Fran Burns is a retired sales professional and passionate advocate for agriculture and Thoroughbred aftercare based in Maryland. She is a graduate of Garrison Forest School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Fran spent 20 successful years in radio advertising sales with WFBR, WLIF, and WIYY, earning the Hearst Eagle Award during her tenure at WIYY. She later transitioned into dental sales with Dentsply, where she built a respected second career and was honored as a member of the President’s Club, recognizing her outstanding performance and leadership.

Deeply committed to Maryland’s agricultural heritage, Fran currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Maryland State Fair and Agricultural Society, Inc., continuing a proud family tradition—her great-grandfather also held the same position. Her leadership reflects a lifelong passion for agriculture and a dedication to promoting education, community involvement, and the future of farming across the state.

A tireless advocate for equine welfare, Fran is a long-time volunteer with MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, a Maryland-based nonprofit dedicated to rescue and aftercare for off-track thoroughbreds. Her unwavering commitment to thoroughbreds was recognized in 2022 with the Joe Kelly Unsung Hero Award, which honors individuals who selflessly support Thoroughbred racing and aftercare behind the scenes.

Fran is also the Head Tour Guide for Sunrise at Old Hilltop Tours at Pimlico Race Track in Baltimore. She redesigned the tours 15 years ago to give the public a “behind the scenes” tour of Maryland horse racing and Historic Pimlico Race Track. With a staff of 14 tour guides, the tours enjoyed their largest attendance this past year, the 150th Preakness, with over 2500 guests. Tours ran Tuesday through Friday of Preakness Week from 6am until 9am and were free.

Fran owns and runs a small boarding operation at her farm, Boxwood Farm, in Monkton, Md.

Connect with Fran and David on LinkedIn

David Nevins is president & CEO of Nevins & Associates, a highly regarded strategic communications company and proactive public relations partner. The firm’s regional and national client base is a unique mix of organizations across a variety of industries including: healthcare, professional service firms, finance, not-for-profits, distributors, state agencies, national media companies, technology, political and grassroots campaigns, real estate development, sporting events, and more.

With more than 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and community and government relations, David is a talented and seasoned executive. Prior to founding Nevins & Associates in 1983, David served as the Director of Marketing for both Towson University and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. In 2001, he was tapped by the CEO of Comcast to employ his marketing expertise as President of the company’s regional sports network, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. David is a Past President of the Board of Governors for the Center Club and is a former Chairman of the Board of Regents for the University System of Maryland, a position to which he was appointed by the Governor of Maryland. David has chaired the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission and the Maryland Higher Education Loan Corporation, served as President of both the Jewish National Fund and the Towson Business Association and was a member of the PNC Bank board.

David is highly involved in the business, civic, and political communities, and his many years of active leadership in numerous organizations have built a network of contacts that he regularly puts to use for the firm’s clients. For more information, visit www.nevinspr.com.

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