HAGERSTOWN – The Washington County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 106th Annual Meeting
event on the evening of September 25th, 2025 at Fountain Head Country Club. Over 175 guests attended to help
celebrate a successful fiscal year, and witness the ceremonious passing of the gavel to The Chamber’s incoming
board chair.
This year, The Chamber’s Immediate Past Board Chair, Mary Ellen Waltemire of One Step Closer Coaching, did
the honors in handing over the gavel to fiscal year 2026 Board Chair, Abraham “Abe” Perez, III of Middletown
Valley Bank.
Perez has served on The Chamber’s board of directors since 2020. He has almost 29 years of experience in the
banking industry, and is currently an Assistant Vice President – Commercial Relationship Manager at
Middletown Valley Bank. Perez stated, “As board chair I look forward to continuing the partnership with the local
business community and local government to help move Washington County forward for the citizens and the
next generation to come.”
The Chamber also recognized deserving individuals and organizations within the community by presenting
them with a Distinguished Service Award during the event. Recipients include Jessica Green of The Maryland
Theatre, Bill Gaertner of Gatekeepers Corp., Brittany Arizmendi of the City of Hagerstown, Meritus Health,
and Hagerstown Community College.
About the Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Growth. Community. Success. The Chamber values the diversity of our business and nonprofit community
and encourages participation, inclusion, and collaboration, while promoting and facilitating cooperation
and collaboration among our elected officials at all levels of government.
Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 675 organizations, representing over
40,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and
Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education. For more information, call 301.739.2015 or
visit www.hagerstown.org
