EXCITED TO CONNECT, GROW,
AND THRIVE?

// YOUR CHAMBER

Our Board of Directors

The vision and leadership of our Board of Directors drive the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to shape our strategic direction, foster collaboration, and champion the interests of our members. Discover the individuals who are making a difference in our community.

Theresa Giordano

Chair

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Theresa Giordano is a senior branch Manager at M&T Bank with over 35 years of banking experience. Her primary responsibilities are overseeing the branch's day-to-day operations, helping individuals and businesses meet their financial goals, and engaging in community service.

During her time off, Theresa enjoys spending time with her husband of 34 years and their two children. She also enjoys gardening and reading.

Vanessa Torres Albarran

Vice Chair

Vanessa Torres Albarran is the Farm Manager at Warwick Mushroom Farms. Warwick is the largest mushroom growing facility in the Western hemisphere, producing over thirty million pounds of mushrooms a year, shipped all over the U.S. The farm was built in 2009 and has expanded three times since. Vanessa joined Warwick Mushroom in 2016 as QA and later HR, and with support, was able to run the plant today. In her previous position as HR, she enjoyed helping people as a member of the company and as a community member.

Vanessa is a second-generation mushroom worker and has fallen in love with the trade, which not only allows her to help her community but also has broadened her understanding of the different needs of agriculture. Born in Mexico, Vanessa recently became a naturalized U.S. citizen and looks forward to serving the community that has adopted her since 2003.

She enjoys serving in the Chamber of Commerce, providing her experience in agriculture, and assisting businesses in Cecil County in thriving in an ever-changing labor market.

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Yvette Valentin

Past Chair

As a long-time resident of Cecil County, Yvette’s dedication to volunteerism is evident through her active roles with the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce, Deep Roots (Clairvaux Farm), and Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna.

Yvette’s involvement in various committees and boards demonstrates her commitment to enhancing community outreach and support services. She is the Director of Homeownership and Supportive Services at CHEP, Inc., in Perry Point, where she leads initiatives to promote homeownership and provide essential services to veterans and the community.

In her previous role as a Mortgage Loan Originator at Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Yvette helped families achieve their dreams of owning a home. With a strong background in program coordination from her time at Harford Community Action Agency, she‘s consistently worked to make a positive impact in her community through her professional and volunteer efforts.

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Gianluca Santinelli

Treasurer

Gianluca is an accomplished, results-driven, strategic accounting and finance partner with EY audit experience and deep accounting and controls expertise. He excels in improving financial processes, reducing costs, and increasing profitability and cash flow through automation to help businesses be faster, simpler, and/or better.

Gianluca is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Fluoron in Elkton, Maryland.

Lisa DeRose

Board Member

Lisa K. DeRose has over 30 years of experience in public and private accounting. She is a recognized expert in tax preparation with specialties in construction, real estate, manufacturing, distribution, and professional services, and she is currently the Managing Director at Whisman Giordano & Associates.

Lisa earned her degree in accounting from the University of Delaware. She is a member in good standing with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Associated Builders Association of Delaware, and the Delaware Contractors Association. Lisa is very active in her community. She is a founding member of the Delaware chapter of the ACE Mentor Program, where she serves as both a board member and treasurer. Lisa is a board member and treasurer for the Construction Financial Management Association of Delaware (CFMA), where she has written and presented numerous educational courses. She also serves on the Better Business Bureau Delaware boards and the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa has received the Outstanding Advocate Award from the ACE Mentor Program of Delaware and was recognized as a 2020 Women in Business honoree from the Delaware Business Times.

Amy DiPietro

Board Member

Amy is the Principal of Morris & Ritchie Associates, Inc.’s (MRA’s) Abingdon, Maryland office responsible for civil/site engineering, water resources, land planning, and landscape architecture services for all projects executed by the office, including commercial, office, industrial/distribution, residential (single and multi-family), infrastructure improvement projects, and feasibility/due diligence studies. She is responsible for overseeing a staff of 28. Amy adds tremendous value to her clients through her diverse professional experience. From identifying development hurdles early in the process to ensuring strict adherence to schedules, managing budgets, and coordinating site design approvals with the appropriate government agencies, Amy’s success is measured by the number of built projects she has led in all real estate asset classes.

Amy has worked in the land development industry for 23 years and has been with MRA for 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is a Maryland registered Professional Engineer, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional and is active in local professional and community organizations. In 2023, Amy received the Maryland Building Industry Association’s “Upper Chesapeake Chapter Member of the Year” award.

Amy is actively involved in many Community and Professional Organizations, including the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee - Cecil County; the Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee - Cecil County Chamber of Commerce; the Advisory Board - Harford County Public Works; Treasurer - Cecil County Building Industry, PAC; Tier Map Advisory Committee - Cecil County; Cecil County Council, Economic Development Commission; Cecil County Public School District, Business & Education Partnership Advisory Council (BEPAC); National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP); Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA); Urban Land Institute (ULI-Baltimore); U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Previously, Amy was on the Board of Directors for Cecil Business Leaders and was a member of CREW Baltimore.

Amy currently lives in Perryville, Maryland, with her husband, Rick, and daughters, Audrey and Regan. She is active in her daughters’ sporting events.

John Gonzalez

Board Member

Josh was born in Wilmington, DE, and raised in Cecil County. He is the youngest of 5 and lived in North East, Rising Sun, and Elkton growing up. He attended Bayview and Rising Sun Elementary schools, North East and Cherry Hill Middle schools, and graduated from Elkton High School in 1995.

Josh has been married to his best friend Tracy for 20 years. Tracy is a Cecil County native and North East High School graduate. During their marriage, they lived in Elkton, North East, and currently reside in Rising Sun. Josh and Tracy are the parents of four girls and two boys, ages 9 to 19.

After finishing college at the University of Delaware with a degree in Ag Business Management, Josh moved to Ohio for three years to take a job with Novartis Crop Protection. In 2001, he returned home and went to work for Paul Granger Sr, owner of AREA Electric, which became AREA Utilities. In 2010, Paul Sr retired, and the business transitioned to his four sons and became AUI Power. AUI Power is a family-owned and operated electric and gas utility contractor servicing all power companies, private companies, and residences in the greater mid-Atlantic area.

Over the past 22 years, Josh has been part of a local business that has grown and evolved from one location in Elkton with less than 30 employees to just under 300 employees with locations in Capital Heights, MD, Prince Frederick, MD, and Seaford, DE, in addition to its headquarters still located in Elkton. Josh currently oversees the Finance and Marketing Teams at AUI Power.

John Mettee, IV

Board Member

John is a dedicated professional who started his career at Frederick Ward & Associated twenty-five years ago, rising from a field tech to eventually becoming the owner. On December 24, 2014, taking over ownership marked a significant milestone in his journey.

Originally from Rising Sun and a proud graduate of Rising Sun High School, John resides in Perryville, MD, with his wife and their five children. John is deeply committed to giving back to the community outside of work through various non-profit organizations. He serves on the boards of the Boys and Girls Club Cecil, Harford Leadership Academy, Cecil Leadership Institute, Cecil College Foundation, Cecil Chamber, Maryland Center for the Arts, and the UCH Foundation NextGen. Additionally, John holds the role of Chapter Chair for the Maryland Society of Surveyors and participates in the Professional Roundtable of Harford County.

In addition to his professional endeavors, John co-owns Tattoo Icons in Perryville, MD. In his spare time, he enjoys boating and being on the water, finding solace in nature. John believes in continuous growth, learning, and reading to better oneself. John cherishes collaborating with fellow business owners, fostering a spirit of mutual support and camaraderie to help each other succeed in our endeavors.

John Ness

Board Member

John Ness is the President and CEO of West Cecil Health Center, a nonprofit community health center dedicated to improving access to healthcare for underserved populations in Cecil and Harford Counties.

John has driven growth and innovation since joining WCHC as CFO in 2013 and transitioning to CEO in 2017. He has successfully upgraded financial, accounting, and IT systems and overseen the transition to a new electronic health record capable of supporting the diverse service lines at WCHC. Under his leadership, WCHC has grown from a single site in Conowingo, MD, to an additional site in Havre de Grace, MD, and a mobile medical van, significantly expanding the center’s reach and patient accessibility.

John holds a BS in Business Administration from West Virginia University and an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from Wilmington University. He is deeply committed to improving access to healthcare and fostering community well-being. John's leadership style emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and a patient-centered approach. He serves on the Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers (MACHC) boards, the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce, the Cecil County Local Management Board, and Christiana Care Union Hospital. Through his collaborative approach, he has established robust partnerships with various community agencies, hospital systems, and health departments, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care for the community.

John's passion for healthcare stems from his belief in the fundamental right to accessible, quality healthcare for all, and he is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the health and wellness of the communities he serves.

Joe Shephard

Board Member

Joe Shephard is an award-winning creative professional with over two decades of experience in branding, design, and corporate marketing. As the recipient of several prestigious Aster Marketing Awards, Joe brings knowledge and expertise to every project.

With a passion for creativity and strong project management skills, Joe has led successful partnerships with various organizations. Currently, Joe owns and operates BlackForge, a consulting and branding firm dedicated to redefining how businesses think about strategy, branding, and deliverables. At BlackForge, Joe believes that a strong business strategy and overall brand are the keystone for success. By working closely with clients, Joe helps create unique and compelling brand identities that resonate with audiences and set businesses apart from their competitors. The firm's guiding philosophy is "Building a Legacy, Forged Together."

Joe's journey in the creative field began in high school, where participation in Advanced Placement Art laid the foundation for a successful career. Beyond professional pursuits, Joe is deeply committed to giving back to the community. Volunteering time to help local nonprofits with their marketing challenges, Joe serves as a board member for several organizations, including Ray of Hope Mission Center, Youth Empowerment Source, Fair Hill Nature Center, Cecil County Historical Society, and Cecil County Arts Council.

In addition to professional and volunteer work, Joe enjoys networking and helping individuals grow their businesses and achieve their dreams. With expertise in branding, digital and print design, digital marketing, print production, and budget management, Joe is a valuable asset to any team. Let's create something amazing together!

Toni Sprenkle

Board Member

Toni Sprenkle is the Executive Director of the Bainbridge Development Corporation. She directs and supervises all administrative, operational, financial, and technical activities of the Corporation and acts as Senior Project Manager to ensure the redevelopment of the former Bainbridge Naval Training Center is carried out successfully for public and private benefit.

Toni began her career at the BDC in 2014, first as a Project Assistant, and transitioned into Project Coordinator after only 12 months with the Corporation. Essential duties and responsibilities included grant writing and management, budgeting, procurement, environmental and government compliance, project assistance, and social media management. She serves as president of the Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce, sits on the Cecil College Foundation Planning Committee, Cecil County Chamber of Commerce Events Committee and Government Relations Committee, is a Maryland Economic Development Association member, and is an International Economic Development Council member.

She received her Economic Development Finance certification in 2019 and is working towards securing her Certified Economic Developer designation. A native of York, Pennsylvania, Toni spent most of her life in sports – from softball and gymnastics to track and field and competitive cheerleading. She continued her education at Pennsylvania State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in Political Science. I

In her time away from business, she coaches a high school cheerleading program and enjoys weight training, cross-training, and competitive racing in distance, triathlons, and obstacle races.

Andy Stansfield

Board Member

Andy Stansfield is a vice president of Geo-Technology Associates Inc. (GTA), a geotechnical and environmental consulting firm headquartered in northern Maryland.  GTA offers geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing, environmental, groundwater and wastewater, and natural resource consulting services.  His work takes him all up and down the eastern seaboard.

Andy and his wife, Kelli, were born and raised in Cecil County.  They both completed their degrees at Frostburg State University and returned home to Cecil County to establish roots and grow their family.  Andy and Kelli are the proud parents of four daughters who attend Cecil County Public Schools and participate in various activities, from soccer and basketball to horseback riding and pony racing. 

Andy has been active within the Chamber for over a decade and began serving on our Board of Directors in 2023.  Andy is always proud to say he is from Cecil County and represents all our County has to offer.

Aaron Wright

Board Member

Aaron Wright lives in Cecil County, MD, is married, and is a proud father of four wonderful children. He has over nine years of abstinence-based recovery from opioids. During his recovery journey, Aaron played an instrumental role in creating a Recovery Community Organization called Voices of Hope, Maryland.

At Voices of Hope, he manages all Cecil and Harford County programs. Aaron has been called to advocate at the local, county, and state levels to educate and reduce the stigma associated with addiction and individuals in recovery and help heal communities devastated by drug use. This past year, the County appointed him chairman of the Behavioral Health Advisory Council.

Raising a family in Cecil County, Aaron strives to make the future for our next generation a safe place free from stigmas associated with behavioral health needs. And a world where everyone affected by substance use finds hope, healing, and a supportive community.