July 2006 In this issue: A Watershed Year... Brad Stewart Named 2006-2007 GSSCC Chair 2006-2007 Board Installed Chamber Honors Members Who Went the Extra Mile GSSCC Thanks Luncheon Sponsors, Volunteers 2006 Business Golf Classic Is Virtual Sell-Out GSSCC Member Survey Evaluates Chamber Activities GSSCC Provides Update On Montgomery Hills Improvements Members in the News County Seminar Reaches out To Small, Minority Business County Seeks Participation In Local Small Business Reserve Program Attention GSSCC Members Linked with this issue: Member to Member Discounts GSSCC Calendar New Members since April Upcoming GSSCC Events July, 2006 NETWORKING BREAKFAST Wednesday, July 12 7:30-9:15 a.m. El Aguila 8649 16th Street Silver Spring Parking available in parking lot near the restaurant. BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Wednesday, July 26 5:30-7:00 p.m. Summit Hills Apartments 1701 East-West Highway Silver Spring August, 2006 NETWORKING BREAKFAST Wednesday, August 9 7:30-9:15 a.m. Crowne Plaza 8777 Georgia Avenue Silver Spring BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Wednesday, August 30 5:30-7:00 p.m. "Meet the Candidates" MEMBERS ONLY Location TBA Silver Spring September, 2006 NETWORKING BREAKFAST Wednesday, September 13 7:30-9:15 a.m. Golden Flame Restaurant 8630 Fenton Street Silver Spring BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Wednesday, September 27 5:30-7:00 p.m. Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown 8506 Fenton Street Silver Spring Spotlight Speakers Wanted For Networking Breakfast Spotlight Speaker Sponsorships are available for GSSCC's upcoming Networking Breakfasts. If your company is interested, please call 301-565-3777 for more information. GSSCC Thanks Our BUSINESS AFTER HOURS SPONSORS AFI-SILVERDOCS The Gazette (April) Silver Spring Regional Center (May) Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts (June) SINCERE THANKS To Our Corporate Sponsors The following members deserve special recognition, for their help and support in throughout the year: Chamber Silver Partner Discovery Communications Lee Development Group Chamber Business Partner Bud Miller Associates, Inc. Sandglass Systems Chamber Partner Eggspectation Atlantech Online Colorworks Promotions Linowes & Blocher M&T Bank GSSCC Welcomes New Members GSSCC welcomed 11 new members to our ranks during the past quarter. We will formally introduce our newest members to the Chamber at our New Member Orientation Breakfast held on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 and hosted by member business, Eggspectation. Please join us in welcoming these members to the Chamber community: Allstate Insurance Atlantic Realty Corporation (ARC Management) Blair Towns CapStar Commercial Realty Conley Building Limited Partnership DB Consulting Group, Inc. D.C. Divas Dedicated Cleaning Services Fairland Adventist Nursing & Rehab. Center Floor Impressions & Painting Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. Thanks for Renewing Thank you to the following members who renewed their membership since April 1, 2006: A Calmness Within Massage Therapy Accountants, Inc. Acumedicine Associates, PC AFI Silver Theatre & Cultural Center Allstate Insurance Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Ashford at Woodlake Apartments Associates in Process Improvement Atlantic Realty Corporation (ARC Management) Bell Flowers, Inc. Bookkeeping Works, LLC Brainbox Productions, Inc. Budget Blinds of Silver Spring Chelsea School CitiBank, FSB Class Acts Arts, Inc. Community Vision, Inc. Conley Building Limited Partnership Consolidated Theatres - The Majestic ConTemporaries, Inc. Courtyard by Marriott -Silver Spring Downtown Crowne Plaza Washington DC/Silver Spring DB Consulting Group, Inc. D.C. Divas Dedicated Cleaning Services MD Dept. of Labor Licensing & Regulation Discovery Communications, Inc. ERJ Consulting, LLC Fairland Adventist Nursing & Rehab. Center Family & Nursing Care, Inc. Final Cut Productions Floor Impressions & Painting Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. Law Office of David Goren Grace Episcopal Day School Grady Management, Inc. Hains Architects Holy Cross Hospital Innovative Business Interiors, Inc. Lee Development Group Linowes and Blocher LLP Millennium Services 2000+ Incorporated Montgomery 1936 Land Company, LLC Newport School Pike & Fischer - A BNA Company Presidential Service Industries, Inc. Primerica Financial Services Robert Philipson & Company RST Development, LLC Singleton Studios Southern Pest Control of Maryland Tastee Diner, Inc. Technology Service Corp. Thibadeau Mortuary Service, P.A. Trizec Properties, Inc. W.C. and A.N. Miller Realtors Washington Adventist Hospital Weir-Alderdice Management Co. William Morris & Associates, P.C. Woodbury Financial World Building GSSCC Sincerely Appreciates The Support of Our 2006 Business Golf Classic Sponsors Gold Sponsors EagleBank Montgomery College Trizec Properties, Inc. Washington Adventist Hospital Silver Sponsors BB&T Chevy Chase Land Company Foulger-Pratt Development, Inc. Grady Management, Inc. Kensington Volunteer Fire Department Sponsors City Place Mall Colorworks Promotions Enterprise Rent A Car Fairland Animal Hospital Group Benefit Services Hoover-Fisher Florists, Inc. Independence Federal Savings Bank Lee Development Group Montgomery Investigative & Security Services Svec Conway Printing United Bank Silver Spring Urban District WorldSpace, Inc. Scoreboard Sponsors EagleBank Montgomery College Silver Spring/Takoma Park Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department Trizec Properties, Inc. Washington Adventist Hospital Awards Sponsors BB&T Chevy Chase Land Company EagleBank Foulger-Pratt Development, Inc. Grady Management, Inc. Kensington Volunteer Fire Department Montgomery College Silver Spring/Takoma Park Trizec Properties, Inc. Washington Adventist Hospital Lunch & Post-Golf Reception Sponsor Eggspectation Beverage Cart Sponsor KSI Services, Inc. Signage Sponsor Signs by Tomorrow On-Site Massage Therapy Sponsor A Calmness Within Massage Therapy Hole Sponsors Atlantech Online, Inc. BB&T Chevy Chase Land Company City Place Mall Colorworks Promotions, Inc. Courtyard by Marriott – Silver Spring Downtown EagleBank Enterprise Rent A Car Fairland Animal Hospital Foulger-Pratt Development, Inc. Grady Management, Inc. Group Benefit Services Heidi Holscher-Pryal, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Hoover-Fisher Florists, Inc. Independence Federal Savings Bank Kensington Volunteer Fire Department Lee Development Group Minuteman Press Montgomery College Silver Spring/Takoma Park Montgomery Investigative & Security Services Svec Conway Printing Tri-State Fire Protection Services Trizec Properties, Inc. United Bank Silver Spring Urban District Washington Adventist Hospital WorldSpace, Inc. Door Prize Sponsors Adams National Bank Armand’s Chicago Pizzeria Asian Bistro Bell Flowers Blair Mansion Inn Bud Miller Associates, Inc. Cheryl’s Homestyle Cuisine Colorworks Promotions Dream Dinners Gold’s Gym Group Benefit Services Hampshire Greens Golf Course KSI Services, Inc. La Prima Market Café L.A. Fitness Moments That Matter, LLC RedDog Café Sergio’s Singleton Studios SilverDocs 2006 Steven Drake Associates, LLC York Castle Tropical Ice Cream Golfer Gift Bag Sponsors Bud Miller Associates, Inc. Eggspectation Group Benefit Services Minuteman Press Scheer Partners, Inc. Whole Foods Market GSSCC's 2006-2007 Board of Directors CHAIR Brad Stewart Montgomery College IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Carmen Camacho Bud Miller Associates, Inc. CHAIR-ELECT Jere Stocks Washington Adventist Hospital VICE CHAIR Economic Development Barbara Henry Discovery Communications, Inc. VICE CHAIR Fundraising Carmen Camacho Bud Miller Associates, Inc. VICE CHAIR Government Affairs Jere Stocks Washington Adventist Hospital VICE CHAIR Membership Development Jay Knisley Eggspectation TREASURER Jawed Khan Consolidated Theatres, The Majestic GENERAL COUNSEL Paul DiPiazza Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd. "Larry the Banker" Bolton EagleBank Valerie D. Day St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Paul DiPiazza Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd. Alyssa Friedrich United Therapeutics Corporation M. Genevieve (Genny) Hardesty Trizec Properties, Inc. June Mickens Social & Scientific Systems Jerry Miller Minuteman Press Roscoe M. Moore, Jr. PH RockWood Corporation Frederick Samuels Cahn & Samuels, LLP Dewey Thomas, Jr. Encore Management Corporation James Walker Adams National Bank Scott Wallace Linowes and Blocher LLP Stephanie Warlick Colorworks Promotions GSSCC STAFF PRESIDENT Jane Redicker MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT and SERVICES MANAGER Alcora Walden ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT L'Tanya Chew Business E-News Editor: Jane Redicker Design: Sandglass Systems Copyright by the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce 8601 Georgia Ave., Ste. 203 Silver Spring, MD 20910 301/565-3777 Fax: 301/565-3377 www.silverspringchamber.com info@gsscc.org

A Watershed Year ... By Carmen Camacho 2005-2006 GSSCC Chair The following is an excerpt of remarks made by outgoing GSSCC Chair Carmen Camacho at the 2006 Awards & Installation Luncheon. The past year has been terrifically rewarding for me personally, but more important, I believe it's been a watershed year in the development of our Chamber. A major factor in our success has been our leaders, members of our Board of Directors. On behalf of the Chamber, my thanks to each of you for your leadership, your support, your service and your dedication to Silver Spring and to our organization this year. When I spoke at this event just one year ago, I set some goals for this Chamber and I am proud to report success. Today, the Chamber is more politically influential than ever before. Thanks to the hard work of our Government Affairs Committee and our staff, we have achieved some major victories for Silver Spring business. When funding for the Civic Center and Veteran's Plaza was in jeopardy, GSSCC was there, successfully lobbying for full funding of the project, including the Pavilion and Ice Rink, as originally promised to the businesses and citizens of Silver Spring. When members of the County Council threatened to move the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission headquarters to Rockville, GSSCC was there, winning the fight to keep this important anchor in downtown Silver Spring. When the Enterprise Zone tax benefits for Silver Spring businesses were about to expire, GSSCC was there spearheading a statewide campaign and convincing other Chambers to urge their legislators to support extending the benefits of the Enterprise Zone for five more years. Later this summer, we plan a "meet the candidates" evening to give our members the opportunity to network with the individuals running for Montgomery County Council and the Maryland House and Senate. We're also planning to add a link on our website that makes encourages members to vote and makes it easy to register. Our Economic Development Committee also played a key role in building the reputation of the Chamber this year. GSSCC hosted the first-ever forum for developers, highlighting current and future opportunities in Silver Spring. More than 50 developers and property owners participated. We have been actively involved in supporting the development of the Silver Spring Transit Center and helping to minimize as much as possible the inevitable challenges Silver Spring will face during construction. The Chamber worked to effectively achieve consensus in support of the construction of the proposed Bi-County Transitway, calling for a system than uses light rail and an alignment that comes directly into the new transit center and leaves Silver Spring via Thayer Avenue, the option that provides the greatest opportunity for future economic development. The Chamber continued to be a liaison for businesses in Montgomery Hills in support of much needed streetscape improvements in that neighborhood. Last month, the Chamber hosted a meeting at which proposed improvements were presented by County officials. Next month, we plan a forum that will focus attention on South Silver Spring and look at opportunities now and into the future to assure the successful revitalization of this important area. Another of my goals this year was working to build and increase the Chamber's fundraising success. Thanks to the wonderful volunteers on our Fundraising Committee, we exceeded the goals set for each of our major events. This year the Chamber sponsored the first ever, very successful "Discover the Taste of Silver Spring," showcasing the cuisine of 17 of our restaurant members and providing an evening of networking and fun for nearly 200 Silver Spring business men and women. Our 2006 Business & Community Awards Dinner was the most successful ever. Seventeen of our members signed on as sponsors for this that attracted almost 250 guests to participate in recognizing those Chamber members who have made significant contributions to Silver Spring. Earlier this month, we sponsored the most financially successful golf tournament in the Chamber's history. This year's GSSCC Business Golf Classic attracted a record 137 golfers and record number of sponsors. Nine companies signed on at the top two levels of sponsorship. Another 26 members supported the Chamber through other sponsorships. Thanks so much to those member companies who have so generously supported the Chamber this year by sponsoring our events. The Chamber continued to work to develop and increase our membership base this past year. We focused special attention on building the Chamber's recognition as a serious business organization committed to programs and activities that help members make business connections and provide useful information about doing business. In order to better serve our members, GSSCC conducted a comprehensive member survey earlier this month. In closing, I want to acknowledge the contribution of all of our committee members. I know from experience that participating at the committee and board level dramatically increases the value of your Chamber membership. To those of you who have served, I say, "thank you". To those of you yet to join a committee, I say, please, get involved! Not only will you be helping the Chamber, you'll be benefiting your business and yourself. And finally, to all of you, thank you for the honor of being your chairperson this past year. It has indeed been an adventure, a privilege and a true pleasure. Click here to see photos from the 2006 Awards & Installation Luncheon. Brad Stewart Named 2006-07 GSSCC Chair Brad Stewart, Vice President and Provost, Montgomery College Silver Spring-Takoma Park, was named GSSCC Chair for the 2006-2007 year. A member of the Chamber Board for the past year, Brad has been active on the Government Affairs and Economic Development Committees. He and Montgomery College have been generous supporters for the Chamber’s major events. He is eager to continue the important work done this past year and develop some new initiatives that further Silver Spring’s commercial success. Due to the unexpected death of his father, Brad regrets that he was unable to be us at the 2006 Awards & Installation Luncheon. At that event, he had hoped to present a picture of the Chamber’s direction and priorities during the coming year. He is back in town and working on a special chair’s message that will be sent via email to all Chamber members. Watch your inboxes next week. 2006-07 Board of Directors Installed During the 2006 Awards & Installation Luncheon, Montgomery County Council President George Leventhal administered the oath of office to members of the 2006-2007 GSSCC Board of Directors. They include: 2006-2007 GSSCC Chair Brad Stewart, Montgomery College Immediate Past Chair Carmen Camacho, Bud Miller Associates, Inc. "Larry the Banker" Bolton, EagleBank Valerie Day, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church Paul DiPiazza, Lerch, Early & Brewer Barbara Henry, Discovery Communications, Inc. Jawed Khan, Consolidated Theatres - The Majestic Jay Knisley, Eggspectation June Mickens, Social & Scientific Systems, Inc. Jerry Miller, Minuteman Press Roscoe Moore, Jr., PH RockWood Corporation Fred Samuels, Cahn & Samuels Jere Stocks, Washington Adventist Hospital Dewey Thomas, Jr., Encore Management Corporation Stacey Wahlert, Chevy Chase Land Company James Walker, Adams National Bank Scott Wallace, Linowes and Blocher LLP Stephanie Warlick, Colorworks Promotions Chamber Honors Members Who Went the Extra Mile At its 2006 Awards & Installation Luncheon GSSCC honored three Chamber members and two elected officials whose contributions -- often unheralded at the time -- significantly contributed to the work and effectiveness of the Chamber. Outgoing Chair Carmen Camacho presented the awards, which included: 2006 Business Appreciation Award - To Washington Adventist Hospital for its generous support of the Chamber as a top level sponsor for every major event this year. 2006 Volunteer of the Year Award - Jointly to Andrea Cetera-Jines, Montgomery Works, a member of the Fundraising Committee, who committed countless hours to recruit volunteers, coordinate participants (for "Discover the Taste of Silver Spring") and provide hands-on support for every major event this year, and to Mike Kelley, Kensington Volunteer Fire Department , a tireless volunteer for the GSSCC Business Golf Classic over the years, who solicited sponsors, recruited volunteers and worked at the events to make each tournament a success for the Chamber. 2006 Chair's Award - Jointly to State Senator Ida Ruben and State Delegate Sheila Hixson, long standing supporters of the Chamber and the business community, who went the extra mile this year to ensuring that the Enterprise Zone tax benefits continue for another five years. GSSCC Thanks Luncheon Sponsors, Volunteers The Chamber expresses our heartfelt appreciation to those companies and individuals whose financial and in-kind contributions and personal commitments of time made the 2006 Awards & Installation a success. Thanks to our Bronze Sponsors: Montgomery College and Washington Adventist Hospital. Thanks to our Table Sponsors: Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Chevy Chase Land Company; Discovery Communications, Inc.; The Gazette; Linowes and Blocher LLP; and PH RockWood Corporation. Thanks to Bud Miller Associates, Inc., for donating all of the awards and to Hoover-Fisher Florist, Inc., for donating the lovely table arrangements. Special thanks to members of the 2006 Installation & Awards Luncheon Committee : Donna Rae Blanger, Meetings Plus A Lot More, Inc.; Diana Brown, Social & Scientific Systems, Inc.; Valerie D. Day, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, and Norman Scherer, Woodbury Financial. 2006 Business Golf Classic Is Virtual Sell-Out A record 137 GSSCC members and their guests came out for the 2006 GSSCC Business Golf Classic, making it the most successful in the Chamber's history. Nine member companies, also a record, generously signed on at the top two levels of sponsorship. Another 26 members supported the Chamber through individual sponsorships. At the end of the day, Foulger-Pratt's team of Bryant Foulger, Mick Doolittle, Kevin McGloon and Ken Smondrogski took top honors with a score of 58. Second place went to EagleBank's foursome of "Larry the Banker" Bolton, Joel Duboff, Mike Himmel and Sam Statland (of Statland & Katz), who finished with a score of 59. Third prize honors went to Independence Federal Savings Bank's team of Thomas Batties, Joe Davis, Ed Galiber and Frank Sanders with a score of 63. Longest drive honors went to Ken Destefano, Washington Adventist Hospital (men), and Martha Foulon-Tonat of EagleBank (women). John Eising, guest of Fairland Animal Hospital (men), and Stacey Wahlert, Chevy Chase Land Company (women), took the closest to the pin honors. Click here to see photos from the 2006 Business Golf Classic. The Chamber extends our sincere thanks to those companies whose financial sponsorship helped make this year's event a tremendous success. They are listed to the left of this article. The Chamber also thanks members of the 2006 Golf Committee who worked tirelessly on this event: Sam Agger, Grace Episcopal Day School; Mary Alexander, Presidential Service Industries, Inc.; Gabe Armijo, Group Benefit Services; Rob Blaker, Scheer Partners; Carmen Camacho, Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Andrea Cetera Jines, Montgomery Works; Scott Egloff, Sport Chevrolet, Honda, Jeep; Andy Fraser, Sandglass Systems; Francene Hill, BOSS-Business Owners of Silver Spring; Mike Kelley, Kensington Volunteer Fire Department; Bruce Lee, Lee Development Group; Renee McMullen, Moments That Matter, LLC; Brad Stewart, Montgomery College; Stephanie Warlick, Colorworks Promotions, Inc.; Jeff Whall, Fairland Animal Hospital and Paul Wickman, L.A. Fitness. Thanks too to the volunteers who made the day go smoothly: Mary Alexander, Presidential Service Industries, Inc.; Gabe Armijo, Group Benefit Associates; Pat Bennett, Citibank; Tom Campion, The Newport School; Andrea Cetera Jines, Montgomery Work; Scott Egloff, Sport Chevrolet, Jeep, Honda; Peter Ensign, Elite Personnel; Andy Fraser, Sandglass Systems; Alyssa Friedich, United Therapeutics; Frank Gill, The Newport School; Francene Hill, B.O.S.S. Business Owners of Silver Spring; Laura Kelley, Kensington Volunteer Fire Department; Steve Levine, The Newport School; Renee McMullen, Moments That Matter, LLC; Marie Parker, Montgomery Works; Betty Pelzer-Sharper, RE/MAX Realty Services and Stephanie Warlick, Colorworks Promotions. GSSCC Member Survey Evaluates Chamber Activities Most GSSCC members are locally or regionally focused organizations, about evenly split between consumer and business-to-business companies, with 40 or fewer employees. They have experienced moderate to significant growth over the past two years, view lobbying at the County and State levels as the Chamber's most important activities on their behalf, and see the business community's most important issues as the continued redevelopment of downtown and public safety. This was the picture emerging from the results of a comprehensive GSSCC online membership survey administered in late May and early June, and completed by 90 Chamber members. The survey probed member views of key political and business issues, asked for their assessment of Chamber programs, and measured the level of their involvement and interest in Chamber activities. Among the key survey findings: Members see value in the Chamber's lobbying activities at the County and State levels. Fully 70% of respondents indicated that lobbying on behalf of members at the County level (e.g. ensuring funding for the new Civic Center) and at the State level (e.g. the Chamber's work to extend enterprise zone tax credits) is most important. Members rated the Chamber's work in connection with the future Silver Spring Transit Center (68 %) and the Bi-County Transitway (62%) relatively equal in importance. Marketing Silver Spring, specifically regarding the attraction of more retail to the area, was rated most important by 67% of respondents. The continued redevelopment of downtown Silver Spring, and efforts to ensure its safety, are the top issues of concern for Chamber members About 8 in 10 Chamber members view the continued redevelopment of downtown as most important, and nearly as many -- 75% -- voice concern about public safety in the area. At the same time, almost 70% of members also see the economic development of areas outside of downtown Silver Spring -- including Montgomery Hills, Long Branch, White Oak and the Route 29 Corridor -- of significant importance to the business community. While Chamber networking events continue to be the best-attended, members signal their interest in informational programs and emails. GSSCC's monthly Networking Breakfasts and Business After Hours programs were attended by significant majorities of respondents (74% and 68% respectively). Interestingly, however, when asked to rate Chamber events and programs based on their importance to their businesses, more members rated informational programs (e.g. County Small Business Reserve Program) as more important than the networking events. More than half of the respondents also indicated they would be interested in receiving "more information about what's going on in the Silver Spring area." More than half also would like to be able to distribute information to other members via "opt-in" email blasts. However only 25 % of respondents indicated a desire to receive such email correspondence. The Chamber's Business E-News and website received relatively positive reviews, but members made it clear both could be improved and should be updated or distributed more frequently. About 4 in 10 members have served on a GSSCC committee, but a lack of time and knowledge prevent many from becoming more involved. Among the nearly 40% of respondents who reported having served on the GSSCC board or a committee, more than three in four (76%) said they had done so "to give something back to the business community," and about 60% said they had done so "for networking and business opportunities." Among the 60% of respondents who said they have not served on a committee, 40% said they didn't have the time, and another 24% cited a "lack of knowledge." GSSCC thanks the members, PH RockWood Corporation and CHI Centers , whose generous contributions made this survey possible. Survey results will be studied carefully by incoming Chamber board members, and used by committee chairs to help guide programs and activities over the next year. Should you like further information about this survey, or have questions about the results, do not hesitate to contact the Chamber office. GSSCC Provides Update On Montgomery Hills Improvements GSSCC recently convened a meeting of Montgomery Hills business owners to hear a presentation by Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs officials outlining proposed streetscape improvements along Georgia Avenue and Seminary Road. The Chamber had testified before the Montgomery County Council earlier this year in support of funding for pedestrian linkage improvements in Montgomery Hills and other Silver Spring neighborhoods. The County has allocated some $600,000 from the parking lot district for Montgomery Hills improvements. Proposed upgrades include: repair and replacement of sidewalks; landscaping in strategic locations along Georgia Avenue, Seminary Road, and Seminary Place; installation of colorful banners on Georgia Avenue at the north and south ends of the neighborhood welcoming visitors to area; and the addition of streetlights on side streets off Georgia Avenue. If you would like further information about these plans or the status of this effort, please contact Lester Brantner, Contract Administrator for the project, at lester.brantner@montgomerycountymd.gov. Members in the News Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd., welcomes Michael D. Smith and Shannon N. Mandel, who each have accepted associate positions with the firm. Mr. Smith joins the firm as an associate following five years during which he worked as a paralegal with the firm. He will practice primarily in the firm's Commercial Lending and Real Estate Transactions groups, counseling lenders in the structuring and closing of commercial and real estate-secured loans. Ms. Mandel accepted an associate position with the firm's Commercial Lending Group. Her practice consists primarily of the representation of lenders in middle market lending transactions. She joined the firm in 2004, and had worked as a paralegal in the Commercial Lending Group since that time. Prior to joining Lerch, Early & Brewer, Ms. Mandel was employed with the Florida Attorney General's office from 2002 ¡V 2003. Alison W. Rind, a principal with Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd., recently received a distinction from the Montgomery County Bar Association as a Co-"Committee Chair of the Year" at the Bar Association's annual meeting and "Law Day" celebration luncheon. Ms. Rind received the award due to her efforts as Co-chair of the Bar Association's Fall Outing Committee. Sorkin Productions, a full-service video production company in Kensington, recently won the prestigious Telly Award for its promotional video for the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign (USGLC). The video, which featured interviews with Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein among others, was shown at the group's tenth anniversary gala, and will now be used to promote USGLC's efforts to increase the foreign affairs budget. Attention Members -- Share your successes with fellow GSSCC members. If you or your business celebrates an anniversary, are appointed to a board or office, or honored in some other way, let us know and we'll publish it here. Just email your information to info@gsscc.org. County Seminar Reaches out To Small, Minority Businesses The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development (DED) is organizing a free one day conference entitled "Building Blocks for the Future --Empowering Small and Minority Businesses in Montgomery County." Scheduled for Thursday, July 27, 2006, from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm at the Montgomery County Conference Center, the conference is designed to solicit public participation on issues and concerns and develop innovative approaches to best meet the needs of small and minority businesses within Montgomery County. Participation is free, but registration is required. For more information and/or to pre-register, please visit www.lclmllc.com and click on the event link under Upcoming Conferences. County Seeks Participation In Local Small Business Reserve Program Although the number of registered businesses in the County's Local Small Business Reserve Program (LSBRP) is approaching 500, County officials believe many other companies could benefit form this year-old initiative. The LSBRP, administered by the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development (DED), ensures that County departments (with some exceptions) allot a minimum of 10 percent of procurements for local small businesses. The Chamber hosted a seminar on the LSBRP earlier this year and some 20 companies participated. Currently, the Chamber has information on this program available in our offices. If you would like a copy of the brochure, please contact the Chamber. If members are interested in learning more, GSSCC will sponsor another event this fall. Attention GSSCC Members Watch your email for.... Your invitation to GSSCC’s Meet the Candidates Night, planned in conjunction with our August Business After Hours on Wednesday, August 30. A report on savings realized by members in GSSCC's first energy purchasing cooperative. Details on GSSCC’s Get out the Vote campaign in time for this year's elections. Your invitation to meet the Discovery Challenge, a development effort being launched this summer.