ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. (July 1, 2011)—John C. "Jack" Saum, president and CEO of Beltway Companies in Maryland, and his wife Jeanne Brady Saum, of Davidsonville, Maryland, both alumni of St. Mary's College of Maryland, have donated a gift of $50,000 to their alma mater.
The Beltway Companies Endowed Scholarship Fund will make annual scholarship awards to students with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students from Baltimore City public schools and family members of those who work in the commercial trucking and transportation industry. Internship opportunities also will be made available to scholarship recipients at Beltway Companies or within the commercial trucking and transportation industry.
"This industry has been good to me and I want to give back to the community," said Saum, who has been involved with Beltway since he was 14. "Commercial transportation can provide many career opportunities. I hope the internships will help develop individuals who will want to grab those opportunities and build careers in this industry."
This scholarship is part of Saum's and Beltway Companies' greater commitment to corporate social responsibility. In addition to this gift, the company has become a leader in environmentally responsible business practices, including sales of alternative powered vehicles, fuel-efficient retrofits, and energy conservation initiatives at its dealer locations.
After graduating from St. Mary's with a degree in economics in 1989, Saum joined Beltway fulltime. He graduated from the UCLA-Anderson School of Business Executive Dealership Program, and serves as the chairman of the board for Idealease Inc., as a board member of Maryland Auto Dealers Association, and treasurer of Maryland Motor Truck Political Action Committee. Jeanne Saum graduated from St. Mary's in 1988 with a degree in sociology/anthropology. She went on to receive a masters in general administration from the University of Maryland, University College, and was employed at the Federal Aviation Administration for nearly 15 years. Jack and Jeanne have three children. Jeanne shares her interest in photography by volunteering as a photographer at their children's schools.
Beltway Companies is a holding company for seven commercial truck dealerships in Maryland with more than 86 service bays and over $6.5 million in stocked parts. Beltway Idealease provides trucks for lease and rental. Locations include Beltway International in Baltimore, Beltway International East in East Baltimore, Capitol Cities International in Annapolis, Central Maryland International in Hagerstown and Frederick, North East International in Elkton, and Western Maryland International in Cumberland. Additional information can be found at www.beltwaycompanies.com.