Economic Development Panel

Curious about Rockville’s future? Don’t miss the Economic Development Panel hosted by the Greater Rockville Chamber of Commerce! Engage with local leaders and experts as they discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping our community’s growth. 

Panelists include:

Jayson Knott is the Senior Director of Business Development for the Maryland Department of Commerce.  He has over 25 years of experience in economic development, and leads Maryland’s business attraction efforts. Jayson works with corporate end users and their representatives to identify real estate, workforce, business and research partners, discretionary incentives and tax credits. He was named one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers for 2021 by Consultant Connect. 

George Thomas, Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives at Connected DMV. George is a recognized industry expert at the intersection of technology and business in areas such as quantum, cybersecurity, cognitive computing, deep analytics, Smart Cities, Blockchain, IIOT, and Cloud. George has served the public sector, and energy, sustainability, education, and transportation industries for over 20 years. George is a founding member of the Smarter Cities Council, serves on multiple NIST, ASCE & GCTC committees, and is a mentor, board member and coach to several start-ups and innovative companies. George is a proven thought leader and a regular speaker at conferences and events including at the C40 Mayor’s Conferences, TEDx, Chambers of Commerce, the World Bank and the United Nations.

Cindy Rivarde serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), which identifies and develops economic opportunities to help Rockville prosper and lead as a 21 st century city for business. With her 20+ year background in commercial real estate law and development, she leads REDI in new and inventive ways to create economic growth, attract and retain businesses, and highlight Rockville as a premier community for businesses, workers, visitors and residents. She has previously served as a Deputy City Manager for Coral Springs, Florida, the Community and Economic Development Director for Modesto, California (which included oversight of the City’s Tourism and Convention Center), and the Economic and Cultural Development Director for Coral Gables, Florida. She obtained her law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law, a Master of Fine Art in painting from Towson University, and
a bachelor of arts degree in dramatic art/studio art from the University of North Carolina.

Bill Tompkins is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), based in Rockville MD. He leads a team of 25 diverse professionals who work to fulfill the mission of making Montgomery County one of the best, most diverse and equitable places to be in business in the country. Bill was previously Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and has been with MCEDC since January of 2019.

Judy Costello works for Montgomery County Maryland’s County Executive on a variety of projects related to business growth and retention, innovation, and economic development. Before joining Montgomery County, she worked for BioHealth Innovation (BHI), a Washington, DC area nonprofit focused on growing the biohealth industry in the region, as Managing Director of Economic Development. Prior to joining BHI, she served as Director of the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of BioHealth and Life Sciences and as Deputy Director of the department’s BioMaryland Center. In these positions, she worked to grow the state’s biohealth cluster by supporting industry recruitment and retention, commercialization, workforce, non-dilutive and dilutive fundraising, international soft landing, partnership, and promotion activities.