Chamber Chat

This week Mike chats with Liza Guroff, President/CEO of Carroll County Youth Service Bureau, about who they are and about what their upcoming focus is over the next year. Among other things, CCYSB has some exciting national media attention coming their way, as they will be featured on "All Access with Andy Garcia"

Mike chats with Ian Scott of Quest Voyager about the amazing trip the Chamber has planned over Halloween of next year. Imagine Dracula, old gothic buildings, castles, the Carpathian mountains, and a Halloween party in an ancient castle on Halloween night. Join the Chamber's zoom webinar on Wednesday, September 30th, from 6:00 - 7:30 PM to find out more.

Mike chats with Lori Conroy, Critical Home Repair Program Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County, about the little known program they have for making critical home repairs for low income homeowners in Carroll County.

Today, Mike chats with Christine Gray, General Manager of Quantum Internet and Telephone, about what this longstanding local internet and phone provider offers the community.

This week Mike chats with John Zeigenfuse of Carroll Community College about the profound impact that AI is having on the world and in our local community. John sheds some light on what he and the College can do to help educate us on how to use AI in a way that helps us and doesn't think for us.

This week Mike is chatting with Tom Welliver, owner of the new Westminster Liquors, located at 7 Westminster Shopping Center Westminster. They just celebrated their grand opening on Saturday, August 15th. They are located where the old Rite Aid Liquor Store used to be.

Mike chats with Hannah Brookfield, owner of Botanigal in Downtown Sykesville, about a great event for houseplant lovers on August 22nd. The town will officially be declared the houseplant capital of Maryland, followed by a rare plant release by Botanigal.

This week Mike is chatting with Ted Zaleski, Carroll County Director of Management and Budget, about the exciting Carroll Book Festival coming to the Farm Museum on Saturday, September 19th.

This week Mike chats with Roberta Windham, Carroll County Administrator, about her reflections of the job she's held for the past 11 years, and about her retirement plans.

This week Mike chats with Victoria Clausen, owner of Tannery Grove in Taneytown. Her venue is amazingly beautiful and versatile, as it can be used for large weddings or gatherings as well as smaller business meetings and groups.

This week Mike chats with Ed Salazar, a new Chamber member and owner of, SnoreLessNow, about how the device his Mt. Airy based business provides changed his life and how it can change the life of anyone who snores or has to live with someone who snores!

This week Mike chats with Ann Gilbert of the Carroll County Farm Museum about their major fundraiser, Night at The Farm Museum, set for Saturday, July 25th. Tickets are available for an evening featuring cocktails, a sit-down dinner, music, cigars, and more.

This week Mike chats with Jesse Johnson, owner of Brewery Fire in Taneytown and owner of the new Brewery Fire Taphouse in Westminster. This new place is a great addition to the Westminster landscape, so come and celebrate their grand opening and ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 2nd, at 11:00 AM.

This week Mike chats with Photographer Extraordinaire, Kelly Heck, about her services and philosophy regarding photography.

This week listen in as Mike chats with Steve Lowe about the 15th annual Carroll Biz Challenge. They talk about the June 23rd Meet & Greet at the Town Mall! It' free for all to attend.

This week Mike chats with Dr. Noah Williamson about his new chiropractic practice in Eldersburg. He specializes in pediatric chiropractic therapy, especially helping children with ADHD and Autism.

This week Mike chats with Kristen Coulter, Store Manager of the newly opened Westminster branch of the Boot Barn, an amazing place with a vast selection of country western wear. From Stetson hats to beautiful boots, this place has everything you need! Check them out at 140 Englar Road in Westminster.

This week Mike talks with Maggie Manning, co-owner with Jessica Anderson of MAJIK Tag and Title (located at 447 East Main Street in Westminster), about their one-year anniversary and their philosophy of excellent customer service and community involvement.

This week Mike chats with Jake Fine of Fine Tuned about all the various things Jake does. From arranging concerts to handling the audiovisual needs of multiple events, Fine Tuned is there to make sure things run smoothly!

This week Mike is talking with Breanna Moser, Practice Manager of Carroll Occupational Health, about the services they offer and about our Annual Public Safety Awards on May 19th, of which they are proud to be the main sponsor.

This week Mike is chatting with Joanna Georgiou, Marketing Manager, of The Big Greek Cafe at 6400 Ridge Road in Eldersburg. Come and enjoy the delicious homemade Greek cuisine at this Family owned new restaurant!

This week Mike chats with Carroll County Farm Museum Events Coordinator, Dana Wachter, about the fun community events they have planned through July. These are events you don't want to miss!

This week Mike is talking with Patricia Coronado of Bierbath in Eldersburg.

This week Mike is talking with Emily Hunter of Nothing Bunt Cakes about the new Westminster location for all your cake needs!

Mike is announcing the Chamber's international trip for May of 2027: An unforgettable river cruise along the Rhine, visiting the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland.

This week Mike is chatting with Mark Blacksten, ANCB Bank Maryland Market President, about all this great, local bank has to offer. Mark is also an active member of the Chamber's Board of Directors.

This week Mike is chatting with Jenny Graybill, the new CEO of Human Services Programs of Carroll County, about their mission, their new Family Shelter, and all the lives they touch.

This week Mike is chatting with Val Giovagnoni of Antietam Broadband and the Chair of the Chamber's Foundation, about the direction of the Foundation in 2026 and the upcoming Outstanding Teachers Awards on March 18th.

This week Mike is chatting with Melissa Lineburg, co-founder of Ballet Embody in Westminster, about their new facility, their upcoming grand opening and their March 14th performance.

This week Mike is talking with outgoing Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Scott Swartz, and the new Executive Director, Amy Larocque-Rumano, about their goals and vision for Habitat.

This week Mike's guest is Dr. Jim Ball of the Chamber's Foundation Board. We're talking about the Foundation and Outstanding Teacher Awards.

This week Mike is chatting with Kim Beatty, co-owner of Goose Ridge Soaps and Founder of Project Lather, a new non-profit that helps those in need feel clean.

This week I'm chatting with Ian Scott about our Portugal trip, as there are still a few spots left and the early bird deal ends on March 8th.

Mike is chatting with Steve Lowe about the 2026 Carroll Biz Challenge, and the February 19th Kickoff meeting. LISTEN UP local entrepreneurs at how you can win cash and prizes for your new business idea!

This week my guest is Jessica Taylor, the Assistant Director of Admissions, Marketing and Communication from Springdale Preparatory School. We're chatting about what makes them different and the international exposure they offer to students.

This week Mike is chatting with Steve Potorti of Giulianova Groceria & Italian Deli in Downtown Westminster, and with Michele Alessi, formerly of Starlings Coffee, Kitchen and Bakehouse, about the amazing assortment of homemade pastries they now have to offer at Giulianova. These are absolutely delicious and are the "icing on the cake" of what this great deli has to offer!

This week Mike is chatting with Deleila Alloui of the Milton Hershey School about the great work they do with children, and about their need for house parents. This is an amazing opportunity for local Carroll Countians to get involved with nonprofit school, as well obtain a fulltime job as house parents.

This week Mike is talking with Jon Weetman, the Entrepreneurs Lawyer and the 2026 Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Board.

For the last show of 2025, Mike chats with Richard Turner, the Chief Executive Office of the Community Media Center of Carroll County and the 2025 Chamber Chair of the Board, about CMC's expanding mission and reach, as well as the impact the Chamber has on the local community.

This week Mike is chatting with Seth and Alston Shipley, the Father/Son duo from Shipley's Diamonds and Fine Jewelry at 1224 N. Main Street in Hampstead. This family run local jewelry store is the perfect place for a special gift for a loved one. It's especially great for that last minute Christmas Gift!

This week I'm chatting with Kim Samuelson, Executive Director of MAGIC, which is a nonprofit located in Downtown Westminster. MAGIC's mission is to build a tech ecosystem that creates and nurtures talent, entrepreneurship, and tech businesses, elevating the Westminster Gigabit Community to lead the Mid-Atlantic region.

This week I'm chatting with Jill Centofanti, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid for McDaniel College, about how they are expanding their Legacy Scholarship program to recognize all children of first responders, along with health professionals, and government employees to a maximum of $132,000 over four years. Listen in to all the scholarships available through McDaniel!

This week my guest is Lisa Oh, the owner of Little Explorers Cafe in Sykesville. This is an amazing place to bring children to keep them entertained for hours!

This week my guest is McDaniel College Professor of Communication & Cinema, Robert Lemieux. We're talking about a unique project he has championed, a PBS documentary, Growing Into Greatness: Maryland's Champion Trees. This documentary about the Champion Trees in Maryland, and even one in Carroll County, will air on November 22, 2025 on PBS.

This week my guest is Brenda Meadows, Executive Director of The Shepherds Staff. We talk about their mission, the people they serve, their Festival of Trees, and the plans for their new location. 

This week I'm talking with Molly Sherman, Executive Director of the Carroll Technology and Innovation Council, about the exciting things they are doing, and about the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence.

This week I'm chatting with Ian Scott of Quest Voyager about our amazing Portugal trip  in October of 2026.  We have a webinar set for Wednesday, November 12th, at 6PM at Exploration Commons at 50 East with an optional Zoom link.

This week my guest is Steve Wantz, Executive Director of the Community College Foundation. Steve reflects on almost 25 years with the Foundation and about his upcoming retirement.

This week Mike welcomes Renee Garvin, Executive Director of Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, for a follow up chat, and they talk about the impact CLV has on the local community, as well as the 45th Anniversary Celebration they are having. In addition, Renee introduces the Capital Campaign they are launching.