By Mark Kleinschmidt
Chamber to Recognize Exceptional Business Achievement and Community Service
Annapolis, MD, September 3, 2024–The Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce announced the 2024 class of Inductees to the Business Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony and dinner will be held on October 24th at the DoubleTree Hotel located in Annapolis.
The 2024 Class is comprised of prominent, and esteemed business and community leaders who will be recognized and celebrated for their notable accomplishments in heading an Anne Arundel County organization or business. The following are members of the Class of 2024:
- John Astle
- Jay Baldwin
- Ken Brannan and Rhonda Falcon
- Vince Leggett
- Ricky Smith
To be considered as an inductee into the Business Hall of Fame, an individual must be a recognized and respected business leader who has a career of distinctive achievement in leading his or her own business and have contributed to the overall betterment of the County. Former government officials who consistently supported business initiatives and leaders of non-profit, educational and community service organizations are also eligible.
According to Mark Kleinschmidt, President and CEO of the Anne Arundel County Chamber, “The Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner is truly a remarkable event. It brings together hundreds of Annapolis’ most prominent business leaders and we get to celebrate the significant accomplishments of an amazing group of people. The stories behind each of this year’s inductees are truly inspiring.”
Over 300 people are expected to attend the Dinner which will be held on October 24th at the Doubletree Hotel in Annapolis.
Short Bios about the Class of 2024 as well as ticket information can be found here.
ABOUT THE CLASS OF 2024
We are proud to announce the 2024 Class of Inductees to the Business Hall of Fame. The Class of 2024 is comprised of prominent and esteemed business and community leaders who will be recognized and celebrated for their notable accomplishments in heading an Anne Arundel County organization or business. To be considered as an inductee into the Business Hall of Fame, an individual must be a recognized and respected business leader who has a career of distinctive achievement in leading his or her own business and have contributed to the overall betterment of the County. Former government officials who consistently supported business initiatives and leaders of non-profit, educational and community service organizations are also eligible.
The Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner is truly a remarkable event bringing together hundreds of the County’s most prominent business leaders. We get to celebrate the significant accomplishments of an amazing group of people. The stories behind each of this year’s inductees are truly inspiring. Short Bios about the Class of 2024 can be found below.
John Astle
Love of country has guided John Astle throughout a career that has included service in the military, law enforcement, and the Maryland General Assembly. He served as an active-duty member of the Marine Corps for nine years and was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam earning numerous personal decorations, including the Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medal, 31 air medals, and the Presidential Service Badge. John also had the unique opportunity to serve as a Presidential helicopter pilot and then went on to serve for 21 years with the Marine Corps Reserves and retired as a Colonel.
After the Marine Corps, John was police officer in Baltimore before being elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and then the State Senate. During his legislative service of 36 years, he was a highly respected leader and was the Vice-Chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, where he plays a key role in shaping state policy on energy, healthcare, banking and insurance. John was a strong supporter. He championed legislation that supported and recognized veterans of the Armed Service and was instrumental in establishing March 29th as “Welcome Back Vietnam Veterans Day”.
As an avid sportsman and environmental advocate, John spearheaded the creation of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus which led to the creation of a National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses. He has served in key leadership positions with organizations with the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Board of Trustees and the Maryland Tourism Development Board. He is a graduate of Marshall University and is a member of the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and the National Rifle Association.
Jay Baldwin
Jay Baldwin is the President and CEO of the Reliable Contracting Company, a family-owned business in Anne Arundel County. Established in 1928, Reliable specializes in site development, road construction, asphalt paving, and utility installation. Under Jay’s third-generation leadership, the company has upheld a legacy of excellence.
Jay joined the company in 1986 and became President and CEO in 2002. He expanded the company’s services by establishing Reliable Commercial Construction and Reliable Real Estate Services and acquiring a majority stake in Environmental Quality Resources. His notable projects include the Quarterfield Crossing Shopping Center and the Waugh Chapel Town Center.
He has held various leadership roles in the construction industry, including the Maryland Highway Contractors Association, the Associated Builders and Contractors—Chesapeake Shores Chapter, the Anne Arundel Utility Contractors Association, the Maryland Asphalt Association, and the National Associated Builders and Contractors. Beyond business, Jay has served on the Anne Arundel Health Systems Foundation Board, helped finance and build The School of the Incarnation, and was active in the Building Campaign Committee for the Hospice of the Chesapeake.
In 2015, Governor Hogan appointed Jay to the Regulatory Reform Commission which examined the state’s regulatory environment, identified overly burdensome regulations, and recommended changes to promote economic growth and job creation. Along the way, Jay has received numerous awards, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007 for Construction and Contracting and the Anne Arundel County Good Scout Award for community service and leadership. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Jay was recently named Director of Glen Burnie Bancorp.
Ken Brannan & Rhonda Falcon
The Saucy Salamander Catering Company is a highly respected family-owned business that has delighted customers for over 45 years. Led by the “dynamic duo” of Ken Brannan and Rhonda Falcon, the company has consistently delivered creative cuisine with artistic presentation to thousands of satisfied customers, whether at catered events or their immensely popular café. Throughout the years, the high demand for their catering services has propelled the business to flourish.
Outside of their culinary endeavors, Ken and Rhonda have significantly contributed to the Anne Arundel County business and civic communities. As successful entrepreneurs and dedicated volunteers, they have found time to support numerous community organizations. Recognizing the critical importance of health insurance for small business owners, Ken has been notably active in healthcare reform. He currently chairs the Advisory Committee for the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange, working diligently to make health insurance more affordable for small businesses.
Further supporting their community, Ken has served as a Board Member with Leadership Maryland and the Special Olympics of Maryland, where he has shown a strong commitment to individuals with developmental disabilities, particularly through his commitment of the annual Polar Bear Plunge and involvement with with Opportunity Builders. Ken has been recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel and through his Flagship 2000 class project, established the HeartSmart program through the Cliff R. Roop Foundation, which focuses on increasing survival rates from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.
Ken and Rhonda both graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, and their shared passion for community service and culinary excellence continues to inspire those around them.
Vince Leggett
Vince Leggett has a long history as a champion of the Chesapeake Bay and as a tireless advocate for preserving African American History. He was the Founder of the Blacks of Chesapeake Foundation which highlights the contributions of African Americans in maritime and seafood processing industries, and works to shine a light on historically significant black sites in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Vince operating his own government relations firm for over 30 years and served as the President of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education.
In 2002, he was commissioned an “Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay” by Governor Parris N. Glendenning, “for bringing to the light the many contributions of African Americans to the seafood and maritime industries in the Maryland.” He has chaired and served on numerous committees including: the Advisory Committee for the John Smith Trail, the Star Bangled Banner Bi-Centennial Celebration, Advisory Committee for the Harriet Tubman National Park and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Wiley H. Bates Legacy Center. Vince was the driving force behind the establishment of Elktonia-Carr’s Beach Heritage Park.
In addition to his extensive volunteer work, Vince is the noted author of Blacks of the Chesapeake: An Integral Part of Maritime History and The Chesapeake Bay Through Ebony Eyes. In addition, he was the historical consultant for the documentary films: “Chesapeake Underground: Charting the Course to Freedom”, and “Black Captains of the Chesapeake”.
He earned a B.S. Degree in Urban Planning and Community Development at Morgan State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Central Michigan University.
Ricky Smith
Ricky Smith has a long and distinguished career in the transportation industry. He was the Chief Operating Officer of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) before leaving in 2006 to become the CEO of the Cleveland Airport System. After 9 years, he returned to Maryland when he was appointed Executive Director/CEO of MAA in 2015. As CEO, he oversees Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Martin State Airport, and regional aviation activities in Maryland.
Prior to his service in Cleveland, as the COO for the MAA, he helped lead BWI through a $2 billion expansion program, increased air service, and developed a new food and retail program. In his current position as CEO, he has led the airport through five consecutive record-setting years for passengers. The airport regained its status as the busiest in the Washington/Baltimore region and was named Best Airport in North America for Customer Service by Airport Council International. Initiatives like the LaunchPad program for minority-owned businesses and the Youth Initiative for introducing Baltimore City youths to aviation have marked his tenure.
He holds an Accounting degree from Howard University and an Executive MBA from Loyola University in Maryland. Mr. Smith is active on several national and local boards including the Airport Minority Advisory Council, American Association of Airport Executives, the Washington Board of Trade, the BWI Business Partnership, World Trade Center Institute and the Greater Baltimore Urban League where he serves as Board Chair and is a graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel Flagship Class of 1995.
He has recently been recognized as the ‘Best State Executive for Minority Business Enterprise’ by the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association (2022), Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) Excellence in Leadership Honoree (2021), ‘Leon C. Watkins Guardian Award’ (2020), ‘Man of the Year’ by Women Transportation Seminar (2019), and ‘Power 10 CEO’ by the Baltimore Business Journal (2018), among others.