For Release: January 19, 2022
Media Contact: Mark Guidera, markg@gbc.org
Donald C. Fry, President & CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, will
retire on June 1 after 23 years of service at the widely respected
independent, private-sector organization.
“I’ve been blessed and honored to have served with so many of the top
leaders in the private sector over more than two decades and worked
closely on a number of major challenges and issues with elected leaders at
the state and local government level,” said Fry. “I’ve enjoyed every minute
at the GBC and am very proud of our work during my tenure, but it’s time
for a new chapter.”
Fry will serve as a consultant to the GBC until December 31, 2022. Having
served more than 19 years in the top job, he is the second longest serving
President & CEO in the GBC’s 67 year history.
Calvin Butler, chair of the GBC Board of Directors, said Fry leaves a record
of achievement and a legacy that will be hard to match.
“Don Fry has been a leader among leaders in the Baltimore region and the
state for the entire time he’s been the President and CEO of the GBC,” said
Butler, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for
Exelon.
“During his 20 years as President and CEO he has been a tireless champion
of the GBC’s agenda and of the Baltimore region. Under his stewardship,
the GBC has been seen as a trusted and respected pro-business
organization in the state,” said Butler.
“And if that weren’t enough, he served on countless boards, commissions
and task forces every time he was asked to do so. This commitment
underscores just how dedicated Don was each and every day to making the
Baltimore region a great place to live, work, study and visit. We are a better
city and region because of Don’s remarkable imprint,” added Butler.
Fry said the decision to retire was difficult but “Timing is everything. The
legislative session wraps up in April; the GBC’s Annual Meeting electing
new Directors is on May 25; the primary election is in June and new elected
officials will be moving into place in the fall. It’s the perfect time to
transition to new leadership at the organization that is the bridge between
business, government and the community.”
These transitions and others will provide a new GBC President & CEO with
a fresh slate to develop and grow relationships with top new business and
elected leaders, as well as develop and advance private sector priorities,
said Fry.
Butler said the GBC Board of Directors would conduct a national search for
Fry’s successor, with a goal of having the successor onboard by June 1.
Mr. Butler indicated that the GBC Board of Directors plans to recognize
Fry’s years of service at its Annual Meeting on May 25.
Among the achievements Fry is proud to have accomplished while leading
the GBC include:
• Successful legislative effort to keep the Preakness in Baltimore and
support a plan to renovate Pimlico Race Course into a year-round
sports and community facility.
• Establishing in 2003 the Bridging the Gap program to recognize,
honor and support women and minority-owned businesses
• Launching in 2018 the GBC’s Baltimore Women’s Advisory Board to
establish Baltimore as a leader in gender diversity and equality in the
workplace.
• Consistent advocacy for major transportation projects, funding and
policies for the state and Baltimore region.
• Leading the creation and publication of the GBC’s Gaining a
Competitive Edge report, which established eight core pillars for a
competitive business environment and job creation in Maryland and
outlined how businesses can unite with the public sector to solve
complex public issues.
Fry began his tenure with the GBC in April, 1999 when he joined the
organization as Executive Vice President and General Counsel. He served in
that role until November 1, 2002 when he was named President & CEO.
During his 20-year tenure as President & CEO Fry has worked with more
than 600 individual Board members, including some of the giants of the
corporate, philanthropic, healthcare and higher education sectors in the
Baltimore region.
Prior to joining the GBC, Fry maintained a private law practice in Harford
County. He also served in the Maryland General Assembly, first as a
member of the House of Delegates where he served on the Ways and Means
Committee and the Appropriations Committee and chaired its
Subcommittee on Transportation & the Environment. He also served in the
state Senate where he was a member of the Budget and Taxation
Committee.
Fry’s civic work during the past 23 years is expansive. Among the dozens of
boards, commissions, task forces and other entities Fry has served on are
include: Towson University Board of Visitors (active); Search Committee
that helped select a new president and athletic director for Towson
University; United Way of Central Maryland (Campaign Chair); Maryland
Port Commission; CollegeBound; Visit Baltimore; the Downtown
Partnership of Baltimore; Harford Mutual Insurance Co. Board of Directors
(active); University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center
Board of Visitors; and Chair of the Video Lottery Facility Location
Commission charged with selecting the location and operators of the state’s
casino locations.
Awards Fry has received include: The Baltimore Sun Civic & Business Hall
of Fame; The Daily Record Icon Award; The Daily Record Circle of
Influence; The Daily Record Influential Marylander Award: Civic
Leadership; The Daily Record’s Maryland’s Most Admired CEOs, and the
Baltimore Business Journal Power 10 CEO Award. His work has been
highlighted in two publications: Legendary Locals of Bel Air and Lifelines
by Dr. Leana Wen, former Health Commissioner for Baltimore City.