Dear Members,
I trust this message finds you all doing well as we approach mid-summer. The MDDCWA has had a busy year, and the rest of our calendar is looking equally so. As an organization, one of our primary goals is to foster collaboration with our industry partners like WIA, NATE, our carrier friends, and the infrastructure companies with whom we all work. The goal is simply to provide both educational and networking opportunities to facilitate meaningful connections.
In May, our annual baseball event at Oriole Park at Camden Yards drew more than 200 attendees and was the highlight of the spring. We started the evening with an incredible party at the brand-new Maryland Yards restaurant, within a stone’s throw of the stadium. The party continued inside the stadium where we got to watch the red-hot O’s take on the stinkin’ Yankees. But I digress. The point of the evening was about strengthening professional ties across Maryland/DC and Virginia. That’s exactly what everyone experienced.
Looking ahead, mark your calendars for our upcoming Golf Tournament at Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, MD, scheduled for Thursday, September 12th. Details and registration will be shared via our website and through email very soon. This promises to be another exceptional opportunity for networking and friendly competition.
As with any organization that is around for a long time, the MDDCWA experiences some departures from our leadership team. This year, we bid farewell to Steve Yapsuga, David Saul and Kim Calhoun, long time members of our board of directors. Both Kim and David contributed heavily to the various activities of the MDDCWA and in fact, were there at the very beginning. We wish them both a fond farewell as they make their way towards retirement. Steve has also been with us for many years and supported the organization with our social media presence but has resigned from the Board to dedicate more time to new professional ventures.
Though departures bring some sadness, they also make way for new arrivals. The MDDCWA has been so fortunate to be able to replace some of our board members with exceptional new additions. We welcomed Jennifer Burton, Assistant Vice President at McGriff Insurance as our new board secretary back in May. Shortly thereafter, we were really excited to invite Jason Worden, Regional Manager at Crown Castle to join as a board member at large. Finally, our newest addition to the MDDCWA board is Patrick Riordan, Sr. Manager at T-Mobile. We welcome each of you to the family and look forward, with great anticipation, to your contribution and participation.
Community engagement has always been central to our mission. Since 2007, we have proudly partnered with charitable organizations, donating over $332,900 to date. Thus far, proceeds from the variety of events MDDCWA does throughout the year, have gone to organizations such as Alzheimer’s Association, The V Foundation, and Rhythm Changes, who are some of our newer beneficiaries, as well as previous recipients like Maryland Food Bank, House of Ruth, 3Strands Global Foundation, Fund for Education Excellence, and Susan G. Komen.
As we look forward to the remainder of 2024, I wish each of you continued success and prosperity. Your ongoing support is invaluable, and we eagerly anticipate reconnecting with you at the Golf Tournament and Holiday Party.
Warm regards,
David