Frederick Businesses Honored at Best Places to Work Awards Ceremony

Best Places to Work Category Winners from L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Tony Benedetto - ASI, Michelle Michael - AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Victoria Johnston - Nymeo, Richard Fouke - Antietam Technologies, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner

Frederick area businesses were recognized during the annual Best Places to Work Awards held at the Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center in Frederick, Maryland on July 30, 2015. Nearly 100 nominations were submitted, and six companies rose to the top after judges completed the scoring. Scoring categories included work-life balance, median salary, turnover rate, benefits, diversity, and professional growth.  

Primary category winners included:

Small Employer (1-10 employees)

Winner - Antietam Technologies

Honorable Mention - United Way of Frederick County

Medium Employer (11-50 employees)

Winner - NASW Assurance Services (ASI)

Honorable Mention - Go Ape

Large Employer (51-200 employees)

Winner - Nymeo

Honorable Mention - U.S. Silica

Major Employer ( 200+ employees)

Winner - AstraZeneca/MedImmune

Honorable Mention - Plamondon Companies

Two new categories were introduced this year: Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity and Most Creative Workplace Environment.

Winners in these categories included:

• Best Entrepreneurial Opportunity – Edward Jones Investments
• Most Creative Workplace Environment – CAS Engineering

From L to R: City of Frederick Mayor Randy McClement, Jay Wandalowski and Linda Hobbs - Edward Jones Investments,  Curt Schreffler - CAS Engineering, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner

In addition to category award winners, six businesses were recognized with the “Unsung Hero in the Workplace” award. “This award recognizes owners or presidents of companies who go above and beyond to connect with their employees,” said Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development for the City of Frederick.

The 2015 Unsung Heroes in the Workplace are:

• Business Management Company, Inc. - Brett Hess
• Regent Education - Randy Jones
• SoldierFit - Danny Farrar and Dave Posin
• Clagett Enterprises - Galen Clagett
• Essential Systems Solutions - Michael Tash and Jason Thompson
• Olde Towne Title - Peach Lapkoff

 2015 “Unsung Hero in the Workplace” Video

Helen Propheter, Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, said, "These companies join an elite group of businesses committed to retaining exceptional employees and their success. We are proud of the 2015 Best Places to Work recipients and proud that they chose Frederick County as their place to call home."

The Best Places to Work campaign is a county-wide program to increase quality of life opportunities for Frederick County employees.  The 2015 awards program is a partnership between Frederick County Workforce Services, City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information and photos of the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/FrederickCountyBPTW. 

McClintock Distillery to Call Downtown Frederick Home

A new business is in the process of calling Downtown Frederick and Carroll Creek Park home. McClintock Distilling Company announced plans to renovate 35 South Carroll Street and open in the fall. They will focus on small batch, limited release products that use unconventional ingredients. 

McClintock Distilling on Instagram

A recent press release shared by the company states they will launch with a craft gin using Appalachian-inspired botanicals as well as a sustainably sourced white whiskey. 

Frederick history is tied to this new business as well. The story of a local figure and innovator in the 1800's, McClintock Young, is a source of inspiration for the company. According to their website, "McClintock Young's incredible story will be integral to the products and experiences of the distillery." 

Their website and Instagram account show current work being done on the interior of the building, including great time-lapse videos of the improvements to the space.

City code was amended in December of 2014, which permitted small craft distilleries in the Downtown Frederick area. McClintock Distilling Company is just one distillery expected to open as a result of the updated legislation. For more information on the legislation, read the related post, "Are small distilleries the next big thing for Frederick?"

"We've had inquiries from other distilleries as well, and are very excited to follow the progress of the craft distillery industry in Frederick," said Economic Development Manager Bobby Baumler. 

For more information visit www.mcclintockdistilling.com. 

How Dublin Roasters Makes "The Most Excellent Beans"

Made in Frederick: Dublin Roasters Coffee

Story by Nick Masucci, Intern, Hood College

When walking into Dublin Roasters Coffee for the first time, there is an open atmosphere that makes customers feel welcome. This was owner Serina Roy’s goal when she moved her coffee roasting business to Frederick, Maryland.

Roy began roasting coffee 15 years ago as a hobby for small coffee companies in Frederick and Westminster when she wasn’t working as a police officer for The City of Frederick. As she started delivering coffee to more coffee shops, Roy also started demonstrating her coffee-roasting techniques and speaking to customers at different events in the area. Her business grew after more customers tried her coffee and saw how she crafted it.

Roy originally started roasting coffee in her garage before moving into a shop in New Market, Maryland. Her business was located in New Market for three years before moving her shop to Frederick in 2010.

Today, Dublin Roasters creates a variety of roasted coffee beans in their shop, which is located on 1780 N. Market Street in Frederick. In her shop, she sells coffee by the cup, specialty drinks, baked goods, and locally-made products.  Dublin Roasters can also create custom coffee blends for customers for special occasions, such as weddings. All of their beans are locally roasted in Frederick.

In addition to roasting coffee beans, Dublin Roasters offers fresh coffee by the cup, specialty coffees, their special roasts by the bag, baked goods, locally produced foods and handmade items.

According to Roy, starting with a quality product is the secret to crafting a great cup of coffee. “We only buy the most excellent beans,” she said.  Her beans come from small family farms, and she personally knows the farmers.

When roasting her coffee, Roy said that “every single bean reacts differently to the heat and to the environment.” The beans tell you how to roast them and that each bean tells its own tale. This is one of the things that Roy enjoys most about her business.

“The coffee is freshly roasted; we only roast when a customer orders it or when we’re out of coffee,” said Roy. Roy said that Dublin Roasters prides itself on making fresh coffee for its customers, making sure their coffee is not acidic or bitter.

Bean roasting process step-by-step. 

Frederick offers a great community of people who support local businesses, she said. “People here want to put their money into homegrown things,” said Roy. The community goes out of its way to support local businesses and locally made products.

Roy considers Dublin Roasters a community center for the people of Frederick and for people who are passionate about coffee.  The shop’s open space allows different groups of people in the community to come together and meet.

At Dublin Roasters, “We want to talk to you; we don’t want to just serve you,” said Roy.

Learn more about Dublin Roasters

www.dublinroasterscoffee.com

About Made in Frederick -  Made in Frederick posts will feature items that are locally manufactured or produced within The City of Frederick. If you have a suggestion for a Made in Frederick feature, contact us.