Influential Marylanders: DAVID CORDISH President & Chairman, The Cordish Companies

While his latest efforts include his attempt to bring slots to Arundel Mills, the high-profile David Cordish needs little introduction in business circles - though his varied career has also included stints in the Carter and Reagan administrations as head of the Urban Development Action Grant Program.

The Cordish Companies is the only development company to receive six Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence and has partnered with dozens of clients to co-develop a variety of projects, bringing a unique niche to its public/private development ventures. It owns and manages more than 40 million square feet of commercial, hotel and residential property.

An Influential Marylander for the second time, Cordish has a BA and a Master’s in Liberal Arts from The Johns Hopkins University, and an LLB degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. As for the proposed casino at Arundel Mills, he sees great potential. “It presents one of the great development opportunities in the history of our company and will be a tourist attraction that draws new visitors to Maryland from a multi-state area,” says Cordish.