ANNAPOLIS (June 6, 2008) - The Maryland Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) named St. Mary’s County Chamber President & CEO Bill Scarafia its 2008 Chamber Executive of the Year.
“Bill is an outstanding leader and a strong advocate for chambers of commerce,” said Pam Klahr, CCE, President and CEO of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce and 2008 MACCE President. “He is problem solver who is always willing to offer his support and advice to colleagues.”
Scarafia's peers credit him with several significant accomplishments including his participation on a community team that helped Lockheed Martin employees and spouses transferring to NAS Pax River to work on the Joint Strike Fighter Program.
“The St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce is now a strong voice for the business community and is an important stakeholder in community issues. This was made possible by the leadership of Bill Scarafia,” said St. Mary’s County Chamber Chair Mary Anne Murray of Murray & Wamsley, LLC, CPA.
Scarafia served as MACCE President in 2005 and 2007.
This was the fifth time MACCE has named a Chamber Executive of the Year. Past winners include Kathleen T. Snyder, CCE, President & CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce; Barbara Buehl, Executive Director of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce; Walt Townshend, President & CEO of the Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber; and Fred Teeter, former President of the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
All chamber executives in the state with three years of service were eligible for the award. Nominations were made by the volunteer leadership of the respective chambers. Criteria upon which the nominees were judged include accomplishments, fiscal management, professional development and community involvement.
The judging panel was comprised of the MACCE President, past winners of the award, and chamber executives appointed by MACCE who were not nominees.