The Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore is pleased to announce the appointment of two esteemed community leaders to its board of directors. Beth Spurry, of Trappe, and Susie Dillon, of Oxford, have been named to the board, bringing with them a wealth of experience and a renewed commitment to the organization’s mission.

Both Ms. Spurry and Ms. Dillion are returning to the board, having previously served and contributed significantly to the Fund’s initiatives. Their reappointment underscores the organization’s dedication to leveraging experienced leadership to further its goals of empowering women and girls on the Mid-Shore.

About Beth Spurry

Beth Spurry is a seasoned professional in the financial industry and president of Tred Avon Family Wealth. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Trust and Financial Advisor, and has served on the Maryland Banker’s Association Trust Committee. 

Her impressive career includes roles as senior vice president at Wye Trust (now Wye Financial Partners) and vice president at Mercantile Trust. Prior to that, she worked as a financial advisor at H.C. Wainwright and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. 

Spurry holds a Bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s degree from Washington College.  She is married to Charles Capute and has an adult daughter and four stepchildren. 

About Susie Dillion 

Susie Dillon, a dedicated educator and community leader, brings a wealth of experience to her newest role. Born and raised in the Washington DC area, Dillon has made significant contributions to education and community service throughout her career.

Dillon served as Head of the Upper School at The Country School from 1989 to 2005. Her commitment to education extended beyond the classroom, as evidenced by her long-standing service on the Talbot County Public School board from 1992 to 2012, including a decade as vice president from 1992 to 2002.

Her passion for education and leadership was further demonstrated by serving as trustee and chair of The Gunston School from 2006 to 2012. Dillon’s community involvement includes serving on the Talbot Hospice board from 2017 to 2023, showcasing her dedication to compassionate care and support for those in need.

A devoted family person, Dillon is the proud mother of three children and grandmother to ten grandchildren.

“We are thrilled to welcome Beth and Susie back to our board,” said Karen Kaludis, president of the Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore. “Their previous service to our organization has been invaluable, and we look forward to the continued insights and leadership they will bring to our efforts in supporting women and girls in our community.”

For more information about the Women & Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore and its initiatives, please visit /womenandgirlsfund.org/ or contact Mia Cranford @[email protected].

About the Women and Girls Fund of the Mid-Shore

The mission of the Women and Girls Fund is to use the power of pooled resources to improve the lives of women and girls on Maryland’s Mid-Shore. Our goals are: To understand the needs of women & girls throughout the Mid-Shore and to raise awareness of these needs in our communities.

Maryland State House

A senior official under former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) is starting a lobbying and consulting firm.

Jeanne Haddaway-Riccio joins forces with Robert Rauch to form R & R Solutions, a lobbying and consulting firm. The new firm will be led by four principals: Haddaway-Riccio, Rauch, Ryan Snow, and Jennifer Williams.

Haddaway-Riccio is a Republican former state delegate from the Eastern Shore who served three years as deputy chief of staff to Hogan. She was later appointed secretary of the Department of Natural Resources by Hogan in 2019, a position that she held until Hogan left office in 2023.

Rauch, a civil engineer, is chair of Rauch Inc.’s board and served on the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.

Snow also held roles in the Hogan administration, including director of intergovernmental affairs. He was also a project manager for Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism. He is currently a consultant specializing in economic development and infrastructure.

Williams, a former president of the Talbot County Council, is an attorney and real estate broker.

In a statement, Haddaway-Ricco said the firm will focus on legislative advocacy, regulatory affairs, grassroots mobilization, strategic consulting and grant writing.

“Our team’s deep-rooted knowledge of local, state, and federal issues, combined with our strategic approach to advocacy, uniquely positions us to effect real change,” Haddaway-Riccio said in her statement. “We are committed to driving meaningful policy advancements for the betterment of our state and our nation.”

Chamber hires Wiggins for government affairs role

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce announced it has named Grason Wiggins as its new vice president of government affairs.

Wiggins joins the 7,000-member organization from the lobbying firm of Harris Jones & Malone, where the chamber said he worked closely with legislators and the Moore administration on policies affecting the state’s economy. Before that, he was senior manager of government affairs for the Maryland Multi-housing Association and director of legislative and regulatory affairs at the Maryland Department of Labor.

Wiggins holds a law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

“His understanding of Maryland’s legislative landscape makes him an ideal advocate for our members,” Chamber President and CEO Mary D. Kane said in a prepared statement. “Grason’s work will be crucial in shaping policies that strengthen our state’s economy and improve our communities.”

Wiggins replaces Andrew Griffin, who served the last five years as the chamber’s senior vice president government relations, before leaving last week to join the lobbying firm Providence Strategies.

by Bryan P. Sears, Maryland Matters
August 8, 2024

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: [email protected]. Follow Maryland Matters on Facebook and X.

Even if you don’t know about Jason Lee, you probably know or have been a client of his. Since 1999 Lee has owned and operated the very successful Jason’s Computer Services on Centreville Road in Easton. But if you do know Lee then you know that this 44-year-old is facing a critical health challenge that has put his life on pause. Perhaps ‘pause’ would be too harsh of a word, because despite everything he is going through, he still manages to successfully run his business and his life. But, Lee is desperately in need of a kidney and so for now he’s dependent on dialysis to keep him alive. His story is one of remarkable resilience and hope in the face of a complex medical system. 

To understand this resilience, you have to go back to 1987, when Lee, just seven years old, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aggressive treatments involved radiation and chemotherapy. “The drugs they used back then are banned now,” Lee said. “It’s a miracle I’m even here, alive. Of all the six kids that were around me at the hospital, my parents had to watch every child die. Except for their own.” Lee’s memories of that period are hazy, compartmentalized in his mind, surfacing only through photographs. “It feels like another person went through those challenges,” he says, describing what he calls his ‘out-of-body experience.’

Nevertheless, this early brush with mortality shaped Lee’s outlook on life and gave him the fortitude to say: “Let’s go world. Whatcha got for me today?” This attitude became important when in his early 30s Lee began experiencing symptoms of kidney disease. 

Initially dismissive, he ignored the warning signs. “I was young and stubborn, thinking I knew better,” he said. Routine blood tests revealed declining kidney function, a condition he reluctantly acknowledged only after persistent urging from his doctors. The diagnosis: his kidneys were failing, a delayed consequence of the aggressive treatments that saved his life decades earlier. 

Now, Lee finds himself in need of a kidney transplant in a medical system process that has proven to be frustratingly complex. “It’s like a dark secret society. No one tells you anything about where you are on the list. From the moment I’ve started this process to now, which will be two years in October, I have no idea where I am on the schedule, what my status is, or even if I’m listed or not at any given moment.” It doesn’t help that he’s also dealing with a very rare blood type—O negative.

So while he waits for a kidney donor, Lee has been on the grueling process of dialysis. “Dialysis is a lifeline, but it’s not a solution,” he said. The process, which involves filtering his blood through a machine, is physically and emotionally draining. Jason goes for treatment twice a week. “If conditions worsen, I might have to go more often,” he added.

It doesn’t help that the system does not seem to be working with him. He said he suddenly became inactive on the National Kidney Registry at the same time that a donor became available and willed a kidney to him. “There seems to be a disconnect. Keeping people on dialysis, keeps them alive, right? But each dialysis session costs between $18,000-$21,000 and the reality is, it’s a business, a revenue stream. What’s the point in getting me a kidney, when they can make all that money from keeping me sick?” Five days after being removed from the donor list, Lee became eligible again. He’s now considering seeking treatment outside of the University of Maryland system, exploring options that might better align with his health needs and expedite the transplant process.

As dialysis takes a physical toll, the waiting process is emotionally taxing. “It’s exhausting,” he says. Yet, despite his health challenges, Lee continues to run and grow a thriving business that services approximately three thousand people weekly. He is proud to provide attention and top-notch service which has earned him a loyal customer base. “I love what I do, and I want to keep doing it,” he said.  But running a business while managing a serious health condition is no small feat. Jason’s daily routine requires balancing his business responsibilities with his medical treatments. “It’s challenging, but my work keeps me grounded,” he said. His business provides financial stability and a sense of purpose and normalcy amidst the ongoing health crisis.

Seeing so many people every day, presents yet another challenge, a reminder that he is no closer to a kidney today than he was a couple of years ago. “People come in or they call asking how I am, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

Lee’s resilience is evident in his approach to his condition and the medical system. Perhaps that’s why he’s still alive, he contemplates. “Maybe I’m here to challenge the system, things seem to have gone in the wrong direction.” Yet, despite it all, Lee remains hopeful and when asked if he thinks he will eventually get a kidney, he says. “I think I will. Why? Because I’m tenacious and I’ll make a big enough scene.”

For those considering becoming kidney donors, Lee emphasizes the impact they could have. “This gift goes both ways. Yes, it gives someone a second lease on life. But speaking from experience, knowing you’ve forever impacted another human’s journey in such a profound way – that’s an amazing feeling too.”

As he continues his search for a donor, Lee remains determined. “I’ve got so much more living to do. My perfect donor match is out there somewhere. I know they’ll find me when the time is right.”

Easton Utilities has named Tracie A. Thomas as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Secretary of the Commission. Thomas replaces Steve Ochse who retired after nine successful years as the CFO. “I am excited for this opportunity at an important time in our evolution and look forward to ensuring a solid financial future for Easton Utilities,” said Thomas.  

As the CFO, Thomas will oversee all aspects of Easton Utilities’ financial management in a progressively challenging financial and regulatory environment. Working closely with the CEO and department heads, she will focus on executing the mission statement of Easton Utilities – to enhance the quality of life in our community. Tracie will also maintain oversight of the Accounting, Customer Service, and Billing and Collections operations.

Tracie has been with Easton Utilities since 2000, where she started as Controller and took on increasing levels of responsibility over time. Before this role, she was the Vice President of Customer Services, and before that the Director of Accounting, Customer Service and Procurement. “Tracie brings more than 25 years of accounting leadership and solid utility industry knowledge, both of which will play a pivotal role in the ongoing success of our organization,” said Hugh E. Grunden, President and CEO of Easton Utilities. 

Tracie holds a BS in Accounting from Salisbury University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. She also holds a Chartered Global Management Accountant designation. In 2019, she was nominated as a ‘Women to Watch’ and recognized as an outstanding female CPA by the Maryland Association of CPA’s. She is a graduate of Leadership Maryland (2022) and Shore Leadership (2019) and has been involved with a variety of local nonprofit organizations. Tracie is most dedicated to the Waterfowl Festival and Waterfowl Chesapeake where she spent many years on both boards. She also performs with the Mid-Shore Community Band as a clarinetist. Tracie is native to the Eastern Shore; born in Cambridge and raised in Easton where she currently resides. 

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Visit eastonutilities.com for more information.

Queen Anne’s County Economic Development Commission Launches Community Survey to Shape Future Economic Strategy

The Queen Anne’s County Economic Development Commission (EDC) is pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive community survey aimed at gathering valuable feedback from residents and workers in the county. This survey is a critical component of the EDC’s efforts to update its economic development strategic action plan, which will guide the commission’s work over the next five years.

The survey seeks input on the EDC’s services, programs, and priorities that will both support economic growth and enhance the quality of life in Queen Anne’s County. Residents and workers are encouraged to participate, as their insights guide county’s economic development activities for the next 5 years.

Survey Details:

• Link to Survey: https://bit.ly/QACETD-2024
• Deadline: 5 p.m., Friday, June 21
• Estimated Completion Time: 10 minutes
• Confidentiality: All responses are confidential

“Your feedback is essential in helping us understand the community’s needs and priorities,” said Heather Tinelli, Director of QAC Economic & Tourism Development. “By taking just a few minutes to complete the survey, you are contributing to a robust plan that aims to foster a thriving and diverse economy in Queen Anne’s County.”

“We are excited to embark on this project and look forward to collaborating with the community to create a strategic plan that reflects our shared vision for the future,” added Heather Bacher, Chair of the Queen Anne’s County Economic Development Commission. “Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient economy for Queen Anne’s County.”

For any questions regarding the survey, please contact Rebecca Clark at [email protected]

The EDC extends its gratitude to all participants for their invaluable input in this important effort.

About Queen Anne’s County Economic Development Commission: The Queen Anne’s County Economic Development Commission is dedicated to fostering economic growth, enhancing the quality of life, and supporting the business community in Queen Anne’s County through strategic planning, resource development, and collaborative initiatives.