A Mind-Blowing Night to Remember!

LSM Night at the REX

Thanks to all who made our fourth annual LSM Night at The REX truly a night to remember. The Evasons Mentalist Duo literally amazed us ("amaze": from the Old English "amasian," meaning to confuse or bewilder) with sleights of mind, and DJ Sammy Sammz kept us dancing well into the night! 

Our most heartfelt gratitude to The REX; our fabulous sponsors; our hosts, the Executive Program Class of 2026, led by Jeanine Harrington, Jane Bachman, Karen Roberts, and Amanda Cross; and the LSM Development Committee and LSM volunteers, led by Denise Kopel, for the Best Night Ever. You raised $11,525 for LSM!

Special Thanks to the Sponsors of LSM Night at The REX

Let's Get Together Again!

13th Annual LSM Golf Tournament

June 25!

Questions? Contact Beverly Brown, LSM '14, Golf Committee Chair

[email protected]

Executive Program Goes

Behind the Scenes of Public Safety

On April 8th, the Executive Program Class of 2026 experienced a very different Public Safety session. This year's session began at the St. Mary's Regional Airport for an impressive presentation by MedStar Transport about their medevac operations.

The group then traveled to the College of Southern Maryland Center for Health Sciences at the Regional Hughesville campus for tours of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Lab and nursing facilities -- which include a simulated hospital ward complete with a nursing station, obstetrics simulation lab, intensive care unit simulation lab, and more.  Participants also heard presentations about emergency medical services in Southern Maryland by Kenny Miller, Chief of EMS for Calvert County and former firefighter and police officer Chris Breedlove LSM ‘18, who is currently Chief of Zoning Enforcement for Calvert County.

A fan favorite of the day, as it has been for all classes, was an open conversation with Sheriff Ricky Cox (Calvert), Sheriff Troy Berry (Charles), and Sheriff Steven Hall, LSM '18 (St. Mary’s). The sheriffs answered a wide range of participant questions about public safety needs, pain points, and opportunities. 

The class then boarded the bus and headed to the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute - Southern Maryland Regional Training Center in La Plata for fire, rescue, and police demonstrations by members of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and instructors at the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy, who demonstrated SWAT and K-9 operations and put volunteer participants through firearm training simulations. 

Very special thanks to session Advocates Jay Mattingly LSM ‘20, Training & Quality Assurance Coordinator, St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services; Chris Breedlove LSM ‘18, Chief of Zoning Enforcement for Calvert County; and Lt. Robert Selkirk, LSM '24, Calvert County Sheriff's Office. They moved mountains to create an action-packed day of demonstrations that, once again, gave regional leaders a taste of what it’s like to be on the front lines of public safety.

Our sincere gratitude as well to breakfast and lunch sponsors ACE Consulting and CTG, A Division of Blue Raven Solutions.

Join us in Celebrating the

Executive Program Class of 2026!

LEAP's Emerging Leaders Experience

Innovation Leadership and

Change Management

The LEAP Class of 2026 gathered on March 20th at TechPort, in the St. Mary's AeroPark Innovation District, for a full-day exploration of Innovation Leadership and Change Management. Participants were introduced to sites of innovation excellence in a number of Southern Maryland industries, and they learned methods for spurring innovation and improving resilience in a world that is rapidly evolving technologically.

The class was welcomed to the AeroPark and TechPort by Katherine Stormont, St. Mary's County Economic Development Specialist; Ken Reed, St. Mary's County Regional Airport Managing Member; and Rick Tarr, Executive Program Class of 2026, Southern Maryland Tech Bridge & Tech Transfer Office Director.

LSM Program Manager Dominic Fragman moderated a roundtable discussion of Southern Maryland industries on the leading edge of innovation that featured a remarkable panel of presenters:

• John "JC" Martin, Executive Program Class of 2026, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Peak Performance Solutions

• Larisa Goganzer, Executive Program Class of 2026, Senior Vice President of Operations at CalvertHealth

• Dr. Justin Stine, Assistant Research Scientist and Director of Remote Sensing and Microsystems, A. James Clark School of Engineering / MATRIX Lab, USMSM

Participants then got to practice innovating in the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) by means of a workshop and case study facilitated SAFE, Inc. founders Dominic Fragman and Tommy Luginbill, who is Executive Director of the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College.

The class toured the AeroPark Innovation District, with stops at AIRtec, the University of Maryland UAS Research and Operations Center (UROC), and the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland SMART Building. The tour culminated in lunch at Bird Dog Bistro in the Airport Terminal.

Shaniqua Cousins LSM ‘22, operations officer at NAVAIR and founder of Shaniqua Cousins World Group LLC, completed the day with an energizing presentation and cooking demonstration that emphasized the importance of managing the stress of change by choosing healthy, vibrant living -- living well.

Special thanks to TechPort for their amazing hospitality and to featured sponsor, St. Mary's County Department of Economic Development, for helping us design and implement such a memorable session! 

Get Set for LEAP 2027!

Nominate Candidates for the

LSM Emerging Leaders Program Class of 2027!

We welcome your nominations of outstanding colleagues and friends. We seek early- to mid-career professionals who are passionate about creating a better Southern Maryland for all.

Nominate a game-changing leader today!

Hail and Farewell to LSM Board Members

In early December, the Leadership Southern Maryland Board of Directors appointed two members who began their terms on December 11th.

Stephen Cassetta, LSM '22 is vice president for strategic growth at Gnostech, LLC. Cassetta graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1988 with a BS in mathematics before becoming a Naval Flight Officer. In 1996, he transferred from active duty to the Navy Reserve and moved to Lexington Park, Maryland, eventually serving as the Commanding Officer of VAW-77. Before joining Gnostech, Cassetta was with MAG Aerospace and, earlier, Veda (now KBR). Cassetta was appointed LSM's Senior Vice President in December and elected LSM President in April.

Montego Parker, LSM '25 has over 30 years of experience in information technology as a compulsively organized, self-starting leader of teams of highly skilled multicultural professionals. Currently, he identifies resources to envision onboarding strategy for customers for their new Microsoft Cloud solutions. Parker was appointed LSM's Vice President of Recruitment in December.

At its April meeting, the Board of Directors appointed three new members who will begin their terms on June 11th.

Donald LaRocco, LSM '25 is executive vice president at Crestwood Technology Group (CTG), a division Blue Raven Solutions. CTG is a leading supplier of parts, materiel, and obsolescence management solutions to the Department of Defense and its contractors. LaRocco was appointed LSM Senior Vice President.

Toni Kruszka, LSM '23 is director of development at the College of Southern Maryland, where she is the primary donor relations liaison and develops and executes alumni relations strategies and events. Kruszka was appointed LSM board member at-large.

Darin Nielsen, LSM '25 is chief executive officer at Air Combat Effectiveness (ACE) Consulting Group LLC, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business that provides expertise in the operational applications of current and future airborne weapons systems, with an emphasis on their lethality and survivability in the battlespace. Nielsen was appointed LSM board member at-large.

The Board of Directors extends its utmost gratitude and warm wishes to five members who completed board terms this year:

• Jim Bolin, LSM '21, a member of the Alumni Committee for several years who served as LSM Vice President of Alumni in 2024-2025.

• Phil Fickes, LSM '20, who served as President, Immediate Past President, Recruitment Committee Chair, and Governance Committee Chair, and who now joins the LSM Leadership Council

• Michelle Kowieski, LSM '11, who served as Treasurer and as a member of the Finance Committee and Governance Committee 

• Charles Roach, LSM '18, who served as a member of the Finance Committee

• Marsha Williams, LSM '21, who served several years on the Alumni Committee and as Alumni Committee Chair, LSM Counsel, and member of the Governance Committee

Thank you for your exemplary leadership and service to LSM!

Teen Leadership Academy Returns!

Leadership Southern Maryland is proud to partner with Stella's Girls, Inc. to present LSM's 2026 Teen Leadership Academy: "Youth Leading Change in Southern Maryland" this summer. The camp will empower up to 15 youth ages 13–18 from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties to become active community leaders through hands-on learning, intergenerational mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving. More details coming soon!

Curious to learn more? Email us by clicking the button below!

Free Seminar May 20th

Join LSMAA!

Half off one-year membership promotion extended to April 30th!  Come join the LSM Alumni Association! Membership is a beautiful way to pay forward the LSM experience for other Southern Maryland leaders while you enjoy the benefits and fun of connection with your LSM family. We sincerely appreciate your support. Click HERE to join LSMAA.

Newsworthy Notes

Ways to Strengthen Our Community!

How Can YOU Help?

We're glad you asked! Organizations throughout Southern Maryland, including LSM, truly need the expertise and support of talented people like you. Often all we need is an occasional hour or two.

MENTORS, INSTRUCTORS, AND SPEAKERS WANTED:

ST. MARY'S COLLEGE OF MARYLAND

Members of the Executive Program Class of 2026 are supporting St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) in recruiting mentors, guest speakers, adjunct instructors, internship supervisors, and more. Interested in helping? Please complete this survey:

• LSM Alumni Support for SMCM Students

Contact Rob Willis: [email protected]

LSM GRADUATION CEREMONY VOLUNTEERS

Please help us celebrate our 2026 graduates!

• Executive Program Graduation -- Thursday, May 14, 2-5pm, USMSM SMART Bldg, California, MD

• LEAP Graduation -- Friday, June 12, 3:30-5:30pm, American Legion Post 298, Charlotte Hall, MD

Click HERE to browse volunteer assignments and sign up!

Contact Sybol Anderson: [email protected]

GET READY FOR GOLF!

Now through June

The LSM Golf Committee is prepping another beautiful day at Chesapeake Hills Golf Course. Join us!  The committee meets on the second Monday of the month  at 4-5pm via Zoom.

Want to volunteer? Click HERE to browse volunteer assignments and sign up!

 Contact Beverly Brown, LSM '14: [email protected]

LSMAA SOCIAL PLANNER FOR CHARLES COUNTY

Do you enjoy bringing people together? Would you help us plan one LSMAA After-Hours Social in Charles County between July and September? We know you've got some great ideas for us!

Contact Sybol Anderson: [email protected]

OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN MARYLAND

SoMD Volunteer Opportunities Listing

Courtesy of the

Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland 

Thank you for helping out!

Upcoming LSM Events

Saturday, April 25: LSM Alumni Association Social -- COSMIC Symphony Presents: Salute to the States (Season Finale). 3pm. Huntingtown High School. 4125 Solomons Island Road, Huntingtown, MD 20639. The LSM Alumni Association will meet up at this free concert, part of Calvert 250, a year-long celebration of our nation's 250th birthday. Interested? RSVP HERE.

Thursday, April 30: Executive Program After-Hours Social. 5:15-6:30pm. Tequila Grill & Cantina. 30320 Triangle Dr, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. All are welcome! LSM graduates, come spend some quality time with the fabulous Executive Program Class of 2026!

Thursday, May 14: Executive Program Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony and Cocktail Reception: 2:00-5:00pm. USMSM SMART Building. 44219 Airport Rd, California, MD 20619. Purchase tickets HERE.

Wednesday, May 20: Introduction to Contracting with the Government. 7-8pm. Zoom. FREE. If you have thought about starting a government contracting firm but think it’s too complicated, this intro seminar will guide you through the basics.  We will discuss getting the proper credentials, finding opportunities, writing proposals, and establishing your rate structure.  Potential future classes will delve into more details based on the interest of the class.  Class is limited to no more than 12 participants to allow for questions and conversation.Your instructor, Brianna Dunbar Bowling, LSM '11 is the author of  Start, Manage & Exit A Profitable Government Contracting Firm: Insights from an Owner Who Founded and Profitably Ran a Government Contracting Firm for Over 20 Years and Exited Successfully.  She is a Daily Record Most Influential Marylander and a Leading Edge CEO of the Year. She serves on multiple boards, including the University of Maryland Medical System and agriculture task forces. She is currently a public speaker on topics such as communication, leadership, government contracting, and life balance. She lives in Maryland with her husband and is the mother of three grown children. Register HERE. Questions? Email Brianna HERE.

SAVE THE DATE! Friday, June 12: LEAP Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony and Reception. 3:30-5:30pm.  American Legion Post 298, 29449 Charlotte Hall Rd, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. 

Thursday, June 25: 13th Annual LSM Golf Tournament. 8am Registration, 9am Shotgun Start. Chesapeake Hills Golf Course. 11325 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657. Click HERE to learn more, explore sponsorship opportunities, and register!

 Be sure to follow LSM's social media for updates! 

LSMAA Member Events & Notices 

Sunday, April 26: COSMIC Symphony Presents: Salute to the States (Season Finale). 3pm. Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center, St. Mary's College of Maryland. Free admission. Tickets required. More information HERE.

Thursday, May 7: Southern Maryland Human Resources Association. Annual Employment Law, Legislative, and Regulatory Update (2026) 8am-12pm. Hilton Garden Inn Solomons. Learn more HERE.

SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, May 27: NAWCAD Industry Day!

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, June 2: TPP Annual Dinner. 5-9pm. Historic St. Mary’s City. Members Only Sponsorship opportunities are now open. Sign up soon! Please see the levels of sponsorship HERE. Contact: [email protected] or call 240-577-1617.

SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, June 4: Housing Solutions Symposium. Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center, St. Mary's College of Maryland. See flyer below. More details coming soon!

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, June 9: TPP/ANA Panel with Webster Outlying Field (WOLF) Details in a few weeks.

Thank You, LSM Program Sponsors!

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