President's Corner

Donald C. Fry is president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), the region's most prominent organization of business and civic leaders. He has been the chief executive officer of the GBC since Nov. 1, 2002. Since that time, he has crafted a vision for the GBC that is taking shape in the form of bold initiatives designed to strengthen the area's business climate.

Commentaries and Radio Appearances by GBC president and CEO Donald Fry

Don writes a weekly column for Center Maryland, which appear on the Center Maryland Web site every Friday. He also writes for the Daily Record in a column that appears monthly. These columns as well as other commentaries, testimonies or thoughts by Don appear in the Recent News section of GBC's site by searching "Donald Fry."

Don also delves into different topics and areas of interest to the business community in a commentary with 88.1 WYPR, an NPR news station. He has talked about anything ranging from pension funding challenges and the reason for the deficit to education and Healthiest Maryland. Transcriptions of these appearances can be found in the Recent News section of GBC's site by searching "GBC's Fry."

Don in the Community

Community Activities and Speaking Engagements

To invite Donald Fry to speak at your next event, contact (410) 727-2820.

2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

2012 Speaker Engagements

SmartCEO Matrix
Date: Thursday, November 1, 2012
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor Camden Yards
Topic: Don will moderate a panel of three local executives who share their insights on negotiating, leasing and buying business space in Greater Baltimore. Matrix is an invitation-only gathering of leaders. SmartCEO and its partners will host 200-plus business leaders in a setting where business owners are educated and inspired over lunch.

Downtown and Harbor development presentation
Date: Monday, October 15, 2012
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Baltimore Convention Center

Raven's Executive Speaker Series
Date: Thursday, October 4, 2012
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Economic Impact of Camden Yards
Date: Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Time: 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Orioles Park at Camden Yards, 333 West Camden St., Baltimore, Md. 21201
Topic: As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Camden Yards, seven business and sports advocates, including Don Fry, took part in a panel discussion, discussing the economic benefit Oriole Park at Camden Yards has had on the city.

The Next Economy: Redefining Human Capital and Enhancing Economy Growth
Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012
Time: 7:30 a.m.
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Baltimore Branch, 502 South Sharp Street, Baltimore, Md. 21201
Topic: First in four-part series called Redefining Capital, this first session discussed the release of The Brookings Institution's ambitious new study that challenges the popular view of Greater Baltimore as a struggling post-industrial region and focuses instead on the kind of growth and strategies that can be fostered to create an "opportunity-rich" regional economy; Fry part of panel discussion

Network 2000 - Roadway to the Boardroom
Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Location: The Center Club, Baltimore, Md.

"Gaining a Competitive Edge" presentation
Date: Friday, March 23, 2012
Topic: Guest speaker discussing the entire work of the GBC and the "Gaining a Competitive Edge" report it produced to the Prince George's County Economic Development Advisory Council

Testimony
Date: Monday, March 19, 2012
Location: Annapolis, Md.
Topic: Testimony before the House Appropriations Committee and Capital Budget Subcommittee on the Baltimore Convention Center

Testimony
Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Location: Annapolis, Md.
Topic: Testimony before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee as well as the House Environmental Matters and Ways and Means Committees on Transportation Funding

Presentation to Harford Leadership Academy
Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Topic: Fry presenting on economic development and Greater Baltimore to Harford Leadership Academy, a community development program co-sponsored by Harford Community College and the Harford County Chamber of Commerce.

Hire One Youth Press Conference
Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Western High School, 4600 Falls Road, Baltimore, Md. 21209
Topic: Fry appeared with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake in a press conference for the Hire One Youth summer jobs program for youth in the city.

Testimony
Date: Monday, March 12, 2012
Location: Annapolis, Md.
Topic: Testimony before the Senate Budget and Taxation Capital Budget Subcommittee on the Baltimore Convention Center project

Destination Study press conference
Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Harford County Office of Economic Development, 220 South Main Street, Bel Air, Md. 21014
Topic: Press conference, along with Harford County executive David Craig, announcing the completion of the Harford County Tourism Destination Study

Baltimore Regional Economic Development Summit
Date: February 6, 2012
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: SMC Campus Center of University of Maryland, 621 West Lombard St., Baltimore, Md. 21201
Topic: Hosted by Urban Land Institute, Don Fry will moderate a panel discussion of six jurisdictional economic development entities, including Baltimore City, and Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford and Carroll Counties. The discussion will explore primary goals, objectives and challenges of the respective jurisdictions and organizations.

Testimony
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Annapolis, Md.
Topic: Representing the Video Lottery Location Commission (Slots Commission), giving testimony to the House Ways & Means Committee

The Real Deal Economic Forecast 2012
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Time: 7:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Mount Washington Conference Center, 58801 Smith Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21209
Topic: M&T Bank, the law firm of Rosenberg | Martin | Greenberg, LLP and accounting firm Gorfine, Schiller and Gardyn, PA hosted the annual economic forecast for the local real estate industry. Fry was emcee.

Transportation Funding Rally
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Lawyer's Mall, outside the State House in Annapolis
Topic: GBC and fellow members of START (Statewide Transportation Alliance To Restore the Trust) joined in support of increasing revenues for the State's Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), and for restoring "trust" in the Trust Fund.

MEDA 2012 Winter Conference
Date: Thursday, January 12, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Harry Browne's, Annapolis, Md.
Topic: "Forecast for the 2012 Maryland General Assembly Session" Legislative leaders addressed the most pressing-and the most heated-issues of the legislative session while Fry and more of the region's most knowledgeable executives were on hand to provid an essential business outlook for the session.

EDAB meeting
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Time: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: HEAT Center, Aberdeen, Md.
Topic: Presentation to the Harford County Economic Development Advisory Council on the Harford County Tourism Destination study

2011 Speaker Engagements

Investing in Baltimore: A New Arena & Convention Center
Date: Thursday, December 1, 2011
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Ballard Spahr, 300 E. Lombard St., 18th Floor, Baltimore, Md.
Topic: Discuss the GBC's ongoing study of the project, the financing, and the effect a new arena, expanded convention center, and hotel could have on the downtown area.

MPT's "Your Money and Business" Show
Date: Thursday, December 1, 2011
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Maryland Public Television stations
Topic: Discuss the concept for a public-private project to build a new arena, hotel and expanded convention center near Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Entrepreneur Expo: Harnessing the Power of Innovation in Maryland
Date: Monday, November 14, 2011
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: BWI Airport Marriott, 1743 West Nursery Rd., Linthicum Heights, Md. 21090
Topic: Highlighted Maryland's entrepreneurial and economic strengths, including the state's InvestMaryland initiative. Sponsored by TEDCO and DBED.

Cecil County Chamber of Commerce Business Luncheon
Date: Thursday, November 10, 2011
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Minker Banquet Hall, 920 Principio Furnace Rd., Perryville, Md.
Topic: Positioning Maryland and Cecil County for economic development success in a tough fiscal climate

BON Meeting
Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Location: MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate, 2328 W. Joppa Rd., Suite 200, Lutherville, Md. 21093
Topic: GBC initiatives

Towson University Economic Outlook
Date: Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Towson University, West Village Commons 424 Emerson Dr., Towson, Md. 21252

Kickoff to Maryland Economic Development Week
Date: Monday, October 24, 2011
Time: 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort, 16701 Lakeview Rd. NE, Flintstone, Md. 21530

Greater Excellence in Education Foundation 2011 Annual Gala/Silent Auction
Date: Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Richlin Ballroom, 1700 Van Bibber Rd., Edgewood, Md. 21040
Topic: Don Fry as cocktail reception guest speaking on education

Mix It Up Series
Date: Thursday, October 13, 2011
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Center Club, Bar100, 100 Light St., Baltimore, Md. 21202
Topic: Rash Field and convention center initiatives

Beyond BRAC: Shining the Light on Innovation and Opportunity in the CSSC Region
Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Time: 7:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Richlin Ballroom, 1700 Van Bibber Rd., Edgewood, Md. 21040
Topic: Transportation successes and challenges, specifically START Coalition & Transportation Trust Fund

Harford Community College Community Breakfast
Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Harford Community College, Chesapeake Center, Dining Room North. 401 Thomas Run Rd., Bel Air, Md. 21015

Regional Tourism and Its Challenges
Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Tourism Day, Harford County Business Appreciation Week, Clarion Hotel, Aberdeen, Md.

ExecConnect Kickoff
Date: Friday, September 16, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: GEICO Headquarters, 5260 Western Ave., Chevy Chase, Md. 20815
Topic: ExecConnect is an executive level open discussion about industry and economic issues, ideas, opinions, strategies, tactics and future trends.

Special Session Update
Date: Thursday, September 15, 2011
Time: 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Dan Roderick's Radio Show
Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: WYPR
Topic: Discuss the proposed arena-convention center

Panel Discussion for Business School Program
Date: Thursday, May 19, 2011
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Morgan State University, Murphy Fine Arts building

American Society of Highway Engineers : Transportation funding in Maryland
Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Engineering Society of Baltimore - Garrett Jacobs Mansion, 11 W. Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore, Md.
Topic: Don will speak on the status of the State Transportation Trust Fund, and what did and did not work in this year's General Assembly, the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation Funding and the State Transportation Alliance to Restore the Trust Program. He will also explain his role at the GBC and the Committee's objectives.

Central Maryland Regional Transportation Summit
Date: Thursday, April 7, 2011
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: BWI Holiday Inn, Linthicum, Md.
Topic: "Perspectives on Regionalism of Transportation in Central Maryland" Donald Fry and fellow panelists Ken Ulman, Howard County Executive; Josh Cohen, Mayor of Annapolis; and Col. Daniel Thomas, Commander, Fort George G. Meade, will express their thoughts on the topic.

Roadmap to the Boardroom 2011
Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Doyle Hall, College of Notre Dame of Maryland, 4701 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Md. 21210

Date: Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Time: 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Location: 100 Light St., Baltimore, Md. 21202
Topic: Convention center area presentation to Charles Street Development Corporation

Date: Friday, January 21, 2011
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Prince George's County Delegation Room, 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, Md.
Topic: presentation of Gaining a Competitive Edge to Prince George's County Delegation

Inside PressBox
Date: Saturday, January 15 and Sunday, January 16, 2011
Time: 11:00 p.m. and 10:30 a.m., respectively
Location: WMAR, Channel 2
Topic: new arena and slots

MEDA Winter Conference
Date: Thursday, January 13, 2011
Time: 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Governor Calvert House, Annapolis, Md.
Topic: An inside look into the 2011 legislative session

MACo 2011 Winter Conference
Future of Transportation Funding in Maryland
Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Cambridge Hyatt
Topic: This facilitated session discussed funding challenges, approaches for the restoration of local road funding, future direction of transportation, and recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Maryland Transportation Funding.

2010 Speaking Engagements

Bel Air Public Library Speaking Engagement
Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Time: 2:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Bel Air Public Library
Topic: Competitive Edge Report

Keynote speech for National Honor Society of Harford Technical High School
Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Harford Technical High School

Baltimore Rotary Club Luncheon
Date: Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Time: 12:15 - 1:30 p.m.

2010-2011 Class of the Legacy Leadership Institute on Public Policy
Date: Thursday, October 7, 2010
Time: 9:15 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: University of Maryland, Center for Educational Partnership, Room 0127, 6200 Sheridan St.

Executive Voices Breakfast
Date: Monday, June 28, 2010
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore, SMC Campus Center, 2nd Floor Ballroom, 621 W. Lombard St., Baltimore, Md. 21201
Topic: A regional perspective on the relationship between transportation and our economy; featuring the Honorable Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Mayor of Baltimore and the Honorable Dean L. Minnich, Carroll County Commissioner; moderated by Donald Fry

MEDA 2010 Annual Conference: Maryland's Competitiveness - Leading the Pack or Following the Leader?
Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Topic: How Maryland competes in a national economy; where does Maryland really rate in comparison to other states; what factors drive Maryland's rankings to low levels and what factors elevate Maryland's standings, and more.

Urban Financial Services Coalition Corporate Breakfast
Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Federal Reserve, 502 S. Sharp St., Washington, DC
Topic: The Urban Financial Services Coalition formerly known as the National Association of Urban Bankers (NAUB), is an organization of minority professionals in the financial services industry and related fields.

Minority Business Roundtable Discussion
Date: Friday, May 7, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel, 903 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson
Topic: Access to capital

2009 Speaking Engagements

Maryland Tourism Council
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2009
Time: 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Location: Ocean City Convention Center, Ballroom 2 & 3, 4001 Coastal Highway (40th Street), Ocean City, Md. 21842
Topic: Slots

Where Are We Now ... Where Are We Going?
Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009
Time: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Severna Park Community Center
Topic: Green Building Public Policy in Maryland

Baltimore Architecture Foundation Forum Series
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Time: 12 - 1 p.m.
Location: Johns Hopkins Downtown Center
Topic: Slots

The Engineers Club
Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: 11 West Mount Vernon Place
Topic: Slots

Baltimore City and Baltimore County Delegates
Date: Friday, March 6, 2009
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Location: Miller Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen Street, Annapolis, Md. 21401
Topic: GBC President and CEO Donald C. Fry and Baltimore City and Baltimore County Delegates will discuss the ways in which education and business can work together to impact the region's economy.

Harford County Economic Advisory Board
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Time: 8 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: The Higher Education and Applied Technology (HEAT) Center, I-95/Route 22 in Aberdeen
Topic: Impact of the General Assembly and federal stimulus package on business

WIRE, Women Investors of Real Estate, LLC
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Time: 6 - 8 p.m.
Location: Rusty Scupper, 402 Key Highway Baltimore, Md. 21230
Topic: Red Line Light Rail Transit Project, BRAC and other key issues in the Baltimore region

2009 Legislative Outlook for Economic Development
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2009
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Governor Calvert House, Annapolis
Topic: Maryland's legislative and business leaders will discuss issues of importance for economic development in the 2009 General Assembly

The REAL DEAL Real Estate: The Economic Forecast for the Real Estate Industry
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Time: 7:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: The Radisson Hotel, Cross Keys

2008 Speaking Engagements

Association for Corporate Growth
Date: Thursday, December 11, 2008
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: The Center Club - Legg Mason Tower, 100 Light St., Baltimore Md., 21202
Topic: Business environment, corporate development and expansion, and any other issues related to BRAC, key trends, etc.

"A Perfect Storm" - The Obama Campaign, 2007-2008
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Sojourner-Douglass College Auditorium, 200 N. Central Ave., Baltimore, Md.
Topic: Impact of the election on the business community

Baltimore City Planning Commission
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Topic: GBC's Don Fry will speak in support of City Council Bill #08-0027/Planned Unit Development (PUD) - Tide Point. This bill will repeal the existing Development Plan for the Whetstone Point PUD and the approve a new Development Plan for the Tide Point PUD in order to accommodate the expansion of Under Armour at the site.

York County Transportation Coalition Meeting
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2008
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Springfield Township, York, Pa.
Topic: GBC's role in the Greater Baltimore area, its transportation priorities and how it is working with Pennsylvania to address Maryland's transportation agenda.

D.C.-based journalists, Members of the foreign press
Date: Friday, July 25, 2008
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Stanton Conference Room, 20th floor, World Trade Center, Washington, D.C.
Topic: Don will offer a summary of the Baltimore region's economy -- key strengths and challenges, issues for future growth and other key policy issues the city and region face.

Towson University - Visit of China's University Presidents
Date: Friday, June 27, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: UMBI
Topic: Highlighting the impact of workforce preparedness and the importance of teaching students skill sets that they could use in the future to 19 college and university presidents from China.

MICUA Minority Business Enterprise Committee
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 am
Location: Rockland Center at the Owings Mills Villa Julie College Campus, 1525 Greenspring Valley Rd., Stevenson, Md. 21153

Bryson/Sawyer Lecture Series
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, Morgan State University
1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore Md. 21251
Topic: Importance of regionalism, encouraging students to think regionally instead of viewing the world only in terms of the City of Baltimore, informing the students how regionalism makes each jurisdiction stronger in reference to business interests.

Hunt Valley Business Forum: Transportation, Facilities and Security Roundtable
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Loyola Graduate Center, 2034 Greenspring Dr., Timonium, Md. 21093

Northeast Climate and Competitiveness Summit
Date: February 29, 2008
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Tremont Grand Hotel, 225 North Charles St., Baltimore, Md. 21201
Topic: Pivotal decisions that will be made in the U.S. Congress that will help determine the Northeast mega-region's future mobility, economic competitiveness and quality of life.

U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education Breakfast Event
Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Location: The Center Club, Baltimore, Md.
Topic: "Diversifying the Corporate Board Room"

MEDA 2008 Winter Conference
Date: Thursday, January 10, 2008
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Governor Calvert House, 58 State Circle, Annapolis, Md. 21401
Topic: Maryland's elected and business leaders will present their outlook for the 2008 legislative session as it relates to issues of economic development at the MEDA Winter Conference.

2007 Speaking Engagements

Annapolis Regional Transportation Management Association Annual Meeting
Date: Thursday, December 6, 2007
Time: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Hampton Inn & Suites, 124 Womack Dr., Annapolis, Md.
Topic: State Transportation Trust Fund and how BRAC will impact our commute and County transportation plans.

Legacy Leadership Institute
Date: Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Time: 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Location: University of Maryland, Center for Educational Partnership, 6200 Sheridan St., Riverdale, Md. 20737
Topic: "Funding the State's Transportation Funding Needs," Maryland's transportation needs

Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Annual Conference
Date: Monday, October 22, 2007
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Renaissance Hotel, Baltimore Inner Harbor
Topic: "Baltimore Economic Development and the Role of Higher Education," Metropolitan Universities & Community Engagement

Greater Towson Committee Board of Directors
Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Conference Center at Sheppard Pratt, 6501 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Md.
Topic: How to connect with the region

Baltimore Architecture Foundation's Fall Luncheon Speaker Series
Date: Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Johns Hopkins Downtown Center
Topic: Transportation issues facing the region

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Time: 8:15 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Johns Hopkins University auditorium
Topic: Regionalism best practices

Kiwanis Club of Baltimore City Luncheon
Date: Thursday, May 31, 2007
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Germano's Trattoria, 300 S. High St. in Little Italy
Topic: Discuss the Baltimore region's future and the challenges that lie ahead

Baltimore Rotary Club Luncheon
Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Time: 12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Belvedere Hotel in Baltimore City

CEO Networking Luncheon
Date: Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Main Seminar Room at techcenter@UMBC

'The Real Deal'
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2007
Time: 7:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: The Radisson Cross Keys
Topic: Economic forecast for the 2007-2008 real estate industry

MEDA Legislative Outlook Panel
Date: Thursday, January 4, 2007
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Governor Calvert House in Annapolis
Topic: Legislative Outlook for Economic Development