Economic Development Director Elected Statewide Asso VP

Keasha Haythe will lead 2014 conference planning

Dorchester County Economic Development (DCED) Director Keasha Haythe, CEcD was elected Vice President of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) today at the organization’s 52nd Annual conference held at the Chesapeake Bay Hyatt in Cambridge. Haythe, a 12-year industry veteran, certified economic development professional and MEDA board member since 2009, takes on a key board position and assumes leadership of the Association’s 2014 conference planning.

“I am honored to be chosen by my peers to serve as Vice President of this outstanding organization,” Haythe said of her selection, adding, “I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop an inclusive, inspiring and informative agenda to strengthen our state’s business climate in 2014.”

Haythe was appointed Director of DCED in June 2008. In the past five years, she has pursued an aggressive agenda designed to capitalize on Dorchester’s core economic assets and develop collaborative partnerships to support high-level initiatives such as the Dorchester Regional Technology Park and Innovation Crossroads incubator.  During Haythe’s tenure, Dorchester County has completed  Phase I of the Technology Park, announced Protenergy’s purchase of the former Foodswing building, and secured more than $1.1M in Rural Development Center financing for Hot Spots Cool Eats, Safe Chain Solutions, LWRCI and Reale Revival Brewing.

“For the past four years, Keasha has served in a leadership capacity helping to shape the organization,” said MEDA Executive Director Pam Ruff, “She has done an outstanding job promoting policies and programs that deliver first class products and services to economic development professionals.”

In 2012 alone, Haythe formed the Economic Development Advisory Council, held a statewide Technology Summit, created an electronic newsletter and launched a social media marketing program that has resulted in new business leads. She worked with Dorchester County Council President Jay Newcomb to secure a $1.2 million State grant in March to design and build the Tech Park incubator.

An Eastern Shore native, Haythe worked in banking at St. Michaels Bank, before starting her career in economic development in Queen Anne’s County.  In November 2012, she was named one of the Daily Record’s Leading Women. The married mother of three is also an ordained minister and active board member of TriLife Christian Center Church.