Commission Members

The commission includes members with a range of business experience in various sectors representing regions across the state who have been appointed by the Governor. They are:

Abba David Poliakoff (chair) is a member of the law firm Gordon Feinblatt LLC, chairman of its Securities Practice and Israel Practice Groups, and a member of the firm’s Business Law department.

Susan J. “Suzy” Ganz is the CEO and Principal Shareholder of Lion Brothers Company, Inc., the leading designer and manufacturer of apparel identity. She has been responsible for transitioning Lion from a commodity producer to a recognized innovator in the apparel industry.

Jay Steinmetz is the CEO of Barcoding Inc., the nationally recognized leader in data-capture solutions. Steinmetz founded Barcoding, Inc. in 1997.

Henry Gilford III is chief executive of Gilford Corporation and oversees the corporation’s strategic management, marketing, and business development. He also has executive responsibility for firm operations including planning, estimating, project management, marketing, staffing, recruiting, financial management, and field operations.

William B. Grant, Esq., CFP, has been the chairman and chief executive officer of First United Bank & Trust since 1996.

Jennifer Rhodes is a lifelong farming resident of Queen Anne’s County and currently is the Extension Educator, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland Extension, in Queen Anne’s County.

Joseph G. Baldwin has been a full-time employee for Reliable Contracting since 1986. He was named president/CEO in 2002 and represents the company’s third generation of family leadership.

Howard “Blackie” Bowen has been the president of Ewing Oil Company Inc. since 1988. Bowen served as a director at Centra Bank, Inc. He serves as a member of the Farmers Mechanics Bank Board and as a director of Maryland Public Policy Institute.

James T. Brady has been managing director of Mid-Atlantic of Ballantrae International Ltd., a management consulting firm, since 1999. He serves as a trustee of Stevenson University. He served as a director of Constellation Energy Group Inc. at Baltimore Gas and Electric Company from May 1999 to March 2012. He has been a director of McCormick & Co. Inc. since 1998 and NexCen Brands, Inc. since June 2002. He also serves as a director of Swales & Associates, Inc.