Committees

Economic Development & Tourism Committee

Chair: TBD

Meets: Every six weeks, Chamber office, 415 Williams Ct, Suite 102, Middle River, MD 21220

The Economic Development Committee was created as a joint committee of the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce and the Essex CDC to assist with improving the economic well-being of eastern Baltimore County through efforts that create and retain jobs, increase the tax base, and enhance tourism and the quality of life. This includes efforts to revitalize, retain, and recruit high quality businesses; and to revive, develop, and support existing business areas.

Marketing Committee

Co-Chair: Yina Rojas, Whitman, Requardt and Associates, LLP yinaerojas@gmail.com

Co-Chair: Todd Cogar, Cogar Printing todd@cogarprinting.com

Meets: Flexible on date and time, Hybrid— Chamber office and Zoom

The Marketing & Communications Committee is in charge of publicizing the Chamber’s efforts through the local communities of Essex, Middle River and White Marsh. Its goals are to:

1.  Monitor, enhance and manage the marketing of the Chamber, its committees and initiatives.

2.  Maximize the Chamber’s reach within eastern Baltimore County through digital and print media.

3.  Contact members to inform them of marketing and sponsorship opportunities.

Membership Committee

Co-Chair: Sharon Pelham, APGFCU spelham@apgfcu.com

Co-Chair: Tina Branham, Point Breeze Credit Union tbranham@pointbreezecu.com

Meets: 3^rd Wednesday of each month, 2:00 p.m., Chamber office, 415 Williams Court, Suite 102, Middle River, MD  

The objective of the Membership Committee is to maintain a healthy growth pattern in our Chamber membership.  The Committee has a two-fold mission to accomplish this objective.

Membership Development:  Development initiatives are designed to increase the size of the Chamber membership.  Committee members target existing non-member businesses and new businesses in eastern Baltimore County, sending invitations and calling or visiting those prospective businesses.  The Committee also motivates the Chamber Board to approach larger employers and encourage their support of the Chamber through membership, advertising and sponsorship.

Membership Retention:  Retention initiatives are designed to maintain an overall attrition rate of less than twelve percent by improving membership communication and awareness.

Committee members are considered ambassadors, who welcome new members, encourage involvement and play an introductory role at Chamber programs.  The Committee identifies membership views, reviews membership benefits, contacts members about upcoming events and networking opportunities and listens to member concerns.

Program Committee

Co-Chair: Bill Bafitis, Bafitis & Associates, bafitisassoc@comcast.net

Co-Chair: Sharon Jones, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, sjones8@jhmi.edu

Meets:  4th Tuesday of the month, 2:30 p.m., Hybrid— Chamber office and Zoom

The objective of the Program Committee is to develop monthly programs designed to satisfy the needs of the entire Chamber membership.  Programs should provide recognition of achievements as well as educational, networking and social opportunities.  Therefore, the mission of the committee is to identify timely topics, individuals and keynote speakers which have an impact on the Essex-Middle River-White Marsh business and residential communities.

Directions for programming come from many sources, including the Executive Committee, the general membership and other standing committees.  The economic climate and hot topics surrounding development, government, business health or the community greatly influence program selection.

Committee members are responsible for complete coordination of each program from topic development to selection and confirmation of speaker, scheduling, form of presentation, location and menu.  Examples of annual Chamber events include a business awards program, the Hometown Heroes banquet, a bull & shrimp feast, a carnival, Family Fest @ 43, legislative meetings and an economic development forum.

Workforce Development Committee

Co-Chair: Julie Gaynor, Baltimore County Public Schools (Ret.), jjjgaynor@gmail.com

Co-Chair: Marc Ershler, Community College of Baltimore County - Essex Campus, mershler@ccbcmd.edu

Meets: 3rd Thursday of the month, 7:30 a.m, Online through Zoom

The Workforce Development Committee is the engine for the Chamber’s business/education partnership.  The Committee consists of an extensive group of educators and business people who share a special interest in the development of youth in eastern Baltimore County. 

Through this partnership, the business and education communities interact and work together to strengthen the education/business ties in the area.  The goal of programs initiated and supported by the Committee and the Chamber are meant to achieve several objectives:

1.     Help students develop pride in themselves and their community

2.     Encourage a yearning for knowledge and scholastic achievement

3.     Instill a solid value system and work ethic

4.     Compel our youth to dream of a positive future

Initiatives include partnering with businesses to assist needy families, A Passion for Partnerships program and an Awards for Excellence in Education reception.  A Passion for Partnerships is both an evaluation and a brainstorming session which addresses topics of mutual interest and concern to educational and organizational leaders.  The Awards for Excellence in Education program recognizes the dedication and service that fantastic educators provide to our children on a daily basis.

Essex Community Development Corporation

President: Cliff O’Connell, Cliff’s Hi-Tech Body Shop, skiddeer@gmail.com

Meets: 1st Wednesday of each month, 4:00 p.m., Essex CDC office, 25 Eastern Blvd, Suite 98, Essex, MD 21221

The Essex CDC is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Essex Community.  This group, which evolved out of the Chamber’s Eastern Baltimore County Task Force, includes a diverse group of community activists whose grassroots efforts are making a significant difference.  Working in conjunction with county and state elected officials and representatives, this team of volunteers currently is focused on improving the eastern business district along Eastern Boulevard from the Essex bridge to the Middle River bridge.  Issues being addressed include vacant housing and businesses, litter, graffiti and rat infestation, among other problems as well as initiatives regarding safety, traffic, and beautification.