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Leadership Southern Maryland Educates Leader

Class 2015 experiences Energy & Environment in Southern Maryland

LEONARDTOWN, Md. – November 5, 2014 – On October 16 and 17, 2014, the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Class 2015 participated in the first of nine educational programs for the 2014-15 LSM class – Energy and Environment. The two-day event began at the Calvert Marine Museum where participants were treated to a continental breakfast, provided by Blue Wind Gourmet.

As the first part of the two-day curriculum, LSM class participants had the rare privilege of a walking tour of Exelon’s Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant hosted by Mr. Kory Raftery (LSM 2013 graduate) and Ms. Tracy Fiore. The tour finished with a luncheon in the Visitor’s Center that allowed the participants to ask questions about their experience on the tour. For the afternoon session, the class toured Dominion’s Cove Point LNG Terminal, where LSM alum 2013 and Vice President of Operations, Mr. Michael D. Frederick, briefed participants on Dominion’s transition to exportation of liquefied natural gas. As part of the tour, Dominion provided a boat tour around the newly extended docks, and a windshield tour of the facility. The participants finalized their day with a “behind the scenes” tour of the Calvert Marine Museum by Mr. Doug Alves, LSM 2014.

The second day was emceed by Blue Wind Gourmet owner, Mr. Rob Plant, who shared his passion and educational information on local agricultural and environment challenges within the region.. The day began with a visit to the Loveville Auction House allowing the participants to experience “commerce in action” while observing interaction of the Mennonite and Amish agricultural community with local restaurateurs, grocers, and individuals who purchased from their harvests. The participants were then treated to a presentation by Captain Jack Russell at Fins + Claws at the Sea-Fruit Oyster House on St. George’s Island. A stop at Ruddy Duck Seafood and Alehouse on St. George’s Island for lunch and a Buy Local Panel Discussion finished out the day. The guest speakers for this discussion were Dr. Christine Bergmark, Executive Director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and owner of Even’ Star Organic Farm, Mr. David Paulk, retired naval officer and owner of a USDA certified organic farm, Sassafras Creek Farm, and Mr. Paul Kellam, a commercial waterman and owner of of Kellam’s Seafood.

The class interacted with staff at each site, including program advocates, and as leaders living in the Chesapeake Bay area they had the opportunity to discuss the impact to the economy, environment, wildlife, natural resources and future generations while understanding the commitment each one of these organizations visited has towards our community. Overall, the class participants were thrilled to be part of Leadership Southern Maryland and the Energy and Environment Program.

Leadership Southern Maryland is a nine-month tuition-based program and is designed and dedicated to building a cadre of informed regional leaders, prepared to address common issues and bring long-term benefit to their neighbors and communities and incorporates a cross-section of the region to include diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity and gender.

For more information, please contact the Helen M. Wernecke, Executive Director Leadership Southern Maryland, 240-725-5469 via email helen@leadershipsomd.org or visit www.leadsomd.org..

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Leadership Southern Maryland is an independent, educational leadership development organization designed to broaden the knowledge base of mid- to senior-level public and private sector executives about the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the region. Leadership Southern Maryland is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.