In this inaugural event, Towson Growth will bring together top local leaders, executives and business owners to openly communicate their organization’s growth initiatives for Towson in 2026. We grow better when we grow together.
As other local media outlets have been acquired over the years, the promotion of Towson’s positive growth has been overshadowed by Baltimore’s crime coverage and divisive political issues with the hopes of garnering outrage and clicks (a trend we have seen nationwide). It is critical to collectively share our insights, efforts and successes that are growing and improving lives of our residents and projecting our businesses toward a positive future.
We have an opportunity as a community to write our OWN story as we share Towson’s positive momentum with the rest of the world. Towson Growth is our opportunity to double down on our mission to bring the community together, focus our efforts on growth and and OWN our new narrative with Greater Baltimore, Maryland and beyond. GET TICKETS NOW
OUR SPEAKERS
Jon Howland
Stanley Black & Decker
We're beyond excited to welcome speaker Jon Howland, VP of Commercial, Industrial & Services Trades from Stanley Black & Decker to our Inaugural event.
Jon has spent years developing and executing relevant approaches for the division’s commercial implementation of its Enterprise Solutions Team. The bold portfolio of Stanley Black & Decker’s brands is anchored by DEWALT, DEWALT ANCHORS & FASTENERS, LENOX Tools, and PROTO Industrial Tools from which Howland drives Stanley Black & Decker’s Total Solution message to the End User with concentration on acquisition and fidelity.
"I find it rewarding to work with the people I do; both here at DEWALT as well as in this great industry of ours. However, it's most rewarding to know that all of us are working together to make this industry better by inspiring and recruiting the next generation of skilled labor."
Kent Devereaux
Goucher College
Kent Devereaux is the 12th President of Goucher College, consistently ranked one of the most innovative and forward-looking liberal arts institutions in America. One of only two colleges mandating 100% of students study abroad as part of their undergraduate education. Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees to students on campus and online, as well as a full liberal arts curriculum to currently incarcerated individuals through our innovative Goucher Prison Education Partnership (GPEP). Committed to the power of education to change lives.
Kent served as President of the New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA), a private, non-profit college of arts and design located in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Kent spent over a decade working in technology and online education sectors including stints as Senior Vice President of Editorial worldwide at Encyclopaedia Britannica, where he was instrumental in transforming the educational publisher from a print to online business in the late 1990s, and as Senior Vice President and Dean of Curriculum at Kaplan University.
Dr. Sandra Kurtinitis
CCBC
Speaking at our inaugural summit will be Dr. Kurtinitis from CCBC. She is a tireless supporter of CCBC’s mission: to provide an accessible, affordable and high-quality education that prepares students for transfer and career success, strengthening the regional workforce and enriching our community.
As a self-described servant-leader, she is resolutely committed to inclusive leadership and open communication, affirming her belief that “Every One of Us Counts.”One of her signature achievements is the Tuition-Free initiative, enabling 85 percent of CCBC students to attend the college “tuition free!”
Under Dr. Kurtinitis’ leadership, CCBC has made significant strides in improving service to students while strengthening its operational areas to best support instruction. She supports a lean executive structure, bringing strong central leadership across the college while fostering a collaborative, learning-centered environment throughout the institution.
Jonathan Hess
Whiting Turner Contracting Co.
Our co-speaker, Jonathan Hess oversees operations and financial management of the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company—a company with rich ties to Towson.
Jonathan joined Whiting-Turner in 1992 immediately after earning his Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University Maryland.
Jonathan is skilled in a wide spectrum of construction for various industries, but his deepest experience has been in science+ technology with extensive work in research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, as well as mission critical and hyperscale data centers.
He is versed in all types of construction delivery methods and has a focus on the importance of creating high-performance project teams to maximize project execution and delivery.
Melanie Perreault
Towson University
Melanie Perreault, Ph.D. is the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Towson University. As the university's chief academic officer, she is responsible for the creation and implementation of the academic priorities for the university.
Dr. Perreault served as TU's interim president from February 2023 through October 2023, when President Mark R. Ginsberg began his tenure.As interim president, Dr. Perreault's notable achievements included the largest incoming freshman class in TU history and the successful completion of the RISE Campaign, a $100 million fundraising effort.
As provost, she also facilitates University and Academic Affairs strategic planning, implements budget and resource allocation plans, guides and oversees innovations in academic technology, promotes faculty excellence and student success, and supports curricular and program distinction.
Jonathan Sachs
Moderator
Our moderator, Jonathan Sachs, is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in operations management, creating and driving organizational vision, and leading large-scale enterprise initiatives for hospitals and government agencies.
With a proven track record of steering operational turnarounds, revitalizing performance, and positioning organizations for sustainable growth and success, he knows what it takes to prepare the right people for the right roles.
Jonathan is a local leader in building and scaling high-performing, empowered teams with intention at all levels, from new hire employees to C-Suite leadership.
At this inaugural event, he'll moderate our panel of executive speakers as we cover topics that aim to pilot Towson's workforce to new heights.
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