CEDC adds Michele Martz and Skylar Dice to Board of Directors

The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is pleased to announce that Michele Martz and Skylar Dice will be joining the Board of Directors in July. Ms. Martz serves as the President of UPMC Western Maryland and Skylar Dice is the Vice President and General Manager of Rocky Gap Casino Resort.

“It is a wonderful honor to serve on the CEDC Board of Directors,” said Michele Martz. “UPMC Western Maryland is the largest employer in our region, and we realize that a successful economic development strategy is critical to improving the quality of life for our patients, employees, and the communities we serve.”

“I am thrilled and honored to join the Board of Directors for the CEDC,” said Skylar Dice. “I look forward to being  part of moving Cumberland and Western Maryland forward. I appreciate all of the hard work that this group has put in to making Western Maryland a great place to live and the focus on growing the infrastructure for the economy here to thrive. I am excited to collaborate with this team and to continue to find innovative ways to invest in the prosperity of this community.”

“We are pleased to have both Michele and Skylar joining our dynamic board of local business leaders,” said Cumberland Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Matt Miller. “Their strong backgrounds in strategic planning, economic development, and job creation will bring an exciting energy to our Board.” 

Michele Martz has been a part of the Maryland healthcare delivery system since 1989, when she began her career in finance at Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Cumberland. Michele was named Vice President, Financial Services of the Western Maryland Health System in 2002. She moved into operations in 2012, serving as Vice President of Physician Enterprise. Her responsibilities included executive oversight of the employed physician clinic and practice network, with a focus on strategic planning, practice development, and operational results, as well as physician recruitment and contracting strategies in an underserved area. In January of 2020, Michele was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and was named President of UPMC Western Maryland in January of 2021.

Michele has 31 years of healthcare experience and began her career in public accounting at Deloitte LLP in Pittsburgh, PA. She holds both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Accounting from West Virginia University. Michele is a Certified Public Accountant and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. She has completed training in both the ACHE Senior Executive Program, as well as the Baldrige Fellows Program.

Michele is an active member of her community, serving on a wide variety of community organizations, including Treasurer of the County United Way and the Board of Directors at Allegany College of Maryland.

Skylar Dice, Vice President and General Manager of Rocky Gap Casino Resort, located in Flintstone, Maryland is responsible for the overall management of the AAA 4 Diamond resort, casino and Maryland’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, nestled in the scenic mountains of Western Maryland.

Dice has been with Rocky Gap Casino Resort since February of 2013 and previously served as Director of Gaming Operations with Rocky Gap Casino, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the slot and table game departments, as well as focusing on optimizing gaming revenue –all while maintaining a world-class guest experience at the resort. As an industry veteran of over 25 years  of gaming experience, his role includes key leadership positions in several state and Tribal gaming jurisdictions including Maryland, Pittsburgh, Sacramento and Detroit.

Skylar serves locally as Treasurer on the Board of Directors at Friends Aware and the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Dice also sits on the Local Development Committee, which helps establish the guidelines for how and where the local tax from the casino VLT’s are appropriated.  Dice also oversees the Rocky Gap I-Care initiative, which creates unique ways to help out the loyal team members of Rocky Gap, as well as the philanthropic outreach of the casino resort into the local community.

Skylar and his wife, Jennifer, have four children, Alijah, Kenedie, Addison and Alexandria and are both very passionate supporters of the local community with involvement in youth sports and the education community within Allegany County.  In addition to spending time with his family, Dice’s passions include reading, biking, playing golf, coaching youth basketball and taking part in various outdoor activities.