The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County announced the appointment of Cynthia “Cindy” Greb as the new director of the Department of Economic Development during their meeting on November 18, 2025. Greb, a St. Mary’s County native with more than 40 years of experience in community and economic development, environmental land planning, and large-scale real estate and infrastructure projects, will take over the role effective December 2, 2025.
Greb currently holds the position of executive director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at St. Mary’s College of Maryland in St. Mary’s City. In that capacity, she oversees programs linking higher education with workforce needs and regional economic expansion. Her professional background encompasses directing major real estate developments, overseeing natural resource and infrastructure initiatives on military bases, and collaborating on land preservation efforts with local, state, and federal entities. She has delivered presentations to organizations at various levels for over three decades, influencing zoning regulations, comprehensive planning, and development approaches that integrate growth with environmental protection.
Commissioner President Randy Guy highlighted Greb’s qualifications in the announcement. “We are excited to welcome Cindy Greb as our new Director of Economic Development,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy said. “Her deep roots in St. Mary’s County, combined with her extensive experience in economic development, land planning, and workforce initiatives, make her an outstanding leader to guide our county’s economic future.”
Greb shared her perspective on the appointment. “I am honored to join St. Mary’s County Government as Director of Economic Development and to continue serving my community,” she said. “Our county is uniquely positioned with its strong workforce, innovative employers, and rich natural and cultural resources. I look forward to building on existing partnerships and creating new ones to support sustainable growth, workforce development, and a resilient, thriving local economy.”
Greb’s educational credentials include a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, a Master of Science in Strategic Communication from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a certificate in Residential Development and Site Planning from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She has pursued additional studies in Landscape Architecture at Rutgers University and maintains certifications from the Maryland Department of the Environment and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Her community involvement spans multiple boards and committees, such as the Patuxent Partnership’s SoMD 2030 Workforce Development Program, St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Strategic Plan Implementation Committee, and the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Advisory Council on Workforce Shortage. Greb has also contributed to the Historic Sotterley Board of Trustees, MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation, and the St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation Board of Directors.
The Department of Economic Development operates from offices in Leonardtown and California, focusing on bolstering the county’s economic foundation. Key responsibilities include retaining and expanding existing businesses, recruiting new companies and investments, promoting tourism and local amenities, and implementing strategies for a diversified economy. The department supports sectors tied to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, agriculture, aquaculture, and emerging technologies, while coordinating incentives like tax credits and permitting assistance for qualifying projects.
This appointment follows the retirement of previous director Chris Kaselemis in July 2025 after a decade in the role. County officials described the applicant pool as competitive, selecting Greb for her longstanding expertise in fields directly aligned with departmental goals. The position reports to the county administrator and works closely with the Economic Development Commission, an advisory body that reviews policies and recommends initiatives to the commissioners.
Greb’s transition from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where she has built bridges between academia and industry since 2022, positions her to advance workforce pipelines critical to employers at Patuxent River and beyond. Her prior work includes developing communities like Wildewood and managing conservation projects through the Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Board. These experiences equip her to address ongoing priorities, such as supporting unmanned systems growth, enhancing broadband access in rural areas, and leveraging the county’s waterfront assets for sustainable tourism.
The department also administers programs like the Rural Business Energy Efficiency Initiative and partners with entities including the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland on regional strategies. Under new leadership, efforts will continue aligning with the county’s comprehensive plan, which emphasizes balanced development amid base-related activities and natural resource protection in areas like the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.
Greb succeeds a lineage of directors who have navigated economic shifts, from defense contract fluctuations to post-pandemic recovery. Her emphasis on partnerships reflects the interconnected nature of St. Mary’s economy, where federal installations drive jobs while agriculture and heritage sites contribute to identity and revenue.
