NEWSLETTER
PDF John McKenna, Board Chair, Development and Finance Committee
Born and raised in Baltimore, John attended St. Clement’s Elementary, Mount Saint Joseph High School and Loyola College, attaining a MBA degree in marketing and finance in 1981. As such, John attributes his success to the Sisters of Providence, The Xaverian Brothers and the Jesuits. As a young adult, John was active in the “Search for Christian Maturity” program of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, serving on several weekend retreat teams. He is a member of Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City where he served on the Pastoral Council for four years. John also lectors at St. Joseph Monastery in Irvington.
John is Vice President of Maryland Glass & Mirror Company in Baltimore. While raising two sons, John became very active in coaching baseball and basketball, stressing to young people the importance of developing life skills while having fun playing sports. John’s interests include playing guitar, travelling and sports. He lives with his wife, Donna, and sons Ryan and Matt in Ellicott City, MD.
Linda Blackiston, RDH, BS – Events Committee Chair and The Samaritan Church Committee
Linda received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Dental School, University of Maryland after she and her husband owned a deli, bakery and catering business for nine years. After selling the business Linda pursued her dental hygiene degree. Linda is currently Manager of Professional Education in the Mid- Atlantic for Philips /Sonicare. She is an industry author writing and lecturing nationally on women’s health issues, pediatric dentistry, teenage issues, and other dental related topics. She continues to practice dental hygiene part-time in the Baltimore area.
Linda has a passion for volunteering and has served underprivileged areas in the US and Mexico. She works with Mid Atlantic PANDA (Prevent Abuse and Neglect Through Dental Awareness) providing free continuing education courses to dental professionals. She worked with the student ministry at her church for 10 years mentoring students and traveling to underserved areas providing much needed services. Linda and her husband mentored couples prior to marriage for several years and for almost 30 years she has served on the food and hospitality committee of the church.
Linda has been married for over 32 years has two grown daughters and a beautiful granddaughter. Her favorite thing in the world is to cook for a house full of family and friends.
Christian Metzger, Development and Finance Committee
Charles Gilbert, Farm and Food Committee
Charles was born in Catonsville and raised in Howard County. He attended St. Louis Grade School in Clarksville, MD and then Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore. After high school, Charles graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 1974, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with a minor in Economics. He then began working for Hearn Kirkwood, a Produce Distribution Company, where he has worked the past 36 years and served as president since 1994.
Outside of serving on several business boards , Charles currently serves on the Board of Pro*Act, a national produce purchasing and sales distribution network, Rolling Road Golf Club and Mount Saint Joseph High School’s Alumni Board as vice president.
Besides for his family, cooking and golf, Charles has a passion for volunteering. Most recently he was involved in The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge of Baltimore, Baltimore’s Victim Fun Run & Walk, Arthritis Foundation, Maryland Food Bank and the Tuition Assistance Program of Mount Saint Joseph to name a few. Charles currently resides in Catonsville, MD.
Derrick Purcell, CCC, PCII, Executive Chef of The Maryland Science Center –Vocational Programs Chair, Farm & Food Ministry
Chef Derrick has used his talents to foster an impeccable reputation within the catering industry. His commitment for cooking has established the Maryland Science Center, located on Baltimore’s famed Inner Harbor, as a renowned location that sets the standard for culinary excellence and creativity.
Chef Derrick’s love for cooking began at age three, and was developed at The Culinary Institute of America with dual certification through The Culinary Institute of America and The American Culinary Federation. He was awarded his Pro Chef II certification in 2009. Chef Purcell is an Advisory Board Member of the Baltimore International Culinary College as well the Maryland Food Council. He has showcased his talent for such celebrities as Tommy Hilfiger, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and former President Bill Clinton. Chef Purcell has led teams of over 90 chefs for world class events such as Volvo Ocean Racing Team, ABN/AMRO and Red Bull FlugTug to name a few.
Derrick chairs our Vocational Programs Committee and sits on the Farm & Food Ministry Committee. TSW is thrilled to have a chef of such passion about food to be directing the culinary arts program our women will experience and ensuring that the love of food starts from seed, all the way to the table.
When he’s not cooking, he loves spending time with his wife Maria and four daughters Mia, Miah, Candace and Madison. He and his wife are passionate about God’s grace in their lives and serve the Lord as National Capital Region Church Plan Leaders for Family Life Marriage Ministries and as active, faithful members of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
We are currently recruiting for additional Board positions.