GHC Staff
James F. Kercheval
Executive Director
Bio:
James F. Kercheval (Jim) has been serving as the Executive Director of The Greater Hagerstown Committee (GHC) since 2010. GHC is a 501c(3) corporate body funded solely by member dues that brings stakeholders and community leaders together to discuss broad issues of importance in the region. For over 30 years GHC has used private-sector leadership and member resources to be a catalyst for growth and progress in our community. GHC’s initiatives have centered around improving workforce readiness and educational achievement, revitalizing our city and town centers, building and maintaining robust community infrastructure, and creating catalytic collaborations within our community to improve our quality of life.
Jim graduated from Smithsburg High School, attended Hagerstown Community College, and received a B.A. degree in Mathematics/Computer Science from Shippensburg University. He has 18 years of experience as an entrepreneur and small business owner in the retail hospitality industry and has served the last 15 years in the public sector.
Before coming to GHC, Jim served two terms as a Washington County Commissioner from 2002-2010, focusing his energy on various educational, planning, transportation, and economic development initiatives. As Commissioner, Jim served in a leadership capacity on: Washington Co. Planning Commission, Hagerstown Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization, Tri County Council, Local Management Board, Economic Development Commission, Maryland Association of Counties, I-81 Corridor Coalition, Black Rock Golf Board, Western Maryland Consortium Board, and was a Governor’s appointee to the 2008 MD Business Tax Reform Commission.
Jim has been active in the community throughout his life serving on numerous boards and commissions and in various local organizations including: USMH Advisory Board, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Hagerstown Rotary Club, Hagerstown Jaycees, Augustoberfest Charitable Foundation, Federal Little League, Meritus Health Board, The Mental Health Center Board, and the Washington Co. Community Coalition. From 2015-2018 Jim served as the interim Executive Director for OnTrack Washington County – an initiative founded by GHC that brings together a coalition of 39 partner organizations committed to raising educational attainment levels and workforce skills in Washington County. Jim has been recognized for his distinguished service from a variety of different community organizations including the Washington County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Businessman of the Year award and the Maryland Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Marylander award. Jim is also a graduate of Leadership Maryland – Class of 2015.
Jim was born and raised in Washington County, MD and enjoys giving back to the community that has supported him and his family for over 5 decades. He is married to his wife of 24 years, Clair, and they are the proud parents of three sons.
Erin Griemsmann
Executive Assistant
Bio:
Erin Griemsmann began working as the Assistant Executive Director of The Greater Hagerstown Committee in November of 2021. Erin has a passion for working with people and attention to detail and is a quick learner. She will be a positive addition to GHC, and we look forward to having her on our team for the coming year. Before coming to GHC, Erin worked for 6+ years with Citi Group in their Customer Service and Fraud Early Warning departments and recently worked downtown at The Plum restaurant. She received her A.A. Degree from HCC and continues to attend classes at FSU here at Hagerstown’s USMH campus with the intent to receive her bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in human resources. Erin was born and raised in Hagerstown, MD and graduated from North Hagerstown High School. Family time is a big priority in Erin’s life as the mother of a young boy scout.