Work: Gordon Feinblatt, Litigation and Health Care
I serve because: Dundalk is the hidden gem of Baltimore County and I love that the DRC is helping to polish the places and communities here that I’ve really come to love. In particular the DRC is helping to inform potential new home owners, including my fellow millennials, about why Dundalk’s small town feel, affordable housing, parks and perfect location make it a great place to plant roots.
How I got involved: I started volunteering at various DRC community events in 2015. Since then I’ve planted trees, helped out at the housing fair and baked and distributed hundreds of cookies at Holiday Hoopla!
Other affiliations and activities: I’m a Member of the Maryland State Bar Association. I’m also President of the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Teacher Supply Swap. I’m a member of the 2017 Business Volunteers Maryland GIVE Class.
Skills and expertise: As a practicing Maryland attorney, I have experience advocating for clients, finding unique ways to resolve disputes, and being an active listener.
Other comments: I’m not a great runner but I like to run. Since I bought my house in Dundalk I’ve never missed the 4th of July 6K before the Dundalk 4th of July Parade! I’m also thrilled to see new businesses coming in on my regular running route, like Key Brewing.
Work: Anne Arundel County Public Library
I serve because: Dundalk is a historic town that continues to succeed and thrive because of its dedicated community members. My favorite thing about DRC is that it provides so many opportunities for Dundalk residents to give back and strengthen our community. Volunteers can help with community clean ups, annual festivals, Makers Markets, and Main Street projects – just to name a few! DRC’s volunteers and staff are committed to ensuring that Dundalk is a great place to live, work, and play!
How I got involved: I first got involved in DRC as a volunteer in 2010 when I purchased a house and returned to the Old Dundalk area after college. That year I helped with planning the annual Fall Festival and quickly became involved in many other DRC activities. I became a DRC board member in 2011 and have held a variety of roles, including Board Development Committee Chair.
Skills and expertise: My career as a branch manager in public libraries has given me experience as a community connector, supervisor, and fundraiser. I have served in a variety of community roles throughout Baltimore County.
Work: Communications Director, Port Discovery
I serve because: Dundalk is a great area with amazing people and potential. There are many great things that make me enjoy living in Dundalk, and I believe there are many great things ahead. Being part of DRC helps me shape the community that I now call home, and that I plan to build the rest of my life in. That’s an exciting and powerful opportunity.
How I got involved: I reached out to DRC while completing graduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University. I assisted DRC’s talented marketing staff on several projects as part of my coursework. I was quickly impressed by the work that DRC did and saw great value in their mission and efforts to improve Dundalk.
Skills and expertise: My skills and expertise are in the marketing and public relations field. I specialize in the development of communications plans and materials, management of complex communications campaigns, and media relations and outreach strategy. I also have expertise in social media, advertising, graphic design, and special events.
Work: Director of Procurement and Real Property Initiatives, University System of Maryland
I serve because: I am very excited to be a part of the DRC board because I believe Dundalk has great neighborhoods, great people and limitless potential.
How I got involved: I was just elected to serve on the Board of DRC.
Skills and expertise: I am currently the Director of Procurement and Real Property Initiatives at the University System of Maryland. Prior to this, I served as Director of Procurement for the Maryland Department of Transportation. I have over 17 years of experience in State and Local government primarily in the areas of public policy and budget and fiscal matters.
I hold a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. I have over 17 years of experience in State and Local government primarily in the areas of public policy and budget and fiscal matters. I also recently served as the Vice President of the Village of Bear Creek HOA in Dundalk, Maryland.
I served on the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Supplemental Retirement Plans from 2011 to 2016 and was a member of both the Audit and Investment Committees. I previously served as the Secretary of Transportation’s designee to the Transportation Professional Services Selection Board. I served on the Task Force to Study State Office Locations in Prince George’s County, the Board of Directors of Greater Lauraville, the Baltimore City Tax Increment Financing Advisory Committee and the African American Heritage Festival Steering Committee. I was the recipient of the William Donald Schaefer Fellowship at the University of Baltimore and was an American Marshall Fellow in 2002.
Work: Manager, Community Relations, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
I serve because: The investment in the community and residents.
How I got involved: Johns Hopkins Bayview has been active with DRC since it was formed in 2001. I have had knowledge and in some aspect been connected with DRC from the beginning, and joined the DRC board in January, 2016.
Other affiliations and activities:
Hospital representative at:
Back River Neck Peninsula Community Association
Bowleys Quarters Improvement Association
Essex Middle River White Marsh Civic Council
Turners Station Conservation Team, Inc.
Turners Station Union Baptist Church HCP
Serve as a member of:
Baltimore County Health Department Sub (physical activities) Committee
Baltimore County Health Department Sub (obesity activities) Committee
Chesapeake Gateway Chamber Workforce Develop.Com.
Essex Senior Center Membership Council
Board member, Millers Island Edgemere Business Association
Board Member, Baltimore County Local Health Board
Executive Board, Essex Senior Center
Board Member, Victory Villa Senior Center
Skills and expertise: Community relations and community health initiatives
Work: Co-Founder & CEO, Response Labs; President, Dundalk Dan’s Awesome Beef Jerky
I serve because: Dundalk is ready to move into prime time! I’m excited to help craft and tell the story to potential residents.
How I got involved: My wife has known Amy since 2005 when they met at the coffee shop there on Main Street. I first got involved in DRC about 5 years ago with the kickoff of DRC’s new brand. We worked with Diane and Amy providing feedback as to why we moved from the city to Dundalk with the hope of telling our story to help encourage others to follow in our footsteps. Our home and two boys are featured in some of the photos in various promotional materials.
Other affiliations and activities: I’m co-founder and CEO of Response Labs, a digital CRM marketing agency in Baltimore, as well as Hard Working Foods, proud makers of Dundalk Dan’s Awesome Beef Jerky. We’re members of the American Advertising Federation of Baltimore. I’m actively involved in the Emerging Technology Center and their Accelerate Baltimore Incubator Program as a mentor for startup executives.
Skills and expertise: expert advertising and marketing professional with a focus on digital communications. Over 25 years’ experience.
Other comments: My family are long-time members of Sparrows Point Country Club and our boys (10 & 13) have grown into excellent golfers winning youth tournaments for their age categories.
Work: Personal Assistant, Santoro Psychological Services
I serve because: I am a proud 4th generation Dundalk resident with two 5th generation Dundalkians. I’m most excited that DRC spreads and encourages love for Dundalk. I grew up in Dundalk, met my husband here (also a Dundalkian), and we couldn’t think of any other place to live and raise our family. The DRC does so much to help others feel the same. By building and improving our community, DRC is making Dundalk a place where people want to live, work, and play.
How I got involved: I first became involved with DRC when volunteering as part of a railroad cleanup in 2013.
Other affiliations and activities: Secretary of the Holabird Middle School PTSA Secretary, Dundalk High School PTSA Member, Eastern Regional Lions Club Membership Co-Chair
Work: President, Saint Helena Community Association (volunteer)
I serve because: I am happy with the direction DRC has taken to try and make Dundalk a better place to live and for the next generation. Trying to get more people to move to Dundalk and to invest in Dundalk is the biggest key to making a difference.
How I got involved: In 2004 the St. Helena Community Association and DRC decided to partner up for a clean-up, then in 2007, DRC was working on the Heritage Trail, which was a road to go from Center Place to Broening Highway. And we were working together on getting that accomplished.
Other affiliations and activities:
President, Saint Helena Community Association
Board of Directors, Dundalk Patapso-Neck Historical Society and Museum
Skills and expertise: I have been president of a community association for 9 years, and in those years I have learned a great deal about the political arena. I have experience raising funds for events; I worked as a Procurement Specialist for more than 30 years, and 10 of those years was with the State of Maryland. So, I learned how to ask for donations and help my community as a fundraising guru.
Other comments: I love photography! It is a hobby I have had since I was 16, so you will always see me with my camera ready to take the next best picture of people and events that are happening in Dundalk.
Work: Agent/Owner State Farm Insurance and Financial Services
I serve because: Dundalk is changing for the positive. I want to be a part of that! I’m anxious to learn more about how DRC plans to lead the way.
How I got involved:
I begged my way into the original UDAT process in 2001. I was the business liaison tasked with inviting businesses to participate in the week-long event. This group later became DRC.
Other affiliations and activities: October 1st is my 24th year as a State Farm Insurance agent in the Main Street of Dundalk. I am also a past Vice President and Treasurer of DRC. In 2008 I was honored with the Optimist Club of Dundalk Humanitarian of the Year award.
Skills and expertise: I have worked in the financial services industry for over 25 years. My greatest interest is professional & team development.
Other comments: My greatest joys are family, friends and travel!! I’m so excited Dundalk finally has a yoga studio and Chipotle is on the way!
Work: Pastor, New Light Lutheran Church
I serve because: Dundalk is the first place I have lived where there is a core of people so organized and deeply invested in and willing to work to better their community. Though passionate people don’t always agree on the “how”, I am excited to lend my voice with all those in the community who are helping Dundalk improve and grow. I believe that together we will see our community grow and develop.
How I got involved: I was excited to learn about the great community events DRC provides and as pastor of a local church, got involved with them right after moving here. I believe there were still boxes in my house when I walked down the street to the Holiday Hoopla my first year living in Dundalk. I have been excited to partner in these events with the church and as a resident of the community.
Other affiliations and activities: I have been blessed to serve as the pastor of New Light Lutheran Church since November of 2012.
Skills and expertise: In addition to a Masters of Divinity, I have a Masters in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago and some training in community organizing.
Work: The Community College of Baltimore County, Coordinator, Office of Intercultural Engagement, Dundalk Campus
Why I serve: Now that I reside in Dundalk, I hope to find ways of beautifying my neighborhoods. I also look forward to engaging other community and non-profit organizations in conversations about race and equity.
How I got involved: I was very familiar with DRC’s work for maybe 5 years but just became involved in September 2017.
Other affiliations and activities: Neighborhood Voices, Volunteer- The vision of Neighborhood Voices is to bring people and communities together to raise consciousness through honest conversations about race.
Skills and expertise: I have grant writing experience as well as experience in writing Mission and Vision statements. I am also trained on how to conduct focus groups.
Other comments: As a new resident to Dundalk, I love waking up to beautiful sunrises and taking my minute walk to the pier where we are regularly greeted by a blue heron and ducklings. I also enjoy walking around the various parks in the area.
Work: Senior Vice President of Administration and Corporate Affairs – Tradepoint Atlantic.
Why I serve: Dundalk is indeed on the cusp of a real renaissance, and I am very happy to play a part in helping to bring jobs and economic opportunity back to this strong venerable community. DRC’s mission to help individuals and families realize the dream of home ownership is especially meaningful to me. I strongly believe in reinvesting in older communities as they are the backbone of our American society. Let’s focus on rebuilding and reinvestment rather than policies of the recent past that lead to abandonment of our urban and traditional community centers.
How I got involved: I first got involved with DRC when I joined Tradepoint Atlantic to help remake Sparrows Point into a regional economic center for jobs and opportunity. Getting involved with community based organizations was important to help better understand the needs and visions the greater Dundalk community has. I look forward to working together to make Dundalk a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.
Skills and expertise: Prior to my work with Tradepoint Atlantic and the DRC, I previously held the role of Director of Corporate Affairs for Erickson Living, a national manager and developer of senior living retirement communities. I have also served in executive roles in Maryland state and local government. Most recently as Chief of Staff to Harford County Executive David R. Craig, and prior to that as Assistant Secretary of Planning for Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Prior to my tenure in government, as an Associate for Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., I provided program management, public relations and strategic communications support for a Department of Defense client (U.S. Army Environmental Center at Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground). With a 20 year career in government and political involvement, I have worked with numerous local, state and federal elected officials. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Policy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
Other comments: As an Eagle Scout, I value community service as an important part of good citizenship, and I am active in numerous community organizations. I am also a proud father of a 17 yo daughter. I am a student of history, and I love the rich culture, traditions and history Dundalk has to offer. A quintessential American community!
Work: Former Vice President, Baltimore County Board of Education
Involvement in DRC: Ed worked with others in Baltimore County government and the community to prepare for the Urban Design Assistance Team that led to the formation of DRC. It was a very exciting time working with Jane Willeboordse (at Baltimore County, and then as Executive Director of DRC) and a team of design experts led by Peter Batchelor to devise plans for how Dundalk’s future could be re-imagined. The Urban Design Assistance Team process was an important step in engaging the community and a wide range of stakeholders in planning for Dundalk’s future.
Why Emeritus? DRC named Ed as an Emeritus Board Member in 2008 in recognition of his work in leading our organization and our community through the UDAT process and beyond. He had stepped off the board at that time to become more heavily involved with planning and education issues. We remain deeply grateful for his service to DRC and to Dundalk.
Other affiliations and activities: Ed served as a trustee for the Community College of Baltimore County, a member of the Baltimore County Planning Board, a member of the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Community Advisory Board, and the residential community representative for the Port Land Use Development Advisory Council.
Skills and expertise: Ed was appointed to the Baltimore County School Board in July 2006; retired principal of Sollers Point Technical High School and former supervisor of vocational-technical education for BCPS. He came to his career as an educator following an 11-year manufacturing career in the private sector. Under Ed’s leadership as principal at Sollers Point Technical High School, the school became ISO-9001 registered in 2000 – the only high school in the nation to meet the quality standards of business and industry.
Master’s degree, Educational Administration, Johns Hopkins University; Bachelor’s degree, Business Management, University of Baltimore