HVBF Monthly Meeting - Facilities, Security, Transportation Roundtable
Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Host:

The Graduate Center at Loyola College

Attendees:

Harry Andrews, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Lynn Argenbright, RSM McGladrey Insurance Services, Inc.
Ben Bartlett, CB Richard Ellis
Joe Biglin, BreakAway Ltd.
Brian Cain, Dunbar Armored
Michelle Chambers, Arthur F. Bell, Jr., & Associates, LLC
John Davis, High Gear
Mark Demski, Balto. County Dept. Homeland Security/ Emergency Mgmnt
Alan Elkin, Advance Business Systems
Lois Elkin, Advance Business Systems
Jim Gower, 3PARdata, Inc
Mark Habicht, Kirk-Habicht Company,
John Hermann, Corporate Office Properties Trust
Ned Himmelrich, Gordon, Feinblatt, Rothman, Hoffberger & Hollander
Marty Janka, McCormick & Company
Tammy Jones, KCI Technologies
Kelly Kosino, State Highway Administration
Laura Kyle, Courtyard Marriott Hunt Valley
Capt. Marty Lurz, Baltimore County Police Dept.
Capt. David Marzola, Maryland Transit Police
Tom Maze, Polaris Human Capital Development
Hanna Sacks, Baltimore County Executive’s Office
Lou Santoni, Santoni Marketplace and Catering Company,
Paula Schwanebeck, Corporate Office Properties Trust
Ketch Secor, CB Richard Ellis
Rick Shapiro, Valley Motors
Chris Sikora, Fisher’s Bakery
Chris Smith, TriAlliance
Steve Spund, Greetings & Readings
Jim Timmerman, Miles & Stockbridge, P.C.
Helga Weschke , Baltimore County Dept of Economic Development
Bob Williams, Maryland Department of Economic Development
Mike Young, Stout, Causey & Horning

Three outstanding companies in the Hunt Valley area discussed with us the things that make them “cutting edge”. Helga Weschke of the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development facilitated the discussion. Lois Elkin represented Advance Business Systems, Joe Biglin represented BreakAway Ltd and Mike Young represented Stout, Causey & Horning, PA. All are members of the Hunt Valley Business Forum.

Helga asked each in turn to tell us a little about their companies and then followed up with three questions.

What type of growth has your firm experienced over the last several
years? Sales; Number of employees; physical plant.

Does technological growth mean more jobs or fewer jobs? Have skill
requirements changed for your workforce?

What pressure do you feel as a leader in your industry?

Each panelist responded with answers that indicated that even though the companies were dramatically different, the similarities of entrepreneurship, leadership, culture and seized opportunity were remarkably similar.

An active question and answer period followed the discussions.

More information about these leaders can be found in the Members Section of our website www.hvbf.org.

Capt. Marty Lurz reported on public safety issues in Precinct 7. The crime of the month seems to be the theft of ATM machines. Marty reported that machines are being literally towed off of their moorings by thieves in trucks. Unusual activity around ATM machines should be reported to 911.

Capt David Marzola reported on public safety issues concerning light rail operations. It takes only a few seconds with a Sawzall to remove a catalytic converter from an automobile. Precious metals in the converter make it an objective for thieves. Since there is little you can do to prevent such a theft, David suggests that when leaving your car all day at a Park and Ride, park in a conspicuous place. Thieves are less likely to operate in full view.

Mark Demski of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management was introduced and gave a brief report.