Description

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About Grason:

Grason Wiggins is the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at the Maryland Chamber of Commerce where he leads advocacy efforts on behalf of the 7,000+ members of the Chamber before the Maryland General Assembly and at the federal level. He develops, leads and executes the legislative strategy of the organization and maintains the Chamber’s positive working relationships with key elected officials and members of the administration to build a better understanding of and appreciation for business issues. Grason joined the Chamber in 2024, and the organization achieved a 93% and 98% success rate during the two legislative sessions under Grason's leadership.

Prior to working at the Maryland Chamber, Grason worked as a lobbyist at Harris-Jones & Malone where he advocated for clients on a wide array of issues, including real estate, construction, financial regulation, and labor matters. Prior to working at Harris-Jones & Malone, Grason was an in-house lobbyist for the Maryland Multi-Housing Association where he advocated for landlords at the state and local level. Grason also previously served as the Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs for the Maryland Department of Labor and as Deputy Executive Director for the Governor's Workforce Development Board.

Grason received his juris doctorate degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law, and a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina Upstate. He currently resides in Baltimore.

About Rick:

Rick Weldon is the President/CEO of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his employment with the Chamber, Rick has served as a public administrator for both the City of Frederick and the City of Brunswick, a member of the Board of County Commissioners for Frederick County, and as a two-term member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing southern Frederick County and southeastern Washington County.

Born and raised in New Castle County, Delaware, Rick relocated to Maryland after a tour of duty in the US Navy Submarine service and a decade-long employment tenure as a civilian in ship systems procurement with the Navy Department in Crystal City, VA.

Rick is a 1998 graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Frederick County program, and has lectured, advised and assisted program participants for over 20 years.

Rick has experience at every level of government, from local to federal. Rick also understands the nonprofit charitable giving industry, having served as the CEO of United Way of Frederick County during a challenging economic period (the national recession from ’08-2010).

Rick resides in Brunswick with Amy, his wife of 47 years. Rick has three grown children and six grandsons. Rick and Amy are active outdoors enthusiasts, and Rick’s many hobbies include teaching & watching youth baseball, Community Theater (over 23 local productions in MD, VA and WV) as well as reading and being a grandfather.