Tenable Among Fastest Growing North American Tech Companies in Deloitte’s Fast 500
Columbia-based Tenable Network Security has been named to the Deloitte Technology Fast 500, earning a place on the annual list of the fastest growing technology companies in North America for the seventh straight year.
“2015 has been an incredible year for Tenable as we have achieved record revenue to date, significantly expanded our direct sales organization, doubled the number of resellers and added over 200 employees worldwide,” said CEO Ron Gula. “As cloud, mobile and Internet of Things continue to disrupt the enterprise [information technology] landscape, organizations are increasingly looking to Tenable’s next-generation security platform to keep their networks and endpoints secure. This positions us well for continued growth and success.”
During the past year, Frost & Sullivan named Tenable’s SecurityCenter Continuous View (SecurityCenter CV) as the best continuous network monitoring solution, and SC Magazine Europe named Tenable the Best Security Company in 2015. Network World Asia twice awarded the company top honors for vulnerability management and continuous monitoring. Tenable was named to the Red Herring North America Top 100 most promising tech companies list and has also earned “best place to work” recognition from the Washington Post, Washingtonian magazine and the Baltimore Sun.
Merkle First U.S.-Headquartered Baidu Reseller
Merkle, a marketing agency based in Columbia Gateway Business Park, has partnered with Baidu, the largest digital platform in China, to become the first U.S.-headquartered Baidu reseller. As Merkle’s client base became increasingly global, the company has placed emphasis on the expansion of Merkle’s capability in China, as well as Europe.
Merkle opened its first international office in Shanghai in 2010 and added a second office in Nanjing in 2013. Currently, there are more than 400 employees between both locations. Through the partnership with Baidu and Merkle’s operations in China, Merkle is able to offer data-driven, technology-enabled performance marketing campaigns that result in improved return on investment and sustainable competitive advantage.
Baidu is the largest digital platform in China and the fourth most trafficked site in the world, following Google, Facebook and YouTube. In addition to a search engine platform, Baidu also has an encyclopedia function; a social network; a mapping and direction service; a question and answer community; and extensive online video, music and image collections. Advertisers have access to the Baidu Union, a network of more than 600,000 sites that allows targeting, based on users’ online behavior.
Maryland Hospitals Follow WHO Code, Go Bag-Free
With the closure of Laurel Memorial Hospital, the last hospital in Maryland to distribute formula samples, all Maryland maternity hospitals now are free of infant formula marketing and in compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Maryland joins Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Delaware in making this transition.
Formula companies such as Abbott, Nestle and Mead-Johnson have distributed samples to hospitals for years. Rather than receiving what can be seen as an indirect endorsement of formula from hospital staff, mothers in all Maryland hospitals now will be provided with encouragement and support free from marketing.
Studies show that mothers who receive formula samples are less likely to breastfeed exclusively, and they do so for shorter periods of time. Breastfeeding is shown to have significant health benefits for both babies and mothers.
Bozzuto Goes Green ‘From the Bottom Up’ at Maple Lawn
The Bozzuto Group has taken a step toward environmental responsibility and energy efficiency with the addition of standard geothermal heating and cooling systems at its new Sage at Maple Lawn community. The new homes have been rated as the most energy-efficient ever built by Bozzuto and have received a HERS score of 21, upon the installation of solar panels.
Measured on a scale of 0–100 and awarded by the Residential Energy Services Network, HERS scores are used universally by builders to score new homes on their energy efficiency; the lower the score, the better. Receiving a score of 21 means Sage at Maple Lawn homes are more than three times as energy efficient as the minimum requirement needed for Energy Star certification, which requires a HERS score of 70; by comparison, a standard new home is generally awarded a rating of 100.
This is the first Bozzuto home community to have geothermal systems as a part of the standard construction plan, and the company is the first production builder in the mid-Atlantic to include it in the standard features package.
Runway 10-28 Reopened at BWI Marshall, Available Before Thanksgiving
Runway 10-28, one of the major commercial runways at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, has reopened following months of major construction. The runway was temporarily closed in late August as part of a comprehensive series of airfield improvements. The closure was necessary in order to complete pavement work, taxiway improvements and installation of new navigational equipment as required by Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Airline operational patterns are expected to be at normal activity with the reopening of Runway 10-28. Further airfield construction activities will continue in coming months. Short-term, temporary runway closures will be required as part of that work.
BWI Marshall worked extensively with the FAA, the airlines and construction contractors to coordinate the work in order to minimize the impact on airport operations. The approximately $350 million overall airfield program includes runway pavement reconstruction, grading, airfield lighting improvements, taxiway upgrades, installation of new navigational aids and other associated projects. Funding for the program includes approximately $230 million in Passenger Facility Charge revenues, an anticipated $95 million in federal funding and $25 million from the Maryland Transportation Trust Fund.
National, Regional Economists Present Forecast at BWCC Luncheon
Tower Federal Credit Union sponsored the recent Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC) Annual Forecast Luncheon, at the Sheraton College Park in Beltsville. The panel included Martin Regalia, chief economist and senior vice president, economic and tax policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Terry Clower, deputy director, Regional Policy Analysis School of Public Policy, George Mason University; and Daraius Irani, chief economist, Regional Economic and Studies Institute, Towson University.
In general, the economists said the economy is recovering, but at a slow pace. There has been notable job growth; however, it has been mostly in low-wage jobs. Many workers are still unemployed or underemployed. In the middle- to high-wage sectors, the most growth in the private sector is in professional and business services, followed by education and health services and retail.
The real estate market has recovered somewhat, and median house sales price have increased in the D.C. area. Foreclosures are still high, particularly in Maryland; however, the number of people underwater on their mortgages has dropped.
Moe Vetoes Proposed Development at Laurel Shopping Center
Laurel City Mayor Craig Moe has vetoed a city ordinance adopted by the city council on Oct. 28 that grants approval of the revitalization overlay filed by Federal Realty for Laurel Shopping Center.
The application requested removal of 52,000 feet of vacant commercial space to allow construction of 180 apartment units. Federal Realty proposed only 100 parking spaces at the site, which Moe said already suffers from insufficient parking. According to his review, 2,809 apartment units either have been completed recently or are under construction (or approved for construction) in the city, which he deemed “more than adequate” for residential demand.
Moe added that Federal Realty has “an optimal opportunity” to enhance Laurel Shopping Center with commercial opportunities within the footprint of its proposed apartment site and pledged to work closely with Federal Realty to realize those opportunities.
AACC Nursing Graduates Have New Transfer Option
Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) has signed an agreement with Simmons College, of Massachusetts, to make it easier for AACC’s nursing graduates to enroll in Simmons’ RN-to-Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner degree program.
To take advantage of the agreement, AACC nursing students need to show documentation that they are licensed as registered nurses and have graduated from AACC with an Associate of Science degree in Nursing with at least a 3.0 grade-point-average. AACC graduates also will have their application fee waived and will be eligible for a 10% scholarship. The agreement will be in effect for five years. For information about this opportunity or other transfer agreements, visit www.aacc.edu/transfer.
Northrop Team Offering 3-D Virtual Home Tours
The Creig Northrop Team of Long & Foster Real Estate, of Clarksville, now offers new 3-D modeling technology to provide virtual walkthroughs and 360-degree interior views of listings on www.northropteam.com. The 3-D walkthroughs allow potential homebuyers to manipulate 3-D models of home interiors, virtually move through rooms and hallways and spin views 360 degrees at points throughout the home.
The 3-D home models are captured by special cameras, powered by Matterport technology, that rotate 360 degrees and are placed in multiple locations in every room in the home. Sensors capture the look and scope of the space while calculating dimensions in order to render complete 3-D models.
Laurel Receives Sustainable Maryland Certified Award
The City of Laurel was among 12 municipalities honored at the Sustainable Maryland Awards Ceremony at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual Fall Conference in Cambridge. The award program is a collaborative effort between the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at the University of Maryland and the Maryland Municipal League.
Highlights of Laurel’s accomplishments that contributed to its selection as a recipient include adoption of a Green Construction Code for new construction of non-public buildings; a Health and Wellness Program for municipal employees; a Green Purchasing Policy for procurement of municipal goods and services; creation of a Bicycle Master Plan and Map; and assumption of the lead role in developing and implementing the Patuxent River Policy Plan.
Condor Airlines Extends Summer 2016 in Baltimore
Condor Airlines will begin its summer season earlier in 2016, offering three weekly nonstop flights from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport to Frankfurt, Germany, beginning on May 13. That adds almost eight weeks of additional transatlantic service to BWI Marshall, compared to 2015.
“Our program from Baltimore and the National Capital region in the last three years was so well received that we have added a third frequency this year and are now taking the next step by starting the summer 2016 season early in May,” said Titus Johnson, vice president North America at Condor Flugdienst GmbH. “We offer a wide range of well-priced options to start a transatlantic journey from BWI, and once in Frankfurt, passengers can connect seamlessly to nearly all German and European cities.”
ThinkB!G LearnSmart Expands Course Availability
ThinkB!G.LearnSmart, of Columbia, is going coast-to-coast. Starting in 2016, the company will be delivering its Adobe & Microsoft Authorized Certification Training, Responsive Web-to-Mobile and Articulate Storyline eLearning classes at times convenient for students across the country. Its virtual online live training (VOLT) classes will start at 10:30 a.m. (Eastern)/7:30 a.m. (Pacific). Students will receive hands-on instruction by certified instructor-led classes such as are offered at its Technology Training Center headquarters in Town Center.
ThinkB!G’s Adobe and Microsoft Certification courses will be available at these newly scheduled times. The company still will offer its blended in-person and VOLT classes locally, starting at 8:30 a.m. Classes can be taken individually or as part of its Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Training and Certification packs.
Regional Developer Announces Plans for Latest BWI Corridor Asset
Heritage Properties Inc., a commercial real estate development company based in Towson, has acquired a 67,000-square-foot Class A office building at 999 Corporate Blvd., in Linthicum, in a submarket known for its density of high profile technology firms, including Aerotek, BoozAllen, Ciena, Northrup Grumman and Raytheon. Heritage’s repositioning plans for the asset began with adding standard amenities and finishes to the building including on-site management, a state-of-the-art security system, a fitness center and locker rooms, and a computerized building automation system to supplement the existing fiber-optic telephone and data systems, and abundant free parking.
“The addition of 999 Corporate Blvd. to the Heritage portfolio marks the first step in expanding our presence in the [Baltimore-Washington] Corridor,” said Senior Associate Carl Rienke. “There is still a need for well-positioned properties with strong management teams and workforce driven amenities in the area.”
Manekin Breaks Ground on New G. Cefalu’, Capital Seaboard Headquarters
CGC Holdings Inc., the parent company of wholesale produce supplier G. Cefalu’ & Bro.; and seafood distributor Capital Seaboard, broke ground on a new, 160,000-square-foot headquarters and operations facility for the distributors on Nov. 13.
According to Owen Rouse, director of capital markets for project developer Manekin, of Columbia, the building will be the centerpiece for the redevelopment of the Baltimore-Washington Logistics Center. Plans also call for the renovation and 120,000-square-foot expansion of the existing former Giant Food Warehouse, yielding more than 1 million square feet of modern logistics space. Total project completion is expected by fall of 2016.
Revere Bank Announces Acquisition of Blue Ridge Bank
Revere Bank of Laurel is set to pass the $1 billion in assets mark in 2016 with the merger and acquisition of Frederick-based Blue Ridge Bank. Co-President and CEO Drew Flott made the announcement during Revere’s eighth anniversary celebration on Nov. 19. Blue Ridge maintains more than $210 million in assets.
“Since our last [anniversary], Revere has grown about $220 million in size, and profits this year are 45% higher than last year,” said Revere Co-President and Vice Chair Ken Cook. Following the merger, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016, Revere Bank will rank among the top 10% of the nation’s 5,500 banks in terms of assets.
BWI Marshall Airport to Receive British Airways 787 Dreamliner Service
British Airways will use the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft between BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and London Heathrow, starting on Aug. 1, 2016. The airport will be the fourth U.S. market to receive Dreamliner service from British Airways.
British Airways offers daily nonstop service between BWI Marshall and Heathrow. The Boeing 787 offers state-of-the-art engineering, efficiency and advanced amenities, and accommodates 214 passengers in a three-class configuration. This will be the first scheduled Boeing 787 flights at BWI Marshall.
TEDCO Inks Lease in Columbia Gateway
Cushman & Wakefield has announced that the Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO) has signed an 11,816-square-foot lease at 7021 Columbia Gateway Drive, in Columbia. TEDCO is an independent organization that strives to be Maryland’s lead source for entrepreneurial business assistance and seed funding for the development of startup companies in Maryland’s innovation economy.
“TEDCO’s selection of 7021 Columbia Gateway Drive allowed for a prestigious Howard County business address, a higher quality and level of interior finishes, a complementary and neighboring technology industry, and a Columbia Gateway Park I-95 presence and location,” commented Andrew Smith, managing director of DTZ.
IMPACT Among Baltimore’s Fastest Growing Companies
The growth of IMPACT Marketing & Public Relations, of Columbia, has earned it a spot on SmartCEO’s 2016 Future 50 list of Baltimore’s fastest-growing companies. The IMPACT team will be profiled in the January/February 2016 issue of SmartCEO Magazine and IMPACT President Duane Carey will be featured in a video interview to be shown at the award ceremony on Jan. 21, 2016, at the Hunt Valley Inn.
IMPACT also garnered back-to-back “Best in Maryland” web site wins (in 2013 and 2014) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the 2014 Howard County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year award for Carey.
ULI, AIA Salute HHC for Rouse Building Transformation
The Howard Hughes Corp. (HHC) has been cited by two leading industry organizations for its visionary transformation of the Rouse Building in Downtown Columbia from an iconic, but aging, office building into a wellness epicenter, featuring a new Whole Foods Market and multi-faceted spa overlooking the lakefront.
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) honored the company and its associates with the Wavemaker Award in the Baltimore region, which recognizes significant achievement in real estate development; in addition, HHC received honorable mentions in the Good Design = Good Business category of the Excellence in Design Awards by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in Baltimore. The redesign of the Rouse Building was cited by the AIA as a “good example of a sensitive adaptive-use which retains the essence of the original building, and carries this into the new design.”
CarneyKelehan Ranked Among ‘Best Law Firms’
Columbia-based Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr was ranked among the 2016 “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers, the oldest peer-review publication in the legal profession. CarneyKelehan was ranked in Baltimore’s first tier for real estate law and second tier for construction law.
The rankings are based on client and lawyer evaluations, peer reviews and additional information provided by law firms. To be eligible for a ranking, a firm must have a lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes practicing attorneys in the U.S. The publication selected two of the firm’s members, Kevin Kelehan and Tom Meachum, for 2016.
HCC Cited as Military Friendly
During a Veteran’s Day ceremony on campus, Howard Community College (HCC) announced it has been named a 2016 Military Friendly School. This is the fourth year in a row that HCC has achieved this prestigious honor, which goes to the top colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to support and embrace military students. More than 300 veterans are enrolled as students at HCC this semester.
The Military Friendly School award is presented by Victory Media, the publisher of G.I. Jobs, STEM Jobs and Military Spouse. The Military Friendly Schools designation provides service members with data-driven ratings about post-military education and career opportunities.
HCC also announced that its Student Veterans Organization was awarded an $8,777 grant from the Vet Center Initiative grant program, which is a partnership between the Home Depot Foundation and the Student Veterans of America, to fund the renovation of the Military and Veteran Student Lounge on campus.
KLNB, ColumbiaNational Announce Joint Venture
KLNB LLC, a full-service real estate services company, and ColumbiaNational Real Estate Finance, of Columbia, a mortgage banking firm, have announced the formation of a new joint venture partnership called Arris Realty Capital. The entity provides a complete array of real estate financing options to real estate developers, investors and owners looking to fund real estate transactions in the regional marketplace.
“This relationship with the professionals of ColumbiaNational Real Estate Finance provides our capital markets and leasing teams with the ability to provide turnkey transaction solutions, including the critical financing component, to our clients,” said Andy Georgelakos, president KLNB LLC. “This strategic alliance is in keeping with the national trend among commercial brokerage firms to offer a fully-integrated platform to address any and all client needs including sales, leasing, finance and management. The joint venture also allows our two firms to further solidify our foothold in the mid-Atlantic.”
Fulton Company to Release The Personal Finance Handbook
There is endless information online and in print, but various studies continue to point to consumers being overwhelmed and falling behind in their financial goals. Perhaps this quantity of resources is contributing to the issues rather than simplifying it, but a new book coming out from author and financial planner Brian Kuhn, of Fulton-based PSG Clarity, aims to solve the issue. It’s called, The Personal Finance Handbook.
“What I wanted to do was take all the questions I am typically asked in a client relationship and put down two [to] three paragraphs answering each one, so readers of the book could quickly reference some helpful information in their research,” said Kuhn, “but also not feel overwhelmed by reading an entire book, if they don’t want to.”
Architectural Update Set for Elkridge Library Redesign
An architectural update meeting concerning renovations to the Howard County Library System (HCLS) branch in Elkridge, located at 654 Washington Boulevard, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 6:45–7:45 p.m.; at 7:50 p.m., the Howard County Office on Aging will host a similar public presentation to focus on the 50+ Center, which is co-located on the site.
A public presentation will provide an overview of HCLS’s vision for the branch and include an introduction to the branch’s new signature curriculum component, a DIY Education Center. The site plan, landscaping approach, building exterior concept, floor plan and amenities also will be presented. Valerie Gross, president and CEO of the HCLS, and representatives from Grimm & Parker Architects, will discuss the update with the community on the planned renovation and redesign of branch and the DIY Education Center.