Meet The Members
Business Banking | Relationship Manager
Justin Blackwell
As a Business Banking Relationship Manager with M&T Bank, Justin Blackwell partners with small and mid‑sized business owners across Central Maryland to provide strategic banking solutions tailored to their growth goals. His work focuses on cash‑flow optimization, lending solutions, treasury management, and long‑term relationship support that helps businesses operate efficiently and scale sustainably.
Justin brings a relationship‑first approach to financial advising, leveraging deep local market knowledge and a strong commitment to the local business ecosystem. Working closely with entrepreneurs, professional service firms, nonprofit organizations, and growth‑stage companies, he aims to simplify complex financial decisions and serve as a trusted strategic partner.
Beyond his role at M&T, Justin is an active contributor to the community. He serves on the Board of the Howard County Conservancy and regularly participates in Howard County Chamber programming, attending events regularly to stay engaged with local leaders and new businesses.
A Howard County native focused on supporting the region’s economic and community development, Justin is passionate about building long‑term connections and helping businesses thrive.
Founder & CEO
Tom Bowman
CSI Accounting & Payroll works with Small Business Owners on a proactive basis to provide a turnkey solution to their tax and financial needs. Services include Tax Planning, Business Advisory, Accounting, Bookkeeping, Financial Planning and Complete Payroll Services. Our mission is to give you more time, peace of mind and a chance to grow.
Tom Bowman started the firm from scratch in 1987 and is currently a minority partner in the firm. In addition to being active in the business community Tom is very active with a number of Non-Profts including Maryland SBA Awards, Greater Maryland Heart Association, Howard County Business Club, Professional Association of Small Business Accountants, Clarion University and North Allegheny High School Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Associate Financial Advisor
Chris Breen
Christopher W. Breen, CFP®, APMA®, CEPA
Christopher Breen—known to clients and colleagues as Chris—is a Financial Advisor based in Owings Mills, Maryland. He holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®), Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor℠ (APMA®), and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designations, reflecting his commitment to delivering strategic, client-centered financial guidance. Backed by a strong and collaborative team at Legacy Capital, Chris ensures every client receives thoughtful, well-rounded support.
Chris specializes in two core services:
1. Comprehensive Financial Planning: He works with individuals, families, and business owners to build holistic financial plans that incorporate retirement planning, tax strategies, estate considerations, risk management, and cash flow analysis. His planning process is deeply personalized, designed to align each client’s financial roadmap with their long-term life goals.
2. Investment Management: Chris constructs and manages tailored investment portfolios based on each client’s unique risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial objectives. He emphasizes disciplined portfolio design, ongoing performance monitoring, and proactive adjustments to help clients stay on track toward their financial success.
Chris strives to build genuine, human relationships with his clients—grounded in trust, transparency, and a deep understanding of what matters most to them. He believes that strong personal connections are the foundation of effective financial planning.
A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Chris enjoys staying connected to his roots and being actively involved in his local community.
Business Development
David Brown
I am the former owner of General Solar Company.
GSC is the oldest Window Film Company In Maryland. We specialize in Commercial and Residential Window Tint.
We install Solar films to reduce heat, prevent fading of floors, artwork, etc., and reduce glare from the sun. We also install security / safety films to deter forced entry, temper glass and prevent glass shattering. We offer decorative films for offices to provide privacy and update interior spaces.
Everyone is a potential customer for window film...our job is to find the product that fits your need and is within your budget.
Over the years we have installed film at the Whitehouse, Smithsonian, Baltimore Aquarium and Camp David.
We are 100% committed to providing superior customer service and we stand behind the products we sell.
Partner
Ed Davis
I have been a partner at Harvest Business Advisors since 2000. I work with owners of privately owned companies who are thinking about selling their companies or who need a business valuation for some other purpose (owner buyouts, family planning, key management, general exit planning etc).
Over the years, we've represented a very diverse list of clients: contractors, business service companies, personal service companies, wholesale and distribution businesses and government contractors. "When a business owner hires us to represent them in the sale of their business, we'll prepare a realistic business valuation and manage the sales process from start to finish.
Selling a business is a lot different than selling commercial real estate. This is a life changing event for a business owner and we take that responsibility very seriously."
Principal of KLNB
Spence Daw
Spence Daw is a principal of KLNB, a strong regional commercial real estate company in the Delmarva area. As a leader in the firm’s Columbia office, Spence represents institutional and regional clients in leasing and sales transactions with a primary focus on the industrial and flex sector. Often utilizing the NAI Global and SIOR network, Spence also does a healthy amount of business for repeat clients nationally. Spence has developed a niche over the course of his career in unique projects that require a creative or adaptive approach in the I-95 corridor and DC/Baltimore submarkets. Driven to mentor and champion KLNB talent, Spence supports the firm’s recruitment efforts and identifies opportunities for junior brokers to bolster their skills.
Before joining KLNB, Spence gained extensive transaction experience as a leasing and sales agent for Manekin, where he represented clients in Baltimore, DC, and surrounding counties. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Environmental Studies from Washington & Lee University.
Account Executive
Mark McCormack
Marc has been working in the insurance industry since 2013 and has spent his entire career with the JLK Insurance Group. Licensed throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Marc is able to provide insurance solutions in MD, VA, DC, DE, PA, and WV. He is primarily focused on personal insurance – home, auto, watercraft, and umbrella, but has been expanding his operations to include insurance solutions for small businesses and start ups.
Realtor
Michael McGuire
Michael has been a full time Licensed residential Realtor since 2005. He works with buyers and sellers mainly in central Maryland but has sold properties as far west as Washington County and East to Wicomico County. My real estate referral network is nationwide if you need help outside of Maryland. He believes in fair and honest treatment of buyers and sellers alike.
Mortgage Banker
Dave Muerer
Dave has been a licensed mortgage banker since September of 1987. He works with
buyers at all price levels and has throughout his career. He has been with PrimeLending
since September of 2009, a national lender. No matter where you wish to purchase a
home in the United States, Dave can help with the financing of the home.
Product Manager
Jay Muir
Since 1994 Rapid Sign Center has been Howard County’s premiere source for high quality interior and exterior signs, banners, vehicle graphics and displays.
Since opening its doors in 1994, Rapid Sign Center has built a reputation for producing high quality commercial and residential signs, banners, trade show displays, vehicle graphics and large format printing. At the heart of Rapid Sign Center’s success is the company’s attention to five core values: customer service, quality production, honoring customer deadlines, technology and commitment to the local community. These are the five major reasons that make Rapid Sign Center the best choice for all your signage, fleet graphics and large format display needs.
Service – At Rapid Sign Center we give you friendly customer service. Our experienced staff takes the time to find out your sign needs so that we can offer the best, most cost-effective way to communicate your message.
Quality – Our professionally crafted signs are produced to the highest standards. Every sign is quality checked before it leaves our shop and is guaranteed to meet your satisfaction.
Commitment – When we agree to a delivery date, we make it happen. The Rapid Sign Center team knows that on-time delivery is crucial.
Community – With a strong belief in community and giving back, they are active members of several business organizations and support numerous non-profit organizations. In 1998, Rapid Sign Center was named Small Business of the Year by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce.
Attorney
Oren Saltzman
Oren D. Saltzman represents small, medium, and large privately held, family-owned businesses in a variety of areas. Valued for his commonsense approach, he works to help businesses navigate through various stages of growth and maturity in support of executive leadership or owners. He concentrates his law practice in the areas of business, commercial real estate tax appeals, corporate law, commercial civil litigation, estate planning and administration, and taxation. As counsel, he works to become an extension of his client’s leadership to develop intimate knowledge of their business. This allows him to establish a familiarity with businesses often associated with that of internal general counsel. Mr. Saltzman is knowledgeable about many industries, especially with ones in which he is involved civically, such as non-profits within the education space. He represents a number of manufacturers, service providers, and wholesale companies. Mr. Saltzman is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia Bars and is also admitted before The Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Tax Court, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. He frequently presents seminars on the operation of non-profit organizations as well as business formation choices and the federal and state tax consequences thereof. With enduring civic ties to the Baltimore and Howard County communities and a passion for giving back, Mr. Saltzman is the Immediate Past Chair of The Community Action Council of Howard County Board of Directors.
General Manager
John Stup
John has been in the commercial door industry since 2004. He started working as a counter salesman with Bunting Door and worked his way up to his current position of General Manager of LokTek, a commercial door service and maintenance company. In addition to service and maintenance of standard commercial doors, LokTek installs and services automatic openings in Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia. We’re able to help with swinging, sliding, and revolving man doors by a number of different manufacturers.
Owner
Alvin Thompson
ACT
ACT works with Small Business Owners to bring technology and innovation to their operations.
Services include computer networks, electronic technology, communications and close circuit
television.
Alvin Thompson opened this company in 2003. Over twenty years, we have partnered with
firms to provide service in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and District of Columbia.
Settlement Officer
Sean Wray
A Maryland native, seanWRAY graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. As a settlement officer at Lakeside Title Company, seanWRAY has conducted over 8,500 residential and commercial real estate transactions. With almost three decades of experience at Lakeside Title, he consistently exceeds expectations for the client settlement service experience through clear and thoughtful explanations. He supports his industry partners with solutions, as well as, providing chances for education and industry enrichment. As a former Terrapins student-athlete, he coaches local youth sports and is an avid sports fan who sees challenges as opportunities. Creating team goals with positive outcomes comes naturally to him. He resides with his wife, and his three children are in college.
Welcome to the hub of small business connections in Howard County, Maryland. Join us to expand your network, create meaningful relationships, and explore new business opportunities.