WHAT: The BWI Business Partnership Annual Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, June 3, 2021
WHERE: The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel, 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD
The BWI Business Partnership held its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel last night, and welcomed new Board Members: Bonnie Hinkle, General Manager, COPT; Christopher Duncan, Director at Large Customer Service, BGE; Gary Gilliard, Vice President of Operations, Fraport Maryland, Inc.; and Robert Tedesco, Senior Vice President/AGM, Maryland Live!
Honored guests, Maryland Comptroller, Peter V.R. Franchot and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman offered congratulatory remarks on the Partnership’s 35th year anniversary.
Gina Stewart, Executive Director of the Partnership and Karen Cook, Dean of the School of Business and Law for Anne Arundel Community College, the first female board Chair presented the following awards:
Member of the Year Award
- Northrop Grumman
- Represented by Stuart Forsyth, Director, Customer Engagement
Rising Star of the Year
- UHY LLP
- Represented by Mark Rubin, Partner, Managing Director & Stephen Wolf, Partner, Managing Director
Volunteer Award of the Year
- Jordan Kayloe
- BWI Marshall Airport
Young Professional of the Year Award
- Trent Newman
- Bank of America
Sam Heffner Legacy Award
- Fred Delavan
- Mark Wasserman
Named after the BWI Business Partnership’s founder and longtime chairman, Sam Heffner, the Legacy award is, as the name implies, given to recognize individuals whose dedication represents a legacy, an indelible impression, moving us forward in numerous ways. The award recognizes a lifetime of commitment to this region, and this organization.
Mr. Delavan, Partner with Delavan Powers has been a Board member, Executive Committee member and General Counsel to the Partnership for decades, providing pro bono legal services to support the organization.
Providing his leadership and counsel to the Partnership, as he has done for many non-profit organizations garnered him selection to the Business Hall of Fame of the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber in 2019, recognizing his many contributions to the non-profit community. A well-respected land use attorney to many, for the non-profit community, he was, and is, a dedicated volunteer who helped lead and manage organizations across the county.
In his service to the Partnership, he was the lead on creating the Partnership Foundation, managing the legal requirements, but also creating the Articles of Incorporation and By Laws and operating structure. By this, he opened the door for the Partnership to benefit from grants and financial support that had not been possible before. As a Trustee since the founding, Mr. Delavan continues to provide his leadership to this day.
Mr. Wasserman held many positions in the Partnership leadership, spanning over 2 decades, as Board member, Executive Committee member, and long-term Secretary and Vice-Chair. But his most well-known position was an informal one, and one only he could provide, and that is a strategic advisor to the leadership.
He brought to the Partnership his long experience with Governor William Donald Schaefer’s administration, when Schaefer was Mayor and then Governor, including his position as the state’s Secretary of Economic Development. If the Partnership was considering a matter that concerned state, local or federal government, elected officials, legislation, policy, or planning an approach to an issue, the Board often referred to his advice.
Mark also brought to the Partnership his well-established connections to the Baltimore business community, and it’s business organizations. He helped the Partnership cement strong working relationships with those organizations and strengthened our organization’s regional base. He will be remembered as a strong member recruiter due to the numerous introductions to leadership in the business community he made on behalf of the Partnership. He always gave of his time willingly, although professing to having one of the busiest calendars in this state, which was undoubtedly true.
In appreciation for their years of service on the Partnership Board, the following departing and retired board members were recognized:
- Andrew Bing
- Fred Delavan
- Mark Wasserman
- Lou Zagarino
- Beverley Swaim Staley
- Judi Emmel
- Karen Olscamp
- Jose Boluda
- John Hermann
- Rob Norton
The BWI Business Partnership is a nonprofit corporation comprised of governmental organizations, private businesses, and academic institutions, advocating for strong transportation policy and initiatives, driving sustainable economic and workforce development, and facilitating meaningful strategic relationships germane to the growth and development of the BWI Region.
Our monthly Signature Breakfast series brings together business leaders with local, state, and federal officials to network, share information, and address issues of concern – particularly those related to transportation and economic development. Keynote speakers share their valuable perspectives on current issues and important initiatives affecting the region and the nation.
