A Week In Business

Biz ADana Marie Photography studios recently moved within the Teal Marsh Shopping Plaza to new studios at 9925 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Suite E-2 with even more room and convenience to their customers. A ribbon cutting, sponsored by the Ocean Pines and Ocean City Chambers of Commerce, was held with a buffet of foods and many well-wishers. Pictured, front from left, are Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ginger Fleming, Andrea Bounds, Brayden Bartholomew, Kyle Hughes, Dana Marie Bartholomew, Jackson Bartholomew, Worcester County Commissioner Bud Church, Ocean Pines Chamber Past Presidents Gwen Cordner and Terri Mahoney. Submitted Photos

Humane Society Names New Director

OCEAN CITY — The Worcester County Humane Society (WCHS) Board of Directors recently welcomed John Moreno as the new executive director.

John Moreno

John Moreno

Moreno brings to the Humane Society a fresh perspective, complimented by 15 years of management experience with knowledge of animal health, canine psychology, behavior shaping techniques and kennel and veterinary clinic management. His combination of education and animal welfare experience will allow him to successfully move forward the mission of the no-kill animal shelter.

“The board welcomes John,” said WCHS Board President Kelly Austin. “We feel confident with his knowledge, enthusiasm and experience that he is up for the challenge to help the shelter continue to grow and thrive.”

A native of San Antonio, Texas, Moreno served in the U.S. Navy where he oversaw the daily care, welfare and continuous training of Military Work Dog teams assigned to respective units during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and several humanitarian missions around the world.

After leaving the Navy, John spent nine years working for various defense contracting companies, one of those companies being K2 Solutions Inc., where he provided advice to battlefield commanders assigned to U.S. Forces Command. There he supervised kennel operations and 82 Tactical Explosive Detection Dog (TEDD) teams in an effort to detect explosive devices throughout Afghanistan.

In May of 2015, Moreno founded Operation Releash, LLC, a non-profit organization in San Antonio whose mission is to reunite military and civilian working dog handlers with their displaced working dogs. This charitable organization also has an outreach program which includes assisting rescue groups in adopting, fostering, rehabilitation, behavior & obedience training, and the international transportation of rescue dogs. He directed the administrative and daily operations of this organization.

WCHS Board Vice President Bob Baker headed the search committee for a new executive director.

“In our search, we took our time and conducted a nationwide search,” said Baker. “We feel confident that John’s expertise and experience will be instrumental in, not only continuing our progress, but improving in all areas.”

Moreno will be responsible for planning, organizing and developing various programs to meet and maintain the mission and objectives of the organization. His duties will include directing the day-to-day operations, managing personnel, liaising with government and civic organizations and managing finances.

The WCHS is a private, nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter that relies on fundraising and donations.

Pulmonary Clinic Opens

BERLINAtlantic General Hospital and Health System has announced the opening of Atlantic General Pulmonary Clinic, located in the Atlantic Health Center on Healthway Drive in Berlin.

Under the leadership of Medical Director Peter Costantini, Atlantic General Pulmonary Clinic provides much needed education and guidance for individuals in the community with chronic pulmonary conditions.

Chronic illnesses such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma can be complex, as are the treatments to manage them.

“Patients often struggle to understand their disease and fail to grasp how to take their various medications appropriately,” said Costantini. “Then, they end up in the hospital with an acute problem. The clinic can help individuals avoid that and maintain a high quality of life.”

The Pulmonary Clinic provides comprehensive evaluation of current conditions and diagnostics including lung function and basic sleep and nutrition screenings. Patients referred to the Atlantic General Pulmonary Clinic will also receive valuable education on their prescribed treatments, which will include usage demonstrations of inhalers and other medications and action plans for self-care.

Costantini has been providing pulmonary and intensivist care for nearly 35 years. He is board certified in internal medicine and pulmonology with certificates in medical diseases of the chest and in critical care.

Public’s Help Needed For Hospital Survey

BERLIN Atlantic General Hospital is in the process of conducting a community health needs assessment survey.

The purpose of this anonymous survey is to obtain opinions concerning health and healthcare in our communities so that Atlantic General Hospital and Health System can better plan to meet residents’ healthcare needs in the future.

To participate in the survey, community members can visit http://www.atlanticgeneral.org/Community-Health-Needs-Assessment-Survey.aspx. It takes less than five minutes to complete. The survey is also available at Atlantic General Hospital’s flu clinics and the annual Healthy Happenings Health Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Only basic demographic information is collected, and all survey responses are confidential.

“We want to know what residents think about their healthcare options,” said Kim Justice, vice president of planning and operations. “We value their opinions and hope that community members will choose to participate.”

New Brokerage Opens

OCEAN PINES — Bernie Flax has announced the opening of her real estate brokerage, EXIT Realty at the Beach at 11002 Manklin Meadows Lane #3.

“We quickly recognized the value of everything EXIT Realty has to offer; the EXIT Formula, state-of-the-art technology, in-depth training and more,” said Flax. “We are very excited to join the local business community to assist residents with their real estate needs. At EXIT Realty we are committed to our customers’ satisfaction.”

EXIT Realty is a proven real estate business model that supplies single-level residual income for agents, security, stability and direction; for agents’ families, security in the form of beneficiary and retirement residuals. EXIT’s MIND-SET Training Systems offer the industry’s best hands-on, interactive sales training. State-of-the-art technology, including the digital marketing strategy, gives EXIT Realty agents the edge in a competitive marketplace. EXIT is a by-invitation-only company focusing on the business of real estate. A portion of every transaction fee collected by EXIT International is applied to its charitable fund. To-date, over $2 million has been pledged to Habitat for Humanity.

Hospitality Group Awarded

REHOBOTH BEACH — SoDel Concepts, a hospitality group with eight restaurants along the Delaware coast, recently received the Inspiring Business Award from the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce.

The award – presented during the 39th Annual Member Celebration, held Oct. 22 at the Cove Bar & Grille at Bayside in Selbyville, Del. – is given to a group or individual who actively encourages and perpetuates business innovation, freely shares ideas and opinions regarding business issues and is a catalyst for the future of business.

“We are honored to have been nominated by our peers to receive this award, which at its core is about supporting our communities and encouraging small business growth in our area,” said Scott Kammerer president and CEO of SoDel Concepts, which also owns Plate Catering and the food truck Big Thunder Roadside Kitchen. SoDel Concepts also has a film production division, an artisanal soda line and hospital management and consulting divisions.

“It’s been a long, challenging year,” Kammerer said. “But it’s also been extraordinarily rewarding to see our team step up to the challenge and work tirelessly to succeed.”

The award was presented by Doug Phillips, marketing and communication manager for the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation and the Carl M. Freeman Foundation.

“When I think of this year’s winner of the Inspiring Business Award, I don’t always immediately think of the amazing dishes that they produce,” he said at the ceremony. “I think of a dedicated group of people who have immersed themselves in our community and are amongst the first to offer help when needed. They have triumphed in the wake of tragedy, while continuing to innovate within their industry and captivate their customers.”

YMCA Expansion Begins

SALISBURY – Gillis Gilkerson, announced work has initiated on phase II of the Richard A. Henson YMCA expansion project at 715 South Schumaker Drive in Salisbury.

Gillis Gilkerson is serving in a construction management role on the job that consists of major layout changes to the health and wellness center.

Phase II includes a 13,500-square-foot building expansion and 70,000-square-foot parking lot. The project also includes a new natatorium to house a new 3,900-square-foot pool area and the installation of a five-foot deep pool. A new entry to the natatorium will include a 1,700-square-foot space with a vestibule, lobby and gallery with additional seating and congregation space.

Gillis Gilkerson removed tennis courts, an open pavilion structure and a masonry concession area in order to make room for the expanded parking lot and addition.

“This renovation and expansion project is ultimately enhancing a space for community members to spend quality time with their family and friends,” said Dwight Miller, president of Gillis Gilkerson. “The YMCA is one of the only facilities in Salisbury with an in-ground indoor pool for people to train and offer swim instruction to local children. This is a life-saving skill that is necessary especially since we live so close to waterways. The new amenities and additional parking will elevate our local YMCA to a whole new level of service to the community.”

Habitat Home Celebrated

SALISBURY – A huge crowd of dignitaries, volunteers and community supporters showed up on Saturday, Oct. 31 for the dedication ceremony celebrating the 61st Habitat for Humanity home built in Wicomico County. The home at 735 E. Isabella Street (formerly known as 200 Naylor) in Salisbury was dedicated and blessed by both Pastor Harvey Tyler and Habitat Board Member, Reverend Benita Harris.

The house was funded in part by the City of Salisbury’s Community Development Block Grant of $72,300. The rest of the monies raised to build the home came from generous donors and community grant-makers.

“This is a true partnership with state/federal/city and community support. This is how this is supposed to work,” said Delegate Mary Beth Carozza.

Other dignitaries, including, the Senator Jim Mathias, Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton, incoming City of Salisbury Mayor Jake Day as well as Councilmen Jack Heath and Tim Spies were there welcoming the Zickafoose family to the neighborhood. The Zickafooses, who are disabled, have lived in Crisfield for the past 16 years and have moved to Salisbury.

The Zickafooses, Habitat’s newest homeowners, were chosen after a rigorous screening process that looks for people who are low income, have a need for decent housing and are willing to partner with Habitat to build their home. Ability to pay is also important because Habitat sells the family the home with a 30-year, no-interest mortgage.

“Wayne logged 624 hours of sweat equity in building his home, along with other homes in the last couple of years. His requirement was 300 hours and he far exceeded the minimum. He has already signed up to work on other homes”, said Molly Hilligoss, Executive Director.