A Week In Business

Renovation Completed

SALISBURY – Gillis Gilkerson announced the completion of the renovation of Fisher’s Popcorn at 37081 Coastal Highway in Fenwick, Delaware.

“With a brand and product as popular as Fisher’s Popcorn, we wanted to make sure we didn’t disrupt their business so we made sure to schedule the renovation work when they weren’t open,” said Dwight Miller, president, Gillis Gilkerson. “Anytime we have an opportunity to work for a long standing, reputable, locally owned business we look forward to the partnership and bringing solutions to the job to ensure the delivery of a quality product, on time and on budget.”

“Gillis Gilkerson did a great job with the renovation,” said Russell Hall of Fisher’s Popcorn. “They were very professional and made a point to work around our schedule.”

Gillis Gilkerson renovated the first and second floor, 5,000 square feet of the retail space. The renovation included the installation of steel bracing, drywall, finishes and the relocation of the HVAC systems.

Top 100 Honoree

SALISBURY — The Daily Record recently named United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore Executive Director Kathleen Mommé to its 2016 listing of Maryland’s Top 100 Women.

The Daily Record began Maryland’s Top 100 Women in 1996 to recognize outstanding achievements by women demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.

Kathleen Momme

Kathleen Momme

Mommé has served as executive director of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore for the past 22 years. Through her efforts and leadership, United Way has more than doubled program funding since 1994 and generates over $1.7 million annually to impact education, financial stability and health programs in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester Counties. The agency has grown to be the largest non-governmental funding source for local nonprofit agencies, currently supporting 62 programs and helping tens of thousands of Lower Eastern Shore residents each year.

Prior to joining United Way, Mommé held leadership positions with Big Brothers Big Sisters and The American Red Cross, where she was honored by former National Red Cross President, Elizabeth Dole. Throughout her career, she has served on numerous community and regional boards and committees, and is currently active with the Greater Salisbury Committee, Rotary Club of Wicomico County, The Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, and The Human Services Board for the State of Maryland.

Approximately 350 women were nominated this year for the statewide honor.

“Maryland’s Top Women 100 honorees are exemplary citizens, committed to their communities, creating change and growing the next generation of leaders through mentoring,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record. “This year’s honorees also share an amazing talent for balancing the many facets of their lives while also serving as outstanding leaders. The Daily Record is pleased to honor them.”

Del. License Earned

Buddy Dykes

Buddy Dykes

WEST OCEAN CITY — Berkshire Hathaway PenFed Realty has announced Buddy Dykes is now a licensed Realtor in Delaware.

Dykes has been licensed in Maryland for more than 10 years and is part of Team Moran out of the Berkshire Hathaway PenFed Realty West Ocean City office.

Born and raised on the Eastern Shore, Dykes has seen Ocean City and the surrounding areas grow. Buddy currently lives on the Bayfront in Ocean City with his wife Marcia and their two dogs. Whether it is a primary or secondary home, he is able to assist buyers and sellers with all facets of real estate.

Bank Announcement

Brooke Dickerson

Brooke Dickerson

SALISBURY — Edward M. Thomas, President and CEO of The Bank of Delmarva, recently announced that Brooke L. Dickerson joined the bank as Vice President and Internal Auditor.

Dickerson graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance in 2003. She comes to the bank with 12 years of bank auditing experience and obtained her Community Bank Internal Auditor Certification from the Independent Community Bankers of America.

Company Expands To Shore

BERLIN — Absolute Investigative and Security Services (AIS) has announced an expansion to the Eastern Shore, as its Berlin location is expected to open this month and will be the third location within the organization.

Owners Barbara and Reginald Przybylski founded AIS in 1988 in Towson. A 23-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department, Reginald Przybylski has successfully guided AIS through a second office in Bel Air and now Berlin. AIS provides investigative services including domestic issues, corporate embezzlement, murder investigations and more. The security arm of AIS provides contract security services to businesses around the entire state of Maryland and executive bodyguard services.

“After we identified that there was a need for thorough background checks using state of the art fingerprinting technologies on the Eastern Shore, we decided to open the Berlin location,” said Barbara Przybylski. “We have been certified through the State of Maryland, and utilize the Livescan fingerprinting system. The Livescan system enables us to capture all required criminal history information on behalf of federal and state agencies as well as licensing requirements for private individuals.”

Chosen For Leadership

ANNAPOLIS – Leadership Maryland announced that Stacey Weisner, president and CEO of the Delmarva Discovery Center & Museum, has been chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a stronger Maryland by educating, cultivating and connecting our state’s brightest leaders.

Stacey Weisner

Stacey Weisner

Weisner is one of 52 Maryland business and community leaders chosen for Leadership Maryland’s 24th class – the Class of 2016, who will complete the eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues.

Following a two-day opening retreat in April, the class will attend five, two-day intense sessions traversing the state focusing on Maryland’s economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment, and multi-culturalism/diversity.

“The selection process for the Class of 2016 was very competitive this year, as we had an extraordinary pool of diverse and experienced applicants to choose from,” said Renée M. Winsky, president and Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Maryland. “The 52 selected participants represent a diverse and broad spectrum of highly-qualified executives from across the state, and we are confident that their Leadership Maryland experience will help them to play an even greater role in our unified effort to shape the future of our state.”

Producer To Close Plant

SEAFORD – Allen Harim, a leading producer and processor of chicken on Delmarva, will consolidate its processing operation to one central location, leading to the closure of a plant in Cordova, Md. in July.

The closure will impact approximately 300 employees at that facility, who will be offered jobs at the company’s other locations including a hatchery, feed mill and truck shop in Seaford, a hatchery in Dagsboro and main processing facility in Harbeson, Del.

According to Steve Evans, CEO of Allen Harim, a combination of factors contributed to the decision, including the age of the facility, a shift in the company’s product mix and a desire to improve the company’s competitive position in order to assure greater efficiency.

“We are very grateful to our Cordova-based employees, some of whom have been with us for a very long time,” said Evans. “We will do everything possible to help them continue their employment with us, or to help them find other opportunities.”

Allen Harim’s human resources department will coordinate with state and local officials to leverage all available resources to assist employees. The company plans to open an on-site career center to help employees during this transition.

Much of the processing equipment will be moved to the company’s Harbeson, Del. facility in the coming months.

Va. License Secured

SALISBURY — Brent Miller, Managing Director of SVN|Miller Commercial Real Estate, recently earned his Real Estate Brokers License in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Brent Miller

Brent Miller

In order to become licensed as a real estate broker, 180 hours of board-approved courses must be completed and the state broker examination must be passed. In addition to Virginia, Miller also holds his Brokers License in Maryland and Delaware.

“This allows us to assist our clients that currently have property in Virginia in addition to those looking to expand in the Virginia market,” stated Brent Miller. “The close proximity to our main office in Salisbury, MD enables us to serve the entire Delmarva Peninsula, comprised of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.”