4th Annual Chesapeake Regional Workforce Summit & Career Fair

Overview
As Maryland advances its position as a global leader in technology and innovation, the 2026 Chesapeake Regional Workforce Summit & Career Fair convenes the ecosystem’s most influential voices. From academic leaders shaping tomorrow’s talent to entrepreneurs scaling high-growth ventures, this event is designed to bridge the gap between classroom, community, and commerce – and align strategy with opportunity.

Why Attend?

Strategic Insights: Learn how our workforce helps Maryland Department of Commerce (MDOC) and Regional Economic Development Organizations attract businesses.

Direct Connections: Engage with recruiters and talent at the Career Fair, running all afternoon.

Niche Expertise: Hear from CEO’s, HR Professionals, and the Startup Community during our Micro-sessions tailored to your specific role in the workforce pipeline.

3. The Schedule
   1:30 PM – 2:00 PM Keynote: Stephen Rice, Deputy Secretary, MDoC Maryland’s Competitive Advantage – Attracting and Retaining Workforce (CADE 219)

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Panel: Work-Based Learning (CADE 219)

Moderator: Shamara Bownes, Senior Director CTE, Goverors Workforce Development Board

Erin Roth, Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Labor

Tasha Cornish, Executive Director, Cybersecurity Association of Maryland

Tim O’Ferrall, General Mnager, Fort Meade Alliance

Carl Kushinsky, Apprenticeship Manager, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation

Bronwyn E. A. Bates, Workforce Program Manager, HCC

Tom Dickinson, AACPS Work Based Learning Career & Technical Education

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Networking (CALT)

3:30 PM – 3:50 PM Micro Session: HR/CEO Perspective – What Employers are Looking for in Candidates (CADE 219)

Moderator: Emily Chanell, Owner/Principle Tidewater HR Advisory

Carolina Seldes, CEO, ITNova

Conner Barnes, Director, Talent Management, Vision Technologies

4:00 PM – 4:20 PM Micro Session: Startup Community Workforce Needs (CADE 219)

Moderator: Chris Barber, Founder, CEO and Chief Nerd, Cheaper Than A Geek

Jason Michael Perry, Principle/Fractional Chief AI Officer, Perry Labs

Jesse Alton, CEO, Virgent AI, Inc.

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Career Fair (CALT Building)

Build with AI Workshops

Organized in Collaboration With:
This summit is a joint initiative bringing together the leaders of Maryland’s economic and workforce development ecosystem:

AACC: Anne Arundel Community College

AAEDC: Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation

AAWDC: Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation

MDOC: Maryland Department of Commerce

MTC-CRC: Maryland Tech Council’s Chesapeake Regional Chapter

Cybersecurity Association

Agenda

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Hosted By

Angelo Thalassinidis, GDG Organizer

Angelo Thalassinidis has over 25 years of experience in both education and tech industry. He has built academic programs in high-demand fields like business intelligence, artificial intelligence (AI), and information systems.
Angelo has led multimillion-dollar projects and corporate ventures in business intelligence, data warehousing and DSS with MCI Systemhouse, EDS, ATT GIS and formed various startups in Europe and the U.S.
He is a Board member in several organization and is dedicated to creating an ecosystem where tech enthusiasts, developers and entrepreneurs can connect, learn and innovate.
Angelo is also organizer of events like the StartathonAI (an intensive, multi-day hybrid event designed to immerse participants in the practical application of Large Language Models for real-world entrepreneurship), Chesapeake Innovation Summit, Chesapeake Workforce Summit, and DevFest Annapolis that offer opportunities to engage with the latest in AI, data analytics and emerging technologies.

Jesse Alton,

James Gibbons, Co-Organizer

Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-annapolis-presents-4th-annual-chesapeake-regional-workforce-summit-amp-career-fair/.