Gardner Forms Business and Industry Cabinet

On Thursday, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today announced economic development and business initiatives that aim to create jobs, support and further the success of existing businesses and take advantage of opportunities to ensure Frederick County’s long-term economic prosperity.

During her weekly public information briefing, Executive Gardner commented, “I am pleased to announce the formation of a Business and Industry Cabinet with an impressive team of professionals from a wide diversity of backgrounds. I wanted to let the business community know it has my support and provide the members with better access to the county executive so they will play a role in influencing public policy. This cabinet is comprised of business leaders from a wide variety of industries, including biotech, retail, manufacturing, agriculture, information technology, healthcare, construction, finance and international. The membership also represents large employers and small businesses, who will serve as the eyes and ears of the community to let me know what businesses want and need, as well as to provide input and ideas for my economic development initiatives.

“I am especially excited that the cabinet will have an international focus because I would like to pursue taking advantage of international trade opportunities like some of our larger surrounding counties. This will help develop broader market opportunities for existing and potentially new business.”

The Business Industry Cabinet members include: advanced technology: PJ Bellomo, Captabaler, and Jim Racheff, Data Management Services; agriculture: Andrew Toms, Monocacy Farms; business consulting: Tom Lynch, Miles & Stockbridge P.C.; commercial broker/development: Tony Checchia, Frederick Land; construction: Denise Jacoby, Frederick County Builders Association; finance: Marty Lapera, Frederick County Bank; healthcare: Mike Kianetski, Family Imaging; international/exporting: Sharad Doshi, Doshi Investments; life sciences: Kate Surdez, AstraZeneca; major employer: Tom Kleinhanzl, Frederick Memorial Hospital; manufacturing: Jason Stanczyk, EDCO; minority business: Daryl Boffman, Acela Technologies, retail: Rob Miller, Distillery Lane Ciderworks; small business: Dwayne Myers, Dynamic Automobile; tourism/hospitality:
Pete Plamondon, Plamondon Hospitality; home developer/regional business: Adam Schueftan, Dan Ryan
Builders-Washington Metro Division and municipality: Chris Popple, Candlelight Floral Designs.