Mid-Shore Pro Bono (MSPB) is proud to announce Meredith Lathbury Girard, Esq. has joined their team as the organization’s first-ever Managing Attorney.

In this role, Girard will oversee and manage all of MSPB’s legal projects, including the Economic Stability Project, Elder Law Project, Family Law Project, and Vulnerable Populations Assistance Project. This newly-created position is critical to expanding MSPB’s capacity to serve the community’s legal needs.

In addition to overseeing legal programs, Girard will also help educate and empower MSPB’s volunteer attorney network, cultivate community partnerships and help raise funds to support programs and organizational sustainability.

“We are thrilled to welcome Meredith to this new role on our team,” said Sandy Brown, Mid-Shore Pro Bono Executive Director. “As a volunteer attorney since 2017, Meredith has been immersed in our work and has first-hand experience with our clients and their challenges. This position is crucial for MSPB to raise the level of service to our community, and Meredith is perfect for this position. She brings her legal expertise in environmental land use, real property and elder law as well as a deep understanding of non-profit services, especially on the Eastern Shore.”

Girard comes to MSPB following nearly eight years with the Town Creek Foundation where she served as the Senior Program Officer and led over $30 million in grant making to restore the Chesapeake Bay and reform the region’s food and agriculture system through policy advocacy, legal enforcement and communications. Prior to her work with the Town Creek Foundation, she was the Director of Land Acquisition and Planning with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources where she led Maryland’s nationally-recognized Program Open Space.

Girard’s land-use and environmental background also includes her roles as the Director of Land Protection with the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Vice President of Conservation and General Counsel for the Potomac Conservancy, and a Natural Resources Planner with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. She was the 2008 winner of the Aileen Hughes Award for Outstanding Leadership in Land Conservation.

Girard is a graduate of the Vermont Law School and Penn State University and is a member of the Maryland and Federal Bars.

Girard is active member of the community. She currently serves as co-leader of Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay’s Troop 855, and has served on the Rural Maryland Council’s Grants Review Board, Steering Team of the Chesapeake Foodshed Network, as well as co-chair of Washington Regional Food Funders and Chesapeake Bay Funders Network.

Girard lives in Easton with her husband, Alan Girard, and three children. She enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, camping, and sailing with her family.

About Mid-Shore Pro Bono
Mid-Shore Pro Bono connects low-income individuals and families who need civil legal services with volunteer attorneys and community resources across the Eastern Shore. Founded in 2005, Mid-Shore Pro Bono is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our dedicated staff and volunteers work to eliminate barriers and provide access to justice for all Eastern Shore residents. For more information or to make a donation, call Mid-Shore Pro Bono at 410-690-8128 or visit www.midshoreprobono.org.

Chestertown is a great place to open a new business or expand an existing one.  The Greater Chestertown Initiative is pleased to announce the newest recipients of an Open for Business Loan – the Pallares brothers – Enrique & Felipe, owners of Casa Carmen Winery and their newly opened venture – The Wine House.

The Casa Carmen Wine House is located at 312 Cannon Street in downtown Chestertown. The renovated 600 sq. ft. space provides a winery tasting room that includes a bar, 26 indoor seats and 16 outdoor seats. Conceived in the spirit of traditional Spanish and South American bodegas, The Wine House offers tapas, and wine on tap as well as by the bottle and the glass.

The Wine House is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 10 pm.

Casa Carmen’s carefully crafted old-world style dry wines pair perfectly with their creative menu based on premium Iberian tin fish, Spanish meats and cheeses, and the best local produce. Their tantalizing assortment of tapas and pintxos offer something for the most sophisticated palate or for those eager for a welcoming place to meet-up with friends throughout the day and into the night.  They are a welcome addition to ever expanding culinary community.  Eat, drink and celebrate Chestertown.

The Greater Chestertown Initiative (GCI) Open for Business Loan Program was established by the GCI and the SFW Foundation to aid economic development in Chestertown.  Carla Massoni currently serves as its chairman.  The program seeks to foster economic development in Chestertown by providing financial assistance through matching funds and interest-free loans to eligible individuals/businesses looking to start a new business, expand or relocate operations to Chestertown. Residency in the town is not required of the business owner(s); however, the business must be physically located in Chestertown.

Kay MacIntosh, the Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator for Chestertown, is actively engaged in supporting Chestertown entrepreneurs through the Arts & Entertainment District and Main Street Chestertown.  There are numerous funding opportunities available to local businesses through these programs.

For more about information about opportunities in Chestertown visit www.townofchestertown.com.   For an  Open for Business online application, visit:  www.openforbusinessinchestertown.com.

Easton Utilities has promoted Steven “Steve” Ochse to Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO. Steve’s responsibility includes oversight of all financial activities by providing strategic financial leadership for long-range planning. “Steve has been instrumental to our success over the past four years and this promotion reflects his ability to oversee our fiscal management practices and strategic financial planning,” said Hugh E. Grunden, President and CEO of Easton Utilities.

The role of Senior Vice President of Finance and CEO is an executive level position focused on developing, implementing and enforcing policies in a challenging financial and regulatory environment. Steve works closely with the executive team and nine department heads, with particular emphasis on costs controls, energy procurement, risk management, financial initiatives, and customer experience.

Steve is an alumnus of Leadership Maryland, Class of 2018 and Shore Leadership, Class of 2009. He is active in the community and has volunteered with several organizations to include Rotary Club of Easton, UMMS Shore Regional Health Foundation, Chesapeake College, the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA. Steve has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Baltimore and is a CPA. Steve resides in Easton with his wife and has two sons and a daughter. When he is not working, he enjoys playing basketball at the Easton YMCA, golfing and spending time with the family. “Steve is a natural born leader with a positive demeanor which is enjoyed by all,” added Grunden.

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Visit eastonutilities.com for more information.

Delmarva Power customers can now apply for energy bill assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Customers in Delaware and Maryland can receive more than $1,000 in grant support toward their energy bill by applying through the program in their state.

“We are committed to providing our customers with affordable energy service,” said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power region president. “Each year, LIHEAP provides a crucial resource for customers that need financial support and our teams work extremely hard, hand in hand with local community organizations, to make sure customers are aware of this vital funding. It is important for customers to apply as early as possibly to ensure they receive the assistance they need.”

Grant eligibility differs by state and is based on a customer’s annual household income and size. A customer’s annual household income cannot exceed 175 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines in Maryland or 200 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines in Delaware. Homeowners, renters, roomers, and subsidized housing tenants may be eligible. Customers do not have to be behind on their bills to receive a grant.

Maryland’s eligibility requirements are as follows:

– $21,858 – One-person household
– $29,593 – Two-person household
– $37,328 – Three-person household
– $45,063 – Four-person household

Delaware’s eligibility requirements are as follows:

– $24,288 – One-person household
– $32,928 – Two-person household
– $41,568 – Three-person household
– $50,208 – Four-person household

In Maryland, customers can apply for LIHEAP energy assistance through the Department of Human Services website, by visiting a Local Administering Agency, or by calling the Office of Home Energy Programs at 800-332-6347. In Delaware, customers can apply for LIHEAP energy assistance by visiting the Department of Health and Services website or by calling 302-644-9295 in New Castle County, 302-674-1782 in Kent County, or 302-856-6310 in Sussex County.

In 2018, Delmarva Power’s customer advocate team connected 17,000 customers with more than $5.3 million in energy assistance. In addition to LIHEAP, Delmarva Power provides customers several ways to save money and manage energy costs. My Account provides a web-based interactive tool, giving customers a detailed analysis of personal electric use and offers helpful ways to save. Customers can visit delmarva.com to learn more about available energy assistance programs and tips to save money and energy.

Delmarva Power works with customers who may have difficulty paying their energy bill. Through payment options such as flexible payment arrangements that offer individually tailored payment installment plans or budget billing. This program averages payments over a 12-month period to help customers manage their monthly electricity costs. Customers who may be struggling to make a payment should contact Delmarva Power as soon as possible at 800-375-7117.

To learn more about Delmarva Power, visit The Source, Delmarva Power’s online news room. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/delmarvapower and on Twitter at twitter.com/delmarvaconnect. Delmarva Power’s mobile app is available at delmarva.com/mobileapp.

Delmarva Power is a unit of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading energy provider, with approximately 10 million customers. Delmarva Power provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 527,000 electric customers in Delaware and Maryland and approximately 134,000 natural gas customers in northern Delaware.

Leadership Maryland, the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders, is now accepting applications for the Class of 2020. Leadership Maryland’s selection committee will choose 52 applicants to complete an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues.

Applications are open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland applicants will have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. The chosen class will reflect a cross-section of the state by including diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity, age and gender.

“Leadership Maryland offers an eye-opening, hands-on learning program that many of our alumni consider to be one of the most rewarding experiences of their careers,” said Renée Winsky, ’05, president and Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Maryland. “We are searching for the next cohort of our state’s most impassioned and motivated leaders. Our Class of 2020 will gain knowledge of Maryland’s challenges, insight into their own personal influence and leadership ability, and lifelong access to an incredible network of the state’s most influential leaders.”

To be considered for the Class of 2020, application packages must include:

– Completed application, available online only at www.LeadershipMD.org;
– Paid non-refundable application fee of $250;
– Two references;
– One letter of recommendation;
– Authorizing official statement from applicant’s supervisor or CEO (unless applicant is self-employed or are their own supervisor);
– Professional color photo

Completed application packages and registration fees must be received by Leadership Maryland (134 Holiday Court, Suite 318, Annapolis, Md. 21401) by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Upon acceptance of the application, candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview with members of the Leadership Maryland selection committee. The selected Class of 2020 will be announced in early February 2020.

Before applying, candidates should know they will be able to attend Class of 2020 sessions on the following dates:

– March 23 (evening reception)
– April 23 & 24 (mandatory)
– May 14 & 15
– June 18 & 19
– July 16 & 17
– September 24 & 25
– October 22 & 23
– November 13
– December 8

Full information regarding Leadership Maryland’s application instructions, selection process, tuition and financial assistance, 2020 program dates and locations, and attendance policy are available at www.LeadershipMD.org. Anyone with questions may contact Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or Info@LeadershipMD.org.

About Leadership Maryland
Leadership Maryland is a professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders. Each year, as many as 52 diverse and accomplished executives from Maryland’s public and private sectors are selected to come together as a class for an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. The first Leadership Maryland class graduated in 1993, and the organization’s alumni network now consists of more than 1,100 leaders from all industries and regions of the state. To learn more, please call Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or visit www.LeadershipMD.org.