Local business owner Bill Meagher recently received the “Greater Good Award” from The Greater Cumberland Committee (TGCC).
The award was presented by Timi Hadra, partner, IBM, immediate past chair of TGCC and last year’s award recipient.
“The Greater Good Award is TGCC’s signature award, where we annually, since 2007, recognize a TGCC member who demonstrates a commitment to advancing the greater good in the tri-state region, and recognizes and practices the philosophy of ‘less fame, more gain.’”
The award is intended to celebrate this fundamental principle of leadership and TGCC’s core value.
Hadra stated that Meagher has been a member of the organization for many years, and during his tenure, he “has demonstrated a true commitment to advancing the region for the greater good.”
She described him as a “visionary who plants seeds, nurtures and cultivates, has a keen ability to know when to push or when to give space to allow ideas and take shape and grow…”
Hadra noted that Meagher has successfully launched several businesses and is generous in providing time and counsel to other business leaders.
“Bill Meagher is one of a kind,” said Jennifer Walsh, TGCC executive director and associate vice president of Regional Initiatives, FSU. “Humble, brave, thoughtful, brilliant, and one of the most entrepreneurial people I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. I’m thrilled the selection committee chose to honor Bill with this prestigious award. It’s so well deserved!”
Meagher said it was very humbling to receive the award.
“I’m thankful to be in a community that has enabled me to do what I do,” he said. “I try to give back because so much has been given to me. I’m not good at sitting on my hands. If something needs to be done, I’m doing it.”
Meagher is the current past chairman of TGCC, a business-based organization serving three states and five counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia on long-term projects of regional relevance in areas of economic development, transportation, education, energy and next generation leadership.
He is currently focusing on several new initiatives, including a regional asset map from Morgantown, West Virginia, to Cumberland, a Tri-State Addiction Symposium and broadband for the underserved Appalachian region.
Meagher has served as a board member on the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and is an active member on the Legislative Committee. He is a board member of the Garrett County Economic Development Corporation and worked on the current Economic Development Plan.
Meagher is a founding member of the Oakland Revitalization Committee, which is helping bring businesses and economic development back to small-town America. He is the past chairman of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, where he served on various committees.
Since 1995, Meagher has opened several businesses in Garrett County. Lakeside Creamery is a homemade ice cream shop and is his first business at Deep Creek Lake. He has also opened several other businesses, including The Copper Kettle Popcorn Factory, a gourmet popcorn and chocolate shop; Funtime Water Sports, a jet ski and pontoon boat rental service; Deep Creek Donuts, a made-to-order donut shop; Lakeside Commercial Properties, which develops and manages commercial properties; Oakland Commercial Properties, which restores and manages commercial buildings; and Mountain Maryland Enterprises that develops residential homes.
Meagher also teaches entrepreneurship at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He has also taught at the University of Maryland, the University of Florida, Penn State and the University of Guelph. He has been a keynote speaker at various trade organizations and trade shows.
Meagher is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. He is also a graduate of Leadership Maryland, class of 2011.
“About 25 years ago, a Baltimore area resident and new University of Maryland graduate decided to relocate to Garrett County,” said Tom Finan, TGCC Founder. “Bill Meagher and his wife never looked back and never regretted this decision. All these years later Bill can reflect on his many business successes. He has created a half dozen thriving businesses in the food industry and in local watersports and even made time to serve our region on the board of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Bill Meagher epitomizes the qualities the Greater Good Award seeks to honor — leadership, commitment, and selfless teamwork.”
Article courtesy of The Garrett County Republican. Staff Writer: Brenda Ruggerio - [email protected].
