The MCE’s Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur Of The Year Award Recipient Is Announced

Pete Roskovich

SALISBURY, MD – MCE (Maryland Capital Enterprises, Inc.) has announced that its inaugural Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner is Pete Roskovich, owner of Adams Ribs and Black Diamond Catering in Fruitland, MD. The Award was created to recognize the entrepreneurial spirit, outstanding accomplishments and sheer determination of our local entrepreneurs who own and operate successful small businesses. Pete will be presented the Award at MCE’s Annual Gala at the UMES Student Services Center on November 3^rd.

Mr. Roskovich has created and made both Adam’s the Place for Ribs and Black Diamond Catering one of the premier businesses in the Wicomico area. He has been in business for 23 years and has created jobs for about 100 area residents. His continued success is due to his committed work ethic and his genuine care for the Community.

“I lead by example. I am a hands on operator. I usually work 60 plus hours a week, sometimes 80. I expect the same work ethic from my team”. – says Peter Roskovich.

He contributes his entrepreneurial success to an old Roskovich value -- “All hands on deck” as described by his daughter Alexis.

Pete is active in the community as well. He is a board member of the Salisbury University Foundation and Junior Achievement. He is a supports the Salisbury Men’s Lacrosse Team and numerous other organizations through-out the community, by raising funds through “Adam’s Spirit Nights”.

The Award was named after O. Palmer Gillis III because he is a Shore native who founded and grew his business, Gillis Gilkerson, Inc. into one of the leading construction and development companies on the Shore. During his 35 years of building the company with his partner Tony Gilkerson, he has continued to give back to his community through public service, including as a member of the Salisbury City Council, and as a board member for numerous charitable causes and foundations, and as a donor. He has been a leading developer of the Salisbury downtown area and a leading voice in trying to make his community a better place. He exemplifies what we seek in the MCE Entrepreneur of the Year.

MCE is a non-profit micro-business finance and assistance agency formed in 1998 that provides loans, education, and assistance to small businesses on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and provides loans to small businesses in the Baltimore – Annapolis area. Based in Salisbury, MD, the firm is certified by the US Treasury Dept. as a Community Development Financial Institution. It is also certified as an Intermediary Micro-lender for the Small Business Administration, the US Dept. of Agriculture, and the State of Maryland. It has made about $3 million in loans to small businesses on the Shore.