http://blogs.mdchamber.com/site/index/ en wburns@mdchamber.org Copyright 2008 2008-11-19T01:58:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/toys-for-tots-drop-off-at-millennium-marketing-solutions/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/toys-for-tots-drop-off-at-millennium-marketing-solutions/#When:01:58:00Z Millennium Marketing Solutions, a printing and marketing company in Annapolis Junction, is serving as a drop-off location for the local Toys for Tots campaign. The drop-off site at 10900 Pump House Road, near the intersection of Guilford and Dorsey Run Roads just off Maryland Rt. 32 (directions), is one of 21 in Howard County. Toys may be dropped in Millennium’s main lobby Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., on or before Friday, Dec. 19. “We’re very proud to be part of such a helpful and caring organization,” said Millennium President Janice Tippett, who also serves on the Maryland Chamber’s Marketing Committee. “Toys for Tots brings happiness to so many children. We challenge every Howard County business to contribute in some way to this great cause.” Donated toys should be new, unwrapped and appropriate for children from newborns to 17 years old. Toy weapons or those with law enforcement or military themes or anything with chemicals will not be accepted. Toys are collected from drop-off sites on Dec. 22. With the assistance of local social welfare agencies, church groups, and other local community agencies, Toys for Tots volunteers distribute the toys to the needy children of the community on December 23 and 24. For more about the Toys for Tots Program or information on how to become a Toys for Tots drop-off site, visit http://www.toysfortots.org. For more information about Millennium Marketing Solutions, call Janice at 301-725-8000 or email jtippett@mm4solutions.com. When you drop off your toy, check out all the cool promotional products in Millennium’s showroom. 2008-11-19T01:58:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/hollerbach-and-potter-named-to-chesapeake-bay-trusts-board/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/hollerbach-and-potter-named-to-chesapeake-bay-trusts-board/#When:01:47:00Z Governor Martin O’Malley recently announced the appointment of five new members to the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Board of Trustees, including two from Maryland Chamber member companies. “These distinguished individuals bring a tremendous range of talents and experiences to the Trust.” said Dr. Allen Hance, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust.  “I look forward to having these new Board members join us in our efforts to build on the Trust’s remarkable accomplishments to date and chart a bold new course for the future.” Jack Hollerbach, President and CEO of Harvest Bank and a member of the Maryland Chamber’s Board of Directors, was appointed to the 19 member board. Tara Potter, Assistant Vice President of External Affairs for Verizon Maryland, who has served on the board for two years, has been appointed to a full term by the Governor.  Hollerbach has a long and impressive background in banking, finance, and accounting. He is a former chair of the Howard County Solid Waste Funding Board (1997), was a member of the Brownfield’s Legislation Task Force (1997), and was on the governor’s transition team.  In addition to his BA and MBA from Iona College, he is a CPA and holds a Certificate in Environmental Studies from Johns Hopkins University.  Potter is currently responsible for a segment of Verizon’s community and legislative activities, as well as providing support to nonprofit organizations through board leadership and identifying opportunities for partnerships. The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a nonprofit, grant-making organization. Funding provided through the Chesapeake Bay Trust is sparking on-the-ground change in communities throughout Maryland and developing Bay stewards in classrooms across the state. Learn more online at http://www.cbtrust.org.  People News 2008-11-19T01:47:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/activate-program-accepting-applications/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/activate-program-accepting-applications/#When:15:04:00Z The ACTiVATE program at UMBC is currently accepting applications for its fifth year, which starts on February 9, 2009. ACTiVATE is an innovative program that trains and supports women to start technology-based companies. Participants have access to technology innovations from universities and research institutions in the region; put together plans to commercialize suitable technologies; and start companies with support from instructors, entrepreneurs in residence and advisors from the local business community. If you are interested in learning more about the program, you are invited to attend an open house. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2008 Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Location: Courtyard Room bwtech@UMBC Incubator and Accelerator 1450 South Rolling Rd Baltimore MD 21227 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2008 Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Location: Rockville Economic Development Office (REDI) 95 Monroe St Rockville MD 20850 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2008 Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Location: Courtyard Room bwtech@UMBC Incubator and Accelerator 1450 South Rolling Rd Baltimore MD 21227 TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2009 Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Location: Courtyard Room bwtech@UMBC Incubator and Accelerator 1450 South Rolling Rd Baltimore MD 21227 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2009 Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Location: The Center for Business & Technology 9250 Bendix Rd, North Columbia MD 21045 For more information, contact Nan Sherman at nan@umbc.edu or download this flyer (pdf).  General News 2008-10-29T15:04:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/anirban-basu-to-headline-wtp-breakfast-briefing/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/anirban-basu-to-headline-wtp-breakfast-briefing/#When:14:42:00Z On November 14, Anirban Basu, economist and president of The Sage Policy Group, Inc., will be the keynote speaker at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston’s seminar, Building in Tough Times: Strategies for today’s uncertain real estate and construction market. The event will be held from 8-10:30 a.m. at the Conference Center at the Maryland Maritime Institute in Linthicum.  Attorneys Kevin C. McCormick (Labor & Employment), Dino La Fiandra (Real Estate), Dennis J. Shaffer (Bankruptcy), and Damian J. Mark (Business & Corporate) will present on topics ranging from employee relations to commercial lending. Program Highlights 8:00: Power Networking Breakfast 8:30: On Leave - what you need to know about Maryland’s new Flexible Leave Act - Kevin C. McCormick, Esq. Red Light/Green Light - going green when the economy hits the brakes - Dino La Fiandra, Esq. Down & Out(standing) - dos and don’ts in dealing with bankrupt companies - Dennis J. Shaffer, Esq. Mining for Gold - searching for funds in today’s commercial lending market (an overview) - Damian J. Mark, Esq. 10:00 Keynote Speaker - Anirban Basu, Economist and President of The Sage Policy Group, Inc. Admission is free. For more information or to R.S.V.P., please contact Ariel Arcadipane by calling 443.263.8206 or emailing . Events 2008-10-29T14:42:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/frederick-community-college-launches-business-blog/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/frederick-community-college-launches-business-blog/#When:13:39:00Z There is a new Maryland Chamber member blog on the block. Thanks to Cliff at the Frederick News-Post for the heads up. Frederick Community College (FCC) launched a blog about the Frederick County business community. You can find it at www.watercoolerview.com. The blog will feature posts on workplace and business-related issues. The site currently includes posts on customer service, workplace dissatisfaction during a down economy, and creating a better work environment. The blog is written by FCC’s customized training and continuing education business/management teams, including David Croghan, associate vice president and dean of Continuing Education and Customized Training, and Marc Scott, business consultant. Guest contributors will be invited to post columns as the blog develops. “Watercoolerview.com is a service and a tool to get people thinking about issues in the workplace that ultimately affect how employees feel about their jobs and the organizations they work for,” Croghan said. “News headlines often focus on the bottom line and how trends in the business world impact production. We’re interested in those issues too, but we are also focused on how the organization’s constituents-its employees, managers, customers and shareholders-are affected.” We’ve added a link to Watercooler View in this blog’s sidebar, along with links to other member blogs. General News 2008-10-28T13:39:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/a-conversation-with-wr-grace-ceo-fred-festa/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/a-conversation-with-wr-grace-ceo-fred-festa/#When:13:32:01Z The WashingtonPost.com’s has posted another great video in its Voices on Leadership series featuring the CEO of a Maryland Chamber member company. A couple months ago I posted this video with Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank. Here is a video featuring W.R. Grace President & CEO Fred Festa. During this 8 minute video, Festa discusses employee engagement, recruiting top talent, technology’s and globalization’s impact on W.R. Grace’s business, and what keeps him up at night. General News 2008-10-24T13:32:01-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/loveland-eckenrode-named-2008-gbtc-connector-award-winners/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/loveland-eckenrode-named-2008-gbtc-connector-award-winners/#When:14:03:00Z The Greater Baltimore Technology Council (GBTC) named Maryland Chamber members Tom Loveland of Mind Over Machines and John Eckenrode of CPSI Corporate Professional Services, Inc. as joint recipients of its 2008 Connector Award. GBTC recognized Loveland and Eckenrode, co-founders of the Maryland Computer Services Association, for their efforts to repeal the computer services sales tax enacted during the 2007 special session. With no experience in grassroots organizing, Loveland and Eckenrode used their passion, commitment and tech savvy to unite and energize the tech community to fight for the repeal of the tech tax. “Tom and John were recognized by their peers, other business leaders, for tireless efforts in educating the community on the State’s proposed Technology Tax.  As founders and leaders of the Maryland Computer Services Association, they built and maintained partnerships, energy and resources toward the tech tax repeal. Their determined efforts on behalf of the technology community not only led to the repeal of the IT services tax but, perhaps more importantly, awakened the Maryland technology community to the need to have an organized voice in Annapolis,"” said GBTC Executive Director Steve Kozak.  The Maryland Chamber worked closely with them in our effort to repeal the tech tax, and we can think of no more deserving recipients for this year’s award. In addition to the passion and commitment they brought to the repeal effort, they sacrificed countless hours away from their companies. Click here to read more. The Dynamic Duo were also recently recognized in the Daily Record’s Innovator of the Year program. Read more here. Congratulations, John and Tom! Photo: Surrounded by lawmakers, Tom Loveland speaks during the Feb. 27 Save Maryland IT event in Annapolis. Awards & Recognition 2008-10-23T14:03:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/admiral-cleaners-call-for-coats/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/admiral-cleaners-call-for-coats/#When:20:29:00Z Winter is right around the corner and Admiral Cleaners is once again coordinating a “Call of Coats” campaign. Over the years, they have distributed more than 40,000 coats to area families in need. Help them this year by donating your seldom used or outgrown coats by dropping them off at any of Admiral’s 24 locations. Admiral Cleaners, working with national and local charities, will collect, clean and distribute thousands of coats to families in need throughout community. For more information, call (410) 267-8381 or email . General News, Philanthropy & Volunteerism 2008-10-20T20:29:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/2008-top-100-mbes-announced/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/2008-top-100-mbes-announced/#When:22:11:00Z The winners of the 2008 Top 100 MBE Awards have been announced. Congratulations to the 100 entrepreneurs selected throughout the region for outstanding achievements in business development, client satisfaction, professional affiliations and community involvement. Maryland Chamber members honored include: Timothy Adams, Systems Application & Technologies, Inc. Solomon Graham, Quality Biological Inc. Thomas Laskowski, GANTECH Jennifer Quinn, All-Pro Placement Service Inc. Deborah Stallings, HR Anew, Inc. Janice Tippett, Millennium Marketing Solutions In addition, Maryland Chamber member John “Jake” Oliver, Publisher of the Afro American Newspapers, will be recognized as a 2008 Business Legend. The Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 6, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Inn and Conference Center located at the University of Maryland University College. For more information, or to register, visit www.top100mbe.com. Awards & Recognition 2008-10-16T22:11:00-05:00 http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/carey-business-school-to-host-gen-james-cartwright/ http://blogs.mdchamber.com/whosnews/carey-business-school-to-host-gen-james-cartwright/#When:14:42:00Z Johns Hopkins Carey Business School’s Leaders + Legends Lecture Series will host General James Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore. He will discuss “Leading Organizational Change to Meet New Challenges.” Leaders + Legends is a monthly lecture series featuring today’s most influential business minds addressing topics of global interest and importance. For more information or to register, click here. Events 2008-10-11T14:42:00-05:00