“It is my distinct honor tonight to recognize someone whose dedication, wisdom, and steady hand have left an indelible mark on the Kentlands Community Foundation. Tonight, we proudly present the Friend of the Foundation Award to Steve Rambo, who served as our Treasurer beginning in 2021 and continued his service well beyond a full term, which speaks to Steve’s dedication, spirit of service, and impact on the Foundation.

Steve gamely stepped into the Treasurer role at a time when the Foundation needed him most. His leadership helped us navigate a period change, and, yes, a few growing pains. With a positive attitude, professionalism, and more than a touch of good humor, Steve brought our financial systems not just up to speed, but helped them evolve during a time of rapid growth of the organization and its programs.

Steve developed a much-needed authorization matrix, implemented a critical audit and review process, and created clear, effective reporting tools—enhancing transparency and helping to ensure checks and balances for the Foundation. Under his stewardship, the Foundation’s financial footing was not only stabilized, but strengthened for long-term sustainability.

Steve didn’t stop at the numbers. He advised on best practices for program funding, investment strategies, and banking solutions. He served as a trusted advisor and liaison to programs like The Villages, Kentlands Under the Lights, and Artists on Market—helping each one find clarity and direction. He worked closely with every program to shape budgets, improve financial literacy, and operate with confidence and competence. He also helped make two crucial hires to support our growing organization and programs: our bookkeeper and accountant.

During times of transition, including the exit of our long-serving Executive Director and transition from an interim and a temporary ED to our now permanent Executive Director, Steve shouldered an immense amount of responsibility. He supported our staff with everything from strategic fundraising to grant writing, and even rolled up his sleeves to help clean out and organize the Carriage house. He stepped up and gamely stepped in when and where needed and for me personally was a crucial support as I stepped into the role of Chair.

As he stepped out of the Treasurer role, he transitioned the role with grace, always ready to support his successor without hesitation.

Steve, your fingerprints are everywhere—quietly, reliably, and always in service to the greater good. You have modeled what it means to be a steward, a servant leader, and a true friend of the Foundation.

On behalf of the Board, our staff, our program leaders, and this entire community—thank you. We are grateful beyond words.”
Meredith Fogle
Chair. Board KCF

This year, we are proud to recognize Ron for his extraordinary contributions to Musica Viva Kentlands (MVK) and his enduring commitment to the Kentlands Community Foundation. His behind-the-scenes leadership, reliability, and deep dedication have made him an indispensable part of MVK’s success.

As the previous program lead stepped down, Ron stepped forward—taking on a significant share of responsibility and ensuring that the program’s momentum continued uninterrupted. One of his most critical contributions has been managing the complex and detail-oriented process of musician contracting and signature coordination—a task that is essential to MVK’s ability to attract and retain high-caliber professional performers. His attentiveness and diligence in this role have helped preserve the artistic integrity and smooth execution of each concert season.

Beyond logistics, Ron has served as a steady, trusted presence within the MVK organizing team for many years. His leadership spans a longer period than almost any current member, and his contributions—both visible and behind the scenes—have strengthened MVK’s reputation, operations, and continuity. He is, without a doubt, a key pillar of both Musica Viva Kentlands and the Kentlands Community Foundation.

We are deeply grateful for his unwavering dedication, thoughtful problem-solving, and generous spirit. It is a pleasure to honor Ron for his exceptional service, and to recognize him as a leader whose impact resonates well beyond the concert hall.

Program: Gaithersburg Artist Collective (GAC)
Laurie has served as the Community Engagement Chair and the Volunteer Hours Coordinator of the Gaithersburg Artist Collective for many years. She has planned and led most of our projects that benefit charitable causes, as well as much needed fundraisers for our own Collective. An important aspect of the mission of the Gaithersburg Artist Collective is to give back to the community we call home. We strive to make art accessible to all, empower artists, and connect communities. Laurie has made this possible over and over again, by organizing auctions, charitable collections of goods, bingo night fundraisers, artist made products for benefit sales, and an outdoor Earth Day family event.

Through her knack for organization and perseverance, Laurie gets things done, which encourages others to do the same. Because of her work, the Collective has been able to offer free Children’s Programming, environmental awareness events, and support for many charities and causes including The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, World Central Kitchen, Stepping Stones Shelter, Manna Food Bank, Gaithersburg Book Festival, and Helping Hands Shelter.

Since joining MVK’s organizing committee two years ago, Inge has filled several significant roles, including tracking program expenditures and completing significant design and print projects in support of program objectives.  She has also been a major force in the organization and execution of program events, notably several fundraisers.

Inge has been a pivotal player in executing key program tasks while at the same time freeing up the program leads to focus on broader issues.

Inge is always the first person in the room to step forward when a job needs to be done and has repeatedly demonstrated herself as being tireless in its execution. Her contributions have included:

•    Helping to design, print and distribute program promotional and collateral items.  She responds to program needs on a very short time frame because she undertakes this work herself (and at her own expense) rather than relying on third party print services.  This frees up a significant amount of funding that can be devoted to core requirements.

•    Tracking and reporting on expenditures to the program leadership and the broader committee has ensured that MVK continues its track record of delivering a high quality product on budget.

•    Inge also plays a role in the efficient discharge of numerous program administrative activities, including the procurement of event supplies, tracking contract signings and a long list of other tasks.

Inge is a high energy contributor to the MVK program, presenting thoughtful ideas in the context of Committee discussions while carrying out a range of administrative and supporting tasks with efficiency.  She is also contributes significantly to MVK’s financial success through making in-kind donations to the program and by promoting ticket sales and event attendance to a network of family and friends.

Program: Gaithersburg Artist Collective (GAC)
Among a variety of other roles within the group, Anne served as the Chairperson of the Gaithersburg Artist Collective for four years, offering calm and steady leadership through endless challenges. A few of the other roles she has held include Vice Chairperson, Gallery Monitor Manager, Jury Team, Assisted Installations, and is currently our Marketing Chair.

Anne navigated the myriad of moving parts within the group as we moved several times, reconfigured, and revised our practices. Always with grace and advocacy for the respectful treatment of artists.

Anne has helped greatly in establishing and maintaining a sense of respect and professionalism for our artists, both within the group, and in the interactions of the Collective. She has quietly spent hundreds of hours on tasks large and small to further our advocacy of the arts and in support of our members.

Program: Musica Viva Kentlands (MVK)
Simeone is a founding member of the Musica Viva Kentlands program and has served throughout its existence as its volunteer Artistic Director—a role that is separate from his work as a performer.

As Artistic Director, Simeone has played a leading role in the selection of performance programs, staffing concert events with highly capable professional performers, assisting in the development of fundraising programs and acting as a consultant to program leadership on artistic matters and staging requirements.

 Simeone has contributed his time and expertise generously and without reservation.  His contributions have and continue to include:

 •    Identifying and developing concert programs aimed at increasing community access to and appreciation of orchestral music.  His selections are always mindful of the need to provide artistically significant programming while at the same time ensuring that a wide audience finds it approachable and entertaining.

 •    Affordably staffing program performances with highly capable professional performers.  This includes having worked with the Foundation to develop and manage an internship program with the Catholic University of America (CUA) supplements are base of professional performers,  By doing so, he has enabled the Foundation to offer development opportunities to the next generation of performers while affording MVK the ability to stage its events at an affordable cost:

 •    Developing program opportunities for fundraising concerts that included last year’s Sound of Music and this year’s Selections from La Boheme.  By his leveraging of existing CUA programs, MVK is able to offer a low cost concert events t hat have produced approximately $8,000 in net revenues.

 It is fair to say that Simeone has long been the public face of MVK and a key contributor to its success dating back to its first concert.  His attention to programming accessible works and delivering them in a manner designed to appeal too residents of all ages and backgrounds has been an essential element of its success.  It is also fair to say that without Simeone’s energy and commitment to the program, it would never have become the “must see” event that it is today.

 Jack was instrumental at our pop-up museum event. He provided and set up his own personal audio-visual equipment to stream a 2 hour loop of New Urbanism video that he put together on his own, for the visitors.

 As part of our app development, in 2024 Jack provided podcasting equipment and expertise to record professional quality voiceovers for 19 way points of interest. This effort will eventually be part of the walking tour.

As the program lead for our mobile phone app project, Jack's technological expertise and enthusiasm has had a huge positive impact.