Producer Recognized

WILLARDS -- Laura Deeley Bren, president of Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley, recently congratulated Gary Waldych as Top Property & Casualty Retention Producer for 2011 at the company’s annual awards banquet.

Executive Promotion

SALISBURY, Md. – BB&T has announced the promotion of Greg Tawes to area executive for the Lower Eastern Shore. Tawes succeeds Hunter Calloway as the market leader for BB&T’s banking operations in Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties.

After successfully developing BB&T’s line of business as city executive in Southern Maryland, Tawes, a native of Crisfield and graduate of Salisbury University, has relocated with his family to Berlin.

“I am very excited to be returning to the Eastern Shore,” Tawes said. “I look forward to helping our existing clients and prospects meet their financial needs. I am also fortunate to work for an organization that is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve.”

Calloway has retired from BB&T after a distinguished 42-year banking career. He will continue to contribute to BB&T’s future as chairman of the local advisory board.  

“I plan to remain very active in a number of local organizations and am thrilled to lead the local advisory board, a critical component of BB&T’s community banking model,” Calloway said.

 As the commercial banking team continues to expand, Rob Fore has joined as a business services officer. A graduate of East Carolina University and BB&T’s Leadership Development Program, Fore is looking forward to returning to his hometown.

New Financial Officer

OCEAN CITY -- Wayne Benson, president and CEO of Bank of Ocean City, along with the Board of Directors, has announced the promotion of Susan E. Trimble, CPA to vice president and financial officer. Susan joined the Bank of Ocean City in 2010 after serving more than 17 years in public accounting.

Born and raised in Willards, she graduated from Parkside High School and went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Salisbury University. After graduation, she began working at a public accounting firm in Salisbury, where she earned her CPA designation and continued her career with the firm until joining the Bank of Ocean City in 2010 as accountant and has now taken on all the duties of financial officer.

Area Leaders Honored

SALISBURY -- Three Salisbury area leaders have been selected for the Leadership Maryland Class of 2012.

They are Dr. Clifton Griffin, Salisbury University dean of graduate studies and research; Dr. Memo Diriker, founding director of the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business’ Business, Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON); and Kathleen Mommé, executive director of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore.

Established in 1992, Leadership Maryland is an independent, educational, non-profit organization designed to inform top-level executives, from the public and private sectors, about the critical issues, challenges and opportunities facing Maryland and its regions. Griffin, Diriker and Mommé are among 52 leaders selected to participate in the eight-month program.

At SU, Griffin provides administrative oversight of SU’s 14 master’s degrees and five post-secondary certificate programs.

At BEACON, Diriker advises a large number of private, public, and nonprofit sector organizations, specializing in the use of scenario analysis and in demographic, business and economic trend forecasting.

At the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, Mommé oversees an annual campaign raising over $1 million for 60 community programs in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties.

Top Performers
BERLIN -- Dr. Carl E. Ortman of RE/MAX Premier Properties announced the top performers for January.

The top listing producer was a three-way tie between Pam Price, Marlene Ott, and Holly Campbell. Earning top position for sales volume was Campbell and Mary Ann O’Malley, both over the $1,000,000 mark.