People to Watch (2024)
By Guy Fletcher and Nancy Luse
Photography by Turner Photography Studio
If there is a common bond among the diverse group of people who make up this year’s “People to Watch,” it might be that they are all creators in some regard. Whether they are making imaginative quilts or building a business amid a pandemic or growing a voice of advocacy for the agricultural community, they are all creating something. And while the output of their efforts might take them in many different directions—socially, artistically, even geography—they all work to make Frederick County a better place. That makes them worthy of watching.
ENTREPENEUR
Andrew Lohr’s entrepreneur story is fascinating on its own. The 2009 graduate of Urbana High School started his own HVAC company, Honest Air, as a side hustle in 2017 and took the business full-time in 2019, unknowingly on the eve of the COVID pandemic. The Mount Airy-based Honest Air started as two men, Andrew and partner Ryan Wheeler, and one truck. Today, at age 33, Andrew employs 18 team members and his fleet of trucks is at 15 and growing. In addition to being the president/founder of Honest Air, Andrew also owns and manages a sheet metal fabrication shop in Downtown Frederick.
Then there is the other part of Andrew’s story.
FM: Tell us about addiction and what got you into a life of recovery.
Andrew: Man, that is a story. My struggle started in 2009 with abusing prescription medication due to a shoulder injury from high school sports. Over the years my addiction evolved into multiple visits to rehabilitation facilities all over the country, along with criminal charges and a life of constant struggle. On Oct. 14, 2014, after my addiction almost led me to death, I made the decision to change my life. I was a beaten down, broken individual, but deep down I knew there was more that life had to offer me. With the help of my family and church, I was able to take the path to recovery. Today, I stand proud as I approach my 10 years of being clean.
FM: Is speaking to others about addiction difficult?
Andrew: That is an interesting question. I have independently helped multiple people struggling and guided them to the path of recovery in my 10 years. I don’t use my addiction publicly for public praise, attention or benefit. This article is actually the first time the public will hear a fraction of my story. So, for that I’m grateful.
FM: What interests do you have outside of work?
Andrew: I am an avid hunter and fisherman. I love spending time on our farm with my fiancee and kids. I love to cook and especially smoke/grill for our friends and family.
FM: What inspires you?
Andrew: Giving back to the community. The recovery community has a special place in my heart, as I wouldn’t have the life I have today without that journey. Teaching our youth how to hunt through the nonprofit Difference Makers outdoors. Providing leadership training to local high schools with our partner, Lead ‘Em Up.
On the business side, providing a career path for high school graduates, leading them to be successfully employed adults and providing job opportunities for the community.
I don’t give back to the community for the accolades. I give back so much because the community helped save me.
FM: What do you love most about living in Frederick County?
Andrew: I love Frederick County because when I travel I can’t wait to come home. Frederick has been my home for 33 years. I love the small-town feel, I love our community involvement. I absolutely love being a small-town business in our community. I love going to the store and shaking hands with customers I may see out.
ARTIST
Aynex Mercado has been creating art quilts for more than 20 years. Her award-winning work has been shown around the country in numerous exhibitions and quilt shows. Originally from Puerto Rico, she has lived in Frederick since 2008 with her two cats, Stitch and Hexie. During the day she works as a Senior User Experience Designer for the National Cancer Institute. Her portfolio and journal can be seen at www.aynexquilts.com and look for her on Instagram and Threads at @aynexquilts.
FM: What is your quilting process? Do you create a design first, or does it all flow as you are working?
Aynex: My design process is very structured. I design everything on the computer first, print out a pattern of the design at the finished size and build my quilt from there. I know exactly what the final quilt is going to look like when I design it, but sometimes there are surprises.
Most of the time the happy surprises happen when I start going through my fabric stash and find a piece that is perfect that I had not planned for. I have been quilting for over 25 years and I don’t throw away any scrap of fabric, so I have fabric that has been with me all those years waiting for the right place in one of my quilts. Finding that perfect scrap of fabric is a very special moment.
FM: What inspires you? Is it the fabric? Or a scene?
Aynex: I think artists have a special way of looking at the world. They can see the most mundane things and get inspired. Non-artists think nothing of it. I can see the rings on a dying tree stump or the wallpaper pattern in the bathroom at a restaurant and it sparks an idea. For my Frederick quilts there was so much inspiration all around that I wanted to highlight. I want people to stop, look around and really see all the beauty that surrounds us every day instead of looking at the phone in their hand.
FM: Describe what it’s like having your quilts in a gallery or at a show.
Aynex: My exhibit in January at the Delaplaine Arts Center of my Frederick quilts was my first solo exhibit in an art gallery. It took two years to make all that work. It is so special to see all the work together in that beautiful setting. The Delaplaine took a lot of care hanging the show. It looked very nice, and I went to visit it often. Every time I saw it, it made me proud and made me feel that all the hard work had been worth it.
FM: Do you only make quilts as art objects, or do you make ones to snuggle under? Or can a quilt be both art and function?
Aynex: All my quilts are art quilts, meant to be hung on the wall. I have never made a quilt for the bed mainly because I’m not patient enough to work on such a big project, and I’m disabled so it is hard to manage so much material. This year I got tired of being a quilter with a store-bought quilt on my bed, so I am working on a trade with another Frederick quilter. I’m making a quilt of her house and she is making a quilt for my bed. Win-win!
STORYTELLER
As director of communication at Postern, a full-service marketing agency in Downtown Frederick, Chris Vandergrift gets to flex his creative muscles by telling the stories of local businesses and nonprofits. But those who don’t know Chris well might be surprised to learn of the unconventional route he took into the world of communications.
FM: Tell us about the nontraditional path your career took.
Chris: My education, training and early career were focused on human services, specifically working with youth in mental health settings. I later worked as a consultant and subject matter expert in often-contentious litigation for physically and/or psychologically injured individuals, which was also rewarding, but burnout is real, and I eventually felt drained, longing to tap into something creative.
In my heart, I’ve always been a voracious storyteller, aspiring writer and lover of language, and a serial relationship builder, so I wanted to see if there was a way to dovetail all of those characteristics into an entirely new career path. I ultimately took a leap and started a video production company with a college buddy of mine. I quickly found my footing in the marketing space and discovered some natural ability and a whole lot of passion for helping businesses and organizations strategically take their story and frame it the right way to the right audiences in the right places.
FM: What do you enjoy about your work?
Chris: Every morning, I wake up excited knowing I get the absolute privilege to help members of our community, who by the nature of their own work are fundamentally transforming Frederick County. I’m involved with campaigns and strategic marketing initiatives that help nonprofit organizations provide vital support services to our most vulnerable neighbors. I also get to come alongside entrepreneurs, public entities and an array of businesses representing a vast number of industries to develop ideas and approaches for realizing their own dreams.
FM: Tell us about your interests outside of work.
Chris: I currently have the privilege of serving as board president of Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, which is doing absolutely incredible work to support affordable housing in our community. Everyone should learn about the organization’s West All Saints project that’s currently underway in addition to their other programs that are making affordable home ownership and housing security possible. Additionally, I sit as the chair of the Leadership Frederick County Alumni Committee through the Chamber of Commerce.
When I’m not doing volunteer work, I love disconnecting out in nature, be it camping, backpacking or just hanging a hammock somewhere in the woods.
FM: What inspires you?
Chris: The people around me. I have found myself so incredibly fortunate in life to be surrounded by family, friends and colleagues who in their own unique ways have pursued passions, overcome obstacles or created impactful things out of seemingly nothing that collectively challenge, shape and evolve how I experience the world around me.
FM: What are your favorite things about
Frederick?
Chris: This is like asking someone, “What’s your favorite song?” It’s painfully difficult to narrow it down to a handful of things, but if I must, I’d pick two: the people and the landscape. The sense of community and camaraderie is second to none. Secondly, this place is just beautiful! There are many days where I find myself thinking, “I can’t believe I get to live and work here!”
ADVOCATE
Katie Stevens’ upbringing on her family’s dairy farm, including milking cows and tending to calves before heading off to school, laid the foundation for her deep-rooted connection to agriculture. Katie served as the Maryland FFA state vice president while attending Frederick Community College and earned a degree in dairy science at Virginia Tech, with plans to continue her family’s legacy. In 2013, however, her family made the difficult decision to sell their herd.
Today, Katie is director of the Frederick County Office of Agriculture, serving as a vital link between farmers and local government, striving to streamline processes and facilitate growth within the ag community. She and her husband raise dairy heifers and cultivate cut flowers for local markets. She hopes to inspire her three daughters to carry on the family’s farming legacy.
FM: What would you like people to know about the importance of agriculture?
Katie: Agriculture isn’t just about providing food; it’s the backbone of Maryland and Frederick County’s economy. It’s not just our past; it’s our future. Growing up as a second-generation farmer, I’ve witnessed the challenges and sacrifices farmers endure to sustain their livelihoods. Yet, despite the hardships, farmers persevere because of our unwavering passion for agriculture, which includes being environmental stewards. We’re committed to practices that ensure a thriving ecosystem for generations to come.
FM: What are some innovations to agriculture that have you excited?
Katie: From GPS systems to robotic milkers and hydroponics, the range of innovations is vast. There’s also immense potential in leveraging technology to manage data more efficiently. Beyond technology, the farm-to-table movement is revolutionizing the way consumers interact with food and farmers. People want to know where their food comes from, and this transparency is reshaping the future of agriculture. COVID highlighted the cracks in our food supply chain, with consumers gaining a newfound appreciation for local farmers and their products.
FM: Is there a common thread that weaves through the farming community?
Katie: There are several common threads. A significant one is a commitment to hard work and resilience. Farming demands long hours, physical labor and the ability to adapt to unpredictable circumstances such as weather changes or market fluctuations. Despite these challenges, farmers consistently demonstrate unwavering dedication and perseverance.
Farmers have a strong community bond and are always willing to help one another. They contribute to the broader community and volunteer in agriculture initiatives. It’s remarkable how, amidst their demanding schedules, farmers find time to give back. This extends beyond individual farms, fostering a supportive network where farmers readily share knowledge, resources and assistance, whether it’s lending a hand during planting season, contributing to local events or mentoring the next generation of farmers, this spirit of collaboration and generosity is woven into the fabric of the farming community. Agriculture is not just an occupation, but a way of life.
FM: What was your favorite 4-H project and why?
Katie: My favorite 4-H project has to be dairy cattle, with one animal in particular—a special calf named Quazy that my parents bought for me when she was 10 days old. She and I embarked on countless adventures from local fairs to national shows in Madison, Wis., and Louisville, Ky. She still reminds me of the profound impact animals can have on our lives and the lessons they teach us along the way.
VISIONARY
It’s almost impossible to introduce Teddy Galloway in the space allowed on one page. The Frederick native and U.S. Marine veteran began his career in the chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense field, supporting both national and international counter-terrorism efforts. But then he shifted his focus toward personal and professional development, contributing as a speaker at educational forums and aiding local nonprofits. Currently, he works as a learning strategist through Veterans Affairs’ Electronic Health Records Modernization, supporting veterans through educational initiatives. His new startup, Visionary Solutions, designs and implements training programs and online courses for local business and nonprofit.
FM: What do you enjoy about your work?
Teddy: I am attracted to worthwhile missions, where lives are improved through action. What fulfills me most is empowering others through education. I thrive on illuminating paths for personal and collective growth within the community. Witnessing the tangible improvements in people’s lives as they harness new skills and opportunities is incredibly rewarding. I’m passionate about facilitating change and development, making a measurable difference through the programs I deliver and help design.
FM: Tell us about your interests outside of work.
Teddy: An avid reader, I gravitate towards subjects like politics, philosophy, religion, history and community activism. I cherish my time with my sons, Micah and Tekoa, exploring life’s complexities together. I’m a familiar face in Downtown Frederick, engaging with both locals and visitors, absorbing their stories of adversity and success. These interactions enrich my understanding and appreciation of our diverse community.
FM: What inspires you?
Teddy: My inspiration stems from the robust support I’ve received from my family and Frederick’s educational and social community, which fueled my aspirations and achievements. The relationships I’ve cultivated with local leaders and childhood friends have been instrumental. Above all, my faith and a profound belief in purpose drive me to contribute positively, striving to fulfill a collective destiny of improvement and enlightenment.
Also, I am blessed with visions of a better world that I have been fortunately given from my childhood and I believe that the life I live is somehow going to contribute to a better world. Given the challenges that we are facing in the world, which I am intensely familiar with by both professional experience and higher education, I think my journey is to do something that will unite people along shared values to create a better world.
FM: What do you enjoy most about Frederick?
Teddy: Having lived and traveled globally—from Paris to San Diego, the United Arab Emirates to Japan—I find Frederick uniquely welcoming and vibrant, and there is no place like it in the world. We have something special here, a bustling community with its own vibe. The community spirit, especially evident during Baker Park spring outings or local festivals like Alive@Five and Fire in Ice, is magnetic. The diversity and acceptance found here, coupled with the natural beauty, make Frederick not just a place to live, but a place to love.