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April 11, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Commerce Commerce Notes

Laura Heikes Recognized for 35 Years of Service with Shore United Bank

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Laura Heikes

Shore United Bank is honored to recognize Laura Heikes for 35 years of service to the Company. Laura started her career with the Bank in April of 1986 as an assistant comptroller at our Dover Street, Easton, MD branch. Over her 35 years, she has held many positions with the Bank such as, manager of loan services, officer of compliance and security, branch administration, operations and conversion coordinator.  Mrs. Heikes currently serves as a Senior Vice President of Shore United Bank, and our Government and Community Relations Officer and will be retiring from the Company on April 28, 2021.

Laura lives her commitment to the community by currently serving with the following organizations: Chairperson and Founding Member for the Talbot County Public Schools Education Foundation, Talbot County Fair Board,  Member of Talbot County Soroptimist Club,  Talbot County Chamber Ambassador, Vice Chair of the Talbot County Extension Board, Member of the Talbot County Hunger Coalition,  Member of the Talbot County Chamber Partners in Education Committee, Founding Board member of Junior Achievement in Talbot County.  She also volunteers for the following organizations: Talbot Goes Purple, Talbot County and Queen Ann County Fairs, Mid-Shore Community Foundation, Character Counts, 4-H, FFA, Talbot County Farm Bureau, His Hope Haven, Neighborhood Service Center and many more.

In addition to her work as a community partner, Laura is a 2015 graduate of Shore Leadership and was honored with the Maryland You Are Beautiful Award in 2015 and 2014 Business Woman of the Year by the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.

“Being a community banker is by no means a nine to five job.  To be a true community banker you need to be active in the community and connect with your customers to help improve the communities we live in,” says Laura Heikes, Senior Vice President of Shore United Bank, and our Government and Community Relations Officer.

“We wish Laura well as she enters this new chapter in her life.  Laura has been dedicated to supporting the needs of her customers and our communities for over 35 years and she will be greatly missed. However, knowing her fondness and dedication to this community I have no doubt that she will continue to be a positive force in many local activities,” says Lloyd L. “Scott” Beatty, Jr.  President and CEO at Shore United Bank.

Laura resides in St. Michaels, MD with her husband, Ed. She has two children, Kate and Jed and two grandchildren Peyton Skye and Bailey Claire. When not volunteering in the community, Laura loves spending time entertaining family and friends and enjoys being a “Mimi” to many, especially her two grandchildren.

For more information about Shore United Bank, visit ShoreUnitedBank.com.

Rural Futurist Headlines 2021 Talbot County Business Appreciation Summit

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Dr. Connie Reimers-Hild, certified futurist and owner of Wild Innovation Consulting, will be the featured speaker at the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Virtual Business Appreciation Summit, which will be presented via Zoom on April 30 at 8:30 a.m.

Reimers-Hild will focus on the bright future and tremendous economic opportunities available for those who live in rural America. She will also set the stage for the announcement of the Talbot County Community Impact Awards honoring businesses, non-profit organizations, projects, and individuals who have made a significant impact on Talbot County in the past year.

“The unique strengths of a place like Talbot County provide a strong foundation for a future characterized by innovation, growth, prosperity, and well-being,” says Reimers-Hild. “We create our future in the present moment, and I look forward to connecting with leaders in Talbot County who are committed to pursuing their desired futures.”

Reimers-Hild has been on a mission to help leaders and organizations create greater prosperity for themselves and their teams. Her career path has combined a 25-year career at the University of Nebraska with 20 years of entrepreneurship and family life.

In her final administrative position as the executive director (Interim) and chief futurist with the Rural Futures Institute (RFI) at the University of Nebraska, Reimers-Hild worked with leaders from a broad range of companies including Microsoft and Google, as well as numerous communities, universities, and small businesses to reimagine the future of rural people and places. She also developed methods to measure the exponential impact of rural areas to demonstrate their value in a global society.  Reimers-Hild predicted the Rise of Rural in 2015, a trend now being fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now in its 12th  year, the Business Appreciation Summit has become a much-anticipated event for Talbot County’s business community. In 2019, five community impact awards were presented to businesses and community projects. Winners included Frederick Douglass 200 Committee, Out of the Fire Restaurant, RAUCH inc., Talbot Mentors, and Wylder Hotel. Kelley Phillips Cox of Phillips Wharf Environmental Center was awarded the Community Impact Award for an individual. The 2020 event was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We look forward to this event all year,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “It’s powerful and uplifting when Talbot County’s business leaders come together to acknowledge the people and projects that have made a difference in the community.”

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism hosts the Business Appreciation Summit together with the Talbot County Economic Development Commission. This virtual event will be offered free of charge, though registration is required.

For more information and to register, visit talbotworks.org/business-appreciation-summit/ or call 410-770-8000.

 

 

April is National Safe Digging Month

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April is National Safe Digging Month and Easton Utilities reminds contractors and homeowners to call 811, which begins the process of marking underground utility lines. “This proactive safety measure can prevent accidentally damaging utility lines, which can lead to serious consequences,” stated James P. Crowley, Department Manager of Gas, Meter and Safety for Easton Utilities.  To prevent injuries, property damage and outages, residents must call 811 approximately 48 – 72 hours prior to work beginning.

The is a free service that notifies affected utilities of a person’s intent to dig. Within a few days, Easton Utilities will mark the locations of the utility-owned lines with paint or flags. Natural gas, electric and other underground facilities can sometimes be buried only a few inches deep, making them easy to strike even during shallow digging projects. Call before you dig. It’s the law.

To learn more about Easton Utilities, call the Customer Service Center at 410-822-6110 or visit www.eastonutilities.com.

Mid-Shore Commerce: Returning to a New Normal With Thad Bench

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As mass vaccination centers propel the nation’s rising immunization rate, businesses large and small are calculating a year’s worth of damage and trying to define the contours of a “new normal.”

There is encouraging news. The government stimulus spurring last month’s 8% rise in retail sales along with a new report that jobless claims have fallen to a pandemic low are spurring optimism in a reemerging business climate with many companies predicting a return to pre-Covid profitability by the end of 2021.

This is tempered, however, by the thousands, if not millions, of small businesses that have closed forever in the immense shadow of half a million deaths.

The Spy reached out to Benchworks CEO Thad Bench to talk about managing his business during Covid and what the “new normal” might look like going forward.

Benchworks is a comprehensive marketing services agency founded in 1991 and headquartered in Chestertown with offices in Philadelphia and Boston. Throughout the decades the marketing and branding company has been recognized with countless awards for its leadership qualities and innovative production accomplishments.

Still, the CEO has not lost sight of his beloved Kent County and the need for business strategies beyond the setbacks of the pandemic.

“I think that quality retail establishments and restaurants are clearly important to the vibrancy of Chestertown. The more we have, the better in that we can become more of a culinary/shopping destination,” Bench said.

He adds that he sees a real opportunity to scale commercial activity and employment in Kent county is to attract knowledge workers and organizations that employ them. Data centers, software companies, etc., are no longer geofenced.

“The question is what can we can do to attract tech companies and provide them with quality employees. Recruiting talent from Philadelphia, Annapolis, and beyond is feasible given the lessons we have learned from the pandemic.”

Bench, a two-year member of Washington College’s Board of Visitors and Governors, says Washington College is considering sponsoring a technology incubator with a focus on environmentally focused businesses. This makes a lot of sense and plays to Chestertown’s unique geography and rural character.

This video is approximately ten minutes in length. 

 

Caroline Chamber Presents Choptank Transport with Ambassador of the Year Award

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Choptank Transport is proud to announce it accepted the “Ambassador of the Year” award this week at the Caroline County Chamber of Commerce 2021 Best in Business Awards dinner.

Choptank Transport employees (L-R): Geoff Turner Pres & CEO, Lora Creason, Mike Barry, Starr Tyler, and Lauren Wilson.

This year’s venue took on a new twist in keeping with safe-distancing protocols due to the pandemic. Instead of being held at the Preston Fire House as in previous years, it was an outdoor “movie night and dinner” event. Attendees had their choice of three different entrees provided by Tenchi, delivered to their vehicles, and popcorn and snacks were provided by Bubba Bob’s Country Treats.

“The Ambassador Award is an extremely important award because it shows the true spirit of our community! It goes to an individual, or in this case a team, that supports the Chamber and is a testament to the power of human kindness,” said Chamber Director Tracey Snyder. “We are honored to present the Ambassador Award to Choptank Transport. They go above and beyond every day to serve our community!”

Choptank Transport Executive Vice President Steve Covey has been an active member on the Chamber’s board of directors for a decade, as well as a Chamber member for many years. “We are strong supporters of the Caroline County Chamber,” he said.“And we are extremely grateful to be given this award. As John Maxwell would say, ‘A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,’ and as one of the larger companies in the county, our responsibility as a member is to share our experiences and successes with our fellow business community. The Chamber offers a wonderful environment to do that.”

Choptank Transport is part of a $213.5 billion industry of U.S. third-party logistics companies that match a variety of freight services with shippers who have product to be transported.  Choptank specializes in truckload freight, less-than-truckload, refrigerated and dry, as well as rail, air and sea movement.  Choptank’s headquarters is in Preston, Maryland, with five other locations nationwide, including: Tampa, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver and Baltimore.  A new location in Easton, Maryland is opening this fall.

Qlarant CIO Selected for Leadership Maryland Program

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Qlarant announced today that Brian Cleary, Chief Information Officer, has been chosen to participate in the professional development program Leadership Maryland — a dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders. Mr. Cleary is one of 50 individuals chosen for Leadership Maryland’s 28th class – the Class of 2021, who will complete the eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environment

Brian Cleary, Qlarant CIO 

Brian Cleary, Qlarant CIO

The class began as the Class of 2020 but was postponed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the safety of all participants, this year’s program will include a hybrid of virtual programming and in-person sessions, if and when possible. The program will run from April to December, and include five, two-day sessions focused on Maryland’s five main geographic regions and the most vital issues impacting economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment, and multi-culturalism/diversity across the state. More than 100 experts representing business, government, education, and the non-profit community will serve as panelists and guest speakers.

“As with our previous associates chosen in past years, we are proud that Brian was selected. It really is a testament to our people here at Qlarant, “said Dr. Ronald Forsythe, CEO at Qlarant. “We are thrilled to be able to send another member of our leadership team to this valuable program.”

Leadership Maryland is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in either their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. For more information about Leadership Maryland, please visit www.LeadershipMD.org, call 410-841-2101 or email Info@LeadershipMD.org.

About Qlarant

Qlarant is a not- for-profit nationally respected leader in fighting fraud, waste & abuse, improving program quality, and optimizing performance.  The company uses subject matter experts and innovative data science and technology to help organizations see risks, solve problems, and seize opportunities. Solutions are customized state and federal agencies as well as industries across the nation. The Qlarant Foundation is the mission arm of the organization and provides annual grants to services provided in under-served communities.    Qlarant employs nearly 500 people and has a 45-year record of accomplishment improving the performance of some of the Nation’s most important programs. For more information visit www.qlarant.com or feel free to contact Pat Boos boosp@qlarant.com

About Leadership Maryland

Leadership Maryland is a professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders. Each year, as many as 52 diverse and accomplished executives from Maryland’s public and private sectors are selected to come together as a class for an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. The first Leadership Maryland class graduated in 1993, and the organization’s alumni network now consists of more than 1,100 leaders from all industries and regions of the state. To learn more, please call Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or visit www.LeadershipMD.or

VanDerVeer Receives 2021 Rock Stars of the Supply Chain Award

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Doug VanDerveer

Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product through the global cold food supply chain, reveals the winners of its 2021 Rock Stars of the Supply Chain award. Choptank Transport Director of Specialized Logistics Doug VanDerveer was named as one of this year’s Rock Stars.

This award recognizes influential individuals in the industry whose achievements, hard work and vision have shaped the global cold food supply chain. This year’s list includes individuals from software providers, consultancies and academia, trucking and transportation firms, grocery retail and delivery outlets, and more, all who have met and exceeded in safety, efficiency, productivity, and innovation throughout the global cold food supply chain.

“I am thrilled and honored to receive this award,” said VanDerVeer. “Choptank’s growth in the industry comes from our expanding customer base, the hard work of our team, and through exceptional leadership from the top. We fulfill an essential need in the market and things are looking favorable for continued growth in the specialty services arena.”

Choptank Executive Vice President Steve Covey said, “Doug has taken Choptank’s cold LTL division from zero to sixty since its inception–on all fronts, in terms of world class service and rapidly increased business. He is an expert in his field and as the director of specialized services, has helped make Choptank one of the few truly multi-modal 3PLs that shippers need in today’s sophisticated supply chain.

“These professionals are making waves in an industry upended by the global pandemic. Whether it’s pivoting into a different channel or implementing emerging technologies, these supply chain leaders prove that hard work pays off,” says Marina Mayer, Editor-in-Chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “These winners collaborated, optimized, developed, educated and played a critical role in the survival and success of their company amid a global pandemic. I am honored to recognize these individuals and continue to extend my utmost gratitude to everyone in the cold food supply chain industry for their time, efforts and innovations to keep food moving through the chain in a safe and efficient manner.”

Recipients of this year’s award will be profiled in the March 2021 print issue. Go to www.FoodLogistics.com to view the full list of all 2021 Rock Stars of the Supply Chain winners.

About Food Logistics Food Logistics is the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product through the global cold food supply chain, focusing on trucking, warehousing, packaging, risk management, food safety and more. Go to www.FoodLogistics.com.

About Choptank Transport Choptank Transport is a leading third-party logistics provider headquartered in Preston, Maryland. As a full-service 3PL, the company specializes in the transportation of truckload, both temperature-controlled and dry van, less-than-truckload, intermodal, flatbed, port/drayage, and cross-border shipping services. Choptank employs over 400 logistics professionals and has five regional offices located in Tampa, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, and Baltimore with a new location in Easton, Maryland opening this fall.

John Horner, Jr. Chosen for Leadership Maryland Class of 2021

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John J. Horner, Jr.

Leadership Maryland announced today that John J. Horner, Jr., MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Easton Utilities, has been chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders.

Horner is one of 50 individuals chosen for Leadership Maryland’s 28th class – the Class of 2021, who will complete the eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. The class was originally selected as the Class of 2020 but was postponed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the safety of all participants, this year’s program will include a hybrid of virtual programming and in-person sessions, if and when possible.

The program will run from April to December, and include five, two-day sessions focused on Maryland’s five main geographic regions and the most vital issues impacting economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment, and multi-culturalism/diversity across the state. More than 100 experts representing business, government, education, and the non-profit community will serve as panelists and guest speakers.

Leadership Maryland is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in either their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. For more information about Leadership Maryland, please visit www.LeadershipMD.org, call 410-841-2101 or email Info@LeadershipMD.org.

About Leadership Maryland

Leadership Maryland is a professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders. Each year, as many as 52 diverse and accomplished executives from Maryland’s public and private sectors are selected to come together as a class for an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. The first Leadership Maryland class graduated in 1993, and the organization’s alumni network now consists of more than 1,100 leaders from all industries and regions of the state. To learn more, please call Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or visit www.LeadershipMD.org.

Choptank Transport CEO Named to MD Economic Development Commission

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Choptank Transport President & CEO Geoff Turner

Choptank Transport is pleased to announce the appointment of President & CEO Geoff Turner to the state’s Maryland Economic Development Commission (MEDC).

The MEDC uses the expertise of Maryland’s business leaders to make recommendations to the Governor regarding policy, programs and to help prioritize spending. Commission members work with the Administration, the General Assembly, Maryland’s business community and the general public to advocate pro-business policies.

“This is quite an honor,” said Turner. “As a strong advocate of business growth in my own community, I look forward to sharing my experiences and expertise as a business leader with hopes of bringing about positive change to some of Maryland’s current and future economic policies.”

The MEDC’s mission is to establish economic policy and drive innovation and growth in Maryland’s business community. The Department “oversees Maryland Commerce’s efforts to support the creation, attraction and retention of businesses and jobs,” according to the MEDC website. The Department also monitors an established set of economic indicators to strategically support strong economic growth throughout the state. To become a part of the 25-voting-member commission, a candidate is appointed by the Governor of Maryland, Senate President, and House Speaker, two non-voting members, one appointed by the Senate President and one by the House Speaker; and four non-voting ex-officio members who represent Commerce, the Department of Labor, the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), and the Technology Development Corporation.

The MEDC meets four times a year in Annapolis. Dates are currently scheduled for March 27, June 14, September 13 and December 6.

Choptank Transport is a leading third-party logistics company headquartered in Preston, Maryland.  Celebrating its twentieth anniversary, Choptank has five regional offices, including Tampa, Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, and Baltimore. The company is about to open its seventh location in Easton, Maryland this fall. For more information, go to www.choptanktransport.com

Easton Utilities Celebrates Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18

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Easton Utilities will observe the national Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18, 2021.  This is a time when communities such as ours give recognition to the employees who provide one of Easton’s most valuable assets—our natural gas utility. “We are proud to have the skilled crew dedicated to providing safe, reliable service to our 4,757 natural gas customers,” stated James Crowley, Natural Gas Department Manager.

We celebrate Gas Utility Workers’ Day on March 18 to commemorate the New London, Texas school explosion in 1937 that led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and an increased emphasis on safety. This annual nationwide event is intended to build public awareness about the hard work done by the employees of natural gas utilities. We also take this opportunity to educate our community on the environmental and safety benefits and need to have access and the ability to choose clean, reliable, and affordable natural gas.

Easton Utilities looks forward to continuing to bring safe, reliable natural gas into your homes and businesses.  “We support and endorse natural gas as a premier energy source with numerous benefits,” added Crowley.“As the cleanest burning fossil fuel, natural gas can help us achieve energy security, our environment goals and build a more competitive economy.”

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Visit eastonutilities.com for more information.