ROMG Chamber Gavel Passed On, Trudo's Tempo Welcomed

More than 100 people attended the Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Chamber of Commerce "Charter Night" Thursday to bid adieu to old board members and welcome the new.

The three-hour event at the attracted people behind several different facets of local business, many of whom were sponsors of the event, and served as a backdrop for honoring those involved in the community. Toward the end of the night, outgoing President Rachel Heird turned over the gavel to Erin Trudo, manager of in Reisterstown, who was inducted as the chamber's new president.

Trudo addressed the group, her first order of businesss being a gift presentation for Heird.

"I aspire to be the leader you have become," Trudo said.

Trudo went on to offer an for the chamber, noting that a 7.9 unemployement rate in Baltimore County in 2010 has brought its share of challenges. An increased focus on programs, including more events, opportunities for promotion on the chamber's website and utilizing Facebook are ways to address it, Trudo said.

She also challenged everyone to bring a colleague to at least one chamber event in 2011. One attendee said Trudo's tempo is welcome.

"The energy you feel in the room tonight — that is key to what's going to happen in the next year," said Baltimore County Councilwoman Vicki Almond, a Reisterstown Democrat.

A sense of vitality is important to the chamber's success, and it's something Trudo has, Almond said.

The event also offered pause for those leaving and those who have left already, with Heird presenting gifts to outgoing directors Arlene Burman and Neil Levy. Several people also took to the stage to honor Henry H. Lewis, Bobby Knatz, Roz Trieber and Jim Eline, four longtime members who passed away during the last two years.

The night ended on a light note, with one of Trudo's ideas calling for a chamber happy hour. The first one will take place March 24 at BB&T Bank.

"It was actually supposed to be called 'after hours' ... but I got nervous!" Trudo said.