2006 Leading Edge Awards
The Leading Edge Awards celebrates individuals and businesses that spur economic growth and vigor in Southern Maryland.
6th Annual Leading Edge Awards Ceremony
June 21, 2006
Jaycees Hall in Waldorf
See more photos from the event
2006 Leading Edge Award Winners
| Award | Sponsoring Organization | Winner | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calvert County Technology Company of the Year | Calvert County Technology Council | DM GROUP, INC. | Learn more |
| Charles County Technology Company of the Year | Charles County Technology Council www.thetechcouncil.net |
CIVISTA MEDICAL CENTER | Learn more |
| The Patuxent Partnership Member Firm of the Year | The Patuxent Partnership www.paxriver.org |
ASKEY, ASKEY & ASSOCIATES, CPA, LLC | Learn more |
| CEO of the Year | CSM's |
LLOYD HARRISON, President and CEO, Mercantile Southern Maryland Bank |
Learn more |
| CSM Partnership in Education | CSM www.csmd.edu |
CHANEY ENTERPRISES | Learn more |
| Small Business of the Year | Small Business Development Center www.sbdchelp.com |
MID-ATLANTIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL | Learn more |
| Excellence in Economic Progress | CSM Foundation www.csmd.edu/foundation |
INDIAN HEAD DEFENSE ALLIANCE & SOUTHERN MARYLAND NAVAL ALLIANCE | Learn more |
DM GROUP, INC.
Calvert County Technology Company of the Year
In a rapidly changing industry, DM Group has not only managed to grow over the last 30-plus years, but has led the industry into new techniques and technologies. A second-generation family-owned firm, DM Group was founded by two of the pioneers of modern direct mail marketing--John Swain and Joseph Salta. The firm is credited with introducing many successful direct mail strategies still used today, such as sweepstakes campaigns and matching check programs for nonprofit organization. Kirk Swain and Robert Salta have continued their fathers' pioneering spirits by launching www.DirectMail.com, which gained more new clients in 60 days than previously might be gained in an entire year. Their successful Internet-based services uses the latest technology to serve the smallest to the largest of companies from all over the globe. DM Group employs more than 200 people, and continues to lead the way in full-service direct mail marketing for institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, The Sierra Club and St. Jude Children's Hospital.
CHANEY ENTERPRISES
CSM Partnership in Education
Chaney Enterprises, founded over 40 years ago, is one of the leading suppliers of construction materials and supplies in the Mid-Atlantic. Still family owned and operated, Chaney Enterprises focuses on delivering top quality products with outstanding service. A large part of their success comes from retaining the most qualified and dedicated employees through continuous education and incentive programs. Chaney has teamed with CSM since the 1980s to provide training to its employees through The Corporate Center and the Maryland Center for Environmental Training as well as to help CSM develop relevant community-wide programs. Without Chaney Enterprises, CSM would not successfully offer a wide variety of truck driver training programs, which have benefited from Chaney's donation of training facilities, two dump trucks and most recently, a mixer truck. Chaney Enterprises gives back to the community through the Chaney Foundation. The Chaney Foundation has been a staunch supporter of numerous CSM programs over the years, including CSM's Foundation and the Leading Edge Awards. The rock solid foundation Chaney Enterprises is built upon is the underpinning that supports many community organizations - most notably CSM.
ASKEY, ASKEY & ASSOCIATES, CPA, LLC
The Patuxent Partnership Member Firm of the Year
When Askey, Askey & Associates claims to be a full-service accounting firm, they mean it. From traditional tax preparation to providing strategic planning events for customers, the Leonardtown firm is far from what you'd expect from an average accountant. This team of CPAs doesn't just manage individual and business accounts, they assist customers to determine their strengths and weaknesses; help customers differentiate themselves; offer marketing seminars to attract and retain the best customers and employees; and help customers establish a plan for success. On top of the company's unique business approach, they do it all with a strong commitment to integrity, honesty and customer service. Since 1996, the company has grown by 74 percent in revenue, and still manages to make the work place fun, family-focused and mindful of team members' professional growth.
CIVISTA MEDICAL CENTER
Charles County Technology Company of the Year
Nearly everyone's familiar with the physical growth of Civista - you can't avoid seeing the steel rise into the sky, but few know about the technological explosion that's going on inside the facility. With excellence in patient care as the top priority, Civista is revolutionizing its care delivery system on a quest for s fully electronic medical record. Nurses now push hi-tech rolling carts equipped with wireless lap topes linked to wireless phones that are all connected to the hospital's information system. In the ER, patient cases are triaged on a large electronic panel where staff can quickly view which patient is where, which tests have been ordered and completed, and who's still waiting to see whom. Much more technology will be hard-wired into the large expansion at the hospital. All of the technology brings greater benefits to patients in a world where health care workers are in short supply and efficiency is paramount.
LLOYD HARRISON, President and CEO, Mercantile Southern Maryland Bank
CEO of the Year
Lloyd B. Harrison, president and CEO of Mercantile Southern Maryland Bank since 2001, leads his large staff by example. He literally shows that no task is too small as he answers his own telephone and sometimes even shovels bank sidewalks. In recognizing associates for good work, he continues the lost art of handwriting personal notes to staff. On the other hand, no task is too large for this CEO of the Year, in 2004, he led the successful merger of Calvert, 1st National of St. Mary's, and the Bank of Southern Maryland into one. Through his leadership, the new bank exceeded earnings goals throughout the merger. The bank continues to be a leader, not only among Mercantile affiliates, but in the Southern Maryland region. Lloyd Harrison shows his strong dedication to his staff through innovative employee recognition programs, and through his outstanding ability to lead with honesty, integrity, humor and compassion.
MID-ATLANTIC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
Small Business of the Year
Cancer, lung disease, ruptured ligaments and discs, degenerative joints - they're all operable by veterinarians Dr. Bruce Nwadike and Dr. Rodney Oakley--the only two board-certified veterinary surgeons in the tri-county region. The doctors opened The Mid-Atlantic Specialty Hospital (MASH) in Huntingtown in 2002 and it remains the only surgery referral hospital of its kind in Southern Maryland. Additionally, this cutting-edge practice offers the services of the area's only licensed, certified canine rehabilitation practitioner in Maryland. Animal physical rehab, just like most other medical treatments, is now similar to that available to humans. Drs. Nwadike and Oakley both left university teaching positions to work at a Waldorf emergency hospital before deciding to open their unique referral surgery center. With the help of the Small Business Development Center and continued support of the local veterinary community, the partners already have plans to expand and provide after-hours emergency service and to eventually bring in additional specialists including internal medicine and ophthalmology.
INDIAN HEAD DEFENSE ALLIANCE & SOUTHERN MARYLAND NAVAL ALLIANCE
Excellence in Economic Progress Award
Indian Head Defense Alliance
Employees of the Naval base at Indian Head and residents of Charles County are benefiting from the work of an often unrecognized force - the Indian Head Defense Alliance. While the group might be little known outside the defense arena, it has been working since 1994 to keep the county's largest employer open for business. As the Alliance has evolved, it has helped the base weather several Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) proceedings. Now the group's goals include functioning as an advocate for the expansion of the mission and tasks assigned to the base. As the Department of Defense (DoD) designated Center for Excellence in Energetics, the alliance works to grow business at the base by seeking additional tenants related to this mission. Indian Head's value to the defense of the country has been recognized by DoD, but the Alliance wants to make sure that the base's western Charles County location is seen as just as critical.
Southern Maryland Naval Alliance
While there's not much that's more powerful than an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet flying at 1,000 mph, that's exactly the kind of impact and clout an organization such as the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance (SMNA) needs to be an effective economic advocate for the Patuxent River Naval complex and its surrounding community. Founded in the early 1990s to inform national leaders about and to protect PAX River and St. Inigoes from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) list, the Alliance was the first organization of its kind in the state. This influential, yet voluntary, organization is made up of local community leaders, business people and contractor organizations. Effectively working with elected officials, economic development and Chamber of Commerce organizations, the Alliance has splayed an integral role in helping the base to diversify by expanding its technical facilities and advocating that programs such as the new Presidential Helicopter Replacement Program, the Joint Strike Fighter program and the Multi-Mission Aircraft are primarily sighted and sustained at PAX River. The SMNA sees the Patuxent River complex as a national asset for the defense of our country.