Names & notes

Friday, June 12, 2009

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County honors entrepreneur Breck

Darlene Breck, president and CEO of Southern Maryland Business Center, was named this month's Charles County "Soar Like An Eagle Entrepreneur of the Month."

The Charles County commissioners presented her with a plaque and a proclamation Tuesday.

Breck opened the Southern Maryland Business Center in Waldorf in 2003 in a historic building that had previously been a real estate office.

The two-story building was modernized and redesigned with a formal lobby and reception area for clients; a conference room; centralized mail, fax, and copying facilities; and a kitchen. Rent for individual offices and office suites includes use of the facilities which are shared by all tenants. A "virtual office" option gives users access to reception, mail, and conference rooms without having an office on site. This policy allows small and start-up businesses, including home-based businesses, a professional image at a fraction of the cost.

Southern Maryland Business Center was so successful in its original location that Breck has since expanded into a second building next door with additional office space and more shared facilities for all tenants, according to a county press release.

When the Department of Homeland Security was formed and needed a location in Southern Maryland to process identification badges for fuel carriers, they chose Southern Maryland Business Center because of its central location. Several law school graduates chose to start their law practices there because of the professional atmosphere and conference rooms.

Past and present tenants include several information technology startups and providers of other professional services.

In all, more than 70 small and large companies have been located at Southern Maryland Business Center since it opened. Many are startups and entrepreneurial enterprises themselves, and Breck is always willing to give them advice and the benefit of her own business expertise at no extra cost, according to the release.

"Darlene Breck not only exemplifies entrepreneurism, she nurtures it in others," commissioners' President F. Wayne Cooper (D) said in the release. "I'm sure that many of the future Charles County Entrepreneurs of the Month will have had their start at the Southern Maryland Business Center. We are delighted to recognize Darlene Breck for paving the way."

The entrepreneur program was started last year by the county commissioners and the Charles County Economic Development and Tourism Department.

Hughesville man honored by MdTA

Hughesville resident John Umling was recently honored by the Maryland Transportation Authority for outstanding job performance during 2008.

"Our employees demonstrate an immense amount of pride in their work each and every day," said Authority Executive Secretary Ronald L. Freeland in an MdTA press release. "Mr. Umling brings acclaim to himself and to the Maryland Transportation Authority. He displays outstanding commitments to not only his co-workers, but to the public we serve."

Umling, a Gov. Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge toll collector and authority employee of 11 years, received an Authority Special Act Award. He was recognized for his compassionate nature and willingness to help others, according to the release.

"Authority award recipients are examples of our finest employees," said authority member and St. Mary's County resident Michael J. Whitson in the release. "We value Mr. Umling's commendable performance and congratulate him on a job well done."

Fitness center plans opening events

Anointed Body of Christ Wellness & Fitness Center will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. June 19 and a grand opening celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20 at the center at 3010 Crain Highway, Suite 100, Waldorf.

There will be facility tours and drawings for prizes and refreshments at the ribbon cutting. The grand opening will include a DJ, face painting, tours of the facility, vendors, a moon bounce and free health screenings.

ABC Wellness & Fitness Center will provide a comprehensive approach to health and well-being of its members, according to a company press release.

The facility will have more than 50 pieces of cardio, resistance and free weight training equipment. Amenities include lockers, onsite child care and a nursing lounge for breastfeeding mothers. The facility meets ADA requirements.

The center is owned by John and Tammy Wright. They have more than 20 years of experience in fitness. John is retired from the U.S. military and served three combat tours overseas. Tammy has more than 17 years in the Washington, D.C. National Guard.

PRISM to meet

The Public Relations Individuals of Southern Maryland will hold a luncheon meeting June 18 to discuss social media and how to include them in businesses' communications.

The meeting will be held at noon at the Ruddy Duck Brewery and Grill in Solomons. The restaurant is at the corner of Dowell Road and H.G. Trueman Road in front of the Hilton Garden Inn north of Solomons Island.

Cost is $13 for PRISM members and $18 for nonmembers. The cost includes the presentation and lunch. To reserve a space, call Katherine Stormont at 240-577-2374 or e-mail fullstridecom@ me.com by June 16.

Everyone's talking about social media these days, but few people know how to use them to build brands online and engage with consumers, PRISM's Terry Ressler said in a press release.

From blogs, Facebook profiles and viral media to incorporating user-contributed content, many companies are struggling with how to integrate these fast-growing media into their communications strategies, she said.

Sean Carton, the presenter at the PRISM event, said in the release, "The new methods we have available to us for communicating are exciting new opportunities to connect with the people we need to reach."

Carton is the chief creative officer of idfive.

For more information on PRISM, go to www.prismonline.info.

Docie earns trip from Avon

K.C. Docie of Bel Alton has been recognized among Avon Products' best district sales managers in the United States and was inducted into Avon's Circle of Excellence.

In recognition of her achievement, the company gave her a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to celebrate with other Avon sales managers.

The Circle of Excellence is an elite distinction at Avon, awarded to the top 10 percent of district sales managers with the largest sales increase, according to a company press release.

Docie was one of more than 1,300 Avon sales managers to earn the award.

Dialysis clinic wins award

The Waldorf Hemodialysis unit won a Platinum Center of Excellence award from its parent company, Fresenius Medical Care, for accomplishments during 2008.

"The Center of Excellence Award is given in recognition of the outstanding achievements of the nurses, staff and physicians at the facility. They have shown a true commitment to caring for their patients," J. Michael Lazurus, chief medical officer and senior vice president of quality at Fresenius Medical Care, said in a company press release.

Sanjeeb Mishra is medical director of the Waldorf unit.

Mishra has been a medical director with the company since 1983. He also serves as chief of staff at Civista Medical Center in La Plata.

Also employed at the Waldorf clinic are registered nurses Kathleen Guy, the clinical manager and Kim Bales, the area manager.

This is the 10th year that Fresenius Medical Care has recognized local dialysis clinics as centers of excellence.

The awards are given only to those clinics that meet the company's standards based on measurements of the patients' status, according to the release.

Bank wins chamber award

Community Bank of Tri-County received the Lighthouse Award from the St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce at the Business Awards Luncheon on May 13.

The honor recognizes the bank for its growth, excellence in the community, innovation in product, management and customer service, and involvement in the community, according to a press release. Each year, the St. Mary's chamber recognizes local businesses and their entrepreneurial spirit, growth, and commitment to the community at large.

"This is an honor for Community Bank and we are very proud to receive this recognition from the Chamber. This award is a testament to our teams' hard work and dedication to our mission and to helping others," said Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Greg Cockerham, in a company press release.

Community Bank of Tri-County is the oldest independent financial institution headquartered in Waldorf with 10 branches and more than $700 million in assets. Community Bank of Tri-County branches are in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary's counties.

SMECO annual meeting is Aug. 26

Candidates have been selected for the five available seats up for election on Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative's board of directors.

Nominees are Samuel M. "Bo" Bailey Jr., Walter Rayner Blair III, William Greene and George "Mike" Thompson of St. Mary's County; Samuel "Jack" Hammett of Calvert County; and Fern Brown and Kenneth L. Dyson of Charles County.

Any 15 or more SMECO members may make other nominations by petition by June 26.

SMECO customer-members will elect five directors to serve three-year terms by voting for one board seat in Calvert, two seats in Charles and two seats in St. Mary's. Members will also vote on proposed changes in bylaws.

Members can vote in person at the meeting Aug. 26 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf.

To request an absentee mail-in ballot, call 888-440-3311, ext. 4722 or go to www.smeco.coop. The deadline for requests is by 4 p.m. Aug. 13.

Simmons is Tastefully Simple saleswoman

Dee Simmons of La Plata has become an independent consultant with Tastefully Simple Inc., a national direct-sales company featuring gourmet products.

As a consultant, Simmons will offer the company's foods and beverages to guests at home taste-testing parties.