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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.

ENTREPRENEURS: Reaching the Summit
The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce honored the following winners of the 2010 Summit Awards — which recognize local businesses in a number of categories — in March: At Your Service Award - Smart Dog University; Entrepreneurial Award - Wood Street, Inc.; Innovation Award — BridgePath Scientific; Made in Frederick County Award — Café 611; Workforce Development Award — Frederick Air; and Partner in Business Award (nonprofits only) — Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI). Congratulations to these well-deserving winners!
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ENTREPRENEURS: Prez Runs for Office
Washington County Chamber of Commerce President Brien Poffenberger is taking an unpaid leave of absence in preparation to run for political office. The unpaid leave will continue through the November 2010 general election. Until November, the Chamber’s Board and staff will assume the executive’s role. Poffenberger has been with the Chamber since August 2004, working to build an effective advocacy organization.
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ENTREPRENEURS: Best in WC Biz
Congratulations to the winners of 11th annual Washington County Business Awards, including: Small Business — Palmyra Farm Cheese LLC; Business Person of the Year —Donald Hoffman; At Your Service — Leiters’ Fine Catering; Impact — Sierra Nevada Corp.; Non-Profit Impact — Community Free Clinic; and Going Green — Hub Labels, Inc.
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SMALL BUSINESS: Bring It To Fruition
Amy Benton and Jennifer Gerlock of Frederick have launched Bring It To Fruition, a business development firm offering services in event planning, social media marketing, public relations, traditional marketing, and sales and fund-raising training. Benton and Gerlock created the partnership to act as a resource for both the not-for-profit and small business market. Benton is a former publisher of The Gazette and senior vice president and market leader for Sandy Spring Bank. Gerlock has 15 years experience in public relations and marketing, as well as seven years in non-profit development. Visit www.bringittofruition.net.
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SMALL BUSINESS: Best of Show
Jean Peterson Design captured seven awards at the American Advertising Awards Competition held by the Greater Frederick Advertising Federation. Among their seven wins was the coveted Best of Show Award for the Frederick County Public Libraries newsletter. The largest and most representative competition in advertising, the American Advertising Awards honors creative excellence. "It’s a great honor to have our work recognized among top peers in the advertising industry," says Peterson. Founded in 1996, Jean Peterson Design is a Frederick-based design studio that has received numerous awards for their work, including 133 ADDYs. Visit www.jeanpetersondesign.com.
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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE: Winning Wines
Mount Airy-based Elk Run Vineyards received top honors for its wines at The World Wine Competition in 2009. The Beverage Tasting Institute announced that Elk Run’s 2007 Cold Friday Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon received a Gold Medal with a 90 point rating (Exceptional). It was named Best Maryland Red Wine. Elk Run’s 2008 Cold Friday Vineyard Chardonnay earned a Gold Medal was given a 89 point rating (Highly Recommended), and was named Best Maryland White Wine and a Best Buy. The winery’s 2007 Cold Friday Vineyard Cabernet Franc and 2007 Vin de Jus Glace Dessert Riesling both received Silver Medals and were rated Highly Recommended.
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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE: Nix Texting While Driving
New GPS-enabled software, called proTextor, was recently created to block incoming and outgoing text messages and phone calls while a vehicle is in motion. The software, controlled by an administrator, sends all phone calls directly to voice mail and logs text messages when the vehicle is traveling over a preset speed. “It’s a very simple precaution, but one that can save lives,” says Middletown resident John Tsinonis, who founded proTextor. Tsinonis has more than 15 years of IT experience, including design, implementation and evolution of Web-enabled solutions in a variety of public and government agencies. Visit www.protextor.com.
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MANAGEMENT: Clarion Hotel Top Franchise
The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center of Hagerstown was named as a recipient of a prestigious 2010 Gold Hospitality Award from world lodging leader Choice Hotels International, Inc., franchisor of the Clarion brand. As a top performing property among the company’s more than 4,800 U.S. franchised hotels, the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center is among the top 10 percent of properties within the Clarion Brand, ranking 9th overall.
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MANAGEMENT: Customize Your Leadership
The success of a leader is measured only by one simple thing. Do people follow him/her? If no one is following, you are not leading! Based on the concept that leadership and project management skills can be taught, two Frederick business professionals recently created Leadership Techniques, LLC, offering customizable leadership and project management seminars for specific audiences. David Newman, PMP, and Lisa Hammer bring more than 60 combined years of experience to teach targeted seminars to leaders, supervisors and managers with the goal of providing effective techniques for today’s fast paced business environment. Visit www.leadershiptechniquesllc.com for more information or to register.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: TRIPP for Promotions
The Tourism Council of Frederick County (TCFC) is accepting applications for an advertising funding and product development grant program called TRIPP, short for Tourism Reinvestment in Promotion and Product. A portion of the revenue from the hotel tax directed to TCFC is made available for the TRIPP Program. Funds allotted to the program are awarded through a competitive application process to local non-profit organizations for advertising or developing attractions, sites, events, or activities that attract tourists to Frederick County. The TRIPP program is budgeted at $180,000 for FY11.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Bigger and Greener Brunswick Library
Ground was broken on a yearlong project to replace the small Brunswick Branch Library with an updated facility that will be Frederick County Government’s first LEED-certified building. The project will incorporate new technology and additional space for this growing community. The library will relocate to the Brunswick Shopping Center until the new branch opens next spring.
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MARKETING & SALES: ThompsonGas Grows
Through recent acquisitions, Hagerstown’s ThompsonGas has become the 19th-largest retail propane operator in the United States, serving nearly 50,000 customers in eight states. The company’s subsidiary, Thompson Gas-Smokies, LLC has purchased all of the assets of Upson Propane, Inc., of Thomaston, Ga., and West Georgia Propane, Inc. Another ThompsonGas subsidiary acquired the assets of and Appalachian Heating, LLC, which is based in West Virginia. "We are excited to bring together ThompsonGas and these three high-quality propane and heating businesses," says Randall Thompson, president and CEO of ThompsonGas. "These additions enhance ThompsonGas’ operating platform and further positions us to deliver long-term growth in cash earnings to our members."
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MARKETING & SALES: Equals Three Lands Contract
Bethesda-based marketing company Equals Three Communications, Inc. was selected as the Agency of Record for Nutrition, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based food service and catering company serving government agencies and private sector entities throughout the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore regions. Equals Three will work with Nutrition, Inc. to create and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications program designed to strengthen its brand share within the food service industry.
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MARKETING & SALES: Strategic Planning Post Campaign
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Western Maryland Chapter sponsored a seminar, "Strategic Planning After a Successful Campaign," in March. Jim Lyons, senior partner of Pride Philanthropy, and Ken Coffey, chief development officer for Frederick Memorial Hospital, reviewed the strategic planning process in detail. The seminar used a case study approach and followed the strategic planning process for Frederick Memorial Hospital after its successful completion of a $30 million capital campaign.
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NON-PROFIT: Celebrating Women
An impressive lineup of local businessmen catered to more than 250 women who attended the 8th annual Celebrate Women banquet at Worman’s Mill Clubhouse in Frederick. The yearly event, sponsored by Karlys Kline, thanks the women who have helped make Frederick a better place to live through their philanthropy, volunteerism, and commitment to caring.
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NON-PROFIT: Ability Aides Haitian Amputees
In the aftermath of the most devastating earthquake to hit the Caribbean republic of Haiti in more than 200 years, doctors reported nearly 70 people a day becoming amputees. In an effort to assist these victims, Ability Prosthetics and Orthotics collected limbs at their Frederick, Hagerstown, Gettysburg, Allentown and Exton, Pa., offices. Ability Prosthetics has already collected more than two dozen prosthetic limbs, with a value in excess of $250,000. Visit www.AbilityPO.com.
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NON-PROFIT: Success at MD Women’s Conference
The first annual Maryland Women’s Conference raised $4,000 to benefit the Frederick County Commission for Women’s Woman to Woman Mentoring Program. The conference provided informational workshops on the issues women face personally and professionally that impact important financial areas such as investing, retirement goals, estate planning and more. Woman to Woman is a partnership between the FCCFW and the Women’s Center at Frederick Community College. Visit www.womantowomanfrederick.org.
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TECHNOLOGY: Eduro Wins Major Clients
Eduro Networks, Maryland’s fastest growing business-only broadband provider, is proud to announce new customer wins among medium to large businesses based in Frederick and Washington County. Eduro, which offers broadband, voice, data storage and IP security, recently began providing its managed eduroStream Broadband, eduroSafe Managed Firewall service and eduroVoice Managed Voice solutions for BP Solar, Magnolia Management & Mackintosh Realtors.
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TECHNOLOGY: GDC a Top MSP
Recently celebrating its 15th anniversary, Global Data Consultants, LLC (GDC) — a leading IT provider in the Quad-State area of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia — has landed on Nine Lives Media Inc.’s third-annual MSPmentor 100 for the second consecutive year. MSPmentor is a distinguished research report identifying the world’s most progressive managed service provider. "Being named to the Top 100 list again this year is truly a result of being continually focused on the customer relationship, while providing exceptional technical services," says Nelson Witmer, vice president of Network and Infrastructure Services for GDC.
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TECHNOLOGY: Local Tech on CSI Miami
When the criminal evidence specialists on a recent episode of CSI Miami needed information in files from a neighboring county, crucial data was immediately available from files categorized and indexed by RFID (radio frequency identification). While the futuristic system amazed CSI Miami’s Horatio Caine, similar systems are currently in use throughout the Washington-Baltimore area. National Office Systems (NOS), headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md, offers the same technology to area attorneys, law enforcement agencies and courts. The RFID system applies bar codes and embeds microchips with documents pertinent to the case on each file. The codes are then read by specially designed scanners that download the information to a designated computer system.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: Raxco Names New Director
Montgomery County-based Raxco Software announced the hiring of Rob Umberger as its new Director of Software Engineering. Umberger will be key in leading the design and development of the PerfectDisk product set along with overseeing the expansion of the Raxco Software product line.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: New CFO for Dataprise, Inc.
Dataprise, Inc., a Rockville-based information technology services provider, announced the appointment of Mitchell Paige as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to joining Dataprise, Paige served as a manager at a regional CPA firm and as Controller and Chief Financial Officer of private companies in the manufacturing, distribution and service sectors. Dataprise was recently recognized as one of the 75 nationwide recipients of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Blue Ribbon DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: Orrstown Welcomes Team Members
Orrstown Bank announced that Zachary M. Flynn has joined the company as a Senior Vice President, Regional Senior Loan Officer overseeing the commercial development efforts of the West Shore region for Orrstown Bank. Prior to joining Orrstown Bank, Flynn was the Capital Region President for Susquehanna Bank and brings more than 25 years of commercial banking experience. Rodger Diehl also has joined the company as a Mortgage Originator. He will serve the bank’s Carlisle, Pa., region and will be based out of the Seven Gables office. Previously employed with Wells Fargo as a Home Mortgage Consultant, Diehl brings nearly 30 years of experience to his new role. Now serving the bank’s Norland Avenue office in Chambersburg, Pa., Bill Coy has joined the company as a Branch Executive Officer. He was previously employed at Sovereign Bank as a manager overseeing several branch locations, and boasts nearly 10 years of managerial experience. Finally, Gabe Fortmann now serves the Washington County market as a Mortgage Originator. He brings over five years of lending experience in the mortgage industry to Orrstown Bank, and was previously employed with MetLife Home Loans and PNC Mortgage in Hagerstown.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: ACE Grad Hired
A 2006 graduate of Middletown High School and recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kyra Davis is the first student in the ACE Mentor Program Frederick Affiliate to be hired into a company within the Architecture, Construction Management and Engineering fields. Davis participated in the very first ACE Frederick class during her senior year in high school. In December, her childhood goal was realized when Bechtel hired her as a Nuclear/Environmental Engineer. Since the Frederick affiliate was founded in 2005, more than 250 students have participated in the school-year long project. Currently, 69 students are working with 25 volunteer mentors from some of the area’s top ACE-affiliated companies.
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Clean Energy Investment
Gov. Martin O’Malley announced a $1.6 million investment in clean energy economic development and job creation, marking another step forward in Maryland’s goal of building a vibrant clean energy sector. Using federal stimulus funds, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is awarding four performance-based grants to businesses that will spur clean energy production and create more than 100 jobs in Maryland. The companies receiving first round awards are: TDI, SWEBO, Competitive Power Ventures, and The Maryland Environmental Services.
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Enneagram Expert
Mary Anne Wampler was recently named to the board of directors of the Association of Enneagram Teachers in the Narrative Tradition (AET), the international association comprised of professionals and laypersons who have been certifiably trained in the use of the Enneagram personality system for business, educational, therapeutic, personal development and spiritual purposes. Wampler is a certified Enneagram teacher, the co-author of Wake Up and SELL!, and the co-founder of Transform, Inc.
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: McShea Creates Subsidiary
McShea & Company, Inc. created McShea Residential Services, Inc., a subsidiary to manage McShea’s multi-family portfolio of managed properties, which has grown steadily in recent years. In 2010, McShea was named exclusive property management agent for the 204-unit Beacon Place at Kentlands in Gaithersburg, and the 125-unit Sumner Highlands in Bethesda. This brings the company’s total portfolio to six communities and 1,300 units.
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BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: Budget Networking
Mid-Atlantic Networking now offers a less expensive way to join the group. Interested members now have the option of paying a $14.95 monthly fee, rather than the $99 annual commitment. To take advantage of this offer, visit www.MidAtlanticNetworking.com.
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MONEY: Green Banking
Susquehanna Bank recently celebrated the opening of its new Maryland Division headquarters in Hagerstown. The financial center at 1800 Dual Highway also includes a new full-service office, the bank’s 11th branch in Washington County. In January, the bank held a ribbon cutting and open house to give customers and the community a firsthand look at the LEED-certified "green" building. Developed by Ghattas Enterprises, the building incorporates various features to make it environmentally conscious — high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air-conditioning; high-efficiency plumbing; and recycled materials. Visit www.susquehanna.net.
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EDUCATION: Superintendent Best in Nation
Elizabeth Molina Morgan, superintendent of Washington County Public Schools since 2001, has been named the 2010 AASA National Superintendent of the Year. Morgan was honored at the American Association of School Administrators’ National Conference on Education in Phoenix, Ariz. "Betty Morgan is an outstanding superintendent whose leadership has brought positive change to the Washington County Schools," said AASA Executive Director Dan Domenech. "Morgan’s unwavering commitment to advancing student success, her dedication to providing quality educational opportunities for all students, and her ability to bring people together make her a model for school leaders nationwide."
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CHARITY CORNER: Hope Alive Names Board
Hope Alive, Inc., a Sabillasville-based nonprofit Christian ministry that aids homeless women and their children, announced its 2010 Board of Directors: Penny Millison, president, M&T Bank; Michael Spain, president elect, United Health; Carrie Williams, treasurer, State Farm; Deborah Lundahl, secretary, Frederick County Department of Social Services; Katie Penick, interim pastor, Faith UCC; Richard Manfredo, Freddie Mac; and Suzanne Preudhomme, retired. Hope Alive is currently accepting new applications for board and committee membership. Visit www.hopealiveministries.org.
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CHARITY CORNER: Rotary Distributes Dinner Proceeds
The Rotary Club of Hagerstown-Sunrise was pleased to make distribution of proceeds from their 2009 annual Sun Rises Over Rotary Dinner & Auction this January at the Academy Theatre. Representatives from several local nonprofit organizations were in attendance to receive proceeds from the event. Contributions were also made to the Sunrise Rotary Foundation and Rotary International.
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CHARITY CORNER: Commitment to Healthcare
Drs. Paul McNeill and Garth Rosenberg recently created a scholarship fund through The Community Foundation of Frederick County for students studying medicine, nursing and other healthcare-related professions. The two vascular surgeons have been working together since 2000 in their practice, Capitol Vein and Laser Center, which provides advanced care of vein disorders. The Center’s Health Professions Scholarship Fund will award scholarships to Frederick County residents pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in medicine, nursing and related medical disciplines.
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CHARITY CORNER: Restoring the Catoctin Aqueduct
The National Park Service recently allocated the remaining funds necessary to begin the contracting phase of the rehabilitation of the Catoctin Aqueduct, located near Lander in Frederick County. The NPS, in partnership with Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration Fund, Inc., and with funding from the Community Foundation’s C&O Canal Current Initiatives/Catoctin Aqueduct Restoration Fund, has completed final design and environmental compliance for the restoration. Construction is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2010 with an anticipated completion targeted for summer 2011.
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CHARITY CORNER: "Denim Day" Donations
Property Management People, Inc. (PMP), a property management company headquartered in Frederick and serving 350 residential rental property owners in the greater Frederick area, raised $1,500 to benefit a local charity. In addition, PMP employees donated $150 to Lee Jeans’ National Denim Day event in October to benefit breast cancer research. Each month in 2009, PMP invited its 50 employees to participate in "Denim for Charity Day," where a $5 donation permitted employees to wear jeans to work. The Frederick Memorial Hospital Cancer Patient Assistance Fund was chosen as the recipient of PMP’s 2009 donation.
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