September 2018 – Crossroads Business Journal

‘Work on the fundamentals’

Updated September 25, 2018

Rick Weldon, president and CEO of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce By MIKE LEWIS mlewis@crossroadsbizjournal.com With a work background that ranges from rural Maryland to Washington, D.C., to the depths of the ocean, Rick Weldon reasons that “a little patience, compassion, creativity and focus” can overcome just about any obstacle. Weldon was recently named president and CEO of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. He follows Elizabeth Cromwell, who resigned to take the helm of the Charlottesville (Va.) Regional Chamber of Commerce. Weldon brings a diverse background to his latest role. He served four years in the U.S. Navy submarine service then […]

Charting a course

Updated September 25, 2018

Experts agree planning needn’t be painful. By MIKE LEWIS mlewis@crossroadsbizjournal.com Strategic plans are necessary, but they don’t have to be long, complicated or painful to produce, according to some experts in the field. “I look at it as a very energizing, challenging and fun process,” said Mary Ellen Waltemire of One Step Closer Coaching, a consulting company in Hagerstown, Md. Crossroads Business Journal recently interviewed four people with experience in planning. The aim was to glean advice, tips and ideas. For example, according to some experts, you might consider tossing those three-ring binders and cases of sticky notes in favor of […]

Meritus makes big software switch

Updated September 25, 2018

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — In the past month, Meritus Medical Center and the practices of Meritus Medical Group have switched to a comprehensive medical record system called “Epic.” Epic is the most widely used in the United States. It integrates patient information into one platform for more efficient, quality care. “Our medical staff and employees have dedicated a significant amount of time during the past two years to evaluate options and select the system that best suits the needs of our patients and providers,” Joseph P. Ross, president and CEO of Meritus Health, said in a news release. “This change will transform […]

WVU Medicine Jefferson Medical Center certified as a safe sleep hospital

Updated September 25, 2018

RANSON, W.Va. — WVU Medicine Jefferson Medical Center was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Gold Safe Sleep Champion” for its commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. The center is among the first hospitals in West Virginia to receive the title. The program was created by Cribs for Kids, a Pittsburgh-based organization dedicated to preventing infant, sleep-related deaths because of accidental suffocation. In addition to being Cribs for Kids partners, Jefferson Medical Center was recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and for […]

On the books for October

Updated September 25, 2018

Several large commercial real estate transactions have been closed in the Crossroads Business Journal area in recent weeks. The map shows some of the details about those deals. The information was taken from records maintained by the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation as well as deed records held by county clerk’s offices in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The available details about property transactions vary from state to state. — Compiled by Mike Lewis […]

Shenandoah University names first provost

Updated September 25, 2018

WINCHESTER, Va. — Adrienne G. Bloss, previously vice president for academic affairs at Shenandoah University, has been named the university’s first provost. “This title change more fully reflects the full breadth and diversity of academic programming overseen by Dr. Bloss,” Shenandoah University President Tracy Fitzsimmons said in a news release. The change was effective Sept. 1. “I’m delighted to take on the role of provost at Shenandoah as we continue to add programs that provide students with educational experiences that are not only innovative, but also remain useful and relevant to students throughout their lives,” Bloss said. Bloss began her […]

A. Duie Pyle rolls into region’s logistics market

Updated October 2, 2018

By MIKE LEWIS mlewis@crossroadsbizjournal.com A. Duie Pyle’s move into the Crossroads Business Journal’s region is just one step in the company’s expansion plan. The firm, based in West Chester, Pa., has leased space for a service center off Interstate 81 near Hagerstown. It also announced plans to build a new integrated logistics center off I-81 in Franklin County, Pa., by 2020. The company is looking to expand into Virginia sometime in 2020, according to John Luciani, Pyle’s chief operating officer of Less-Than-Truckload services. “We make long-term decisions,” Luciani said, describing I-81 as “great infrastructure” for the transportation company. The Hagerstown operation, he […]

Franklin County program connects school, work

Updated September 25, 2018

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Preparing students for workforce needs in Franklin County, Pa., is the aim of a new program involving the Greater Chambersburg Chamber Foundation and the Chambersburg Area School District. More than 20 educators will participate in the Educator in the Workplace program during the 2018-19 school year, obtaining real-world experience at area employers. The knowledge gleaned from these visits will be taken back to the classroom and used to enhance their curriculum. The participating educators cover many subjects such as English, Latin, math, vo-ag, science, tech education, special education and business. Businesses and organizations the teachers will visit throughout the […]

Notes and quotes for October

Updated September 25, 2018

Things seen and overheard around the region last month, compiled by reporter Mike Lewis: ‘No wrong answer’ “I think there’s no wrong answer. … There’s no one way to be successful at strategic planning.” — Michael D. Boyd, program manager for workforce development and certification and licensure at Hagerstown Community College, on various strategic planning procedures. Sheetz For The Kidz tops $598,000 ALTOONA, Pa. — The Sheetz employee-driven charity Sheetz For The Kidz raised more than $598,000 during its annual July campaign through customer donations. It was a new July record for the nonprofit, topping last July’s total by more […]

Regional firms make Inc. 5000 list

Updated September 25, 2018

Several companies in the Crossroads Business Journal area have been named to the Inc. 5000 ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. Here’s a look at the area firms on that list, with information from Inc.: • No. 73 Mountain State Software Solutions, Ranson, W.Va. Business: Provides software integration, portal, cloud, and big data services for commercial and federal customers. Leadership: Aaron Weikle 2017 revenue: $7.7 million Employees: 42 • No. 843 B&D Consulting, Hagerstown, Md. Business: Offers technology engineering, cybersecurity, cloud computing, mobility, and unified communications. Leadership: Jeff Bearden 2017 revenue: $14.1 million Employees: 105 • No. 2,930 STS International, Berkeley Springs, W.Va. Business: Offers engineering […]