Jay Blankenship is a champion of the local arts scene and a master of juggling creativity with leadership (sometimes literally, but he’s still working on his three-ball technique). With over two decades of experience, he’s all about sparking artistic growth and community magic in Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil Counties.

Jay’s professional superpowers include crafting strategies that make communities thrive and events shine. At Shepard Exposition Services, he’s the go-to guy for pulling off intricate events with style. Before that, he rocked the world of revenue innovation at MCI USA, shaking up traditional approaches and redefining success.

When he’s not building better communities, Jay reflects on his impactful work as the co-founder of a nonprofit that empowered young entrepreneurs, and he continues to serve on boards where creativity and collaboration take center stage. His love for live entertainment fuels his work with River Stone Theatre Company, where he raises funds and forges partnerships to keep the arts vibrant.

A proud Radford University alum (go Highlanders!), Jay earned his degree in media studies with a dash of advertising and graphic design flair. At home, he’s the head chef of family dinners, an explorer of fine wines, and the travel planner for his wife, two daughters, and three energetic dogs. For Jay, life is all about making art accessible, transformative, and, above all, fun!