Stories

Susan Albertine is an independent higher education consultant. She is a retired Vice President, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Student Success, at the American Association of Colleges and Universities. Her work internationally and in the US centers on liberal education, general education, and public health. She is a co-author of Becoming a Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success (Jossey-Bass, 2016; 2d ed., 2022).

An American literary historian, Albertine is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work in the humanities embraces equity and public health. She was dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences and professor of English at the College of New Jersey, 2002-2008. She served as vice provost, undergraduate studies, Temple University, and assistant to the provost, University of Pennsylvania. She has taught English at University of North Florida, St. Olaf College, Susquehanna University, and Chicago State University.

A former public school teacher, Albertine has been nationally active in P-20 alignment, including the American Diploma Project. She served on the board of directors, Camden Academy Charter High School, Camden, New Jersey; the Advisory Board for the Delaware Study of Instructional Costs and Productivity; and the board of Art Sanctuary, an African-American arts organization in Philadelphia. Albertine was elected to the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences (CCAS) board in 2004 and became President-Elect in 2007. She served on the advisory board National Resource Center on the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition (2011-2017). She was a member of the National Academies Committee on the Integration of Arts, Humanities, Science, and Medicine (2016-2018).

Specialties: Areas of Expertise: Liberal Education and General Education, Student Success, Curriculum and Faculty Development, P-16 Access and Equity, Institutional Change; Public Health Education. Professor of English, specializing in United States Studies.

Get ready to set sail for a springtime adventure of service, connection and Chesapeake charm at the District’s Conference! Join us at the stunning Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, where the sun-kissed waters meet endless possibilities for learning, fellowship, and action.

• Engaging keynotes from inspiring leaders who will ignite your passion for Rotary’s mission
• Dynamic breakout sessions covering a diverse range of topics
• Unforgettable networking opportunities to connect with fellow Rotarians from across the district and forge powerful collaborations.

"Marty" passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her three surviving children, Mary Rankin Meade Howell (William), Martha Pendleton Meade Weber (Gary), Philip Pendleton Cooke Meade Jr. (Linda) and her devoted caregiver, Remenila Tirol. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Philip Pendleton Cooke Meade; two of her five children, William Rankin Meade [1997] and Elizabeth Burwell Meade [2020]; and her brother John Woodruff Rankin [2009]. 

"Marty" attended Rollins College during World War II and majored in music. During the War, she also volunteered on a farm while many farm hands were away fighting. She enjoyed figure skating, swimming, and traveling around the world. She was a long-time member of Gamma Phi Beta, Washington Golf and Country Club and St. David's Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, where she was a member of Altar Guild and visited home-bound parishioners. Her seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren will miss having their loving "Granny" in their lives. 

The 7620 District Conference takes Montgomery County!  Join District Governor Sean McAlister and your fellow Rotarians for a weekend of fun, learning, and collaboration. This year’s program will include the opportunity to complete Rotary Leadership Institute, a Heroes Recognition Brunch, breakout conversations, the Four Way Test Speech Contest, and our beloved Hospitality Suites!  Attire for the Conference: Casual or Business Casual (Rotary gear encouraged!)

I received a B.A. in special education from Northeastern Illinois University and an M.Ed. in interdisciplinary arts education from Loyola University in Chicago. I have been an educator for a number of years as a classroom teacher, curriculum writer, staff developer, family involvement specialist, and administrator. I also enjoy lecturing on a variety of topics related to books and the writing process. 

I love living in Maryland. It was actually not part of my plan to live here for so long, but I fell in love with this beautiful state that is also rich in the history of our country. There is always something new to discover.  

https://www.jerdinenolen.com/

https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-exho-ellicott-city-author-jerdine-nolen-taps-into-childrens-sense-of-wonder-20120202-story.html

Robert Plumb is a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland and a long-time member of the Historical Society and its Speakers Bureau.  After a career with GE and Fannie Mae, he wrote Your Brother in Arms: A Union Soldier’s Odyssey.  Published by the University of Missouri Press in 2011 it was released again in 2013 in softcover format.  His current work, The Better Angels, was published by Potomac Books, an imprint of The University of Nebraska Press, on March 1, 2020. Plumb’s writing has appeared in The Montgomery County Story, Hallowed Ground, the magazine of the American Battlefield Trust, and the Washington Post, and Washington Post Magazine.  He holds a BA in history from the State University of New York at Buffalo and an MA from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. From 2014 to 2017 and in 2019 and in 2022 he attended the Yale University Summer Writers’ Workshop in residence.  He is a member of the Montgomery County Civil War Round Table, the Civil War Round Table of the District of Columbia, and the Society of Civil War Historians.

Dr. Michelle Thaller is the Assistant Director for Science at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt.  Michelle has a Bachelor’s degree in astrophysics from Harvard, and a Ph.D. from Georgia State University. After a post-doctoral research fellowship at Caltech, Michelle became particularly interested in public outreach and science communication and served as the public outreach lead for the Spitzer Space Telescope at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory before moving to Goddard Space Flight Center, where she is the Assistant Director of Science. Michelle was one of the regular hosts of Discovery Science Channel’s “How the Universe Works,” and also hosted the podcast “Orbital Path” on public radio. She has received several high-profile awards for online science journalism and science leadership. NASA’s science themes include Earth science and climate change, the sun and space weather, solar system exploration, cosmology and the deep universe.

I sincerely wanted to thank you again for the generous support from your club to help us advance Wondrous Learning Center activities at the Eastpines Community Building!  Your financial contributions helped us undertake several of the activities referenced below, including purchasing hands-on games and other training materials and supplies for the refugees attending the IRC Summer Academy and our July 30th Neighborhood Day event. For example, we purchased several pop-up tents for the July 30th event to provide shade for attendees and exhibitors which were enormously appreciated. As you can see in the following, we're continuing to advance a variety of activities, including a chess game day this weekend and a professional development and career day in September. We'd welcome any further inquiries and engagement from your club.  -- Anthony Bloome

If you have educational supplies to donate to the next Belize shipment please bring it to this week’s meeting at Bretton Woods.

At Believe in Belize, as an all-volunteer nonprofit, we focus on little actions that create large impacts for Belizeans and their communities.

BelieveinBelize.org

The State's Attorney's Office is a constitutionally created independent agency. Our mission is to serve the public interest through fair and honest administration of justice by exercising responsibilities to: prosecute criminal violations in Montgomery county; educate the public to criminal justice issues; provide training to lawyers for future service; address inequality and promote fairness in the criminal justice system; insure access to the criminal justice system; promote professional relations with judges and attorneys; and further the efficient use of criminal justice resources.

John McCarthy was born on March 3, 1952 in Jersey City, New Jersey. John is the oldest of six children. John's father, John 'Jack' McCarthy, now deceased, was a World War II Navy Veteran who served his country in both the European and Asian theaters. Following World War II, John's father attended Georgetown University on the GI Bill. John's mother, Jane, also deceased, was the oldest of nine children. John's commitment to public service was inspired by the example of his parents.

John attended both grammar and high school in the New Jersey suburbs outside of Philadelphia. John graduated from Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, New Jersey in 1970, where he served as student government president his senior year. John attended Catholic University of America on a baseball scholarship between 1970 and 1974. Following his graduation from Catholic University, John taught at Good Counsel High School in Wheaton, Maryland and, while teaching, John attended law school in the evenings at the University of Baltimore. John graduated in 1979. John was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1979 and began his legal career in private practice. John joined the State's Attorney's Office for Prince George's County in 1980 and eighteen months later became a Public Defender in Montgomery County. John joined the State's Attorney's Office for Montgomery County in 1982.

Before ascending to the position of State's Attorney in 2006, John served as Deputy State's Attorney in Montgomery County for ten years. Prior to that, John had headed every major trial division in the office.

John is the father of four children, and grandfather to five.

Ambassador Michael N. Nemelka returned to Kellogg Hansen in 2020 after serving as the Deputy United States Trade Representative for Africa, China, the Western Hemisphere, and Investment, Services, Labor, and Environment.  In addition, he was responsible for global trade policy in the areas of intellectual property, market access, and industrial competitiveness.  Ambassador Nemelka was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote without opposition.  As Deputy United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Nemelka formulated and implemented U.S. trade policy for the regions and issues under his purview, led important trade negotiations, and developed and executed strategies to address trade barriers and unfair trade practices in countries around the world.  Ambassador Nemelka played a key role in the successful implementation and launch of the new United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement, which replaced NAFTA, and in the monitoring and enforcement of the groundbreaking China Phase I deal.  He also served as the lead negotiator for the proposed free trade agreement with the Republic of Kenya, which would be the first such agreement between the United States and a country in sub-Saharan Africa, and negotiated important trade agreements with Ecuador and Brazil.  Prior to being confirmed as Deputy United States Trade Representative, he served as special advisor to Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer, the United States Trade Representative.

Ambassador Nemelka helps clients navigate challenges and barriers in international trade and investment, and in dispute resolution before international trade tribunals and arbitrations.  He also specializes in complex commercial litigation, and has experience across a broad range of civil and criminal matters.  He has tried numerous cases to verdict in federal and state courts, as well as before arbitration panels.  He has represented corporate and individual clients in cases involving antitrust liability, trust administration, breach of contract, intellectual property, and government securities and FCPA investigations.

Dr. Geetha Jayaram is the District Governor for District 7620 for 21-22. A past Rotaractor and recipient of a 2005-06 Rotary Grant for University Teachers, she is a Professor of Psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing. In 1997, from the the Rotary Clubs of Columbia, & Howard West, Dr. Jayaram founded the Maanasi Clinic in Mugalur, Karnataka, India. She has volunteered for National Immunization Days for eradicating polio in India several times.

She started 2 Rotaract clubs & her current Rotary club of Howard West; increased membership in Rotary; taught as facilitator for the Rotary Leadership institute; lectured at many Rotary District Conferences and Zone institutes throughout North America, Asia and Europe.

She has procured over 20 grants for domestic and international Rotary work amounting to several million dollars.

Rotary Honors:

• Charter member Rotaract Club of Bangalore, 1968
• President of The Columbia Rotary Club & Best President for District with 7 awards
• District Conference Emcee 2010
• Service Above Self Award 2012
• Honored by the WHO in 2013 for a low cost model for psychiatric care in low and middle income countries
• Global Alumnus Service to Humanity Award for Zone 33 in 2012, 2013, and winner for Rotary International 2014 given to one person in the world
• Honored by the World Bank in 2018 at the International Women’s Day celebration

Professional honors: Numerous national and international awards for professional work, teaching, humanitarian service, and leadership. Listed as Best Doctor by peers in Baltimore and Washington DC for 14 years. Past President of the Association of Women Psychiatrists, Past President of the American Association of Psychiatric Administrators, Scientific Program Chair x2 for the American Psychiatric Association of 37000 members (chaired meetings for 21000 and 27000 attendees) ; Elected Chair of the Global Caucus of the American Psychiatric Association (to name a few)

Rotary impact: Her major sustained humanitarian project for 22 years: MAANASI can be viewed at www.ProjectMaanasi.org

She initiated the clinic’s development, supplying it with medications, training health care staff and village caseworkers, teaching medical students, residents, nurses, junior faculty and raising funds for 22 years. The work is highly successful and sustained with local leadership and efforts.

The model has been replicated in all of Lithuania and now in Kenya (3 countries impacting millions of households: 212 villages in India, all of Lithuania, 300000 persons in Bungoma County, Kenya). She started the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health initiatives with others: www.ragonmentalhealth.org which now includes members from more than 30 countries.

She has hosted GSE students from 12 countries. She is a member of CADRE of Rotary.

She is a Major Donor level 3 and Paul Harris Fellow x8.

She has the following select honors as well:

• Invited keynote speaker to the Rotary International Convention meeting in Brazil in 2015
• Invited keynote speaker at 5 district conferences
• Invited keynote speaker at the Zone conference in Lithuania in 2015
• Invited keynote speaker at the Zone 33 & 34 Institute in 2016
• Invited keynote speaker at the Zone 32 meeting in Winnipeg, Canada 2016
• Invited to give the State of the State address to the Rotarians and the Health Department in Denver 2016
• Winner of the Kun Po Soo Award for her contributions to Asian American Psychiatry from the American Psychiatric Association 2017
• Elected to the American College of Psychiatrists 2017
• Winner of the American Psychiatric Association’s Administrative Psychiatry Award 2018
• Elected to the Distinguished Teachers Society of the Johns Hopkins University (only 5 of all physicians in the University selected) 2019
• Honored with the Maryland Psychiatric Society Lifetime Achievement Award 2021

"At 14, Tommy had finished his primary school in Kibera and as is usual with many students who live in the slums, this was the furthest one could go.  As a child, Tommy grew up with a lot of questions often wondering whether he could ever break free from the poverty he was raised in. His family could not afford life basics such as food, clothes and a proper shelter and that is why after his lower education, Tommy had almost submitted to the fact that he may never acquire any further education. Time went by and fate had it otherwise for Tommy. At the verge of giving up on his dreams Tommy met a complete stranger who would completely change not just his life, but also the approach and perspective from which he looked at things henceforth. The stranger, an old Irish man Tommy had never thought of meeting agreed to pay for all his high school education, turning around Tommy’s life and giving him another chance to dream.  To Tommy this wasn’t just an opportunity. It was HOPE. An opportunity to redeem himself from abject poverty and give himself a better life different from the one his parents could afford.  Tommy finished his high school and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development in university and became an active member of the community and later, with his wife Judy formed The Mirror of Hope."

"Mirror of Hope was found in response to the plight of needy children and women of Kibera. The organization was formed to bring back hope to the residence of this huge slum of Africa using the transformative power of education and the ripple effect of women empowerment. In 2010 Thomas and his wife Judy formed a small group initially aimed at providing care and support to orphans and vulnerable children of Kibera and to enable capacity building and empowerment to women in order to create change and transformation in one of the world’s biggest slums. These women and children were initially receiving support from an organization that later dissolved abruptly, leaving them in a vulnerable state with their lives and dreams at stake. Among the many challenges that come with living in Kibera, poverty is the biggest of them all. And among the many solutions one could think of, fighting poverty through education and empowering women, who are sole providers in most families comes first…or at least we believe so.  It is through this way that Mirror of Hope exists today first, to provide education sponsorship to children coming from needy and extremely poor families in Kibera. We target education as the major transformational tool to bring change. Through sponsoring these children, it is our belief, having evident proof, that these children will acquire knowledge to help themselves and their families out of the chains of poverty that for generations has enslaved them.  Secondly, we aim to empower all economically vulnerable women through entrepreneurship via the Women Empowerment program and lastly, Our computer training facility and Music Centre are subsidiary programs aimed at using the collaborative power of music and technology to develop careers and create jobs for the youth coming from underprivileged areas."

Michele Higgs is Housing Initiative Partnership’s Community Outreach Coordinator. In this role, she engages residents, businesses, and elected officials to raise awareness of housing opportunities, tenant resources, and HIP’s counseling programs across Montgomery County.  In this capacity, Michele is also the primary contact and spokesperson for HIP’s Montgomery County Home Sharing Program. If you have questions regarding Home Sharing, please call 301-85-SHARE.  Michele has more than 25 years of experience providing technical assistance training and coaching to nonprofit organizations serving seniors, disabled residents, and low-income populations. She is located in HIP’s Montgomery County office in Germantown, and can be reached at mhiggs@HIPhomes.org.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87313763731?pwd=Smo3L3JQSmpFeGJkSHBRckZla3psQT09

Meeting ID: 873 1376 3731

Passcode: 122821

Kashonna Holland is an engaging keynote speaker, an inspiring coach, a motivational author, and an insightful corporate trainer. Kashonna is the President & CEO of Simply Kashonna, a business built to promote BOLD, FEARLESS and COURAGEOUS living. She goes beyond surface issues to address the pink elephants that inhibit personal, professional and spiritual potential. Kashonna has helped many people walk through the ambiguity of their lives and on to defining their life’s purpose by discovering their authentic self. Both, in the corporate arena and in the non-profit world, strategic growth and development of people have always been the focal point of her service. Corporately, she has held positions in both Human Resources, as well as the Staffing industry. Additionally, Kashonna spent years in an executive pastoral role where crisis intervention and spiritual guidance were her primary responsibilities. Understanding that leadership training and development is essential to any corporation or organization’s growth, Kashonna launched SK Leading Forward, which is dedicated to enhancing employee engagement, performance, productivity and morale. Through corporate relationships and interactive group/focus sessions, she has facilitated workshops in Customer Service, How to Handle Difficult People, Navigating Conflict, Emotional Intelligence, Developing Yourself and Others, Behavioral Based Interviewing, Diversity and Inclusion, to name a few. In addition, she has facilitated and provided training for various personality assessments. Kashonna’s area of expertise is transformational leadership development and personal empowerment. Kashonna is also the author of 7 Days to Simply Shift: A Daily Guide to Transforming Your Mindset Personally, Professionally and Spiritually. Kashonna is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and Association for Talent Development. She also serves her community on the Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency and the Commission for Women. No matter the venue, Kashonna will impact you with her professional agility, contagious energy, vibrant smile, and engaging delivery.

My name is Sanah Jivani. I am particularly excited to be reaching out to my new local Rotary clubs (will be moving to the area from Texas!) because Rotary has been instrumental in my life and leadership development. When I was 12 years old, I was diagnosed with a condition called Alopecia and lost my hair overnight. As you can imagine, this is a traumatic experience for a young person. I struggled with my mental health and self-confidence. I began to first develop my voice when I found Interact and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. They provided me with grassroots funding and mentors and believed in me when I did not have supportive adults or mentors to lean on. I have a deep connection to Rotary, and with the help and mentorship of my local club, I started my own non-profit organization (www.loveyournaturalself.org) that now impacts over 50,000 students a year in 28 countries (my story was recently featured on Good Morning America!). I have loved speaking to over 40 Rotary clubs around the nation about the impact that Rotarians can have on young people. Rotary taught me that in your local community, there are always ways to give back. As I continued to think about the impact Rotary has had on my life and journey, I decided to accept a position with Generation Hope. Generation Hope surrounds motivated teen parents and their children with the mentors, emotional support, and financial resources that they need to thrive in college and kindergarten, thereby driving a two-generation solution to poverty. I relate to many of our scholars, because I grew up in a household filled with domestic violence and was often told that I would not succeed. Good mentors and leadership from my local Rotary club shifted that for me, and as the new Community Engagement Manager at Generation Hope, inquire re: speaking or partnering with your club.  

Brad Stewart is  a serial biotech entrepreneur now  working to grow Montgomery County’s economy, which approaches $100 billion per year and is the leading economic driver of Maryland.  

Brad leads an expert team of economic development specialists focused on growing a diverse cross-section of businesses here—including the life sciences, technology, cybersecurity, defense and hospitality. We help accelerate business growth for companies, foster entrepreneurship, and leverage our incredible resources, including 18 federal agencies (e.g., NIH, NCI, NIST, NOAA) and 38 federal labs which are headquartered in Montgomery County.  

Brad also chairs Maryland Life Sciences (MD Bio) and is Vice-Chair of the Maryland Tech Council. A fearless leader who’s invested his career in building and turning around life sciences companies to maximize shareholder value, Brad  thrives on complex strategic opportunities. He has successfully executed against challenges repeatedly while commercializing companies on a global scale. An experienced senior executive, he has a record of success in many specialty-areas of the life sciences industry including: immunology, oncology, transplant, orphan drugs, diagnostics, development and management of joint ventures, and extensive management consulting and corporate strategy assignments.    

Previously Brad served as Chief Executive Officer of Immunology Partners and  Chief Executive Officer of Cylex, Inc., where he executed a turnaround for an early stage, venture capital backed company (Roche, Siemens, Canaan Partners).   

Rotary, Rotaract and Interact (from the Gaithersburg Rotary Club Newsletter)

Member of the Senate since September 17, 2013. Vice-Chair, Finance Committee, 2019- (member, 2013-; property & casualty subcommittee, 2015-17; chair, transportation subcommittee, 2015-16; chair, health subcommittee, 2017-18; chair, energy & public utilities subcommittee, 2019-; member, health & long-term care subcommittee, 2019-). Member, Workers Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight Committee, 2015-; Executive Nominations Committee, 2019-; Legislative Policy Committee, 2019-; Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 2019-; Marijuana Legalization Work Group, 2019-. Senate Chair, Joint Electric Universal Service Program Work Group, 2020-. Member, Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee, 2014; Joint Committee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Biotechnology, 2014-18. Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Federal Relations, 2015-18 (member, 2014-18). Associate member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2018-. Member, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2016- (vice-chair, communications, financial services & interstate commerce standing committee, 2016-18, member, 2019-; member, executive committee task force on state & local taxation, 2018-; energy supply task force, 2019-). Member, Eastern Regional Conference Council of State Governments, 2019- (energy & environment committee, 2019-; health committee, 2019-).

Member, Maryland Offshore Wind Business Development Advisory Committee, 2013-14; Maryland Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Council, 2013-17. Board of Directors, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, 2014- (human services & public safety policy committee, 2017-). Member, Transit Task Force, Montgomery County, 2015; Task Force on the Maryland Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program, 2015-16; Task Force to Study Maternal Mental Health, 2015-16; Maryland Economic Development Commission, 2015-. Co-Chair, Task Force to Study Family and Medical Leave Insurance, 2016-18. Senate Chair, Maryland Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission, 2017-. Member, Southern States Energy Board, 2019-.

Member of House of Delegates, representing District 15, Montgomery County, January 8, 2003 to September 17, 2013. Parliamentarian, 2011-13. Member, Economic Matters Committee, 2003-13 (business regulation subcommittee, 2003-10; corporations work group, 2003-06; property & casualty insurance subcommittee, 2003-13; consumer protection & commercial law subcommittee, 2007-10; chair, banking, economic development, science & technology subcommittee, 2007-13); Medical Malpractice Insurance Work Group, 2004; Joint Committee on Access to Mental Health Services, 2005-11. House Chair, Joint Technology Oversight Committee, 2007-09. Member, Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, 2007-13. House Chair, Joint Information Technology and Biotechnology Committee, 2009-13. Member, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2011-13; Regional Revitalization Work Group, 2013-. House Chair, Montgomery County Delegation, 2007-12 (transportation committee, 2003-07; county affairs committee, 2011-13). Member, Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-. Member, National Conference of State Legislatures (financial services committee, 2005-07; vice-chair, communications, financial services & interstate commerce committee, 2016-, member, 2007-).

Member, Task Force on Assistance to Disabled Veterans Establishing Small Businesses, 2005.

Trial attorney, Tax Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1988-2001

David M. Feehan is a world recognized expert in downtown revitalization. For more than forty years, he has provided leadership and management to successful downtown and business district organizations, founded and directed a technical assistance center for community development organizations and a public policy organization, authored numerous books and articles, and taught at two universities. He is often quoted by news media throughout North America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and meetings, and has provided consulting services to many government agencies, organizations and associations. He has served on numerous boards of directors, and has chaired the boards of the International Downtown Association, the Responsible Hospitality Institute, and other organizations. As the chief executive of three downtown organizations and one community development corporation, Feehan managed major real estate and infrastructure projects, successful business attraction and retention programs, and an award-winning parking system. As the chief executive of two technical assistance centers, he provided organizational development, marketing, fundraising and other management support to more than 500 nonprofit organizations. As a consultant, Feehan has helped downtown and business district organizations as well as units of government develop visions and missions, strategic plans, innovative programs, and transformational processes.As an author and professor, he co-edited and wrote the most recognized textbook on downtown management, Making Business Districts Work, and is a frequent writer for journals and trade publications. 

Marilyn Balcombe is the President /CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce.  Marilyn is actively involved in land use planning, transportation and economic development. Her primary focus is bringing jobs to the Upcounty.  Marilyn Balcombe is currently on FutureLink and a Past Chair of the Committee for Montgomery. Marilyn is also on the Leadership Group of Montgomery Moving Forward. Prior to being at the Chamber, Marilyn was with BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown as the Executive Director during the construction and the first year of operations.  She was also on staff at the Upcounty Regional Services Center as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Germantown community.  Prior to her work in the community, Dr. Balcombe was an Organizational Psychologist with the U.S. Department of Energy.  She holds a Ph.D. is Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Florida, and a Bachelors degree in Accounting also from the University of Florida.