As Vice Chair of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Sheela Murthy regularly finds herself among the crème de la crème of Maryland’s business community. Most recently, Murthy was at the Chamber’s 2014 Annual Meeting and Business Hall of Fame Dinner, held on May 6th in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. During the welcoming remarks, the Chairman shared updates on the Chamber’s agenda. Then, speaking from personal experience as a woman entrepreneur and an immigrant, Murthy gave a moving invocation about how blessed and grateful she feels when she thinks of all the amazing opportunities that have been afforded to her – and to all those present in the audience – by this incredible country.

Over the course of the evening, the Chamber inducted three new honorees into the Maryland Business Hall of Fame, recognizing the achievements of leaders and entrepreneurs whose contributions have improved the state’s business climate, and the qualify of life for Marylanders. This year’s honorees were:

• Dr. Ellen H. Yankellow, PharmD, President and CEO of CorrectRx Pharmacy Services, Inc.
• Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr., President and CEO of the RLJ Lodging Trust
• John “Jock” T. Menzies, III (posthumously), Chairman of The Terminal Corporation, before his death in 2013

During the Chamber Board meeting, earlier that day, a new slate of nominees were elected for the coming year, and the selection of the new President and CEO, Brien Poffenberger, who takes the helm on June 16, 2014, was ratified. Of the outgoing president, Murthy said:

“Kathy Snyder has been an amazing CEO for the MD Chamber. She has big shoes to fill. Her commitment and dedication to Maryland for over 14 years are almost unbelievable! Our new CEO is committed to building on the foundation she laid, to raise the profile of the Chamber, making it the voice for Maryland business. Under Mr. Poffenberger’s leadership, the Maryland Competitiveness Coalition – one of the Chamber’s signature initiatives – will provide a united front for the state as the leading voice for business in Maryland. As business executives and entrepreneurs, we need to work together to make our voices heard, to create a pro-growth business climate that brings greater prosperity to every person and business in our state. That’s what the Maryland Chamber is all about, and I’m proud to be part of its leadership team!”

Copyright © 2014, SHEELA MURTHY. All Rights Reserved