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 krista@ridgerunnerpublishing.com.
CHARITY CORNER: Dataprise Donations
Employees of Rockville-based Dataprise recently donated more than 400 desktop and laptop computers, 70 flat screens, 50 printers and multiple keyboards, mice, speakers, switches and routers to Project Reboot, a Washington, D.C., computer recycling program. Employees also provide manpower and expertise to assist Project Reboot volunteers. The donated equipment, which comes from Dataprise clients, aids needy families, senior centers, religious organizations and other local charities in the community. The partnership is part of a philanthropic program Dataprise employees created last year called Dataprise Gives Back. A donation to Project Reboot supports green initiatives by reducing the amount of computer equipment tossed into local landfills. Visit www.dataprise.com for more information about the company.
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CHARITY CORNER: Scholarships for Students
The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce provided scholarship support to four Montgomery College students. Chamber members MAR, Incorporated, The Gazette and Hughes Network Systems, LLC together provided three, one-year scholarships and one gap funding scholarship for a prior recipient to assist with costs for finishing his or her education at Montgomery College. The four recipients included: Zulaqarnain Jamal, a nuclear engineering major who will finish his studies at Montgomery College at the end of this semester; Syed Elahi, a mechanical engineering major who wants to focus on low-cost telecommunication solutions; Vy Nguyen, an electrical engineering major; and Mohammad Alhassen, a chemical engineering major interested in research and development with a focus on chemical kinetics.
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CHARITY CORNER: Feline Funding
Recently, Kristy Seal delivered 50 bundles of catnip toys to the Humane Society of
Washington County (HSWC). She has been making the toys for HSWC for more than a year and raises the catnip in addition to sewing it into baby booties or small bags. Anyone interested in helping Kristy’s catnip toy project is encouraged to donate baby booties and crafting feathers. Donations can be brought to the shelter.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce Names Board of Directors
The following people were installed to the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce 2011 Board of Directors on Dec. 9: Chairman Doug Wrenn of Rodgers Consulting, Inc.; Chairman Elect Chris Zindash of Crowne Plaza Rockville; Treasurer Sam McNamee of Signs of Progress; Vice Chair of Member Services Ron Dimaranan of Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union; Vice Chair of Legislative Affairs David Edgerley of HarVest Bank of Maryland; Vice Chair of Member Programs Colette Releford of Strive Business Solutions, LLC; and Vice Chair of Economic Development Scott Wallace of Linowes and Blocher, LLP. The following were appointed as directors: Anita Anderson of BlackRock Center for the Arts; Henry Bernstein of Scheer Partners; John Compton of GeneDx; Howard Covin of Johns Hopkins University; Robert Cowdrey of Capital Bank, N.A.; Robert Czura of M&T Bank; Allen DeLeon of DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors; David Denton of Asbury Methodist Village; Chris Heald of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.; Robert Hydorn of Fitzgerald Auto Mall; Trina LaPier of The Gazette; Ray McKenzie of Law Office of Raymond T. McKenzie, Esq.; James G. Muir of Hughes Network Systems; Sanjay Rai of Montgomery College; Randy Scritchfield of Montgomery Financial Group; Jerry Therrien of Therrien Waddell, Inc.; and Tony Tomasello of City of Gaithersburg.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: Smith Elliott Kearns & Company Welcomes New Employees
The members of Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants are pleased to announce the addition of several staff members. The following people have joined the firm: Tax Staff Accountant Iuliana Smith; Tax Staff Accountant John Pyne; Tax Staff Accountant Angela Quigley; Audit Staff Accountant Mark Sloan; Audit Staff Accountant Amy Brousse; Audit Staff Accountant Elyse Frey; IT Technician Greg Kendall; and Support Accountant Pam Welty.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: Middour Joins Orrstown Bank
Jessica Middour has joined Orrstown Bank as business banking officer for the Hagerstown market. With 14 years of banking experience in the Waynesboro, Pa., and Hagerstown markets, Jessica is licensed to sell life insurance in both Pennsylvania and Maryland.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: Poffenberger Returns to Chamber of Commerce
The Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce announced the return of Brien Poffenberger as the Chamber president. Poffenberger is returning to the position, which he has held for six years, after an unpaid leave of absence during which he ran for public office. As president, Poffenberger leads a staff of five employees in running the organization and driving the Chamber’s mission to help its member businesses. Poffenberger resumed his duties at the Chamber on Nov. 22.
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MANAGEMENT: Profiting from Print
Sam Wright and Julia Wright of Tri-State Printing in Hagerstown received the top management award from CPrint International during its semi-annual board meeting in Jacksonville, Fla. Every six months, CPrint selects the printer who has demonstrated the most significant, positive changes in its company. CPrint President Todd Nuckols says Tri-State Printing is among an elite group of companies whose growth and profitability are improving in the face of increasing competition.
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MONEY: Hoxton Investments Yield Rewards
Hoxton Financial, Inc. was named a 2010 Top Wealth Manager in the annual Top Wealth Managers survey for the seventh consecutive year. President and CEO Rob Hoxton was elected to the Financial Planning Association Board of Directors for 2011. Rob is the author of the e-book, “Investing in Uncertain Times,” and “Grow Greener, 10 Steps to a Richer Life.” In addition, he has recently become a speaker at local CPA firms.
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MONEY: Rachor Earns Recognitions
Randy A. Rachor, CPA, CFP, of Albright Crumbacker Moul & Itell, LLC, CPA's (ACM&I) was recently recognized as an equity partner and a member of the strategic management team of the firm. Mr. Rachor has been with the company since October 2002.
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