Sodexo, a Montgomery County-based leader in foodservice across the US has announced the company’s goal of opening nearly 100 “Food Hive” markets at colleges nationwide by 2026.
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is inviting residents to participate in MLK Day of Service events on January 18 and 19, featuring service projects at local recreation centers and a volunteer fair at the Bethesda North Marriott, aimed at supporting community members in need. (more…)
Talent is one of the most important factors influencing where companies choose to invest, expand, and grow. As competition for skilled workers intensifies, employers are embracing a broader talent strategy: one that leverages partnerships. Last week, almost 120 business leaders, elected officials, and members of Montgomery County’s business community attended the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s (MCEDC) panel, “The Talent Advantage: A Growth Strategy for Companies in Montgomery County, Maryland,” to hear how local businesses are capitalizing on the County’s world-class academic institutions, innovation ecosystem, quality of life, and economic development resources to attract and retain top talent.
Moderated by Dr. Anne Khademian, Executive Director at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG), the panel included executives from businesses and institutions across industries, including Lockheed Martin, TrilliumBIO, Thales Defense & Security, Johns Hopkins, Montgomery College, and AstraZeneca, who discussed their companies’ strategies for developing their workforce.
Talent as a Business Strategy
For companies competing in highly specialized industries like the defense industry, access to talent directly influences where they choose to locate and grow. For Lockheed Martin, which employs nearly 1,000 people in Montgomery County, talent is one of the primary reasons the company chose to be headquartered here.
“Talent is in the top one or two reasons why we are in the County,” said Todd Cohen, Senior Lead of Strategic Workforce Development, Lockheed Martin.
According to Cohen, Lockheed Martin begins working with partners to develop their talent pipeline well before students enter the workforce, including partnering with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) on programs such as coding challenges. Lockheed Martin also maintains close relationships with local higher education institutions, including the Universities at Shady Grove (USG).
That local talent pipeline is also an important factor for AstraZeneca, which employs more than 5,000 employees and contractors in Montgomery County. According to Tiffany Lukis, Director of STEM and Community Engagement at AstraZeneca, the company often taps into its alumni base from Montgomery College (ranked #26 nationally among community colleges) and USG (which offers nine different public universities onto one campus), and other local institutions to fill highly technical roles.
Local Companies Are Developing Talent and Not Just Finding It
According to the panelists, investing in existing employees is just as important as recruiting new ones.
At Suburban Hospital, workforce development is closely tied to talent retention. The hospital partners with local educational institutions to provide employees with opportunities to gain new skills and advance their careers. Programs include a Certified Nursing Assistant program through Montgomery College and English as a Second Language classes.
“A huge part of our talent strategy is to prioritize holding on to our top tier talent,” said Corey Lewson, MSW, Program Manager, Workforce Development, John Hopkins Medicine.
For smaller companies, developing talent internally can be especially valuable. Lane Edwards, Vice President of Operations, TrilliumBIO, a biomarker discovery company with fewer than 20 employees based in Rockville, described the challenge of balancing the need for highly specialized expertise with the realities of building a team at an early-stage company.
“When it comes to hiring, we have to be very strategic,” Lane said. “Do we have someone who has the expertise or someone that we can build on?”
Bonchon at 19775 Frederick Rd in the Fox Chapel Shopping Center in Germantown has permanently closed. (more…)
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Mykonos, a Rockville staple for decades, will be opening a new restaurant in Potomac’s Cabin John Village. The restaurant will be taking over the space that was occupied by Broadway Pizza until the end of 2021 and though an opening timeframe is not yet available, we now expect it to be in the coming months.
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Catch every live out-of-market Sunday game with NFL Sunday Ticket this football season at Lucky Strike Rockville!
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Music. Art. Food. Community. The Takoma Park Folk Festival brings it all together for one free, unforgettable day. Discover six stages of live music from around the world, shop an acclaimed juried craft show, enjoy international cuisine, connect with local community organizations, and let the kids explore crafts and activities in the Children's Nook. It's one of the region's most beloved traditions, and a celebration of the creativity, diversity, and welcoming spirit that has long defined Takoma Park.
New this year! Jam at the Crossroads is a place for musicians of all levels to come together and be part of the music.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has once again increased their projected snowfall totals for most of the area.
As Washington, D.C. prepares to host funeral events for former President Jimmy Carter, Metro is announcing temporary service adjustments to ensure the safety and security of attendees and residents.
A Winter Storm Watch has been issued, in effect from Sunday evening through late Monday night. The National Weather Service (NWS) has also updated its projected snow totals to show 6-8” for a good portion of the area, with sprinkled in areas of 8-12”.
Montgomery County Police 3rd District officers arrested a suspect in Silver Spring after finding a loaded handgun and drugs during a traffic stop on Friday.
Each year, the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) presents annual awards for various “front of house” and “back of house” positions. This year, Chef Gregory Webb of Laperaux Bistro in Germantown is Montgomery County’s only finalist for the ‘Chef of the Year’ award. Webb was also nominated in 2024. (more…)
Detectives from the Gaithersburg Police Department – Investigative Section are investigating a stabbing that occurred in the area of Kentlands Boulevard and Commerce Square Place in Gaithersburg.
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Montgomery County Fire and Recue Services (MCFRS) responded to a collision involving a tractor-trailer striking several utility poles and bring down wires on the 14100 block of Darnestown Road near Germantown Road on Friday evening. (more…)