March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 51 F

Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows

Who says we can’t all get along?  Yesterday, Leadership Anne Arundel appointed a new Executive Director. Eric Edstrom seems eminently qualified for to lead the civic organization to greater heights!  You can read the full release below.

Where it get’s a little weird is that Edstrom was the Treasurer for Chuck Ferrar this past election as he sought to retain his District Six seat on the County Council. Political connections are always good in this town. But the connection at Leadership Anne Arundel might be a little tighter than usual. The Director of Development for the organization, who reports to Edstrom, is none other than Kathleen Nieberding–the Campaign Manager for Chris Trumbauer who defeated Ferrar!

Just another instance of strange political bedfellows! Congratulations to Leadership Anne Arundel and to Eric Edstrom.

Leadership Anne Arundel has hired a veteran banking executive and well-known community volunteer as its next executive director.

Eric W. Edstrom will assume the organization’s leadership position on April 25. He replaces Patrick Lee, who will remain with LAA as a volunteer through June.

Edstrom has more than 25 years in financial and managerial experience and most recently was president of the Annapolis Community Bank before its purchase by CFG Bancorp in 2009. Prior to then he was the company operating officer of Whitmore Print & Imaging in Annapolis.

“We are very fortunate to have someone who has a deep involvement in the community and who has a wealth of business and educational experience to help guide LAA into the future,” said Tom Marquardt, LAA’s board president.

LAA provides tuition-based education and networking opportunities through four programs structured to familiarize participants in such topics as government, business, agriculture, technology and the environment. More than a thousand local residents, including business owners and elected officials, have graduated from one of its programs. Edstrom graduated from the organization’s Flagship program in 2003.

Edstrom has been very involved in community activities. He was president of the Annapolis Rotary Club in 2006-2007 and is currently the president of the Library Foundation. Edstrom is treasurer of the Annapolis Optimist Club, Hillsmere Pool Association, Fairwinds Condominium Association and several Masonic organizations including the Annapolis Lodge 89 AF&AM Foundation. He has also served on the boards of Annapolis Wellness Center, Eastport United Methodist Church, and United Way Anne Arundel County Partnership Board.

“I am excited to be joining such a dynamic organization so committed to improving our community and preparing future leaders,” he said.

Edstrom has a masters of business administration from Salisbury University and earned his bachelor of science degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He is also graduates of financial programs at the University of Georgia and the University of Connecticut.

He has taught business courses at Salisbury University and Wor-Wic Community College and is an adjunct management and economics instructor with Washington Adventist University and Anne Arundel Community College.

Edstrom is an Eagle Scout and lives with his wife, Wendy, in Hillsmere. They are the parents of three sons and have four grandchildren.

Lee is leaving the executive director position after having been involved with LAA for more than a decade. A 2002 graduate of the Flagship class, he served as a volunteer before joining the board of directors in 2003 He has served as board president before taking the executive director position in 2008. He will continue to work with the organization’s current Flagship class until it graduates in June.

During his administration, Lee oversaw the graduation of more than 175 program participants, remodeled two program curriculums and created a graduate program. An award in his name is given to an outstanding LAA volunteer each year. Lee is currently on the boards for the county Arts Council and Bay Theater.

 

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