Secretary
Jerel is a seasoned finance leader who works to drive growth initiatives within privately backed companies in a variety of industries.
Jerel currently serves as Chief of Staff at the Maryland Department of Commerce, where he provides strategic leadership for the state’s principal economic development agency, directing key initiatives that foster business development and economic growth across Maryland. He was the former Managing Director of the Curio WMBE Fund, a private equity fund created to invest in diverse entrepreneurs in the retail cannabis market. Prior to Curio, Jerel spent most of his career in private equity and entrepreneurial endeavors, having begun his career at GE Commercial Finance and J.P. Morgan before working as a Business Value Accelerator for Sterling Partners. As an Accelerator, he supported the corporate development of Sterling’s portfolio companies, including Remedi SeniorCare and Ameritox. Jerel has significant experience working within regulated industries to identify opportunities for profitable growth, including insurance, banking, and healthcare services.
Jerel holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a BSBA in Finance from the University of Florida. He lives in Fulton, MD, just outside Washington, DC, with his wife and two children.
