From the Desk of John Kneisly, Board Chair
Dear Members,
I am honored to serve as the newly inducted Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce’s Chair of the Board. I am grateful to the group of talented professionals who make up our board and to all the members of the Chamber for this opportunity to lead our chamber as we approach our 50th year (2027). There has never been a better time to be a part of this chamber, and the value of being connected to an engaged business community has never been more important. That’s because while the events of the last two years may be unprecedented, the ability of our chamber to support our business community during such economic turmoil is just what we do.
In 1977, just two years after the end of the OPEC Oil crisis, three business owners decided to create the Pikesville Chamber to connect the local main street retailers. From there, the Chamber grew and business flourished. In the mid-’80s, businesses began moving away from main streets. Malls were popular! Shortly after that, the Chamber hired its first Executive Director in 1988.
A main street revitalization effort in Pikesville followed, and the Chamber began to expand its reach. Then came the dot.com crisis and the Great Recession. With each new challenge, the Chamber was able to adapt and guide our local businesses. 2023 and beyond will be no different.
Now we have the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. I want to thank Immediate Past Chair Marc Hertzberg for his brilliant leadership during these difficult times, and our Board of Directors for their commitment to all of us.
We live and work in one of the most unique business and residential communities in the state. The Chamber serves Northwest Baltimore and Pikesville on one end of Reisterstown Road, and businesses all the way up to Reisterstown on the other end. Sandwiched in between we have one of Baltimore County’s two designated growth corridors, Owings Mills.
I drive these communities every day. My children attend preschool and public schools in Pikesville, Owings Mills, and Reisterstown. My insurance business is right next to the Owings Mills Post Office, and my home is near Foundry Row. The Greater Baltimore community is a place people want to invest in, and the Chamber is here to make sure it is a safe place people want to live, work, and play.
You've seen the growth here. You've watched it with your own eyes as projects like Foundry Row, Mill Station, and Metro Centre shape our community. CCBC and Stevenson University offer top-notch educations and contribute to our workforce. We watch as new homes spring up every year. And then, we come together at signature community events hosted by the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, like the Heads & Tails Pikesville 5K, the Pikesville Farmers Market, the Metro Centre Holiday Tree Lighting, and our Fall Festival at the Quarry.
Our chamber is at the heart of our community. If you’ve been watching, now is the time to join.
Together, We are Building a Greater Baltimore!
Sincerely,
John
John Kneisly
Chair, Greater Baltimore Chamber

‌
‌
‌