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Business Journal PO Box 510 Salisbury, MD 21803-0510
The Regional Chamber Newsletter
Vol. 14 No. 6 Dedicated to the Principles of Free Enterprise
January 2011
Annual Canned Food Drive is running through January
Legislators
Legislators will return to work on January 12, but first they met to discuss the issues with members of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. Page 16
anniversary
Many businesses had to get creative to survive the economic downturn in 2010. This business celebrating its 15th anniversary continues to grow. Page 21
INSIDE
Ad Directory................................. 21 Barometer.................................... 24 Business Directory...................... 20 Business Mix............................... 14 Calendar........................................ 5 County Executive.......................... 7 Education.................................... 18 Investing...................................... 13 Insights........................................ 16 Member Renewals........................ 7 Networking Tip............................ 10 New members............................... 4 Personnel.................................... 22 Salisbury University..................... 19 Technology.................................. 11 UMES.......................................... 18
The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce announces their 8th annual canned food drive, which will last through the end of January. The Chamber will be accepting food and non-food donations to help alleviate problems of hunger and poverty in our area. All donations will be collected by the local Maryland Food Bank and distributed accordingly. Most needed items include: canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables, peanut butter, macaroni & cheese, tuna, cereal, canned soup and pasta and rice. Non-food items such as diapers and toiletries are also needed. Help make the winter season better for needy families in Salisbury. Drop off any items (no glass, please) at the Chamber Business Center, 144 E. Main St., Salisbury, between Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.mdfoodbank.org or contact Donna Griffith at the Chamber office at 410-749-0144.
JA DONATION - The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently presented a $2,500 grant to Junior Achievement (JA) to help bring financial literacy and work readiness skills to youth on the Eastern Shore. The grant will allow JA to purchase materials for their programs. Wesley Cox, SACC Foundation president, is shown presenting the check to Jayne Weeg, JA president. To learn more about JA, volunteer or make a donation, call 410-742-8112.
Sign up for the Economic Forecast
The 2011 Lower Shore Economic Forecast sponsored by M&T Bank will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 13, at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Join us for the annual review of business conditions affecting the Maryland’s Lower Shore. Schedule: 7:30 to 8 a.m.-Registration and continental breakfast 8 to 8:15-Welcoming and administrative remarks 8:15 to 9-Opening presentation on the global and national economic trends to watch by Dr. Robert T. Sweet, an economist and managing director of MTB Investment Advisors, a subsidiary of M&T Bank.
9 to 9:45-A panel of economic and business professors including Dean Bob Wood of SU’s Perdue School of Business and Dr. Kate Brown and Dr. Bryant Mitchell of UMES will relate the national and regional data to our local economy. 9:45 to 10-Break 10 to 10:30-Dr. Memo Diriker’s BEACON group will provide a review of local economic factors from his surveying of hundreds of area business and community leaders and his ongoing research. 10:30 to 11:15-William McCain of W.R. McCain & Associates will provide an update on the status of real estate on the Delmarva Peninsula.
11:15 to 11:45-Medical Practice Manager Victor Lowe will discuss the business challenges facing the medical profession. Noon to 1:15-The luncheon speaker will be James L. Francis, president, chief executive officer and a trustee of Chesapeake Lodging Trust, a selfadvised real estate investment trust, who will be talking about real estate and the hospitality industry. The morning program is $50 for Chamber members of any Eastern Shore Chamber. The luncheon is an additional $15. Contact the Chamber office at 410749-0144 or chamber@salisburyarea. com for program details or to register.
Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Patrons
www.salisburyarea.com
Advisor Focus SALISBURY, MD│FOR LEASE
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salisBUry, md | For sale1336 WESTOVER, MD│FOR SALE
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The Hanna Team • My slogan is simple: “SOLD” • Over $39,000,000 sold in 2009 & 2010 • 70+ transactions in 2009 & 2010 $12.00/Sq. • 60Ft. years of combined experience $930/Mo. NNN $3.50 psf • 4,807 Sq. Ft. of Medical/Office Space • 1,250 Sq. Ft. Office Space • Industrial, Retail, Office & Investment Real Estate • 3 Offices with Windows • 7 Exam Rooms w/Sink & Cabinets • 3 Nurses Stations & 4 Restrooms
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• Sweetbay Drive, The Fountains Park • 8,000 Sq. Ft. Retail BuildingBusiness on 2.73 Acres • 10,082to sq.Expand ft. • Room Existing Building Size • Professional or Medical Office Building • Flexible floorplan • Comparables Have Sold for 40% Higher!! • Highly Visible on US Route 13 Northbound
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Henry CCIM, SIOR Hanna Contact Hanna, Wesley Cox or Henry http://Sale.svn.com/OlsensWestover http:/Sale.SVN.com/lot7Sweetbay MLS #427361
Henry Wesley Hanna,Cox CCIM, SIORHanna Contact or Henry http://Sale.SVN.com/SeafoodRestaurant http://Sale.svn.com/BennettAirport
410-543-2421 Contact: Brent Miller, CCIM or Rick Tilghman, CCIM Wesley.Cox@svn.com http://Lease.SVN.com/2120WindsorDrive
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• Multiple Drive-Thru Doors Contact: CCIM ContactJohn BrentMcClellan, C. Miller, CCIM, CPM http://sale.svn.com/102Park http://Lease.SVN.com/31550Winterplace MLS #551363
delmar, de | For lease SALISBURY, MD│FOR LEASE 400 N. PeNNsylvaNia ave. 31400 WINTERPLACE PKWY.
$12.00/Sq. Ft. • 1,283 Sq. Ft. Professional Office Space • 3 Offices, Reception Area, Large Open $950 month Area & File Room • Attractive 1,100 sq. ft. Office Building with • Kitchenette, Restroom and Lots of Storage Large Parking Area and Kitchen • End Unit Located in Winter Place Bus. Park Contact: Brent Miller, CCIM or Rick Tilghman, CCIM http://Lease.SVN.com/WinterPlacePark Contact Chris Peek, CCIM 410-603-9112 MLS #439632 http://Lease.SVN.com/DelPenn
$9.95 S/F $5.50/Sq. Ft.
• High Traffic Location • 2 Warehouse Units Available$3.50 psf • Office and Retailand Space for Lease • Drive-In Doors Truck Dock • 1,500 – 6,000 sq. ft. • Zoned Town of Delmar Light Industrial • Custom Buildout Available • Located in the G&M Sales Complex
Contact: John McClellan, Call John McClellan, CCIM CCIM or Karen Cherry http://lease.svn.com/8999OceanHighway http://Lease.SVN.com/501-801eastnaylormill MLS #437628, 438370
$5.95 S/F
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• Office/Warehouse Spaces • •5,000 Sq. Ft. Office/Warehouse Loading Docks & Fenced Yard • •Warehouse 2 Roll-Up Doors & 1,900 - 4,000 Features sq. ft. •Parts Custom Buildout Available Room
• 2 Private Offices and Conference Room • Last Unit in Complex Contact: John McClellan, Call John McClellan, CCIM or CCIM Karen Cherry http://lease.svn.com/2040Shipley http://lease.svn.com/1607northwood MLS #437339
$7 S/F $475,000
$3.50 psf Very NiceOffice/Warehouse Office Space for Less $$$ •• 10,000 Flex Building RatesGeneral from $7 sq. ft. •• Full Commercial Zoning • 975 sq. ft. - 3,000 sq. ft. •• Fenced YardParking Area Lot Large Private •• For @ $ 5.50/Sq. Ft. FreeLease Rent Available • Convenient Location Just Off RT 13
Contact Rick Tilghman, CCIM Contact: Chris Peek, CCIM Rick.Tilghman@svn.com http://Sale.svn.com/635_Homer http://Lease.SVN.com/philmorecommons
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CamBridge, | For sale BERLIN, md MD│FOR LEASE ClearvieW aT HorN’s 10231 OLD OCEAN CITYPoiNT RD.
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• 3 Exam Rms., Break & Chart Rm., 2 Nurse Stations, Office, Reception & Waiting Areas Contact: Brent Miller, CCIM or Rick Tilghman, CCIM http://Lease.SVN.com/JamesBarrettMedical Contact Chris Peek, CCIM 410-603-9112 MLS#441004 http://Sale.SVN.com/Clearview
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Sperry Van Ness–Miller Commercial Real Estate (410) 543-2440 206 East Main Street • Salisbury, MD 21801 View all of our listings at www.SVNmiller.com www.SVNmiller.com
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Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 3
To a more prosperous 2011 and a stable economy By Brad Bellacicco
SACC Executive Director
Director’s Journal
2011 is a new year; hopefully, it will be a better year. We saw many challenges to operating a business in Federal efforts to our area in 2010. First and help the economy out foremost was the world economy. of the recession did We have become such an not always have the interdependent global system that budget problems in desired effect. Greece and Spain can drive our stock market down just and Russia are becoming just as imporlike the U.S. housing market tant, if not more, to our local economy collapse pulled down the world marin middle and western America. kets. Federal efforts to help the economy Consumer spending habits in China
The 2010-2011 Chamber officers are in the front row, from left, Victor G. Lowe, Dawn Tilghman, Ernie Colburn, Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello. Back row, from left, are Bradley Gillis, Matthew Maciarello, and J. Scott Robertson. Those not pictured are: Bill Tingle, Robert Mulford, and Henry L. Vinyard.
2010-2011 Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Officers President President Elect Vice President Vice President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Asst. Sec./Treasurer Legal Counsel Asst. Legal Counsel Past President
Dawn Tilghman Ernie Colburn Sandy Fitzgerald-Angello Victor G. Lowe Bradley Gilllis Robert Mulford, Jr. Dr. Memo Diriker Henry L. Vinyard D. Nicole Green J. Scott Robertson
Burnett White Tire and Auto Comcast Spotlight Pohanka Automotive Group Peninsula Neurosurgical Associates Sperry Van Ness - Miller Commercial Market Street Inn Salisbury University Henry L. Vinyard, Attorney at Law D. Nicole Green, P.A. Robertson & Robertson, P.A.
Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce 144 East Main Street, Salisbury, MD • Phone: 410-749-0144 • Fax: 410-860-9925 email: chamber@Salisburyarea.com • Website: www.Salisburyarea.com
out of the recession did not always have the desired effect. The lack of involvement of the business community in forming these plans was clearly part of the problem. Tightening of bank and credit rules are having the unintended consequence of forcing small business into financial crisis just as the light is visible at the end of the tunnel. Many voters frustrated by the lack of clear leadership and a defined plan for recovery reacted strongly. The 2010 election will be remembered as the second half of a huge swing as America moved markedly to the left politically in 2008 and then perhaps over-corrected to the right. Will 2012 see a move back toward the middle? Only time will tell. Maryland and Delaware voters went in a different direction from the national trend. While the Eastern Shore continued to be politically conservative, electing a new congressman; the majority of Maryland voters went for an incumbent governor and many liberal politicians. Will this leadership team be able to
see the negative impact of tax increases and over-regulation on small businesses that are struggling to provide quality services and products to the consumer while making a modest profit? Our economic future is in the hands of the legislature during their January to April session. Fortunately our Eastern Shore delegation are strong advocates for our needs and values. The Dec. 16th forum with our senators and delegates provided a comforting message to the Lower Shore business community. Our legislators are aware of the challenges businesses are facing and are ready to take that message to Annapolis. As we enter this new year, we all hope and pray for a more stable economy. Business leaders want to be able to focus on their company and strive for a successful year. The Chamber is committed to helping our members achieve this success and wish everyone the best in 2011.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 4 SALISBURY AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Bay Shore Development Corp.
Rep: Dean Langrall 21901 Philadelphia Ave. P.O. Box 572 Ocean City, MD 21842 410-289-9100 410-289-0450 fax deanlangrall@jollyrogerpark.com www.jolleyrogerpark.com Owner/operator of Jolley Roger Amusement Park @ 30th St., Jolly Roger @ The Pier, Speed World, Splash Mountain, Treasure Hunt Golf, Jungle Golf, as well as the Boardwalk Hotel Group.
Evolution Craft Brewing Company Rep: Tom Knorr 501 N. Bi-State Blvd. Delmar, DE 19940 302-907-0377 www.evolutioncraftbrewing.com Company is a small batch brewery, featuring craft brewed beers located in Delmar, Del. A Southern Boys Concept
Front Page Apparel
Rep: Pat Davis 3825 Devonshire Dr. Salisbury, MD 21804 410-219-9093 410-546-9897 fax frontpageapparel@aol.com www.frontpageapparel.com Embroidery, screen printing, digital printing, quilting and digitizing.
Gary Marshall Insurance Agency Rep: Dave Galeone 1008 W. Main St. Salisbury, MD 21801 410-742-2220 410-749-3888 fax gminsurance@yahoo.com www.garymarshallagency.com
Lower Shore Chambers of Commerce Chamber Berlin Crisfield Delmar Fruitland Ocean City Ocean Pines Pocomoke City Princess Anne Salisbury Snow Hill
Contact info 410-641-4775 410-968-2500 302-846-3336 tina028@comcast.net 410-213-0144 410-641-5306 410-957-1919 410-651-2961 410-749-0144 410-632-0809
Key contact Olive Mawyer Valerie Howard Diane Johnson Tina Banks Melanie Pursel Elizabeth Kain-Bolen Denis Wagner Dennis Williams Brad Bellacicco Lee Chisholm
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Independent insurance agency offering property and casualty and life & health for personal and commercial clients. This includes auto, home, umbrella, boats and renters. Referred by Scott Robertson
MINDFACTEK Solutions, LLC
Rep: Anthony Cray 905 Zircon Ct. Salisbury, MD 21804 443-736-3979 mindfactek@gmail.com www.mindfactek.org Consultation and technical services for home and small business. Computer repair, system design and website creation.
Print & Ship
Reps: Bryan & Lisa Bailey P.O. Box 581 Princess Anne, MD 21853 410-621-0040 410-621-0043 fax www.argprint.com Printing, copying, packing and shipping services. A veteran-owned business.
Real Estate Title and Escrow Rep: Devin Holland
Watt’s in Your Future? Find out at www.choptankelectric.coop & www.togetherwesave.com
Choptank Electric Cooperative
600 E. Main St. Salisbury, MD 21804 443-235-5232 443-632-0831 fax dholland@mdretitle.com www.mdretitle.com A full-service residential and commercial title company licensed in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Delaware
Specific Gravity Pizzeria & Bottle Shop
Rep: Tom Knorr 105 E. College Ave. Salisbury, MD 21804 410-859-8412 www.specificgravitypizza.com Restaurant featuring handmade pizza, wings and an extensive range of craft brewed beers serving both lunch and dinner in a no fuss type atmosphere. A Southern Boys Concept
Top City
Dickie Daye P.O. Box 247 US 13 & Broad St. Fruitland, MD 21826 410-742-3446 410-742-3271 fax
www.topcityonline.com One-stop truck shop carrying thousands of truck accessories and caps with installation onsite. Top City is also one of the largest pre-manufactured shed dealers on the Eastern Shore, and carries open and enclosed utility trailers.
Towers Concrete
John Short 26425 Hobbs Rd. Denton, MD 21629 443-786-0594 towersconc.js@gmail.com Ready mix concrete company specializing in septic tanks & supplies, as well as septic concerns.
Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Scott Saxman 200 Cedar St. Cambridge, MD 21616 410-808-6428 scott.saxman@whiting-turner.com www.whiting-turner.com General contracting company with design/build, construction management and specialty contracting services since 1909.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 5
Calendar of Events
Salisbury Chamber
Tuesday, Jan. 4 - Ambassadors, Denny’s Family Restaurant, 8 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5 - Young Professionals Committee, Chamber Business Center, 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 6 - Beautification Committee, Chamber Business Center, noon. Monday, Jan. 10 - Workforce Development, Chamber Business Center, noon. Wednesday, Jan. 12 - Membership Committee, Bob Evans Restaurant, 8 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 13 - 2011 Economic Forecast, UMES, ($50 members/$60 non-members) 7:30 a.m. Luncheon starts at noon ($15).
Friday, Jan. 14 - Executive Committee, Holiday Inn, 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 - Agri-Business Committee, Chamber Business Center, 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18 - Eldercare Provider Network, Genesis Healthcare, 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 18 - New Member Reception, Chamber Business Center, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. If you are a new member, a new representative of a
member company or just a longtime member that wants to learn more about who we are and what we can do for your company, join us for lunch! Wednesday, Jan. 19 - Business Affairs Committee, Chamber Business Center, 8 a.m.
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Thursday, Jan. 20 - General Membership Luncheon, Holiday Inn Downtown Salisbury, noon.
Monday, Jan. 24 - Executive Committee, Chamber Business Center, noon.
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Tuesday, Jan. 25 - Technology Committee, Chamber Business Center, 1-2 p.m., with special speaker Ray Adkins from PRMC.
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Wednesday, Jan. 26 - Board of Directors, Chamber Business Center, noon.
Thursday, Jan. 27 - Recycling Committee, Common Grounds, 8 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 27 - PR & Marketing, Chamber Business Center, noon.
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Business Journal • January 2011
Business After Hours
Hope and Life Outreach
Hope and Life Outreach hosted a Business After Hours on Nov. 17, and invited chamber members to come out to learn more about this faith-based non-profit, that provides programs and services for the homeless, hungry and hurting people in the community. Executive Director, Celeste Savage spoke about the program including its successes and challenges. The attendees were also introduced to one of HALO’s staff members, who at one time was one of their clients, and how she has been able to get her life back on track thanks to the staff and resources that HALO has to offer.
Stacey Weisner, Salisbury Zoological Society and Celeste Savage, executive director of HALO.
Nick Bova, Austin Cox Home Services with Dennis Hopson, Edward Jones Investments. Vicki Shrier, Frugals – The Local Source For Coupons with Dr. Spicer Bell, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore along with Kevin Les Callette, Boy Scouts of America.
Jerry Schwartz, BNI with Dennis Hopson and Marlene Catlin from Edward Jones Investments, along with Roger Martinson, Total Energy Consultants.
Janice Bruns, Goodwill Industries with Rose Carey, Holly Communities.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 7
Come together as one community By Rick Pollitt
county report
It is a distinct honor to begin serving another term I believe that the time as our first-ever County Executive. I sometimes kidhas come for us to grasp dingly refer to myself as the “best County Executive in the reins of government Wicomico history.” Fortutogether with vigor and nately, everyone has taken it with good humor and only a solid purpose. few have reminded me that the reverse of the statement would be just as true. groaning about how bad things are. I When I took the oath of office on submit that we, as one community, must Dec. 7, 2010, to begin my second term, declare our independence from despair I said that, despite the challenging econ- and commit ourselves to the obligations omy, I intended to work on a bipartisan of citizenship, as we make Wicomico basis to keep Wicomico County strong County an always better place. and deliver the quality of services our On Dec. 28, I gave my annual “State residents and taxpayers expect and deof the County” speech and distributed mand. But I also stated that it was no my “Report to the People” for Fiscal longer appropriate for citizenship to Year 2010. As I paged through the reexist as a spectator sport. Democratic port (copies are available at my office government, by its very nature, means or call 410-548-4801 for one to be sent all of us, not just the elected leadership. to you), I was reminded of all the great I believe that the time has come for things that are going on in Wicomico us to grasp the reins of government County. Students have been in the new together with vigor and solid purpose James M. Bennett High School since and bring our community to its fullest September and we’re moving forward potential. It is time to bring an end to on planning the new Bennett Middle the hand-wringing and the moaning and School.
Our fiscal credibility remains strong with the rating agencies in New York. The Wicomico Youth & Civic Center continues to flourish as an “economic engine” for our community with its concerts, trade shows and athletic events. The Wicomico Neighborhood Congress has become a vital communications organization for promoting the welfare and safety of our citizens. We continue to find ways to save money on behalf of our taxpayers as we cut back on electric bills, leased out vacant county land and modernized how we auction surplus county property. The brutal winter of 2010 provided a big stage upon which our county employees showed that they are more than capable of rising to meet a huge challenge. These are just a few of the many positive aspects of the year just passed in the county. The New Year is a time for both reflection and looking forward. Thanks for letting me do a little of each in this column. I look forward to reporting to you on a regular basis in the year ahead as Team Wicomico builds a strong bridge to the future. Best wishes to everyone for a happy and prosperous 2011.
Membership Renewals
Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Auto Pro Inc. Bay Bank, FSB Blue Water Pool Side Services Center for Women’s Health Clear Channel Radio Comcast Spotlight Creighton’s Trailer Sales, Inc. Delmarva Homes, Inc. Goliath Center LLC Robbin W. Gray t/a Senior Planning Services Green Hill Yacht & Country Club Robert Heim Realty Group/Remax Premier Impact Technology Group, Inc. Machining Technologies, Inc. Nason Construction, Inc. Papa John’s Pizza Ritch Photography, LLC Salisbury Junior Chamber of Commerce SCORE Slocum Insurance Tomey Electric, Inc. Urban Salisbury, Inc. Vantage Point Retirement Living, Inc. Warwick Manor Behavioral Health Inc. Wicomico County Liquor Control Board
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PAGE 8
Business Journal • January 2011
Business After Hours
BBBS and JA
On Nov. 30, the doors of the Greater Salisbury Building were opened to our Chamber members for a Business After Hours showcasing Big Brothers/Big Sisters, MD Mentoring Partnership and JA of the Eastern Shore, Inc. Jessica Mimms from Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Jayme Weeg of JA of the Eastern Shore greeted members of the Chamber and explained a little about each organization sponsoring the event. Chamber members were encouraged to mingle, ask questions and if so inclined, volunteer their time and talents. Thank you to all those who attended and made this event a success! For more information on these organizations, to volunteer or to donate, visit www.biglittle. org or www.ja.org.
Robin Neely, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and MD Mentoring Partnership with Stacey Weisner, Delmarva Zoological Society.
Jayme Weeg, executive director, JA of the Eastern Shore, Inc.
Duane Larmore of Shore Appliance Connection, Inc. with Wesley Cox from Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate.
SACC members gathered to listen as the announcements were given during the Business After Hours.
Jessica Mimms from Big Brothers/Big Sisters started off the evening welcoming all those in attendance at the Greater Salisbury Building for the SACC Business After Hours.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 9
Peninsula Regional’s emergency medicine care in nation’s top 5%
Project Opportunity graduates and instructors after the evening ceremonies at the Chamber Business Center.
Veterans are graduates of Project Opportunity On Dec. 15, the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosted a graduation ceremony for 13 veterans who completed Project Opportunity, which provides military veterans skills to become entrepreneurs through an 11-week series of workshops. The Chamber Foundation partnered with Maryland Capital Enterprises to provide these free education and outreach services with technical assistance and financing opportunities. Topics included personal budget and credit, types of businesses and customer characteristics, an outline of a business
and marketing plan, how to manage your business and marketing analysis and e-commerce. The Rotary Club of Salisbury helped provide speakers and mentors which included successful business owners, attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, bank representatives and marketing specialists. Joe Giordano, Chamber Foundation Workforce Development coordinator and Kristen Bacon from Maryland Capital Enterprises led the workshops and worked directly with the participants from week to week.
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Jock McNair, marketing director of Bordeleau Vineyards & Winery, was the guest speaker for the graduation ceremony. Each veteran received a certificate of completion. A big thank you to the following businesses and organizations that provided financial support for the project: M&T Charitable Foundation, Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, Bank of America Foundation, Rural Development Center at UMES (Maryland Hawk Corp.), BB&T Bank, American Legion Wicomico Post No. 64 and Crisfield Elks Lodge #1044.
Peninsula Regional Medical Center’s emergency medicine care, provided at the Robert T. Adkins, M.D. Emergency/Trauma Center, has been found to be among the top 5% in the nation according to a new study released recently by HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization. Peninsula Regional Medical Center is the only recipient of the HealthGrades 2010 Emergency Medicine Excellence Award on the Delmarva Peninsula, and one of just nine hospitals in Maryland, Delaware and Washington, D.C. to receive the designation. Peninsula Regional’s emergency medicine care was also 5-Star rated in same study. Hospitals were analyzed by the mortality rates for their Medicare patients who were admitted through the Emergency Department with any of 11 chosen serious diagnoses. As a group, PRMC and the other award recipients had a 39% lower mortality rate for the 11 conditions studied.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 10
Country House receives award The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce announced the winner of the Eastern Shore Business Leadership Network (ESBLN) Putting Ability to Work Award at the General Membership Luncheon this past November. Jackie Gast, executive director of the ESBLN, presented the sixth annual award to The Country House for its vision to see ability in all its employees. The Country House looked outside the box at their recruitment strategy about three years ago and as a result, has had a loyal and efficient employee in Justin in their catalog sales division. After being approached by Steve Bullock, Wicomico High School special education teacher, a then supervisor in the catalog department agreed to take one of Steve’s students as an unpaid intern. Prior to this casual meeting, Steve was unsuccessful in finding internships at the Country House. But with his personal contact, Steve was able to learn firsthand about the requirements of the
job and about the work setting. Steve felt his student Justin would make a good fit and recommended him. According to Amanda Andrews, catalog supervisor, Justin did such a good job, even before his internship training period ended, that they hired him. Justin has been on the job full time for three years now and is their best order picker. Big orders particularly go to Justin because they are 100% accurate. He was accepted right away by co-workers, he is always on time and rarely misses work. Since their success with Justin, The Country House continues to recruit from Steve’s class as well as from another agency in town. They have recently hired another person through a similar recruitment source, LSE, and they currently have an unpaid intern from Mr. Bullock’s class. The Country House is a wonderful role model and success story for Putting Ability to Work. Congratulations!
Networking
tip
Always have a plan
Winners of the 2010 ESBLN Putting Ability to Work Award, Amanda Andrews, catalog supervisor, and, Michael Delano, owner (not pictured), The Country House.
Experienced networkers always have a plan. Try to have an idea of what your goal is for each event you attend. Know, before going in, what the outcome is that you want for yourself or for the people you meet at each event. Do you want to meet a couple of people and focus on getting to know them really well? Are you looking for an introduction to a particular person? Are you looking for information or connections that will get you that information? When you have a plan, it is easier to stay focused and achieve your expected outcome. It also helps you to keep on track to help others in achieving their goals when you remind yourself to be generous with your own knowledge and connections. And, when you have a plan it is easier to stay on task as you meet with people.
Business After Hours
Mela Bar & Grill
“Mela” is a Sanskrit word meaning to gather or meet, and on Tuesday, Dec. 7, Salisbury Chamber of Commerce members gathered for a Business After Hours at Mela Bar & Grill at the America’s Best Value Inn located at 2625 North Salisbury Blvd. Owner Kala Patel and general manager Sharon Hurley and their staff say Mela is a great place to meet friends for light fare, drinks or to play pool, or to gather and watch sporting events on the many TV’s situated around the bar. Mela has a wonderful menu containing appetizers and sandwiches, but what sets Mela apart is that they can also pull from the menu at Namaste (Indian Cuisine) which is right next door. Come out and see what all of the buzz is about at Mela Bar & Grill. Mela General manager Sharon Hurley
Millie Cappello of Long & Foster and Mela owner Kala Patel.
Joey Gilkerson of Sperry Van Ness, Anthony Darby of Merchant Brokers, Kris Todd of Morgan Stanley and Jack Morita of Local Book Publishing.
Chamber ambassador Mitch Marriner (center) of Chesapeake Mortgage Funding with Jeff Powell (left) and John Short representing new chamber member Towers Concrete Products.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 11
Successful businesses discover ways to re-invented themselves An article from your SACC Technology Committee By Erin Middleton
Telewire Communications
As we start to emerge from what was the worst recession in recent memory, we should think carefully about the companies that made it...and the ones that did not. What made the difference between survival and closing up shop in 2010? Was anyone out there growing their business, and if so, how did they do it? Certainly almost all of us were looking at technology critically. We were careful to make sure new systems and new software had lasting value. It was less important to have the newest gadget released on the marketplace. CTO’s and CIO’s were not easily “wowed” by the showier offerings at the technology trade shows. It was more important to see technology purchases as a means to an end. What could technology do for us? • Help us eliminate duplicated processes. • Help us run our businesses with fewer people. • Help us reach a wider consumer audience, faster. • Help us bring new or diversified products to market quicker. • Help us to either automate or outsource some of our back-office functions.
T R I N K E T S
• Help us track our own productivity and focus on results-oriented goals. Even in a terrible economy, or perhaps especially in a terrible economy, we depend on servers and software. We rely on our phone system and our wide area networks. How, then, did business owners acquire the best value in new technology in a year when budgets were stretched tighter than they have ever been? Simple. They thought outside the box. Or more appropriately, they decided that owning the box was no longer worth the investment. They looked at subscription services. They evaluated new kinds of managed services leases. They entered into negotiations with hosted providers. They re-evaluated the need to own office technology at all. What the growing and successful businesses in 2010 knew better than the rest of us is this: it is important to stay flexible in an atmosphere of change. Successful businesses re-invented themselves in 2010. They brought new products to market and went after different customers. They allowed professional services companies to handle things like payroll and IT Help Desk support that were not core to running their businesses. They embraced change and were prepared to react quickly. How? For one, a new breed of hosted data and voice providers gave some businesses
the flexibility to adapt to changes in staffing or changes to their product offerings. Making additions or changes to your staff or opening and closing office locations would usually require changes to your phone system, changes to your exchange server and changes to your local area network. If your voice and data services are hosted, or if you subscribe to an IT or voice services contract, you can make changes simply by contacting your service provider. In many cases, a hosted provider will give you a secure web interface so that you can make routine changes yourself. The idea here is to stay light on your feet and to keep your cash in your own pocket. If you were afraid of technology ownership, or you were reluctant to hand over a large down payment for a new system or software package, you could lease your office technology on a plan that gives you regular, scheduled upgrades and unlimited service calls. That type of program eliminates the fear that your technology is going to become obsolete before you were financially prepared to swap it out. No large down payment means you have more money in your budget to address operating costs. If you wanted technology off-premise altogether, you could “subscribe” to voice and data services through one of the new hosted providers. In this latter scenario, you adopt a “pay-as-you-go” philosophy
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toward new technology. Let’s look at one example. Imagine you are thinking of buying a PBX. Ask yourself: Is there really any advantage to having your own phone system? Certainly, the equipment has no resale value. It will look great the day it goes in, but over the course of 8 or 10 years, the technology will get older and more out-of-date. You’ll have to pay to have it serviced. You’ll have to pay for upgrades out-ofpocket. And all the while, you like it less and less until the day it dies, and then you start the whole process anew. Read the previous sentence out loud. Does that even sound like a good idea? Yet that is still the way most businesses acquire technology today. Whether you are leasing a system or signing a hosted or a managed services contract, the idea behind it is the same: with technology changing as quickly as it is, does it still make sense to own your own servers, to buy new software or to buy a phone system? Maybe not. Sometimes a terrible economy forces us to make uncomfortable choices, but other times it fosters our creativity, forces us to look at new ways of doing business and results in some pretty good business practices. We would all be well-advised to think outside of the box. There is freedom in not owning your technology.
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Business Journal • January 2011
Business Before Hours Etch Art
What a great way to wake up in the morning - coffee, pastries and networking at a Business Before Hours. Thank you to Etch-Art for supplying all of the above on Dec. 9. Dave and Nancy Pfingst, owners of Etch-Art Awards, welcomed Chamber members to check out their newest additions in specialty gifts including cigars. Salisbury has been the home of Etch-Art Awards since its founding in the 1970’s. Their experience and craftsmanship provides you with the finest engraving, trophies, plaques and gifts. If you were unable to make the Business Before Hours, visit Etch-Art Awards at 931 Mt. Hermon Rd. in the Market Place East Shopping Center or online at www.etch-art.com. Thank you to all Chamber members who came out and especially to Dave and Nancy for opening their doors for our early birds.
Dave and Nancy Pfingst, owners of Etch-Art Awards with their son, Mike Pfingst and Charles Lane. Thank you for inviting us into your establishment for a Business Before Hours.
Ann Wiseman, National League of Junior Cotillions, Eastern Shore Chapter, with Fred Baker, Comcast Spotlight and Dennis Hopson, Edward Jones.
Steve Fuller and Barry Hall from Fuller Hall Associates with Mike Marshall, Marshall’s River Bank Landscape and Michelle Miles (SACC board member), Hebron Savings Bank.
Rita Plaskon, Shanna Weaver and Melinda Mason from Affordable Bookkeeping Corp. came to check out the newest gifts.
Nichole Fahey, BB&T Bank with Pete Evans, Country Properties Real Estate.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 13
How do I choose the right financial professional? By Kelley Selph As you navigate the financial world, you’ll most likely deal with a wide array of investment choices, conAs a general rule, be stantly changing tax laws, estate-planning issues and suspicious of anyone other areas. And then, to make things promising you big, even more complex, you’ll quick gains. have to consider your own risk tolerance, time horizon and individual goals. If you’re like most people, you moves. don’t have the time and expertise to cre• Do you have a particular investate, monitor and adjust your investment ment philosophy? Look for someone strategy by yourself, so you’ll need to with a thoughtful, reasoned philosophy get some help. But how can you choose on investing. As a general rule, be susa financial professional who is right for picious of anyone promising you big, you? quick gains. The best financial profesYou’ll need to do some research, sionals seek to help their clients achieve possibly by interviewing a few candipositive long-term results through disdates. Here are a few questions you may ciplined, persistent and sensible investwant to ask: ment moves. • Do you have experience working • How often will you communicate with people like me? Ideally, you’d like with me? If you’re going to entrust to work with someone who has experiyour hard-earned financial resources ence in helping people like you — that with someone, you’ll want that person is, people with similar income and asto communicate with you regularly as set levels, family situations, goals and to how you’re doing and what changes so on. The more familiar a financial you may need to make. How often will professional is with people like you, you receive investment statements? the better that person will be at helping How many times a year will you meet you identify the appropriate investment to review your progress? Can you have
Investing
face-to-face consultations whenever you need them? These are the types of questions you’ll want to ask any prospective financial advisor. • Will you be my primary contact? If you seek a one-on-one relationship with a financial professional, you’ll want that person to be your main contact, if not your exclusive one. You deserve the attention and expertise of a financial professional, so if you’re interviewing someone who seems as if he or she might try to “pass you along” to subordinates in the office, keep looking. • What services do you offer? If you want your financial professional to help you create a unified investment strategy, you’ll also want that person to help you implement it — which means he or she needs access to a full range of investment and money management products and services. • How are you paid? Financial professionals are compensated in any of a number of ways. They may work on a fee-only basis, with the fee either agreed upon in advance or based on the level of assets under management. And some financial professionals work in a combined fee-and-commission arrangement. From an investor’s point of view, one method of compensation may not be “better” than the others; nonetheless, it’s important for you to fully understand how your financial advisor will
Mid-Atlantic
About the author Kelley M. Selph, AAMS, is a financial advisor for Edward Jones Investments. You can reach him at 410-8601828.
SBT moves to larger facility
Signs By Tomorrow (SBT) Salisbury is moving to a larger facility at 1607 Northwood Dr., Salisbury. The move should be complete in early January. The interior of the new location was custom built for SBT’s operation. The build-out was handled by Spicer Brothers. The new space, 3,280 sq. ft., will be more than twice the size as the retail space SBT previously occupied. Signs By Tomorrow outgrew their old location on business Route 13 several years ago as they added equipment and staff. Signs By Tomorrow will be adding a brand new full color latex printer to offer a greener alternative. SBT looks forward to expanding its capabilities in the future. For more information, contact salisbury@signsbytomorrow.com or call 410-860-0033.
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Shore Bank donates $10,000 to ‘Renew the Zoo’ campaign
Shore Bank, a full service community bank headquartered on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, has agreed to donate $10,000 to the Salisbury Zoo capital campaign “Renew the Zoo.” The bank’s gift will fund one of three interactive exhibits in association with the construction of the new William E. Morgan Environmental Center. Outside along the Tropics Trail, three new exhibits will help visitors better understand biodiversity and ecology. Can you outrun an alligator? Can you filter like a flamingo? These questions and others may be discussed in the new educational exhibits. By integrating species displayed along the trail, children will gain more knowledge about the world around them while having fun. “Shore Bank is proud of our investment in the community, and believe the Salisbury Zoo is a unique attraction on the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Shore Bank Vice President Dennis Hebert. “The learning opportunities that exist there deserve to be supported.” “Our local banks have been tre-
Business Journal • January 2011
Business Mix
mendously helpful during this capital campaign,” said Bob Cook, chairman of the Renew the Zoo steering committee. “We are honored to have Shore Bank as a partner in this effort.” Shore Bank first opened in 1961 and now has branches in Wicomico and Worcester Counties in Maryland, as well as Accomack and Northampton Counties in Virginia. The Renew the Zoo campaign is the zoo’s first capital campaign. The goal is to raise $3 million for three key projects: a new animal health clinic, a new William E. Morgan Environmental Center, and an entirely new exhibit of Australian animals called Discover Australia! Go to www.renewthezoo.com for more information or to learn how to donate. Or call Stacy Weisner at (443) 880-8627.
Avrio now Tezla Consulting
Avrio Consulting Group, Inc. (Avrio Group), an information technology firm, has announced the completion of its legal name change to “Tezla Consulting Group, Inc.” The Tezla Group will continue to operate from its office at 801 N. Salisbury
Blvd., Suite 102, Salisbury. Tezla will retain all of its employees and product offerings. “This name change will enable Avrio Group to provide a wider variety of services and products to its existing clients in the long run. The new name is a stepping stone toward future growth and business opportunities,” said Tan Nguyen, Avrio Consulting Group’s owner and president. The company was first established in 2001 as Avrio Group, Inc. and was expanded to Avrio Consulting Group, Inc. in 2004. For more information on Tezla Consulting Group, visit www.tezlagroup.com, email inquire@tezlagroup. com, or call 410-546-4233.
Bullard receives new website
Gary Bullard Construction Company has a new website, compliments of Matice Interactive, a Salisbury full service marketing, advertising and design studio. Gary Bullard entered and won the free website giveaway that Matice offered at the SACC sponsored ChamberFest 2010 event. Although he has had other websites, he found them cumbersome and hard to
manage. Matice set up a new website with content management functionality for Gary which allows him to edit and manage his own website without a great deal of computer knowledge. To view the new website, visit www.GaryBullard.com.
Abercrombie named to board
M&T Bank announces the appointment of Michael G. Abercrombie, Jr. to its directors advisory council for the Lower Shore Division of the Chesapeake Region. The council meets regularly throughout the year to provide Abercrombie M&T with valuable insight on a wide range of business, client and community issues. Abercrombie is president and owner of Cato Gas & Oil Company, Inc., a Salisbury-based petroleum company. He serves on the Greater Salisbury Committee and Trinity UMC Administrative Board where he also volunteers with the Appalachia Service Project. Abercrombie and his wife and children reside in Salisbury.
Business Journal • January 2011
Delaware Tire supports soccer
As part of a successful team effort, Wicomico County Youth Soccer has received more than $890 in both funds and equipment from Delaware Tire Center and Uniroyal Tire. The national program, currently in its 11th year, continues to be a major supporter of youth soccer. Partnering with its tire dealers, Uniroyal Tire has donated nearly $13 million in funds and equipment, including over one million soccer balls, since 2000 through the Uniroyal Soccer Program. The Wicomico County Fall Youth Soccer Program is composed of six divisions, and open to children ages three to 14. As part of the Uniroyal Soccer program, each child received a coupon for a free soccer ball which could be redeemed at Delaware Tire Center.
Telewire offers virtual systems
Telewire, Inc. is now providing its customers with Virtual Hosted Office systems designed to help small to midsized businesses take advantage of the latest in cloud-based technologies. Virtual Hosted Office systems provide secured access to company data and applications from anywhere in the world and small to mid-sized businesses are deploying this technology in order to remain competitive in today’s economic environment.
The driving forces behind this growth are increased profitability and enhanced IT infrastructure security. “Many small to mid-sized businesses have absolutely no need for on-site servers, and they can just as easily be hosted in the cloud for a fraction of the cost,” said Bryan Murfree, president of Telewire, Inc. “Additionally, Virtual Hosted Office systems are continuously updated which provides dramatic cost savings over purchasing and repurchasing servers,” Murfree said. Also, since systems are hosted offsite in multiple, excessively secure, “disaster-proof,” 24x7x365 monitored, “bunker-style” facilities, companies are able to operate with much greater levels of security.
Matice awarded contract
Matice Interactive, a Salisbury interactive design and marketing agency, has been awarded a contract by The Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA) to rebrand, re-design and expand its web presence. Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, a division of the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, requested an upgraded master website for LSWA and three additional sub sites for the Dislocated Workers Program, the Youth Program and the Adult Program. Lower Shore Workforce Alliance
PAGE 15
RIBBON CUTTING - A ribbon cutting was held recently for Lark, located at 1409 South Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury’s newest gift shop offering handmade artistic jewelry and giftware in a boutique setting. Owner Ashlyn Nolte invited Chamber members to join Mayor Jim Ireton, her family and friends for open house festivities during the ribbon cutting.
provides training opportunities such as job search, resume assistance, career information and assessment, job training and business services through the OneStop Job Market and the Mobile OneStop Job Market.
New website for MDBC
Dana Seiler, principal of Vantage Point Solutions Group, announces that they have recently launched a new website for the Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MDBC). The new website can be found at www.mdbc.us. The new website features easy to
find information on how to become a member, background information on what MDBC is and what it provides to its audience. The rotating photographs and information at the top of the website showcase news and pertinent information on the Cooperative. The new website uses a custom WordPress Content Management System that allows Maryland Broadband Cooperative to update news articles, event calendar, photo gallery and a variety of other features quickly and easily. The Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MDBC) is a member-owned and operated universal access, fiber optic network.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 16
The 2010 Asian Games By E. Tylor Claggett
Insights
As 2010 comes to an end, I cannot help but be reminded that China has arrived on the world scene. The Chinese ...the newly completed really know how to celebrate “Canton Tower” is just events that bring foreigners plain amazing in its to their land. The 2010 Asian Games own right. in Guangzhou was no exception. It followed, first, the 2008 Olympics in Beijing rehearsals. I was very willing to acand then the 2010 EXPO in Shanghai; commodate their absences because the both sensational by any standard. Nevchance to participate was a once-in-aertheless, the Games in Guangzhou lifetime opportunity. were a fitting third jewel in the recent Other students were issued sharpSino Triple Crown. looking light green and white jump One might ask, “How did a city and suits to identify them as information nation pull off a worthy encore after sources and crowd management people. hosting the Olympics and the World’s One night, right before the Games, I Fair?” There were many aspects to dosaw a large military convoy on a nearby ing this, but it was apparent the key was street. There were perhaps a dozen team work, coordination and cooperalarge military trucks filled with soldiers tion. of the People’s Liberation Army. People everywhere tolerated stepped However, the soldiers were not up security at subway stations, the airdressed in combat uniforms, as would port and other public places before and be normal when riding in the back of during the Games. a truck. They were all in service dress Another example was the drive from uniforms (wheel hats, white gloves, ties the Guangzhou (Baiyun) Airport into and dark green dress coats). I assumed the city. Crews worked at all hours of they too were rehearsing for their part; the day and night to decorate the road perhaps as guards and escorts during with an amazing variety of gardens and the Games. athletic figures, many of which were Guangzhou has a sky line that rivals made of flowers. By the way, in China, the one in Shanghai. But, the newly Guangzhou is known as the city of completed “Canton Tower” is just plain flowers. amazing in its own right and Shanghai The work on the road to and from has nothing like it. It is 600 meters high the airport could not be done too far in at its peak and it is described by Wikiadvance because flowers and gardens pedia as a “twisted hyperboloid strucdo not stay at their peak for very long. ture that is complex, transparent, curvy Coordinating this compressed project and gracious intended to be subtle and with the normal daily airport traffic was fragile but also sexy.” no mean feat. Believe me, it is all those things and The Games required thousands of more. However, after dark, before, dur“volunteers” to manage and direct the ing and after the Games, it has been anticipated crowds and to man the dozdisplayed with indescribable exterior ens of information booths all over the lighting. city. Jinan University, where I taught At times, the tower glows as if red this fall, declared three days of no hot. At other times it shows cool shades classes to allow the student body to asof blue and green. And, at still other sist with the Games. times, the tower becomes almost pure Some students performed during the white. All of these color combinations opening ceremonies and many were are further enhanced by undulating patabsent from my classes because of daily terns that move and pulsate at various speeds. Against the clear night sky with the moon above, the Canton Tower is a sight like nothing I have ever seen before. It truly epitomizes the very nature and cooperative spirit of the party and celebration of life that was the 2010 Asian Games. About the author
Shown is the new “Canton Tower.”
Dr. E. Tylor Claggett is Professor of Finance at Salisbury University, Salisbury.
Members of the Eastern Shore Delegation presented attendees with their views of the issues they would face in the 2011 Legislative session. The presentation was followed by a question and answer session. Those in attendance included Senator Richard Colburn, Delegate Adelaide Eckardt, Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, Senator James Mathias Jr., Delegate Charles Otto and Delegate Mike McDermott.
Approximately 100 chamber members attended the General Membership Luncheon on Dec. 16.
General Assembly back to work on January 12 Chamber hosts lively discussion of the issues The Maryland General Assembly starts their 2011 session on Jan. 12 for 90 days. In that short time, more than 2,300 bills, including the state’s annual budget, will be acted upon. On Dec. 16, the Eastern Shore delegation joined the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce for lunch and a lively discussion of the issues. Tom Worley, from the Comcast Bay Shore Group provided introductions of the Eastern Shore delegation and moderated the session with Senators Richard Colburn and James Mathias Jr. and Delegates Adelaide Eckardt, Jeannie Haddaway-Ricco,
Charles Otto and Mike McDermott. The Chamber’s State Legislative Committee will be monitoring the activity in Annapolis closely. This committee could use your help. Join this committee if you are interested in the process. If you hear about an issue of importance to your business, share the information with the Chamber staff and State Legislative Committee. If the committee identifies an issue affecting your industry, you may be asked for your opinion to help us develop or support our position.
Business Journal • January 2011
BOARD DONATES TURKEYS - Board members of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore demonstrated their Thanksgiving spirit by donating 15 turkeys to the Seton Center. The turkeys will be used to provide hot meals over the holidays for families in financial crisis. The Seton Center is a division of Catholic Charities and provides crisis and emergency assistance and other supportive services to people in need. This year, United Way is providing $75,000 to the Seton Center to fund food distribution, crisis assistance and case management programs. Third row, from left Joe Ruark, Bill Middleton, Vince Tolbert, Steven Leonard, Ira “Buck” Shockley, Gene Adkins. Second row - Gage Thomas, Ginny Reid Matern, Cathie Thorsten, Kathleen Mommé. Seated - Karen Reddersen, Sister Cecelia McManus, Sister Regina Hudson, Tim Feist.
PAGE 17
POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT - The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently presented a grant of nine digital cameras, cases and memory cards to the Salisbury City Police Department along with surveillance technology that will assist with street surveillance particularly in the area of anti-drug operations. With all departments facing serious fiscal challenges, the Foundation saw the opportunity to meet this need to help fight crime in our city. Equipping our officers and detectives with the special equipment they need to do their jobs protecting our citizens and documenting crime scenes is extremely important in our battle to reduce the high crime rate. Receiving the equipment from SACC Foundation President Wesley Cox, are Mayor Jim Ireton, Chief Barbara Duncan and Captain Paul Simon.
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 18
Education
School of Arts and Professions prepares its students globally Interim Dean, School of The Arts and Professions
UMES
The School of the Arts and Professions at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore prepares students to The Education Leaderserve globally. Our international programs engage ship Program was reacstudents and faculty in intertivated this past fall. actions designed to impact teaching, learning and research world-wide. UMES’ arts and profes“English as a Second Language” assions school includes the departments sistance. of Criminal Justice, Education, English The English and Modern Language and Modern Languages, Fine Arts Department also has resumed use of the and Social Sciences. Faculty members Foreign Language Instructional Center. routinely collaborate with counterparts Carol Champagne and Nydia Gregory at the National Aeronautics and Space utilize it for Spanish instruction where Administration, the National Institutes students use Rosetta Stone software. of Health, the Department of Energy, French and Arabic instruction will be the National Security Agency and the added this spring. Maryland State Department of EducaThe Education Leadership Program, tion. which prepares K-12 school administraThe Criminal Justice Department tors and trains them in best practices, expanded its internship program in was reactivated this past fall under the 2010 and now places students with the direction of Derry Stufft. FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and the December graduates of the Fine Arts Secret Service. A delegation of facDepartment showed off their talents ulty and students will travel to Canada at the annual Senior Art Exhibit in the this spring to participate in the annual Moseley Gallery, always a popular American Criminal Justice Society event. The students had a chance to meeting. display brilliantly executed paintings, The Education Department coordigraphically illustrated imagery and mulnated and co-hosted a national teachertimedia works of art in a formal setting. quality conference in November. UMES’ Gospel Choir, under the The one-day event brought together direction of Della Dameron-Johnson, speakers from the Educational Testwho has become an institution over a ing Service, Maryland lawmakers and 35-year career at the university, unites educators from the K-12 and higher the campus and community with its education sectors to discuss the urgency annual worship songs-and- dance perof closing the achievement gap between formance. A five-day run in December white and minority students, encouragwas no different. UMES students were ing minorities to pursue teaching cajoined in the Ella Fitzgerald Center reers and finding equitable funding for for the Performing Arts by community poor urban and rural schools. UMES choirs from the Eastern Shore, includhas not lost sight of its mission to train ing James M. Bennett High School and teachers, President Thelma Thompson Second Generation. told the gathering. In my role as interim dean, I colThe English and Modern Languages laborated with Junior Hopwood, acting Department is excited by the many serSocial Sciences chairman, in securing vices now available at the University a grant through the Thurgood Marshall Writing Center, created to help students College Fund program in conjunction challenged by writing assignments with the Department of Defense New from reports and essays to résumés and Research on the Global Impact of Hisapplication letters. Peers provide onetorically Black Colleges and Universion-one tutoring help with essays and ties. Our project is: UMES International other writing projects, while computerStudents in Motion: The Global Impact based tutorials offer grammar and voof Graduates from the University of cabulary enrichment. Maryland Eastern Shore. The Center, staffed by faculty volWe celebrate the impressive achieveunteers and under interim director Dean ments of our students, faculty and staff Cooledge, supports students and faculty who step in stride, “setting the pace for across the university and works with institutional excellence in learning and professors to monitor students’ progleadership.” ress. Specially trained tutors provide
Accepting the 2010 Mary Gay Calcott Award for Excellence are Carter G. Woodson Elementary School teachers Melodi Power, Mary Sue Atkinson, Patti Monk and Keisha Evans; Principal Lilly Welch; and Calcott Fund representatives Sandy Poole, Linda Hutchinson and Pete Hutchinson.
Grants are awarded to schools The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore honored Maryland Lower Shore schools and educators with more than $47,000 in grants through the Foundation’s 2010 Education Awards Grants Program. Education Awards are made annually
BUSINESS & SUPERVISION
By Rita Lamb
in conjunction with National Education Week through a competitive process to public and private schools on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Grants are made to those schools that have demonstrated through innovative programs Continued on page 19
Prepare for success
“I use social networking to market my business. In the classroom, not only do I teach how to use Facebook and other tools, I provide real-life strategies as well.” Dr. Ira Wolfe instructor
Prepare for a new position or gain the skills to take your career to the next level by taking non-credit courses offered by Wor-Wic Community College. Classes are starting soon in: Customer Service Finance Grant Writing Human Resources Marketing Materials Management Nonprofit Management Office Skills Small Business Operations Supervision & Leadership
Continuing Education & Workforce Development www.worwic.edu (410) 334-2815
Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 19
Salisbury University + The Community = A Win-Win For All! By Dr. George Whitehead SU Psychology Professor and Salisbury’s Promise Director
Kimberly Dumpson J.D., director of alumni affairs and planned giving at UMES, at left, accepts a check for $10,000 benefitting student-athletes from Evelyn SampleOates, daughter of the late Johnny Sample, professional football player and Maryland State alumnus.
New scholarship is established Johnny Sample, who began and ended his colorful 11-year professional football career playing in two landmark games, will now officially be remembered closer to his athletic roots at Maryland State College, his alma mater. A $10,000 gift to the school, now known as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, establishes the John B. Sample Scholarship Fund. It will provide need-based financial aid for student-athletes who play intercollegiate sports at UMES. Evelyn Sample-Oates, her brother, Barkley, and sister, Sabrina, created the fund as a tribute to their late father, a 1958 graduate of the university. As a rookie defensive back with Baltimore, Sample played in the historic 1958 championship game where the Colts defeated the New York Giants 2317. The game, often referred to as “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” was the first in professional football to go into overtime. In his final season, Sample made an interception for the New York Jets in their 16-7 win over the Colts in the AFL-NFL Championship Game, the first time the term “Super Bowl” was used. The Jets’ victory is considered one of the greatest upsets in American sports history. Sample died April 26, 2005, the only professional football player to win championship rings playing in the old National Football League, the defunct American Football League and the Su-
The late Johnny Sample, professional football player and Maryland State alumnus.
per Bowl. He also played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. According to Kimberly Dumpson J.D., UMES’ director of alumni affairs and planned giving, the fund is open to receive additional gifts. Sample-Oates started the fund with a $10,000 pledge. Endowed funds at UMES must reach $10,000 before scholarship monies are dispersed. For more information, contact Dumpson at 410-651-7686 or by emailing kdumpson@umes.edu.
Community Foundation Grants Continued from page 18
to be particularly beneficial to their students and communities. The Community Foundation honored Carter G. Woodson Elementary School in Somerset County with the Sixth Annual Mary Gay Calcott Award of Excellence. The award was presented to the school for the creativity it dem-
onstrated in its grant proposal this year. In addition to the Calcott Award, Carter G. Woodson Elementary also received $500 from the Foundation’s Mary Gay Calcott Memorial Fund to benefit the school. The award is named for the late Mary Gay Calcott, an English professor at Salisbury University.
From ringing bells for the Salvation Army to decorating Christmas trees for local senior organizations, Salisbury University made the holidays brighter for many in the community. Salisbury Pops patrons put more than $600 in the red kettle after the annual concert. Blackwell Library sponsored a “Be a Hero for Homeless Animals” pet supply drive for local shelters. Student-athletes collected presents for less fortunate children. The Information Technology Office adopted a family. Social Work’s “Baby Shower” helped infants in need. Hundreds brought Toys For Tots donations to SU’s Turkey Trot and Santa Run. Countless others contributed canned goods for the Maryland Food Bank at the campus’ holiday social. These examples of holiday generosity are not the only way SU is helping the community. Students, faculty and staff are engaged in volunteer work throughout the year. Recently, the White House honored SU Marketing Professor Paula Morris with the President’s Call to Service Award for lifetime achievement and for dedicating more than 4,000 hours to community programs for youth. From reluctant learners and potential high school dropouts, to Girl Scouts and future leaders of tomorrow, Paula works with a wide range of young people in the region. Salisbury’s Promise, a youth alliance that I coordinate, nominated her for this national award. We applaud her work with Kids of Honor®, a nonprofit she founded a decade ago to keep students engaged in school. A collaborative model helps all participants graduate from high school on or ahead of time. Paula also is instrumental in the Youth Leadership Academy, held each summer at SU. She describes it as “leadership training by youth for youth.” Through her dedication to both programs and service on the Salisbury’s Promise board, she clearly helps us to deliver the five promises we believe in: caring adults, safe places, healthy starts, effective education and opportunities to help others. We are so proud of, and thankful for, her work. Salisbury’s Promise and these other programs are evidence of the many successful partnerships that exist between SU and the community to help young people succeed. These initiatives were highlighted by the America’s Promise Alliance last fall: It named the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County one of the nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People—for the fourth time. We were
selected from more than 350 communities in all 50 states. After hearing about the honor, Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt Jr. saluted the many citizens who work so hard to make our community “a place of hope and promise for our most valuable asset, our young people.” In addition, last summer the National Civic League named Salisbury an “All-America City.” During the nomination process, judges specifically asked me about the University’s role in the community. I told them that SU plays a part in a number of projects. Specifically spotlighted was the Youth Leadership Academy. In addition, the SU Social Work Department was key in developing emergency shelters to serve the homeless in the region. SU students volunteered manual labor, including landscaping skills, for a housing revitalization project on Rose and Lake streets. All three initiatives illustrate that our community has the capacity to foster problem solving, civic engagement and cooperation between public, private and nonprofit sectors. It also shows how SU faculty and staff enthusiastically model the high level of engagement that is expected of students. Students, in turn, serve as volunteers and interns in Salisbury and beyond. Community organizations that are in need should keep that in mind. Don’t hesitate to turn to SU. Some 1,947 individuals, including many energetic students, have already registered with SU’s Volunteer Center and are ready and willing to help with all kinds of projects and initiatives. To get connected, visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu/volunteer. As I explain in my book A Glorious Revolution for Youth and Communities (published last year with Wicomico County Recreation Director Andy Kitzrow), service-learning opportunities make education exciting. They teach civic responsibility and engage students in addressing community needs. We go on to explore how “model communities” endorse, enrich, embrace and empower their young people. In Salisbury, the community and the University continually join forces to do just that. Look around and then get involved. This is a great place to work and live.
Business BusinessJournal Journal• •January January2011 2011
PAGE PAGE20 20
Name
Contact
Business Journal Directory Phone
Fax
Website
ADVERTISING Morning Star Publications, Inc. Melissa Perdue 302-629-9788 302-629-9243 mperdue@mspublications.com 951 Norman Eskridge Hwy., Seaford, DE 19973 302-841-0887 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS Andrew W. Booth & Associates, Inc. Matthew Smith 410-742-7299 410-742-0273 awbengineers.com msmith@awbengineers.com 1942 Northwood Dr., Salisbury, MD 21801 Debbie Bailey dbailey@awbengineers.com _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Davis, Bowen & Friedel Michael Wigley 410-543-9091 410-543-4172 dbfinc.com mrw@dbfinc.com One Plaza East, Suite 200, Salisbury, MD 21801 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ George, Miles & Buhr, LLC Michelle Everngam 800-789-4462 410-548-5790 gmbnet.com meverngam@gmbnet.com 206 W. Main St., Salisbury, MD 21801 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ARCHITECTURAL & ENGINEERING SUPPLIES DiCarlo Precision Instrument & DiCarlo Precision Imaging John DiCarlo 410-749-0112 410-749-9323 dicarlo1.com john@dicarlo1.com 2006 Northwood Dr., Salisbury, MD 21801 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ AUTO DEALERS Pohanka Automotive Group Chris Hagel 410-749-2301 410-742-5168 pohankaofsalisbury.com chrisrobininc@aol.com 2012 North Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21801 ext: 8030 ________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sherwood of Salisbury Matt Romanowski 410-548-4600 410-548-4662 sherwoodofsalisbury.com mattromo@sherwoodofsalisbury.com 1911 N. Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury, MD 21804 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE Rinnier Commercial Blair Rinnier, CCIM 410-742-8151 410-742-8153 rinnier.com bmail@rinnier.com 218 East Main St., Salisbury, MD 21801 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CONSTRUCTION Malone Homes Jason Malone 443-260-4775 443-260-1769 malonehomesmd.com manlonefarmsllc@aol.com PO Box 1109, Allen, MD _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ruark Builders Barbie Hanneman, VP 410-749-0193 410-860-4875 ruarkhomes.com bhanneman@ruarkhomes.com 4920 Snow Hill Rd., Salisbury, MD 21804 410-677-3835 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FINANCIAL The Bank of Delmarva Robert D. Core 410-548-5670 410-742-9588 bankofdelmarva.com bob@bankofdelmarva.com 2245 Northwood Dr., Salisbury, MD 21801 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ INSURANCE Allstate Insurance Fred Pastore 410-860-0866 410-860-0869 allstate.com/fredpastore fredpastore@allstate.com 111 Naylor St., Salisbury, MD 21804-4333 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley Laura Deeley Bren 410-835-2000 410-835-2036 ascd.net lbren@ascd.net 7171 Bent Pine Rd., Willards, MD 21874 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Avery Hall Insurance Group Kevin Hayes 410-742-5111 410-742-5182 averyhall.com khayes@averyhall.com 308 E. Main St., Salisbury, MD 21801 Joe Gast jgast@averyhall.com ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Gamee Elliott, State Farm Insurance Gamee Elliott 410-749-4725 410-749-4175 statefarm.com gamee.elliott.bvm6@statefarm.com 923 Eastern Shore Dr., Salisbury, MD 21804 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RPS ISG International Brad Sutliffe 410-901-0736 410-910-0836 isgintl.com Brad_Sutliffe@isgintl.com 204 Cedar St., Cambridge, MD 21613 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Landmark Insurance & Financial Group Charles McClenahan 410-651-2110 410-651-9288 landmarkinsuranceinc.com charlie@ 30386 Mt. Vernon Rd., Princess Anne, MD 21853 888-651-2111 landmarkinsuranceinc.com ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRINTING DiCarlo Digital Center. Joey DiCarlo 410-749-9901 410-749-9885 dicarlodigitalcopycenter.com joey@dicarlo1.com 109 South Division St., Salisbury, MD 21801 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ RECYCLING Delmarva Recycling Greg Stein 410-546-1111 410-543-9005 delmarvarecycling.com gstein@delmarvarecycling.com 909 Boundary St., Salisbury, MD 21801 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cubes To Go Betsy Bradford 410-742-2100 410-742-3875 cubestogo.com info@cubestogo.com 102 Broadway St., PO BOx 238, Fruitland, MD 21826 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TIRE & AUTO CENTER Burnett White Dawn Tilghman 410-742-2222 410-543-4182 burnettwhite.com burnettwhite@cavtel.com 412 East Main St., Salisbury, MD 21804 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ WATER Sharp Water Lisa Rice 410-742-3333 410-543-2222 sharpwater.com lrice@sharpwater.com 129 Columbia Road, Salisbury, MD 21801 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Business Journal • December 2010 Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 29 PAGE 21
a.s.a.p.r. celebrates 15 years with new division In the midst of running between meetings, designing public relations programs and developing branding campaigns for clients, Robbie Tarpley Raffish looked up from her desk one day and was surprised to realize her firm had reached its 15th anniversary. “We had two clients celebrate major milestone events this year – Peninsula Home Care reached its 25th anniversary and Dr. Alex Azar is celebrating 35 years of practicing on the Lower Shore,” said Raffish. “As I was advocating to each of them to highlight their longevity in their marketing, it suddenly dawned on me that a.s.a.p.r. had reason to celebrate as well.” Reaching the landmark took Raffish a little by surprise. Like nearly all small businesses, a.s.a.p.r. spent two years focused on coming through the recession. Launching a.s.a.p.r. as a boutique public relations firm in Philadelphia in 1996, Raffish had since branched out into strategic marketing, branding, direct marketing, website development and most recently, advertising. This year her firm designed four complete advertising campaigns – including television, radio, print and web – for the Delaware SPCA, Azar Eye Institute, Peninsula Home Care and most recently Chesapeake Cove, McCready Foundation’s new assisted living location. It was only after the firm completed four campaigns this year that it felt it could add ‘and advertising’ to the roster of offerings. Raffish credits that ability to change and grow with helping her team first survive and then begin to thrive during the economic downturn. “Our commercials are well written and directed, and the proof is in the
Robbie Tarpley Raffish Photo by Michael Orhelein
calls we get asking for information and services,” said Therese Ganster, Branch Manager of Peninsula Home Care. “Until this year, all of our referrals came from medical professionals. The ad campaign has people in the public asking for us by name.” a.s.a.p.r. represents both regional and national clients, combining “big city” thinking and “small town” service. The firm has represented Liberty Property Trust, one of the largest real estate investment trusts in the nation, for nearly 15 years, and has been responsible for helping position the developer as a leader in sustainable design. One of the ways a.s.a.p.r. has been able to distinguish itself from larger competition is through its ability to bring the right talent to the table at the right time and price. Nearly everyone who works for the company has 15 or more years of pro-
The team at NBC10! Show readies for a live broadcast from the Comcast Center, the tallest green building in the nation.
fessional experience; and nearly everyone is a contractor hired specifically to work with a client who needs their skill set. Over the years Raffish has been able to build a network of professionals that include account managers, writers, creative directors, graphic designers, web designers and social marketers. During the last four months, the firm has launched three websites using the partnership model, working closely with both Two Rider Design and Matice Interactive. In the case of the new Chesapeake Cove site, the project also brought to bear the photography work of Cheryl Nemazie of C Studio and graphic design by Debi Rus of Rus Design. a.s.a.p.r. is currently assembling a social media strategy for one of its larger
clients, a still-foreign territory for most small and midsize companies. “Most social media has been around just a few years, but those of us in marketing who have been talking through and working with Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for a while sometimes forget that most people are using these – if they are using these – mostly socially. Marketing on these platforms is a new frontier,” said Raffish. She added, “Being 15-years-old is a great place for our agency right now. We have enough experience to tackle almost anything and the flexibility to absorb the constant changes happening in marketing. There’s so much to do that by the time we look up from the work again we might have reached our 20th anniversary.”
Business Journal Advertising Index The following Directory of Business Journal advertisers provides quick reference for your convenience. The number appearing before the name of the business refers to the page number where the ad appears in this
Education 24 Wilmington University . . . . . . . . . . . . . .877-456-7003 18 Wor Wic College . . . 334-2815
edition of the Journal.
Accessories 11 Trinkets . . . . . . . . . . 334-6006 Architecture 3 AWB Engineers . . . . 742-7299 Advertising 5 Comcast Spotlight . . 546-6610 Automobiles & Services 9 Burnett-White . . . . . . 742-2222 17 Pohanka of Salisbury . . . . . . . . . 1-877-4-POHANKA 11 Sherwood. . . . . . . . . 548-4600
Employment 13 Express Employment . . . . . . . 860-8888 Financial 14 Shore Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gifts 5 Edible Arrangements 677-0350 Health 15 Accurate Optical. . . . 749-1545 15 Apple Discount Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543-8401
Heating & Air Conditioning 13 Mid-Atlantic Heating. 546-5404
Security 14 Sentech . . . . . . . . . . 546-0046
Insurance 17 Atlantic, Smith, Cropper & Deeley . . . . . . . . . 835-2000 23 Avery Hall. . . . . . . . . 742-5111 13 IBS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213-8338
Utilities 4 Choptank Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877-892-0001 7 Horner Honda . . . . . . 749-6661
Jeweler 9 Ken Sehman The Jeweler. . . . . . . . 546-3866 Real Estate 2 Sperry Van Ness . . . 543-2440 23 Remax Crossroads . . . . . . . . . . . . . .443-736-3373 Screen Printing 4 Chesapeake Screen Printing . . . . 749-7660
We Wish You A Healthy & Prosperous
2011!
PAGE 22
Sieg, Catellier pass exam
Becker Morgan Group congratulates William E. Sieg, AIA and Eric M. Catellier, AIA, LEED AP for passing the Architectural Registration Examination to become registered architects. To become licensed, an individual must pass a series of seven exams and fulfill education and Sieg experience requirements set forth by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Sieg is an associate with Becker Morgan Group and has over 11 years of experience. He is a graduate of Morgan State University with a Catellier master of architecture and the University of Delaware with a bachelor of arts in political science. Catellier has over 8 years of experience and is a graduate of Philadelphia University with a bachelor of architecture. His responsibilities include architectural design, specifications and project management for various project types. Catellier is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), is a LEED Accredited Professional, and is a part-time architecture and CAD instructor at Wor-Wic Community College.
Coles joins RPS ISG
Steve Robinson, area president of local insurance agency, RPS ISG International, recently welcomed Jennifer Coles to the RPS team as a national sales executive. Coles will be responsible for increasing sales revenue and building relationships for their CCBsure national technology program. Coles was previously with DLT Software Solutions in Herndon, Coles Va., as an inside sales representative selling CAD software to federal, state and local governments and managed national accounts in the Pacific Northwest. Coles attended Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., where she received her degree in sport management. She recently married and moved to Cambridge.
Cook named chief lending officer
Douglass M. Cook has been named chief lending officer of Shore Bank and president of Shore Bank’s Maryland division. Cook brings over 16 years of experi-
Business Journal • January 2011
Personnel File ence in the financial services industry to Shore Bank, and possesses extensive knowledge of commercial and consumer lending and bank operations. His previous positions include senior vice president with BB&T and PNC/Mercantile Peninsula Bank. Cook has a master’s degree in business administration from Salisbury University and a bachelor of science in finance from Regis University. He also graduated from National Commercial Lending School at Southern Methodist University and the University of Maryland’s School of Bank Management.
Hackett named district governor
Don Hackett, executive director of Dove Pointe, has been elected governor of District 7630 of Rotary International. Hackett, a former president of the Rotary Club of Wicomico County, provides oversight and leadership to 40 clubs and about 1,750 members in Delaware Hackett and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Hackett began his career in Rotary after being selected as a vocational Group Study Exchange Member to South Africa in 1995. He resides in Eldorado with his wife, Vanessa and family.
Harris is Five Star Professional
Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley (A/SCD) announces that Tim Harris, marketing specialist at the Lewes office, has been selected through a survey conducted by Delaware Today, as a 2010 Five Star Home/Auto Insurance Professional. Delaware Today surveyed homeowners and other industry experts to find insurance profesHarris sionals in the Delaware area, who scored highest in overall satisfaction, and Harris was selected from A/SCD.
Poulson recognized for service
Jackie Poulson was recently recognized for 25 years of service to Rinnier Development Company (RDC). RDC is a real estate development, brokerage and management company. Poulson began her career as a secretary. During her first 15 years Poulson at RDC, she held the following positions: secretary, accounts payable/receivable clerk, payroll supervisor and benefits
manager. Presently and for the past 10 years, she has served as a senior accounting associate. Prior to working at RDC, Poulson worked at Avery Hall Insurance and Peninsula Regional Medical Center.
Thomas joins firm
The investment advisory firm of Livingston, Hammond & Hill Wealth Management, LLC announces that Joshua P. Thomas has joined the firm as an investment advisor. Thomas will be actively involved in providing investment advice and financial management for individual investors and small businesses. Thomas has a bachelor of science degree in finance from Salisbury University. He currently holds the Financial Industry RegulaThomas tory Authority’s Series 7 – General Securities Representative license and the Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent State Law registration. Thomas has professional sales experience and brings an extensive background in customer service. He lives in Hebron, with his wife, Melissa, and their children, Kyleigh and Cole.
Wood joins MAC, Inc.
MAC, Inc. the Area Agency on Aging announces the addition of new staff member Pam Wood, benefits counselor. Wood will be working with the Maryland Access Point (MAP) program, Medicare D (drug plan) enrollment as well as further developing the agency’s e-newsletter and social networking presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. For 10 years prior, Wood Wood held the position of program manager for the Peninsula Partners program at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. (Photo by Jeanne Anderton)
Motsko receives CDE status
The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) has announced that John Motsko, diabetes resource pharmacist, Apple Discount Drugs, achieved Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) status by successfully completing the Certification Examination for Diabetes Educators. Achieving certification status demonstrates to people with diabetes Motsko and employers that the health care profes-
sional possesses distinct and specialized knowledge, thereby promoting quality of care for people with diabetes. Motsko began working for Apple in 2009, after a 35-year career with Eli Lilly in the company’s diabetes division. He spearheaded the formation of Apple’s Diabetes Resource Center in 2009.
Pratz joins Sentech
Sentech Security & Communications welcomes Megan Pratz as the director of marketing and public relations. Pratz joins Sentech after working as a television reporter for Capital News Service and a multimedia online reporter for News21, both out of College Park, Md. At Sentech, she will be responsible for all advertising, marketing and promotional efforts, as well as web and graphic design initiatives. Pratz graduated from the University of Maryland in May with a B.A. in broadcast journalism and a B.A. in psychology. Sentech Security & Communications is a veteran owned and operated, fullservice electronic security company, serving Delmarva.
Waller receives promotion
Robert A. Leone, president of BesTemps & Career Associates, Inc. has announced that in addition to her area manager responsibilities, Mindy Waller will also be managing the Cambridge office. Waller started as a staffing coordinator in 2003 in the Salisbury location. She was quickly acknowledged for her salesmanship and ability to effectively communicate with client companies. Waller then accepted the challenge of outside sales representative responsible for capturing new business and servicing existing customers for all the branch locations and affiliate offices on Delmarva. As company representative, Waller is involved in various community events with the Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce. She has made major contributions to the start up of locations in Georgetown and Durham, N.C.
Jones joins Wilgus Insurance
Wilgus Insurance Agency welcomes Matt C. Jones as a licensed agent. Jones is licensed in property and casualty as well as life and health. He just returned from Sales College in Columbus, Ohio at Nationwide’s Corporate Headquarters. In addition, he is an active participant in Nationwide’s Life Strivers program for life insurance agents. Jones is an active member and Life Group leader at Allen Memorial Baptist Church in Salisbury.
Business Journal • January 2011
QuickBooks information session
The public is invited to attend a free QuickBooks information session that is being offered by the continuing education division at Wor-Wic Community College on Wednesday, Jan. 12, from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m., in Room 300 of the Workforce Development Center at the college campus on the corner of Route 50 and Walston Switch Road in Salisbury. Learn more about the ease of small business bookkeeping with QuickBooks. An overview of the various software packages offered by QuickBooks and a demo of the software will be provided. Information about the QuickBooks courses offered by WorWic this winter will also be available. To reserve a seat, call 410-3342815.
Website information session
An information session, “Designing and Managing a Web Site for Your Small Business,” will be held on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., in Room 306 of the Workforce Development Center at Wor-Wic Community College on the corner of Route 50 and Walston Switch Road in Salisbury. The information session, which is being offered by Wor-Wic, Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE) and the Small Business Development Center, will cover the importance of having a website for a small business, as well as
PAGE 23
the skills, resources, tools and software needed to create a website. Continuing education administrators and instructors from Wor-Wic will be available to help prospective students determine what non-credit courses or sequence of courses would best meet their needs. There is a $15 materials fee payable to MCE prior to the session. For more information or to reserve a space, call MCE at 410-546-1900.
Computer information session
The continuing education division at Wor-Wic Community College is offering a free computer information session on Thursday, Jan. 6, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., in Room 103 of the Workforce Development Center at the college campus on the corner of Route 50 and Walston Switch Road in Salisbury. The session is designed to help prospective students determine what noncredit courses or sequence of courses would best meet their needs. Continuing education administrators and instructors will be available to help those new to computers determine what courses to take first, as well as to help more advanced users determine how to upgrade their existing skills. On-site registration will be available. To reserve a seat, call 410-3342815.
Stop the Violence, a non-profit group, is working to help kids on the Salisbury East Side.
Stop the Violence effort underway Stop the Violence in Wicomico County is in the early stages of becoming a non-profit group focused on children. A group of caring adults (pictured here) have been meeting and planning for over a year because of the increased violence and gang activity in the area. They saw a need in the Salisbury East side to provide children with a safe place to live and play. Lead by Nancy Rendine and a board of local business people, Stop the Violence in Wicomico County is well underway to making a difference in the lives of children. The goal is to provide local programming tailored to children and youth in high risk areas, as well as a one on one relationship with a car-
ing adult. This will help the children achieve their highest potential as they grow to become confident, competent, caring and productive individuals. Looking forward to 2011, the group is expected to receive their non-profit status and continue to raise funds to purchase property on the East side of Salisbury. They can then begin providing sports and best practices programming along with a safe place, committed staff and volunteers to help reduce the crime and gang related violence in Wicomico County. If you are interested in joining the group, call Nancy Rendine at 410-5434813 or email her at stoptheviolencewc@verizon.net.
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Cell 443-880-3130 SusanMegargee@remax.net
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Business Journal • January 2011
PAGE 24
Barometer
Wicomico County Sales Tax Collections by category
Salisbury-Ocean City-Wicomico Airport
January ‘10 . . . . . . . . . 9,080 February ‘10 . . . . . . . . 7,900 March ‘10 . . . . . . . . . . 9,838 April ‘10 . . . . . . . . . . 10,106 May ‘10 . . . . . . . . . . . 11,327 June ‘10 . . . . . . . . . . 11,365 July ‘10 . . . . . . . . . . . 12,233 August ‘10 . . . . . . . . 13,173 September ‘10 . . . . . 11,328 October ‘10 . . . . . . . . 11,835 November ‘10 . . . . . . 11,013
November ‘10
October ‘10
November ‘09
Food & Beverage
$1,207,231
$1,255,924
$1,076,388
Apparel
$293,099
$306,497
$270,110
General Merch.
$1,487,963
$1,601,420
$1,586,686
Automotive & Oil
$385,751
$416,384
$383,809
Furniture & Appl.
$147,852
$180,521
$144,687
Building Supplies
$596,818
$556,828
$609,603
Utilities & Trans.
$410,544
$449,237
$613,902
Hardware & Equip.
$167,105
$203,483
$189,481
Miscellaneous
$535,440
$665,639
$489,841
TOTAL
$5,231,803
$5,635,933
$5,364,507
Information courtesy of Comptroller of the Treasury, Retail Sales Tax Division.
Airline Passengers Enplaned/Deplaned
November ‘09 . . . . . . . 9,486 6.7 December ‘09 . . . . . . . 9,095 6.3 2009 Total . . . . . . . 117,829 .096 11.8 8.1 17.7 14.2 12.8 3.7 -0.5 8.7 8.0 11.6 16.1
The number in the right column is the percentage of change in passenger activity compared to the previous year.
National, State, County Unemployment Rates May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
National
9.3
9.6
9.7
9.5
9.2
9.0
Maryland
7.0
7.4
7.5
7.5
7.2
6.9
Wicomico
7.9
8.1
8.3
8.4
8.1
7.9
Worcester
9.6
8.1
7.8
7.8
8.1
10.0
Somerset
9.4
10.4
10.7
10.0
9.7
9.4
Information courtesy of the Maryland Job Service at the One Stop Job Market. (Not seasonally adjusted.)