s working, where friction exists, and what they see ahead.

Moderated by Jim Moran, Queen Anne’s County Commissioner
Mason Popham, Thomas Park Investments
Mike Irons, Division President, K. Hovnanian Homes

 

11:10 am: Statewide Policy Outlook 2026 – Legislation & Impact

A discussion on Maryland’s legislative and regulatory environment heading into 2026 and its anticipated effects on rural and suburban counties.

Moderated by Jack Wilson, Queen Anne’s County Commissioner
Delegate Steven J. Arentz
Delegate Jefferson L. Ghrist
Delegate Jay A. Jacobs

 

11:50 am: Closing Remarks & 2026 Economic Development Priorities

Final thoughts and a preview of the county’s key economic initiatives for the year ahead.

Jim Moran, Queen Anne’s County Commissioner

 

12:00 pm: Adjourn

Delegage Steven J. Arentz

Steven J. Arentz is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 36, which includes Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. He has served in the House since November 19, 2013, with a legislative focus on business, consumer issues, and regulatory policy. Since 2015, Arentz has served on the Economic Matters Committee, where his work has included roles on multiple subcommittees, including consumer protection and commercial law, alcoholic beverages, workers’ compensation, property and casualty insurance, and unemployment insurance. He is also a member of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee (2019–present) and previously served on the Appropriations Committee (2014–2015) and the Joint Audit Committee (2015–2019). From 2017 to 2020, he served as Deputy Minority Whip. He currently serves as House Chair of the Queen Anne’s County Delegation (2015–present) and previously chaired the Eastern Shore Delegation (2019–2022).

Before joining the General Assembly, Arentz served as President of the Board of County Commissioners for Queen Anne’s County from December 2010 to November 2013, also chairing the county Roads Board and Sanitary Commission and serving on the Board of Health and the Task Force on Government Sustainability. His regional service includes membership on the Fort George G. Meade Regional Growth Management Committee and leadership within the Upper Shore Regional Council, where he served as secretary from 2012 to 2013 following terms as vice-chair. He has also served on the Bainbridge Development Advisory Board since 2013 and joined the Workgroup to Study Issuance of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses to Tobacconists in 2024.

Born in Hollywood, California, on April 17, 1951, Arentz attended Allegheny Community College, Control Data Institute, and Newbury Junior College. He has worked as a realtor with Long & Foster since 2003 and previously owned and operated Hemingway’s Restaurant and Lola’s Sunset Grill in Stevensville from 1996 to 2010. He has held leadership and board roles with the Maryland Association of Counties and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and previously chaired the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce. He is married and has two children.

J. Steven Cahoon

Public Facilities Planner, Queen Anne’s County Department of Public Works

Steve started with Queen Anne’s County in 1996 working in the Department of Planning and Zoning where he held many positions giving him a well-rounded planning and local government background.  With more than 29 years of experience working in Planning, Zoning & Public Works, Steve is knowledgeable of the state and local regulations and project approval processes.   Steve currently is the Public Facilities Planner for the Queen Anne’s County Department of Public Works focused on coordinating with State and local agencies to advance infrastructures planning efforts.  He also helps to bring infrastructure projects through the approval process to implementation.  Steve also implements the County Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance when new projects are proposed.  He also is involved in regional Transportation Planning by representing the County on the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and various BRTB subcommittees. 

 

Christopher Corchiarino

Queen Anne’s County Commissioner

Christopher M. Corchiarino was elected November 8, 2022 and is serving his second term as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner representing District 4. He was duly sworn and qualified as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

Chris is a 1992 graduate of Queen Anne’s County High School, where his reverence for Queen Anne’s County was born.  He now lives in Stevensville with his wife, Kelly (a small business owner in the County), and their three daughters

After graduating from high school, Chris lived in Belgium for a year, before returning to the United States to attend the University of Maryland at College Park, where he earned a BA in 1997.  While in college and afterwards, Chris was a partner in the family food service business.  There he learned the challenges that face small business owners. Later, Chris attended law school, earning a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore School of Law.  Chris is currently is licensed to practice law in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Over 30 years in the County, Chris had always looked for ways to give back to the County and ever since he was in student government at Queen Anne’s County High School, Chris imagined that one day he might run for County Commissioner.  In 2018 and again in 2022 I was lucky to earn the trust and support of the County voters to make that dream a reality.  He is forever grateful to the people of Queen Anne’ County for the trust they have placed in him.

Megan DelGaudio

IT Support Manager, Queen Anne’s County

Megan DelGaudio is the County’s IT Support Manager and has been with Queen Anne’s County since 2000 working first in the Planning and Zoning Department and then the Information Technology Department.

Megan has served as the County liaison of the current Broadband Advisory Council since 2018.  Prior to that she has worked with the State and local broadband focus groups on broadband projects since 2011.  Megan has worked with County staff and the Council to successfully secure several grants for the expansion of broadband service to County residents.

 

Philip Dumenil

Queen Anne’s County Commissioner

Philip L. Dumenil was elected in November 8, 2022 and is serving his third, non-consecutive, term as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner representing District 3. He was duly sworn and qualified as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

Philip Dumenil was born on September 2, 1961, husband to Tammy Dumenil and father to Logan, Reagan, and Harrison. He was born and raised in California, and lived there till he graduated high school, at which time he moved to Annapolis, Maryland, and attended Anne Arundel Community College working towards an Associates Arts degree in Physical Education & Recreation.

He then joined the IBEW Local 26 and became an electrician working for Heller Electric. After spending five years in the electrical trade, He discovered his fondness for the Restaurant and Hotel Hospitality Business. Phil worked as a restaurant manager for Double Tree, Marriott, Ruby Tuesdays, and Pusser’s restaurant, where he had the opportunity to manage one of the British Virgin Island locations for a year, and where he met his now wife, Tammy.

After 20 years in the Hospitality industry, Phil decided to make a career change, that he and Tammy felt would be more conducive to raising a family, and got licensed as a Property and Casualty as well as Life insurance agent. It was at this point in time Tammy and Phil started their family in Annapolis, but eventually moved to the Eastern Shore in 2001 to raise their children and make a life on the Shore.

Phil was convinced by the business community in 2010 to run for County Commissioner in Queen Anne’s County and was elected to office for his first term in 2011. Phil has been very active in his Eastern Shore community, coaching youth baseball, and umpiring at the youth as well as high school levels for the last eight years. He spent three years as the Kent Island High School Athletic Boosters President, and enjoyed helping the student athletes, at Kent Island High School, enjoy their high school sports experience’s. Phil enjoys being active in the community he lives in, and embraces the opportunity that it gives him to meet the people of Queen Anne’s County.

 

Delegate Jefferson L. Ghrist

Jefferson L. Ghrist is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 36, which includes Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. First elected in 2015, he has built a legislative record centered on fiscal oversight, state budgeting, and practical investments in community priorities. He currently serves as Minority Parliamentarian (2022–present) and sits on the Appropriations Committee (2015–present), where his work has included assignments across a range of subcommittees, including health and human resources, capital budget, health and social services, transportation and the environment, and education and economic development. He also serves on the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight (2015–present), the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee (2021–present), and the Spending Affordability Committee (2022–present). From 2019 to 2021, he served as Deputy Minority Whip.

Ghrist has participated in numerous commissions and work groups focused on long-term planning and accountability, including the Commission on Maryland Retirement Security and Savings, the 21st Century School Facilities Commission, the Joint COVID-19 Response Legislative Work Group, and the Joint Legislative Committee to Select the State Treasurer. He is also House Chair of the Caroline County Delegation (2015–present), a member of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and has served on the Bainbridge Development Advisory Board since 2015, along with the Work Group on Educational Development Specifications.

Before joining the General Assembly, Ghrist served Caroline County for eight years on the County Commissioners (2006–2014), including multiple terms as president and vice-president. During that time, he chaired the county Roads Board, served on the Boards of Health and Social Services, and helped lead regional coordination efforts through the Mid-Shore Regional Council. He also served on the North County Water and Sewer Authority.

Born March 14, 1975, Ghrist attended North Caroline High School, Chesapeake College, and Salisbury State University, where he earned a B.A. in economics in 1997. He has worked as a real estate agent and previously served as an assistant store manager with Home Depot. He is married and has two children.

 

Mike Irons

Vice President of Land Development at K. Hovnanian

Mike Irons is the Vice President of Land Development at K. Hovnanian, based in Smyrna, United States. They are responsible for overseeing the company’s land acquisition, planning, and development efforts. Irons holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Penn State University, where he gained valuable expertise in the field of real estate and urban planning. (Aspire at Ewing Farm is their project.)

 

Jay A. Jacobs

Jay A. Jacobs is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 36, which includes Caroline, Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. He has served in the House since January 12, 2011, and has developed a legislative focus on environmental policy, natural resources, agriculture, transportation, and local government. Jacobs serves on the Environment and Transportation Committee (2015–present), with assignments on the Motor Vehicle and Transportation Subcommittee and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Open Space Subcommittee, and more recently the Local Government and Bi-County Agencies Subcommittee. He is also a member of the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (2015–present). Earlier in his House tenure, he served on the Environmental Matters Committee (2011–2015), including subcommittee work related to agriculture preservation, open space, and natural resources.

In addition to committee work, Jacobs has held several leadership roles, including Chair of the Republican Party Caucus (2013–present). He serves as House Chair for both the Caroline County Delegation and the Kent County Delegation (2011–present), and as House Vice-Chair for the Cecil County Delegation (2021–present) and the Eastern Shore Delegation (2024–present). He is also active in the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and has served on numerous boards and advisory groups, including the Bainbridge Development Advisory Board, the Mid-Shore Regional Council, the Nutrient Management Advisory Committee, the Maryland Dairy Industry Oversight and Advisory Council, and the Work Group on Rural Health Care Delivery.

Jacobs brings extensive local government experience to Annapolis. He served as Mayor of Rock Hall from 1999 to 2011, after earlier service as vice-mayor and as a member of the town’s Planning and Zoning Board. His public and regional service has included work with the Upper Shore Regional Council and the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, along with county-level initiatives focused on economic development and workforce housing.

Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Jacobs attended Kent County High School in Worton, Maryland. He is a small business owner and the owner of Jay A. Jacobs Complete Kitchens and Baths, LLC. He has held leadership roles in Maryland’s municipal associations, including president of the Maryland Mayors Association, and remains active in community life through service with the Kent County Community Marching Band and the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company. He is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Centreville and is married.

 

J. Patrick McLaughlin

Queen Anne’s County Commissioner

Patrick McLaughlin was elected November 8, 2022 and is serving his first term as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner representing District 2. He was duly sworn and qualified as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner on Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Patrick McLaughlin was born in Westfield, New York, and graduated from Schoharie High School. After High School he attended Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York, where he initially majored in Computer Operations and later changed to Business Administration and served as Vice President of the Student Government. Later he transferred to Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

After graduating college, Patrick began working for a local operating room medical distribution company as a sales representative where he covered hospitals in South Jersey, Delaware, and Eastern Pennsylvania. In early 1990 Patrick founded and started his own Specialty Medical Distribution company located in Montgomery County, Maryland, serving as the President and CEO. In mid-1997 he relocated to the Eastern Shore, purchased a home in Stevensville, and married Kary, who would become his wife of over twenty-three years.  Patrick and Kary have enjoyed raising their two sons and daughter on Maryland’s beautiful Eastern Shore over the last two decades.

In 2001 Patrick sold his medical distributorship and continued to work in the medical field as an Advanced Wound Care as a Clinical Sales Specialist.  In 2021, Patrick retired from his career in the medical field and changed career paths by becoming the Owner/Operator of a local Allstate Insurance Agency. Patrick serves on several boards and commissions to include the Board of Health, the Broadband Advisory Board, the Fire and EMS Commission, the Housing Authority, the Kent Narrows Development Foundation, the Liquor Board, the Social Services Board, and the Upper Shore Regional Council.

 

Todd Mohn

County Administrator, Queen Anne’s County

Todd R. Mohn, PE has over 30 years of experience working for the citizens of Queen Anne’s County.   Todd was appointed as County Administrator in 2019.  Prior to that he served as the Director of the County’s Department of Public Works beginning in 2008.

Before assuming the position as Director, he served as Deputy Director for nine years, Chief Roads Engineer for six years and as Civil Project Engineer for two years.  As Director, Todd managed the departmental Administrative functions, the Engineering & General Services Division, the Roads & Solid Waste Division, and the Parks Division.  Todd also serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the County’s Sanitary District and their respective Water & Sewer Division.

Todd holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Land Surveying from Purdue University and an Associate’s degree in Engineering from Penn State. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Maryland.

Todd is a two-time past President of the County Engineers Association of Maryland and was named County Engineer of the year in 2019.  Todd has been a resident of Centreville since 1987 where he currently resides with his wife Lanise.

 

James J. Moran

Queen Anne’s County Commissioner

James J. Moran was appointed by the Queen Anne’s County Republican Central Committee to fill the vacant At-Large seat for the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners for the remainder of the 2010– 2014 term. He was then elected November 8, 2022 and is serving his third term as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner representing At-Large. He was duly sworn and qualified as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

My father was a 20-year Marine who married my mother, a French citizen from Algiers Algeria after WWII. I was born on a Marine Corps Base in Albany Georgia and then spent 4 years at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina before moving to Bowie, Maryland where I was raised.

I joined the Marine Corps, 35 years to the day after my father and spent 4 years serving my country and seeing the world. With the exception of my wife and the birth of my children, there has been no other event that has shaped my life more than the Marine Corps, with respect to my resolve, determination, and can-do attitude.

After the Marine Corps, I was attending Anne Arundel Community College and working in the concrete construction industry. After a few years in the concrete business, I started my own construction business in 1987 called James J. Moran Construction. In 1991, I devoted all of my time to the decorative concrete business and changed the name of my company to Increte of Maryland Inc., where I am currently the president. I started another business in 2007 called Mid-Atlantic pigments LLC, which supplies color used in concrete construction.

My dream was always to move to Queen Anne’s County, where I would come for the outdoors to crab, fish and hunt. That dream came true in 2004, when I completed the construction of my home in Queenstown, where I live with my beautiful wife Marybeth of 37 years.  I have three children, Ashley 35, Kevin 33, and Michael 31, and five grandchildren. The twins, Hudson and Blakely 5, Ella and Bennett 3, and Brooks 1.

It was never my intention to get involved in politics, I had more than enough to do already in my life, but that’s life, politics found me. In 2013 I was asked to throw my name in the ring to fill the vacant At-Large seat vacated when Commissioner Arentz moved up to fill a vacant seat in the House of Delegates. Since being selected to fill that seat in December of 2013 I have won three consecutive elections. December of 2022 started my 10^th year as the At-Large Commissioner for Queen Anne’s County. Before becoming a commissioner, I served on the Task Force for Government Sustainability, the Economic Development Committee, and almost three years on the Planning Commission. Since becoming a commissioner I have served on the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Bay Bridge Reconstruction Advisory Group, Kent Narrows Development Foundation, Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, the Planning Commission Liaison, and the Drug Free Coalition.

It has always been an honor to serve the citizens of Queen Anne’s County. I do not take this responsibility lightly, and it is my dream to leave this office and county in far better shape than I found it. I have never raised the piggyback or property tax. As a matter of fact, we have lowered the property tax to the third lowest in the state of Maryland. We have also built a state of art new courthouse, and we are in the process of renovating the old courthouse so that it will again be the oldest courthouse in use. We are in the process of building a new Board of Education building along with a new detention center. I am also proud of our transformation in services to our citizens when it comes to our parks. From our Cross-Island trail, South Island Trail, and all the parks, not to mention the new synthetic ball fields at Batts Neck, Church Hill, Queen Anne’s HS, and Kent Island HS, and let’s not forget the new skate park coming in 2023!

Out of all the things I am engaged in I get the most satisfaction out of being involved in the Drug Free Coalition and the preservation of farmland, our rural heritage. There has never been anyone before me, or possibly after me, that has conserved as many acres of farmland in Queen Anne’s County as I have. I don’t know anyone that has ever driven thru our county that doesn’t get a sense of peace when driving by all of our majestic farms, and they will be farms forever. As far as our Drug Free Coalition goes, I have never been to a meeting where the room was not filled with all types of representation, county departments, municipalities, health officials, addiction organizations, churches, schools, and most of all citizens. Everyone is focused on saving lives, comforting those in need, and doing everything they can to keep all our residents safe. To include Queen Anne’s Goes Purple, a month-long awareness on all types of addictions, going out to speak to our young school students on the pitfalls of substance abuse, and the support we get from all the communities. Nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer, they will never stop, and they will never give up. May the good Lord watch over and bless Queen Anne’s County.

 

Mason Popham

Executive Vice President, Thomas Park Commercial

Mason began his real estate career at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, where he was an investment analyst on a $5.7B portfolio of multifamily and retail assets located across the United States.  Subsequently, Mason was a Senior Real Estate Consultant at a boutique consulting firm in Annapolis before joining his current firm, Thomas Park.  Thomas Park is a full-service commercial real estate firm based in Annapolis Maryland.  As the head of Thomas Park’s brokerage arm, Mason represents tenants, landlords, buyers, and sellers around the state of Maryland for all of their leasing and investment sales needs.  Mason graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Virginia.

 

Jeffrey Rank

Director of Finance, Queen Anne’s County

Jeff Rank is a seasoned public finance officer with over 15 years of experience in local government budgeting and finance.  He has been with Queen Anne’s County Government for over 22 years and has held key positions such as Chief Budget Officer from 2010 to 2014, Chief Treasury Officer from 2016 to 2023, and is currently serving as Director of Budget and Finance. Between 2014 and 2016, Rank served as the Budget & Human Resources Manager for the Boulder County Public Health Department in Colorado.

As the Budget and Finance Director, Rank has worked on several initiatives for the Department, including the update of policies related to investment and debt management, cash management, and procurement. He also intends to conduct a comprehensive review of banking practices. Additionally, Rank aims to maintain the Department’s exceptional track record by continuing to earn awards and high ratings from esteemed organizations such as the Government Finance Officers’ Association and ratings agencies.

Rank holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Towson University and a Master of Public Administration in Public Finance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  Jeff is an adventure motorcycling enthusiast, has two grown children, and lives in Centreville with his black lab, Archer, who often accompanies him on various hiking and camping adventures.

Jack Wilson

Queen Anne’s County Commissioner

Jack N. Wilson, Jr. was re-elected November 8, 2022 and is serving his third term as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner representing District 1. He was duly sworn and qualified as a Queen Anne’s County Commissioner on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

Jack was born March 17, 1966 in Baltimore, MD.  Shortly after, his family moved to Arnold MD, where he lived until he was 19.  Jack moved to Annapolis, MD until 1992, when he finally bought a house right outside of Price, where he has lived ever since.

Jack graduated Severna Park High School in 1984 and after high school he attended Community College.  He applied and was accepted to the Steamfitters Local 438 Apprenticeship Program and began school in the fall of 1985 and graduated in the summer of 1990.  After graduating, he worked in the H.V.A.C trade for 2 years for another company before starting a small union mechanical contracting business which only lasted for about 1-1/2 years, as the economy was very poor at this point.

Jack then started a family owned Building Automation Installation Business with his father that just celebrated their 20th year of service.  The business is owned by his wife . Currently, Jack mostly works sales and in the field.  He found working in the field helps with stress that goes along with the small business grind.

Jack decided in January 2015 to run for Commissioner.  Since he and his family have lived in the county 22 years and his business is located here, he felt he could do some good for the citizens of Queen Anne’s County.