Stephen McHenry has served as MARBIDCO’s Executive Director since December 2006. The majority of his career has been devoted in one way or another to serving the rural citizens of Maryland. He previously served as Executive Director of the Rural Maryland Council and Director of Government Affairs for the Maryland Municipal League.

As MARBIDCO’s Executive Director, Steve has overall management responsibility for the staff, budget, and day-to-day operations.

Steve supports MARBIDCO’s Board of Directors, providing strategic visioning and implementation of policy while reporting on the performance of the organization. He develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, such as federal and State agencies, commercial banking institutions, farm and rural industry groups, agricultural land preservation organizations, and regional and local economic development agencies.

Steve also develops relationships with other providers of capital and credit, advises rural business owners on financing options, and ensures that MARBIDCO’s financing programs are meeting established credit underwriting and programmatic objectives.

Steve is a founding member and past chair of the Microenterprise Council of Maryland and Partners of Rural America. He serves on the boards of LEAD Maryland Foundation, the Maryland Forests Association, and the Keystone (Cooperative) Development Center. He also served for six years on the administrative council of the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NESARE). Steve has also served in the past as chair of the Maryland Working Waterfront Commission and as a member of the Governor's Intergovernmental Commission for Agriculture.

Earlier in his career, Steve served on the Maryland Rural Broadband Coordination Board and as chair for both the Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund Board (RMC). He also served on the advisory boards of the Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center (UME), the Institute for Governmental Services (UMCP), and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development.

Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science (political science) from St. Mary's College of Maryland and a Master of General Administration degree from the University of Maryland's Graduate School of Management and Technology. He is a member of several trade and professional organizations, including the Maryland Farm Bureau and the Maryland Economic Development Association. Steve graduated with the 2000 Class of LEAD Maryland and the 2002 Class of Leadership Maryland.

A lifelong Maryland resident, Steve and his wife reside in Anne Arundel County. They have three daughters.

Stacy Kubofcik served as MARBIDCO’s Senior Programs Manager, having joined MARBIDCO in March 2020. In June 2024 she was promoted to Assistant Director. She oversees a staff that administers MARBIDCO’s loan, grant, and land preservation programs. She also supports the Executive Director during the legislative session and outreach to MARBIDCO stakeholders.

She serves on Northeast SARE’s (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) Administrative Council. She has graduated from the LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program (Class XII) and the Commercial Ag Lending Course offered by Farm Credit University.

Before joining MARBIDCO, she spent over 20 years with the Maryland Department of Commerce, in its Office of Finance, and has extensive experience in economic development and program administration. While at Commerce, she served on the Maryland Young Farmer’s Advisory Board and the Aquaculture Coordinating Council.

She represented Commerce on MARBIDCO’s loan review committee for over four years, reviewing the underwriting of its core loans, assessing farm business plans and the associated credit risk to MARBIDCO, and making recommendations to approve or deny the loans.

Stacy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Bucknell University and her Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh and was the 1996 Recipient of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, American Institute of Certified Planners Award for the Outstanding Student in Urban and Regional Planning.

Stacy grew up in Bel Air, Maryland, attending the John Carroll School. She currently lives in Catonsville, with her husband and two daughters.

Allison Roe joined MARBIDCO in July 2016 and has served as a Financial Programs Associate, Financial Programs Specialist, and now Officer/Program Coordinator.

In her position, Allison provides program outreach and administers loan, grant, and land preservation programs. In addition, Allison assists with program development and currently coordinates the Next Gen Programs.

Before working for MARBIDCO, Allison worked for the University of Maryland Extension (UME) at the county and director levels.

Allison earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics, with a Field of Study in Agricultural Science, from the University of Maryland, College Park.

She also graduated from the LEAD Maryland Fellowship Program (Class XI), a UME Signature Program, and the Commercial Ag Lender Course, at Farm Credit University.

Allison is a lifelong resident of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she currently resides in Talbot County, Maryland.

Christina Wilkins joined MARBIDCO in June 2008 and has served as a Loan Processing Assistant, Bookkeeper, and Accounting Coordinator.

Tina is responsible for administering MARBIDCO’s bookkeeping, loan processing, database management, and other support functions, ensuring all office financial records are timely and accurate. She facilitates all financial audits and assists with various special projects. Tina’s prior experience streamlining office processes and procedures has enabled her to implement effective office and bookkeeping procedures for MARBIDCO.

Before joining MARBIDCO, Tina was the Officer Manager for Basil-Voges Insurance for over 10 years, where she expanded her role from general office management into bookkeeping.

Tina earned an Associate of Science Degree in Financial Accounting from Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland. A lifelong Maryland resident, Tina resides in Anne Arundel County with her husband and two children.

LeeAnn McCullough joined the MARBIDCO staff as our Accounting Assistant/Receptionist in 2017. In her position she assists with administering MARBIDCO’s bookkeeping, loan processing, database management, and other support functions, ensuring all office financial records are timely and accurate.

Born and raised in Anne Arundel County, LeeAnn comes to MARBIDCO after many years as the administrator of the Crofton Swim and Tennis Club.

Previously, LeeAnn worked in the insurance field in sales and customer service.

LeeAnn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from James Madison University. She resides in Crofton with her husband and two daughters.

Daniela Merkle joined MARBIDCO in May 2019 as a Loan Administration Specialist. In her position, Daniela helps to administer MARBIDCO loans, and assists loan officers with new loan closings as needed.

Her responsibilities include monitoring and servicing loans and grants; assisting with loan pre-closing activities and reviewing post-closing loan documentation.

Daniela has 14 years of financial and banking experience, and has worked as a Commercial Fulfillment Specialist.

She earned an associate degree in computer studies from the University of Maryland University College/European Division.

Daniela grew up in Sicily, Italy. As a passion, her father owned an orange orchard where he also grew many other types of fruits and vegetables. She currently lives in Gambrills, Maryland, with her husband and youngest child.

Jill Zarend joined MARBIDCO in January 2022 as the Communications Associate. She was promoted to Communications Specialist in June 2024. Her duties include maintaining the organization’s website, designing print and digital marketing materials, creating advertisements, media buying, event planning, creating e-newsletters, assisting with customer outreach, and handling special projects.

Jill attends more than 20 annual agricultural trade shows and events to promote MARBIDCO’S portfolio of financial opportunities for those in the food and fiber industries.

Before starting at MARBIDCO, Jill worked at the Maryland State Arts Council, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Baltimore Sun, and two commercial businesses.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a minor in Broadcasting from Towson University.

Jill grew up in Michigan and has resided in Colorado and Arizona but has lived in Maryland for several years. She resides in Anne Arundel County and has a grown daughter and granddaughter.

Sierra joined MARBIDCO in August 2022 as a Financial Programs Associate. In her position, Sierra manages a portfolio of existing accounts, evaluates loan and grant program requests, reviews applicant business plans and financial statements, performs credit underwriting analyses, facilitates loan settlements, interfaces with lending institutions and development agencies, prepares written reports of program activities, assist farm and seafood industry clients.

Before MARBIDCO, Sierra worked for 2.5 years as a Flock Advisor for Perdue Farms on the Delmarva peninsula.

Sierra earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal & Poultry Sciences, with a minor in Agribusiness Management, from Virginia Tech. Sierra was raised in southern Anne Arundel County where she actively participated in 4-H and FFA and grew her passion for agriculture.

Sierra also attends trade show events, undertakes special projects, and supports other staff projects.

Sierra graduated from Farm Credit University’s Commercial Ag Lender program in October 2023 and was a member of National FFA’s 2023 New Century Farmer program, where she attended a week-long seminar in Iowa. She currently is a proud fellow of LEAD MD Class XIII.

Sierra resides in Deale with her German Shepherd, Kane.

Brittany joined MARBIDCO in June 2023 as a Financial Programs Specialist. In her position, Brittany manages a portfolio of existing accounts, evaluates loan and grant program requests, reviews applicant business plans and financial statements, performs credit underwriting analyses, facilitates loan settlements, interfaces with lending institutions and development agencies, prepares written reports of program activities, and assists farm and seafood industry clients.

She came to MARBIDCO from Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, where she worked with farmers, producers, and consumers to promote and enhance the county's agricultural sector for 9 years.

Brittany earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Frostburg State University.

Brittany was raised in southern Anne Arundel County where she actively participated in 4-H. Brittany graduated from Farm Credit University’s Commercial Ag Lender program in June 2024. Brittany continues to support local agriculture by serving as a board member for the Anne Arundel County Farm Bureau and is secretary for the Anne Arundel County Young Farmers. She is a 4-H volunteer and is actively involved with the Anne Arundel County Fair.

Brittany resides in Harwood with her husband and daughters, where they grow pumpkins and raise turkeys.

Brian Cadden joined MARBIDCO in August 2023 and is currently serving as a Financial Programs Specialist. Brian provides financial and business development assistance to agricultural and resource-based businesses in Maryland and is the main point of contact for MARBIDCO’s Maryland Resource-Based Industry Financing Fund (MRBIFF) loan program which provides low-cost financing with the primary goal of assisting young and beginning farmers purchase their first farms.

His duties also include managing grant programs, evaluating loan and grant program requests, reviewing applicant business plans and financial statements, drafting legal documentation, performing credit underwriting, facilitating loan settlements, and interfacing with partner lending institutions and local development agencies. He is currently attending Farm Credit University’s Commercial Ag Lender program.

Before joining MARBIDCO, Brian worked for several years as a mortgage underwriter and credit risk analyst at Meridian Bank.

Brian earned dual major Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Economics and Political Science from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. While at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Brian also completed internship programs in the federal government as a congressional intern, and in the Maryland State government as both a Governor’s Summer Intern and a Legislative Intern in the General Assembly. For his work in the 2016 Maryland Governor’s Summer Internship program, he earned a Governor’s Citation.

Brian currently resides in Annapolis.