History and Organization

The Eastern Shore BLN evolved from the Lower Shore BLN which was founded in 1998 in Salisbury, MD under the leadership of Harvard Custom Manufacturing, Inc.'s CEO Ed Urban, former Executive Director of Lower Shore Enterprises, Jack Smith, and Harvey Davis, regional manager for the Division of Rehabilitation Services. The LSBLN became a forum for business executives who appreciated the value and effectiveness of workers with disabilities. An award winning, innovative online database was developed to promote the ability of workers with disabilities rather than their disabilities.

During the fall of 2001 the LSBLN expanded to include all the counties on the Delmarva Peninsula and changed its name to Eastern Shore Business Leadership Network. The ESBLN is a permanent committee of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce.

For his work, Jack Smith received the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce's 2004 Chamber Award. Jack Smith retired at the end of 2004 and is succeeded by Jaqueline (Jackie) Gast, the current director. Jaqueline Gast comes to the chamber with a background in business in both for- profit and not-for-profit businesses. She has BA in business administration and an MBA. Since beginning in November 2004, the ESBLN activities has included producing the Accessible Wicomico Guide - hospitality industry, publishing a monthly article in various business journals on the eastern shore, publishing a bi-annual newsletter, holding numerous presentations and workshops, and initiating Ability Matters - soldering , a training program for people with disabilities desiring a career in the communications industry.

The Salisbury Chamber acts as the fiscal agent and administrative center for a coalition of the four Chambers on the Peninsula, Salisbury Area Chamber, Talbot County Chamber, Cecil County Chamber and Sussex County Chamber. The participating Chambers have provided business leaders from their membership to serve on steering committees.

Periodic meetings of representatives from all the Chambers assure that regional interests are being served. Representatives of community service organizations and public agencies are involved with the steering committees as members or consultants. However, each committee is primarily representative of the Chamber's membership at large. The Chambers have a combined membership of over 4,000 businesses, individuals and organizations.