Moore Names Welsh Chief of Staff, Davis to TEDCO
Businesses dealing with Maryland's governor's office and TEDCO should confirm their new points of contact.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has named Manny Welsh his chief of staff, replacing Lester Davis, who stepped down to become interim CEO of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation. Welsh is Moore's third chief of staff and previously served as chief of staff to former Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot.
Why it matters
Leadership changes in the governor's office shape how state agencies, contractors, and business-facing programs are prioritized and staffed. Davis's move to TEDCO also links the governor's office to the state's technology and startup development agency.
Lester Davis served just over one year as chief of staff before his move to TEDCO. Manny Welsh is the third person to hold the chief of staff role under Gov. Moore.
The players
Wes Moore
Governor of Maryland, whose administration oversees state agencies, procurement, and business-facing economic programs.
Manny Welsh
Maryland's new chief of staff and a senior adviser to Gov. Moore, previously liaison to the state spending board.
Lester Davis
Former Maryland chief of staff who became interim CEO of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation.
Maryland Technology Development Corporation
TEDCO, Maryland's state economic development agency that funds and supports technology companies and startups.
Peter Franchot
Former Maryland Comptroller, whose office oversees state tax administration and whose chief of staff role Welsh previously held.
The details
Welsh moves into the chief of staff role after serving as one of Moore's top advisers, a position that coordinates the governor's staff and agency relationships. Earlier in Moore's first term he served as liaison to the state spending board, a role that touches how state budget and procurement decisions reach vendors and contractors. Davis was appointed interim CEO of the Maryland Technology Development Corporation by TEDCO's board of directors, shifting a senior governor's office role into the agency that funds and supports technology companies in the state.
Timeline
Welsh served as liaison to the state spending board at the start of Moore's first term.
Davis began his service as chief of staff just over a year before his appointment to TEDCO.
Moore announced Welsh's appointment on November 5, 2026, days after winning reelection.
Market Landscape
Maryland's governor's office has turned over its chief of staff position three times under Moore, with Welsh's appointment following Davis's move to TEDCO. The shift places a former governor's office insider at the state's main technology development agency, linking executive staffing to state technology investment.
Maryland businesses that work with state agencies should expect the governor's office to be run by a new chief of staff, which can shift who they contact on procurement and program questions. Companies seeking TEDCO funding or support should note that the agency now has a former governor's office official as interim CEO.
The takeaway
Watch for a permanent TEDCO CEO appointment and any early policy signals from Welsh's office. Businesses dealing with the governor's office or TEDCO programs should confirm their points of contact after the leadership transition.
Further reading
For related coverage of executive appointments and leadership moves, see People in our Business section.
