David Iannucci’s name has long been syonymous with Maryland’s economic development machinery. From his early days as Chief Legislative Officer to Governor William Donald Schaefer to his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development, Iannucci has been a fixture in the state’s public sector architecture. His recent move to the law firm of O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A. marks a pivot. one that invites scrutiny not just of his career arc, but of the firm itself.
O'Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore is no stranger to the corridors of power. With offices in Greenbelt and Annapolis, the firm has spent over five decades navigating the legal terrain of land use, zoning, and government relations. Their client list reads like a who’s who of Maryland’s development ecosystem, from Trammell Crow to the University of Maryland University College. It’s a firm that doesn’t just interpret the rules, it helps shape them.
So what does Iannucci bring to the table? Institutional memory, for starters. His résumé spans Baltimore County and Prince George’s County, two jurisdictions often seen as economic foils. He’s been a behind-the-scenes architect of job creation, federal relocation efforts (including the FBI’s proposed move to Greenbelt), and high-tech manufacturing initiatives. His appointment to the Maryland Economic Development Association Hall of Fame wasn’t ceremonial, it was earned.
But the masthead raises a question: is the “O’Malley” in the firm’s name former Governor Martin O’Malley? The short answer is no. The firm predates Martin O’Malley’s political rise and has no documented affiliation with him. Still, the coincidence is hard to ignore, especially given the firm’s proximity to Annapolis and Prince George’s County, both strategic hubs during O’Malley’s governorship.
In a state where political lineage and legal influence often intertwine, Iannucci’s move feels less like retirement and more like repositioning. His quote about navigating the “government real estate development labyrinth” isn’t just colorful—it’s telling. He’s not stepping away from the game; he’s changing jerseys.
For observers of Maryland’s development politics, this transition is worth watching. Iannucci may no longer be the public face of economic strategy, but he’s still in the room, this time, advising clients who want to build in it.