WE CREATE CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS TO MEET ALL YOUR ACCOUNTING NEEDS.

Capturing the smallest details to increase revenues, utilizing tax laws to maximize returns and decreasing operating expenses with dedicated outsourced support and service.

AGA Group, based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, is the largest Certified Public Accounting firm in the area that caters to small to mid-sized companies to assure accounting and financial success.

With over 30 years combined experience in business management and accounting, you can expect to work with seasoned professionals who listen and deliver high-quality service.

Our seasoned professionals have a vested personal interest with each client and work one-on-one to provide custom-tailored accounting for new business start ups and existing organizations and outstanding customer service by offering:

• Tax Preparation and Planning
• Bookkeeping
• IRS Audit Representation
• Business Consulting Services
• Certified Public Accounting Services

Suzanne C. Almalel is Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Dimensions Healthcare System in Cheverly, Maryland, and oversees the Health System's public affairs, government relations, legislative activities, marketing and communications.

Ms. Almalel is the former Executive Director of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs and worked for two administrations, Governor Glendenning and Governor Erlich. In 2005, she joined Dimensions Healthcare System as Director of Public Relations. In 2007, she was promoted to Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Dimensions Healthcare System.

Ms. Almalel serves on the Prince George's Crimesolvers Board as Secretary. She also serves on the Prince George's Sheriff's Advisory Board, Anne Arundel County Police Advisory Board, Trauma Net Legislative Advisory Board and Maryland Association of Hospitals Legislative & Regulatory Policy Advisory Board. She is a member of American College of Health Care Executives, Public Relations Society of America, Maryland Government Relations Association, and Baltimore Washington Chamber of Commerce. In 2008/2009 she was named Who's Who Top 100 in the Madison Who's Who Registry of Executives and Professionals.

Ms. Almalel is a long time resident of Upper Marlboro, Maryland and lives with her husband Karl and four children Jessica, Jacqueline, Julia and Justin.

Alison Asti spent 17 years at the Maryland Stadium Authority, first as General Counsel and then as Executive Director. She was involved with the negotiation, lobbying, financing, design and construction of over $1 billion in projects throughout the State, including the Baltimore and Ocean City convention centers, the Hippodrome Theatre, Comcast Arena, Unitas Stadium, Ripken Stadium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M & T Bank Stadium. Her greatest source of pride is her role in returning the NFL to Baltimore.

Alison now heads up Asti Strategic Advisors, which provides sports and entertainment industry strategic planning, management consulting, design and construction services, feasibility studies, financing strategies and project advocacy for teams, universities and government. She has spoken at national and international conferences on sports and economic development.

Alison took just four years to complete her Bachelor's and Master's in Economics at Duke University, and graduated with honors from Maryland Law School. Dedicated to public service, Alison served as President of the Maryland State Bar, Baltimore City Bar, and as a member of the ABA House of Delegates, Maryland Law School Board of Visitors, University System Foundation Board, and Anne Arundel County Red Cross.
Alison has been honored as one of Maryland's "50 Most Influential People," "Top 100 Women," "Leaders in Law," "Super Lawyers" and "Maryland Legal Elite."

Alison credits her success to hard work and commitment to everything she undertakes. "You have to have passion about everything you do, and that passion will motivate and inspire everyone you work with!"

As the Public & Government Affairs Manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic, Ragina Averella serves as the chief spokesperson for AAA in Maryland. She is responsible for media and government relations for the auto club, which serves nearly four million members throughout the Mid-Atlantic and more than 800,000 Marylanders.

In her role at AAA, Ms. Averella advocates for traffic and motorist safety legislation. She has testified before the MD General Assembly on bills that have strengthened laws in Maryland involving teen driving, child safety seats, drunk driving, and distracted driving. She fought for the passage of MD's texting while driving ban, which was passed this year. Ms. Averella states, "While it is sometimes challenging to obtain stronger laws to save lives on our roadways, nothing can compare to the sense of accomplishment one feels when that effort actually pays off and we see laws enacted that are proven to make our roads safer and reduce traffic fatalities."

Ms. Averella is also very proud of the Tipsy?Taxi! program, which AAA Mid-Atlantic operates under her leadership in conjunction with the MD State Highway Administration and Yellow Cab. Since its inception, Tipsy?Taxi! has provided more than 1,500 free cab rides to potential drunk drivers on select holidays in an effort to reduce alcohol-related fatalities.

Ms. Averella serves on the MD Chamber of Commerce's Transportation Coalition and is the chair of the MD Impaired Driving Coalition's Legislative Committee. She is also a member of the Public Relation's Society of America, the Greater Baltimore Committee, the Baltimore Public Relations Council, and John Wesley United Methodist Church in Harford County.

Ms. Averella is a former Baltimore Police officer and served as the Baltimore Police Department's Public Affairs Director from 2000 to 2003. Prior to her position at AAA Mid-Atlantic, Ms. Averella served as the PR Director of Twenty First Century Group, where her clients included the Municipal Employees Credit Union, Associated Black Charities and Wells Fargo.

She is a 1992 graduate of Towson University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Law Enforcement.

Marilyn Balcombe is the President /CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce. As the CEO of the Chamber, Marilyn is actively involved in land use planning, transportation and economic development. Her primary focus is bringing jobs to the Upcounty. As a strong advocate for transportation, she is currently the Chair of the Corridor Cities Transitway Coalition and was instrumental in securing the support for Light Rail as the mode choice for the CCT. Prior to being at the Chamber, Marilyn was with BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, first as a Board member and then as the Executive Director during the construction and the first year of operations. She was also on staff at the Upcounty Regional Services Center as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Germantown community. Marilyn Balcombe has been on the Board of Germantown Help, is a member of the Germantown Alliance, and a graduate of Leadership Montgomery (class of 2000). She is currently on the Board of BlackRock Center for the Arts and is the Program Chair for Leadership Montgomery.

Prior to her community service, Dr. Balcombe was an Organizational Psychologist with the U.S. Department of Energy. She holds a Ph.D. is Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida, and a Bachelors degree in Accounting also from the University of Florida. In addition to her work in the United States, Marilyn worked in England at the newly opened medical school at the University of York, developing their organizational infrastructure.

For more information on the Chamber see: www.ggchamber.org

As founder and president of The Barbour Group, LLC, Karen Barbour has led the company to achieve success in providing surety bonds for the construction industry in more than 30 states and three international countries. Ms. Barbour established The Barbour Group in 2002 as an independent insurance agency focusing on construction bonding and commercial insurance and continues to serve in those areas.

Ms. Barbour is a veteran in surety bonding; she began her career in 1985 as a home office bond underwriter and progressed to the branch level where she supervised hundreds of agents in the DC, Virginia, and Maryland areas.

A key factor in the success of the company derives from its ability to apply the insight of a contractor and the experience of a seasoned underwriter to overcome bonding challenges."In essence, our contractor's obstacles are our obstacles too. We try and find solutions for them to enable progress for both of us," says Karen Barbour.

The Barbour Group has initiated, authored and driven landmark legislation in Maryland and on Capitol Hill to open up the barriers to bonding faced by many small business contractors. Most recently, Karen Barbour and lobbyist Gil Genn, of Genn & Murphy, LLC, worked with U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin to introduce an amendment to The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, improving the U.S. Small Business Administration's ability to guarantee surety bonds for stimulus funded construction projects.

The company received national attention when Karen Barbour was one of nine female entrepreneurs selected to participate in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ - a program designed to accelerate the growth of high potential businesses founded by women entrepreneurs. The company was named by Inc. magazine as one of the 5000 fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S. in 2008 and 2009, with Karen Barbour named the 2008 Maryland Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

JBS International, Inc. (JBS) is a women-owned business providing management and information technology services to public- and private-sector clients across the Nation and around the world. JBS's commitment to high-quality work-and life-is one of the many reasons JBS has the reputation as a firm with opportunities for its staff to grow along with the company.

Our multi-disciplinary staff includes health professionals, financing experts, policy analysts, researchers, psychologists, social workers, educators, web masters, and IT experts. We are also multicultural and multilingual and have significant experience working with non-English speaking and hard-to-reach populations within the U.S. and abroad. We work in every state and territory and in over 110 countries, providing professional expertise in areas that include evaluation, performance management, research, information technology, communications, clearinghouses, and capacity-building through technical assistance and training.

When asked to describe their proudest accomplishment, co-founders and co-CEOs, Jerri Shaw and Gail Bassin, said, "We started JBS because we wanted to build a firm that reflected our personal commitment to doing work that produces systems change and improves people's lives. And we wanted to create a strengths-based corporate culture that holds each individual in high regard, values each person's contribution, and emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and relationship building, internally and with our clients. In 2010 we celebrate JBS's 25th anniversary and we are achieving what we set out to do."

At JBS, there's always the opportunity for new talent to join our team as we look forward to continued growth and success.

Gloria Berthold Larkin is President of TargetGov, a national company providing government procurement, business development and marketing services. She helps businesses win government contracts. She is author of "The Veterans Business Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business" and has created a series of Government Business Development Audio CDs and Toolkits (e-books) focusing on successful business development processes for federal contractors. She is an expert author with articles regarding business development published in local, regional, national and international publications.

She serves as the national Procurement Committee CoChair for Women Impacting Public Policy, a non-partisan organization representing over 500,000 members. In 2008, she created the Government Contracting Institute for Howard County Economic Development Authority as a public-private partnership.

Ms. Berthold Larkin has been interviewed for television and radio shows and as a podcasts guest for BusinessWeek.com. She has been quoted in Government Executive and Entrepreneur Start-ups magazines, TheStreet.com, and USA Today, The Examiner and Business Monthly.

She has received numerous accolades including: Women Impacting Public Policy National Member of the Year 2007, the Bravo Business Achievement Award 2007, one of Maryland's Top 100 Women in 2007 and 2004, a Maryland's Top 100 Minority Business Enterprises in 2008 and 2006 and was recognized by Maryland's Governor's Office of Minority Affairs as one of the top Women Entrepreneurs.

Ellen Bogage makes things happen.

As a young Annapolis lobbyist Bogage saw that women had trouble accessing the "old boys' network" so she organized a group of women lobbyists and established the Maryland Government Relations Association. MGRA, now in its 25th year, is the only association of its kind in the nation.

Recognizing her clients' public policy needs and implementing innovative solutions is the hallmark of Bogage's success, and the reason she was twice named "Top 100 Woman of Maryland" by The Daily Record.

Bogage is the principal of EB&A LLC, a full-service government and public affairs consulting firm specializing in state and local government. EB&A provides a ground-breaking combination of lobbying services, coalition-building, media and community relations, and grassroots advocacy. Clients include Fortune 100 corporations, national retailers, local small businesses and non-profits.

"EB&A's innovative advocacy strategies and strong community connections are the keys to our success," said Bogage. "We open doors for clients where other firms cannot. We help our clients establish the longstanding relationships that achieve their policy goals as well as benefit the community." An effective strategy indeed, since EB&A's client base continually grows and annual revenue tripled since 2005.

Bogage is a leader in Montgomery County where she served as CEO of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, Comcast Director of Government Affairs, Committee for Montgomery Chair, and County Chamber Legislative Affairs Vice President. Her latest volunteer passion is the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, where she is slated to become Board Chair this June.

Ms. Chapman is a veteran to the industry of "Caring for Seniors". She has nearly 20 years in the industry with 15 years directly in senior healthcare management.
Ms. Chapman received her formal education, in Healthcare Administration, with a minor in Gerontology, from East Carolina University and Columbia Union respectively.

She is a licensed nursing home administrator in Maryland and Virginia, as well as an advocate for seniors, through her professional affiliation with LIFESPAN, the Beacon Institute and the Prince Georges Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Chapman's experience in the industry has helped her to realize the importance that relationship building, developing a strong team and possessing the genuine enjoyment of working with seniors, has on the ability to provide quality care. These personal philosophies guide her service, as the Executive Director of Morningside House of Laurel, Premier Senior Living apartments. This is a 120 bed, Senior Living community, which recognizes that every individual ages differently. At Morningside House of Laurel, the team will tailor the level of assistance provided, to encourage each person's independence and maximize their quality of life. Morningside is currently celebrating 13 years of outstanding care and service in Prince George's County, through our programs in Independent living, Assisted living, Dementia and Respite provisions. Therefore, when changes in someone you love cause you concern, Ms. Chapman's team at Morningside House of Laurel is ready to offer solutions! Feel free to stop by our Marketing office or call to schedule a tour.

We care deeply. We listen carefully. We serve with pride.

When Pamela Clark was in graduate school studying Visual Arts, little did she know her thesis project would become her livelihood a few years later. Her project won an award and coverage in a local paper, thus beginning the momentum what would become Clark Concepts, LLC. Pamela Clark founded Clark Concepts Graphic Design in December 1997 as a sole proprietorship. Clark Concepts, LLC was launched in January of 2009 as a full-service graphic design and marketing company in Rockville, Maryland.

Clark Concepts creates and implements high-impact, technology-based campaigns and solutions designed to enhance marketing and customer profitability for small to mid-sized organizations. Clark Concepts has the technical capabilities, marketing knowledge, vision, and experience one would expect from a large agency -without the impersonal service or high cost.

Clark Concepts is a member of Montgomery County's Small Business Incubator Program. Located in Rockville Town Center, Clark Concepts focuses on providing corporate branding and marketing campaigns for new and developing companies; they also help existing companies redefine themselves and/or their products. Projects consist of conceptualization and design production for integrated campaigns: logos, brochures, advertisements, direct mail, presentations, trade show exhibits, email-blasts, website banner ads, and website design.

Pamela puts her personal touch on every project and with every client. "I need to get to know my client before any work can begin. If I don't know who you are and what you do, how can I convey it to others?" It's this personal touch, Pamela believes, that has established client loyalty and satisfaction.

If you live in Montgomery County you have probably seen Jane Fairweather's name or face before. . . not necessarily in person, but on countless "For Sale" signs on the front lawns of houses all throughout Bethesda and Chevy Chase.

A 29 year veteran of the business, Jane Fairweather is a staple in the Maryland Real Estate business. Together with her team of highly specialized assistants and buyer agents, Jane sells an average of 170-190 homes per year, in a market where the average agent sells just 5 homes. She has been named the #1 Coldwell Banker agent in the Washington Metropolitan Area for 8 years. Jane has consistently ranked among the Top 10 Coldwell Banker agents in the nation since 1998. In 2008 Jane sold $117 million in sales volume!

Jane is a graduate of Leadership Montgomery (class of 2009). She currently serves on Montgomery County Executive Isaiah Leggett's Economic Advisory Council and was invited by Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot to testify in Annapolis in September 2008 on the state of the real estate market.

Every year since 2005, Jane has given a residential real estate "State of the Market" speech in June at the Bethesda/Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce's Real Estate Update Presentation.

Jane is considered an expert in the Washington Metro Area real estate market by the local media. She often appears on CNBC and Fox 5 News and is frequently quoted in the Washington Post Real Estate section.

• Founder of Strut Your Mutt Festival, whose proceeds benefit the BCC Rescue Squad and the
  BCC Rotary Foundation
• Board Member of Imagination Stage, a nationally acclaimed children's theater in Bethesda
• Board Member of Bethesda Green
• Co-Chair of the Weizman Institute of Science, for the Washington DC region, a world renowned
  basic research institute in Israel

Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Debora Fajer-Smith was determined to establish a career in Maryland and give back to her community. A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, she started her own law firm in 1988, working on the cases of the disabled and the injured. Her practice grew and June 1, 2009 she merged with Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, P.A., in Greenbelt, Maryland. Clients include educators, police officers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and foodservice workers. In workers' compensation, for those injured in the line of duty she states "they deserve all we can do for them". For personal injury or auto claims, she believes that any one could be a victim. She should know. She is the editor of the Maryland Automobile Desk Book, MICPEL, 2nd Ed. 2002. She also sits on the Maryland Senate House Oversight Committee for Workers' Compensation and Employee Benefits.

For her community related achievements, Ms. Fajer-Smith was named Top 100 Women in Maryland history by The Daily Record newspaper in 2007. Ms. Fajer-Smith believes people to people relationships make a better world through understanding. Her passion for international relations is evidenced by her appointment as Chair of the Sister States Program, in the Office of the Maryland Secretary of State.

She says "it is all about people" whether in Maryland or Rio de Janeiro, and "what we can do to lift the lives of those in need to allow them to prosper on their own."

Susie Farr, Executive Director of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, holds a reputation as a visionary performing arts professional and after nearly a decade at its helm, the Center continues to be recognized as a national innovator among university performing arts centers.

Farr joined the Center in 1999, two years before it opened and since then has shaped the Center into a place for learning, exploration and growth through sustained engagement with the arts. Thanks to the leadership and vision of Farr, the bold concept for the Center thrives. The Center transforms the lives of artists, audience members, students and faculty alike through its unwavering commitment to the creative process, commissioning new works, providing depth of experience and diversity in programming.

As Farr explains it, "We seek work that is transformational, that creates multiple avenues for learning, promotes diverse perspectives, reveals meaning and allows people to participate and celebrate - work that matters enough to change the way people live in the world."

In addition, Farr's dedication to the School of Music, Department of Dance and Department of Theatre, all of which are housed within the Center, fosters collaboration among these academic units and the visiting artists as well as supports the educational mission of the university. This is coupled with her steadfast commitment to Prince George's County, demonstrated by the access provided to Center facilities for local artists as well as programs with local schools and community centers.

Fiona Gathright started Wellness Corporate Solutions in 2004 because as a small business owner she had firsthand knowledge of the burden rising health care costs place on an employer. She and her husband sold their first company and then she focused on her passion for health and wellness to create a company that helps businesses manage and reduce their health care costs, while putting in place programs that result in increased recruitment and retention of healthy employees.

Wellness Corporate Solutions is an award winning woman owned business that builds customized, high impact corporate wellness programs. WCS clients include media companies, law firms, associations, non profits and private employers nationwide. Fiona forges strategic partnerships with clients and develops wellness programs consistent with their objectives.

Fiona also writes a popular blog "Corporate Wellness Insights" with up to the minute news of best practices and industry trends, and is sought after for her expertise. She serves in leadership positions on several organizations, such as the Alliance For Workplace Excellence and donates a portion of her corporate profits to A Wider Circle, a nonprofit that provides wellness programs to women and families in shelters.

In 2001, Katharine Giacalone began her management consulting practice to assist a variety of organizations to address their HR and leadership needs and challenges by applying strategic solutions that produce measurable results. Her 25 years of experience allows Katharine to determine quickly what the situation is, make recommendations, facilitate the organization's decision on the best course of action and make it happen!

Working with national as well as local businesses, Katharine has strengthened leadership in organizations by training hundreds of people aimed to develop their management skills in order to ensure an agile workforce. Earlier this fall, Katharine decided to continue her work and published a fresh, inspirational and humorous management book titled, "Oops! I'm The Manager! Getting Past "What Do I Do Now?!" in 5 Easy Steps."

Through this book, Katharine, provides an entertaining, yet essential hands-on guide for all managers - those who are suddenly thrown into a management role without the necessary training ... as well as "experienced" managers - will find this book packed with helpful stories, ideas, hints and tips, that allows the reader to test what they've learned, assess their understanding right away and help them be happy and productive in their management roles.

"This is the book I needed when I 'stumbled up' into management," Katharine explains. "I had to learn on the fly, so I'm pleased to be able to offer managers a practical guide full of the strategies they'll need and the humor that will help them keep their sanity along the way!"

After working in broadcast television, producing and directing video/film projects and developing interactive multimedia applications, Ms. Glynn opened her firm in 1991 offering these services. Now, 18 years later, Glynn Technologies offers leading IT services specifically in web application and planning, designing, and implementing enterprise solutions to large government agencies.

One of the successes of Glynn Technologies is its ability to hire talented professionals, train them in these technologies and challenge these individuals with new and emerging technologies while on the job.

Our projects include building portals used by thousands of staff members to communicate, web 2.0 technology to deliver messages using traditional mediums over the web to the general public, even at the Presidential level.

Our relationship with our clients is most important to Glynn Technologies. We are not just another contractor, we are our government client's industry partner. We work hand-in-hand with our clients to achieve their objectives. We work closely with our clients through the planning, development and implementation phases of their work. We are currently working with clients who have taken on the new challenges and responsibilities as a result of the changing face and growth of government services.

While this environment is fast paced, we ensure quality teams and deliverables. Our client satisfaction is demonstrated by our long term client government relationships and teams who work with these customers through the duration of the contract.

"It's a good day when we hear from you," are the enthusiastic words often expressed by Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Georgette "Gigi" Godwin, when chatting with any of the prominent business leaders among her organization's 500-plus member companies.

Ms. Godwin took over the Chamber helm in 2007, after climbing the organization's ranks, since coming aboard in 2003. She serves also as treasurer for the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation.

In a Gazette interview in 2007, Godwin said the Chamber post ''appeals to me because I've always struggled with what I wanted to do. Growing up, I always had an interest in public policy, in business, in economics, in political science. This is sort of the ultimate hybrid, to have a foot in those two camps, business and public policy."

Under her leadership, the Chamber has launched a variety of successful initiatives, including GovConNet - a business network that serves government contracting firms and boosts opportunities for companies to win federal contracts. In conjunction with the Chamber Foundation, GovConNet recently launched the Veteran Institute for Procurement, to help veteran-owned companies secure government contracts.

The Chamber is working with Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection to create a new Green Business Certification Program.

Backed by a vibrant 60-member board, Ms. Godwin oversees an organization with a wide-ranging business advocacy and support agenda. Chamber committees focus on a broad spectrum of issues, including economic development, legislative affairs, small business, and transportation and land use.

Ms. Godwin is an active community member. In 2006, she was appointed by the Governor to the Montgomery College Board of Trustees. She serves on the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education and the Committee for Montgomery.

After eight years of working as the Director of Operations for local accounting firm Santos, Postal & Company, P.C., Sharon received the offer of her career—SantosPostal would support her while she went back to school to earn her CPA license. SantosPostal was hoping that Sharon would help strengthen their professional expertise, and she did just that. In the 13 years Sharon has worked for SantosPostal, they have tripled in size.

At SantosPostal, Sharon provides services for audits, taxes, consulting and forensic accounting with a concentration in the areas of medical, real estate, not for profit, government contracting, retail, hospitality and professional service industries. Prior to joining SantosPostal, Sharon worked in the private sector in finance for the construction/contracting, medical and hospitality industries.

Sharon is actively involved in community service and serves on the Board for AWSCPA's DC chapter as Treasurer. She is also affiliated with MACPA, AICPA, ACFE, ASWA, CREW and is a member of MCHS. Her article, published in the October 2009 edition of the ASWA Compass, tells the story of her journey to becoming a CPA.

Sharon is skilled in assisting women controlled entities and helping women develop leadership roles within their organizations. "Earning my certification later in life was challenging, to say the least. The experience gave me the skills and expertise to help other women achieve their career and financial goals."

Visit Sharon on social networking sites:
    LinkedIn - Sharon Gubinsky
    Twitter - GubinskyCPA
    Blog - GubinskyCPA.blogspot.com

As Chief Administrative Officer at Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States, Carrie Harris-Muller, MHA, MBA, oversees a host of activities at the integrated health plan, ranging from human resources and data management to benefits administration and member services.

Being responsible for so many functions at Kaiser Permanente, it is perhaps no wonder that one of the most important facets of her job, she says, is "to make sure we have the right leadership throughout all levels of the Health Plan, focused on providing seamless and exceptional service to each of our nearly half-million members."

That means, according to Carrie, seeking out people who are highly skilled, resourceful managers and-just as important-encouraging them to be creative and challenging with their staffs, trusting in their ability to grow and develop as leaders, and offering guidance and constructive direction when needed.

Carrie's approach wins high praise and admiration from those who are at the receiving end of her special talents for mentoring. "She is challenging and expects high performance, while at the same time always remaining flexible and eminently fair," noted one member of KP's upper management who reports to her. "She models leadership," echoed another.

And it's not just Kaiser Permanente staff who benefit from Carrie's role as a dynamic leader, but those in other Montgomery County businesses and organizations as well, through her service on the advisory boards of a number of organizations, Women Business Leaders in Health Care, the Montgomery County CHIP program, and the Girl Scouts Leadership Program among them.

Member of:
    • AHIP- Primary & Secondary Mentor ELP and MMLP; Advisory Committee on Education
    • Dress for Success- Regional Coordinator
    • MCBRE – Advisory Board
    • Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce- Board of Directors
    • Montgomery County CHIP- Advisory Board
    • Girl Scouts Leadership Program
    • Women Business Leaders in Health Care- Advisory Board

As Chairperson of Freedom Soccer LLC, Maureen D. Hendricks manages her family's investment in women's professional soccer. The Washington Freedom was one of the pioneering teams of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). Today the team is part of the newly created Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league, which launched its inaugural season in March 2009.

A passionate supporter of youth athletics and gender-equality in team sports, Mrs. Hendricks played a leadership role in the public-private partnership that created the world-class Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Maryland. Maureen served eleven years, as Vice-Chairman of the Maryland Soccer Foundation, Inc., the non-profit entity that raised and managed the private sector funding for the 24-field complex. The successful financial model she helped to create functions as a national standard for

community sports facilities. For her work in managing youth soccer teams, advocating for public and private support of youth soccer facilities, and helping to spearhead women's professional soccer, the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) named Maureen as an Honorary All American at its 2006 meeting in Indianapolis.

Maureen and her husband, John, created the John and Maureen Hendricks Charitable Foundation which currently provides grant funding in excess of $2 million annually to support projects in higher education, youth sports, and basic science research. Maureen is also an award-winning quilt artist, sought-after judge and discerning textile arts collector. She served six years on the Board of Directors of the Studio Arts Quilt Association helping to promote and support the field.

Since 2001 Ginanne Italiano has led The Greater Bethesda Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce (B-CC Chamber), an 83-year-old, 750-member, business development, advocacy and membership organization. Under her leadership, The B-CC Chamber was named - the "Chamber of the Year" for 2006-2007 topping over 1,500 chambers of commerce nationwide.

Italiano credits the B-CC Chamber's great success to committed leadership, devoted staff and strong membership involvement in events, committees, programs and advocacy efforts. "To keep the B-CC area the best place to work, live, visit and do business, everyone vested in this area works together," says Italiano. "People do business with people they know, and our chamber is a special conduit for businesses to do business with each other. At the same time, it makes sure the business community's voice is heard at a local and state level."

Known for her calm demeanor and consensus building, Italiano began her career at The Greater Washington Board of Trade after graduating from Trinity Washington University.

Italiano is a graduate of the US Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Organizational Management, and a 2003 graduate of Leadership Montgomery. She is past president of the Maryland Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Chambers of Commerce, and is active in local civic and community organizations including the B-CC Rotary Club.

In 2008, Italiano was honored by the Montgomery County Commission for Women as one of their 2008 Montgomery County Women of Achievement, and by Bethesda Magazine as one of "11 Wonder Women of the Bethesda Area."

Years before founding Kahley Marketing & Events in early 2009, Deb Kahley began her education in marketing and special events when she opened her own catering company. She quickly learned not only about preparing pleasures for the palate, but also about creating the total "experience" that her clients would talk about to their friends, family and business associates.

During this time she also came to embrace the value of marketing. She knows it works because she increased sales 225% in her second year of business. Since 1990 when Deb left catering to re-enter the corporate world, she continued to build an extensive portfolio in all aspects of marketing management, corporate communications and event planning. Deb's life-long volunteer efforts in the non-profit community further enhanced her capabilities in fundraising projects and events.

Whether designing and writing copy for a newsletter, developing an ad campaign or conceptualizing and coordinating a corporate meeting or event, Kahley Marketing & Events is committed to exceptional customer care and to delivering the highest quality work. The company's references speak for themselves.

The challenges of doing business today are daunting. In addition to the business as usual issues, all of us are dealing with a tightening wallet and a distrust of corporate integrity. Kahley Marketing & Events is highly sensitive to these challenges and how they impact the success of your business. We promise to provide the highest quality work within your budget, achieved through integrity, respect, exceptional communications and a team spirit. Visit us at www.kahleymarketing.com.

Member of:
    • Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce
    • Leadership Montgomery Class of 2008
    • Frederick County Chamber of Commerce
    • ISES (International Special Events Society)

It all started on a dare. Karen Kalantzis, CEO of Corporate Network Services, in Poolesville, MD, dared her business partner to help create a business model that would be better for both the customers and the employees. "And it all began with 3 employees in my townhouse basement," recalled Karen.

Sixteen years later, Corporate Network Services (CNS) has grown into a people-friendly technology support company helping customers to bridge the gap between their IT infrastructure and their business goals. As a Microsoft Gold Partner and FileMaker Platinum Partner, CNS supports small/medium businesses, associations, education, and the government.

As a 2008 Gazette 25 CEO You Need to Know, Karen is reinforcing the founding philosophy by providing excellent customer service in a Best Place to Work. Corporate Network Services was awarded the Alliance for Workplace Excellence Eco Leadership Award for 2009 and the Best Place to Work Award for 2006 through 2009. The company won Honorable Mention in the Washingtonian Magazine 2009 Great Places to Work issue. CNS was listed in the 2009 Inc. 5000 of fastest growing companies, and in the 2009 Gazette P&B 53. Karen is particularly proud that the company has recently transformed its business model. "We went from a traditional break-fix model of IT support to a managed services model, earning us a spot in the MSP100 of top managed services providers," shared Karen.

Karen is motivated to keep customers counting on CNS by making information technology trouble-free. If you need IT services contact Karen at www.getITrelief.com

Meet advertising executive, Stephanie Kempter. She began her advertising career with a successful launch of the The Montgomery Business Gazette in 1995. After a stint as Senior Account Executive, Stephanie is currently the Advertising Director of The Gazette of Politics and Business. Stephanie has guided the paper and her many clients through the current hazardous business climate with trendsetting planning and adroit execution of marketing strategies to enable them to weather the storm and stay standing for the better economic times ahead.

Stephanie smoothly accommodates the need for efficient multi-tasking and painstaking attention to detail which are required for effective execution by today's successful advertising executives. Her charming personality and relatability to all clients enhances her serious business demeanor and accounts for her award winning record of achievements for The Gazette.

Starting with a B.S. in Mass Communication from Towson University, Stephanie continues to expand her in-depth knowledge of business and advertising by her daily observation and assimilation of constant and subtle changes in directions of business impacted by underlying forces at play in the current period of uncertainty.

For the last ten years, Ann Mitchell has served as President & CEO of Montgomery Hospice, a nonprofit medical hospice that cares for the seriously ill residents of Montgomery County. Under Ann's leadership, Montgomery Hospice has grown, now serving more than 1,600 patients annually, as well as providing bereavement services to more than 6,000 county residents. Ann oversaw the building of Casey House, the only facility in Montgomery County exclusively designed for hospice patients.

During Ann's tenure as leader, Montgomery Hospice has received a number of awards, including an Adventist Healthcare Community Partnership Award, a Certificate of Appreciation from the local chapter of the ALS Association, and most recently, citations from Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, Congressman Chris Van Hollen and US Senator Benjamin Cardin.

Ann has been in hospice management since 1981, also leading hospices in South Carolina and Massachusetts. She has worked as a researcher for the Yale Center for Health Studies. In the mid-1990's Ann was the principal investigator of a study on the economics of hospice care that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Ann holds a Master of Public Health degree from Yale University and she majored in Economics at Smith College. She is Chairman of the Board of the Hospice Alliance, a cooperative of regional hospices. In addition, she has been elected by her peers to the Board of Directors of the Hospice and Palliative Care Network of Maryland every year since 1999.

Congressman Chris Van Hollen recently publicly complimented Ann with these words: "I have found no one more dedicated to hospice than Ann Mitchell."

With her LL.M. from Harvard Law School and experience from some of the top firms in New York and Baltimore under her belt, Sheela Murthy started her own firm in 1994. Now considered a premier U.S. immigration law firm, the Murthy Law Firm has more than a dozen attorneys and a staff totaling more than 70 dedicated individuals.

The team at the Murthy Law Firm helps companies navigate the maze of government requirements to bring the best and the brightest from the world over to work in the United States. An immigrant herself, Ms. Murthy sees that this is done with compassion and empathy for the difficult path each foreign national must negotiate.

The award-winning website, www.murthy.com, is renowned as a leading source for immigration news and information. With numerous honors for her leadership in business and in the local and global communities, Ms. Murthy was most recently a 2009 recipient of the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Maryland, and will compete nationally.

Ms. Murthy is certified by the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. She is active at the leadership level of United Way - locally and internationally. She has been honored for her philanthropic work in the United States and in India, named 2009 Philanthropist of the Year by United Way of Central Maryland's annual Tocqueville Society Awards for her $1 million pledge, announced in 2008. Ms. Murthy believes that success in business provides opportunities for improving the circumstances of those less fortunate.

Dr. Mussenden has practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Washington, D.C. area since completing her residency in 1979. She has been listed in 3 Washingtonian Magazine polls as one of the top 100 physicians to whom patients would send their family members. In May 2008, Black Enterprise magazine named her as one of the top 100 physicians in the country. Dr. Mussenden has appeared on numerous television and radio programs discussing cosmetic and women's issues.

Since 2003, Dr. Mussenden has pursued training and received certification for liposuction, mesotherapy, laser work and facial rejuvenation. She opened a Medi Spa, Liposculpture By Design, in December 2006 in Lanham, MD where she performs this work as well as many other spa services for both men and women. Spa services include facial fillers and Botox, massage, sclerotherapy for spider veins, colon hydrotherapy, laser hair removal, vaginal rejuvenation, tummy tucks and liposuction.

Over the years, Dr. Mussenden and her husband Dr. Ellis have seen increasing requests from patients for the use of all-natural remedies to treat medical issues as opposed to medications with potential negative side effects. In response to that need, Dr. Mussenden, and Dr. Rodney Ellis created Rosebud Wellness, a wellness company that incorporates natural supplements for weight loss, energy, sexual health, feminine and masculine issues as well as anti-aging. All supplements in this line are all listed in the Physicians Desk Reference Supplement and are all formulated in FDA approved facilities.

Please visit one of our websites for more information.
    www.rosebudwellness.com
    www.sheerbodymagic.com
    www.rosebudweightloss.com

When her two children went off to school, Esther Newman went back to school as well. She earned an AA degree from Montgomery College, a BA from Antioch University, and a MS from John Hopkins University. Esther became director of The Family Life Center of Montgomery County; she was a public relations consultant for Montgomery General Hospital, program director for the YWCA of Montgomery County, and executive director of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. In 1989 she founded Leadership Montgomery (LM) and has led the organization since its creation. The nine-month program educates, connects and inspires community leaders. It is regarded as one of the strongest community leadership programs in the country. LM also offers continuing education programs for its 1,500 graduates from the Core, Senior Leadership Montgomery, Youth Leadership Montgomery and Inside Montgomery executive programs.

Esther has been involved in fighting breast cancer, a backer of her alma mater, Montgomery College, a founding board member for Leadership Maryland, and a supporter of a host of nonprofit causes. The former Treasurer and Board member for the International Community Leadership Association, she earned their prestigious Preceptor Award in 1998. She received the Corporate Volunteer Council's President's Award in 2009, the Montgomery County Business and Professional Women's Woman of Achievement Award in 2006, and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 2005.

"To the degree that leadership programs and folks like Esther Newman bring forth leaders who connect with the worthy causes of today, our communities are the better for it" said Chuck Lyons, chief executive officer of The Gazette, a graduate of Leadership Montgomery Class of' 95.

When the weather is nice and her schedule allows, she and her husband of 47 years, Stuart head for their boat and hang out on the Chesapeake Bay.

With more than a decade and a half of marketing experience in cable & telecom, Erin Pinckney is a marketing executive with an extensive background in campaign strategy, creative development, branding, tactical execution and comprehensive P&L management. Pinckney currently heads the marketing efforts for Comcast Spotlight - the advertising sales division of Comcast.

Comcast Spotlight provides cable TV, online, On Demand and on-site advertising for Local, Regional and National businesses who want to advertise in the Washington D.C. DMA. Comcast Spotlight can blanket an advertiser's message across the entire market (1.5 million TV households across DC, MD and VA) or zone within specific geographic areas. By targeting an advertiser's commercial on just the cable TV networks that match their unique target audience minimizes waste and provides incredible ROI.

Pinckney offers, "I am incredibly fortunate to work in an industry that I love. It's exciting, dynamic, and constantly evolving. Every day presents a new challenge…and opportunity. Complacency is the 'kiss of death'. You have to constantly harvest new ideas, technologies and categories to serve your clients and customers."

Pinckney holds a B.S. in Mass Communication from Towson University, and an M.A. in Human Sciences from Hood College. She recently completed The Wharton Business School 2009 Executive Development Series, and is a graduate of Comcast's exclusive Fundamentals of Leadership (FOL) program. She is a recipient of the Comcast Foundation Award and the Cable & Television Association for Marketing's (CTAM) Mark Award, which honors excellence in the field of marketing.

During the past four years as President and CEO of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, Jane Redicker has significantly strengthened the voice of an expanding Silver Spring business community. Committed to the belief that a strong and vibrant business community is vital to the success of Silver Spring and all of Montgomery County, Jane has worked tirelessly to ensure that the concerns and interests the Chamber's member businesses are effectively communicated to government leaders at both the County and State level.

"It is especially important that the voices of our small businesses are heard," says Jane. "Small businesses are the backbone of this county and make up more than 70 percent of our membership. They contribute significantly to our community. They care about things like jobs, improving transportation, and economic growth."

Jane contributes much of her success to the dedication and commitment of the Chamber's incredible members, leaders, and staff. She comes to this position with experience as the first Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in China. This background, coupled with her success in building positive relationships with chambers and business groups throughout the region, led to her recent election as president of the Maryland Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. In this position she hopes to further put Silver Spring's stamp on statewide initiatives.

A Colesville resident and homeowner, Jane is the proud mother of a sixth-grade daughter enrolled in Eastern Middle School's Humanities & Communications Program. Her husband operates a small public relations and communications consultancy.

Upon graduating among the top of her class from Georgetown Law school, Suzanne decided to settle in the Washington area where she grew up. After ten years working for large prestigious DC firms, doing primarily mergers, acquisitions, and corporate work, Suzanne moved her practice to Montgomery County to be closer to home. With the lower hourly rates of a suburban firm and her Montgomery County roots, Suzanne's practice blossomed.

On January 1, 2007, Suzanne and Roger Samek formed Samek & Rotbert, LLC, which currently represents over 800 clients. Many of Suzanne's clients have been working with her for over 10 years. "It's our commitment to quality, integrity, and results," Suzanne says, "that has earned us our reputation." Samek & Rotbert serves primarily small to mid-size companies in a wide variety of industries with all of their corporate, employment, contract, and business transaction needs. Suzanne has received the highest peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell, and an "excellent" rating from AVVO.

Suzanne's success as an attorney is due to her responsiveness, efficiency, high quality work product, and sensitivity to her clients needs. "Having represented businesses for over 20 years, I've seen it all. I enjoy being able to apply that experience in helping my clients meet their business challenges and not only resolve problems but prevent them." Suzanne says. "My goal is to provide legal and business counsel that will help my clients' businesses succeed."

With her selection as Deputy of Acquisition Management of the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in October 2008, Cecelia Royster brought more than twenty years of federal acquisition and small business experience to the sprawling 580 acre technical research campus located in Gaithersburg, MD.

Cecelia has been spotlighted as a panelist, presenter and organizer who can relate to the complicated array of federal regulations and practices to the small-business community. Her presentations empower small businesses with the knowledge and "how-to" they need to accomplish success in working with the government.

Since her arrival at NIST, Cecelia has planned and hosted two Market Research & Outreach Business Fairs at NIST and the Department of Commerce. She has represented Commerce as a speaker and panelist at national small-business conferences in Washington, Baltimore, New Orleans and Las Vegas. She serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) and is planning a joint NIST/MCCC conference to be held at NIST in the spring of 2010.

She publishes an annual procurement forecast and quarterly newsletter, The Acquisition Digest, which identify future needs and provide regulatory change information to NIST customers.

"I believe that if small-business vendors have the information they need to compete, they will provide NIST with the best price and service offerings that they can make available." Cecelia says. "We have to ensure that they know exactly what we want for everyone to be successful."

As the owner of RMR & Associates for over 22 years, Robyn Sachs has turned the company into an award-winning, dynamic, and consistently successful integrated marketing and public relations firm. The firm has gained significant recognition within the metro Washington, DC area for their work within the business-to-business market. The Washington Business Journal has consistently recognized RMR in its Top 25 Public Relations Firm listings from 1991 to 2009.

Robyn has won many individual awards as well, including the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 1998. In 1997, she was awarded WJLA's Women of the Year award, sponsored by Toyota. She has also won the Washington Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business award in 2007 and was named a Brava Women Business Leader by Washington SmartCEO Magazine in 2009. Robyn has served on the board of the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO), and currently serves on the Entrepreneurs' Organization of Washington, DC (EO) board, a non-profit organization for business owners with companies over one million dollars in sales. Additionally, Robyn is a pro bono professional mentor appointed by Montgomery County and was recently honored by the county with a Small Business Workforce Award.

As a leader and mentor, one of Robyn's top priorities is to ensure that she provides a fun, educational and positive working environment. Robyn listens to her employees' ideas and makes them an active part of a winning team. This same enthusiasm is what has kept Robyn going throughout her vigorous tenure in the public relations field.

Robyn can attribute much of her success to her ability to develop strong and long term relationships with her clients. Always delivering the promise of the proposal, Robyn serves as a mentor to her clients, coaching them on the best communications strategies that will use their budgets most effectively and create the most profitable ROI. Through success and hardship, Robyn's drive and determination is what continues to push her to new heights. Her love for the field, her clients and the relationships at the heart of it all, despite the trials along the way with any career, come together to make Robyn an outstanding businesswoman in the public relations field.

In 2007, after 20 years in the corporate world, Angie Segal purchased an ActionCOACH franchise and started a business coaching firm in Silver Spring, MD.

In the years since, she has helped dozens of local business owners improve the sales, operations and profitability of their businesses. In addition to coaching business owners, she is the co-founder of the Business Resource Community, co-hosts a monthly networking event designed to bring business people together and has sat on the board of several local business building and support groups. All of these endeavors are Angie's way of improving the business community in Montgomery County.

Whether working one on one with a client or connecting hundreds of business owners with each other, the focus of her business is to build a strong community of like-minded individuals who are creating opportunities for themselves and others in their business ventures.

What makes Angie's approach unique is the depth of her commitment to the success of every client. She focuses on creating and implementing plans and strategies designed to create the business they dreamed of when they first started it. With her guidance and support, clients can expect to work hard and get the kind of results they never thought possible.

"Many people don't know what to expect from coaching." Angie says, "I am committed to ensuring they receive true value from the coaching experience. In fact, I guarantee it." Angie Segal is a certified business coach who focuses on building strong and successful businesses.

When Robin Shaivitz asked her first elected official to support a bill to protect Maryland's children from child neglect, and that legislator voted her way, she was hooked on the process to influence policy in the state. From that day to this one, she continues to work with a wide range of clients to advance their agenda with both elected and appointed policy makers. Now, as a senior government relations specialist for the Law Offices of Alexander & Cleaver, she works on the most visible as well as the most subtle matters before the General Assembly. Over the years and before several administrations, her efforts along with those of her colleagues resulted in success.

"We are thrilled when we represent the needs of a client and win the day for them," says Shaivitz. "It takes strategic thinking and an understanding of the process from day one to be successful. I insist that our team understand the client's goals and we spend time getting to know the client, large or small. It's a dynamic process that results in accomplishing the objectives of the client. We maintain open and active communications so that we stay current with the goals and modify the strategies as needed. Ultimately, it is the knowledge that my team brings to the client that enhances the ability of a client to succeed. "

Winning in Annapolis or with local governments is what we do at Alexander & Cleaver. We work on legislation, procurement, event planning and networking on behalf of a wide range of organizations. Our team of talented folks delivers for private companies or non-profits, alike. A number of clients worked with Robin for over 20 years. She knows who makes the decisions in state and local governments and demonstrates that time and time again. Long term relationships are important to our firm. "As a firm, we are a family and our clients join that family when they come to Alexander & Cleaver. "

• Member of the Goucher College Board of Directors
• Member of Network 2000
• Founding member of the Md. Government Relations Association
• Board Member of Accelerate Performance

Trailblazer. One who makes a path for others to follow. Rhonda L. Slade, CEO / President of the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce, is the personification of leadership. She has set a standard for integrity and prosperity that border on miraculous in these dismal economic times. Undeniably innovative business savvy, practical application, and an extensive list of firsts at the chamber is what earned Ms. Slade continued success. Though it's her tagline "I'm not in it for me" that best describes her.

After graduating Bennett College for Women with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration, Ms. Slade moved through the business and financial world with purpose and determination. Time spent in the trenches at such firms as IBM, First Union Bank (now Wachovia), Bank of America, and Greenpoint Mortgage is what strengthened her resolve that there is a better way of doing things. A beneficial bottom-line for everyone involved.

2009 Accomplishments:
• Brought together the Prince George's County Delegation, State Senators, County Council members, and the County Executive to participate in the Legislative Reception in Annapolis, Maryland
• Through the Small/Minority Business Committee, partnered with the Capital
• Through the Small/Minority Business Committee, presented Bridget Bean, District Director of the Washington Metropolitan Area Office to speak on the Recovery Act and opportunities available for small businesses
• Represented Prince George's County small businesses on the U. S. Small Business Administration's Washington Metropolitan District Roundtable
All of the above while raising three beautiful children. Too many adjectives come to mind but none better than, Rhonda Slade is a world-beater.

Gina Marie Smith, a partner at Meyers, Rodbell, and Rosenbaum, PA has been in practice for over 15 years. The Firm was founded in 1975 for the purpose of providing prompt assistance to clients in regard to their most difficult legal problems and has three offices in Riverdale Park, Rockville and Baltimore City, Maryland. The Firm's diverse practice areas include, Land Use Planning and Development, Real Estate Transactions, General Business, Corporate, Municipal Law, Health Care Law, Litigation, Alcoholic Beverage Licensing, Wills and Estate Planning, Lobbying, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Insurance Defense, Adult Guardianship and Family Law.

Gina's practice areas include Medical Malpractice, Business Litigation, Commercial Real Estate Litigation and Adult Guardianship. Gina has amassed significant experience in representing healthcare system clients and business clients in a vast array of complex litigation concerns. Gina is valued and respected for consistently protecting her clients' interests in all stages of litigation.

Gina has also lent her talents to a variety of professional and community organizations. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Prince George's Hospital Center Foundation and on the J. Franklyn Bourne Bar Association's Judicial Nominating Committee. Gina is also a member of the Maryland Society for Healthcare Risk Management and a former Commissioner of the State of Maryland Board of Docking Masters appointed by Governor Parris Glendening.

Gina received her JD from Georgetown Law Center in 1993 and her BA from Rutgers University in 1990.

Sally Sternbach is Executive Director of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), a public-private partnership dedicated to assuring the City of Rockville's future economic vitality. REDI provides educational programming, market intelligence, advisory services, introductions to key decision-makers, assistance with workforce development, and access to funding sources to companies at all stages of growth. REDI offers its resources to the community free-of-charge, and welcomes inquiries and referrals.

Sternbach's key accomplishments as Executive Director include initiating the Rockville Innovation Center, receiving a $1 million grant from Maryland TEDCO for its build-out, and creating Montgomery County's first incubator sponsorship program. She launched an annual women's business plan competition that grew at least 20% in each of its first six years and has cash prizes totaling $20,000. Under her leadership, REDI created a partnership with the MIT Enterprise Forum to support area entrepreneurs, and one with UMBC and Johns Hopkins University to bring the ACTiVATE program to Montgomery County.

Sternbach conceptualized, organizes and hosts an annual national model Postdoctoral Conference and Career Fair in conjunction with regional federal laboratories and universities. She started the annual Asian American Business Conference and was instrumental in establishing the Buy Rockville Campaign.

In addition to her dedication to Rockville's economy, Sternbach served as chairperson of the board of Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, helping guide its selection of a new executive director and solidifying its position in Silver Spring's Arts District.

Sternbach is an avid rower with the Potomac Boat Club's Masters Women's Rowing Program. She lives in Silver Spring with her husband, David.

As a results-driven and service-oriented marketing professional, Sharon is excited about her role as the new VP Marketing for OBA Bank in Germantown. With over 20 years in the financial services industry, she is experienced in all facets of marketing and management from communications and branding to research and strategic planning.

OBA Bank, founded in 1861, is one of the oldest and safest financial institutions in the country and one of the select few that have earned the coveted 5-star Bauer superior rating and the 4-star BankRate.com rating for safety and soundness. OBA offers a variety of savings and checking accounts, and loans as well as services designed specifically for small businesses.

Speaking about OBA Bank, Sharon stated, "I'm so impressed with the staff and their focus on our customers' personal and business financial needs. I was surprised to learn that a professional representative answers when you call OBA Bank, not a frustrating phone tree that ties you up with option after option. Customers tell me that this personalized relationship is why they bank with OBA."

Sharon holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Towson University and an M.B.A. in Business Administration from The George Washington University. She is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the National Business Honor Society and is an American Bankers Association's Certified Financial Marketing Professional (CFMP). Sharon was past president of the American Marketing Association, Baltimore Chapter and is currently involved with a number of professional and community organizations. Sharon's work has been recognized with several national and local awards.

As president and founder of Millennium Marketing Solutions, Janice has built one of the most unique marketing firms in the Baltimore/DC metropolitan area. She has accomplished this by joining creative services and production under one roof. This approach has allowed Janice and her team to support the successful business growth of hundreds of clients. Janice brings sound business concepts to all marketing efforts. Her passion for creative arts, marketing and business coupled with the desire and determination to help clients succeed has led Janice to expand her business to provide a complete range of marketing services.

Some examples of Millennium's services include: strategy; branding; cross-media database marketing; tradeshow tools; digital and offset printing; web site design and development; search and social media marketing.

As Millennium's visionary, Janice continues to ensure Millennium is a leader in customer service and creative solutions. Her drive for excellence has resulted in industry acknowledgment and numerous awards for Millennium, including: Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise - Top 100, Maryland Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, and The Gazette Politics and Business - Top 53.

Also passionate about cooking, Ms. Tippett's philosophy for a successful marketing campaign is to "Mix Your Media!" She works with each company to discover the right mix of marketing tools - from traditional to the latest technology.

Janice's commitment to her ideals, her employees and her community has given rise to more than a successful business; through Millennium Janice also has created lasting friendships, experienced personal growth and established an atmosphere of creativity, caring, and professionalism.

Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Martha Foulon-Tonat is a founding member of EagleBank, and has led the Bank's lending efforts ever since. As a graduate student in International Affairs at American University in 1980, she side-stepped into banking…simply for "the banking hours that would allow her time for evening classes." But, for some reason—perhaps because of her passion for helping people realize their entrepreneurial dreams and her enthusiasm for mentoring and guiding young lenders to their full potential—she remained a community banker throughout her career. Martha's experience spans five community banks in Maryland and the District of Columbia, beginning in branch banking, then quickly migrating to commercial lending.

After starting a family, she left DC and went to work for Allegiance Bank in Bethesda. Martha graduated with honors from Stonier Graduate School of Banking in 1997, and in 1998, joined other key members from Allegiance to help found EagleBank in 1998, serving as Senior Lender. She has overseen loan growth during the Bank's 11-plus years…to a volume of nearly $1.4 billion today. For Martha, however, it is not all about watching the bank or her career grow. It is more about watching peoples' dreams take shape and their new businesses turn into realities. She also still finds personal satisfaction in mentoring and watching young bankers become professional lenders, who then provide the solutions for more EagleBank business customers to take off and succeed.

Kim M. Watson is the Vice President for Maryland Affairs at PEPCO, the electric utility serving the District of Columbia and its Maryland suburbs. Ms. Watson manages strategic stakeholder relationships across a wide spectrum of customer groups within two dynamic counties - Montgomery and Prince George's. She serves as PEPCO's primary liaison to political, business, community and consumer leaders in Maryland through legislative, local government, customer relations and grassroots activities. Ms. Watson interacts directly with residential, small and large commercial customers. She is responsible for promoting and educating customers about the Corporation's Blueprint for the Future which promotes advanced technologies and energy efficiency programs designed to improve customer service and empower customers to manage their energy use and costs.

Ms. Watson received her M.B.A. (IEMBA) from Georgetown University, a M.A. degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she also completed doctoral studies, and a B.A. in political science from McMaster University in Canada. She also completed the MIT-Harvard University Program on Negotiation, the University of Maryland's Rawlings Center for Public Leadership Fellowship Program, and is a member of the Leadership Prince George's 2010 Class.

Ms. Watson is the current president of the Maryland-DC Utilities Association and most recently served on the Board of Directors of Leadership Greater Washington. In addition, she currently serves on several State and local boards including the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, the Prince George's Chamber of Commerce, the Board of the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), the Conference Board's Community and Public Issues Council (CAPIC), and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (Maryland). Ms. Watson is a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Regional Policy Committee, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Energy Working Committee, and Leadership Montgomery.

Ms. Watson serves on the Private Sector Council of the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) and is also a member of the United Nations Association of the Capitol Area. She is a founding member of Jamaican Women of Washington, Inc. (JWoW).

Ms. Watson was honored as one of the twenty-five outstanding women in business by Women Business Owners of Montgomery County. She was also recognized by the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland for her outstanding leadership.

Dr. Ellen H. Yankellow, is President and CEO of Correct Rx Pharmacy Services, Inc., a company she founded in 2003 and grew from a start-up to one of Maryland's largest female-owned companies and a national leader in institutional and senior care markets.

Gifted and talented, Ellen has always excelled - she graduated with honors from the University of Maryland - School of Pharmacy, was one of the first graduates of the school's non-traditional PharmD program to receive a Doctor of Pharmacy, and has been an outstanding business and community leader throughout her career.

Dr. Yankellow is regarded as one of the leading women pharmacists in the country and an expert in institutional pharmacy. She started Correct Rx with a model of patient centered, superior service combined with advanced technology and a culture of caring and accuracy that has proven to be a formula for success. Through her leadership, Correct Rx has also become known as a company committed to being a good corporate citizen.

Strongly committed to providing the highest quality services to her customers who reside in prisons, residential treatment facilities and nursing homes, Dr. Yankellow has created a culture of caring that pervades every aspect of her business. "If it's the Right Way it's the Correct Way" is more than a motto, but a promise of excellence surrounding everything we do," says Dr. Yankellow. "We are a company with a conscience, and I believe that we have an obligation to provide our customers the highest quality service and to treat our employees with fairness and respect."

• President, Network 2000, Inc.
• Girl Scouts Distinguished Women Award
• Alzheimer's Association Helen S. Schulze Award