Grasso inducted into region’s Philanthropy Hall of Fame
The Community Foundation of Southern Maryland announced the 2016 Philanthropy Hall of Fame inductees to be honored at its 11th annual Philanthropy Day Luncheon, “Celebrating Business Philanthropy In Southern Maryland.”
Gretchen Hardman, the foun- dation’s executive director, said in a news release that “giving back is good for business” so the organizations decided to highlight local businesses at this year’s luncheon. The inductees to be recognized at the event are Eric Franklin, Joseph “Bubby” Knott and Keith Grasso.
Eric Franklin of Calvert County is the CEO of ERI- MAX, Inc., an information technology and acquisition management company he founded 15 years ago. According to the nomination submitted on his behalf, Franklin also founded, Eric Franklin Entrepreneurial Accelerator, a philanthropic effort, targeted to support entrepreneurship, business start-ups and growth in the Southern Maryland region.
He has also provided board leadership and service at Calvert Memorial Hospital, Leadership Maryland, Calvert Economic Development Commission, Southern Maryland Higher Education and Calvert County Minority Business Alliance.
Joseph “Bubby” Knott founded the Great Mills Trading Post in 1970 as a general construction, excavating, asphalt, concrete paving, truck and equipment sales, and aggregate material sales business. Bubby is involved in numerous nonprofits and is the host of many nonprofit events at his family’s farm. The general community knows Bubby best for his holiday light display and Christmas market.
Keith Grasso of Charles County, owns and runs Island Music Company in La Plata, a nearly ten year old one-stop shop music supply store. According to the nomination letter, “Keith’s progressive ideas and forward vision have changed LaPlata and Charles County, for the better.”
He is a member of countless community organizations and gives back through the Charles County Public Schools, University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, the Town of LaPlata and the local food banks
In addition to this year’s inductees, businesses recognized as Honorable Mentions are Aist & Associates/Dudley Aist & Associates, Sage Point Senior Living Services, Sneades Ace Home Center, Primary Residential Mortgage Incorporated and The Welburn Organization — McDonald’s.
The luncheon’s keynote speaker is Michael L. Middleton, chairman of the board of Community Bank of the Chesapeake and one of the founding board members of the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland.
The event is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today, Friday, Nov. 4, at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center.