World Trade Center Institute names the winners of the 2020 Maryland International Business Leadership Awards

The World Trade Center Institute and the Maryland Department of Commerce announced the recipients of the 2020 Maryland International Business Leadership Awards.

Currently in their 24th year, the awards spotlight leaders who represent businesses from across the state. New in 2020, the Global Visionary Award is being awarded to a Maryland leader who has had a significant contribution on world culture.

The Maryland International Awards honors Marylanders who represent success in local business. The recipients of this year’s  awards played significant roles in their company’s international growth and have a commitment to giving back to the local community, according to WTCI.

For the 2020 awards, the World Trade Center Institute reviewed over 100 nominations, conducted interviews and narrowed the list down to a handful of individuals.

“Each year, our awards committee is challenged to select a few extremely talented leaders who become International Business Award winners,” Susan Aplin, co-CEO of the World Trade Institute, said in a statement. “This year’s group is no exception, and we are proud to say that this is our most diverse recipient class ever.”

We are beyond proud to announce the #2020 MD Int'l Business Leadership Award Winners! Congratulations: @shapiroco, @emdsales, @Saft_batteries, @DCD_Nexus, @TheKnotWW, and @RoosterBio. pic.twitter.com/iakaVg3TRO

— World Trade Center Institute (@WTCInstitute) January 21, 2020

The 2020 International Leadership Award winners are:

• Margot Connor, Chief Executive Officer at Frederick-based cell manufacturing technology company RoosterBio, Inc.
• Margie Shapiro, president and CEO at Locust Point-based shipping company Samuel Shapiro & Company, Inc.
• Annie Sennet, CEO & executive VP of Space & Defense at Cockeysville-based battery manufacturer Saft America, Inc.
• Stephen Geppi, president & CEO at Cockeysvill-based Diamond Comic Distributors and Geppi Family Enterprises.
• Elda DeVarie, president at Carroll Park-based wholesale grocer EMD Sales, Inc.
• Timothy Chi, CEO at Chevy Chase’s The Knot Worldwide. Chi was also CEO of WeddingWire, which was merged with The Knot last year.

These prominent award winners were also announced:

• The Governor’s Award, presented by Governor Larry Hogan will be awarded to Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
• The Global Visionary Award will be awarded to Baltimore-born Robert Parker, the legendary wine critic and founder of the publication The Wine Advocate.

This year’s recipients will receive their awards on April 1. The business community  is invited to honor the accomplishments of the award recipients, and network with global business leaders. The reception will be held at the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill. Find more info at WTCI’s website.