Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE) held its annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards Banquet on Nov. 7, honoring the achievements of local entrepreneurs who are contributing to the growth and prosperity of the region.
Hosted at Salisbury University’s Patricia R. Guerrieri Academics Commons Building Assembly Hall, this year’s event drew business leaders, community members and local officials, to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship.
The evening featured an awards ceremony recognizing three outstanding business leaders for their contributions to workforce development, innovation and entrepreneurial excellence. The program was emceed by Nick Rudolph, MCE’s Baltimore regional director and Maryland Senator Mary Beth Carozza gave the keynote address.
The 2024 honorees:
• Shaina Daly and Heather Hall, co-owners of The Ugly Pie, received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award in recognition of their commitment to quality, innovation and the expansion of their successful bakery business. The award was presented by Maurice Ames, MCE executive director.
• Jeremy Brink, owner of Ocean 13 Seafood and Steakhouse, received the Workforce Development Award for his dedication to creating meaningful employment opportunities and fostering workforce growth in the hospitality industry. The award was presented by Julianna Allen, business services manager of the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, on behalf of award sponsor, Worcester County Tourism & Economic Development.
• Sara Aquino Noyes, president of Atlantic Portable X-Ray, was honored with the Innovator Award for her groundbreaking work in the healthcare sector, delivering vital diagnostic services to patients with accessibility needs. The award was presented and sponsored by Jenni Pastusak, D3 Corporation’s director of public relations.
Award recipients also received congressional citations in recognition of their contributions to the community and the local economy. Delegate Christopher T. Adams, chair of the Eastern Shore Delegation, provided a citation from his office, alongside citations from
Maryland Senators Mary Beth Carozza and Johnny Mautz, and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Benjamin Cardin.
The event also included presentations by winners of the Salisbury University Perdue School of Business Ratcliffe Foundation and Shore Hatchery Entrepreneurship competition, introduced by Bryan Bourdeau, assistant director of the Dave & Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship at Salisbury University.
For more information about MCE and the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, visit www.marylandcapital.org.
