A Look at the 2024 Rural Maryland Council Awards Ceremony

On December 4, 2024, the Rural Maryland Council hosted its Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony, announcing its executive board and the 2024 Rural Impact Award recipients.

Visit their website here to view the 2025 RMC Leadership Announcement.

This year, eight awards were presented for the 2024 Rural Impact Award Ceremony:

  • Outstanding Rural Community Volunteer was awarded to Rick Nelson and Sara Visintainer for their leadership, dedication, and noteworthy volunteer achievement beyond the call of their professional duties to help improve their community.
  • Outstanding Rural Economic Development was awarded to Maryland Area Health Education Center West “AHEC WEST” for their leadership, dedication, and noteworthy achievement to help improve economic development opportunities in rural communities.
  • Outstanding Rural Community Development was awarded to Buck Browning for his leadership, dedication, and noteworthy achievement to help improve rural communities.
  • Rural Champion was awarded to Senator Jack Bailey and Mayor Darlene Taylor for their outstanding leadership and public service in promoting legislation and policy solutions to benefit rural communities.
  • Rural Legacy was awarded to Santo Grande, in recognition of his unwavering commitment to fostering dignity, respect, and independence for all. His dedication has left an enduring legacy that uplifts and strengthens Maryland’s rural communities.
  • Rural Legacy was awarded posthumously to Leanne Dawn Bowman-Bodes, in lasting recognition of her visionary leadership and dedication to economic development in the rural communities of Western Maryland. Leanne’s tireless work and commitment have left an enduring legacy, enriching the lives and futures of countless individuals.
(From left) Awardees of the 2024 Rural Impact Awards, featuring Susan Stewart (Executive Director, AHEC West), Melissa Clark (Associate Director, AHEC West), Rick Nelson (Chief Operations Officer, Chesapeake Housing Mission), Charlotte Davis (Executive Director, Rural Maryland Council), Santo Grande (former Chief Executive Officer, Delmarva Community Services), Buck Browning (Executive Director, Fort Ritchie Community Center), Mayor Darlene Taylor of Crisfield, Maryland.