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Emmes President and CEO named among Washington Business Journal’s 2021 ‘Women Who Mean Business’

Posted on by Amanda Bosland
Congratulations to Christine Dingivan, President and CEO of Emmes!
Emmes is a global full service clinical research organization (CRO) dedicated to supporting the advancement of public health and biopharmaceutical innovation. Emmes serves on REDI’s Board of Directors as Vice Chair.

ROCKVILLE, Md., October 11, 2021 — Christine Dingivan, President and CEO of Rockville-based clinical research organization Emmes, was recognized among the Washington Business Journal’s 2021 ‘Women Who Mean Business’ award recipients.

Dingivan joined Emmes in September 2020 at the height of the industry’s response to Covid-19. Emmes was a key contributor to the data and statistical analysis work for Moderna’s Covid vaccine trials and the National Institute of Health’s evaulation of Covid-19 treatments. Under Dingivan’s leadership, Emmes grew, expanding its network internationally and increasing its employees by 200 in 2021.

The 2021 Washington Business Journal ‘Women Who Mean Business’ honored 25 women at an awards banquet on Thursday, October 7 at the Ritz Carlton in Washington D.C.  Each year women from various industries and professions across the Washington D.C. region who have made a difference in their communities, blazed a trail for others and are leaving an indelible mark on business in the region are selected from a public pool of nominations and determined by a panel of judges made up of program alumni.

Read Christine Dingivan’s Washington Business Journal ‘Women Who Mean Business’ profile here: Women Who Mean Business 2021 – Christine Dingivan

The Rockville Chamber of Commerce Announces 2021 Rock Star Award Winners

Posted on by Amanda Bosland

The Rockville Chamber of Commerce (RCC) annually recognizes its 'Rock Stars of the Year' including Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and Community Service Award

Press Release originally published by Rockville Chamber of Commerce on September 27, 2021

ROCKVILLE, MD — The Rockville Chamber of Commerce (RCC) annually recognizes its Rock Stars of the Year in the following categories: Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Young Professional of the Year and the Community Service Award. Following are this year’s winners in each category.

Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a company that has been in business for at least five years with revenue under $5M. Specific criteria include: flexibility, innovation and has a proven unique business and marketing strategy that has benefited the Rockville community. The 2021 Small Business of the Year is SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney. Presented by last year’s winner, Pam Clark of Clark Concepts.

Large Business of the Year recognizes a company committed to the vitality and community in Rockville, which has over 50 employees and over $5M in revenue. Specific criteria include:  a commitment to their employees, their customers and has invested time, energy, and resources in the Rockville community. The 2021 Large Business of the Year is Marquis Health Services – Collingswood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Presented by last year’s winner, Dan Cochran of Adventist Healthcare, Shady Grove Medical Center.

The Non-Profit of the Year recognizes outstanding practices among Rockville’s diverse non-profit organizations. Specific criteria include success in creating a lasting and beneficial impact for Rockville residents and sets a strong example for other non-profits in the community. The 2021 Non-Profit of the Year is Charity Connect.  Presented by previous award winner Andrea Kempner Wink, Community Reach of Montgomery County.

Entrepreneur of the Year recognizes a person who works for or operates a business taking on financial risk to do so, and identifies a need that no existing businesses address, and determines a solution for that need. Additionally, although the term “entrepreneur” is often associated with startups and small businesses, any founder of a successful household-named business began as an entrepreneur. Specific criteria include year over year growth, innovation, resilience, flexibility, and a unique business and marketing strategy, and a proven track record of commitment to the Rockville community and businesses. The 2021 Entrepreneur is Ryan Terko from Simply Nutrition.  Presented by last year’s winner, Josh Funk of Rehab2Perform.

Young Professional of the Year recognizes an individual who is active in the Young Professional’s group of our Chamber and steps up to a leadership role within their organization. Specific criteria include tenacity and an exemplary commitment to the Rockville community and businesses. The 2021 Young Professional of the Year is Marcy Santos. Presented by Asif Choudhury, Bahar Consulting.

Community Service Award: RCC started this award in 2020 to recognize extraordinary efforts of individuals with a generous spirit. Bob Blanken of Blanken Photography Studio receives the 2021 Community Service Award of the Year.  Presented by Board Chair, Babita Singh of WesBanco.

Award winners will be honored at a black-tie optional sit-down dinner at the Manor Country Club in Rockville on November 4, 2021. Tickets are available until October 28, 2021. Attendance is not exclusive to Chamber members. All business community members are encouraged to attend and celebrate the award winners.

Rockville preliminarily approves annexation for 365-unit development

Posted on by Amanda Bosland

The proposed development includes 247 townhouses and 118 multi-family units on 20 acres

Article Originally Published by Bethesda Magazine on September 14, 2021

Rockville on Monday preliminarily approved an annexation and preliminary development agreement that includes up to 365 units at the site of a car dealership. 

Officials previously discussed the proposed annexation and development at a meeting in July, before Rockville’s summer recess.

The updated agreement includes 247 townhouses and 118 multifamily units. The project would be on roughly 20.58 acres at the King Buick car dealership site along Md. 355, south of Fedor Avenue, city staff documents show.

At least 58 of the units must be moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs), according to city code. Those units must be affordable according to formulas involving area median income. For instance, a family of four would qualify for living in one if their maximum income is $77,400.

Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton and City Council members supported the proposal before Monday’s vote.

Council Member Beryl Feinberg and staff members of EYA, the developer of the site, spent several minutes discussing what age range of children a playground at the site should serve.

Feinberg said she has lived in townhouse communities, and wanted to make sure the playground served younger and older kids. 

“I’ve seen how, when you have a toddler, before your very eyes blink more than once or twice, they become children in third, fourth, fifth, sixth grade, and their needs are different than young to very young children,” Feinberg said. 

EYA did not object to including an age range for the playground in the agreement, but wanted to make sure amendments did not prevent the developer from choosing the playground equipment and age ranges. 

After several minutes, Feinberg, council members and EYA officials agreed to add language in the development agreement, specifying the playground is meant for kids ages 2 to 12. 

The development will also feature a pool, a surrounding patio and a community center, city documents show. 

Council Member Mark Pierzchala praised the project before the vote Monday.

“It’s a really great project, I think it enhances the King Farm community, enhances possibility for King Farm Farmstead and enhances pedestrian and bike transit along [Md.] 355,” Pierzchala said. “I think the city of Rockville ought to be thinking about extending those enhancements further south.”

According to city documents, EYA now must submit more documentation laying out more specifics about the development, before final approval by the mayor and City Council.

NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers Wins Legalweek Award

Posted on by Amanda Bosland

Named Startup/ Emerging Company
Law Firm of the Year

Congratulations to Shulman Rogers on this award that recognizes its new technology platform designed to assist business start-ups and emerging companies through legal and funding issues. Nancy Regelin, a shareholder partner at Shulman Rogers, also serves as one of the Vice-Chairs on REDI’s board and we are grateful for her continued involvement and guidance.

POTOMAC, Md., July 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers is proud to have been selected as Startup Firm/Emerging Company Law Firm of the Year by Law.com and Legaltech News in their 2021 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Awards, celebrating the achievements of lawyers and companies leading technology, innovation and the profession as a whole.

Launched in 2018, NEXT presents a new model for the delivery of legal services to startup and emerging growth companies, through predictable and sustainable legal fees (including more than 75 fixed-price packages and service bundles); access to senior business attorneys; transparency, efficiency and collaboration via a variety of technology tools; and a client-centric approach.

Commenting on the award, Founder and Co-chair of NEXT, Anthony Millin, said, “We are honored to be recognized by Law.com and Legaltech News – and thrilled that our model for delivering legal services has been embraced by entrepreneurs and business owners. We relish the opportunity to contribute to our clients’ successes and look forward to continuing to drive innovation in the way legal services for startups are packaged, priced, delivered and serviced.”

Offering much more than just legal services, NEXT works with founders as a long-term success partner, from the development of a new idea and raising a seed round all the way through centi-million-dollar growth rounds and exit. The number of NEXT clients has more than doubled each year since the platform’s launch.

“It has been inspiring to watch Anthony’s passion for the startup community grow into such a successful and impactful enterprise,” said Shulman Rogers’ Managing Shareholder, Sam Spiritos. “The Firm is pleased to provide the launch pad for the NEXT platform and support the growth of its many entrepreneurial clients.”

Anthony Millin, Founder and Co-chair of NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers

About NEXT powered by Shulman Rogers

Through an innovative new model for the delivery of legal services for the full life-cycle of startup and emerging growth companies, NEXT has productized a broad range of legal services and clients receive legal guidance and services through a high-touch, hands-on legal team comprised of senior Shulman Rogers’ attorneys. NEXT uses a robust technology platform that leverages a range of cloud-based technologies and new business models to create and deliver a unique and powerful client-centric experience. NEXT offer predictable, sustainable fixed fee Packages and Bundles of services for a wide variety of legal needs. Contact us at info@next.law for a video consultation with NEXT attorneys. Visit our website at www.next.law. 

Eight Rockville Companies Rank as Top Workplaces in 2021

Posted on by Amanda Bosland

Despite the most challenging year in recent history, 200 companies located in the Washington, D.C. metro area ranked on The Washington Post’s Top Workplaces 2021. Ranked solely by employees, more than 65,000 survey responses were collected to determine the rankings. Survey feedback also provided insights into specific workplace attributes. 

We’re thrilled that eight companies headquartered in Rockville earn a spot on this year’s list. We congratulate them for their dedication to investing in positive workplaces, even during challenging times.

View the full Top Workplaces 2021 list here.

Learn about the methodology behind this year’s rankings. 

Congratulations to the eight Rockville companies who made this year’s list (highlighted below by company size). 

Large Companies

#31. The Emmes Company

Emmes is a full-service clinical research organization that provides clinical trial support to clinicians, biomedical scientists and health administrators. More than 2,000 clinical studies have been conducted across therapeutic areas, including infectious diseases, vaccines, ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, and maternal and child health. 

Medium Companies

#39. Aronson LLC

Aronson is an accounting and consulting firm that serves a variety of industries, including government contracting, technology, professional services, nonprofits, construction and real estate. Established in 1962, the firm has about 270 employees. 

#46. Regenxbio

Regenxbio is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm that develops gene therapy products to treat retinal, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 2009, the company, based in Rockville, Md., has about 300 local employees. 

#59. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association is a trade association that is responsible for credentialing audiologists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; speech-language pathologists; and speech, language and hearing scientists.

Small Companies

#6. MassMutual Greater Washington

MassMutual Greater Washington, a life insurance and investment firm, develops specialized financial and retirement plans for individuals and organizations. Officials describe their approach to financial planning as client-centric and geared toward providing appropriate recommendations from a range of quality companies. 

#18.  FitzGerald Financial Group

FitzGerald Financial Group, a mortgage lender, has been operating since 2007. The lender, a division of TowneBank Mortgage, has 17 locations in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Florida. 

#31.  Apex Home Loans

Apex Home Loans is a mortgage lender licensed in the District, Maryland, Virginia and eight other states in the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic region. Apex’s benefits include four weeks of paid parental leave and a 10 percent 401(k) match. 

#80.  Sparks Group

Sparks Group is a staffing and recruiting firm that provides temporary staffing and full-time recruiting services in human resources, accounting and finance, information technology, marketing, administrative support and other areas. Established in 1970, the firm has 60 local employees.