Kerry G. (Kwasi) Holman

Email: adymas@r.postjobfree.com

**** ****** ******, ** ****: 202-***-****

Washington, DC 20024 Cell: 202-***-****

QUALIFICATIONS:

Thirty years of experience in business, community and economic development, banking, small business turnaround, legislative affairs, policy analysis and marketing. Excellent writing skills, proven track record in conceiving, initiating and implementing new programs, with extensive knowledge in the intersection of public and private sectors with a focus on completed projects resulting in job creation; skilled in media relations, community involvement and conflict resolution.

OBJECTIVE:

A leadership position in economic development, nonprofit management or government

EXPERIENCE:

The Holman Group DCUnicorn Group, LLC

CEOPrincipal

20145-Present

Responsible working with 8a and tech companies to connect them with resources in the private sector to increase their private sector contracting opportunities. One recent client was able to develop a dentistry franchise in Prince George’s County and develop a loan package that allowed her to secure more favorable financing and consolidate operations. Worked with an 8a company to work with Federal agencies to market training opportunities in conjunction with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM.) Also working with local governments to expand their ability to develop their economic development capacity. Expanding services to include working with churches and nonprofits to secure permits and coordinate their plans with local, community and state approval authorities.

Charles County MD Economic Development

Director

2012- 2014

Led the creation of a new Department of County government after several years of dormancy. Organized staff to address critical issues of business retention, attraction, market research and marketing. Developed internal procedures and loan protocols. Identified matching funds for $500,000 Targeted Industries Loan Fund focused on companies that provide new county jobs in growing industries providing wages above the County median income. Revived the Disadvantaged Loan Fund for small businesses in the County with County contracts and inventory needs. Working with the Small Local Disadvantaged Enterprise program, the Southern MD Black Chamber of Commerce and the College of Southern MD, conducted procurement fairs and training programs for regional businesses. Provided leadership and seed funding for TechFire, a program of the Emerging Technology Center, to develop the first business incubator in Southern MD. Identified staff and funding partners for the incubator which focuses on energetics and high tech companies related to talent from the Naval Support Indian Head.

Strengthed relationships with a variety of chambers of commerce and business organizations. Developed a strategy for marketing a major County owned parcel of commercial property in Western Charles County that resulted in a major market study by a national site selection firm that will guide location decisions in the County with a particular focus on Western MD. Prepared marketing materials to promote the County as a premier business location included printed and web based materials. Used social media to promote the County including a new web site to be launched this month. Created a research component to assist companies seeking to locate or expand in the County. Updated a Targeted Industries Study that will form the basis of an Economic Development Strategy for the County. Held several Economic Development Summits that featured national and local speakers that noted local advantages for business location in the County. Laid the groundwork for a major business retention study to be launched in January in conjunction with local business groups.

Major accomplishments include: Mid-Atlantic Health Care $23,000,000 new facility investment, 80+ new jobs; JBO Printing & ABR Services Selected Waldorf over existing No. VA facility, 45+ jobs; Federal Government Facility Consolidation. Soon to be announced 79,000 SF facility; 30 FTE jobs, indirect local spending; a major natural gas fired power plant, CPV St Charles 15 years; $750,000,000 investment; projected 400 + construction jobs in 2015 and 2016,24 permanent, high-paying jobs ;Preliminary agreement to retain a targeted industry employer, 47 current jobs, new jobs & facility expansion.

THE HOLMAN GROUP

President

2011- 2012

Provided independent consulting in economic development and business strategy; clients include Howard University. I developed Memoranda of Understanding with the University of MD College Park and Prince George’s Community College regarding joint degree programs. Developed an Economic Development Implementation Workshop for the City of Mount Rainier, MD to guide future development decisions in the city and planning of the disposition of a critical mixed use parcel at Rhode Island Avenue and Eastern Avenue, comprised of a city owned parcel of approximately 32,000 sq. ft. and a privately owned parking lot of approximately 27,000 sq. ft.. Together the project will include 185 apartments and 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (PGCEDC)

President and CEO

2004- 2011

Directed the operations of one of the region’s largest economic development corporations, conceived and oversaw major projects and directed staff of 80; worked closely with the Board of Directors and various levels of government to provide overall strategic direction for the organization; established $135 million Small Business Initiative to assist local and minority companies with contracts. The SBI service included one on one counseling, mentor/protégé partnerships, SCORE counseling, region wide procurement meetings with procurement. Also managed a technology incubator program and managed a state wide SBIR/STTR program to assist companies in developing products and relationships with the Federal Government. Led initiation and implementation of retail outreach program that attracted major specialty retailers; developed an aggressive business retention and attraction program that met with over 600 companies and attracted several major new employers and developed several programs to assist those companies, leading to the creation of over $48.65 million in private investment and creating over 1,500 jobs; led the International Program which created $65 million in private sector financing; led the business attraction and retention program visited over 500 companies, created over $69 million in capital investment and over 1.2 million sq. ft. of private investment.

Directed overall communications, technology and marketing strategy; spearheaded strategy and directed team of staff and web designers to create comprehensive upgrade of the EDC website, adding Flash, audio and video clips, expanded links and a portal to allow local brokers to list their properties, created e-newsletter, which provided a variety of online resources, including information on current investment and funding opportunities for local, regional and international businesses, nonprofits and other stakeholders; created media strategy for electronic and print media, acted as regular spokesperson for television and radio programs; worked with local colleges and universities in developing business opportunities; participated in national, regional and state economic development and public policy advocacy programs, conferences and forums.

Worked with county officials to lead a process to create a “one stop shop” for economic development; designed and executed strategy to attract, expand and retain a wide array of private companies to the County including Comcast, MedAssurant, Sun Edison, and Goldcrust Bakery; oversaw the initiation of the County’s first operating Foreign Trade Zone, encompassing over 100 acres. Major projects included Woodmore Town Centre at Glenarden which included 700,000 sq. ft. of retail, 1 million sq. ft. of office space, 922 residential units, two hotels and a conference center anchored by Wegman’s, Costco, JC Penney and Best Buy. Partnered with Peterson Companies on retail and office attraction for National Harbor: 7,300,000 SF of master plan mixed-use community, 1,000,000 SF of retail, dining, and entertainment, 4,000 hotel rooms, 2,500 residential units, 500,000 SF of class "A" office space, 3 piers and marina, 10,000 on-site parking spaces.

THE HOLMAN GROUP

President

2003- 2004

Provided strategic advice to clients on a range of economic development projects and strategies; for National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC), implemented commercial loan products; for the Washington Area Community Investment Fund developed grants for foundation and community development support, acted as a business loan officer responsible for $2 million September 11th Loan fund at Ronald Reagan National Airport and management of commercial revitalization loan fund on Georgia Avenue; advised the Cherry Hill Homes Tenants’ Council Inc. in Baltimore, MD as consultant for a proposed $9 million project including housing and mixed use development.

NATIONAL CAPITAL REVITALIZATION CORPORATION (NCRC)

Director of Business Development

2002- 2003

Directed preparation of Business Development Plan, management of the Economic Development Finance Corporation, encompassing business lending, outreach, analysis of revenue generating opportunities, product development and identification of Federal, city and foundation funding.

BALTIMORE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Executive Vice President/Business Development

December 2000-February 2002

Directed and managed Business Services division (business services, marketing and communications); managed business retention and expansion; established relationships with top 200 businesses in the city.

NEW YORK AVENUE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

President and CEO

1999- 2000

Developed plans to implement transportation and policy improvements designed to attract businesses and residents to New York Avenue Corridor as part of multi-agency effort to transform major corridor of the city, including development of initial plan for New York Avenue Metrorail Station; prepared and delivered presentations, developed policy documents, conducted community consensus-building; identified resources and support for infrastructure improvements and resulting in first public/private Metro station development in the Metro system that included the attraction of XM Radio and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

DC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Executive Vice President

October 1993 – June 1999

Directed and administered programs to heighten visibility and enhance membership; grew membership from 250 to nearly 1,000, making it largest Chamber in Metro area; developed organizational plan and structure to maximize and maintain contributions, skills and talents of staff and public and private members. In conjunction with Board, created and initiated long-term strategic plan and short term objectives; principal legislative affairs liaison for successful campaign to attract MCI Center (renamed Verizon Center) to Washington, DC; conducted extensive networking to build Chamber membership and maximize its exposure to community-based groups, business community, media, public officials and philanthropic organizations. Principal responsibilities for overall control of fiscal affairs, including financial accounting, income generation, public and private funding sources and other revenue generation and variety of legislative issues (e.g. tax reform, workers compensation and other business-related issues).

THE ELLINGTON FUND

Executive Director

1992- 1993

Raised and managed $1.2 million fund to support the academic and arts programs at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, the top ranked public school and the only DC public school to offer a dual curriculum in academic preparation and arts training. Initiated and implemented relationship between the School and the Smithsonian Institution to prepare students for careers in museology. Expanded funding base of the Fund through special events, improved relationships with local and national funders; participated in educational and academic reforms.

THE HOLMAN GROUP

President

1991- 1992

Principal of consulting business; provided strategic advice to clients, including the Hechinger Co., the Smithsonian Institution, and several small businesses; including financial management, diversity training and small business turnarounds.

NATIONAL BANK OF WASHINGTON

Senior Vice President

1987 - 1991

Initiated and managed a $10 million portfolio; devised initial business and marketing plan, primary responsibility for business development, including staffing. As Manager of the Small Business Banking Unit, arranged financing for businesses located within the Greater Washington Metropolitan market region with sales of up to $2 million; directed the work of four vice presidents and four assistant vice presidents, responsible for business development, loan workouts.

DC OFFICE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Executive Director

1983 –1987

Directed the planning and implementation of economic development programs with responsibility for 60 staff and $2 million budget; initiated $450 million industrial revenue bond program and $18 million small business loan programs. Created several loan programs for neighborhoods focused on neighborhood businesses including a loan fund for companies in the Shaw neighborhood impacted by METRO expansion. Developed network of neighborhood Community Development Corporations, $9 million capital improvements program; funded several major shopping and commercial development projects; led oversight of the Office of Motion Picture and Television Development, which generated over $55 million in tax revenues. Developed District's first industrial park, with new initiatives in development of arts facilities, incubator space for start-up businesses; initiated new developments in neighborhood commercial corridors.

Previous Affiliations:

Member, DC Zoning Commission

Board Member, Downtown DC Business Improvement District

Chairman, The Community Foundation of Prince George’s County

Board Member, The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region

Junior Warden and former Member of the Vestry, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

President, Maryland Economic Development Association

Board Member, Economic Development Finance Corporation

Board Member, Prince George’s Conference and Visitor’s Bureau

Investor Representative for Prince George’s County MD, Greater Washington Initiative

Member, Council of Economic Development Officials Prince George’s County

Chairman, Area Business Development Officials Committee

Chair, DC Redevelopment Land Agency

Board Member, DC Housing Finance Agency

Treasurer, Washington Project for the Arts (WPA)

AWARDS (PARTIAL LISTING):

African American Real Estate Professionals

Economic Development Award

South County Economic Development Association

Business Development Award

Maryland India Business Roundtable, Inc.

MIBRT’s Outstanding Leadership for Economic Development

PROFESSIONAL & VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

Current Affiliations:

Board Member, The Community Foundation of Prince George’s County

Chair, Mission and Southwest Development Committee, Saint Augustine’s Episcopal Church Washington, DC – in add sentence or two re: what you did/do in this capacity

EDUCATION and TRAINING:

B.A., Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, Government Economics and History

J.D., Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C.

Certificate, Principles of Fundraising, The Fundraising School of the Center for Philanthropy, Indiana University

Leadership Greater Washington

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