Contact:
Jessica Hibbard, Communications Director
Ph. 301.662.0745
jhibbard@frederickchamber.org

Additional Media:
Maryland Chamber Blog: Frederick’s Ric Adams Named Chamber Executive of the Year
Maryland Chamber Press Release: Small Business of the Year Award Winners
YouTube: Chamber Executive of the Year Award Intro & Acceptance Speech
DropBox Gallery: Photos from MD SBOTY Awards

For Immediate Release

FREDERICK CHAMBER WINS BIG AT STATE AWARDS LUNCHEON

(Frederick, MD – June 10, 2010) – The Maryland Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) named Frederick County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO M. Richard ‘Ric’ Adams its 2010 Chamber Executive of the Year during a luncheon at the Westin BWI Airport Hotel on Thursday, June 3, 2010.

“Ric is an energetic leader who has helped position the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce at the center of its community, promoting economic growth and community engagement,” said Jane Redicker, President & CEO of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce and 2010 MACCE President.

Under Adams’ leadership, the Frederick County Chamber has:

• Developed a five-year Strategic Plan “Vision 2012,” which is the “road map” of the Frederick County Chamber that outlines goals for the Chamber to achieve by its 100th anniversary in 2012. One hundred community leaders and a final committee of 12 representatives developed the plan. The Chamber also now hosts an annual event, “Envisioning 2027,” where more than 80 community leaders have an open dialogue about how to improve Frederick County for the next generation.
• Launched the Frederick County Business Roundtable for Education, which connects the business community with the classroom in an effort to shape Frederick County’s future workforce.
• Developed a new series of Social Media Conferences to teach beginner, intermediate, and advanced users how to use new media and technology to improve their businesses.
• Positioned the Chamber as the voice of business for the Frederick community by hiring a professional lobbying group to help represent the Chamber in Annapolis.
• Rebuilt the Chamber Board with Frederick’s key business leaders and hired new professional staff.
• Strengthened the financial management practices of the Chamber.

Adams is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Maryland. He has served as a past Treasurer (2009) and Director at Large (2008) of MACCE and is serving as co-chair of the 2010 Mini Institute. He is involved in a number of community organizations including the Frederick County Workforce Development Board, the Frederick County United Way Board, the Hood College Board of Trustees, the Rotary Club of Frederick, and many others.

The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce also supported several member nominations for the Maryland Chamber’s Small Business of the Year (SBOTY) Awards, presented at the same awards luncheon. Café 611 won the award in the 1-10 employees category. Restaurant owners Randy and Karen Jones accepted the award for Café 611. BridgePath Scientific was a finalist in the same category, and President & CEO Patrick Haley was recognized at the event.

The Frederick Chamber was well-represented at the state awards luncheon. A total of 18 representatives attended, including staff, executive committee members, award finalists, and members.

About the MACCE Chamber Executive of the Year Award:

This was the sixth time the Maryland Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) has named a Chamber Executive of the Year. All chamber executives in the state with three years of service were eligible for the award. The volunteer leadership of the respective chambers made nominations. Criteria upon which the nominees were judged include accomplishments, fiscal management, professional development and community involvement. This year’s judging panel was comprised of the MACCE President and two past winners of the award.

MACCE is a membership association consisting of chamber of commerce executives, and their counterparts at similar organizations, from throughout the state. The organization supports the continued professional development of its members and works to enhance the standing of chambers of commerce in Maryland. For more information, contact MACCE President Jane Redicker at 301.565.3777.

About the Maryland Chamber SBOTY Awards:

The Small Business of the Year Awards program, celebrating its ninth year, is designed to recognize the dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by small businesses in Maryland.

“Congratulations to the 2010 Small Business of the Year Award winners,” said Kathy Snyder, CCE, President & CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. “Through their vision and hard work, they are helping Maryland's economy grow. Today we honor their financial success, as well as their commitment to their employees, customers and communities.”

Nominees for the awards program are required to be a member of the state or a local chamber of commerce, have a permanent business location with employee(s) in Maryland, and have been in operation for a minimum of two years. The judging panel for the awards program was comprised of representatives of Maryland’s business media, including the Gazette of Politics & Business, Baltimore SmartCEO Magazine, Baltimore Business Journal, and Corridor Inc. Criteria upon which the nominees were judged included performance, growth, innovation, creativity, competitiveness, community involvement and more.

About the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce:

The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce connects business and community through leadership, advocacy, and education. The Frederick Chamber was the first chartered member of the US Chamber of Commerce, and will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012.

For more information about this and other Chamber events, contact Jessica Hibbard, Communications Director, at 301.662.0745 or visit frederickchamber.org.

###