Amy Gowan

Amy Gowan serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), where she leads the organization’s efforts to foster economic growth and business development throughout Anne Arundel County. In this role, Amy oversees all aspects of AAEDC’s operations, including business attraction and retention, workforce development, financial lending, revitalization initiatives, and support for small businesses.

Amy brings more than two decades of experience in land use, housing, and community and economic development, having managed and led multidisciplinary teams across the public sector. Prior to joining AAEDC, she served as Director of Planning and Zoning for Howard County, as well as Deputy Director for approximately eight years. In these leadership roles, she oversaw department operations and initiatives spanning development review, commercial center redevelopment, long-range community planning, historic and agricultural preservation, and countywide zoning policy. Key accomplishments during her tenure include the development of a character-based Comprehensive Plan focused on sustainable redevelopment, an unprecedented community engagement initiative aimed at populations historically underrepresented in planning processes, the redevelopment of a blighted village center through an urban renewal effort, and the creation of a Citizen Planning Academy.

Earlier in her career, Amy worked for the City of San Diego, where she held multiple policy and land use leadership positions. She served as an advisor to the Mayor on major land use initiatives, including acting as project manager for a multi-million-dollar public-private partnership to construct San Diego’s iconic downtown library. As Assistant Deputy Director of Economic Development, she was responsible for implementing the city’s economic development programs, managing more than $15 million in Community Development Block Grant funding, and overseeing business assistance, commercial revitalization, and neighborhood development initiatives. Amy also served as a Policy Advisor for the San Diego Housing Commission and the City of San Diego, focusing on affordable housing and homelessness policy and programs.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Amy plays an active leadership role within the regional economic development ecosystem. She serves on boards and committees for organizations including the BWI Business Partnership, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, Fort Meade Alliance, Greater Baltimore Committee, Anne Arundel Transportation Commission, and the Chesapeake Regional Tech Council, helping to shape initiatives that drive workforce innovation, business growth, and regional competitiveness.

Amy holds a Master of Public Administration with a specialization in city planning from San Diego State University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Scranton.