Contact: Kristina Ellis, 240-777-2024 or
Sue Tucker, 240-777-6531
For Immediate Release: October 11, 2001

Duncan Appoints Economic Impact Panel
To Address Needs of Changing Economy;
Executive, Senior Management Team
Discuss County Response to September 11 Events,
Chart Course for Future

Focusing on the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, County Executive Douglas M. Duncan and his Senior Management team discussed both the County’s response to the incidents and strategies for the future in dealing with the issues surrounding the tragic events.

Duncan and Senior Management Team members also observed a moment of silence to commemorate the one month anniversary of the attacks.

Following his discussions with his senior managers, Duncan today announced the establishment of an Economic Impact Panel to advise him on the impact the terrorist attacks have had on the County’s economy.

Working closely with the Department of Economic Development and the Economic Advisory Council, the panel will assess the specific needs of the business community and make recommendations to the County Executive on how best to adapt current programs and policies, as well as suggest new initiatives to help minimize the adverse affects on local businesses in the aftermath of September 11.

“In light of changes in the economy since early this year which were then exacerbated as a result of the events of September 11, it is imperative that we as a County do all we can to identify immediate and long-term actions that will most benefit our local economy,” said Duncan. “Towards this end, I have appointed this Economic Impact Panel to immediately begin the task at hand, and advise us on how to efficiently and effectively achieve this goal.”

The Economic Impact Panel will be chaired by Ken Cook, president and CEO of Potomac Valley Bank and Chair of the Economic Advisory Council. The work of the panel will be carried out over the next year through meetings, interviews, surveys, and correspondence. The panel is to present its preliminary recommendations and work program to the County Executive within two weeks.

“I am very proud to have been appointed Chair of the Economic Impact Panel by the County Executive,” said Cook. “I look forward to lending my support and expertise, and to working with my esteemed colleagues on the panel to recommend targeted programs and services to assist the County’s entire business community in rebounding from the events of September 11 and getting back to the business of business.”

Following are the other public and private-sector representatives appointed to serve on the panel:

• William Willard, Chair, Agricultural Advisory Committee
• Bruce Hamilton, President, BAE Systems (Technology Services Sector)
• Brad Colton, Area General Manager, Bethesda Marriott Hotel
• Capers McDonald, President & CEO, BioReliance Corporation
• Julie Kirk, President, Women Business Owners of Montgomery County
• Andy Florence, President, Co-Star Group
• San Garza, CEO, Counter Technology, Inc.
• Robert Youngentob, Eakin Youngentob Home Builders
• Wei Wu He, Partner, Emerging Technology Partners, LLC
• Dewey Thomas, Jr., Vice President, Encore Management
• Robert Hagedoorn, Chief Economist, Montgomery County Department of Finance
• Olza M. “Tony” Nicely, President & CEO, GEICO
• Eileen Cahill, Director of Corporate Affairs, Holy Cross Health
• Maribel Torres-Pinero, President, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Paul Chod, President, Minkoff Development Corporation
• Rich Parsons, President, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
• Derick Berlage, Councilmember & Chair of the Planning, Housing & Economic Development Committee, Montgomery County Council
• Art Holmes, Chair, Montgomery County Planning Board
• Henry Hailstock, Executive Vice President, NAACP
• Janyce Hedetniemi, Director, Office of Community Liaison, NIH
• Ken Cook, President & CEO, Potomac Valley Bank
• Sol Graham, President & CFO, Quality Biological, Inc.
• Robert Day, Executive Director, Renewable Natural Resources Foundation
• Mary Frances LeMat, President & CEO, Social & Scientific Systems
• Andrew J. Masters, Senior Vice President, Insignia ESG Real Estate Services
• Mahlon Straszheim, Chairman, Department of Economics, University of Maryland

For more information about the panel, call Tina Benjamin, Department of Economic Development, 240-777-2000.