Great Strides expands leadership team

‘‘We have reached an exciting moment in our history where we will clearly benefit from having two experienced leaders use their talents to guide our future,” Brad Lewis, board chair and co-founder, said in a press release.

Founder Lewis, a certified therapeutic riding instructor and psychotherapist, recently completed her apprenticeship to become the region’s only Epona-approved instructor. She will continue her healing work with clients of all ages, and will be working to expand the clinical services and workshop offerings available at Great Strides.

Lewis is excited about the opportunity to focus on the heart and soul of the organization. ‘‘It is quite liberating to know that my attentions can now be directed toward the healing aspect of our work. I am thrilled to be able to cultivate new programs based on my continued learning, knowing that the organization is well cared for by Joy.”

As the newest addition, Gill brings more than 10 years of experience leading nonprofit organizations.

‘‘This is a rare opportunity to merge my love of horses and belief in their amazing abilities in this area with my vocation,” she said.

Great Strides offers equine-assisted psychotherapy, therapeutic horsemanship and equine facilitated learning. Through specially designed interactive experiences that promote emotional healing, we build confidence, improve social skills, and help clients make positive changes in their lives.

For more information about Great Strides, contact Gill at 301-253-1166, send an e-mail to joy@greatstrides.org or visit www.greatstrides.org.

Damascus grad promoted at Colorado’s KeyBank

KeyBank announced the promotion of Michelle Johnson to the newly-created position of community relations officer.

With KeyBank since 2004, Johnson will now be responsible for internal communications within the district and will work closely with both the marketing and public affairs departments. She will also serve as the volunteer coordinator for the bank.

A Maryland native, Johnson is a 1995 graduate of Damascus High School.

In Colorado, KeyBank operates 47 KeyCenter locations across the Front Range.

Chamber namesnew officers

The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce named the following new officers: Randy Scritchfield of Montgomery Financial Group, chairman; John Compton of GeneDx Inc., chairman-elect; Allen DeLeon of DeLeon & Stang CPAs, treasurer; Jerome Love of AdCast International, vice chairman of communication, marketing and public relations; Robert Jepson of Adventist HealthCare, vice chairman, legislative affairs; Trina LaPier of The Gazette, vice chairwoman, member programs; Sam McNamee of Signs of Progress, vice chairman, member recruitment and retention; and James G. Muir III of Hughes Network Systems, immediate past chairman.

The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce recognized Jerry Gimmel of Gimmel, Weiman, Ersek & Bloomberg for his dedication to the chamber. Gimmel has been active with the chamber for more than 30 years and has been a director for 17 years

JSSA promotesBreslaw to VP

The Rockville-based Jewish Social Service Agency announced the recent appointment of Marc Breslaw as its vice president of development and communications.

Breslaw is an experienced development professional with a history of raising more than $450 million in major gifts, grants and endowments with broad base support and management expertise, the agency reported.

‘‘JSSA is fortunate to have a highly experienced new member of its management team,” Joan de Pontet, JSSA’s chief executive officer, said in a press release.

JCA top officer is finalistin award competition

The Jewish Council for the Aging announced that its chief financial officer, Richard K. Stanley, was named a top 10 finalist in the inaugural ‘‘Best Practices and Exemplary Achievements in Not-For-Profit Financial Management” award competition sponsored by West, Lane & Schlager, Tate & Tryon and EagleBank.

Stanley competed against more than 40 CFOs for top honors.

Stanley received his award for outstanding achievement in the realms of Real Estate Acquisition and Financing and Financial Governance.

Avalon formsadvisory board

Avalon Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Germantown formed a clinical advisory board with Dr. Brian J. Druker, an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and chairman of leukemia research and professor of medicine at the Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute, as chairman and Drs. Beverly Mitchell, Carmen Allegra, Kenneth C. Anderson, Otis Brawley, Edward A. Sausville and Chris H. Takimoto.