Rife International, LLC was selected as an energy efficiency solutions contractor to the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and saved the university several thousand dollars in lighting costs annually.

The project included the removal and recycling of existing T-8 2×4 florescent light fixtures and installing new energy efficient T-5 2×2 florescent fixtures. The project also included modifying the dropped ceiling, ceiling grid, and ceiling tile where needed. The lighting upgrades saved UMCP’s Elkton Hall over $10,000 annually.

Ryan Reich of UMCP stated, “Rife delivered a quality product on time and under budget. They also provided excellent customer service and responded to our questions quickly. We look forward to working with them on additional energy efficiency projects.”

“We have a commitment to making educational institutions more energy efficient since this is where our future leaders can learn the value of being green. Our project at UMPC begins our process of making campuses around the United States and overseas more green” says CEO Kwabena Osei-Sarpong.

About University of Maryland College Park
The University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) is a public research university located in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C. Founded in 1856, the University of Maryland is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland.

About Rife International, LLC
Rife International, LLC’s ultimate mission is to provide energy efficiency and sustainable development solutions to our government, commercial, and international clients. For more information visit Rife International LLC at http://www.rifeintl.com.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Having done business in Brazil for the last 23 years I have had the privilege of making many wonderful Brazilian friends. I was again most fortunate to re-unite on a trip last year with a fellow named Wagner Alberti.

Wagner worked for me 20 years ago in Baltimore as an intern doing market research. Wagner went back to Brazil in 1991 and I went on to grow a Logistics Company to become the largest Forest Products Import facility in the USA.

So twenty years later Wagner, his wife Julianna and I are having a terrific lunch at a local Chiarascurria (Brazilain Steak House) in Sao Paulo. During lunch I decided to try my much rusted Portuguese and said ” Oi Wagner…esta vinho e muito bem!” (This wine is very good!) Wagner immediately lit up a huge Brazilian smile and said “Perfecto Mr Scott Menzies! This is going to be our future business venture together in the USA.

Wagner went on to explain the wines of Brazil are really fantastic and that it is time for the Brazilian Wine Industry to show and tell their story to the rest of the world. “It is time for Brazil” he said. “We will have the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016.

It would be horrible for the USA and rest of the world to watch these events without a great Brazilian wine in hand to capture the flavor of our country.”

Fast forward one year later and we have A & M (Alberti/Menzies) Imports LLC. We have a long term agreement with the flagship wine producer of Brazil ….Vinicola Salton of Tuity in the State of Rio Grande do Sol.

Salton is the largest producer of high quality wines in Brazil. A very traditional fourth generation family of Italian immigrants who today control 42% share of the Brazilian sparkling wine market and they produce an incredible line of terrific wines.

We are working with Maryland Trade Ambassador Philip Kapneck and Maryland`s Robert L. Walker, Secretary for Business and Development, to help us set up offices in Maryland as our base of operations. We will use the Port of Baltimore which will be our home port and the epi-center of our distribution network generating cargo for the Port of Baltimore and creating jobs for the citizens of Maryland.

We will grow the Brazilian wines in the USA market based on their great quality and fantastic value. We have many restaurants and retailers very excited about having great quality Brazilian wines available for their customers to experience and enjoy.

It is a dream come true for me and I know for Wagner as well to be business partners representing Vinicola Salton of Brazil. We have our next generation of family now coming into the business and they will work with us along with the Salton team and family to develop the wines of Brazil in the USA.

For More Information:

www.smenzies@termcorp.com

Popularity: 8% [?]

During the past years when the recession was starting to take hold and change the American way of life and the American dream, there were those who worked harder and longer each day to help their fellow citizens, keep their heads above water. One of these individuals was Maryland Trade Ambassador Philip Kapneck who was able to contact and reconnect with business and industry he attracted to the USA over the past 30 years, that created jobs for individuals in Maryland.

Since the recession, Ambassador Kapneck called on the same companies he helped to set up their businesses in past years, and surfing the wave of goodwill, he was able to find jobs for people who lost theirs with other companies. While this was not one of his duties, he felt that it was essential to help those in need of work.

Ambassador Kapneck does not want any notoriety or press coverage about his work, but it seems that the press has a yearning to cover his unselfish work in helping others.

People like Ambassador Kapneck and their hard work are responsible for 2011’s third straight month in creating new employment over the 200,000 mark in the USA.

Through research we were able to supply a list of some positions that Ambassador Kapneck held and some he is still holding as follows:

• Delegate to the Maryland State Convention
• He was appointed by Governor Marvin Mandel to open Maryland’s first overseas office in Brussels, Belgium as the State’s Trade Ambassador. He assisted the Federal Government in “Invest in the USA”.
• He was appointed by Secretary of Business and Economic Development to represent the State of Maryland with international companies in Asia and the South Pacific.
• He was appointed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Rowlings as Special Advisor Ambassador/Maryland Trade Ambassador to assist companies in New Zealand and Australia doing business in the USA.
• He has been appointed by each administration to date, since his first appointment to Belgium over 30 years ago, and is still serving as Maryland Trade Ambassador.

Ambassador Kapneck’s ability to achieve the goals set before him, and always extending a helping hand, when it is possible to do so, has made him an icon in his own time, from his success in attracting business and industry to the creation of jobs.
To learn more about Hon Philip Kapneck: Trade Ambassador Kapneck Official Site: http://tradeambassadorkapneck.com.

If you would like to nominate someone to be featured in out next story, email them to newsroom@thesop.org.

By Judyth Piazza

Popularity: 13% [?]

Maryland is lucky to have Dr. Ken Carter, the Presidentand CEO of Noble Life Sciences. The serial biotech entrepreneur has helped Montgomery County become one of the nation’s leading biotech hubs with around 330 biotech companies.

For several years, Dr. Carter ran the gene mapping initiative at Human Genome Sciences, then he co-founded Avalon Pharmaceuticals, took the company public and helped it merge with Clinical Data.

Noble Life Sciences is a preclinical research services company, straddling the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Located in the County’s Shady Grove Innovation Center, it was founded last year and just moved to the new 6,000 square foot office and lab in Gaithersburg.

Once an industry gains critical mass, it is an easy decision for more companies to come to the area, and so it is with biotech in Maryland.

The official opening of Noble Life Sciences was attended by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett Maryland State Senator, Jennie M. Forehand, Dr. Judith Britz, the Executive Director of Maryland Biotechnology Center, and Ms. Ann Humphrey, on behalf of U.S. Congressman Chris Van Hollen. There were other public and private sector guests, who together, celebrated the opening.

The Montgomery County Economic Development Fund provided a $50,000 grant for equipment and they also received a $200,000 translational research award from the Maryland Biotechnology Center. The company expects to grow from its current five full-time employees to around 30, over the next three years.

Popularity: 5% [?]

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” Thomas Jefferson

Hardworking people that are working for the people try to cut cost anyway that they can to help decrease America`s budget deficit and create jobs for Americans. Trade Ambassador Philip Kapneck has helped to create jobs for more than 30 years and has attracted business and industry to Maryland while working many years, without remuneration.

Ambassador Kapneck was first appointed by Governor Marvin Mandel to open Maryland`s first overseas office in Brussels, Belgium as the State`s Trade Ambassador. Ambassador Kapneck has been appointed by each administration to date since his first appointment to Belgium. He assisted the Federal Government in “Invest in the USA”. Ambassador Kapneck works tirelessly for the people of Maryland, creating jobs by bringing companies to Maryland that are unique and useful, and that need a quality workforce.

Ambassador Kapneck has introduced many companies to Maryland by helping these companies get established in the State of Maryland. Once they are established he continues to assist them in contacting other business operations which in turn makes the new companies a valuable part of the state economy and in turn, this helps to reduce unemployment numbers.

Ambassador Philip Kapneck is the true meaning of the inaugural speech once given by President John F. Kennedy. “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”

A State Official said that Ambassador Kapneck is not looking for publicity or public recognition for his work; he just wants to help people.

To find out more about Trade Ambassador Philip Kapneck, visit http://tradeambassadorkapneck.com/.

Each week we will highlight people working for the people and making America stronger.

If you would like to nominate someone to be featured in out next story, email them to newsroom@thesop.org.

By Judyth Piazza

Popularity: 19% [?]

Gaithersburg company, Sodexo says a wide range of methods ensure that employees have knowledge, team spirit and sense of belonging that can build a highly-engaged workforce.

After conducting their biennial survey of employee engagement amongst their management employees and a group of hard-to-reach frontline employees, they publish the findings. The hard-to-reach employees work at client locations or virtually from their home offices, so they sometimes don’t use of computers and email as part of their daily tasks.

The findings include the following ways to build that all-important team spirit:

Daily Huddles

Iamsodexo.com

Sodexo Employee Connect

Virtual Meetings

Best Practices in Recognition

Daily Huddles are short, informal meetings at all locations allow employees to discuss activities of the day and managers to emphasize the importance of customer service and safety, reinforcing the mission and values of the company.

Iamsodexo.com is a dedicated website, in both English and Spanish, serves as a central portal to all critical information providing frontline employees with access an array of company information, such as personal and company-wide benefits, available training, and support resources.

Sodexo Employee Connect provides frontline employees with access to a variety of tools including signing up for training, changing payroll deductions, and other at-work tasks through cutting edge onsite kiosks.

Virtual Meetings bring field managers and support staff together in a time- and cost-effective manner. Virtual meetings are held semi-annually and include presentations from leadership, complete with on-line live discussions with senior company executives and industry experts, e-learning courses, and recognition of outstanding performance. Feedback has shown that Sodexo’s virtual meetings allow more employees to participate and drive engagement higher than face-to-face meetings at a fraction of the cost.

Best Practices in Recognition means sharing best practices for recognizing and rewarding employees with all managers. Tips for recognizing accomplishments are discussed in Sodexo’s weekly e-Bulletin and during regional/district conference calls. Satisfaction with recognition increased three percentage points in 2010, and the company continues to identify and share a variety of creative methods for recognizing employees.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Gaitthersburg-based MedImmune has made an in-licensing agreement with Amgen for a novel monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-1 pathway. The antibody, AMG 108, a fully human monoclonal antibody to the IL-1 receptor, has been studied in multiple phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials and will now be explored by MedImmune for its potential against certain inflammatory diseases.

Under the terms of the agreement, Amgen grants MedImmune rights to develop AMG 108 worldwide, outside of Japan. Terms of the agreement include an upfront payment, development-related milestone payments for multiple indications, and royalties upon sale of a commercial product. Financial details will not be disclosed.

“Recent data indicates the importance of the IL-1 pathway in a variety of inflammatory conditions, and AMG 108 represents a compelling opportunity to explore this antibody’s activity against various diseases for which patients need new treatment options,” said Bahija Jallal, executive vice president of research and development at MedImmune.

The exploration of AMG 108 is strategically aligned with the organization’s commitment to advancing promising biological assets from both internal and external sources.

Popularity: 29% [?]

A possible dog fighting operation has been uncovered by Montgomery County Police after raiding a home on the 8100 block of Brink Road near Laytonsville.

The police found 14 pit bull dogs and one Presa Canario in December after animal officers came to check whether or not the animals were being properly cared for. On December 15, a SWAT team was sent to the home because some of the residents had a past of drug and weapons convictions. Charles Copeland, 45, was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm,  something he is prohibited from due to a 1998 conviction for drug possession with intent to distribute.

Another resident of the house was charged with marijuana possession.

One of the dogs seized from the property had bite wounds on its neck, leg and head that fell in line with dog fighting wounds. According to the responding animal services officer, some of the dogs were emaciated and malnourished.

Nine of the dogs were put to sleep because two owners who came to claim them did not want to fight the seizure or pay boarding fees for them. The other six dogs have been showing aggression to other dogs and are now being evaluated to see if they are good candidates for adoption.

Back to Copeland – he is out of jail on $25,000 bail, but also has civil violations tacked to his charges. The citations state that he failed to give the dogs proper shelter and water – their bowls were found either empty or frozen, and they were outdoors in freezing conditions with no bedding and inadequate housing. On top of all of this, he is scheduled for a court hearing in Silver Springs for another legal matter.

The owner of three of the dogs, Larry Thomas Jr., was charged with civil violations for inadequately sheltering and nourishing the dogs, as well as failing to have them licensed or vaccinated for rabies. He was fined $450 for the violations in Silver Springs last Tuesday.

Animal service officers were at Copeland’s house back on December 5 because he was under orders to make sure the dogs were properly cared for. He didn’t comply with the first order when they returned on the 13th, so they issued a search warrant on the 15th.

This is obviously not the first time Copeland has been suspected of foul play with the animals. In April 2006, police came to the house to respond to complaints of animal cruelty, excessive barking and dog fighting. He refused to cooperate, so police obtained a  search warrant. A search of Copeland’s property in 2006 turned up 13 unlicensed, unvaccinated pit bulls, as well as a sawed-off shotgun, marijuana and small bags containing marijuana residue. The shotgun was found to belong to someone else.

For now, animal cruelty charges against him are pending.

Popularity: 41% [?]

A Gaithersburg man was formally escorted out of his home to New York City on charges of stalking and harassing actress Uma Thurman.

The man, 39 year old Jack Jordan, was extradited back to Montgomery County December 16 to face charges of aggravated harassment and stalking. He also violated the terms of his probation from a 2006 trial in New York, where he was ordered to not contact the actress. He pleaded not guilty to those charges the next day.

The stalker was nabbed by Montgomery County police originally on November 23 after NYC detectives told them he was in the area. NYC police issued an arrest warrant earlier in the day because Jordan tried to make contact with Thurman. Local police found him on his computer Google searching the term “Uma Thurman” at the time of his arrest.

He is now awaiting trial at the at the Manhattan House of Detention Complex on $500,000 bond after waiving a hearing on December 21 in Montgomery County.

Popularity: 39% [?]

With thousands of votes cast for the country’s Most Vegan-Friendly College in America, Sodexo helped client Northwestern University emerge as the top pick for 2010 in the small college category by PETA2, the world’s largest youth animal rights organization.

The university’s dining services, managed and operated by Sodexo, beat out 31 other schools from across the country. Serving a range of entrees such vegan seitan tacos, pumpkin chowder, vegetarian barbeque riblet sandwiches and Thai green curry with tofu helped clinch the top position, which Northwestern also held in 2007.

“Offering clients, student customers and the campus population at-large menu options that are varied and balanced — to include vegan options — is a natural outgrowth of our corporate health and wellness and sustainability objectives,” said Tom Post, president, campus dining services, Sodexo. “It is exciting to see how our contributions work in concert with those of our clients to meet their needs in such a rewarding way.”

In addition to offering vegetarian and vegan options Sodexo promotes choices with reduced sugar, salt, fats, and wherever possible, it sources local, seasonal and sustainably grown products.

John Ferraro, Sodexo menu manager at Northwestern believes that it is important for young adults to understand that today’s vegetarian and vegan alternatives are nothing like the tasteless faux-meat concoctions of the past. He adds that tomorrow’s parents should be especially cognizant of the appetizing, healthier options given current statistics on childhood obesity and related health issues. His popular recipe Vegan Burritos frequently drives that point home.

The voting process for the Most Vegan-Friendly College in America was held on the PETA2 web site in a March Madness-style bracketed competition. Visitors to the site cast their votes to help PETA2 select a winner.

Sodexo is a business partner to clients in various industries, offering strategic counsel and solutions that make it possible for them to meet any number of objectives, including sustainability goals. Guided by the Better Tomorrow Plan, its roadmap to sustainability, Sodexo has identified 14 specific commitments in the areas of health and wellness, the environment, and support for local communities. For details about the Better Tomorrow Plan visit the corporate citizenship page at www.sodexoUSA.com.

Popularity: 39% [?]