CEDC Selects Stu Czapski to fill role as Economic Development Specialist

The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce the hiring of Stuart “Stu” Czapski as Economic Development Specialist.Stu previously served as the Executive Director of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, a position he held since 2010. “Stu brings a vast amount of experience to the organization and is well positioned to hit the ground running,” said CEDC Executive Director Matthew Miller. “Having lived in Cumberland for the last 24 years, with experience in small business advocacy, banking, and local manufacturing, he is the ideal candidate for this role and will be a tremendous asset to the CEDC.”A large part of the Economic Development Specialist position is overseeing the organization’s Business Retention and Expansion efforts. As Cumberland is currently experiencing a welcome influx of those who put a high value on “quality of life,” there has never been a more critical time to engage our business community and attract new businesses and remote workers. There is no one closer to or more willing and capable of growing our business community than Stu Czapski. Prior to his position with the Chamber, Stu worked for 25 years in the financial services industry including Branch Management, Cash Management, Investment Counseling and Business Banking. He received a BS in Business Management/Marketing from the University of Maryland and an MBA from Frostburg State University. Stu served four years on the Allegany County Chamber Board of Directors and is a Past Chairman. He is a 1999 graduate of Leadership Allegany! and is a Past Chairman and Treasurer for the program. Stu serves on the Allegany County Local Advisory Council for Career & Technical Education, the Western Maryland Workforce Development Board, the Allegany County Solid Waste Management Board, the Allegany County Health Planning Coalition, the Western Maryland Health System Community Advisory Board, and the First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union Supervisory Committee. He also serves on the Advisory Committee of United Way of Allegany County, the Canal Place Preservation & Development Authority, the Task Force for the Economic Future of Western MD and is a Past President of the Cumberland Rotary Club. Stu is also an adjunct instructor at Frostburg State University when needed. His past community involvement includes Head Varsity Girls Soccer Coach at Bishop Walsh High School, other youth athletic coaching positions and volunteer work with Junior Achievement, the City of Cumberland Economic Development Commission, Resource Building Workgroup Chair for Bridges to Opportunity, Cumberland Neighborhood Housing, Horizon Goodwill Industries, LaVale Athletic Association, LaVale Swim Club, Cumberland YMCA, The Cumberland Theatre, Lions Center for Rehabilitation and Extended Care and the Bishop Walsh Athletic Association. He is a member of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Cumberland Committee. Stu and his wife, Elizabeth McMullen, reside in Cumberland and have four children, Ann, Catherine, Maggie and Jack.