Gaithersburg, MD – Friday, May 10 – On Tuesday, May 7, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) held its 7th Annual Upcounty Business Breakfast Briefing (UCBBB). The UCBBB gives Chamber members and Upcounty Business Leaders an opportunity to discuss legislative issues with their elected officials.
The GGCC was honored to have Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett, State Senator Jennie Forehand – District 17, State Senator Rob Garagiola – District 15 and State Senator Nancy King – District 39 as their guest speakers.
“The Chamber’s annual Business Breakfast offers an opportunity for local businesses to engage and discuss their concerns with our County Executive and State legislators face-to-face, and Hughes Network has always been a gracious host. It’s a wonderful event with B2B networking, important updates from elected officials, and gracious hospitality from one of the Chamber’s members,” said Catherine Matthews, Regional Director Montgomery County – Upcounty Region.
The event was sponsored and hosted by Hughes Network Systems. Hughes’ Senior Vice President Tom McElroy and Hughes’ Vice President Jim Muir welcomed over 40 attendees.
“We have a great relationship with our legislators. We have great respect for what they do and we work closely with them to bring more jobs to the County and the State,” said Marilyn Balcombe, GGCC President/CEO.
Senator Rob Garagiola remarks included transportation and the Senator noted that Maryland is a good fiscal state. He also received a round of applause when he expressed his support for the Corridor Cities Transitway (CCT) stating the “CCT is my number one priority”.
Senator Nancy King spoke about the budget, stating that she and her colleagues “pushed for a balanced approach to the budget and passed a budget that protects essential services, virtually eliminates the structural deficit and maintains Maryland’s AAA bond rating”. She also discussed the Firearm Safety Act of 2013, the biotech Investment Tax Credit, investing in the future of transportation and making our roads safer.
Senator Jennie Forehand spoke about her fight against human trafficking and a new bill that was recently passed that allows for stronger penalties.
Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett highlighted the County’s key initiatives and in his remarks noted “no one has done as much for as long as we have done in the last five years” and said the County is “moving forward” and there is “light at the end of the tunnel”; with regards to the fiscal budget.
Jerry Pasternak, Region Vice President, Maryland Affairs PEPCO and GGCC Board Member, conducted an informative question and answer session with the guest speakers. Panelists addressed key issues in Montgomery County; especially transportation issues such as the CCT and the Watkins Mill Interchange.
Below: (l:r) “Jim Muir, Vice President Hughes Network Systems, LLC; Isiah “Ike” Leggett, Montgomery County Executive; Marilyn Balcombe, President/CEO Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce; State Senator Rob Garagiola – District 15; State Senator Jennie Forehand – District 17; Jerry Pasternak, Region Vice President, Maryland Affairs PEPCO; and Tom McElroy, Hughes Network Systems, LLC Senior Vice President at the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) Upcounty Business Breakfast Briefing (UCBBB) held at Hughes Network Systems on May 7, 2013. The Chamber’s UCBBB brings its business leaders together with its local Senators and County Executive to address issues on the Chamber’s Legislative Agenda. (State Senator Nancy King – District 39 was also a speaker at the GGCC UCBBB)”. (photo credit: Laura Rowles, GGCC Director of Marketing)
