S p o t l i g h t O n N e w B u s i n e s s

BEI Polar Clips

Partners Jon Ressler and Chad Weaver recently opened BEI Polar Clips in The Mall in Columbia. Specializing in customized polarized clip-on sunglasses made on-the-spot, they use a patented BEI edging machine to match their customers' eyeglass frames in just minutes. "People no longer want the old-fashioned, oversized clip-on sunglasses; they are looking for more style and fashion. A pair of BEI Polar Clips is the perfect combination of both function and style for today's consumer," said Chad Weaver.

BEI Polar Clips are great for your eyes, too, because they block 100% of the UV-A and UV-B rays, and they are polarized. The polarized lenses act as a filter, allowing natural light to pass through, while blocking out the annoying glare cause by sunlight reflecting off of the water, other cars, the road, etc.

"Our goal is to offer our customers the same benefits as they would get with a pair of prescription sunglasses, but at only a fraction of the cost," said Jon Ressler.

BEI Polar Clips offers a wide range of colors and styles, including three mirror tinted lenses in blue, silver and gold. Their optical quality lenses are very durable, scratch resistant and extremely lightweight.

BEI Polar Clips is located on the first floor between the food court and JCPenny. They can be reached at 410-884-5988 or e-mail cuttingedgekiosks@yahoo.com.



Maryland's Upscale Singles

Executive Director Jamie Braman has brought to the Columbia area Maryland's Upscale Singles, a social club that offers culinary events, wine tastings, concerts, theater, travel, sporting events and more for single professionals 35-65 plus. Each month they hold up to eight events where singles can get to know other single professionals, make new friends, meet prospective dates, network and share exceptional experiences in a comfortable, friendly and upscale setting.

"The fastest growing population of singles is the 45-55 plus age group. According to Census Bureau figures, Baby Boomers, with their higher divorce rates and longevity, are projected to push the rank of singles to 46% of the population by 2010. This segment of the population is often overlooked and I felt there was a void in the options available to mature singles," said Braman. "Maryland's Upscale Singles offers a venue where singles can meet other men and women to enjoy exceptional experiences they likely wouldn't find on their own."

Reservations are requested for the events, which are held in Baltimore and Washington, and can be accepted from the web site, w or by telephone, 410-531-2726.



TriState Collision Center

The all new TriState Collision Center has opened at 8916 McGaw Court in Columbia. The 50,000-square-foot facility has the latest state-of-the-art equipment and employs highly trained technicians who are I-Car Certified, the highest rating in Auto Body Repair Certification.

Started by Mario Clementoni, president of Apple Ford, and George Doetsch, chairman of the board at Apple Ford, TriState Collision Center evolved from the great demand they were witnessing at Apple Ford's Body Shop. "We felt strongly that there was a real need in the market for a collision center that could provide quality service and repair work for all makes and models of vehicles," said Clementoni.

"Customer service is our top priority, and we will not compromise that," said Clementoni, adding that TriState has instituted a way customers can view the progress of the vehicle repair via the Internet. "Nobody on the east coast does that for their customers."

Clementoni stressed that TriState has been diligent to ensure that each customer receives the highest quality service and automotive body work with the latest state-of-the-art equipment. TriState Collision Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 410-309-4566.



Bray & Scarff, Appliance & Kitchen Specialists

Now open in Dobbin Center in Columbia, Bray & Scarff features professional and built-in appliances, dishwashers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, gas and electric ranges and air conditioners, as well as full kitchen design and remodeling services.

Brands include: Amana, Maytag, Sub-Zero, Viking, Kitchen Aid, Wolf, Jenn-Air, GE, Bosch, Franke, Fisher & Paykel and more.

Store hours are: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information, call 410-992-4122.



Astor Properties

Astor Properties, Inc. is a new real estate company located in Ellicott City; it is owned and operated by Bobbie Morrocco.

Astor Properties serves all of Maryland with positive values, ongoing integrity and superb service.

Although the company has the latest in technology, the staff is people-friendly. "We even answer our own telephones," said Morrocco: 410-992-5100.



The Cartridge Pros

The Cartridge Pros is an inkjet and laser cartridge remanufacturer, located in Laurel, which specializes in making the printing needs of business more economical and efficient, without sacrificing print quality.

The firm saves businesses 40% to 70% on their printing costs by refilling existing cartridges. Because they use only the highest quality inks (as good as or better than the original manufacturer), fine print quality is guaranteed.

As an added service, The Cartridge Pros will install a drop box at the business for convenient recycling; cartridges will be picked up, refilled and returned to the business. Convenience, cost savings and superior print quality are wrapped in one package from The Cartridge Pros.

Call The Cartridge Pros at 301-498-0610.

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Bond Sales Allow $8 Million In Savings

Howard County has issued $123,950,000 of long-term debt bonds and $9,880,000 of golf course refunding revenue bonds in a negotiated bond sale that will achieve more than $8 million in savings.

The issuance was a combination of new financing and the refinancing of various outstanding general obligation bonds, as well as the refinancing of golf course refunding revenue bonds. The competitive interest rates received by the county are the lowest on record.

Howard County rated a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 27th consecutive year from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.



APL Wins Diversity Award

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel has received the Chesapeake Human Resources Association 2003 James W. Rouse Diversity Award.

The award, which honors James W. Rouse's vision of building a better way to live and work through promoting diversity, is presented annually to member organizations in recognition of the innovative strategies they have implemented to advance the concept and spirit of diversity.



BWI Airport Numbers Strong

More than 1.6 million passengers flew through BWI Airport in April 2003, an increase of 0.6% in the total number who used the airport in April 2002. The national average showed a decrease of 6.3% for the same period.

The top five carriers are: Southwest, AirTran, American, Delta and United.

International service and cargo carriers also posted strong numbers.



Beautiful Neighborhoods

Howard County Government is making a free handbook, "Keeping Our Neighborhoods Beautiful," available to citizens and property owners.

The recently revised publication is aimed at residents and community associations and covers a wide variety of topics to help with neighborhood and community preservation.

Copies can be picked up at the Department of Housing and Commuity Development, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive or found on the county web site www.co.ho.md.us/DOA/DOApdfs/neighborhoods.pdf.



$50,000 For Family &

Business Partnership

The Bank of America/Rouse Company Fund has pledged $50,000 to Family and Children's Services' 21st Century Family & Business Partnership campaign.

Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland is a nonprofit agency providing services to vulnerable families and individuals in all stages of life.

The 21st Century Family & Business Partnership campaign has an ambitious goal - $500,000 over the next five years to fund the expansion of programs in the Columbia office and to provide operating funds for a new satellite office in the Route 1 corridor.



AACC Recruitment Fairs

Increased class offerings, the August opening of AACC at Arundel Mills and faculty retirements are generating openings for part-time instructors at Anne Arundel Community College.

Needed are instructors to teach one or more credit or noncredit classes in business, computer information technology, criminal justice, English, foreign languages, humanities, math, paralegal studies, reading, science, social science, telecommunications and more. Day, evening or weekend opportunities are available.

AACC has set up faculty recruitment fairs. Times and dates are:10 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 12, Sales and Service Training Center at Arundel Mills, and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, AACC at Arundel Mills, 7009 Arundel Mills Circle. For information, call 410-777-2695.



U. Of Baltimore Joins

AACC Consortium

A partnership agreement has been reached between Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) and the University of Baltimore.

As part of the Anne Arundel Community College's University Consortium, the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business will begin offering its recognized Master of Business Administration degree program at AACC's new Arundel Mills campus in fall 2003.



Columbia MedCom Unveils

White Paper

Columbia MedCom Group has released a White Paper which reports the findings of a research project conducted by the firm seeking to identify the reasons primary care physicians are refusing to see pharmaceutical sales representatives in this post-PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) Code era.

The Columbia MedCom Group comprises two wholly owned subsidiaries: INNOVIA Education Institute and Medicalliance, Inc. INNOVIA is an Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education provider, and Medicalliance provides a broad range of medical marketing services.

For more information, visit www.medicalliance.com.



New Client For AmeriVault

AmeriVault Corp., the pioneer of online server backup and disaster recovery for business, announced that San Juan, Puerto Rico-based MMM Healthcare, Puerto Rico's only Medicare Managed Care health plan, has selected AmeriVault's online backup and recovery services to protect data for their five offices and over 25,000 member records.

Utilizing industry-leading software, AmeriVault's service recognizes and captures changes to files (at the block level), encrypts the data for enhanced security and compresses it to minimize transmission time. The encrypted data is then sent over the Internet or private telecommunication lines to highly secure offsite mass storage vaults.



ADA Recognizes HCGH

Diabetes Program

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently awarded Living with Diabetes, the Johns Hopkins Diabetes Education Program at Howard County General Hospital, with its prestigious Education Recognition Certificate for offering high-quality diabetes self-management education, an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.

The Association's Education Certificate assures that educational programs meet the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Educational Programs.



Brasher Opens New Office

DR Brasher Architects is pleased to announce the opening of its new office in the City of Baltimore at 336 N. Charles Street.

Headquartered in Columbia, the firm currently has 24 employees and will be adding another four with the new office space. DR Brasher is looking forward to offering its new project design and historic renovation expertise to the revival of Baltimore. Two of the first projects the firm will be managing from its new Baltimore location is the renovation of 341 N. Charles Street, and the design of an 11-story office building called Maryland Plaza, located at Maryland Avenue and Biddle Streets.



New Educational Partnerships

The Body Factory and Elkridge Elementary School have established an educational partnership to help students, parents and staff value the importance of lifelong physical fitness, good nutrition and overall wellness.

Bank of America has established a partnership with Oakland Mills High School so that students will learn and apply principals of financial management for themselves and their families.

Red Robin Restaurant and Deep Run Elementary have a partnership to help students and staff learn about careers in restaurant management and culinary arts.



Shop & Ship At Airport Stores

Regional Retail Concepts, Inc., a Columbia-based airport specialty retail chain, has started a new service, "Shop & Ship," in its Celebrate Maryland stores at BWI Airport.

The program is designed to help customers purchase regional gifts and souvenirs in the BWI stores with no worry about how to carry them onto the plane.



Ellis Opens New Location

Ellis & Associates, CPAs, P.A., has opened a second location to accommodate the firm's expansion.

The new location for the regional accounting and consulting firm is at 12798 Linden Church Road in Clarksville.



New Affiliation For Miller

Miller International, LLC, a Columbia-based business brokerage and management consulting company, and a member of Business Brokers Network, a professional service that assists clients in the purchase and sale of small- to medium-size businesses, has become the Maryland representative for Hire Golden, a personnel evaluation company.

Hire Golden has developed an "Advance Pre-Interview Selection Process" to help identify the best workers to interview.



New Orders For TelSys

TSI TelSys Corporation, which designs, manufactures and markets high-performance range data receivers, data acquisition, simulation and communication systems for the test range and aerospace communities, has received a total of $1.7 million in new orders from eight customers so far this year.

The total includes additional orders from two aerospace firms for telemetry systems that will be used to support the U.S. Department of Defense's Space-Based Infrared Systems program.



Meeting Planners Hired By Veridian

Meeting Planners, Inc., has been hired by Veridian of Arlington, Va., to coordinate the company's IS department meeting.

Meeting Planners will be responsible for site selection and negotiation, along with meeting set-up and services.



Bartech Opens Las Vegas Office

Bartech Systems International, the world's leading provider of automated minibars, opened a new office in Las Vegas last month to provide increased service to its growing client base in the region. Marc Cohen, Bartech's executive VP of Business Development, will lead the new office, Bartech's first branch office in the United States.

Bartech's e-fridge system is currently installed in the world's largest Five Diamond casino hotel, the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Each of its 3,005 hotel rooms is equipped with Bartech's e-fridge units. The 3,044-room Mirage Hotel is also equipped with Bartech's e-fridge system.

The company's new office will primarily be responsible for providing support to its clients in the region, as well as serving as a hub in the western part of the country for new business development.



Tecore Systems In Iraq

Tecore Wireless Systems, a Columbia-based new generation system provider of U.S.-made GSM network equipment, is establishing a distribution center to rapidly deploy GSM systems throughout Iraq.Ê

Tecore's local inventory will consist of GSM Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), AirNet(r) AdaptaCell(r) Broadband Software-Defined Base Stations and AirSite(r) Backhaul FreeTM Base Stations, Pre-Paid Systems, Short Messaging Service Centers (SMSC), antennas, cables, towers, power equipment, generators, SIM cards, top-up cards, VSAT terminals and handsets ready to ship in support of the license winners.Ê The distribution center will build relationships with local contractors for civil works, tower erection and supply of power systems. In addition, Tecore's operations center in Dubai is fully staffed with experienced local Arabic-speaking wireless personnel and management that are well-positioned to provide installation, commissioning and training services, as well as operational assistance to launch wireless services and international origination and termination arrangements. P e o p l e I n B u s i n e s s

State Arc Awards

The Arc of Maryland has selected local businessman Gordon M. Mumpower, Jr., for its Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award and Howard County General Hospital for its annual Employer of the Year Award. Columbia resident Fannie (Peggy) Brown was named Outstanding Arc Employee of the Year - Direct Care Award.

Mumpower, owner of Commercial Insurance Managers, is a member of the Board of Directors of The Arc of Howard County and the six-time chairman of The Arc's signature fundraiser, the Chocolate Ball.

Howard County General Hospital was honored for providing employment for two people with developmental disabilities. The employees are fully integrated in all programs, and a caring, supportive staff treats them like valuable team members, according to Beatty.

Fannie (Peggy) Brown, who has worked for The Arc of Howard County since 1984, was cited for her commitment and dedication, despite her own struggle with health issues.



Reese Named HR

Professional of the Year

Linda Reese, director of Benefits for Ascend One, was named HR Professional of the Year by the Chesapeake Human Resources Association (CHRA) for her dramatic improvements to both the services provided by Ascend One's Benefits Department and the employee benefits package. CHRA awarded The James W. Rouse Diversity Award to Ascend One Corporation in recognition of its efforts to promote diversity through workplace programs and initiatives.



Manekin Promotes And Hires

Manekin, LLC has promoted Carol Patterson to property manager, overseeing commercial properties in Howard and surrounding counties. She joined Manekin's property management department three years ago and has been trained in managing the properties on-site and working on all financials, including budgeting and lease administration.

Manekin has hired Michael McGugan as a sales and leasing associate. He will focus on office/industrial leasing and sales with a focus on Prince George's and lower Howard counties. During his career he has negotiated leasing and investment sales transactions, most recently serving as leasing and investment sales director for TSC Realty Services.



Fritz Joins Feats

P.W. Feats has announced the addition of David Fritz to its growing staff.

Fritz will lead channel sales initiatives, cultivating and expanding relationships with channel partners in complementary industries, such as hospitality and meeting and convention services.



AACC Professor Named

To National Board

An Anne Arundel Community College professor of history recently won a three-year election to the executive board of the prestigious national Organization of American Historians. Elizabeth A. Kessel, Ph.D., is a professor of history at the college. OAH members elected her to the term effective last month. OAH is the largest organization of historians who study American history. She joined the AACC faculty in 1988.



SunTrust Promotes Miller

SunTrust Bank, Maryland recently announced that its Retail division has named Teri Miller a business banking relationship manager. Miller, who most recently served as a retail sales assistant for SunTrust Securities, Inc. in the Laurel office, now serves small business clients in the Baltimore, Frederick and Howard County areas. In her new position, she will serve clients' small business financial needs as well as personal banking needs.



Eberhardt Elected President of The Arc

Tracey Eberhardt has been elected president of the Board of Directors of The Arc of Howard County. A parish nurse at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fulton, she has been a member of The Arc's Board of Directors for six years and served as chairperson for the Education and Youth Issues committee from 1995-2002.

Other new officers include Cole Schnorf, vice president; Eric Crawford, secretary; and Annette Hinkle, treasurer.

New directors include Karen Carter, John "Chip" McAuliffe, Robert Topper and Robert Vigorito. Reelected to the board were Charles Ecker, Louis W. Jones and Kathleen Swanson.

Other board members include Thomas M. Meachum, Jamie Costa, Joan Farragut, Scott Heim, Richard Lowry, Gordon M. Mumpower, Jr., Joseph V. Murray, Deborah A. Powell, Glennor Shirley, Timothy J. Sosinski and Walter von Rautenkranz.



Jeffery Joins Ciena

Ciena Corporation, a leading provider of global network solutions, has appointed Nick Jeffery to the position of managing director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Jeffery joins Ciena from UK service provider Cable and Wireless, where he held the position of CEO for the company's Global Markets and Service Providers division. In that role, he was responsible for constructing the division, and for developing and managing relationships with the company's largest corporate customers.Ê



Badger President Of MIDAS

William A. "Bill" Badger Jr., CEcD, president and CEO of the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), has been elected president of MIDAS, Maryland's Economic Development Association. Badger, a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), has served as president and CEO of AAEDC since August 1999.



Engineer Receives Designations

Regional certified public accounting and consulting firm KAWG&F has announced that Jason M. Putche received his CompTIA A+ certification and his ComTIA Network + certification.

A Desk Top support engineer, he started with the firm in 2002.



Shaw Joins Evergreen

Evergreen.cfo, a Columbia-based firm providing outsourced CFO services and small business accounting, announced that Frederick S. Shaw, CPA, has joined the firm as vice president. He will assist clients with financial statement analysis and business strategy, financings, cash flow management, budget preparation and other profitability enhancement work.



Briscoe Receives Award

Gayle Briscoe, an associate broker with the Ellicott City/Chatham office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (CBRB), has been awarded the first annual company-wide 2002 "Preserving the Trust" Award.

The award is presented to the CBRB manager, sales associate or employee who provides exceptional customer service to customers, clients and peers.



ACS Officers, Awards

The Association of Community Services of Howard County elected new officers: Dawn Fisk Thomsen, Ph.D., of DFT Associates, president; Carole MacPhee of Columbia Housing Corporation, vice president; Donna C. Wells of the Howard County Mental Health authority, secretary; and Allen Cornell of the Michael Companies, treasurer. New board members Sherrie Jordan of Athelas Institute, Peggy Rightnour of the Office of Aging and Caroline Sherman of PCA group were elected to three-year terms.

The 2003 Audrey Robbins Humanitarian Awards were presented. Andrea Ingram, executive director of the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, received the Employee of the Year Award; Mike Clark, of the Christ Church Link Program at Christ Episcopal Church, received the Volunteer of the Year Award; and the HIV Clinical Team of the Howard County Health Department was presented the Employee of the Year Award.



Physician Joins Joslin Center

The Joslin Diabetes Center at North Arundel Hospital has appointed Endocrinologist Kashif Munir, M.D., to the center's medical staff.

Dr. Munir completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism.



Hepple Designated CFP

David C. Hepple, CFP, financial consultant of Prosperion Financial Services in Columbia, has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner board of Standards Inc. to use the certification marks CFP.

He specializes in helping businesses and individuals establish and meet their financial goals with lines of business including financial planning, investment management and insurance services.



Miles Earns APR Designation

Lisa K. Miles, APR, a senior vice president of Eisner Petrou and Associates, a full-service public relations agency, has earned the Accredited in Public Relations designation from the Universal Accreditation Board.

The Columbia resident also serves as treasurer of the Public Relations Society of America, Maryland chapter.



Cargiulo To Direct Substance

Abuse Services

Thomas P. Cargiulo, PharmD, RPh, BCPP, CAC-AD, is the new Howard County director of Substance Abuse Services.

Dr. Cargiulo will develop, evaluate and provide leadership for all addictions programs in the county, working with public and private providers.



Courtney Performs Hip Replacement

North Arundel Hospital's orthopedic surgeon Leo Courtney, M.D., has become the first physician in Maryland to perform a total hip replacement procedure using an implant made from Oxinium technology, a new low-friction product that provides a stronger, smoother and longer-lasting joint. Dr. Courtney also performed the first total knee replacement in Maryland using the material in 2001.



Schisler Selected As Honoree

Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation's (AAEDC) Research Manager Phyllis Schisler was selected by the Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) as a 2003 honoree. The TWIN award is organized by the YMCA and is Anne Arundel County's most prestigious program for recognizing achieving professional women.



New JREF Board

JREF (The Jim Rouse Entrepreneurial Fund), the not-for-profit private fund established for new and emerging businesses in Howard County, recently elected officers for the 2003-2004 year and three new members to its board of directors.

Those elected to serve as JREF officers for the 2003-2004 year include: Antonio P. Salazar, Provident Bank of Maryland, president; Diane M. Battle, Wachovia Bank, 1st vice president; Richard Sinclair, Presidential Financial Corporation, 2nd vice president; Edward L. Waddell, Cardoni Waddell, LLC, treasurer; Edmund "Skip" Coale, Coale, Pripstein & Associates, PA, assistant treasurer; and Alice T. Iskra, Patuxent Publishing Company, secretary.

The newly elected JREF board members include: Charles A. Breitenother, CB Richard Ellis; George W. King, Ferris Baker Watts, Inc,; and Jeannette M. Mills, BGE. Also serving on the board for the 2003-2004 year is Robert Jeffrey, past president; Joan Becker; Mary Kay Boler; Steven Breeden; Kate Hetherington; Brian Israel; Stephen Pindell; John Sommerer; Harvey Steinman; Anthony Tangires; and Peter Vrettakos.