In this episode of From the Ground Up, Marc Weller and Matt Rienzo sit down with retired NFL lineman and businessman, Ryan Kuehl. From being told he was “too big for football” in high school, to playing at the University of Virginia, Ryan explains how it resulted in a 12-year career in the NFL. He stresses the importance of knowing your abilities, honesty, and the power of willing success to get to the top. Preparing for the transition to traditional work life, Ryan talks about getting his MBA during the NFL offseason and job insecurity. As a former Senior VP of Global Sports Marketing at Under Armour, Ryan describes his experiences of signing world-renowned athletes, like Jordan Spieth, and his current position as a Managing Partner of Chainable Corps. Stay tuned for part two of Ryan's story where the guys discuss what it’s like parenting athletes, the youth sports market, and more. ...

In this episode of From the Ground Up with Marc Weller, Scott Plank discusses the Reston National Golf Course and the synergy between it and the surrounding Reston community. Scott and his team, along with Cornerstones and the Reston Community Center, work hard to make it more than just a golf course. Today, it has become a natural greenspace that provides many other opportunities for people, such as the newly launched Environmental Internship Program. Tune in to hear Scott talk about his experience in urban development and his dedication to upholding Bob Simon’s 7 Principles, both of which have shaped his understanding of how green spaces can be utilized to go beyond expectations by conserving natural habitats and ecosystems, improving people’s quality of life, and meeting the community’s needs. ...

This episode of From the Ground Up with Marc Weller features award-winning interior designer Patrick Sutton. Patrick is the mastermind behind the interior of the beautiful Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, named the #1 Hotel in America by Conde Nast Reader’s Choice 2018, and he’s crafted some of the region's top fine-dining restaurants, including Maximon, Rye Street Tavern, Monarque, Perennial, and Tagliata. His work, known for capturing the unique beauty and authenticity of culture, is celebrated internationally and published in magazines like Travel & Leisure and Elle Decor. In every space Patrick designs, he creates an experience that touches each person who enters it. Follow along to this episode as Patrick takes us through a personal timeline of his journey from childhood to now, explains how his experiences in life have shaped him into the visual storyteller he is today and offers an in-depth look into the mind and eyes of one of Baltimore’s greatest interior designers. ...

In this episode of From the Ground Up with Marc Weller, Matt Rienzo sits down with Steve Siegel and Marc Weller to discuss the exciting developments within the company, their proudest moments from Port Covington, and upcoming projects on the horizon. They explain the company’s recent expansion of its development team, their plans to finalize the Port Covington project in the next year, and the process of transitioning the project into the hands of new developers. Marc Weller describes his excitement to progress the company forward into its next phase and thanks his team and its partners, who played an essential role in the development of Port Covington. Listen to learn more about new projects, including one in Grand Bahama, and Marc’s goals to invest in the community, create experiences, nurture partnerships, and continue to deliver on promises made for many years to come. ...

This episode of From the Ground Up with Marc Weller brings you an inside look at the life and career of Baltimore restauranteur, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Alex Smith. Owner of some of Baltimore’s trendiest and most well-known fine-dining restaurants, Smith has an impressive repertoire of lifetime achievements, lessons, and insights to pass on to those interested in the business of hospitality. Among the restaurants his company owns are Loch Bar, Bygone, Maximón, The Choptank, and Ouzo Bay. Smith discusses his experiences creating and maintaining a successful business in Baltimore, why to build a strong team, and how every aspect of a restaurant’s design is so crucial to its success. Smith takes us through his Rising Tide Moment: his quarterly city-wide clean-up with hundreds of Atlas Group members and employees to impact the city positively, and the programs he creates for hospitality students to experience working a summer at an Atlas Group restaurant. ...

In this episode of From the Ground Up with Marc Weller, we’re back with hosts Marc Weller and Matt Rienzo kicking it off with entrepreneur, environmentalist, and philanthropist, Scott Plank. Plank takes us through the evolution of his influential career, from his beginnings at Freddie Mac, where he started out digging ditches and swinging hammers, to managing a $1.3 billion portfolio as an asset manager in five years. After graduating from business school in the late 90s, he transitioned to Under Armour, founded by brother Kevin Plank, and helped grow the company into the robust global retailer it is today. Now, he start-ups and invests in various companies that focus on strengthening communities. Plank discusses one of his current companies, MissionGo, and the unmanned aircraft technology it manufactures to improve supply chain issues, avoid environmental threats, increase safety and sustainability, and more. From developing commercial real estate and public service programs with War Horse Cities to his focus on some of Baltimore's most significant community enhancement projects, Plank’s remarkable work leaves an imprint on the world that will be utilized for generations. Tune in for some of his favorite projects in Baltimore and the insights he’s gained. ...