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// 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.

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Vanessa Torres

Chair

Vanessa Torres Albarran is the Owner of at TA Accounting and Tax Service LLC. After years of working doing taxes as a secondary job, she decided to venture into opening her own business. Vanessa’s experience with accounting and taxes started in 2013 after taking a course with H&R Block. Helping people has always been a huge part of what drives her and educating people about the complicated system of taxation was a way of reaching out to many. Being a bilingual tax preparer has helped Vanessa reach a large group of people that need help she is able to offer. Even though Vanessa had some great years at Warwick Mushroom Farms LLC, she always had a vision to run her own business serving others and helping them walk the path to opening their own businesses and maintaining healthy finances.

Aaron Wright

Vice Chair

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.

Theresa Giordano

Past 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.

Lisa DeRose

Treasurer

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Lisa K. DeRose is the Managing Director of Whisman Giordano & Associates and 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. 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 and Contractors 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. She holds leadership roles as board member and treasurer of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) of Delaware, the Better Business Bureau of Delaware, and the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa has earned numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Advocate Award from the ACE Mentor Program of Delaware and the Women in Business Award from the Delaware Business Times. Most recently, she was honored by Forbes on its inaugural Best-In-State CPAs list, a testament to her excellence, integrity, and leadership in the accounting profession.

Toni Sprenkle

Secretary

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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.

Amy DiPietro

Board Member

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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 projects executed by the office including commercial, office, industrial/distribution, residential (single and multi-family), infrastructure improvement projects, and feasibility/due diligence studies. 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 degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is a Maryland registered Professional Engineer, a 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 Comprehensive Plan Review Committee - Cecil County; Advisory Board - Harford County Public Works; Treasurer - Cecil County Building Industry, PAC; Tier Map Advisory Committee - Cecil County; Cecil County Economic Development Commission; National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP); Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA); Urban Land Institute (ULI-Baltimore); U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Amy resides in Perryville, Maryland with her husband, Rick and two daughters. In her time away from work, Amy enjoys sports, photography, CrossFit and weightlifting.

Jennifer Foy

Board Member

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Jennifer Foy is the Executive Director of NorthBay Education and brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership. She previously served as Senior Vice President at World Relief, leading refugee and immigrant services across the U.S. Much of her career has focused on youth development, with leadership roles in organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Youth Focus Adolescent Substance Abuse Program, and Eckerd wilderness therapy programs.

Before moving to the East Coast, Jennifer grew up in rural communities in Oregon and carries with her a deep appreciation for the outdoors and strong community values. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, canning, quilting, and reading.

John Hassiepen

Board Member

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John joined Capital Bank in May 2025 as a Commercial Relationship Manager. He is a seasoned professional with 20 years of banking experience. Known for his trusted advisor status, John has built strong relationships with his clients, leveraging his extensive background in financial sales and regional management across various industries.

As a former successful business owner, he is passionate about helping people and ensuring they have access to capital, regardless of their industry or stage of business. In addition to his professional endeavors. John serves on a number of local nonprofit boards and actively participates in networking drives and community initiatives aimed at driving economic growth and positively impacting the community. His commitment to fostering long-term, meaningful relationships with his customers drives him to support their success and growth in every possible way.

John Ness

Board Member

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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

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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. 

Andy Stansfield

Board Member

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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.

Yvette Valentin

Board Member

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A long-time resident of Cecil County, Yvette has demonstrated a deep commitment to community service through her active involvement with the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce, Deep Roots (Clairvaux Farm), and Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna. Her work on various boards and committees reflects a strong dedication to expanding outreach and strengthening local support services.

Yvette currently serves as the Director of Homeowner and Supportive Services at CHEP, Inc., where she oversees programs that provide critical resources to veterans and the broader community. Among these initiatives is the CHEP Outpost – Retail for Real Change, a social enterprise that transforms thrift store proceeds into direct support for veteran housing and community-based services.