LEONARDTOWN, MD — To make a community better, it takes the combined efforts of leaders from all local industries and businesses to bring a change.

This message was echoed multiple times at the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Annual Meeting, hosted at the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary June 14.

Business leaders and representatives across the county attended the meeting, including members of the St. Mary’s County Commissioners, said Glen Ives, 2015-2016 chair of the executive committee and representative of Sabre Systems, LLC.

Guests were served a dinner featuring dishes such as Chicken Cordon Bleu, Crab Imperial, roast beef, plus desserts from the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary, and McKay’s Fine Food and Pharmacy.

“We gathered as good friends and colleagues to celebrate the notable accomplishments of the chamber during the last year, including acknowledging chamber and community leaders and contributions, as well as install our Executive Committee officers to lead the chamber for the year ahead of us,” said Ives.

Ives said that he appreciated the feedback from chamber members about events, how they touch local and state initiatives and include business, government, elected, and academic leaders and participants.

“Hopefully all of these events will provide an effective forum for learn, to share our wide-range perspectives, air out important business and community issues and concerns. Networking and enjoying one another’s company is also important at these events,” said Ives.

Much of the chamber’s success and effectiveness comes from the dedication of the various committees and their members, said Ives.

“They are integral to our chamber and devote effort and countless hours on our behalf. Working with these committees, I can say that its rewarding work and you get to work with some great people,” he added. The chamber is active and engaged in the community, including Economic Development Commission, The Tourism and Hospitality Master Plan and more.

“We’re involved with numerous other economic development and diversification initiatives to build strong strategic partnerships with other key organizations and the Navy,” Ives stated. “These efforts are all outlines in the Strategic Plan we developed this past year to ensure our efforts are focused and relevant to the needs of the chamber members and the community businesses and members.”

Ives thanked the chamber staff, volunteers, board and many enthusiastic members for their dedication to a better tomorrow.

“The Chamber has come such a long way with the help of many, and the leadership of our President and CEO Bill Scarafia, who is retiring this year after so many years of dedication to the chamber and to the community,” said Ives.

The chamber is a direct reflection of the members and their love and dedication to the St. Mary’s County community, Ives said.

“Thank you for your uncompromising support and friendship. I and thankful for the opportunity to have served with all of you to make this community a better place to be,” said Ives.

The 2016-2017 Board of Directors was announced at the event with Ernie Williams of Community Bank of the Chesapeake taking the chair. Pat Mudd, with Mudd Engineering LLC, is the chair elect, with Dr. Tracy Harris of College of Southern Maryland and Robbie Loker, of Primary Residental Mortage, taking first and second vice chairs. Jenny Wamsey, of Murray, Wamsley, and Schrader LLC, is the 2016-2017 board treasurer, and Ives will move to the immediate past chair to continue supporting the chamber.

Table sponsors include Cedar Point Federal Credit Union; Community Bank of the Chesapeake; MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, Murray, Wamsley and Schrader, LLC; Old Line Bank, TheBayNet.com, Servpro of St. Mary’s and Calvert; Unifed Committee for Afro-American Contribution (UCAC) and W.M. Davis.

Contact Jacqui Atkielski at j.atkielski@thebaynet.com