Welcome New Board Members!
We are thrilled to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors – Laura Iversen, Mark Kleinschmidt, and Jeanette Ortiz, Esq!
A local business owner with deep experience in nonprofit management and literacy education, Laura Iversen is the owner of Watermark Journey, Inc., a leader in the regional hospitality industry that offers private yacht charters, water taxi service, historical walking tours, ghost tours, and a variety of public cruise options and special events. Prior to this, Laura served as the Executive Director of Start the Adventure in Reading (STAIR), which provides one-on-one support to AACPS first and second-grade students striving to achieve grade-level reading. Her love of literacy education was developed when she worked as a consultant for Scholastic Book Fairs, and then later in community development with Barnes & Noble, Inc.
A deep commitment to the community, Laura also serves on the Maryland Tourism Coalition’s Legislative Committee, and the Long-Range Planning Committee at Historic Annapolis.
Mark Kleinschmidt currently serves as the President and CEO of the Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce, which he joined in July of 2018. Prior to this, he served as the President and CEO of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce for twelve years and was responsible for the management of a business trade organization with more than 1,200 members. He led the Chamber in providing a wide range of business counseling and marketing programs for its members while maintaining a very active role in economic development projects and government relations.
Mark has run his own consulting company, co-founded an internet start-up, and has served as an adjunct professor.
When not working, Mark enjoys playing golf, riding mountain bikes, visiting historic homes (Monticello is my favorite), following baseball and attending games. To learn more about Mark, click here.
Jeanette Ortiz, Esq. is the Deputy Director for Maryland Government Affairs for Johns Hopkins University & Medicine. For nearly 20 years, her legal career has centered on legislative and policy work as well as regulatory, budgetary and procurement matters. Her professional experience includes leadership positions in both the executive and legislative branches of Maryland State government. Ms. Ortiz has collaborated with diverse stakeholders, drafted legislation and regulations, provided legal advice on complex matters, staffed legislative committees and developed statewide policy in numerous areas of law, including K-12 public education, higher education, and economic development. Jeanette previously worked as Legislative Counsel to the Maryland General Assembly, Policy Director for then Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, and Legislative and Policy Counsel for Anne Arundel County Public Schools.
Jeanette received her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from The George Washington University. To learn more about Jeanette, click here.
