"The Classic is a great day for golf and tennis players as well as for non-players to volunteer to help us run the event," he said. "Anyone interested should call Volunteer Chair Toby Beach (FC&A) at 301-654-5632 or the Chamber office." BAPA Founder and Executive Director Bonnie Fogel said, "We have long benefited from the Chamber's support and are especially grateful for this partnership opportunity which will help underwrite our program for children with disabilities." BAPA annually serves more than 25,000 children and their families through arts classes and performance opportunities. A year-round children's theater is presented at its Imagination Stage at White Flint along with special Arts Access and Deaf Access programs for deaf or disabled children. Fitzgerald also announced that the Chevy Chase Land Company is a Classic Corporate Sponsor for the event for the second consecutive year and will sponsor a foursome in the golf tournament as well as two players in the tennis tournament. In addition, other early sponsorships have been claimed by Sun Dun Inc. of Washington, COMSAT and Sequoia National Bank (Golf Corporate Sponsors); Congressional Olds, Chevy Chase Cars and Ourisman Ford (Golf Hole-In-One Sponsors); the Hyatt Regency Bethesda (Golf Hole Sponsor); and Early, Cassidy & Schilling. Fitzgerald asked potential sponsors to call Sponsor Chair Barbara Ames (Fisher Barkanic & Associates) at 301-770-7405 or him at 301-961-1600.

Chamber Members Vote for Eight New Directors

Chamber members vote this month to select eight new members of the Greater BCC Chamber's Board of Directors. A ballot accompanies this newsletter.

According to Nominating Committee Chair Walter Pennington (Dembo, Jones, Healy, Pennington & Ahalt), the vacant positions include seven three-year terms and one one-year term. Those elected will be formally installed at the Chamber's Annual Installation and Awards Dinner on Monday, June 2 at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel-Pooks Hill Road.

Pennington said that Nominating Committee proposes Edward Asher to fill the remaining one year in the term of David Dolan (Chevy Chase Land Company), who has resigned from the Board, and Jack Alexander, Cliff Chiet, M.G. Diamond, Patricia Harris, Monica Jeffries, Barbara Reinike and Randy Schools for three-year terms.

Peter Carney (Bethesda Theatre Cafe), Bruce Drury (Watkins, Meegan, Drury & Co., LLC), Michael Fitzgerald (Sequoia National Bank), David Freishtat (Shulman, Rogers Pordy Gandal and Ecker), Charles Garner III (Federal Realty Investment Trust) and Joan Clement (St. Luke's House) are completing their term's final year.

Pennington said that Alexander, Harris and Schools were eligible to be re-nominated as Directors since they were placed on the Board to fill unexpired terms.

Continuing on the Board are Pennington as the incoming President, Tracy Bloom (Creative Parties), Deede Blum (Unforgettable Journeys), Carolyn Brown (Hyatt Regency Bethesda), Barry Cogan (Realty Network), Bob Dalrymple (Linowes and Blocher), Kathy Foster (McDonald's), Magdy Ibrahim (MBI-Interior & Architectural Design), Richard Kief (Suburban Hospital), Thomas Korengold (Ourisman Ford), Joseph Lagomarcino (AccuBanc Mortgage), Susan Lemmon (Sandy Spring National Bank), Phyllis Lieberman (Stage Two Communications), Jane Rogers (Sir Speedy), Rynthia Rost (GEICO), and J. Christopher Smith (CommonWealth Financial Group).

Alexander, a principal in the commercial real estate firm, AMR Commercial, is the chair of the Chamber's Commercial Real Estate Forum and co-chairs the Economic Initiatives Committee with Harris, a partner in the law firm of Wilkes, Artis, Hedrick & Lane. Schools, Executive Director of the NIH/NOAA Recreation & Welfare Association and incoming president of the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives, is now Chamber Vice President for Member Services.

Asher, Chevy Chase Land Company Vice President, has previously served on the Board and as President. Chiet, publisher of the Montgomery Business Gazette, has played a significant role in marketing major Chamber events, including ShowBiz'97 and Professional Partnering Luncheons. A partner in the law firm of Abrams, West, Storm and Diamond, Diamond chairs the Chamber's Parking and Transportation Committee.

The chair of the Chamber's Cultural Arts Committee, Jeffries is the Coordinator of Special Development & Special Events for Strathmore Hall Arts Center. Reinike is Manager of Community Relations for Lockheed Martin and a past-president of the Calabasas California Chamber of Commerce.

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President's Column: Membership

C. Robert Dalrymple
President

Until now, I have not specifically reached out to the overall membership of the Chamber to encourage individual participation in seeking new Chamber members.

While we are a relatively strong Chamber in terms of membership size, we should be and need to be bigger and stronger given the number of businesses within our jurisdictional boundaries and the importance of our area in the economic picture for Montgomery County and the region as a whole.

The benefits to be derived from Chamber membership can only grow upon the growth of our membership base, both in terms of numbers and varieties of business interests.

Having said this, I am requesting that our members re-double their efforts to attract new business members to our organization. For those who have not yet joined the Chamber and are reading this newsletter, I am suggesting that there is no better time than now to join, participate in and benefit from this Chamber.

A simple review of the events, activities and opportunities derived from the Chamber membership are demonstrated throughout the newsletter, and a review of the calendar of events is proof certain of the enormous activities and opportunities which are provided.

In order to reach our goals for this fiscal year in terms of generating new members, we need a big push in the next couple of months. We all have a business acquaintance that we do business with on a daily basis who is not a member of the a Chamber, but we have probably never taken the time to ask them if they thought about joining and explaining the benefits of Chamber membership and the many opportunities that are available.

Initiating this simple conversation could, quite possibly, result in a new Chamber membership, thereby also making your membership more valuable.

Changing subjects, many of you have now heard that the Executive Director of the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Dee Metz, has announced her resignation to pursue other career opportunities. During her several years of service to BUP, Dee has been largely responsible for building BUP into a nationally recognized success story. Her innovation, dedication and desire to succeed has helped make the Bethesda Urban District an unparalleled destination in this region for workers, visitors and residents. The membership of the Greater BCC Chamber has been greatly enriched by the efforts of Dee, and I take this opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation for a job well done.

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Greater BCC Chamber
1996-97 Top Priorities
April Status Report

• Economic Development
  - Gained Master Plan Change For Conference Center

• Business Bottom Line
  - Sponsoring April 16th Bank Financing Seminar & April 24th Procurement Luncheon

• Government Relations
  - Working To Salvage Income Tax Reduction In State Assembly's Final Days

• Parking
  - Exploring Potential Of Centralized Valet Service For Bethesda

• Membership Participation
  - Recruiting Sponsors & Players For May 19th Golf & Tennis Classic

• Community Development
  - Granting $5,000 To Bethesda Cares Homeless Outreach Program

• Youth Ethics
  - Meeting With Local School Officials

• 120 New Members
  - 72 By 2/28/97

• Retention
  - 84% By 2/28/97

• Public Relations
  - Drafting RFP For PR Consultant

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Executive Seminar Provides Keys To Successful Bank Borrowing

A one-stop source of information and access to bank financing will be available to local business people at an executive seminar on Wednesday morning, April 16 at the Bethesda Theatre Cafe.

According to seminar chair Don Hadley, the bank financing seminar is designed for chief executive officers and professional firm partners who typically seek loans in the range of $100,000 to $1,000,000.

"From our program's top-flight speakers and panelists, business people will learn how to enhance their skills at preparing a convincing loan package, making a knock-your-socks-off loan presentation and negotiating a favorable loan agreement," said Hadley, a partner in the Bethesda law firm of Hadley & House.

Dial-A-Mattress CEO Adam Kidan and Trawick & Associates CEO Carol Trawick headline the session and will offer their perspectives and experience with bank financing.

Then, a team of professional advisors, including attorney John Joyce of Lerch, Early & Brewer, consultant C. Nelson Hoy, of C. Nelson Hoy & Company, Inc., and CPA Edward Snyder, of Snyder, Cohn, Collyer, Hamilton & Associates, will review how to prepare a loan request. A second panel, consisting of Signet Bank Vice President Gregory Montgomery, Potomac Valley Bank President/CEO Kenneth C. Cook and Citizens Savings Bank Senior Vice President Timothy Hall, will give an insider's view on how banks process loan applications.

The registration fee is $35 for Chamber members and $50 for non-members.

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Grant Writing Workshop Set For April 23

Local not-for-profit organizations can improve their grant writing skills at a workshop on Wednesday, April 23 at the Woman's Club of Chevy Chase, 7931 Connecticut Avenue.

According to Chamber seminar chair Ken Schoo, the half-day session will enable volunteers and staff personnel to learn how to find grant sources and how to obtain grant funds.

"With the excellent group of grant specialists on the program, attendees will leave the session learning how to local grant sources, do research, review and select grant targets and do the follow-through necessary to obtain positive results," said Schoo, a senior loan officer with Signet Bank.

The resource people include Randy Garfield (St. Luke's House), Patricia Pasquale (Foundation Center), Peter Berns (Maryland Association of Non-Profits) and Sally Rudney (Foundation for the National Capital Region).

The registration fee is $40 for members and $50 for non-members.

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Students To Visit Businesses

More than one hundred students from area high schools will get their first exposure to the world of work on Wednesday, April 30 during the Chamber's Career Partnership Day.

According to Chamber project chair Janet Frensilli, additional businesses are needed to provide a wide range of occupational exposure by hosting a student for a day.

"Career Partnership Day gives students at the junior and senior level of high school the opportunity to learn first-hand what the real work force is like," said Frensilli (Metropolitan Washington Blood Bank). "At the same time it gives business people the opportunity to help shape a young person's decision-making about colleges and careers."

Among early firms registering to host the students are AccuBanc Mortgage, Almanac, American Inn, American Heart Association, Architects At Work, B-CC YMCA, Baptist Home, Bethesda Marriott, Bethesda Ramada, Bromley, Greene & Walsh, C.W. Amos, Center for Neuro Rehabilitation, Chevy Chase Cars, Comella Design, Drs. Conaghan & Wasko, HR Solutions, Hadley & House, Holy Cross Hospital, Lerch, Early & Brewer, Manor Care, Marriott Residence Inn, Matthews Media, McDonald's, Metro Washington Blood Bank, Montgomery Mall, Montgomery County Police & Public Works/Transportation, NationsBank, NeuroSystems, Ricketts, Nelson & Mudd, Sequoia National Bank, Suburban Hospital, Trawick & Associates, Unforgettable Journeys, Vintage To Vogue and Watkins, Meegan, Drury & Co., LLC.

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Thank Yous To Good Corporate Citizens

During the Christmas and New Year Seasons and into the new year, The Baptist Home for Children and Families received many gifts and much encouragement from many Greater BCC Chamber members. This support is absolutely vital, and we couldn't do it without you. Thank You!

We send our deepest gratitude and best wishes to each business who made generous contributions toward our mission and program efforts throughout the year. They give hope and inspiration to all of us, and, most especially, to our children and families.

MANY THANKS to these Chamber members who helped make the holidays a success: B-CC Services Center, B-CC Rescue Squad, Bethesda Theatre Cafe, Dr. Fred Bruno's Old Georgetown Road Chiropractic Office, COMSAT, Cottonwood Cafe, Discovery Communications, First National Bank of Maryland, Giant Food, Hamburger Hamlet, Marriott International, NationsBank, Outback Steakhouse, Smith Barney, Suburban Hospital Executive Staff and Weichert Realtors.

The Bethesda Fellowship House thanks Strack Hartman, P.C. for their continuing assistance in supporting their organization's accounting and tax needs.

Please Note: This column is designed to be a forum for local organizations to acknowledge the support and contributions of Greater BCC Chamber members in meeting the ever-increasing needs in our area. Please submit y our notes of thanks to the Chamber office by the 15th of the preceding month.

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Ambassadors Lauded For Outstanding Effort

The Chamber's Ambassadors, along with the Chamber Staff are continuing their remarkable efforts.

As of March 1, they've recruited 72 new members and are well on their way toward achieving the ambitious goal of 120 new Chamber members. The hope is to eclipse last year's record-setting pace of 114 new members.

Congratulations to chief Ambassadors Tom Korengold (Ourisman Ford), Barbara Ames (Fisher Barkanic & Associates) and Marcia Custer (Chesapeake Embroidery).

Many thanks also to Bruce Drury (Watkins, Meegan, Drury & Company), Gloria Freihage (American Inn), Kenneth Goldberg CPA, Curt Kowalski (Team Network), Joe Lagomarcino (AccuBanc Mortgage), Phyllis Lieberman (Stage Two Communications), Allan London (London & Associates), Mary Loveless, Lilliam Machado, Esq., Anthony Prutting (Meltzer & Associates) and Phill Scott (Scott Office Services) for their help in the Ambassador program this year.

If you are interested in serving as an Ambassador and meeting new members first, call Membership Committee Chair Barry Cogan at 301-951-0080 for details.

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Welcome New Members

The Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome the following new members. We encourage you to take a few minutes to become acquainted with their business profiles and remember, whenever you need a particular service-do business with a fellow Chamber member! Need a referral? Call the Chamber office.

CSRS, Inc. 1749 Rockville Pike, Suite 300 Rockville, MD 20852 301-770-5437 FAX 301-770-5452 Howard K. Beloff, President Business Profile: Full service collection agency - medical, retail, commercial, property management, bad checks, personal obligations. "Collections performed in a professional manner." Sponsor: Tony Prutting Meltzer and Associates

Franklin Quest 4803 Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 301-913-9670 FAX 301-913-0463 Benjamin Aharanwa, Manager Business Profile: Founded 14 years ago with the vision of helping people/organizations build greater productivity and success on a foundation of durable values. Has trained more than 1.7 million people, including corporate to professionals, government employees and homemakers. They train and provide people with the tools to practice principles learned from the classes that they teach. Sponsor: Margery Shrinsky, Manager Administration & Membership

Image-Right! 6900 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 200 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-215-7299 FAX 301-652-8514 Joe Addabbo, President/Owner Sharon Addabbo, Secretary/Treasurer Business Profile: Primary product is electronic document management systems (EDMS) and its primary service is the scanning of paper documents and conversion to electronic format. Sponsor: Margery Shrinsky, Manager Administration & Membership

Merrill Lynch 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 201 Rockville, MD 20852 301-230-6608 FAX 301-770-0659 M. Elizabeth Oates Business Profile: Financial planning investments and services. Sponsor: Barry Cogan Realty Network, Inc., REALTORs

Law Offices Of Bruce D. Patner 4600 North Park Avenue Plaza West Two Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-951-0270 FAX 301-951-3605 Mark S. Rogoff, Esq., Associate Business Profile: Small real estate practice, including commercial and residential settlements, landlord/tenant, collections, estate planning, probate. Sponsor: Margery Shrinsky, Manager Administration & Membership

Strategic Communications Group, Inc. 1738 Elton Road, Suite 303 Silver Spring, MD 20903 301-408-4500 FAX 301-408-4506 Dan McComas, Senior Vice President, e-mail: [email protected] Business Profile: Provides integrated marketing communications products and services to grow your business including market research, marketing plans, strategic development, broadcast and print advertising, media planning and buying, direct mail, public relations, sales promotions and training brochures and sales materials, database management, employee communications and trade show support. Sponsor: Phyllis Lieberman Stage Two Communications

Universal Garage, Inc. 5811 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 203 Riverdale, MD 20873 301-927-2071 FAX 301-927-0904 Ebenezer Asamoah, President & CEO Business Profile: Parking management, lease consulting and valet parking services for special events, restaurants, clubs and hotels. Sponsor: Margery Shrinsky, Manager Administration & Membership

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Members In The News

Bromley, Greene & Walsh, with offices in Maryland, Virginia and the District, is pleased to announce that Jonathan P. M. Matzkin has become associated with the firm. Mr. Matzkin will continue his general civil practice in the firm's D.C. office. The firm continues to handle commercial litigation, small business representation, and other matters throughout the region.

George Mason Bank, N.A., a subsidiary of George Mason Bankshares, Inc., is forming an advisory board composed of professionals and business leaders representing Montgomery County, Maryland and Washington, DC. Webb C. Hayes, IV, Chair, President and CEO of George Mason Bank, N.A., will be chair of the newly formed advisory board. The bank has recently opened an office in Bethesda, announced plans for an office in Rockville and operates three branches in the District of Columbia.

Elizabeth Ortega-Lohmeyer has been named to serve on the Montgomery Hospice Society (MHS) Board of Directors. Established in 1981, MHS is a non-profit, community-based, professional service agency providing hospice and home care for patients facing a life-threatening illness, their families and friends, and the bereaved. Ms. Ortega-Lohmeyer is the founder, editor and publisher of El Montgomery, a bimonthly bilingual publication for Montgomery County's Spanish-speaking residents. She is also a translator for government agencies and private business.

Bill Roche -who coaches executive and businesses on how to achieve their goals - was quoted in the February issue of Entrepreneur magazine on the use of "stretch goals" in business. If you would like a copy of the article entitled "Above and Beyond - Set Higher Goals for Your Employees and They'll Excel," call Bill at (301) 585-6173 or send him an e-mail at [email protected].

Magdy Ibrahim, MBI Group, Inc., reports that the Suburban Maryland International Trade Association (SMITA) is presenting a luncheon meeting to discuss Indonesian Business Opportunities, Success Stories and Some Complaints on Thursday, April 10 from 11:45 AM to 1:45 PM at the Bethesda Marriott. Reservations must be received no later than 48 hours before the luncheon. For more information contact Kim Zuccaro at SMITA (301) 587-1505, FAX 301-587-1508.

Since the fall of 1995, Montgomery College students have been required to select at least one multi-cultural course to fulfill general education requirements and earn an AA or AS degree. The multi-cultural requirement is part of the College's general education program. All students who earn a degree from Montgomery College must complete the general education component in all degree programs. For more information on the general education program or multi-cultural requirement, please call Doug Gleason at (301) 251-7972 or Lee Taylor (301) 251-7952.

Pamela A. Newton, Pam Newton & Co. has a new address 10121 Donegal Court, Potomac, MD 20854. Telephone: (301) 765-9656, FAX (301) 765-0158, e-mail: [email protected].

Lilliam Machado, Law Office of Lilliam L. Machado, is pleased to announce the publication of Labor and Employment Review, a new bimonthly newsletter. The newsletter features articles of special interest to employers of all sizes on recent developments in labor and employment law as well as sample employment policies. To receive Labor and Employment Review on a complimentary basis, contact Lilliam at (202) 625-4349 or [email protected].

Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell, P.C. is pleased to announce that S. Vincent Crescenzi, CPA, CVA has obtained his accreditation as a Certified Valuation Analyst with the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. Mr. Crescenzi has been in the practice of public accounting in the Washington area for over 27 years and, is a Principal and member of the Executive Committee of Councilor, Buchanan & Mitchell.

Suburban Hospital recently named Ronna Borenstein-Levy of Chevy Chase as Director of Marketing and Communications. Ms. Levy comes to Suburban Hospital with more than 20 years of experience in medical/healthcare communications and public relations management. Her responsibilities at Suburban Hospital include media relations, internal communications and the implementation of marketing communications programs to promote hospital services and community outreach programs.

Michael A. Wellens reports that Master Graphic Printing Co., Inc., has relocated to 5640-D Sunnyside Avenue, Beltsville, MD with new both new telephone number (301) 345-9884 and FAX 301-345-5724.

Walter Johnson High School announces that six students: Andrew L. Ain, Charlie Hung, Joel Iams, Katherine Lee, Maeve Miller and Brian Platt have been chosen as finalists in the 1997 competition for Merit Scholarship Awards. The selection of some 7,000 Merit Scholarship winners from approximately 14,000 Finalists is now in progress and the winners will announced in April and May.

Linowes and Blocher LLP takes pleasure in announcing that Todd D. Brown, Douglas M. Irvin and Brandford F. Englander have become Partners with the firm. Mr. Brown will continue to practice in the areas of administrative and municipal law representing developers and builders before local and state administrative and legislative bodies having jurisdiction over land use and development approval, licensing and permitting. Mr. Irvin is a member of the Real Estate Transactions Group, with extensive experience in condominium and community association development law. Mr. Englander practices bankruptcy and creditors' rights law, focusing primarily on representation of banks and other financial.

Eugene A. Fisher, Principal at Fisher Barkanic & Associates, has been awarded the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AIPCA). The AICPA is the national professional association of CPAs with more than 328,000 members in public practice, industry, government and education. The PFS designation, established in 1987 by the AICPA, recognizes CPAs with considerable professional experience in financial planning.

A group tour to Ireland is now forming for September, 1997. Tour includes round-trip, air, first class hotels, some meals, admissions to the sights and lots more. Esprit Travel, Inc. is holding an "Evening of Irish Celebration" on April 16 at 7pm to give you all the details of the tour, show videos and refreshments will be served. Please call Joan at Esprit Travel (301) 656-4060 for more information.

Sir Speedy of Bethesda welcomes aboard Theresa Hamilton and David Tyndale as Account Representatives to help service customers. The Sir Speedy Printing Centers are individually owned franchises and are the only printing centers that offer their own proprietary software at no charge to customers. Sir Speedy Bethesda is certified to participate in Sir Speedy's Global Digital Network. This voluntary program was established to ensure quality work at multiple points of production around the globe.

Jonathan Frank of Heatwave T-Shirt Printing of Bethesda has been elected to the Board of Governors of the Achievement In Radio (A.I.R.) Awards. The A.I.R. Awards recognizes achievement in radio and has raised funds for the March Of Dimes for the past eleven years.

F. Ruth Dickie, Manager of the Bethesda/Hampden Square office of Long & Foster Real Estate announced that agents collected over $400 in honor of slain police officer Brian Gibson. The donation was made to Heroes, Inc., a local function dedicated to the support and well-being of the families of slain police and firemen. In addition, their office sales volume for February was $28,100,000.00, over $1 million per day in sales. The Bethesda/Hampden square office is the number one Long & Foster office in the nation for the sixth consecutive year.

Deborah C. Ellick, founder Sugar Plums Child Development Center, is pleased to announce that in addition to their 4330 East-West Highway location, Montgomery County has awarded Sugar Plums a second site. The new Sugar Plums Child Development Center is located at The Metropolitan, 7620 Georgetown Road.

The Firefighter from the Community Relations Committee of the Bethesda Fire Board has issued 10 tips to help homeowners secure their residences from burglars: (1) Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened; (2) Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts; (3) Always lock the door to an attached garage; (4) Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights, radios and TVS; (5) Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted; (6) Never leave clues that you are away on a trip; (7) Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal, everyday appearance in your residence; (8) Never leave a message on your telephone answers machine telling people that you are away from home; (9) Keep shrubbery trimmed away from entrances and walkways; (10) Organize a community watch program to protect your neighborhood. An alert community is a safe community.

Chris Smith, CommonWealth Financial Group was recently awarded The Rotary Foundation District Service Award "for outstanding service in promoting The Rotary Foundation and its goal of world understanding and peace." The Rotary Foundation is known for its global humanitarian efforts, which include leading the successful campaign to eradicate polio. A Chamber Director and past president of the BCC Rotary Club, Mr. Smith "enhances the financial security of individuals and businesses by designing and implementing programs customized to meet their needs."

The Metropolitan Washington Blood Banks (MWBB) welcomes their newly elected Board of Director members: past Chamber president Toby Beach, Rocky Sorrell, Greg Wims and Cliff Chiet. With these new business leaders on board, MWBB is sure to be making an even bigger impact on community blood programs. Located in downtown Bethesda, MWBB is the premier blood supplier of Suburban Hospital and Montgomery General Hospital. If you would like to donate blood for your community or arrange a company-wide blood drive please contact Janet Frensilli, Director of Donor Recruitment (301) 907-0264.

Lena S. Barnett, Attorney and Counselor at Law, co-presented a two-day Estate Planning Workshop for attorneys in Virginia. In May, Ms. Barnett will be co-presenting "Don't Pull the Plug On Health Care Planning" for the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys in La Jolla, CA.

Steven K. Colliate, FWB Bank, takes pleasure in announcing its name change to GrandBank with locations at 5272 River Road, 7535 Old Georgetown Road and 1800 Rockville Pike.

F&M Bank-Allegiance announces that Alice R. King has been hired as the Assistant Branch Manager for its Bethesda branch office. Before joining F&M Bank-Allegiance Ms. King worked for NationsBank and Maryland National Bank in various positions. They also opened their eighth branch at 99 S. Washington Street in the Rockville Town Center.

Ricketts, Nelson & Mudd