Donald Fry finds answers ? before there are even problems. The president and chief executive officer of the Greater Baltimore Committee, Fry and his group are dedicated to helping improve the business climate by bringing businesses and government together to develop solutions that would hinder the Baltimore region?s growth and competitiveness.
According to Fry, if problems such as transportation congestion, decaying facilities or lack of investment affect the region, they must be solved ? but it?s already too late.
“You need to identify an issue that will affect the community and its economic growth and how to go about putting a positive impact on it,” said Fry, 52. “We try to figure out the top priorities facing the city and region.”
Head of the GBC since 2002, Fry helped push several plans from the drawing board into reality. The development of University of Maryland Baltimore?s BioPark on Baltimore?s west side helped bring about 2,000 new jobs to the region, and the East Baltimore Life Sciences and Technology Park is slated to create 4,000 jobs. Other Fry initiatives include a “bridge the gap” campaign to help link large companies with minority- and women-owned businesses.
“It?s great to get accolades,” Fry said. “But at the same time, we ask ourselves, “How can we do it better the next time to make it stronger? Make ?good? into ?great.? ”
Honing his skills in the private sectorfirst, Fry served as a member of a private law practice in Harford County from 1980 through 1999. During this time, he served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1991 to 1997 and the state Senate from 1997 to 1998. Here, he worked with the Budget and Taxation Committee and its Subcommittee on Public Safety, Transportation, Economic Development and Natural Resources.
“He has an extensive network both in the business community and in government and glides effortlessly between the two,” said Woody Collins, chairman of the GBC and president of M&T Bank?s mid-Atlantic region. He is very knowledgeable, very thorough and combines all that with an extensive working knowledge of Annapolis.”
DONALD FRY
» First job: Worked at a day care center
» Education/credentials: Graduated from Frostburg State University with a bachelor?s degree in political science and a minor in business administration; graduated from University of Baltimore Law School with a juris doctorate
» Best job perk: Working in a big city on the move
» Daily e-mails received: 100
» Daily voicemails received: 10
» Career objective: Identify the next major challenge that?s affecting the region, come up with an effective answer and prepare for it
» Favorite gadget: Treo
» Hometown: Bel Air
» Birth date: June 23, 1955
» Original aspiration: Professional athlete
» Sports/hobbies: Big fan of professional sports and college basketball, avid golfer
