The Howard County Economic Development Authority recognized three business leaders and awarded two entrepreneurial scholarships at its 14th annual Committee for Business and Economic Awards Program and Breakfast Gala: Jose Maldonado, of CentreTEK, business achievement; Christopher Brandt, of Audacious Inquiry, business diversity achievement; Doralee Billings, of Small Office Solutions, individual achievement; Leo Carelle Garcia, of Reservoir High School, Howard County General Hospital Rising Star Scholarship, and Elinor Ruth Oziel, of Marriotts Ridge High School, Howard County General Hospital Rising Star Scholarship.

Joe McGuinness, owner of Signs By Tomorrow of Columbia, attended the company's annual meeting Feb. 22 in Fort Worth, Texas. Attendees listened to speakers who discussed ways franchisees can better serve their markets.

Leadership Howard County and PNC Bank will recognize the 23rd Leadership Premier Class and the inaugural Leadership Essentials Class at their annual dinner and commencement June 10, 6 p.m. at the Spear Center, in downtown Columbia. During the evening, Leadership Howard County will also honor the 2008 award recipients: Susan Rosenbaum, distinguished alumni; Sandra French, Child Advocate Award; Joe Willmott, Unsung Hero Award, and Richard McCauley, Leadership Legacy Award.

The Kiwanis Club of Ellicott City has awarded Bryanne Richburg, a student at Oakland Mills High School, a $14,000 scholarship. Richburg was selected from 11 Howard County applicants. The scholarship will go toward Richburg's college tuition, books, room and board.

Anitra White has been appointed as a lease administrator for Manekin, in the company's property management division. Working from the company's headquarters in Columbia, White analyzes and interprets all newly executed lease documents, creates lease abstracts, prepares operating expenses and real estate tax reconciliations, and monitors critical dates for lease renewals and expansions.

County Executive Kenneth Ulman and the Office of Children's Services honored individuals and programs that have made a difference in the lives of children, at the annual "Celebrating Successes for Children" ceremony. The ceremony recognized the contributions and dedication of 84 honorees, including child care providers, speech therapists, Scout leaders, coaches, students and community education programs. Columbia category winners included Ann Sweeney, a special educator with the Howard County Public Schools' Infants and Toddlers program, Infants and Toddlers Category; Edvina Gill, a teacher at Columbia Montessori, Preschool Category, and Dan Harris, general manager of the AMC Columbia Theater and Marianne Ross, a parent advocate, who, with Harris, created a Special Needs Movie Night, Family Friendly Business.

Planned Systems International Inc., a provider of information technology solutions and services for the federal government with corporate office is in Columbia, has appointed Jeff Lin as its chief financial officer. In this role, Lin will provide operational and functional support to the executive team by leading the firm's finance staff, overseeing its accounting and financial reporting activities, and helping to establish a strategic vision for the company.

Three of the 10 Rising Star finalists at the Arts Council's 11th annual Celebration of the Arts, held April 26 at the Jim Rouse Theatre in Columbia, were voted by the audience to receive "no strings attached" professional development awards of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000. Alexander Francis, who will attend Berklee College of Music in Boston this fall, received $5,000 for his piano arrangement "Cultures," a medley from works by Brian Cox, Shaffer Smith, Vanessa Carlton and John Legend; Colleen Daly received $2,500 for her operatic performance of "

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