Our Partners
The Governors’ Institute is run by the Smart Growth Leadership Institute in partnership with the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Gerrit Knaap
Gerrit Knaap is the Director of the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education, University of Maryland, College Park. Gerrit is an economist and professor of Urban Studies and Planning. He is the author of more than 50 articles and five books on state and local land use planning and economics. His research interests include the economics and politics of land use planning, the efficacy of economic development instruments, and impacts of environmental policy.
John W. Frece
John W. Frece is the Associate Director of the National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education at the University of Maryland, College Park. In this capacity, he is also the Center’s point person for the Governors’ Institute on Community Design. Previously he served as an advisor and chief spokesman for the Maryland Smart Growth initiative during Governor Glendening’s administration. Before joining Governor Glendening’s administration, he was Maryland State House bureau chief for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years and a reporter with United Press International for six years.