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Briefcase

With the tremendous success and constant growth of Frederick and Washington County businesses, there is always something happening in our community. Smart Company Magazine highlights positive news and notes from the business community. Please browse our briefcase for the latest updates.

If you would like to submit a press release for briefcase, please email Larissa@ridgerunnerpublishing.com.

HUMAN RESOURCES: AnySoldier.com Honors GFAF
To date, the Greater Frederick Advertising Federation has sent over 90 care packages to servicemen and women overseas through the organization AnySoldier.com. Lisa Gorham, GFAF public service committee chair, has received letters of gratitude from many recipients. Recently, she and the members of the GFAF were honored to receive a United States flag flown over an American compound in Sharana, Afghanistan, from SFC Bruce A. Lyon, whose unit received multiple packages from the GFAF. “Sending these care packages is a way for us to show our gratitude to our troops,” Gorham says. “I never expected for them to show theirs with something so meaningful.”
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Baltimore Pride
High Rock Studios produced a regional marketing video for the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore. “Promoting Greatness” highlights Baltimore’s industries and the city’s unique characteristics. Shot in high definition with time-lapse photography and two cameras for multiple angles, the seven-and-a-half minute video highlights major developments and economic expansions throughout the region. “As the producer of this video, High Rock Studios is proud to contribute to the Economic Alliance’s efforts to promote the greatness of the region,” says Dave Schleigh, co-founder and creative director of High Rock Studios.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: CVB Earns State Award
The Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau received the Maryland Governor’s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Award in honor of the CVB’s promotion of the 150th anniversary of the John Brown Raid in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. “I was very pleased to accept the award at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit from the governor,” says CVB President Tom Riford. “I accepted the award on behalf of the entire multi-state and multi-county committee.”
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: RZFB for Biz
Through March 17, the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission will accept proposals from businesses interested in utilizing Washington County’s Recovery Zone Facility Bond (RZFB) allocation for private development projects. RZFB is a tax-exempt private financing program authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provides an incentive for projects/growth in areas experiencing economic and fiscal distress. Washington County was allocated approximately $14 million of ARRA funds for the program, and projects valued at $3 million or greater will be considered. Projects must be located within Washington County’s Priority Funding Area, which includes incorporated municipalities and surrounding areas. To apply or learn more, contact EDC Executive Director Timothy R. Troxell at 240-313-2280 or ttroxell@hagerstownedc.org.
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TECHNOLOGY: Connecting IT
The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick Innovative Technology Center and the Frederick County Office of Economic Development collaborated to create techfrederick.org. The goals are to provide a network infrastructure connecting Frederick IT firms to each other, facilitating collaboration and partnerships between local technology firms; to highlight business support resources in the community; and to share cutting-edge information that keeps these IT companies competitive.
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Growth Point Consulting Launched
Wally Olson launched Thurmont-based Growth Point Consulting to provide a full range of team building, staff development, executive coaching and business planning services. Olson earned his Enneagram Teachers Certificate in 2006, and has taught this personality identification system to hundreds of clients and small groups. Most recently, Olson worked with Transform, Inc. and is the past president of the Carroll Creek Rotary Club.
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ENTREPRENEURS: New President for Sodexo
Sodexo, Inc., announced the appointment of Calvin Johnson as president of the hospitals division, effective Jan. 1. Johnson, who served as division vice president for hospitals in the western region, succeeds Dick Desrochers, who has accepted a new senior leadership position within the company.
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SMALL BUSINESS: The King’s Return
King’s Men’s Wear — a staple of downtown Frederick since 1928 — has been revived, thanks to the efforts of Mark and Donna Gaver and their company, Gaver Holdings. “King’s Men’s Wear played an integral part in the downtown Frederick community for so many years,” says Mark. “We’re going to bring it back to that same level of distinction, with more of the clothing than Frederick men are used to –– more of what today’s fashion-forward men are looking for.” Ron Namendorf, proprietor of Paolo Vista Menswear — which took over King’s in 2004 — will remain operator and part-owner of the new King’s at 11 S. Market St.
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Savvy Advice from Career Divas
Norine Dagliano, owner of ekm Inspirations in Hagerstown, has joined with four career services professionals nationwide to form The Careers Divas. With more than 50 years of combined experience in resume writing and interview, job search and career coaching, The Career Divas can help job seekers and employed professionals save time and frustration by providing them with the right tools, information and resources to help them achieve their career goals. Listen to The Divas’ weekly radio broadcast at www.blogtalkradio.com, follow them on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn or visit www.thecareerdivas.com
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REAL ESTATE: Exclusively McShea
McShea & Company, Inc. has been named the Exclusive Property Management Agent for two properties totaling 94,400 square feet in Hagerstown — The Potomac Building at 122 N. Potomac St. and The Crystal Building at 1850 Dual Hwy. The company also was named the Exclusive Sales & Leasing Agent for 16045 Business Parkway in Hagerstown
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TECHNOLOGY: Grant for Akonni
Akonni Biosystems in Frederick was awarded a $3.2 million phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the National Institutes of Health to help enable the company to produce tests to detect various forms of influenza. Akonni has partnered with Columbia University and the CDC for the project.
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EDUCATION: National Recognition for WCPS Superintendent
Dr. Elizabeth M. Morgan, superintendent of Washington County Public Schools, was named one of four finalists — chosen from 49 superintendents nationwide — in the 2010 National Superintendent of the Year program. “Dr. Morgan’s recognition as a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year is certainly an outstanding professional accomplishment,” says Wayne Ridenour, president of the Washington County Board of Education. “This recognition also is an honor for the entire school system, which has evolved into one of the best school systems in the state during her tenure.” Dr. Morgan was named the Maryland Superintendent of the Year in October after being selected by a panel of her peers.
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MONEY: Orrstown Promotes
Shippensburg, Pa.-based Orrstown Bank has promoted the following employees: Bridget Burnhisel to Management Reporting Officer; Wendy Stewart to Financial Reporting Officer; Stephanie Peffer to Investment Officer; and Holly Mitchell to Compensation & Benefits Officer. With more than $1 billion in assets, Orrstown Financial Services, Inc. and its subsidiary, Orrstown Bank, provide a full range of consumer and business financial services through 21 banking offices and two remote service facilities located in Cumberland, Franklin and Perry Counties, Pa., and Washington County, Md.
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ENTREPRENEURS: Pro Framer
Mike Campbell of Studio 11 Photography & Framing in Frederick has earned the Certified Picture Framer designation from the Professional Picture Framers Association. This designation was granted after Campbell met rigorous qualifications, including successful completion of a 150-question examination.
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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE: Museum Makes History
The National Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick released its latest television work in cooperation with the History Channel and Halfyard Productions. The museum’s Executive Director, George Wunderlich, is a featured historian on four segments of “The Real Cowboys” series. Museum employees have been involved in various projects for the BBC, CBC (Canada), National Geographic, PBS and the History Channel.
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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE: Campaign Nears Goal
Despite the current economic conditions, The Weinberg Center for the Arts is making significant headway on its $1 million Capital Campaign to make restorations to the historic theater. To date, pledges and contributions total more than $900,000 — including a new $10,000 donation from Tom Lynch and Karlys Kline. Their gift will be honored with a gold star on the “Weinberg Walk of Fame,” a commemorative walkway outside the main entrance that recognizes donors. The Ausherman Family Foundation will match donated funds through December 2010.
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MARKETING & SALES: Forging an ID
IDmakers, a full-service video production company in Frederick, migrated to Florida in January to produce a testimonial marketing video for Hotel Indigo in Sarasota. Salyer and Rhonda McLaughlin, owners of IDmakers, and their daughter starred in the video. While shooting the Hotel Indigo video, the couple also shot scenes for a testimonial for Frederick-based firm CaerVision. The video was shown to an audience of 25,000 at a Nutrametrix conference in North Carolina.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: 3 Roads Trains CDC
Federal health officials have turned to Frederick-based 3 Roads Communications for advice and training in dealing with media relations regarding the H1N1 pandemic and vaccine shortages. In its latest collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, 3 Roads has been working with CDC officials “to make these experts comfortable and confident in an interview situation, so that in the limited amount of time that’s provided ... they are able to get across the most salient points to their audience,” says Owner Russ Hodge.
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TECHNOLOGY: Widearea Appoints Wynne
Widearea Systems recently announced the appointment of Michael W. Wynne, former Secretary of the Air Force, to its advisory board. Wynne is a proponent of the Cyber Domain and was responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. He served in the Air Force for seven years and spent more than 25 years in the private sector, including time in small technology companies. “Having someone like Mr. Wynne on our advisory board is a great advantage,” says Widearea CEO Choon Shim. “He will provide a vast insight into technologies to be developed.”
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MANAGEMENT: Schnitzer Manages SEK
Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, an accounting and consulting firm with offices in Hagerstown and Hanover, Carlisle and Chambersburg, Pa., announced that John R. Schnitzer, CPA, has been elected to serve as the firm’s next Managing Member. Schnitzer joined the company in 1986 after graduating from Shippensburg University, assumed the management of the firm’s Hanover practice office in 1991, and was admitted to the partnership in 1997.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: Campaign Nuts and Bolts
In January, a coalition of seven community organizations — including Women at the Table — sponsored a Prospective Candidate Forum encouraging Washington County residents to participate in the 2010 county and state elections. The event covered topics like the Legal Aspects of Campaigns, Being an Effective Candidate, and Running an Effective Campaign. Attendees learned the ins and outs of campaigning from knowledgeable speakers including Maryland State Delegate Richard Weldon, former County Commissioner Linda Irvin Craig, and many more.
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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE: Cutting Slackwater Some Slack
Supporting the preservation of Maryland’s natural and cultural resources, Gov. Martin O’Malley has approved $4.4 million in Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) funding for the National Park Service to reconstruct and stabilize the 3.5-mile historic wall and towpath of the Big Slackwater portion of the C&O Canal Towpath in Washington County. The trail currently reroutes hikers, bikers and nature enthusiasts around the Big Slackwater portion, which is closed due to damage sustained during Hurricane Agnes in 1976 and years of flooding and erosion — the only break in the otherwise intact 184.5-mile C&O Canal Towpath. “The C&O Canal National Historical Park is Maryland’s largest and most-visited national park, and through our partnership with the National Park Service, we will again make the C&O Canal towpath whole,” says Gov. O’Malley. “The O’Malley-Brown Administration remains dedicated to the ‘Smart, Green and Growing’ initiative and our obligation to preserve natural resources and ensure a legacy of conservation, so that future generations may enjoy our State’s bountiful ecological and cultural treasures.”
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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE: New Red at Linganore
Linganore Winecellars announces its first 2007 estate-bottled Red Skins Block D dry red dinner wine, which is produced in limited quantity from three premium grape varieties grown in Block D — the first vineyard established at the winery. This wine has had longer skin contact, which raised its natural tannin levels to produce a deep, rich, bright ruby colored wine.
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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE: Harris Joins MSO
Anna M. Harris has joined the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s administrative staff as Operations Manager and Education Coordinator. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Harris will be responsible for overseeing all rehearsal and performance schedules, venue rentals, musician’s contracts, guest artist travel and itineraries, production budgets and vendor contracts. She will also plan and coordinate all of the MSO’s extensive educational programs and activities.
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ENTREPRENEURS: Global Kudos for Fairchild Controls
The World Trade Center Institute has selected Fairchild Controls in Frederick as one of Maryland’s 14th annual International Leadership Award winners. The company’s “remarkable accomplishments and strong growth record make Fairchild Controls a terrific model for other Maryland firms on the global horizon,” says Eddie Resende, senior manager of Strategic Planning & Business Development for the World Trade Center Institute. Fairchild Controls will join representatives from Northrop Grumman, BD Diagnostics, the Maryland Department of Transportation, Ayers Saint Gross, Titan Steel and Emergent BioSolutions on the winners’ stage at the March 11 Business Leadership Awards ceremony in Baltimore.
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Knob Hall Goes Geothermal
Knob Hall Winery in Clear Spring recently was awarded a $32,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a geothermal project. “We were very glad to receive official notification that we won a grant from the USDA towards installing geothermal energy in the barn as we renovate it in to our tasting room and an event center,” says owner Richard Seibert. “With this grant, our winery is making a commitment to the environment, and for us to have a sustainable winery.”
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MONEY: PMDC Supports Emergency Services
The PenMar Development Corporation (PMDC) has announced seed donations to the Smithsburg Volunteer Fire Company ($50,000), Smithsburg EMS ($13,000) and Blue Ridge Summit Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad ($50,000). The PMDC Board of Directors approved the funds to help replace aging fire and emergency vehicles. “All three of these units serve the former Fort Ritchie Army base in Cascade, and we believe it is important to safeguard the buildings on the property, as well as some 200 people who live at Fort Ritchie,” says Dori Nipps, executive director of PMDC. “These amounts constitute approximately 10 percent of the funds needed to purchase new fire and chase vehicles. We hope that members of the affected communities will donate the remaining funds.”
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: A Greener Volvo
Volvo Powertrain’s D11 and D13, and Mack MP7 and MP8 series of engines have been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources as meeting upcoming EPA2010 diesel emissions standards, the most stringent in the world. Volvo is the first manufacturer to have its heavy-duty diesel engines certified for 2010 by both EPA and CARB. These engines have been fully certified to meet EPA’s strict standards without the use of emissions credits.
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CHARITY CORNER: Celebrating the Arts
The Frederick Arts Council recently held its 2009 Celebration of the Arts Dinner, an annual gathering of the prominent arts organizations in Frederick County. The evening featured dinner, entertainment, an auction and an awards ceremony, at which the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek was honored with the 2009 President Award.
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CHARITY CORNER: One for the Kids
Local photographer Christian Heurich is creating a coffee-table-style art book, Kids of the Mid-Atlantic, Portraits of a Generation, to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation Mid-Atlantic Inc. The book will feature original portraits of everyday kids, newborn through age 17. In place of his normal session fee, families pay a participation fee of $35 for one child or $50 for siblings. These fees and book sale proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish. Call 301-824-7066 or visit http://heurich.typepad.com/a_thousand_words/2009/09/kids-wanted.html.
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CHARITY CORNER: Wertheimer Fellows Named
The Community Foundation of Frederick County honored three outstanding individuals as Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism for their selfless contributions of time, energy and talents to the Frederick County community. Miriam Lane of Union Bridge, Eugene “Gene” Long of Thurmont and Frank Parsons of Frederick each received $10,000 to establish a new fund or add to an existing fund.
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CHARITY CORNER: New Officers for AFP
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Western Maryland Chapter announced the election of new officers serving one-year terms for 2010: Megan Kula, president; Michael Leiter, vice president; Elizabeth Day, treasurer; Elizabeth Galaida, secretary; and Mary Ellen Mitchell, immediate past president.
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CHARITY CORNER: Four-Legged Funds
Three endowment funds established by Alice Jean Stine of Knoxville with The Community Foundation of Frederick County provided $3,000 in grants to six area nonprofits: Fast Friends Greyhound Rescue, Inc.; Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program; HorseNet, Inc.; Community Living, Inc.; Brunswick Elementary School; and Frederick County Public Libraries Brunswick Branch. Call 301-695-7660 or www.cffredco.org.
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CHARITY CORNER: Local Media Supports Foundation
Members of the local media joined forces in helping The Community Foundation of Frederick County launch a six-month public awareness campaign that promotes the merits of local giving. The campaign, which includes newspaper, magazine, radio, television and transit advertising, examines the breadth of The Community Foundation’s philanthropic impact in Frederick County, educating the public of its ability to support one of the Foundation’s 600 active funds or to establish a fund that responds to a personal interest. Local media participating in the campaign, which is now in progress, consist of Comcast Cable, The Frederick Gazette, Frederick Magazine, KEY 103 Radio, and WFMD/WFRE Radio.
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