Congratulations GSSCC 2022 Award Winners!
June 27, 2022

At its annual Awards & Installation event, held at AFI Silver Theatre on June 22, GSSCC honored the individuals who helped Silver Spring continue to be a better place to live, work, and run a business.

Members and guests enjoyed a pre-event reception catered by Corcoran Caterers and took home bundtlets donated by Nothing Bundt Cakes. GSSCC thanks the AFI Silver Theatre & Cultural Center for hosting the event, Bill Kominers and Lerch Early & Brewer for sponsoring the awards that were presented, Stewart Zemil and Apex Home Loans for being the Hospitality Sponsor, and Bell Flowers for adding a special touch to the evening with lovely flower arrangements and plants.

See below for a full list of our 2022 Award winners.

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​Chairs Award
Stewart Zemil
Apex Home Loans

Presented by outgoing GSSCC Chair Bill Kominers (left) to Stewart Zemil (former Chair), Apex Home Loans (right) for exceptional dedication to the Chamber in assuming the leadership role for two consecutive years throughout the pandemic, and always being willing to volunteer his time and resources to "help the Chamber and the members."

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​Officer of the Year for 2021 Award
Police Officer III Nicoletta (Nikki) Hawkins
Montgomery County Police 3rd District

Presented by incoming GSSCC Chair Mike McCartin (left) and GSSCC President Jane Redicker (right) to Officer Nicoletta Hawkins, nominated by the Montgomery County 3rd District command staff for exceptional work in solving crimes, deterring violent criminals, and personifying the epitome of a community policing officer. Read more here.

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​2022 Circle of Stars Award
Elite Personnel
Nominated by 12PointFive

​Presented by incoming GSSCC Chair Mike McCartin (left) and GSSCC President Jane Redicker (right) to Elite Personnel owner Elise Ambrose (second from left) for exceptional resiliency during the continued pandemic and for going above and beyond to support the social and civic needs of the community. Also accepting was staff member Patrick Burns (second from right). Read more here.

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​2022 Circle of Stars Award
Fenwick Beer & Wine
Nominated by A Wider Circle

Presented by incoming GSSCC Chair Mike McCartin (left) and GSSCC President Jane Redicker (right) to Fenwick Beer & Wine owners Suman and Cathy Shrestha (center), for being, as A Wider Circle's Pam Feinstein, noted in the nomination, "a small business that is involved in our community and gives back, even when it is not easy." Read more here.

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​2022 Circle of Stars Award
The Tower Companies

Presented by incoming GSSCC Chair Mike McCartin (left) and GSSCC President Jane Redicker (right) to The Tower Companies' Garvin Robertson (second from left), Facilities Manager, and Eric Posner (second from right), Chief Operating Officer, for the company's above and beyond response to the COVID pandemic, its ongoing eco-friendly initiatives, its excellence in community service, and its ongoing investment in the community. Read more here.

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Trail Blazer Award
Jessica Wilson
CCI Health Services

Presented by incoming GSSCC Chair Mike McCartin (left) and GSSCC President Jane Redicker (right) to Jessica Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer, CCI Health Services, in recognition of her outstanding accomplishments and her many contributions to her business and her community. Read more here.

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Members of FY23 GSSCC Board Officially Installed
June 27, 2022

Incoming GSSCC Chair Mike McCartin, Joseph W. McCartin Insurance, administered the oath of office to members of the FY23 Board of Directors who were present at the Chamber's Awards & Installation event last Wednesday evening.

Members of the incoming Board include: Nora Abramson, The Tower Companies; Ray Barry, AFI Silver Theatre & Cultural Center (Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair); Ernest Bland, EBA Ernest Bland Associates; Peter Casciano, Andalman & Flynn; Maggie Gessner, The Fillmore Silver Spring; Avi Halpert, United Therapeutics Corporation; Bill Kominers, Lerch Early & Brewer (Immediate Past-Chair); Bruce Lee, Lee Development Group; Adam Lowe, Peak Performance Digital; Chad Mangum, Bell Flowers; Scott Reading, EagleBank (Secretary/Treasurer); Jane Redicker, GSSCC President & CEO; Robert Scott, Scott Team International (Membership Development Committee Chair); Anthony Stahl, Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center; Brad Stewart, Montgomery College; Juanita Stewart, Downtown Silver Spring; Becky Vaughan, Holy Cross Health; and Stewart Zemil, Apex Home Loans.

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MoCo Executive Candidates Forum Recording Available
June 13, 2022

On Thursday, June 9, the Chamber led a forum with the Democrat Candidates for Montgomery County Executive, David Blair, Marc Elrich, Peter James, and Hans Reimer. Candidates provided their views regarding revitalizing Silver Spring's economy, supporting small businesses, assuring safety in the community, and more.
 
Watch the forum recording on the Chamber YouTube page here.

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Every Vote Matters, Especially Yours
May 31, 2022

In order to make sure that the voices of employers and business people are heard in the upcoming local election, GSSCC urges all members to get out and vote in the upcoming primary election, scheduled for July 19.
 
Step 1: Make sure you are registered to vote. Use the tool here to check your registration status. Not registered? Click here. The deadline to register to vote in the 2022 Primary Election is Tuesday, June 28.
 
Step 2: Make sure you know where to vote. The recent redistricting process created two additional districts in Montgomery County. Click here to find your district. When you check your registration using the link in Step 1, you’ll find your local voting place.
 
Step 3: Learn about the candidates. GSSCC has sent questionnaires to all candidates seeking election to County offices (Executive and Council) for greater Silver Spring districts. Click here to see answers from those who responded.
 
Step 4: Vote! Either in person on July 19, or during early voting, from Thursday, July 7, through Thursday, July 14. Here’s a list of early voting locations. Or request an absentee ballot here.

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Chamber Cuts Ribbon for CCI Health Services
May 31, 2022

On May 24, Chamber members gathered at 8665 Georgia Avenue to celebrate the grand opening of CCI Health Services' new Administrative Headquarters with a ribbon cutting ceremony and certificate presentation. CCI purchased the building last September to house the administrative headquarters and make room for a significant expansion to its flagship Silver Spring health center on Fenton Street.

​Attendees toured the new space and enjoyed a Business After Hours featuring delicious food from Matchbox Silver Spring and beverages including Denizens Brewing Co.’s beer from Fenwick Beer & Wine. NIH Federal Credit Union, whose partnership with CCI Health Services arose from connections made at a previous Chamber networking event, co-sponsored the After Hours and celebrated with CCI while offering information about their programs.