Greater BCC Chamber
1996-97 Top Priorities
May Status Report

• Economic Development
  - Gained Zoning Change For Conference Center

• Business Bottom Line
  - Attracted More Than 100 to April 16th Bank Financing Seminar & April 24th Procurement Luncheon

• Government Relations
  - Won Passage of State Income Tax Reduction

• Parking
  - Pushing For Fast-Track Action On New West Bethesda CBD Parking Garage

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

• Community Development
  - Meeting Individually With Local Community Groups

• Youth Ethics
  - Meeting With Local School Officials

• 120 New Members
  - 80 By 4/1/97

• Retention
  - 84% By 4/1/97

• Public Relations
  - Drafting RFP For PR Consultant

Pennington/New Directors To Be Sworn In June 2

A new president and eight newly elected members of the Chamber's Board of Directors will be inaugurated at the organization's 70th Installation & Awards Dinner on Monday, June 2 at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel.

Walter Pennington (Dembo, Jones, Healy, Pennington & Ahalt) will be sworn in as the Chamber's 65th president.

Edward Asher (The Chevy Chase Land Company) will assume a one-year term while seven persons will begin three-year terms on the Board, including Jack Alexander (AMR Commercial), Cliff Chiet (Montgomery Business Gazette), M.G. Diamond (Abrams, West, Storm & Diamond), Patricia Harris (Wilkes, Artis, Hedrick & Lane), Monica Jeffries (Strathmore Hall Arts Center), Barbara Reinike (Lockheed Martin) and Randy Schools (NIH Recreation & Welfare Association).

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.

The event will also feature the presentation of awards to seven individuals, businesses and groups in the community: Youth Award to Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Student Government President Noah Kressler; Community Service Award to Bethesda Cares; Small Business Award to John Chaplin, Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Home; Police Officer of the Year Award to Montgomery County Police Officer John Jesuitas; Public Service Award to Montgomery County Public Works & Transportation Director Graham Norton; President's Award to the Hyatt Regency Bethesda; and William Prescott Allen Award to Stanley Jones (Dembo, Jones, Healy, Pennington & Ahalt).

A cash bar reception begins at 6:00pm with dinner at 7:00pm followed by the program.

Tickets are $55 per person with event sponsorships available for $650, including ten tickets and other benefits. Call the Chamber office at 301-652-4900 for details.

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May 19th Golf & Tennis Classic Ready To Tee Off (Or Serve)

Only a few spaces remain to fill out the tournament rosters for the Chamber's 5th Annual Golf & Tennis Classic on Monday, May 19 at the Norbeck Country Club.

According to Classic Chair Michael Fitzgerald (Sequoia National Bank), this year's total of Chamber members and guests may comprise the largest combined field of golf and tennis players in the event's history.

"We're gratified by the response of players and Sponsors to this year's outing," said Fitzgerald. He encouraged players not yet registered to do so quickly at the Chamber office and any interested volunteers to contact Volunteer Chair Toby Beach (FC & A-Financial Consultants & Associates) at 301-654-5632.

The tennis tournament features a pre-match clinic by celebrity tennis star Pauline Betts Addie, a former Wimbledon and U.S. Open winner.

Fitzgerald said that the presence of the Bethesda Academy of Performing Arts (BAPA) as the event's community service partner has enhanced the Classic with the design of its logo by BAPA student Jocelin Shalom, assistance in planning and marketing by BAPA Executive Director Bonnie Fogel along with the help of several BAPA volunteers scheduled during the tournaments.

The Chevy Chase Land Company has upgraded their sponsorship to a Grand Classic Sponsor and will sponsor two golf foursomes and a quartet of tennis players.

Sponsor Chair Barbara Ames (Fisher Barkanic & Associates) reported that other Chamber members now enrolled as Sponsors include Citizens Savings Bank, COMSAT Corporation, Dembo, Jones, Healy, Pennington & Ahalt, Linowes & Blocher, Marriott International, Paley, Rothman, Goldstein, Rosenberg and Cooper, Riggs Bank, Sandy Spring National Bank, Sequoia National Bank and Sun Dun Inc. of Washington as Golf Corporate Sponsors; Chevy Chase Cars, Congressional Olds, Ourisman Ford and Unforgettable Journeys as Golf Hole-In-One Sponsors; Early, Cassidy & Schilling, Hyatt Regency Bethesda and Lerch, Early & Brewer as Golf Hole Sponsors; First National Bank of Maryland and RMA Chauffeured Transportation as Golf Refreshment Sponsors; and AMR Commercial as Golf Scoreboard Sponsor. Ames urged any other members seeking sponsorships to call her at 301-770-7405.

Meanwhile, event subcommittees continue to do their work in readiness for May 19, including Chris Lacey (Grand Bank) with Prizes and Favors, Chris Brown (A.G. Edwards & Sons) with Marketing, John Brown (John Brown Enterprises) and Jane Rogers (Sir Speedy of Bethesda) with Program and Signs, Lisa Bogart (Bogart & Brownell) and Sandy Klingenberg (Creative Art Designs) with Tennis, and Brent Goldstein (Paley, Rothman, Goldstein, Rosenberg & Cooper) as Norbeck Country Club Liaison.

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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.

Accountemps 15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 470N, Rockville, MD 20850 301-590-3100 FAX 301-590-3102 Linda Dennis, Staffing Manager Business Profile: Accountemps supplies temporary staffing for accounting professionals.

Adventure Theatre 7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD 20812 301-320-5331 FAX 301-320-3268 Carol W. Leahy, President Business Profile: A children's theatre, adults performing for children, with a touring group going into schools and an after-school and Saturday education program for children and some evening classes for adults. Bruce Drury Watkins, Meegan, Drury & Company, L.L.C.

Bethesda Cares, Inc. 7728 Woodmont Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 301-907-9244 FAX 301-652-1781 Susan W. Kirk, Executive Director Business Profile: Bethesda Cares, Inc. is a community outreach program for the homeless. Their programs respond to the needs of the Bethesda area homeless and work to keep people in their homes through their eviction prevention program. Bruce Drury Watkins, Meegan, Drury & Company, L.L.C.

Information Systems & Networks Corporation (ISN) 10411 Motor City Drive Bethesda, MD 20817 301-469-0400 FAX 301-469-7726 Ellen Gaston, Director Marketing & Business Development [email protected] Arvin Malkani, Program Manager Business Profile: ISN is a computer system systems development and computer communication and networking firm with an open systems strategy. ISN supports Federal, civilian agency, commercial and international business. Sponsor:Carol Trawick Trawick and Associates

JBN Realty Investment Inc. 6935 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 218 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-907-3370 FAX 301-907-9332 John Peterson, President Business Profile: JBN Realty Investment Inc. purchases, renovates and sells or rents residential real estate in the Washington Metro Area. They can also assist homeowners purchase and sell homes. JBN Financial (subsidiary) purchases owner held and non performing debt from financial institutions.

The Men's Wearhouse 12218-12220 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852 301-770-6922 David Wasserman, Assistant Manager Business Profile: A men's retailer offering first quality, current fashion clothing at 20%-30% below department store prices. Wm. Toby Beach FC&A- Financial Consultants & Associates

Moriah Gallery 4916 Fairmont Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 301-657-9489 FAX 301-657-3961 Deborah Sampson, Owner/Director Business Profile: Moriah Gallery features international art in various media and hosts monthly exhibitions with opening receptions, special events and entertainment. Corporate and designer accounts are welcome. They also offer exquisite framing and their 2,300 sq. ft. space is available for business meetings. Sponsor: Margery Shrinsky , Manager Administration & Membership

The National 4-H Center 7100 Connecticut Avenue Chevy Chase, MD 20815 301-961-2840 Jill Goldstein, Sr. Sales/Marketing Manager Business Profile: The National 4-H Center is a youth and educational conference center located on a safe, beautiful 12-acre campus in residential Chevy Chase, 1 mile from Washington, DC. Over 35,000 sq.ft. of meeting space with 34 meeting rooms to serve groups from 15-550 and a boardroom for 34. Formal/Informal meeting rooms and greenspaces are available with overnight accommodations for up to 800 persons. All standard sleeping rooms include private bath with single, double, triple, and quad occupancy with voice mail and maid service. Group reservations for education overnight and day retreats.

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Members In The News

Gavin M. Farr, Chairman of the Board of The Chevy Chase Land Company of Montgomery County announced the election by the company's board of directors of Edward Hall Asher as President of the firm. He has also been named Chief Operating Officer. Asher will assume the helm of one of the area's oldest land development firms, begun in 1890 by Senator Francis G. Newlands of Nevada, great-great grandfather of Chairman of the Board Farr. A sixth-generation Washingtonian, Asher possesses more than 30 years experience in administration, management and supervision in the fields of land development and banking. Since joining Chevy Chase Land 20 years ago, Asher has held numerous positions within the company, the latest being Director of Asset Management.

Uncle Jed's Roadhouse will mark its first anniversary with a Kentucky Derby party Saturday, May 3, beginning at 4 PM. Twenty percent of all sales that day will benefit Red Cross relief efforts for flood victims in Louisville, KY. A casual restaurant and bar, Uncle Jed's Roadhouse has garnered accolades from the Bethesda Gazette, Potomac Almanac and Washingtonian magazine.

Frank Ohabor has recently joined The J.R. Austin Company as a Project Manager/Quality Control Manager in their Healthcare Division and Gayle M. Goetzger has joined as a Project Manager in their Tenant/Retail Division. Austin is a General Contracting and Construction Management firm based in Bethesda.

Bethesda Fellowship House - Adult Day Care celebrates 25 years of service to the frail elderly of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase community. On May 15, friends of the Fellowship House will celebrate with a dinner at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. Founded in 1972, Fellowship House, a non-profit organization provides a structured, therapeutic program designed to meet the needs of the elderly suffering from memory loss or other physical limitations. For the families and caregivers, they offer support and daytime respite. For further information, contact Cathy Wijentunge, R.N. Director at 301-654-2077.

Montgomery Hospice Society (MHS) nurses Margaret Nygaard, R.N., and Joan W. Trelease, R.N., M.A., C.N.A.A., successfully passed examinations to become Certified Hospice Nurses. Nygaard is a primary nurse at MHS, while Trelease is Community Liaison Nurse. 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.

Dembo, Jones, Healy, Pennington & Ahalt, P.C. is proud to announce Ms. Elsie M. Hackman, CPA, CFE has become a "Certified Fraud Examiner" (CFC). The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Board of Regents awards this designation only to select professionals who meet a stringent set of criteria, including strict character, experience and education requirements. CFEs are responsible for resolving a wide range of allegations of fraud and white-collar crime. They have the expertise to obtain evidence; take statements and write reports; testify to findings; and assist in all aspects of detecting and preventing white-collar crime. The Association achieves its goals by training members in the specialized techniques necessary to detect, investigate and deter fraud -- and by awarding the coveted CFE designation to deserving professionals like Ms. Hackman.

COMSAT Corp. elected Dr. Benjamin A. Pontano president of COMSAT Laboratories Pontano previously served as vice president of the Laboratories' Network Technology Division and acting vice president of Communications Technology Division of COMSAT.

Professional Products, Inc. (PPI) is pleased to announce that they have been selected to design and install the broadcast production equipment for the new Redskins Stadium in Landover, MD. PPI will be building a state-of-the-art video production control room which will be used to provide live and instant replay images to the two JumboTron screens in the stadium and to the news media. Professional Products, Inc. is a Bethesda-based company with over thirty years experience in the installation of video equipment and has enjoyed a long relationship with the Redskins organization. Other recent customers for whom P.P.I. has provided major installations include the Carolina Panthers of the NFL and the Gallaudet University Conference Center.

Bill Roche, J.D. - who coaches businesses, professionals and executives on how to achieve their most important goals - was recently quoted in Lawyers Weekly USA in an article entitled " A 'Career Coach' Can Boost Your Profits, Improve Your Life." If you'd like to know more about the benefits of coaching for you or your staff, call Bill at 301-585-6173 or send him an e-mail at Bill@Top Results.com.

Snyder, Cohn, Collyer, Hamilton & Associates, P.C. is pleased to congratulate their newest CPAs, Melinda Michalke and Julie Esson who passed the exam in February and welcome Beth Clites, who joined their staff as a Small Business Specialist.

Deede Blum and Terrie Chiong, Unforgettable Journeys, inc. completed the Gazette Newspaper's annual incentive for their top producers and escorted the "Entrepreneur Club" on the Nordic Empress cruise ship from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The top producers of the "Club" then stayed on for 4 days at the Caribe Hilton.

The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda is offering the following events for the month of May: May 2, Friday, 7:30 pm. New Words Coffeehouse: Songwriter's Open Microphone. Sign-up for performers begins at 7 pm. May 3, Saturday 1 to 5 pm., the Center hosts the Fourth Annual Mid-Atlantic Small Press Conference and Book Fair. Free and open to the public. May 9, Friday, 7:30 pm. New Words Coffeehouse: Open reading. Sign-up for readers starts at 7 pm. For more events please call Jeff Minerd or Al Lefcowitz at 301-654-8664.

Bethesda Cares, Inc. welcomes Joel Poretsky who has joined the staff as eviction prevention counselor. He is also coordinating several future fundraising activities and Abbey Leibel is taking over the administration and bookkeeping functions.

Sail Away with Hospice Caring and Cruise One on September 20. Join Hospice Caring for a dream vacation aboard Celebrity Cruise Line's Zenith and spend a week in Bermuda. The stated value of this vacation of a lifetime is $2999.00 and the cost of a raffle ticket is $25.00. All the proceeds go to the Hospice Caring program - please call Lynne M. McVeigh at 301-977-4966 for more information.

Chris Smith, CommonWealth Financial Group has moved to 5550 Friendship Blvd., Suite 500, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 telephone: 301-986-6900, FAX 301-652-4093, e-mail: [email protected].

Jeanne Dorsett of Allied Realty, attended the 17th annual RELO Conference March 13-15 in Orlando, Florida where she received advance relocation and real estate training. Conference delegates were members of RELO, a Chicago-based real estate network comprised of more than 1,000 leading independent real estate firms with 2,300 offices in the United States and 17 foreign countries. Members of the network cooperate in providing transferees with relocation assistance and support in virtually any area of the country and abroad. Allied Realty represents RELO in Montgomery County and N.W. Washington, DC area.

Montgomery County State's Attorney Robert L. Dean will be the guest speaker at the Bethesda Kiwanis Club regular luncheon meeting Thursday, May 22nd at 12 noon at Kenwood Golf & Country Club. Chamber members interested in learning of special concerns relating to law and order in the County may call Past Chamber President Robby Brewer at 301-657-0165 for a reservation. The Bethesda Kiwanis Club, one of a number of service clubs that have supported strong community and youth activities, is in its 52nd year and annually spends about $50,000 on community projects. The Club actively seeks Chamber members who wish to commit time and be considered for membership.

The Institute for Lifelong Learning presents 50+ Discoveries Saturday, May 17. Registration: 8:45 am, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm at the Gudelsky Institute for Technical Education, Montgomery College Rockville Campus. The cost including lunch is $79.00 per person. This special symposium is designed for all persons transition into career or pre-retirement planning. Program features: Keynote presentation by Robert T. De Filippis, "Mapping Your Way Through Change" and the following sessions: Planning for Successful Retirement: Second Career Options and New Learnings; Your Personal Leisure Plan; Relocation and Real Estate Strategies, Linda Beer, Certified Retirement Living Specialist, Certified Residential Specialist; Local Options: Work/Play-Mix or Match; International Volunteering and The Financial Picture to Do It All. Please call 301-279-5045 for registration assistance and for information on course content call 301- 279-5188.

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From My Vantage Point: Farewell
Thomas P. Bennett
Executive Director

When I was privileged to become the Executive Director of the Greater BCC Chamber in February, 1995, then- President Robby Brewer stated the Chamber was ready to have its energies revitalized.

From talking to the members, I did sense that the doors were open to the Chamber moving to the next level in terms of service to its membership and to the community.

Fortunately, the volunteer energy and resources to accomplish this were abundant, making the task of a paid Chamber executive not only easier but also very motivating.

Now, as I leave to assume the Executive Vice Presidency of the Chamber of Commerce on Amelia Island, Florida, it is clear by recent accomplishments that Brewer's view was on target.

The Chamber renewal has resulted in steady membership growth evidenced by two consecutive 100-new-member years and by an 84% retention of existing members.

This achievement can be traced to the relevancy of the Chamber's Plan of Action to member needs, an increasing array of added-value benefits, the quartet of monthly membership gatherings and the inspired proselytizing of prospective members-to-be by current members.

The Chamber's fundamental mission was reaffirmed through the symbolic adoption of a new Chamber logo depicting a commitment to economic prosperity, the repeal of policy restricting Chamber support of individual development projects, and continuing success toward the realization of a Conference Center near the White Flint Metro Station.

The two-year success of the Chamber's business expo and trade show - ShowBiz - was an accomplishment of creative, resourceful volunteers who attracted nearly 1,000 registrants to see the exhibits of 80+ Chamber members.

By tapping the extensive expertise within its membership, the Chamber transformed an executive education program from noon-time brown bag classes to half-day seminars attracting as many as 100 attendees.

And, the Chamber met the information technology challenge by launching its award-winning Internet Web Site,

bccchamber.org