Maryland Organizations and Leaders Drive Progress, Inclusivity, and Community Impact

By Carl Norcott.
Updated Jul 19, 2023

BALTIMORE (PRWEB) July 19, 2023 - The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Marylands branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the states economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that are part of the partnership.

'Maryland has proven time and again that it is not just a destination for business, but a launchpad for dreams, said Tom Riford, executive director of the Maryland Marketing Partnership. With a commitment to diversity and inclusivity, Maryland remains a fertile ground for groundbreaking ideas and ventures, and the organizations and leaders here continue to re-invest this success back into our communities.

Bozzuto, based in Greenbelt, has been named to The Washington Posts 2023 Top Workplaces in the Washington, D.C. area for the eighth year in a row. The selection process consisted solely of employee feedback gathered through an anonymous third-party survey, which measured several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution and connection. Toby Bozzuto, president and chief executive officer of the Bozzuto Group, has also been selected as the next chair by Colgate Universitys Board of Trustees. Bozzuto will take up leadership at a dynamic time for the University, which is pursuing a $1 billion campaign to fund initial priorities within the Third-Century Plan.

Cloudforce, based in National Harbor, announced plans to kick off the completion of its 15,000 square-foot headquarters buildout with the expansion of an additional 5,000 plus square feet of Class A waterfront office space in Maryland's National Harbor. Cloudforce was named as a finalist in both the 2023 Moxie Award Competition and Fast Company's Annual Best Workplaces for Innovators Award. As a Diamond Sponsor of this years 365 Educon Conference, Cloudforce presented two live sessions on cloud adoption and collaboration to local IT leaders and networked with conference attendees at their sponsored post-conference event. Cloudforce also welcomed clients and partners for an exclusive first-hand look at Microsoft Copilot and Azure OpenAI during an in-person workshop at their headquarters.

Fulton Financial Corporation (Fulton Bank) recently announced that Karthik Sridharan has joined as senior executive vice president, chief operations and technology officer. Sridharan will be responsible for leading a team of information technology and operations professionals focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide the best digital customer experience at Fulton Bank. As a senior information technology executive, Sridharan brings more than 20 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies. Sridharan holds a bachelors degree in business administration and information systems management from Temple Universitys Fox School of Business and has completed the Global Management Executive Program at Harvard Business School.

Harbor East, based in Baltimore and a vibrant waterfront neighborhood, is excited to announce two new retailers opening soon in the Baltimore neighborhood. CHANEL is planning a fall 2023 opening of its Fragrance and Beauty boutique, located at 820 Aliceanna Street. Saatva, a luxury online mattress brand, will be opening its first Maryland location in the 1001 Fleet Street building, next to the newly opened Pandora showroom. Tim ODonald, president of Harbor East Management Group notes, Welcoming Saatva to Harbor East further enhances the neighborhood as an exciting and convenient destination for Baltimore visitors and residents. Saatva is expected to open in early 2024.

Kaiser Permanente proudly partnered with several community organizations throughout Maryland to commemorate Juneteenth and celebrate African American culture. In Baltimore, Kaiser Permanente supported AFRAM, one of the largest African American festivals in the region, as well as the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Cultures Juneteenth Celebration event. The company also supported the 2023 Annapolis Juneteenth Parade & Festival and the Strathmore and Step Africa! Present STEP XPLOSION in Bethesda, a performance to honor African American culture. Through these events, Kaiser Permanente provided health screenings, health tips from doctors, giveaways and more. Learn more about Kaiser Permanentes recognition of Juneteenth.

Peterson Companies, a longtime Maryland business, announced over 66,000 square feet of new deals signed and/or opened in the first half of the year at Rio, Gaithersburg, Marylands unique waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment destination. Rio recently welcomed creole hotspot Miss Toyas Southern Kitchen and announced several new merchants opening later this year including IKEA, Sportrock Climbing Centers, Han Palace and more. Additionally, in support of mental health awareness, Rio partnered with Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Centers Behavioral Health Services to create The Serenity Spot, which offers a unique space for reflection, promoting mindfulness and wellness under the trees along the lake path.

Route One Apparel, based in Towson, partnered with Curio Wellness to design and quickly produce merchandise for the celebration of recreational cannabis legalization at its distribution locations on July 1. Looking ahead, the company will partner with the Maryland State Fair for an exciting new line of merchandise, set to launch in late August. Stay up to date on Route One Apparel's new arrivals on Facebook and Instagram, or visit http://www.routeoneapparel.com.

St. John Properties, Inc., based in Baltimore and one of the nations largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms, has acquired Aviation Business Park, a three-building portfolio in Anne Arundel County, Maryland comprising over 120,000 square feet of commercial office space. Additionally, Kennedy Krieger Institute has signed a lease with St. John Properties, Inc. for its third International Center for Spinal Cord Injury facility in the greater Baltimore metropolitan region.

SECU, the state's largest chartered credit union, awarded $116,000 in scholarships to 28 students across Maryland at an event at their Linthicum headquarters by way of their SECU MD Foundation. Since the programs inception 17 years ago, the foundation has presented more than $1 million in scholarships to over 320 SECU members. Applications for the 2024 SECU MD Foundation Scholarship Program will open by February 2024.

T. Rowe Price, a Baltimore-based global investment management firm, as part of its commitment to its community, is deploying $50 million in deposits to under-resourced deposit institutions through a partnership with CNote, an impact investment fintech that provides capital to lenders that empower small and diverse business owners and support under-resourced communities. Beginning last year, funds have been directed to community banks and credit unions across the country to distribute the capital to small businesses. This investment will help provide capital and coaching to small and emerging businesses; expand access to healthcare, education, and other community-centric facilities; and finance affordable housing development.

TEDCO, based in Columbia and Marylands economic engine for technology companies, continues to invest in Maryland technology startups like Galen Robotics, Longeviti, Astek Diagnostics, Nanocrine, NanoBioFAB, Routespring, Hopr Corporation, Keep Company, Hememics Biotechnologies, Inc., Pathotrak, CarrTech Corp., N5 Sensors, and Givhero and even celebrated a successful exit of Blackpoint Cyber. Meanwhile, the organization released another episode of TEDCO Talks as well as a new episode of The Leading Edge. TEDCO also won the 2023 AMA MX Baltimore Award for print campaigns and the success of MIIs partnerships with UMBC. In honor of TEDCOs 25th anniversary, the organization celebrated with a special animation video, articles featuring past CEOs and executive directors, and a blog post from the current CEO.

Tradepoint Atlantic, a Baltimore region strategic commercial gateway and supply chain leader, announced the launch of a supplier diversity initiative, Tradepoint Atlantic Empowerment Academy, a groundbreaking training program for minority, veteran, and women-owned small businesses. Intended to fulfill a vital role in the short and long-term economic development of the region, the two-month program will provide comprehensive training and resources to minority entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to grow their businesses. The academy includes a comprehensive curriculum, expert-led workshops, networking and collaboration, and ongoing access to resources at the completion of the program.

The University System of Maryland (USM), based in Baltimore and the states public higher education system, celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2023, graduates who are poised to enhance Marylands economy and quality of life. For the seventh consecutive year, the USMs 12 universities will award approximately 40,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees this May at ceremonies across Maryland. That includes some 25,000 bachelors degreesthe eighth straight year the system has reached that number.

Warehouse Cinemas, based in Frederick, invites attendees to dive into the world of Barbie at The Malibu Beach Party on Thursday, July 20 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. EST in celebration of the premiere of Greta Gerwig's latest film with Warner Brothers Studios, BARBIE. The immersive experience will include a live DJ, exciting photo opportunities, and a specially crafted Pink Party Drink, decked with its own flamingo floatie. Guests can enjoy a free upgrade on pink popcorn sprinkled with edible glitter when they bring their own Barbie or dress as one. The event will happen at Warehouse Cinemas locations for the premiere (Leitersburg, Frederick, and Baltimore), but the dcor and drinks will be available through the following week.

About Maryland Marketing Partnership The Maryland Marketing Partnership, founded in statute as the Maryland Public-Private Partnership Marketing Corporation, develops branding strategy for the state, markets the states assets, and encourages the location and growth of new businesses in Maryland.