On Tuesday, September 7, 2004, the Board of Commissioners for St. Mary's County announced the appointment of Lexington Park Plan Director Robin Finnacom to serve as Executive Director of the St. Mary's County Community Development Corporation (CDC). Under an agreement with the CDC approved on August 24, 2004, the County agreed to designate a county employee to serve as the CDC's executive director.
The CDC is an independent non-profit organization, currently led by a transition Board of Directors which is restructuring the CDC to improve its effectiveness and ability to secure state, federal and foundation funding to support community and economic development projects in St. Mary's County.
Under the agreement, the CDC will provide partial funding for the executive director, who will assist the CDC Board in developing new initiatives in partnership with the County and other local development organizations.
"One of the challenges the CDC has faced is the lack of adequate staffing," said Barbara Thompson, Chair of the CDC's Board of Directors. "The CDC Board appreciates the willingness of the County to support our activities as we move forward with the restructuring."
Ms. Finnacom has served as Director of the Lexington Park Plan since January 2000. She also was designated as Disaster Recovery Coordinator in 2003 after Hurricane Isabel. The new position will continue as a division of the County's Department of Economic and Community Development, housed at the CDC offices on Shangri-La Drive in Lexington Park.
Thomas F. McKay, President, Board of County Commissioners, said, "Robin is a dedicated professional who will help us make this partnership with the CDC an effective tool for community and economic development throughout the County."
"Ms. Finnacom's new responsibilities build on her current assignment as Director of the Lexington Park Plan," said Commissioner Daniel H. Raley. "She has a track record of success that will serve the CDC and the County well."