EASTON, MARYLAND — Talbot County has named Stephanie Mervine director of Economic Development and Tourism. A county press release dated Aug. 31, 2026 — mirrored on TalbotWorks — says the Eastern Shore native began the role that day.

Who she is on the official sheet. The county describes Mervine as an economic-development professional whose career covers regional economic development, business retention and expansion, tourism, destination marketing, and community development in Maryland, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. She is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute, an IEDC-accredited program. Most recently she led BRE work for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma across multiple counties and supported projects generating local investment. Earlier stops include economic-development leadership in New Mexico, Wicomico County Tourism on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, hotel and project management in New York City and Los Angeles, and managing Roswell, New Mexico’s UFO Festival plus destination-branding work. The release says she was born and raised in the Ocean City–Berlin area and has family ties to Talbot County.

What the job is. As director, Mervine will lead county economic-development and tourism initiatives including business retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, workforce development, investment, and efforts to strengthen the visitor economy. The newly adopted Economic Development and Tourism Strategic Plan will serve as a guiding principle, per the county and TalbotWorks pages.

On the record. Council President Chuck Callahan said: “We are pleased to welcome Stephanie back to the Eastern Shore and look forward to the leadership she will bring to Talbot County.” Councilmember Keasha Haythe, CEcD, said: “Stephanie brings the combination of economic development experience, tourism knowledge, and understanding of the Eastern Shore that Talbot County was looking for in our next director.” County Manager Clay Stamp said: “Stephanie’s energy, experience, and love for the Eastern Shore position her well to build on the successes of Cassandra M. Vanhooser and her team to strengthen Talbot County’s economic vitality.” “Coming home to Maryland to serve on the Eastern Shore is the final chapter I’ve hoped for,” Mervine said. “This is where my heart is rooted.” “Talbot County’s identity, heritage, and sense of place are extraordinary,” she said, “and I’m honored to help protect what makes this community special while advancing its economic vitality.”

Department path for businesses and visitors: www.TalbotWorks.org. TalbotWorks lists the department office at 215 Bay Street, Suite 5, Easton.