[Edgewater, Maryland, May 1, 2023] - The Brick Companies (TBC) announced a significant leadership transition today. Lex Birney, who has been with the company since 1989 and has served as Managing General Partner and Chief Executive Officer since 1998, will step down as CEO. Julie Natoli and Joan Renner will succeed Birney, jointly leading the company as Co-CEOs. Birney will continue to support the company as Senior Advisor and Managing General Partner, a role that will allow him to share his 30 years of experience and mentorship with the new leaders. The transition highlights The Brick Companies’ (TBC) commitment to a seamless leadership change while maintaining its focus on sustainable ownership and management of commercial and recreational properties in the Baltimore/Washington region. Natoli and Renner expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Co-CEOs, “It is a great honor to be named the next Co-CEOs of The Brick Companies. We want to thank Lex and the General Partners for their faith in our ability to lead the company.” Both Renner and Natoli have extensive experience and have held various leadership positions within the company. Julie Natoli has been with TBC since 1994 and has served in multiple roles, most recently as Principal. Natoli's investment analysis, risk management, and asset management expertise will be crucial to the company's future growth and success. Her recent completion of Leadership Maryland’s program and extensive board experience exemplifies her commitment to TBC and the wider community. Joan Renner, who joined the company in 2001, has been Chief Financial Officer since 2003. Her extensive experience in finance and accounting, coupled with her deep understanding of TBC's operations, makes her an invaluable asset in the company's new leadership structure. Renner's commitment to community service and involvement with several boards and organizations demonstrates her leadership capabilities. The new leaders are committed to maintaining a varied range of investments, “TBC is and always will be grounded in the ownership of real estate, and we will ensure that we have a diverse mix of businesses to thrive.” As Co-CEOs, Natoli and Renner plan to continue TBC's tradition of giving back to the community and environmental stewardship. They will work closely with the TBC Foundation Board and establish "Good Works Ambassadors" at their facilities to foster stronger connections with the local community. As Lex Birney embarks on a new adventure, The Brick Companies expresses its profound gratitude for his years of dedicated service and visionary leadership. Natoli and Renner are excited and energized to lead TBC and its exceptional employees, carrying on its legacy of excellence for over 130 years. About The Brick Companies The Brick Companies (TBC) is a privately held company based in Edgewater, MD, which owns and manages commercial and recreational properties in the Baltimore/Washington region. Since its inception, TBC is committed to creating sustainable businesses while strongly focusing on giving back to the community and environmental stewardship. To learn more about The Brick Companies, visit www.thebrickcompanies.com.

Congratulations to Gina Coles at The Golf Club at South River, a fun property of The Brick Companies, who was promoted to Event and Bistro Operations Manager. For the past 4.5 years, Gina has been a dedicated and dependable team member who always maintains a positive, can-do attitude with the customer experience as her top priority. In her newly expanded role, Gina will train and manage staff while supporting, enhancing, and executing club events and dining. Gina will continue to be instrumental in ensuring guests have an exceptional experience during their time at The Golf Club at South River. A variety of events that require hyper attention to detail are hosted at the Golf Club including weddings, bridal showers, graduations, anniversaries, baby showers, milestone events, retirements, and celebrations of life in addition to the regular operation of the in-house restaurant, The Bistro. The Golf Club at South River, in Edgewater, Maryland, is a fully private club that serves over 600 member families and their guests. The club features an 18-hole golf course, an on-site restaurant (The Bistro), a fitness center, a golf simulator lounge, a driving range, and exclusive members-only events. Open year-round, The Golf Club at South River takes considerable pride in providing members with its iconic signature service. We all wish Gina the best of luck in her new role.

We are pleased to announce the well-deserved promotions of two hard-working team members at Atlantic Marinas, a fun property of The Brick Companies. Megan will take on more responsibility as Office Manager of all three marinas. She started with Atlantic Marinas in 2015 as an Office Administrator. She is an integral part of the team as her duties impact all facets of the marina from answering inquiries, assisting members, scheduling/selling services, overseeing billing, and hosting member events. She really enjoys getting to know members and their families. Interestingly, Megan is a certified storm spotter for the National Weather Service and takes storm and nature photography. Adrienne will be spending more time outside as the Facility Manager of Ferry Point. She joined the Atlantic Marinas team in 2007 as an Office Administrator, after The Brick Companies acquired the Magothy location where she had worked since 2001. She has been an impactful part of the Atlantic Marinas team. Adrienne gets a lot of joy from ensuring members have the best possible boating experience. She also loves meeting all the boat dogs! In her spare time, Adrienne enjoys boating, kayaking, and is an avid runner. Everyone at The Brick Companies is pleased to add these two strong leaders to our management team.

Edgewater, MD – February 15, 2023 – The Golf Club at South River, one of The Brick Companies’ FUN properties, names Beth Prensky as General Manager. Prensky will oversee all aspects of the private club, including the 18-hole golf course, on-site restaurant, fitness center, and the club’s membership. She is committed to elevating services and offerings to ensure the finest member and guest experience. No stranger to The Golf Club at South River, Prensky has been with the club for eight years, serving as the Membership Director and, most recently, as Interim General Manager. She has played an integral part in improving the club’s culture and operations while forging genuine relationships with members and staff. Her valuable contributions will continue to make a positive impact. Prensky is actively involved in many industry organizations and brings an elevated level of expertise and leadership to South River. She is looking forward to accomplishing even more in the role of General Manager. “I love the Golf Club at South River and our members! I am honored and look forward to serving our members and creating memorable experiences for many years.” By employing her experience and industry knowledge, Prensky will ensure the club remains best-in-class. John Anderes, Executive Vice President of Hospitality and Golf for The Brick Companies, is thrilled that Prensky has accepted this new role. “It has been an immense pleasure to watch Beth excel throughout her tenure at The Golf Club at South River, and all of us at The Brick Companies are beyond excited to see Beth grow into this position. Undoubtedly, she will exceed our fantastic membership’s expectations through her leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm for the club.” The Golf Club at South River, in Edgewater, Maryland, is a fully private club that serves over 600 member families and their guests. The club features an 18-hole golf course, an on-site restaurant (The Bistro), a fitness center, a golf simulator lounge, a driving range, and exclusive members-only events. Open year-round, The Golf Club at South River takes considerable pride in providing members with its iconic signature service.

The Brick Companies Principal and Davidsonville resident recognized at December 6 ceremony Annapolis, Md. (December 6, 2022) – Leadership Maryland announced today that Julie Natoli '22, Principal at The Brick Companies, has completed the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders. Leadership Maryland honored Natoli, a resident of Davidsonville, and the entire Class of 2022 at its 29th annual graduation ceremony held December 6 at the Hilton Baltimore BWI Airport. As a graduate, Natoli is now a member of Leadership Maryland’s powerful alumni network, consisting of more than 1,300 esteemed leaders from all industries and regions of the state. Natoli was one of 49 applicants chosen by committee to complete Leadership Maryland’s eight-month hands-on learning program. The class participated in an orientation and closing retreat that bookended five, two-day sessions focused on Maryland’s five main geographic regions and the most vital issues impacting economic development, education, health and human services, criminal justice, the environment, and multi-culturalism/diversity across the state. More than 100 experts representing Maryland’s business, government, education, and non-profit communities served as panelists and guest speakers. When asked about being part of the program, Natoli stated, “Being a part of Leadership Maryland’s Class of ’22 has been an honor. I have bonded with leaders in their respective fields, people that I now call friends. The entire experience has been invaluable and has taught me so much. I am a better leader because of it.” “This has been a special class year, both for me as the new president and CEO, and for our organization, as we hosted our full program together, in person for the first time since 2019,” said David Fike ’16 (LM), president and Chief Executive Officer, Leadership Maryland. “The Class of 2022 came into this year eager and inspired, and they’ve maintained that enthusiasm throughout each of our sessions. This is a remarkable group of professionals, diverse in experience and talent, and we look forward to seeing how they will influence our state with the knowledge and connections they’ve gained this year.” Leadership Maryland is open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in either their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland members have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. For more information about Leadership Maryland, please visit www.LeadershipMD.org, call 410-841-2101 or email Info@LeadershipMD.org. About Leadership Maryland Leadership Maryland is a non-profit organization offering professional and youth development programs dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its current and future leaders. Established in 1992, Leadership Maryland’s professional development program selects as many as 52 diverse and accomplished executives from Maryland’s public and private sectors each year to come together as a class for an eight-month learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues. Leadership Maryland also offers Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW), the state’s premier leadership development program for middle and high school students. For more than 65 years, MLW has provided peer-led summer residential and community outreach programs that empower participants – known as delegates – to take ownership of their personal development as they grow in self-awareness, set measurable goals, and collaborate with peers in diverse groups. Together, Leadership Maryland and MLW have established thousands of Marylanders on their lifelong leadership path, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to influence positive change in all aspects of their lives and within our state. To learn more, please visit leadershipmd.org or mlw.org.

Announced on November 29th, 2022, Queenstown Harbor, a golf course property of The Brick Companies, won Best of the Best Chesapeake. Local businesses from around the Eastern Shore were nominated and later voted on by the public to be crowned the best in their field. Last year’s contest generated 58,000 votes for local businesses competing across multiple categories. We are extremely proud of our Queenstown Harbor team for being recognized for consistently delivering an exceptional and memorable experience for all who visit our property.

In October, TBC team members collected arts and craft supplies to support the after-school programs of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. BGCAA inspires our community youth with a calendar full of quality after-school programs that foster academic success, healthy lifestyles, character, and leadership. The Brick Companies is proud to continue our support of BGCAA. In celebration of TBC’s 130th anniversary, the effort to support BGCAA continues a YEAR OF GIVING, where team members come together monthly to select community charities to support.

Congratulations to Toni Prince for being selected as the 2022 Member of the Year for the Baltimore Chapter of Lambda Alpha International. The Lambda Alpha International (LAI) “member of the year” award honors chapter members who have shown leadership and dedication to advancing the field of land economics through service to their profession, community, and chapter. At TBC, Toni serves as Director of Finance and has been an integral part of the finance team for over 12 years. “Toni is a dedicated, dynamic, and passionate team member. We are incredibly proud that she has received this recognition from LAI!” said Joan Renner, Chief Financial Officer of TBC. Lambda Alpha International (LAI) is an honorary, networked international association for distinguished professionals in all fields related to the use and development of land. LAI is committed to promoting best practices and making a difference in our communities. The Baltimore Chapter was formed in 1992, and its members – from business, academia, and government – represent a wide range of professions dealing with some aspect of land economics. To learn more about LAI, click here: https://laibaltimore.org/

Congratulations to TBC’s very own Amy Natoli, CPM®, RPA for being a finalist for the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)'s Certified Property Manager of the Year! Amy is one of five finalists for the CPM of the Year award that recognizes an IREM member who’s made a commitment to the real estate management profession and valuable contributions to enhance its future. The winner will be announced at this year’s IREM annual Global Summit held October 17-20 in Dallas, Texas. If you would like to attend or gather more info, click here. Click here to view Amy’s nomination as well as information regarding the other talented finalists.

Back to School can be such a fun time for children (and their parents). Unfortunately, many kids don’t get to experience the excitement of back-to-school shopping because of financial hardship. Operation Backpack, a Volunteers of America (VOA) initiative, is helping to bring joy to some of these kids by providing much-needed school supplies and necessities. In August, The Brick Companies partnered with Operation Backpack to collect backpacks and school supplies for children in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Through this drive, TBC employees and building tenants collected 17 backpacks and 5 large boxes of supplies, including spiral and composition notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, crayons, and binders. VOA will provide these supplies to students from low-income families and Title I schools in the DMV area. Operation Backpack understands that for many families, students’ needs do not end with school supplies and backpacks. Throughout the DMV, there are many kids that lack uniforms and academic enrichment opportunities. Operation Backpack is helping by providing fresh uniforms and summer programs throughout the area. If you are interested in supporting any of these initiatives, please click here to donate. In celebration of TBC’s 130th anniversary, the effort to support Operation Backpack continues a YEAR OF GIVING, where team members come together monthly to select community charities to support.

The Brick Companies CEO Lex Birney is being inducted into the Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce 2022 Business Hall of Fame. To read Lex’s achievements and the bios of other notable inductees, click here.

As a Project and Administration Executive, Tracy’s day-to-day activities include supporting two of TBC’s executives with administrative tasks and executing elements of various organizational projects. Tracy has over 20 years experience in a support role but is excited to step outside of her comfort zone in a new industry. She feels that “coming from the legal field to the real estate arena is the challenge and change of scenery that I am looking for in my career path.” Tracey has lived in the DMV region for over 28 years but originally hails from the Midwest, specifically Youngstown, OH. Outside of work, Tracy is passionate about cooking and international traveling. She has visited countries on four of the five continents and plans to visit all five by the end of 2023. She also admits that she enjoys decompressing by binge-watching tv shows, such as Downton Abbey and My Wife and Kids. Everyone at TBC is very excited to welcome Tracy to the team.