Maria Whitfield

For the past two years, Maria Whitfield has been the Director of Workforce for the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority(Savannah JDA). In 2025, she transitioned to be a part of the RISE team as Director of Employer Engagement where she continues to be a vital part of the workforce strategy including working directly with companies to help them meet their workforce needs.

Before joining the Savannah JDA, Whitfield worked in surrounding counties for more than 20 years including Liberty, Glynn, Effingham, and Chatham counties and brings to the position experience in building workforces at several local startup international manufacturing companies.  She brings expertise in full life cycle recruitment, implementing strategic HR processes, HR systems, talent management, employee relations, and leadership and organizational development.

Whitfield most recently served as Director of Human Resources for Norma Precision Inc., a startup ammunition company. In her role, she was responsible in leading and creating all human resources functions. Whitfield also was the HR Leader and first employee for an international manufacturing startup, DRT America Inc. in Rincon which purchased Pinova, Inc. (formerly Hercules) in Brunswick where she was intimately involved in every aspect of the startup and integration of the companies including recruitment, onboarding, compensation, benefit planning, performance management and more.

Additionally, Whitfield worked in human resources for SNF Holding Company for 10 years. During her time, SNF grew from 200 to 2,000 employees where she filled multi-site corporate level positions in the U.S. and Canada including many technical roles.