Karen Holt

Ms. Holt was appointed to the Board in December 2021. She is Deputy Director of the Harford County Office of Community & Economic Development, serving as point on business attraction efforts and providing oversight with Harford Transit LINK, the county’s transportation system. Holt is Harford County Government’s liaison to Aberdeen Proving Ground and more than 160 defense contracting companies. She coordinates regional initiatives of the Chesapeake Science & Security Corridor (CSSC) Consortium and monitors sustainability, installation, utility resiliency efforts, and funding opportunities. Additionally, Holt serves as the County’s technology liaison for advanced manufacturing, biomanufacturing, connected and autonomous vehicles, and cybersecurity.

Holt is currently Vice President of the Association of Defense Communities, a 300+ member national organization dedicated to advancing issues that build strong defense communities and strengthen the ability of service members to defend the nation. She is a member of the Army Alliance Board of Directors, chairs the Military Affairs Committee for the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, and serves as community outreach liaison with local chapter boards of the Association of United States Army (AUSA) and the Armed Forces Communication Electronics Association (AFCEA).

Her term expires in July 2024, after which she will be eligible for reappointment to a five-year term.