PGCOC - Excellence In Business Gala 2022

Investing

in our community— because everyone deserves a chance to pursue a healthier life.

WELCOME

WELCOME TO THE 2022 EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS AWARDS GALA!

This is an exciting time to do business in Prince George’s County. As we continue to thrive following the pandemic; our County is the epicenter of regional business development with billions of dollars of projects in the works. This means thousands of procurement opportunities for small businesses and jobs! What a great time to have a business in Prince George’s County and to be a member of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce (PGCOC).

Your Chamber is on the forefront, raising the temperature for small businesses to secure these opportunities. We have an aggressive agenda that includes being your voice in Annapolis, Upper Marlboro, and the Federal Government getting you in front of key businesses & providing you with the latest news on procurement and investment.

The Prince George’s Chamber continues to grow! We have committees focusing on policy and learning opportunities as well as a Board of Directors who are mapping our strategic direction. These initiatives serve as a platform for elevating our significance. Also, we look forward to launching a NextGen committee focused on economic and strategic opportunities for emerging NextGen entrepreneurs.

The Chamber has extended its reach to the Washington region. Last year the Chamber worked with the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Greater Washington Partnership and the Federal City Council, and led the Maryland effort to secure sustainable funding for Metro. We continue to work with regional leaders on housing affordability and development.

Tonight, it’s about you! Congratulations to the honorees, for your accomplishments, your persistence, and your service in enhancing Prince Georges’ quality of life. Our County is grateful for your efforts to fund our schools, keep our communities safe and, your philanthropy has made Prince George’s the place to live and thrive! Our award recipients are just a few examples of those who lift your work.

Thank you to our sponsors and guests for joining us this evening. This event would not be possible without your presence and generous support.

Congratulations to all of the awardees who help Prince George’s ascend to higher heights!

DONNA C. GRAVES Interim President & CEO/ Alumni Chair, PGCOC

CASSIUS PRIESTLY Chair, The Board of Directors, PGCOC, Truist Bank

PROGRAM

RECEPTION.........................................................................................Sponsored by Gaylord National Harbor

WELCOME & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Cassius Priestly, Chair, The Board of Directors, PGCOC, Truist Bank

Donna C. Graves, Interim President & CEO/Alumni Chair, PGCOC

DINNER & PERFORMANCE.....................................................................................Saxophonist Brian Lenair

MASTERS OF CEREMONIES......................................................................Marc Clarke & Allison Seymour

AWARDS PRESENTATION

HEALTH ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR....................................Hope Connections for Cancer Support

ENDURING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR...........................................................................Sweet Tooth Bakery

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR...............................................Lanier Electronics Group Inc.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION...........................................................................In Honor of David C. Harrington

AWARDS PRESENTATION (Cont.)

PRESIDENT’S HALL OF FAME...................................................................................................................Carla Reid

TRAILBLAZER OF THE YEAR..................................................................................................Shelly Gross Wade

INNOVATIVE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR........................................................................Dr. Aminta Breaux

VETERAN BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR. Angela McCullough

HEALTH ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR......................................................................Alzheimer’s Association

PUBLIC SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR..........................................................................................Tiffany Green

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.......................................................................................................................................NGEN

CHAMPION FOR BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR............................................................Eben Smith

CLOSING REMARKS

MUSIC & DANCING

HONOREES

ENDURING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Sweet Tooth Cakes and Pastries is the vision of Chef Steve Thomas, intending to provide his community with high-quality, specialty desserts. Chef Thomas has worked as a Head Pastry Chef for many well-known hotels including JW Marriott, The Vista Hotel, Hilton International, and the Gaylord Hotel. In 1996, he made the decision to leave the hotel industry to pursue his dream of having his own shop, with the help of his brother, Ricardo. Since Sweet Tooth’s opening, it has stood the test of time as a community favorite, but Chef Thomas knew that Sweet Tooth could offer more. In 2012, through a partnership with Chef Thomas’ wife, Sara, Sweet 2th Cafe & Catering, opened with an extensive array of savory menu choices. More than anything, Sweet Tooth advocates for transparency in business, because it is the simplest way to build connection and being connected to the community means everything.

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Lanier Electronics Group, Inc. (Lanier), is a small certified minority owned and operated technology firm founded in 1992 by Darrell and Jane Lanier. Headquartered in Prince George’s County, MD, Lanier is a one stop shop for delivering IT solutions and takes pride in exceeding our customers expectations. Services provided includes data communications, network infrastructure, security and access control, structured cabling and audio visual services. We design, install, test, configure and maintain systems for our valued clients in the Baltimore and Washington, DC areas. We are licensed in MD,DC,VA and DE and possess various minority business certifications in each jurisdiction. We have excellent references and past performance in K-12, higher education, healthcare, utilities and retail. Our motto at Lanier, is doing right things, the right way, and we believe as our company grows, the community should benefit. That’s why we fund and sponsor local non-profit organizations in Prince George’s County and also provide workforce development initiatives to train the next generation of technicians.

Lanier Electronics Group Inc.

Sweet Tooth Bakery

HONOREES

PRESIDENT’S HALL OF FAME

Carla A. Reid serves as General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (GM/ CEO) at WSSC Water. She is the first woman to serve in this capacity. Reid is a civil engineer and senior executive with more than 30 years of business and leadership experience in the public sector. As GM/CEO, Reid leads the 104-yearstrong water utility, the largest in Maryland, in every aspect of its operation, from finance and supply chain management to engineering, environmental stewardship and customer service. Reid earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Howard University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from University of Maryland University College.

TRAILBLAZER OF THE YEAR

As President & CEO of Prince George’s Financial Services Corporation (FSC First), Shelly M. Gross-Wade, serves as an economic development finance policy advisor to the Prince George’s County administration led by County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. Since joining FSC First, she has structured the organization to serve as a Lender Service Provider managing more than 12 distinct loan programs. FSC First was recently designated the Prince George’s County Green Bank and administrator for the Commercial Property Assessment for Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program. Also, FSC First manages the City of Bowie Revolving Loan Fund while operating as an intermediary (Fund Manager) to the Mount Rainier Million Dollar Incentive Fund, Washington Gas Strive for 35 Fund, Maryland Video Lottery Terminal Fund, and the Maryland Microenterprise Loan Program. Shelly has generated over $30 Million in capital to make direct loans to socio-economically disadvantaged enterprises. In response to COVID, Shelly led her team to fund more than $37 Million in grants to support nearly 2000 COVID-impacted businesses and at least 3,700 jobs. This was an unprecedented achievement for an organization of this size. Shelly has been a visionary throughout her tenure with FSC First by collaborating with others and creating long term solutions for small businesses.

Shelly M. Gross-Wade FCS First

Carla Reid WSSC Water

CHAMPION FOR BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

In 2017, Eben founded Three|E Consulting Group, an MBE consulting firm, that serves developers, general contractors and diverse suppliers in the Washington, DC metropolitan region and surrounding areas and provides strategic sourcing, supplier diversity, compliance, community engagement and mentor protégé/ workforce programming. Eben has more than two decades of experience in compliance, procurement and contract administration, and has served as a project manager responsible for numerous highly demanding projects for Prince George’s County. Over the last 25 years he has worked closely with other regional, state and local leaders to create jobs, grow the economy and create capacity in the local and minority business community. As the County’s former Contract Compliance Officer, he monitored over $300 million worth of procurement spend and contracting activities with diverse suppliers to ensure compliance with the County’s MBE and local business utilization goals.

VETERAN BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

Ms. Angela A. McCullough is the Founder/CEO of the award-winning TriLogistics, LLC a premier Program Management and Logistics company, proudly celebrating over 12 years in business. Located in Largo, Maryland, Tri-Logistics has business operations in over 35 states. Ms. McCullough proudly served over 23 distinguished years in the Air Force as a Leader and Logistics expert and holds both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees. She has made it a priority to give back to the community and she serves on the Prince George’s Community College Board, the Prince George’s County Veterans Board, District 6 representative, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, Prince George’s County Breakfast Business Roundtable, Wounded Warriors, Community Youth Advance, and the Homeless Veterans Shelter for men. Ms. McCullough continually mentors younger entrepreneurs and serves as a guest speaker at numerous business events. She was recently chosen for the MGM Mentor protégé program, a Gilbane Rising Contractor, JP Morgan Chase VIP Advance course and attendance at the Tuck Business School.

Angela McCullough

Tri-Logistics, LLC

Eben Smith

Three | E Consulting

HONOREES

PUBLIC SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR

Tiffany D. Green is a devoted wife, mother and resident of Prince George’s County. She enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and living a life of service. As a 26-year veteran of the Fire Service, Chief Green holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety and a Master’s Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management. In March 1999, she became a career firefighter with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department after serving as a volunteer firefighter for the Oxon Hill Volunteer Fire Department. On February 4, 2020, she became Prince George’s County’s thirteenth Fire Chief and the first woman appointed to this position. Prior to this historic appointment, she served in numerous roles, including Chief Deputy, Director of the Training and Leadership Academy, Firefighter, Paramedic, Station Commander, Battalion Chief, Executive Assistant to the Public Safety Director, Chief of Staff for the Director of Homeland Security, Special Events Coordinator and Stadium Commander for FedEx Field. To her success, Chief Green strongly credits hard work, preparation and commitment. Under her leadership, the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department operates as “One County, One Department, with One Mission...The Mission to Serve.”

INNOVATIVE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Dr. Aminta H. Breaux has served as the visionary 10th president of Bowie State University since July 2017, bringing more than 30 years of diverse higher education leadership experience to the position. As president, she is committed to ensuring that every student at Bowie State University develops an entrepreneurial mindset to achieve success in the rapidly changing workplace and communities. She is dedicated to building on the legacy and rich history of Maryland’s oldest historically black university with a strategic focus on ensuring the long-term viability of the institution. Dr. Breaux is a leading voice in 21st century education, and because of her extensive knowledge and expertise, she has been tapped to serve in multiple leadership roles. She was appointed to the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the Governor’s P-20 Leadership Council of Maryland. She also sits on the board of directors of the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable, the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce and the University of Maryland Capital Region Health. She also serves as chair of Board of Directors for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Strada Education Network.

Tiffany Green

Prince George’s County Fire Chief

Dr. Aminta Breaux Bowie State University

Hope Connections for Cancer Support

HONOREES

HEALTH ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

The Alzheimer’s Association® is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Founded in 1980 by a group of family caregivers and individuals interested in research, the Association includes our home office in Chicago, a public policy office in Washington, D.C. and a presence in communities across the country. An estimated 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia. In the United States alone, more than 6 million have Alzheimer’s, and over 11 million are providing unpaid care. The Association addresses this crisis by providing education and support to the millions who face dementia every day, while advancing critical research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.

HEALTH ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

From day one Hope Connections has been there to help people with cancer actively participate in their fight for recovery. We accomplish this by offering free, professionally-facilitated programs of emotional support, education, wellness and hope. We have been supporting people with cancer and their loved ones since 2007. We help you attend to your emotional well-being, so you can deal more effectively with your disease. We have so many activities to relieve isolation and stress as well as providing you with the information you need! Most importantly, we are a community that can connect you with others going through experiences like yours. While our professionally facilitated services are free of charge we think that the emotional support, education and wellness they provide is priceless

Alzheimer’s Association

HONOREES

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Self-determined, tenacious and resilient are words that fittingly describe seasoned entrepreneur, community activist, Terry Speigner. Serving the Washington DC metro area and Baltimore region, NGEN is an Information Technology professional services firm that helps small to mid-sized businesses and government agencies get the most from their technology systems. NGEN has built a tradition of excellence that spans well over 30 years. The company’s core values are integrity, a commitment to quality, and professionalism. Essential to NGEN’s mission is providing exceptional customer service. “If you don’t have customer service as your foundation, you will not be in business over the long haul. We have long-term relationships with clients who have been with NGEN since the mid-1990’s,” says Speigner. “Every day, our primary goal is to do what’s right for our clients and make sure that they are completely satisfied. We love it when our customers call to say we make them feel like they are our only customer.”

NGEN

EVENT SPONSORS

PRESENTING PARTNER

DIAMOND PARTNER

PLATINUM PARTNER

EVENT SPONSORS

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

BRONZE PARTNERS

Entertainment Sponsor : FCS First

• Menu Sponsor: Alexander & Cleaver, P.A.

TABLE Sponsor: Mission of Love Charities, Inc.

TABLE Sponsor: Three|E Consulting Group

• TABLE Sponsor: Tri-Logistics, LLC

• TABLE Sponsor: The Honorable Mel Franklin

MC’S & ENTERTAINMENT

Marc Clarke | TV & Radio Host, Fox45

Marc Clarke is the host of the “BmoreLifestyle” show on FOX45 weekday mornings at 11:30 a.m. He joined the show in June of 2022 and also is featured on the FOX45 Morning News with his “So Baltimore” segments. Marc is a media veteran and has worked in television and radio in many markets including New York, Washington D.C., and Baltimore for almost a decade, and almost a decade at a top-rated radio station. He is committed to community service and was awarded the Key to the city of Baltimore by former Mayor Martin O’ Malley for his community service. Marc is also a children’s author and has published three books and is currently working on a book detailing his weight loss journey of over one hundred pounds and the importance of healthy living. Married for over twenty-two years, Marc always says his most important accomplishment is his family which is made up of his wife and three daughters. He is passionate about working with young people and hopes to one day open a youth media training center. Marc loves reading, swimming, weightlifting, and spending time with his family.

Allison Seymour | News Anchor, WUSA9

WASHINGTON — Allison Seymour is an Emmy® award-winning anchor who has been waking up viewers on morning news in her hometown of Washington, D.C. since 1999. Allison started her career in television at the D.C. bureau of ABC News, behind the scenes, before earning her Master of Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. She is a proud graduate of Hampton University, where she is enshrined in the Mass Media Hall of Fame. Allison’s on-air career began during the blizzard of 1993 in Upstate New York. She would go on to work in Utica, Binghamton and Albany, New York. During the summer of 1998 Allison took an anchor position in St. Louis, Missouri where, on her first day on the job, she met her future husband, radio host Marc Clarke. Allison is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She and her husband Marc share three daughters and two shelter pups. Allison feels extremely grateful to the community for all of the support over the years and is excited about joining the WUSA9 family.

Brian Lenair is a musically gifted sax player who treats the saxophone as an extension of himself. His love of music began at the age of eight with his most profound influence, his Dad, who is also a talented saxophonist. His first music instructor encouraged his passion for music and thus began the career of “SAXYB”! With over 25 successful years in the music industry, he is currently an independent recording jazz artist wowing audiences with his musical genius across the country! Brian has performed with national recording greats like, Will Downing, Maysa, Jean Carne, Billy Paul, Angela Bofill, Christopher Williams, Miki Howard, Glenn Jones, Al Jarreau, Tony Terry, Pieces of a Dream, Miles Jay, Grover Washington, Jr., Peabo Bryson, George Benson, the late Vesta and Phyllis Hyman plus many more.

Brian Lenair Saxophonist

ADVENTIST HEALTHC ARE FORT WASHINGTON MEDIC AL CENTER

Recognized for excellence in patient safety, Fort Washington Medical Center is a 50-bed acute care hospital in southwestern Prince George’s County, Maryland.

BARIATRIC WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

EXCELLENT EMERGENC Y C ARE

INFEC TIOUS DISEASES

NEUROLOGY

FREE DIABETES, HIV AND HEPATITIS C TESTING

GASTROENTEROLOGY

FREE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM FOR SENIORS

GENERAL SURGERY

NEPHROLOGY PRIMARY C ARE

ORTHOPAEDICS

RADIOLOGY

REHABILITATION

ROBOTICS

UROLOGY

VASCULAR

OPENING SOON

A state-of-the-art health destination at National Harbor with surgery center.

southwestern Prince George’s County. Our services at Fort Washington Medical Center and across the Adventist system include:

The Prince George’s County Planning Board and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

Proudly Salute the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its

EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS Awards Gala

Congratulations to the 2022 Honorees!

Remembering David C. Harrington

Past President and CEO of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce

Leading with vision and purpose

Kaiser Permanente is proud to honor the recipients of the 2022 Excellence in Business Awards from the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce. As we continue to grow in the county with new medical centers in Bowie and West Hyattsville, we remain committed to total health for all who live and work here.

kp.org/newmasfacilities

Captivate Perspectives delivers top quality talents and high impact support to help organizations optimize, thrive and achieve maximum results. With more than 20 years of industry experience, our practice areas offer: • Innovation & Strategy

• Agility, Growth & Performance

• Transformation

Dr.

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY

Maryland’s First HBCU

CONGRATULATIONS

President Aminta H. Breaux

Innovative Educator of the Year

Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce

Proudly Building Our Local Communities

Clark Construction is proud to support the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce.

Best wishes for a successful Excellence in Business Awards Gala!

LEADERSHIP

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Interim President & CEO/Alumni Chair, Donna C. Graves

Chair, Cassius Priestly, Truist Bank

Chair-Elect, Billye Pounds, MGM

Past Chair, Brian R. Wheeler, CareFirst Bluecross Blueshield

Treasurer, Tony Ruffin, Pepco

General Counsel, Jason DeLoach, Esq., Alexander & Cleaver, P.A.

Member At Large, Shameeka Price, Capital Structures Real Estates, LLC

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Leslie Jefferson, Giant Food, LLC

Tom Farasy, Corner Media

Mark Lawrence, Inncuvate, LLC

Will Groben, The Walrus Oyster and Ale House

Adenia Bradley, Misson of Love Charities

Ashley Powell, Southern Management Companies

Kait Kidwell, Six Flags America

James Marrow, Corenic Construction

Tony McBarnette, WesBanco

James Henderson, J.E. Henderson Financial

Dr. Falecia Williams, Prince George’s Community College

Dr. Charlene M. Dukes, PGCOC Honorary Member

Denita Conway, PROVEN Management, LLC

Thomas McLaurin, Industrial Bank

Michael Cohen, Top Dollar Pawn & Jewelry

Manuel Geraldo, Washington Gas

Enor Williams, The ELOCEN Group, LLC

Edward J. Grenier, III, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington (Ex-Officio)

Carla Reid & Courtney Edmonds, WSSC Water (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission)

Craig Muckle, Council for Responsible Nutrition

Dr. Aminta Breaux, Bowie State University

Robert Malone, The Arc Prince George’s County

Eben Smith, Three | E Consulting Group

Carolyn Ellison, Clark Construction Company.

Christopher Carroll, AT&T

Dr. Monica Goldson, Prince George’s County Public Schools

“The voice of wealth creation in Prince George’s County”

www.pgcoc.org

Thank You

Dear Sponsors, Elected Officials, Members, Partners, and Community, Thank you on behalf of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Team! We appreciate your unwavering support of our organization and this Celebration of Excellence. In addition to our sponsors and supporters, we wish to extend very special thanks to the following:

The O Agency

Skycon Media

Allison Seymour & Marc Clarke

Awards Plus

Brian Lenair, Saxophonist

Gaylord National Harbor

The Board of Directors, Chamber Staff and the entire Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce will forever be grateful for the life and legacy of The Honorable David C. Harrington.

As the first African American Mayor of the Town of Bladensburg, to the Prince George’s County Council, rising to Chair of the Council to Maryland State Senator, District 47, David always was committed to “Community First”.

David was indeed the right person at the right time for the Chamber. Under David’s leadership the Chamber was able to excel by doing common things in an uncommon way. Adding membership growth of over 600 members and coining the Chamber “The Voice of Wealth Creation”. He was a constant advocate, policy advisor and as determined by the Washington Business Journal led the Chamber to a Top Regional ranking. Simply by doing common things in an uncommon way.

We were blessed, grateful and thankful to have him serve as President & CEO from 2012-2022. Indeed, he has left lasting footprints of courage and compassion, and has been a change agent for our County. We will continue his life-long mission of improving health and economic prosperity. Success always leaves footprints!

“

EXCELLENCE IS TO DO A COMMON THING IN AN UNCOMMON WAY… AT THE BOTTOM OF EDUCATION, POLITICS, AND EVEN RELIGION THERE MUST BE FOR OUR RACE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE. AND SUCCESS ALWAYS LEAVES FOOTPRINTS…

- Booker T. Washington ”

www.pgcoc.org