Tom Riford

Mr. Riford is the former Assistant Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce Division of Tourism, Film, and the Arts. Previously, he was the executive director of the Thomas Kennedy Center Inc., which is dedicated to celebrating the life and legacy of Washington County’s famed state legislator Thomas Kennedy. He served for more than a decade as the president and CEO of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he was successful in significantly driving up visitor spending and visitation and is the former vice president of Homewood Retirement Centers. He also served as marketing director for several years with the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission.

Active in the Western Maryland community, Mr. Riford serves on numerous boards. Mr. Riford is an award-winning public relations and marketing professional, as well as a reporter and anchor, and has reported the news for decades in Hagerstown on WJEJ and other radio stations. He has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and is a decorated Marine Corps veteran.