So. Md. Business News Briefs


St. Charles Companies Appoints Richard Barnas Vice President for Land Planning, Management and Operations

ST. CHARLES—The St. Charles Companies announced that Richard Barnas has joined the St. Charles Companies as Vice President for Land Planning, Management and Operations. Mr. Barnas returns to the company after previously serving as a vice president overseeing St. Charles’ land development operations between 1998 and 2003. Mr. Barnas is a registered professional engineer in Maryland, Arizona and California

"We are pleased to have Rick rejoin our team at St. Charles," said Matthew M. Martin, President. "Rick has more than 30 years of experience in land development and construction and will be a strong addition to our management team.” Mr. Martin continued, “Rick’s experience in land development in general, and in St. Charles and Charles County in particular, will ensure the steady delivery of lots to our builders and maintain the company’s position as Southern Maryland's best-selling new home community. He is well respected in our industry and in our county, allowing for a rapid transition as St. Charles continues to fulfill its vision."

Over the past 11 years, Mr. Barnas has applied his skills in land development and construction, including design, entitlement processing, project management, cost estimating, contract negotiations and construction management, for clients across the country. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of the Suburban Maryland Engineer's Society. Mr. Barnas is a University of Maryland alumnus, graduating magna cum laude in civil engineering.

Port of Leonardtown Continues to Taste Gold

LEONARDTOWN—The Port of Leonardtown Winery continues to receive gold medals at competitions. The 27th Annual Tasters Guild International Wine Judging, held at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education in Grand Rapids Michigan on April 30 – May 3, 2014, bestowed one gold and four silver medals on Port of Leonardtown Wineries entries.

Over 2,000 wines from 8 countries and 37 states/provinces were judged this year. The judging panels were comprised of a carefully selected mix of retailers, winemakers, wine writers, restaurateurs, wine educators and experienced consumers.

Port of Leonardtown Winery received a gold medal for 2011 Chardonnay and silver medals for McIntosh Run ,2012 Chaptico Rose, 1634 Chardonnay, 2010 Chambourcin Reserve.

“Our wines are consistently scoring high marks competing with other regional and international wines.” said winemaker Patrick Isles. “This is continuing testament that fine wines can be produced here in Southern Maryland.”

"We are very proud that we are being recognized for our focus on high quality wines. We have now received over 100 awards since our opening in 2010" said Charlie Murphy, president of the Southern Maryland Wine Growers Cooperative.

Port of Leonardtown Winery is a cooperative of more than a dozen southern Maryland vineyards and the grapes used for our wines are Maryland grown. Visit the website for more information, www.portofleonardtownwinery.com.

Caught My Eye Opens in Leonardtown

LEONARDTOWN—Tasnim McWilliams has opened Caught My Eye, at 22760 Washington Street in Leonardtown. The shop features hand-made and one of a kind products and vintage furnishings from near and far, as well as work by local artists. Call (301) 475-6805 for more information.

Local Business Community Teams up to Show its Appreciation with Annual Community Block Party

LUSBY—The Lusby Business Association will host its 5th customer appreciation event, Shop Local/Spring Fling Block Party, on Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 11am-2pm.

The community event will be filled with lots of family fun activities including: live music/DJ , moon bounce, kids fitness challenge, Tom Critters party animals, Solomons Fire & Rescue Department exhibit & demonstrations, D.A.R.E., face painting, scavenger hunt, free raffle giveaway, sidewalk sales and more.

“We’re so excited to do a town center block party again this year. This event is an opportunity to tell our customers that we appreciate their business, and promote the importance of shopping local,” said Nance Pretto Simmons, president of the Lusby Business Association. This year, LBA is also welcoming all interested candidates running for a public office in Calvert County to do a meet & greet during the LBA Shop Local block party and will host a voter registration drive.

The Lusby Business Association is the newest of business associations in the county. It was founded in 2009 for the purposes to be an advocate for Lusby businesses and to providing a local forum for businesses in Lusby to strategize and partner with fellow local businesses to improve and stabilize the local economy by participating in collaborative endeavors. The LBA seeks to promote public awareness on the importance and value of buying local to improve the profitability and vitality of businesses in Lusby.

The event is free and open to the public. Vendor tables also are available. For more information on the block party, vendor and membership inquiries, visit the Lusby Business Association’s website at www.shoplusby.com or email info [at] shoplusby.com.

Precise Systems part of team which wins SPAWARSYSCEN contract

LEXINGTON PARK—Precise Systems, Inc. of Lexington Park, Md., announced that The Sotera Defense Solutions Team, of which Precise Systems is a member, was awarded a prime contract on the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWARSYSCEN) Atlantic Transport, Computing and Infrastructure Pillar (TCI).

The multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract vehicle will be used to procure services and solutions (equipment and services) associated with the full system lifecycle support including research, development, test, evaluation, production and fielding of sustainable, secure, survivable, and interoperable Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (C5ISR), Information Operations, Enterprise Information Services (EIS) and Space capabilities.

Precise Systems, Inc. is an Employee Owned Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) founded in 1990 and headquartered in Lexington Park, Md., with additional offices in the Washington, D.C. area and North Carolina. Precise Systems, Inc. provides innovative solutions and extraordinary service to federal organizations and program offices in the areas of acquisition and engineering; information technology; logistics; and program management. For more information about Precise Systems, visit www.goprecise.com.

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