GHC Staff

James F. Kercheval

Executive Director

Bio:

James F. Kercheval (Jim) has served as Executive Director of the Greater Hagerstown Committee (GHC) since 2010. GHC is a member-funded 501(c)(3) organization that convenes private-sector leaders and community stakeholders to address issues of regional significance. For more than 30 years, GHC has leveraged private-sector leadership and member resources to serve as a catalyst for growth and progress in Washington County and the surrounding region. Under Jim’s leadership, GHC initiatives have focused on improving workforce readiness and educational attainment, revitalizing city and town centers, strengthening community infrastructure, and fostering catalytic collaborations that enhance overall quality of life.

A Washington County native, Jim graduated from Smithsburg High School, attended Hagerstown Community College, and earned a B.A. in Mathematics and Computer Science from Shippensburg University. He brings a diverse professional background, including 18 years as an entrepreneur and small business owner in the retail and hospitality industries, followed by 15 years of public-sector service.

Prior to joining GHC, Jim served two terms as a Washington County Commissioner (2002–2010), where he concentrated on education, planning, transportation, and economic development. During his tenure, he held leadership roles on numerous local and regional boards and commissions, including the Washington County Planning Commission, Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization, Tri-County Council, Local Management Board, Economic Development Commission, Maryland Association of Counties, and the I-81 Corridor Coalition. He also served as a gubernatorial appointee to the 2008 Maryland Business Tax Reform Commission and 2023 Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs (TRAIN) Commission.

Jim has a longstanding record of civic involvement and community leadership, having served on boards and organizations such as the Meritus Medical Center Board, University System of Maryland at Hagerstown Advisory Board, Washington County Chamber of Commerce, Hagerstown Rotary Club, The Mental Health Center Board, Hagerstown Jaycees, Augustoberfest Charitable Foundation, Federal Little League, and the Washington County Community Coalition. From 2015 to 2018, he served as Interim Executive Director of OnTrack Washington County, a GHC-founded initiative that aligned education and workforce partners from cradle to career to improve educational attainment and workforce outcomes.

Jim’s contributions have been recognized by multiple organizations, including the Washington County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Businessman of the Year Award, Chamber Economic Partner Award, Rotary Outstanding Service Award. and the Maryland Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Marylander Award. He is also a graduate of Leadership Maryland, Class of 2015.

Born and raised in Washington County, Jim remains deeply committed to the community that has supported him and his family for more than six decades. He is married to his wife of 30 years, Clair, and they are the proud parents of three sons.

Erin Griemsmann

Executive Assistant

Bio:

Erin joined The Greater Hagerstown Committee as Assistant Executive Director in November 2021. With a strong background in customer service and a sharp eye for detail, Erin brings a people-first approach and a dedication to organizational excellence. Prior to GHC, she spent over six years with Citi Group in their Customer Service and Fraud Early Warning departments and most recently worked at The Plum restaurant in downtown Hagerstown.

A proud Hagerstown native, Erin graduated from North Hagerstown High School and earned her A.A. degree from Hagerstown Community College. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources through Frostburg State University at the USMH campus. Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending quality time with her family and supporting her son in his Boy Scout adventures.