Several elected officials were on hand last Thursday evening at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club to mark the 40th anniversary celebration of the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce. The officials presented proclamations of congratulations to the organization. Pictured, from left, are Ocean Pines Chamber President Amy Unger, Chamber Executive Director Ginger Fleming, Senator Jim Mathias, Delegate Mary Beth Carozza and Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino. Submitted Photo
Starbucks Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Next Week
OCEAN CITY — Starbucks and the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce are hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, June 28 at 11 a.m.
Harrison Group Resort Hotels & Restaurants opened Ocean City’s first Starbucks on May 16 and is conveniently located at 1610 Baltimore Avenue, directly next door to the Quality Inn Boardwalk and Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Ocean City, both Harrison Group properties as well.
The Starbucks story began in 1971. Back then Starbucks was a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea and spices with a single store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Today, Starbucks is privileged to connect with millions of customers every day with exceptional products and more than 23,000 retail stores in 71 countries. Starbucks is named after the first mate in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Starbucks logo is also inspired by the sea featuring a twin-tailed siren from Greek mythology.
Members of the community who are interested in learning more about Starbucks are invited to join the celebration and refreshments will be served.
Comptroller Honored
ANNAPOLIS — The Office of the Maryland Comptroller has once again received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from a North American government finance organization.
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) honored the agency for Maryland’s fiscal year 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), marking the 37th consecutive year that the Comptroller’s Office has received the award. It is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.
“We hope that your example will encourage other government officials in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence in financial reporting,” said Stephen J. Gauthier, director of the Technical Services Center at GFOA in notifying Comptroller Peter Franchot of the award.
Franchot said he was proud to accept it on behalf of his agency and noted that it validates the work done by his highly professional staff.
“As the state’s chief fiscal officer, I strongly advocate for transparent government. One of my top priorities is to keep our agency running in the most efficient and effective way possible,” Franchot said.
The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users to read the publication.
Bayside Market To Open
SELBYVILLE, Del. — Carl M. Freeman Companies has announced the opening of the Town Center Market in Bayside.
This open air market will be held in the open space adjacent to the Bayside Welcome Center and Post Office. The market will have local retailers along with fast, fresh dining options from popular area food trucks. The market will kick off on Thursday June 23 and operating hours will be Thursday and Friday from 4-7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
“The Town Center Market enhances the Bayside experience for residents and guests,” said Chris Garland, Senior Vice President of Development for the Carl M. Freeman Companies. “Shopping, lawn games and casual dining options all in a family fun setting” he added.
From bikes to baked goods, the Town Center Market will provide guests a one stop shopping experience while at Bayside. Retail opportunities are still available, interested parties can contact Twig Burton at 302-436-3000 or [email protected] for information and an application.
Achievement Announced
OCEAN CITY — – Reid Tingle, President and CEO of Bank of Ocean City, along with the Board of Directors, has announce that Susan Trimble has recently graduated from Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Stonier is the nation’s original graduate banking school. It is the only banking school that partners with an Ivy League University, and the only one affiliated with ABA, the leading voice of the banking industry and its employees.
Trimble joined the bank in 2010 and currently holds the position of chief financial officer. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Salisbury University and is currently pursuing her Master in Business Administration from Frostburg State University. Trimble has over 20 years of accounting experience and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants, Board Member of the Worcester County Education Foundation and committee member of the BOC Employees’ Charitable Contribution Committee.
Pilot Signing Bonus Set
SALISBURY — Piedmont Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Airlines Group Inc., will pay a $15,000 signing bonus to all new hire pilots, effective immediately. Piedmont employees will also collect $5,000 for every pilot they refer to the airlines.
“We’re hoping that the $15,000 signing bonus will encourage more pilots to look at Piedmont as a career choice,” said Lyle Hogg, Piedmont Airlines president and CEO. “Piedmont offers a very quick upgrade from first officer to captain and a guaranteed job at American Airlines in a few years, so it’s a great career option. The $15,000 will help experienced pilots transition to Piedmont, and help new pilots pay off some student loans.”
Pilots who come to Piedmont enjoy a generous benefits package including excellent health care and 401(k) with company match. Piedmont provides hotel rooms for commuting pilots and industry-leading flight benefits on American Airlines.
Piedmont employees can earn some cash, too. Employees who refer a pilot to the company will collect $5,000 if their pilot is hired, passes training and stays with the company for six months. “It’s a great opportunity for all of our employees to participate in our recruiting efforts,” Hogg said. “Any employee can recommend a friend or family member pilot through our Human Resources department and get rewarded with a bonus for doing so. It now means we have 7,000 people recruiting for Piedmont Airlines, and that’s exciting.”
Piedmont plans to hire more than 200 pilots in 2016.
Contractor To Lead Dealership Renovation
SALISBURY – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced it has been hired for a complete renovation of the 15,000-square-foot Courtesy Chevrolet Cadillac in Salisbury at 2531 N Salisbury Blvd in Salisbury.
The project includes painting the exterior of the entire building and gutting and remodeling the interior of the dealership. The interior renovation will include a build out of a state-of-the-art custom lounge and show room designed with a Chevrolet Cadillac branded look and feel.
“We are excited about this project because it is DVB’s first car dealership,” said Chris Eccleston of Delmarva Veteran Builders. “From the beginning of the project we built a solid relationship with the Courtesy Cadillac team knowing that they too worked for a veteran owned business. Owner Ray Nordstrom is a former Marine Corps Officer and Naval Officer.”
“Everything is on schedule and going very well,” said George Malone, Courtesy Chevrolet general manager. “The DVB team is easy to work with and willing to accommodate any changes we have. If ever a problem arises, they always say, no problem, we will take care of you.”
State Appointment
BERLIN – At the recommendation of Sen. Jim Mathias, Linda Moran, the 2016 president of the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) and a REALTOR® with Berkshire Hathaway HomeService PenFed Realty, was recently appointed to the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) Board of Directors.
Moran was confirmed by the Maryland Senate and received a proclamation from Governor Larry Hogan. She was later sworn into the position in Worcester County. Moran is finishing the term of the late Bob Warfield, a career Ocean City REALTOR® who passed away earlier this year. The term ends in 2018.
The legislative purposes of MEDCO are to relieve unemployment; encourage a balanced economy and the increase of business activity and commerce; help retain and attract business activity and commerce; promote economic development; and promote the health, safety, rightful gain of employment, and welfare of Maryland residents.
“I’d like to thank Senator Mathias for the recommending me for this prestigious position,” Moran said. “I very much look forward to representing the real estate industry of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore in Annapolis and working to ensure our state’s economy continues to improve and prosper.”
Moran has been a REALTOR® since 1979. Throughout her career, she has earned numerous industry designations: Certified Real Estate Specialist, Graduate REALTORS® Institute, Senior Real Estate Specialist, Recreational Resort Specialist, Resort Second Home Property Specialist, and 1031 Exchange Specialist. She has also earned her Broker Price Opinion and Short Sale Foreclosures Certifications, and is licensed in both Maryland and Delaware.