PAID - Howard County Chamber of Commerce

“... working diligently towards being your business advocate and doing
our part to help establish and maintain a better business climate for you,
our member businesses.”
— Mark Cissell, Chairman of the Board
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Highland, MD
Permit NO. 1977
5560 Sterrett Place, Suite 105
Columbia, MD 21044-2616
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………21
Dear Chamber Members and Guests,
I
t is hard to believe my first year as chairperson of the board passed
so quickly. What an exciting year! The Chamber has accomplished
so much; from growing to over 800 members to launching a new
website to new and exciting events. The Chamber, as part of its mission,
is working diligently towards being your business advocate and doing our
part to help establish and maintain a better business climate for you, our
member businesses.
In accomplishing our goals and successes throughout the year, it is important
to recognize the people who bring the goals and vision to fruition – our
volunteers. The professional commitment on the part of our Board of Directors, diligent and hard
working committees and committee members is indeed a tremendous donation of time to the Howard
County business community. We sincerely appreciate all your efforts.
We also want to thank the Chamber staff. Our team is dedicated to the success of the Chamber and
Chamber members. The staff works countless hours in the evenings and weekends to ensure we deliver
the services and information requested by the business community. Whether it is attending a zoning
or county council hearing or setting up or “breaking down” an event our staff gets the job done! Pam
Klahr, President and CEO of the Chamber, believes in “dreaming big” and instills an entrepreneurial
spirit in the staff. Together the staff and volunteers have accomplished a lot. Bravo for a job well
done!
Thank you for a wonderful year. Here’s to fulfilling our goals for 2008-2009!
Warmest Regards,
Mark Cissell
P.S. If you get a chance, please thank our staff and volunteers for all their efforts.
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………1
2007-2008 Board of Directors
Executive Committee
chairman
Mark Cissell
KAWG&F, P.A.CPA’s & Business Consultants
president
Pamela J. Klahr
Howard County Chamber of Commerce
immediate past chair
Del Karfonta
The Columbia Bank
chair-elect
Joseph J. Mezzanotte
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, L.L.P.
Directors
Jay Blackman
Howard County General
Hospital: A Member of
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Joseph V. Murray
Ascend One Corp.
Dear Members,
Dave Buonora
Howard Community College Rich Ohnmacht
PNC Bank
Duane A. Carey
Impact Marketing &
Public Relations, LLC
William Rowe
Petrie Ross Ventures
Stuart Chandler
Optivor Technologies
Tom Sabia
The Mergis Group
Lin Eagan
Lakeview Title Company
Rosa M. Scharf
Howard Bank
Darren Ellegood
Dreyer’s/Edy’s
Grand Ice Cream
Karen Schonfeld
M&T Bank
treasurer
Marc Rubin
Berman Goldman &
Ribakow, LLP, CPA’s
secretary
Elizabeth Rendon
Lingual Information Systems
Technologies, Inc. (LinguaLISTek)
vice chair
special projects
Ron Meliker
The Kane Company
general counsel
Steven Gevarter
Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
T
his past year has been truly exciting. Think about all we did
together… To mention just a few highlights: We kicked off the
40th Anniversary of Columbia celebration (the Governor even led
us in singing Happy Birthday!) Our Signature Event — featuring comedian
Dave Barry — packed the house!
Legislatively, we have been more active than ever. We have truly become
the voice of business, representing our members. We fought hard to
repeal the Tech Tax. We brought our members face to face with local and
state leadership. The formation of the Business Alliance gave us an even
stronger voice by getting seasoned executives involved with our already active Legislative Committee.
Our Job Fair, co-sponsored by HoCo HRS, was touted as a real success for employers looking for
quality employees. Attendees got jobs right on the spot!
Our Young Professional Network is growing in size and strength. They really care about the community
they live and work in. Our newest group — The Small Business Council — is just getting started, but
is much anticipated by the largest membership base of the Chamber.
And we are finally launching a new and improved website. If we were averaging 1.7 million hits on the
former site, imagine the activity on this new, easy to use site.
Stacie Hunt Irish
Leadership Howard County
Rick Silber
City Group, Inc.
Jody Lenes
Include Software
Deborah Stallings
HR Anew
Gregory Lowe
Lowe fs
Richard W. Story
Howard County EDA
Mukesh Majmudar
Star Hotels
Mark Thompson
General Growth Properties, Inc.
Becky Mangus
The Business Monthly
Sharon A. Warner
Johns Hopkins University APL
Laura McInerney
1-800-905-GEEK
Wayne Wilhelm
Wilhelm Commercial
Builders, Inc.
2…………………………………………………………………The Howard County Chamber of Commerce
All these accomplishments and many more couldn’t happen without the support of our outstanding
Board of Directors, enthusiastic volunteers and dedicated staff. The leadership of our Chairman,
Mark Cissell, is the glue that kept it all humming. We are quite a team. Together…we can truly
accomplish much, much more. Many thanks!
DREAM BIG…
Pam Klahr
Did you know...?
The annual cost to serve a member is $686.44.
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………3
Networking ...
2007 Sponsors
Our Members In Action 2007/2008
Premier Business Partners
Business After Business
M&T Bank
PNC Bank
The Columbia Bank
Turf Valley Resort
Attendance: 802
The Chamber’s monthly networking mixer of food and fun that provides an
effective environment to foster collaboration and business development.
Chamber Cup Classic
Attendance: 204
The Chamber’s expanded annual golf event that involves
members in a day of fun, food, networking and prizes.
Business Community Partners
BB&T
Columbia Association
Comcast
Dreyer’s / Edy’s Grand Ice Cream
General Growth Properties, Inc.
Howard Bank
Howard County General Hospital:
A Member of Johns Hopkins Medicine
KAWG&F, P.A. CPA’s & Business Consultants
LinguaLISTek
MedStar Health
The Mergis Group
Star Hotels
Verizon
WCI Communities
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, L.L.P.
Holiday Party
Attendance: 312
An evening of holiday cheer, food, entertainment and surprises for
Chamber members and their guests. Always a sell out!
Legislative Breakfast
Attendance: 234
A fall event that kicks off the Chamber’s public policy and advocacy programs,
with Howard County elected leaders as featured speakers and panelists.
Member Luncheons
Attendance: 1,419
The State of the County Address by the Howard County Executive is a highlight of
these six luncheons that feature speakers on diverse topics important to business
and the community. A special salute to Columbia’s 40th birthday drew over
330 members as well as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
Economic Forecast Breakfast
Small Business Development Partners
Berman Goldman & Ribakow, LLP, CPA’s
The Business Monthly
CCS Presentation Systems
Classic Photography
Columbia Association
CommerceFirst Bank
Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC
Howard Community College
Loyola College in Maryland
Offit Kurman, P.A.
Susquehanna Bank
Thank
You!
4…………………………………………………………………The Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Attendance: 132
A year-end event that brings national and local experts together to discuss the
financial trends for the next year, and how they affect the local market.
Signature Event
Attendance: 570
Howard County’s premier event offers an inspirational and accomplished
speaker or entertainer in combination with recognition of our
business “stars” during the ACE awards celebration.
Young Professionals Network
Attendance: Networking Events 266, Educational Symposium 50
The Young Professionals Network was initiated in 2006 to connect, empower and
retain young entrepreneurs. YPN is working with Habitat for Humanity on a
house in Jessup and also hosts a Kick Ball Team, “The Raving Post-its”.
The second YPN Educational Symposium was in August 2007.
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………5
Chamber Successes...
This is What Teamwork Brings About!
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Increased membership to over 820 businesses
Increased staff support by adding a full time Communications Manager
Launched a redesigned website
P
artnered with Howard County Human Resource Society on the annual Job Fair
L
aunched the Small Business Council and successfully held first Small Business
Conference
R
ealeased a newly formatted White Paper written in a consistent voice,
making it not only easier to read, but also more meaningful
Formed The Business Alliance to rally seasoned executives on key issues
R
eceived numerous accolades from members of the County Council, the
General Assembly and the County Executive for its pro-active involvement
in the community
B
egan initiative to include local legislators as guest speakers at monthly
Legislative Committee meetings
G
rassroot efforts were increased thanks to well researched issues
communicated to members
H
osted successful legislative events including the Legislative Breakfast,
Howard County Delegation luncheon in Annapolis, and the End of the
Legislative Session Wrap-up breakfast
S
uccessfully advocated for the repeal of the Computer Services Sales Tax
H
onored by Habitat for Humanity as the Organization of the Year
C
elebrated Columbia’s 40th Birthday with a lunch attended by nearly 350 people,
including Governor O’Malley, Lt. Governor Brown and County Executive Ulman
O
ver 550 guests were wowed by an opening act from Las Vegas and featured
entertainer Dave Barry at the 3rd annual Signature Event
A
lmost 200 hearty souls made it back to participate in the Chamber Cup Classic
golf outing after rain put a damper on the original date
A
n ‘Arctic Blast’ holiday party warmed the hearts of over 350 chamber members
A
lmost 400 people enjoyed lunch and listened to County Executive Ulman’s
State of the County address
S
tarted a Recycling Task Force for businesses in partnership with the County
G
rew our Young Professional Network
And many more!
6…………………………………………………………………The Howard County Chamber of Commerce
ACE 2007
Awards for Chamber Excellence
Large Business of the Year (26 or more employees)
Small Business of the Year (25 or fewer employees)
The Melting Pot
Entrepreneur of the Year
Mary Ann Scully of Howard Bank
Business Person of the Year
Earl Armiger of Orchard Development
Young Professional of the Year
David Lynch of Systems Integration and Support, LLC
Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service
Caroline Sherman of UHY Advisors
Exemplar Award
Dr. Mary Ellen Duncan, Howard Community College
Barbara Lawson, The Columbia Foundation
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………7
The Faces of Success...
8…………………………………………………………………The Howard County Chamber of Commerce
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………9
Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Committee Members 2007
Thank you to the following individuals and businesses
that volunteered their time to make 2007-2008 so great!
Chamber Cup Classic 2008
David Smith,* Century 21, H.T. Brown Real Estate
Stuart Chandler, Optivor Technologies
Sarah Clarkson, PNC Bank
Al Doong, Isagenix International
Matthew R Horowitz, CPA
Michael Joy, PNC Bank
Robert McAllister, McAllister and
Company Insurance, LLC
Tom Mendelsohn, I.M. Wine
Kevin O’Connor, The Baltimore Examiner
Tim Vogt, PlayWiseKids
Jeanette Warner, Gourmet Platters
Delores R. Williams, Pearls of Wisdom, LLC
Legislative Affairs 2007/2008
Annual Chamber
Cup Classic
Signature Event 2007
Linda Burton,* DRW, Inc.
Regina Ford,* Turf Valley Resort
Trish Almasy, Gifts to Treasure, Inc.
Jamie Costa, United Way of Central Maryland
Rodney Dunn, M&T Bank
Stacie Hunt Irish, Leadership Howard County
David Lynch, Systems Integration and Support, LLC
Lisa Madera Filar, Filar Design, Ltd.
Debbie Nagle, Re/Max Advantage Realty
Donna Richardson, Comcast
Suellen Seigel, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America
Caroline Sherman, UHY Advisors
Carol Weil, CLW Designs, Inc.
Cathy Yost, The Business Monthly
Holiday Party 2007
Shannon Bray,* Berman, Goldman & Ribakow, LLP, CPA’s
Allison Flagg,* The Columbia Bank
Lisa Madera Filar, Filar Design, Ltd.
Nina Krzysko, Howard County Library
Cynthia Marshall, Body Shop at Home
Jeff McCarron, The Columbia Bank
Vicki Petti, Berman, Goldman & Ribakow, LLP, CPA’s
Mitch Phillips, The Columbia Bank
Shelley Romano, Berman, Goldman & Ribakow, LLP, CPA’s
Captain J. Smith, Jr., Dad Foundation
10…………………………………………………………………The Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Steering Committee
Richard Ohnmacht,* PNC Bank
Gregory Lowe,* Lowe fs
Mike Fowler, Constellation Energy
Joe Mezzanotte, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
Rick Silber, City Group, Inc.
Members
Roy Appletree, FIRN
Brian Auger, Howard County Library
Duane A. Carey, IMPACT Marketing and Public Relations, LLC
Mark Cissell, KAWG&F, P.A. - CPA’s & Business Consultants
Thomas Cornellier, Wooden-Cornellier Group, LLC
L. Jeannie Dillingham, The STTAR Center Inc.
David Dows, AB Consultants, Inc.
Brian England, British American Auto Care, Inc.
William Erskine, Reese and Carney, LLP
William A. Fisher, III, Tatum LLC
Steven Gevarter, Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
David Gramil, Bay National Bank
Briana Growing, Verizon Maryland
Karol Hess, RE/MAX Advantage Realty
Bill Howard, 1st Mariner Bank
Del Karfonta, The Columbia Bank
Robert Levan, Funk & Bolton, P.A.
Julia Mattis, Re/Max Allegiance
Joseph V. Murray, Ascend One Corp.
Eric Nass, Stronghold Advisors, LLC
Vonda Peterson, Creative Access, Inc.
Michael Riemer, Patton Harris Rust & Associates, pc
Chrystopher Robinson, Chrystopher Robinson Studios
Bill Rowe, Petrie Ross Ventures
Michael Russo, PNC Bank
Joe Rutter, Land Design & Development Inc.
Paul Skalny, Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC
Richard Story, CEcD, FM, Howard County Economic Development Authority
Mark Thompson, General Growth Properties, Inc.
Lee M. Wildemann, Hospice of Howard County
Wayne Wilhelm, Wilhelm Commercial Builders, Inc.
Christopher Young, Business & Technology Law Group
*denotes committee chair(s) | ** co-chair
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………11
Ambassadors 2007/2008
David Lynch,* Systems Integration and Support, LLC
Julia Mattis,* Garth Davis, PA – Re/Max Allegiance
Trish Almasy, Gifts to Treasure, Inc.
Tracy Anderson, Patuxent Publishing
Robert Braggs, Smith Barney
Judy Brown, Rapid Signs
Len Busso, Cross Country Builders
Mac Cassity, Shop in US Cities
Rodney Dunn, M&T Bank
Allen Fournier, PC Solutions of Howard County
Randy Gartner, Integrated Marketing Services, LLC
Quill Hamilton, Jr., M&T Bank
Bill Howard, 1st Mariner Bank
Lee Kennedy, Mass Mutual
Paul Klink, Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc.
Lynne K. LeVere, The Columbia Bank
Tom Mendelson, I.M. Wines
Allison Moran, The Growth Coach
Kevin O’Connor, The Baltimore Examiner
Jeremiah P. O’Donovan, O’Donovan & Associates
Chris Oxenham, Severn Financial Group
Buddy Potter, Offit Kurman
Monica Rosen, Signs By Tomorrow
Sandra Smalley, Atlantic Risk Management
Geoff Segall, New York Life
Caroline Sherman, UHY Advisors
Kristi Simon, O’Donovan & Associates
Harold Teller, Boy Scouts of America
Keith Ulman, The Baltimore Examiner
Nominating Committee 2008
Joe Mezzanotte,* Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, L.L.P
Linda Burton, DRW, Inc.
Duane Carey, IMPACT Marketing and Public Relations, LLC
Gregory Lowe, Lowe fs
Tom Sabia, The Mergis Group
Fred Shaw, JPB Enterprises, Inc.
Dick Story, Howard County Economic Development Authority
Programs and Events Committee
William Rowe, Petrie Ross Ventures
Tom Sabia, The Mergis Group
Sharon Warner, Johns Hopkins University APL
Business Alliance
Del Karfonta,* The Columbia Bank
Mary Ann Scully,** Howard Bank
Earl Armiger, Orchard Development Corporation
Leonard Busso, Cross Country Builders
Dwight Clark, Dwight W. Clark, L.L.C.
Mark Cissell, KAWG&F, P.A. - CPA’s & Business Consultants
Chip Doetsch, Apple Ford, Inc.
Mary Ellen Duncan, Howard Community College (ret.)
Lin Eagan, Lakeview Title
Chuck Ecker, Former County Executive
Craig Engelhaupt, CommerceFirst Bank
Matt Eyre, Eyre Bus & Travel
Mike Fowler, Constellation Energy
Randall Griffin, Corporate Office Properties Trust
Peter Hazeloop, Williamsburg Group, LLC
Kate Hetherington, Howard Community College
Pete Hibbard, Columbia Benefits Consultants, Inc.
Paul Kraft, Clydes Inc.
Gregory Lowe, Lowe fs
Malynda Madzel, Business Match
Pete Mangione, Turf Valley Resort
Ron Meliker, The Kane Company
Joe Mezzanotte, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston L.L.P.
Jean Moon, Jean Moon & Associates
Tim Morris, Williamsburg Group, LLC
Gordon Mumpower, Jr., Commercial Insurance Managers Inc.
Darrel Nevin, LeaseWright Commercial Real Estate, LLC
Rich Ohnmacht, PNC Bank
Suzi Padgett, Coldwell Banker
Jean Parker, Merriweather Post Pavilion
Jim Peacock, UHY Associates
Dick Pettingill, Commercial Real Estate Brokerage, Inc.
Mike Riemer, Patton Harris Rust & Associates
Ronald Schimel, Miles & Stockbridge P.C.
Cole Schnorf, Manekin, LLC
Paul Skalny, Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC
Eric Stein, Decanter Fine Wines
Dick Talkin, Talkin & Oh, LLP
Mark Thompson, General Growth Properties
Ed Waddell, Cardoni Waddell, LLC
Wayne Wilhem, Wilhelm Commercial Builders, Inc.
*denotes committee chair(s) | ** co-chair
12…………………………………………………………………The Howard County Chamber of Commerce
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………13
Communications Committee 2007/2008
Passport to the Future Volunteers 2008
Duane Carey,* IMPACT Marketing and Public Relations, LLC
Becky Mangus,* The Business Monthly
Matt Lathroum, Baltimore Examiner
Krysta Huxford, Leadership Howard County
Kyri Jacobs, Bonnie Heneson Communications
Caroline Sherman, UHY Advisors
Cathy Bowen, Urbanite Magazine
Joan Athen, GenderStrategy
Hank Campfield, Ascend One
Nick Giro, Ascend One
Jamilla Howard, HR Anew
Stacie Hunt Irish, Leadership Howard County
Joseph Murrray, Ascend One
Sherry Myers, Ascend One
Steve Ober, Columbia Workforce Center
Jim Teesdale, Johns Hopkins University APL
Jodi Usher, Ascend One
Julie Weitzel, Ascend One
Job Fair Committee 2008
Deborah Stallings,* HR Anew
Shanna Herrion, HR Anew
Joseph Murray, Ascend One
Steve Ober, Columbia Workforce Center
Francine Trout, Howard County Employment & Training
Monte Twilley, HR Anew
Kitty Vlijter, Turf Valley Resort
Sponsorship Committee 2007/2008
Del Karfonta,* The Columbia Bank
Mark Cissell, KAWG&F, P.A. – CPA’s & Business Consultants
Marc Rubin, Berman Goldman & Ribakow, LLP, CPA’s
Joe Mezzanotte, Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, L.L.P
Bill Rowe, Petrie Ross Ventures
Caroline Sherman, UHY Advisors
Jean Moon, Jean Moon & Associates
Lin Eagan, Lakeview Title Company
Mukesh Majmudar, Star Hotels
Elizabeth Rendon, LinguaLISTek
Richard Story, Howard County Economic Development Authority
YPN Steering Committee 2007/2008
Jody Lenes,* Include Software
Duane Carey, IMPACT Marketing and Public Relations, LLC
Mac Cassity, Shop in US Cities.com
Amanda Christian, The Busines Monthly
Thomas Cornellier, Wooden-Cornellier Group, LLC
Krysta Huxford, Leadership Howard County
Brian Kushner, Roundhouse Martial Arts
Michele D. Kornbluth, NAI-KLNB
David Lynch, Systems Integration and Support, LLC
Jamie Lenes, Mortgage Associates, Inc.
Tora Mahoney, Business & Technology Law Group
Jeremiah P. O’Donovan, O’Donovan & Associates, Inc.
Kristi Simon, O’Donovan & Associates, Inc.
Chris Young (Advisor), Business & Technology Law Group
David Yungmann, Yungmann Realty Group
Business Recognition Committee 2007/2008
Annie Geiermann,* The Columbia Bank
Kim Andreone, Susquehanna Bank
Duane Carey, IMPACT Marketing and Public Relations, LLC
Miles Coffman, M&T Bank
Tina Corner, The Alternative Board
John E. Day, Day Financial Group, Inc.
Cindy Ensey, PNC Bank
Randy Gartner, Integrated Marketing Services, LLC
Brad Hecht, Presidential Financial
Michele D. Kornbluth, NAI- KLNB
Michael Mercurio, Offit Kurman, P.A.
Nancy Noppenberger, Bank of America
Sharon Pugatsky, The Columbia Bank
Marc Rubin, Berman Goldman & Ribakow, LLP, CPA’s
Rosa L. Scharf, Howard Bank
Caroline Sherman, UHY Advisors
Steve Smith, BB&T
Ken Williams, OBA Bank
David Yungmann, Yungmann Realty Group
Small Business Council 2008
Alex Adler, Schaefer Financial Group
Jeff Agnor, Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny LLC
Duane Carey, IMPACT Marketing & Public Relations LLC
Karen Carpenter, ECity Corporation
Tina Corner, The Alternative Board
Vicki Cox, Provident Bank Commercial Banking Group
Stacie Hunt Irish, Leadership Howard County
Patty Keeton, Howard Community College
Rich Madzel, Business Match
Allison Herstein Moran, The Growth Coach
Joseph Murray, Ascend One Corp.
Mark Slatin, True Colors Consulting LLC
Bob Wood, Wood Builder’s Collaborative, LLC
*denotes committee chair(s) | ** co-chair
14…………………………………………………………………The Howard County Chamber of Commerce
2007 Annual Report to the Membership — Celebrating Succcess!…………………………………………………15
Charting Our Progress...
16…………………………………………………………………The Howard County Chamber of Commerce