Over 175 guests attended to help celebrate a successful fiscal year, and witness the ceremonious passing of the gavel to The Chamber's incoming board chair.

This year, The Chamber's Immediate Past Board Chair, Mary Ellen Waltemire of One Step Closer Coaching, did the honors in handing over the gavel to fiscal year 2026 Board Chair, Abraham "Abe" Perez, III of Middletown Valley Bank. 

Perez has served on The Chamber's board of directors since 2020. He has almost 29 years of experience in the banking industry, and is currently an Assistant Vice President - Commercial Relationship Manager at Middletown Valley Bank. Perez stated, "As board chair I look forward to continuing the partnership with the local business community and local government to help move Washington County forward for the citizens and the next generation to come."

The Chamber also recognized deserving individuals and organizations within the community by presenting them with a Distinguished Service Award during the event. Recipients include Jessica Green of The Maryland Theatre, Bill Gaertner of Gatekeepers Corp., Brittany Arizmendi of the City of Hagerstown, Meritus Health, and Hagerstown Community College.

About the Washington County Chamber of Commerce

Growth. Community. Success. The Chamber values the diversity of our business and nonprofit community and encourages participation, inclusion, and collaboration, while promoting and facilitating cooperation and collaboration among our elected officials at all levels of government. 

Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 675 organizations, representing over 40,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education. For more information, call 301.739.2015 or visit www.hagerstown.org. 

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