Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Bradly Hoffman
Board Chair
DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors
As a partner and head of DeLeon and Stang's Leesburg and Frederick offices, Brad provides tax and consulting services to a wide variety of clients. With more than 20 years of experience in accounting, Brad is a constant advocate for his clients. His love for the Frederick community runs deep - he champions many businesses in the area and is involved in multiple local organizations. Brad resides on a small farm in Frederick County with his wife and their two sons.

Don Schilling
Immediate Past Chair
Frederick Health
Don has a BS degree in Accounting from Mount Saint Mary’s College and has his CPA certification. His career started in public accounting and then became involved in the manufacturing of construction products for twenty two years. During this time period he was involved with many mergers and acquisitions, day-to-day operations and held many executive management positions. For the last seventeen years, Don has been involved in the healthcare industry more specifically the Occupational Health Industry and Ambulatory Services operations of Frederick Health.

In addition Don has been married for 42 years to his wife Phyllis and has three grown children and six grandchildren. Both Don and his wife are natives of Frederick County and have been active in numerous community charities. Don is currently a Board Member of FITCI (Frederick County’s business incubator and accelerator).

Jennifer Milas
Treasurer
McLean, Koehler, Sparks & Hammond
Jennifer is a CPA at McLean, Koehler, Sparks, & Hammond (MKS&H) in Frederick, MD. She is a Principal at the firm and has extensive experience in tax planning and compliance for closely held mid-size businesses and their owners. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Hood College, and has a Master’s in Taxation from American University. Jennifer resides in Frederick, Maryland with her husband and two children.

Steve Heine
Woodsboro Bank
Steve is President & CEO of Woodsboro Bank. Established in 1899, it’s Frederick County’s oldest independent community bank. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree from Alfred University and an MBA from the University of Albany. Steve’s banking career spans 39 years, including the last 21 years in Maryland. Steve has extensive Board experience including with Alfred University, Woodsboro Bank, the YMCA of Frederick County, The Maryland Science Center, The Urban League, The American Red Cross, and the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek. Steve’s wife, Carole, is a Hood College graduate. Steve and Carole are avid hikers, cyclists, and travelers. They are the parents of four grown children, a granddaughter, and live in Ijamsville.

Dwayne Myers
Dynamic Automotive
Dwayne Myers is a co-owner and CEO of Dynamic Automotive, an Independent automotive repair business with four locations in Frederick County. He has spent his career, of over 30 years, in the maintenance and repair industry ranging in size from lawnmowers to tanks in the US AMY. As CEO Dwayne leads and develops the executive and management teams. He focuses on the continuing development of all team members to build a stronger culture in the company. This development is key to the growth of both Dynamic and its team members.

Danny Severn
St. John Properties
Danny is a Frederick local, with roots and family in Middletown. He works in commercial real estate having joined St. John Properties in 2008. He manages development projects in Frederick, Montgomery, and Washington counties in Maryland, as well as Loudoun and Prince William counties in Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York College and a Master of Science degree in Real Estate from the Edward St. John Real Estate Program at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Danny is an active member (and former Board member) of the Rotary Club of Frederick, and also a Board member of the Mental Health Association of Frederick.

Jon-Mikel Bailey
Wellspring Digital
Jon-Mikel Bailey is the Chief Development and Marketing Officer for Wellspring Digital, a full-service digital marketing firm specializing in SEO, PPC, Marketing Automation, and Content Marketing. He has been published in MarketingProfs, Business2Community, SpinSucks, {Grow}, Social Media Today, and more. He has spoken at the Digital Summit Series, MarketingProfs, ITE, Grant Thornton, and others. Jon has worked in the digital marketing industry for 25 years. In his role at Wellspring Digital, Jon is responsible for marketing the firm and consulting with clients on content marketing strategies. He also manages all business development and client engagement efforts. He has a beautiful wife and daughter who are nuts like he is. And he plays the drums in his free time.

Mark Blacksten
M&T Bank
Mark Blacksten is a Vice President and Business Banking Regional Manager with M&T Bank in Frederick, MD. He has worked in the Maryland banking industry for over 27 years. Mark and his team provide customized financial solutions to businesses, business owners, their employees and families. In addition to the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, Mark has and continues to volunteer on many boards and committees with focuses on healthcare and education. Mark is the 2017 recipient of the President’s Business Partner of the Year Award from Frederick Community College.

Dr. Philip Brown
Phoenix Mecano North America
Dr. Philip Brown has been the President & CEO of Phoenix Mecano North America., a global leader in the electronic enclosure and industrial automation segments since 2005. He has an MBA in Corporate Finance and a DBA, after serving in the British Royal Navy as Chief Marine Engineer for 11 years. Although he is not native to the U.S., he has called Frederick County home since his transition here in 2005 with his wife and three kids. Dr. Brown now focuses on continuing to build trusting relationships and helping others within the community and his company by getting involved locally. He is the Vice Chair Board of Directors at FCWS (Frederick County Workforce Services), a member of the Board of Associates for Hood College, and the Frederick County Career and Technology Advisory Council.

Brian Gaudet
Battelle National Biodefense Institute
Brian Gaudet is the communications director for the Battelle National Biodefense Institute, which operates and manages the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He has worked on Fort Detrick since Battelle was awarded the initial NBACC contract in 2006. For the last fourteen years Brian has worked exclusively in the high consequence industries of biodefense and aviation. In the 1990s he spent four years in Colorado and Idaho on economic development efforts at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Rocky Flats Plant and the Idaho National Laboratory.

Jeff Griffin
Board Liaison: Leadership Frederick County (Chair)
DCM BioServices

Jeff is the Director of Business Operations at DCM BioServices. DCM Bio is a local biotech firm that specializes in laboratory automation service and support. With over 15 years of business experience in finance, operations and business development, Jeff thrives and excels at connecting the dots for people and organizations in his work and community service. Jeff previously served for five years as CFO at Community Living Inc. after an eleven year career in financial services. His time outside of work is spent enjoying life with his wonderful wife, two amazing children, and other family and friends. Jeff is an active member of the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, the chair of the Leadership Frederick County Council, and volunteers with a number of other local organizations.

Sarah Hurwitz Robey
Colonial Jewelers
Sarah Hurwitz Robey is the fourth generation owner of Colonial Jewelers, the oldest business in Downtown Frederick. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America. She is excited to advocate for the vibrant and diverse business community in Downtown as well as be involved in our exceptional Chamber of Commerce. Sarah loves being with her husband and two boys and enjoying the outdoors.

Sue Hough
Octavo Designs
Sue founded Octavo Designs in April 2000. Since then, Octavo has grown into a locally and nationally recognized graphic design studio. Sue is the creative director with a branding focus that ties directly into each client’s marketing strategies and goals. Sue’s studio atmosphere evokes fun and creativity, and her work is no different. She also devotes her efforts to the community and enjoys sponsoring activities and volunteering her design services for numerous regional non-profit organizations. Sue is the co-chair of the Chamber's Women in Business committee.

Eric Johnson
Audio-Video Group
Eric Johnson is the President of Audio-Video Group, LLC, which he started in 2000 and joined the Chamber in 2001. He has over 30 years of experience in the AV industry and earned the CTS-D (Certified Technology Specialist – Design) designation in 2008 from InfoComm International. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, where he served as chair of the Welcoming Committee for over eight years. Eric is a Leadership Frederick County graduate (Class of 2017) and resides in Frederick with his wife and two children.

Laura Melia
Miles & Stockbridge P.C.

Melissa Muntz
Board Liaison: Nonprofit Alliance
SHIP of Frederick County
Melissa is the Executive Director of the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership of Frederick County. A proud Hood College graduate, she began her career in government and politics. Melissa has spent time working for the Maryland State Legislature, United States Congress, and Capitol Hill lobbying firms. She has maintained an active role in the local community, having served as a Director on several Frederick nonprofit Boards including Celebrate Frederick and Habitat for Humanity. Currently, Melissa sits on the Frederick County Coalition for the Homeless and Rotary Cub of Carroll Creek Boards of Directors. A graduate of Leadership Frederick County, Melissa has been named to the list of “Top Young Professionals in Maryland Politics” and in 2017 was named “New Professional of the Year” by the Maryland Tourism Coalition. She lives in Downtown Frederick with her husband, daughter, and dog.

Amber Smith
Board Liaison: Women in Business (Co-Chair)
Frederick Lifestyle Magazine
Amber Smith is the Owner and Publisher of Frederick Lifestyle Magazine. She has a deep passion for connecting the fast-growing Frederick community, inspiring action and volunteerism, and helping local businesses thrive. Between a Bachelor’s Degree, nearly 10 years in Sales & Marketing roles, and excellent mentors, she felt empowered to release that entrepreneurial spirit and take on the riveting experience of running a business in January 2020. With a strong sense of community and purpose, Amber and her team are committed to bringing an inspiring, uplifting and engaging magazine every month. Amber is a 2022 graduate of Leadership Frederick County and has either been connected to or a member of numerous local organizations and community initiatives. Amber and her husband Andre feel blessed to call Frederick home and are building deep roots here.

Lanie Swanhart
Board Liaison: Generation Connect (Co-Chair)
Postern
Lanie Swanhart has been a marketing professional throughout Frederick for the past five years. She is the Digital and Social Marketing Specialist at Postern, a community focused full-service marketing agency in Frederick. She has worked with various businesses and on projects like the Official Ice Cream of Frederick with South Mountain Creamery and Visit Frederick. Lanie joined the Generation Connect board in 2020 to support young professionals building careers and establishing themselves in Frederick. She enjoys investing time to support the Frederick community and is excited to expand and grow in her position on Generation Connect.

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