After 19 years on the job, Ocean City Convention Center Sales and Marketing Director Fred Wise has retired. Pictured, from left, during a proclamation ceremony at City Hall are Convention Center Sales Manager JoAnne Hunsicker, Ocean City Tourism and Marketing Director Donna Abbott, Convention Center Director Larry Noccolino, Wise and Mayor Rick Meehan. Submitted Photos
Cards Technology, formerly Cards Computers, hosted a multi-chamber ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday to finalize its rebrand initiative that began in January. Above, CEO Sam Card and Operations Manager Mark Shaw do the honors. Photo by Jeanette Deskiewicz
OC Massage and the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce partnered for a ribbon cutting ceremony last Friday at the Ocean City Square Shopping Center location on 120th Street. Above, OC Massage owners Sharon Phillips and Karen Thibault are pictured with chamber officials.
Retirement Announced
OCEAN CITY — Ocean City Convention Center Sales and Marketing Director Fred Wise has retired after 19 years with the Town of Ocean City.
Wise, who joined the team at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in 1996, has spent his career working to pull all aspects of Ocean City’s hospitality community together.
Wise’s formal responsibilities included promoting and selling the ever-changing Roland E Powell Convention Center as a destination for meetings, conventions, seminars and trade shows with the primary focus on the large group segment. Working to form the Hospitality Sales and Marking Partnership to promote the convention center to a wide range of potential clients, Wise was able to help complete a business plan that today boasts a convention center that runs at 82% of capacity.
“I owe a debt of thanks for the Mayor and Town of Ocean City,” said Wise. “I will forever be in the debt of Fish Powell, Mike Noah, Dr. Leonard Berger, Dennis Dare, Rene Seiden, Ruth Reynolds Waters, Steve Triglia and the entire staff of the convention center. Without their support and encouragement I might never have been afforded the opportunity to prove myself worthy of this most important position.”
In addition to his formal responsibilities, Wise was extremely involved in the town’s United Way campaign for a decade, which led to a contribution increase of 121% by employees and the town being placed on the Top 20 United Way donors list for nine consecutive years. Before joining the town, Wise served in the United States Marine Corps and held several positions in various hotels throughout the country, including Florida, California, New York and Louisiana.
Wise’s retirement plans include travel, playing golf and continuing his work in philanthropy.
“I would never have been able to accomplish anything without the support of my sweetheart of 26 years, Lynda White,” Wise said. “I am excited to spend more time together, checking off items on our very large bucket list.”
Bank Announces New Head
OCEAN CITY — After 44 years of service, Bank of Ocean City President/CEO Wayne Benson has announced he will retire in late August of this year. He will be replaced by Reid Tingle, currently serving as Executive Vice President.
Following his retirement, he will continue to serve as an active member of the Board of Directors. Benson began his career with Bank of Ocean City in June of 1971 as a bank teller at the bank’s only location on Dorchester Street in Ocean City. During his career, he served in many positions including Branch Manager, Loan Officer, Vice President and Executive Vice President. In 2000, he was elected to the Board and appointed as President/CEO in 2001. Following his retirement, he plans to travel with his wife, Thelma, and spend more time doing what he loves, hunting and fishing.
Upon Benson’s retirement in August, Tingle will assume the role of President and CEO.
Born and raised in Selbyville, Del., Tingle is a 1992 graduate of Worcester Preparatory School and a 1996 graduate of East Carolina University where he majored in Economics. He currently serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) and is also the Chairman of Maryland Bank Services, Inc. He previously served as President of the Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation. In January, Tingle was appointed to Bank of Ocean City’s Board of Directors. He resides in Fenwick Island with his wife, Amy, and their two children.
Certification Earned
OCEAN CITY — Condominium Realty, LTD. has announced that Ed Wehnert will now offer online transaction management classes following his recent accreditation from Dotloop’s Dot certified training program.
Ed Wehnert
Dotloop is the collaboration platform where real estate professionals get deals done and focuses on providing an exceptional customer experience and running a better business. Wehnert plans to use his certification to offer regional training and MLS CE training that redefines customer service and satisfaction. Agents who attend will benefit by working more collaboratively and efficiently with their clients – at any time and from any location.
“We have invested the resources into a member of our team becoming a certified Dotloop expert, because we believe in the power of collaboration, and the impact it can have on the overall client experience when more of our local market begins using a common platform,” said Mark and Lora Fritschle, owners of Condominium Realty. “We’re excited for Ed Wehnert to begin training and helping other agents within our region to get started on this platform and look forward to seeing how this addition impacts our local market.”
Dotloop allows Condominium Realty agents and their clients to connect with the people, documents and tasks of their transaction, all in one place online. By eliminating physical documents with dotloop and moving the transaction process online, Condominium Realty has created a superior client experience for its thousands of buyers and sellers. Agents simply invite their clients and all necessary parties to a ‘loop’ using collaborative documents needed to complete the transaction – without faxing, scanning, printing or using multiple technologies. On average, dotloop saves up to 10 hours per transaction; deals are closed 40 percent faster; and the improved communication and clarity results in more deals reaching the closing table.
Company Leaders Listed
Rich Difilippo
Dave Wittington
Sheri Smith
OCEAN CITY — Ed Wehnert and Mark and Lora Fritschle of the Mark Fritschle Group – Condominium Realty have announced their listing, sales and settlement leaders for April.
Top listing by units were in order Rich Difilippo, Sheri Smith and Joel Feldman.
Top listing by dollars were Rich Difilippo, Grant Fritschle and Sheri Smith.
Top pending by units were Dave Whittington, Joy Snyder and Christina Ager.
Top settled by units were Sheri Smith, Christina Ager and Joy Snyder and Wayne Phillips.
Top settled by dollars were Sheri Smith, Christina Ager and Wayne Phillips.
Tourism Director Appointed
SNOW HILL — The County Commissioners have announced that Tourism Director Lisa Challenger was appointed to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) by Gov. Larry Hogan and confirmed by the Maryland Senate. Challenger was selected for her tourism expertise.
The MHAA governs the Maryland Heritage Areas program and is housed within the Maryland Department of Planning. MHAA provides targeted financial and technical assistance within thirteen locally designated Heritage Areas, each of which has a distinct focus or theme that represents a unique aspect of Maryland’s character. Together, MHAA, the Heritage Areas and local partners support the economic well-being of Maryland’s communities by promoting, sustaining and creating place-based experiences for visitors and residents alike. MHAA members are committed to effectively measuring program performance through annual evaluation of Heritage Area management entity effectiveness and overall program impact in accordance with recommendations in the Authority’s strategic plan.
Challenger was instrumental in developing the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Area management plan and helping to acquire the state certification necessary for state funding.
“We are extremely pleased that Director Challenger was named to the MHAA,” Commission President Jim Bunting said. “Her leadership, her promotion of heritage tourism and her partnership building attitude make her a true asset to Worcester County and the entire state.”