A Week In Business – May 27, 2016

Biz AThe Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) held its annual Legislative Breakfast on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Nearly 100 REALTOR® and affiliate members, state elected officials, and local elected officials attended the event, held in the Danang Room. The elected officials in attendance provided an update on what they accomplished during the 2016 Legislative Session of the General Assembly and their goals for the interim and next year.

Pictured, from left, are Sen. Jim Mathias, Sen. Adelaide Eckardt, Delegate Charles Otto, CAR Director and Government Affairs and RPAC Committees Chair Joseph Wilson, Maryland Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Director Susan Mitchell, CAR President Linda Moran, Del. Chris Adams, Del. Mary Beth Carozza, and Del. Carl Anderton. Not pictured were Del. Sheree Sample-Hughes, Del. Johnny Mautz and Luis Luna, director of the Governor’s Office of Performance Improvement. Submitted Photos

Biz DAmong those traveling to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Annual Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C were, from left, Sarah Rayne, Government & Public Affairs Director for CAR; Daniel Hoff, past president of the Carroll County Association of REALTORS®; Debbie Wilkens, executive director of the Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS®; Jim Blaney, past president of the Carroll County Association of REALTORS®; Sheila Washburn, president of the Mid-Shore Board of REALTORS®; Steve Paul, president of the Southern Maryland Association of REALTORS®; Janice Kirkner, past president of the Maryland Association of REALTORS® and NAR Federal Political Coordinator; Rep. Andy Harris; Shelly Murray, president-elect of the Maryland Association of REALTORS®; Don Bailey, president-elect of CAR; and Jan Hayden, past president of the Greater Baltimore Association of REALTORS®.

The group visited the offices of Rep. Andy Harris, Sen. Ben Cardin, and Del. Chris Van Hollen, who is a candidate for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, and has been endorsed by NAR. REALTOR® constituents from the Western Shore of Maryland also visited their respective elected officials on Capitol Hill.

Harrison Group Acquires Quality Inn Beachfront

OCEAN CITY — Harrison Group Resort Hotels & Restaurants introduced this week the newest oceanfront hotel property to join the Harrison Group family is the Quality Inn & Suites Beachfront.

The Quality Inn Beachfront is conveniently located at 3301 Atlantic Avenue directly on the beautiful Ocean City beach.

The hotel presents guests with an outstanding locale edging the spectacular Ocean City beaches and creates a welcoming retreat for a family vacation getaway or a business

traveler. Guests will appreciate direct beach access, plenty of free parking in the enclosed parking garage as well as the convenience of being within walking distance of the famous Boardwalk, restaurants and many local attractions.

Quality Inn Beachfront features 109 guestrooms with fully-equipped kitchenettes, complimentary Wi-Fi, 32-inch flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels like HBO and Disney and most with direct oceanfront and side views of the ocean and Assawoman Bay from a private balcony. Some guestrooms offer two-person hot tubs and most rooms accommodate up to six people.

On-site amenities include an outdoor pool, indoor heated pool, fitness center, sauna, game room and restaurant. Guest laundry facilities are also located on the property for added convenience. These inviting oceanfront accommodations provide comfort and convenience so guests can embark on their vacation experience worry-free.

The Harrison Group offers 13 unique oceanfront hotels with warm welcomes and great ocean and beach views to choose from. Eleven hotels are located in Ocean City, one oceanfront property is located in Corolla, N.C., the Hampton Inn & Suites and the newly renovated Surfbreak Oceanfront is located in Virginia Beach, Va. The hotels are owned and operated by brothers John and Hale Harrison, John’s daughter Ashley Harrison and Hale’s son G. Hale Harrison. John and Hale’s mother, Mrs. Lois Harrison, opened one of the very first hotels in Ocean City, Harrison Hall Hotel, in 1951.

New Bank Branch Open

BERLIN — Raymond M. Thompson, President and CEO of Calvin B. Taylor Bankshares, Inc. and Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company, has announced that the bank has opened its newest branch location in the Ocean Landing Shopping complex, 11359 Samuel Bowen Blvd. off Route 50.

The new full-service branch will provide general banking services to residents and businesses located in the northern Worcester County area.

“We are delighted with the appearance and enhanced functionality of our new branch. The building is a tangible illustration of Taylor Bank’s continued commitment and investment in our community. It will allow us to continue our mission to efficiently deliver outstanding products and services to our customers,” said Thompson.

Calvin B. Taylor Bank is a community bank providing deposit and loan services to consumers and businesses through 10 offices located in Worcester County and lower Sussex County.

New Leader Announced

BERLIN — Keller Williams Realty Delmarva recently welcomed Brigit Taylor as the company’s Delaware Team Leader.

Brigit Taylor

Brigit Taylor

“We are excited to welcome Brigit Taylor to the Keller Williams Realty family. At Keller Williams Realty we believe in succeeding through people and we believe having Brigit on our team is a huge win for us,” said Managing Director Paul Richardson.

Originally from Baltimore, Taylor spent her younger years as a competitive ski racer. Retiring from competitive racing at an early age of 20, she went on to complete her undergraduate studies, receiving her degree at the American University in Washington, DC.

Her love of skiing did not end, however, as she then spent the next five years working at various ski resorts in North and South America, Australia and New Zealand. She finally retired from the ski industry and turned her sights full time towards real estate, working and living in the Vail Valley in Colorado. While continuing to advance in sales and marketing, she pursued and was awarded an MBA from the University of Denver, and, ultimately, was hired as the CFO/COO for the largest real estate brokerage in the Vail Valley.

It was while serving in this role that her passion for community service began. She started a foundation for her company that donated approximately $300,000 per year to local nonprofits.

Over the past 15 years, Taylor has served on numerous non-profit boards within the communities in which she has lived. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Board of Directors for the Delaware Association of Realtors, member of the Finance Committee of the Coastal Association of Realtors, Board of Directors and President of the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation and Board of Directors of the Beach Lacrosse Club, LTD.

“While timing can certainly play a factor in delaying someone from making a life changing decision, I know personally and professionally speaking, I could not wait any longer to start my new journey to even greater success,” Taylor said. “When first introduced to KW, I heard from agents all over the country who transitioned to KW from other brokerages consistently state that their lives were transformed and that they only wish they had made the transition sooner. After 20 years of being in real estate, this is the first time I am able to experience being part of a company that embodies what I strive to do every day and that is to “get better.” After participating in various KW trainings and events that were motivational and actionable, I asked the question, ‘if I was introduced to KW in this way, why would I be anywhere else?’ Answer, ‘I wouldn’t.’ No longer do I need to spend countless hours trying to research and find the best tools and systems for our agents because KW has them. “

In additional company news, Keller Williams Realty announced David Bafford is now part of The Windrow Group of Keller Williams Realty.

Realtors Awarded

BERLIN — Debbie Bennington and Sandy Galloway of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty were honored to receive the company’s prestigious President’s Circle award for 2015 at the recent Super Stars awards ceremony in Rockville. This award recognizes the network’s top three percent of residential sales professionals.

Debbie Bennington and Sandy Galloway are pictured with their President’s Circle Award.

Debbie Bennington and Sandy Galloway are pictured with their President’s Circle Award.

The Realtors had a productive year and consistently met or exceeded their sales goals. They are truly dedicated to this business and more importantly to their customers.

“Agents like Debbie Bennington and Sandy Galloway serve as role models to all real estate professionals,” said Sharon Curtiss, office manager for BHHS PenFed Realty.

Galloway has earned this award for two consecutive years and Bennington has earned it for the previous four years.

“We are both proud to work together as part of the mega real estate brand, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, exemplifying Trust, Integrity, Stability and Longevity,” they said.

Superintendent Joins Board

BERLIN — The Town of Berlin has announced Wastewater Superintendent Jamey Latchum has been elected to the Maryland Rural Water Association Board of Directors.

“Mr. Latchum has been with the Town of Berlin for over 15 years and has been instrumental in the success of the Wastewater Department,” said Mayor Gee Williams. “This is the type of dedication and top-notch knowledge that makes Berlin stand out,” he added.

The Maryland Rural Water Association (MRWA) is governed by a membership of elected Board of Directors and has a proven track record of providing the highest quality training, technical assistance and services necessary for promoting public health and environmental protection.

Top Agents Named

FENWICK ISLAND — ResortQuest Real Estate® recently announced the April 2016 top producers for its southeast Sussex County, Del., offices.

Bill Hand at the Marketplace at Sea Colony office earned top listing honors for April.

Top listing agents by office were Dayna Feher of the Dayna Feher Team at the Bethany Beach office, Marc Grimes of the Bear Trap Dunes/Ocean View office, Ann Baker of the Edgewater/Sea Colony Oceanfront office and Cindy Spieczny of the West Fenwick office.

Baker at the Edgewater/Sea Colony office earned top selling honors for April. Top selling agents by office were Hand of the Marketplace at Sea Colony Oceanfront office, Bob Jennings of the Bethany Beach office, Valerie Harmke of The Beach Home Group at the Bear Trap Dunes office and Courtney Bouloucon at the West Fenwick office.