Direct Connect

“GGCC Real Estate & Construction Group”

Direct Connect is a GGCC program that strategically connects members in smaller groups. Each group has its own unique personality where members act as strategic partners helping the group to develop and grow each other’s businesses though information sharing, referrals, and personal contact. Direct Connect Groups are run by GGCC members, rather than Chamber staff, and employ an informal structure, meetings time and location that is conducive to that specific group.

If you are interested in learning more about our Direct Connect Groups, please reach out to us at info@ggchamber.org or (301) 840-1400. 

 

NAME / FOCUS MEMBER LEADERSHIP MEETING TIME DEFINING QUALIFICATION
B2B Referral Sharing Group

Ed Samuels, Auxilium Technology ed.samuels@auxiliumtechnology.com

 

8:30-9:30 AM Every other Tuesday Industry exclusive
RECN (Real Estate and Construction)  

Jerry Therrien, Retired TW Construction
jerryt20324@gmail.com

 

7:30-9 AM Every other Wednesday Industry exclusive within the commercial real estate or construction realm. Member must be in a leadership position.
GGCC MasterMind Group

Steve Barber, Supporting Strategies sbarber@supportingstrategies.com

 

7:30-9 AM 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month Industry exclusive
SOHO (Small Office – Home Office)

Dan Dellon, Gaithersburg CPAs – dan@gaithersburgcpas.com

Kathryne Carter, Grace and Virtue Events – kathryne@graceandvirtueevents.com

 

9-10 AM 2nd Wednesday of each month Member must work for themselves, from home or in a small office
Nonprofit Group

Denise Fredericks, Mercy Health Clinic – denise.fredericks@mercyhealthclinic.org

Deborah Zimmer, Teh Universities at Shady Grove – dzimmer@umd.edu

2nd Monday of each month. Currently on zoom. Members must be nonprofit organizations, or work directly with nonprofit organizations in support of their mission.
Pathways Women Group

Philippa Channer, Channer Consulting – philippa@channer-consulting.com  

Kari Primozic, Courageous Living – info@kariprimozic.com

 

8:30-10 am 3rd Friday of each month Member must Identify as female, and have a business that is 5 years or younger.
NEW – LGBTQ+ Business Leaders and Allies

Sarah Savage, Carved Path Consulting sarah@carvedpathconsulting.com 

 

Coming Soon! Focused on fostering community among LGBTQ+ professionals and business owners. We seek to create a safe space where everyone can grow, learn, improve their business and network. We invite LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to participate.
NEW – GGCC/HCCMC Business Owners of Color Direct Connect Group Fernando Fuentes, First National Bank
fuentesf@fnb-corp.com
Will meet twice monthly for 90 minutes at the end of the workday; email Fernando for schedule. Industry-Exclusive, in-person joint program with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County, B2B and B2C businesses welcome.
       
NEW – Veteran Business Leaders

Traci Eisenberg-Rayburn, E&R Business Consulting

traci@erbusinessconsulting.com

Coming Soon!

This is open to any veteran, dependent or family member. The meetings will be conversations regarding business and opportunities for veterans and will include speakers, marketing, vet-benefit information but not limited to these topics.           

NEW – Early & Mid-Career MasterMind Group

Vicki Lin, CapStar Victoria Lin vlin@capstarco.com 

John Teel, Supporting Strategies jteel@supportingstrategies.com

Launching Jan 17th, 11am-12pm at GGCC Office. 

Starting in February, meet 2nd Wednesday each month 10:30-12:00. Quarterly happy hour. 

Group provides an educational deep dive for Early- to Mid-Level professionals in the networking sphere. Cross-industry discussions and speakers. 

Industry agnostic

Industry exclusive to 2 seats max per industry

 

NEW – Social Media Marketing Think Tank 

Rebecca Cathcart, Randy Scritchfield & Associates, rebecca@randyscritchfield.com

 

6-part series designed as a GGCC Direct Connect group for social media marketers.

Every other Wednesday at 4:30pm, varying locations.

2023:
Nov 29 
Dec 13
Dec 27

2024:

Jan 10 – Laperaux

Jan 24 – ted’s Montana Grill

Feb 7 – tentative le macaron rio

Feb 21 (added!) – location tbd

–Be in charge of the social media aspect of your business, please join only if you can make content decisions or post for the business.        

–Be respectful of others and understand each person brings new and different perspectives and experiences to the table – that’s what makes a great Think Tank!

–Bring new ideas and be willing to participate in discussion.     

–This is NOT an industry exclusive group; all are welcome if they fit the above parameters.