Executive officers and new board members announced for fiscal year 2027
COLUMBIA, Md., (May 21, 2026) — TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced the executive officers and current roster for the organization’s fiscal year 2027 (FY27) Board of Directors. This decision was finalized at the board’s most recent meeting on May 21, 2026, and the executive officer positions will go into effect July 1, 2026.
The FY27 executive officers include:
- Chair: David Tohn, BTS Software Solutions
- Vice Chair: Nona Minnifield Cheeks, Innovatyr
- Secretary: Thomas Bundy, Lawrence & Bundy
- Treasurer: William Roberts, Significance, Inc.
- Assistant Treasurer: Eben Smith, Three|E Consulting Group
“I have been fortunate enough to see the impact TEDCO makes on Maryland’s ecosystem firsthand, as both a board member and a CEO for a Maryland-based technology company,” said Tohn. “The work TEDCO does opens new doors for entrepreneurs, allows for continuous expansion and creates connections across regions and sectors. It is an honor to be appointed the chair of TEDCO’s Board of Directors at such an exciting time – as the organization reaches across borders for international collaborations. The promise this international initiative has on Maryland’s ecosystem is astronomical, and I am excited to lead our exceptional Board and the TEDCO leadership as we move these efforts forward.”
As TEDCO continues to expand its international collaborations and agreements, the organization remains focused on advancing innovation, strengthening global collaboration and supporting the growth of Maryland’s technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The results of the most recent board election position the organization for continued growth, expanded international collaboration and a continued commitment to bringing innovation to market. Representing communities across the state — from Western Maryland and Baltimore City to the Eastern Shore — TEDCO’s FY27 board brings together leaders with diverse backgrounds, industries and expertise to help drive future growth, create new opportunities and strengthen Maryland’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem.
“TEDCO is excited to begin another year of driving innovation and economic development across Maryland alongside such a distinguished group of leaders on our board of directors,” said TEDCO CEO Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “Their expertise and guidance will help strengthen TEDCO’s mission as we continue connecting innovation to market, expanding strategic collaborations and supporting the growth of Maryland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. I look forward to the continued progress and impact we will achieve together.”
TEDCO is managed by a 19-member board of directors, 14 of whom are appointed by the Governor, two appointed by the President of the Maryland Senate, and two appointed by the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates – each to staggered four-year terms. The 19th member is the Maryland Secretary of Commerce, who serves ex officio. Each member appointed by the Governor is confirmed by the Senate.
TEDCO’s full board of directors includes: Chair, David Tohn, BTS Software Solutions; Vice Chair, Nona Minnifield Cheeks, Innovatyr, LLC; Secretary, Thomas Bundy III, Lawrence & Bundy; Treasurer, William Roberts, Significance, Inc.; Assistant Treasurer, Eben Smith, Three|E Consulting Group; Rondall Allen, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Ricardo Alvarado, Firebrand Venture Companies; Korey Bailey, NextGen Venture Partners; Kathy Callahan Brady, FITCI; Natalie Coefield, Association for Enterprise Opportunity; Harry Coker, Jr., Maryland Department of Commerce; Clifford Coppersmith, Chesapeake College; Linda Cureton, Muse Technologies, Inc.; Ryan Frederic, Ten One Aerospace; Andrew Serafini, Wealth Enhancement Group; Chung Hei Sing, Applied Derivative Research; Patrice King Brickman, Inspire Access; and Phillip Singerman, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation.
David Tohn is a retired Army colonel with over 24 years’ leadership experience in tactical and strategic intelligence, command, operations, strategic planning and, as a plank-holder in Army full-spectrum cyber operations, policy, planning and capabilities development; currently, Tohn serves as the CEO of BTS Software Solutions.
Nona Minnifield Cheeks is the founder and CEO of Innovatyr, LLC an applied science and technology consulting firm. She is the former chief of the Strategic Partnerships Office at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center where she oversaw the Technology Transfer and SBIR/STTR programs and global partnerships. She currently consults with tech start-up firms, future tech-designers, and entrepreneurs regarding their products, intellectual property, and entrepreneurial prospects. Nona also serves as a delegate to the International Astronautical Congress where she oversees an international symposium on technology transfer resulting from worldwide space organizations’ exploration initiatives.
Thomas Bundy III is a partner at Lawrence & Bundy, where he regularly represents Fortune 500 companies across the country in numerous trials, arbitrations and alternative forms of dispute resolution. While his practice is commercial in nature, Bundy focuses on traditional employment issues such as: civil rights litigation, including discrimination and harassment; wage and hour disputes; whistleblower claims; trade secret protections; Employee Retirement Income Security Act litigation; Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Dodd-Frank compliance; and employment due diligence and audits.
William Roberts, has more than 30 years of experience in the government financial management and audit industry and currently serves as the vice president of Strategic Growth at Significance, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in helping federal agencies improve their financial management and accountability. As a former member of the Senior Executive Service Corp., he has held various leadership positions in the Department of the Army, the Army National Guard, and the United States Marine Corps, where he managed complex budgets, implemented internal controls, and oversaw audit readiness.
Eben Smith is president of Three|E Consulting Group with two decades of business management experience in both the public and private sector with key emphasis in supplier diversity, strategic sourcing, economic development, community engagement and contracting and procurement. Over the last 20 years he has worked closely with other regional, state and local leaders to create jobs, grow the economy and create capacity in the minority business community.
Rondall Allen, Pharm.D., joined the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) on July 1, 2015, as dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. In 2022, he was appointed the provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. Prior to coming to UMES, he served as the associate dean for academic quality at South University School of Pharmacy. He has over 35 years of experience in the profession of pharmacy and over 20 years of leadership experience in higher education. He has practiced in a variety of settings to include community pharmacy, acute care, ambulatory care, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Ricardo Alvarado is the Founder & Developer of Firebrand Venture Companies which is building and scaling multiple ventures in fintech, consumer technology, and consulting for startups and SMBs. Prior to this position, Alvarado held several co-founder and executive positions in entrepreneurial ventures, including a fintech unicorn, several VC-backed tech startups, and as a founder for a mobile app which he built himself. Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, he spent almost 8 years at Goldman Sachs and 4 years in consulting. Alvarado is a senior leader and change agent, an expert in business strategy, product, digital marketing, and fintech. Alvarado holds two degrees from Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, a BSBA and MBA, and holds a JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, which he completed concurrently with his MBA.
Kory Bailey is a national thought leader in ecosystem building and equitable economic growth, with more than a decade of experience across startups, big tech, and economic development. Most recently, Kory served as CEO of UpSurge Baltimore and Chief Ecosystem Officer for the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), where he focused on strengthening the region’s innovation economy by building trusted networks, founder-centered programs and reducing barriers to early-stage startup growth.
Kathy Callahan Brady has been president and CEO of FITCI since 2016. Prior to this position, Callahan Brady founded four successful companies in various industries; she has over 30 years’ executive-level experience in IT, real estate and business development, which she draws upon to help others achieve success.
Natalie Coefield is the president and CEO of Association for Enterprise Opportunity. An award-winning entrepreneur, philanthropist, economic development executive and nationally regarded expert for small business and has been named one of the most powerful women in business by Entrepreneur Magazine. She is a former presidentially appointed Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration where she advised on the deployment of $1.2 trillion in funding and was the co-architect of the SBA’s Community Navigator Pilot Program, which provided $200M in funding to ecosystems and entrepreneurs throughout the country during the greatest economic crisis in modern history.
Harry Coker, Jr., serves as Maryland’s Secretary of Commerce and is focused on working collaboratively to help Maryland “Win the Decade” by developing and sustaining an equitable, robust and competitive economy. Secretary Coker is a retired Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) senior executive, former National Security Agency (NSA) senior executive and career Naval Officer. He was previously America’s National Cyber Director, serving in the White House from 2023 - 2025.
Clifford Coppersmith, PhD, a military veteran and former intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency, is now in his fifth year as the president of Chesapeake College where he focuses on the mission to provide liberal arts transfer and workforce training programs for the region.
Linda Cureton, PhD, is the founder and CEO of Muse Technologies, Inc. A thought leader and known strategic innovator, her forty-plus years of public service ensure Muse delivers responsive solutions in leadership, program management & organizational development. Cureton has proven success in cloud computing, mobility, and program management and is a leader in the industry. Previously, Cureton served in the United States’ federal government as a cabinet-level chief information officer (CIO) at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Ryan Frederic is an accomplished aerospace and engineering professional with extensive experience in leadership roles across multiple companies. Currently serving as President at Ten One Aerospace, Ryan also holds partnership positions at MachEight, LLC and Energy Atlantica. With a history of impactful contributions as Managing Partner at Humble Rogue Ventures and a board advisor for Voyager Space, Ryan previously led Applied Defense Solutions, Inc. as President & CEO, establishing a reputation in space, cyber, and geospatial intelligence services.
Chung Hei Sing is the CEO of Applied Derivative Research, an impact-oriented research platform leveraging technology to preserve and grow wealth in a way that positively impacts society. Passionate about impact, he is an advisor to AARP, an aging-focused nonprofit, and board member to Corporate Esports Association, an esports for charity and human resources-solutions focused organization.
Patrice King Brickman is the Founder and CEO of Inspire Access, a nonprofit organization that invests philanthropic dollars in funds and companies led by underrepresented founders who have historically lacked access to investment capital. She is a founding investor in WE Capital and a founding member of both the Conscious Leadership Forum and Soul Circle. Additionally, she is a member of TIGER 21 and the Economic Club of Washington, and a minority owner in Monumental Sports, which is home to the Washington Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics.
Andrew Serafini, former Delegate and Senator, became the senior vice president, financial advisor of Wealth Enhancement Group through the Serafini Financial Group acquisition. Through extensive training and hands-on experience in the investment banking and brokerage industry, he gained a fundamental understanding of the financial world and an in-depth knowledge of investments.
Phillip Singerman served as TEDCO’s executive director from 1999-2006. He is a recognized national innovator in public/private partnerships to promote economic development, job creation and nation security through technology development, transfer and deployment. His five-decade career includes senior executive positions in the private and public sectors at the local, state and federal levels.