My Vision

Watch this video to hear my vision behind the web series, Hey Neighbor!

This series highlights great people who serve our community at a high level and are passionate about making this community a great place to live.

Meet Sammy Foster: Lead Pastor for Lighthouse Church

Lighthouse church started with less than 90 people in its congregation and has grown to over 7,000+ parishioners. Since 2010, Sammy, his spectacular wife, Ruth Foster, and their children, Asher, Lucia, & Silas, have led Lighthouse Church in fulfilling its mission to reach the lost and make disciples. They are passionate about sharing the life-changing message of Jesus and watching Him radically transform lives through the power of His love. Sammy is the author of Elements, Foolproof, The Messenger, Super.Natural.Change., RE: A Guide For The Disconnected, and Plain & Simple: The Essentials of Following Jesus.
The good this church is doing in our community is so encouraging and inspiring. Sammy has a gift from the pulpit and is a LEADER in this community for goodness, peace, and positivity. Watch this video to learn more!

Meet Amanda Fielder: Councilwoman District 5

Amanda Fiedler is a homegrown, lifelong resident of the Severna Park and Arnold area. She attended Broadneck High School and Salisbury University. The thing I really connected with is that she simply started volunteering while managing a busy career in advertising/media. Volunteerism is so commonly where the seeds of a deeper community engagement are sewed.
Amanda currently serves as the Councilwoman for District 5 of Anne Arundel County which encompasses the entire Broadneck Peninsula, Severna Park, and west to New Cut Rd. Her commitment to serve just kept growing and has landed her into public service. We shot this video at the Gold Star Family Memorial gazebo on the Baltimore Annapolis Bike Trail which is a humbling tribute for the families who have lost a child in the line of duty.
She lives by the idea that what you put into your community, you get back tenfold. This area has given her experiences, lessons, opportunities to volunteer, and a firm foundation of what community means. In her own words, “I wouldn’t raise my family anywhere else and it is truly a humbling experience to give back to the area that has given me so much.”

Meet Dr. Robert T. Ireland: President & CEO, Bello Machre

Dr. Bob Ireland is one of my local heroes. Count the number of times Dr. Ireland uses the words: care, love, and compassion. Those are action words to him!!!!
Dr. Ireland leads an incredible organization and does it with a giver’s heart. His organization, Bello Machre which means “Home of my Heart” in Gaelic, is simply heartwarming. They operate residential homes in communities throughout our county for developmentally disabled individuals. Dr. Ireland has devoted his life to the service of others and is a leader within the non-profit field. As Bello Machre’s President & CEO for 43 years, he helped build the organization from the ground up. His compassion and commitment to making the best life possible for people with developmental disabilities is evident in the growth and success of Bello Machre.

Meet Dr. Karin Mosk: Child Psychologist

Meet Dr. Karin Anstendig Mosk, Annapolis’ leading child psychologist.
“You are only as happy as your saddest child”.
You’ve probably heard that quote and if you’re a parent then you can definitely relate! It can be very powerless when your child is struggling and on this video I have the pleasure of meeting with beloved child therapist Dr. Karin Mosk. Our community is blessed to have a resource like Dr. Mosk right here in Annapolis. She is positive, personable, compassionate and gives her heart and soul to making this a better place to live for all people.
Maybe you’ll meet her professionally, at a volunteer function or see her at her favorite spot……Ruth’s Chris Eastport.

Meet Ella Edwards: Founder of Ellastrong Foundation

Ella was diagnosed on her 9th birthday on April 28, 2017 with a rare pediatric bone cancer, Ewing’s Sarcoma. Originally thought to have had a bad stomach bug, her family was devastated to learn this seemingly healthy child now had a 10cm tumor at the base of her spine that had metastasized to her lungs, along with two blood clots. She bravely endured 14 rounds of chemotherapy, 6 weeks of proton radiation to her lower spine, and 2 weeks of whole lung radiation over the course of 9 months until she was declared NED (no evidence of disease) in January 2018.
Once she was back on her feet, she embraced a new fight for those who needed a hand. Her purpose is to improve quality of life for pediatric cancer patients and their families. She is doing this through her own fundraising which has raised over $50,000 and her annual toy drive which has received over 1000 toys which are delivered to local pediatric oncology wards for children and their families to have a happy holiday season. As a result, Ella Edwards earned the title of ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY YOUNG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR.
Ella Edwards is a warrior in every sense of the word! I am awe of her leadership, resilience, and positivity. Thank you Ella, you are an inspiration to so many (including myself). You are the EXACT reason I wanted to do a podcast which shined a light on people making a difference in our community.

Meet Hall Chaney: Chief Executive Officer, Chaney Enterprises

Being a good neighbor starts in your own home. Hall is a proud father, caring husband, and downright kind human. Those traits of pride, care, and kindness are also at the core of his corporate conscience.
The Chaney last name is synonymous with Anne Arundel County business, construction material supplier, land development, and most important GIVING BACK.....for 60 years!!! It's tough to drive anywhere without seeing a Chaney Enterprises truck. From its headquarters in Gambrills, MD, Chaney Enterprises operates over two dozen ready-mixed concrete plants, nine sand and gravel facilities and 3 BuilderUp locations.
Who would think a sand, gravel, concrete company would lead with their heart? Hall Chaney took over the CEO role in 2019 (after humbly working many roles to learn every aspect of the business and then earning his role) and has taken his family business to new levels and reshaped what it means to be a sensible and responsible leader. Chaney is environmentally conscious with cutting edge Carbon Reduction, a paperless work environment, recycling 100 million pounds of concrete annually, implementation of biofuels and Land Reclamation at mining sites. Their corporate and family giving finds its way to all corners of our county and Hall explains a bit more about the vision of their foundation in this video.

Meet Artie Hendricks and Rob Calhan: Owners, Landmark Roofing

Rob and Artie our local Annapolis guys who have been friends since Middle School. Both come from hardworking families and have had to work for every dollar they have. Philanthropy for them comes straight from their heart. They weren't born with millions of dollars. They see a need in our community. They see families hurting and they are kind enough to recognize that sometimes life T-Bones people and knocks them down. They could look the other way and tell everyone how material costs are out of control or complain about labor issues and a generation of snowflakes who don't want to work. While most are complaining.........these guys are out GIVING and helping pick others up!!!!!
Landmark is way more than a roofing company, they are a socially responsible business that has figured out the magic formula..........."Give and thou shall receive". That's the order and it was never "receive and then give" and NEVER will be. These guys are GIVERS first.

Meet Coach Andy Borland: Retired Coach and Teacher, Severna Park High

Interviewing Andy Borland at Christmas in his toy workshop was as close to meeting Santa as anyone will ever come. He is a legend as the long time coach of the Severna Park High football team and fixture in our community. His accolades are plentiful including a recent induction to the Anne Arundel County sports Hall of Fame. He has been a devout member of Woods Presbyterian Church and a distinct leader at the Severna Park Community Center. In a world starving for leadership, I noticed something subtle about this interview while editing. Watch how he dishes credit to others instead of talking about how great he is:
~His dad taught him the spirit of giving.
~AACPS gave him a shot which led him to his beautiful bride, Katherine Williams Borland
~ Charlie Kreter Kelli Hinkle Kreter was God’s angel.
~The fundraising committee which raised $5.5m was incredible.
~ Mike Kathy Metzger brings a passage to the Friday men’s group.
~He’d like to be more like Jesus every day.
Andy Borland is a selfless and humble leader with a boundless giver’s heart.

Meet Brian Vetter: Founder of Tessemae’s

This time of year is when we all think about PURPOSE and being HEALTHY. I couldn't think of a person who combines the two more beautifully. "Simplify Food. Amplify Life" is the mission their company lives and breaths. Brian and his two brothers are Annapolis High grads turned extraordinary entrepreneurs all from a simple salad dressing recipe their mom made.
The story of their "market test" at the Annapolis Whole Foods is inspiring and a tale of epic proportions. Now Tessemae's is the #1 organic salad dressing in America and found in all major realtors. In addition, their philanthropy through the Tessemae's Foundation and Crop Circles is spreading the good word about fresh "real" food.
If you are thinking about "eating clean" and living with purpose this year, this is the video for you!

Meet Chris Hopkinson: Founder of Bay Paddle

Chris sums up his vision in a single quote during this video: "We have an enormous responsibility to leave the Bay better than we found it".
Chris works in IT, but felt a calling to stand up (literally) to help save the bay. In September 2020, Chris took it upon himself to Stand Up Paddle the entire length of the Chesapeake Bay to raise awareness on the benefits of oyster filtration in Bay recovery AND raised $200,000 for three primary non-profits: Oyster Recovery Partnership, Chesapeake Conservancy, and Waterkeepers Chesapeake. This journey across the Chesapeake Bay is a 207 mile feat that has never before been accomplished. This heroic trek took NINE consecutive days. The ONLY way a person could do this is if their mission was bigger than their pain. Chris not only started a movement bringing awareness to the impact oysters have on filtering the Chesapeake Bay, he also started Bay Paddle which is a unique event for paddlers of all skill levels to get involved.
Thank you Chris for being a servant to Maryland's greatest resource (the Chesapeake Bay) and for being a massive inspiration to so many to take action. You've educated, inspired and gathered. You are proof that anyone with a passion for goodness can start a movement!

Meet Larry and Dan Mathias: Founders of Absolute Fire Protection

They say a life well lived is one that has lifted OTHERS up. When it comes to the "TRADES", Larry and Dan are 100% committed to building the next generation. Not only did they make a significant investment in training their own team with a state of the art facility, but they were also MAJOR donors for the new Anne Arundel Community College Clauson Center (committed to skilled trades training and development). With their time, resources, and approachable personalities, they continue to be role models for leadership in our construction community. My goal in producing these videos is to inspire and connect our community with good news of good people doing good things. That is Larry Cate and Dan Mathias in a nutshell. Someone is watching this and going to think, "I'd rather work with my hands than sit on a computer, I'd rather be out in the field than sitting at a desk." Or maybe it's a parent that needs a resource for their kid. The world is starving for good men and women who are willing to work!