New Board Chairman and Director
Sponsorship with Sandy Spring Bank
JTCC is pleased to announce that Dr. Peter Ackerman and The Honorable Rushern Baker, III have joined the Board of Directors, with Dr. Ackerman assuming the role of Board Chairman.
Peter Ackerman is a passionate player and visits JTCC four to five times a week, usually in the early morning hours to join a member of the coaching staff, or to hit with one of JTCC’s high performance players. Ackerman has a distinguished business career as an investor and entrepreneur and he currently serves as Managing Director of Rockport Capital. He holds a Ph.D. from the Fletcher School at Tufts where he served as Chairman of that board for fifteen years. He has served on a number of regional and national boards, including the executive committee of the Atlantic Council and the Council on Foreign Relations. He also serves as Co-Chair of the International Advisory Committee of the US Institute of Peace and on the advisory board of the US Paralympics. Ackerman and his wife, Joanne, reside in Georgetown and they are parents of two adult sons and two grandchildren.
“Peter Ackerman is one of the most enthusiastic tennis players, and boosters, I have ever met and we are fortunate to have him in this important leadership role at JTCC at this very important time in our history, and growth,” remarked Ray Benton, JTCC CEO.
Rushern Baker is an avid tennis enthusiast who plays regularly. He concluded an eight-year term as County Executive of Prince George’s County in the fall of 2018. His time in office was marked by reversing the trajectory of the county. Baker was responsible for making Prince George’s County one of the leading economic engines in Maryland, creating more jobs than any other local jurisdiction for the last several years, reducing crime to record lows and increasing property values by record amounts. He also prioritized improved funding to county schools that resulted in increased enrollment, graduation rates and, by the end of his term, more than 80 percent of the county’s schools receiving above average ratings on the State’s new accountability rating system. Baker holds a law degree from Howard University. He is married to Christa Beverly and they have one son and two daughters.
“Rushern Baker has done more than anyone to transform the fortunes of Prince George’s County and we are excited to have his assistance in enhancing JTCC’s presence in the local area moving forward,” commented Benton.
Sandy Spring Bank and JTCC have reached a partnership agreement for the next three years. As a result Sandy Spring Bank will be the title sponsor for JTCC’s community outreach initiative in Prince George’s County and the presenting sponsor of the GEICO Champions Celebration event each spring.
The Prince George’s outreach program will be named the “Sandy Spring Bank Advantage Prince George’s” program. The initiative teaches tennis and life skills to Prince George County’s youth in underserved neighborhoods and ultimately provides student athletes with the opportunity to earn college scholarships. The program also allows JTCC’s high performance players the chance to give back by volunteering as mentors and role models for the participants. It is offered in 10 strategically planned sites in Prince George’s County reaching more than 800 children annually.
As Sandy Spring becomes the presenting sponsor of JTCC’s annual gala, the event will now be titled the GEICO Champions Celebration Presented by Sandy Spring Bank. The 2019 gala will be held at Columbia Country Club on May 2.
“Sandy Spring Bank is totally committed to Prince George’s County and is an ideal partner to extend the effectiveness of JTCC Community Outreach,” observed Benton.
