The Dorchester Chamber of Commerce presented the 2025 C. Robert “Bob” Spedden Service Award to Amanda Fenstermaker at their Annual Meeting on March 13, 2025.
Bob Spedden was a well-known and respected leader in the community. He demonstrated a real passion for the revitalization of the County and Cambridge. He served for several years on the Board of Directors of the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce and was the President in 1980-1981. He also served on the Cambridge Yacht Club Board of Governors, First National Bank Advisory Board, Dorchester Board of Realtors as President, and Director for the Maryland Association of Realtors. Bob founded the Committee of 100 that spawned revitalization efforts including the Dorchester County Visitors Center, the adjacent children's playground, Sailwind's Park, Governor's Hall, Richardson Maritime Museum, Choptank River Lighthouse, Downtown Harriett Tubman Museum, and the Dorchester Skipjack Committee - Nathan of Dorchester. He also served as the 1st President of Sailwinds Park Incorporated. His vision for economic development of Dorchester County also included the re-development of the former Eastern Shore State Hospital property into today's Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina.
The objective of the award is to recognize those individuals that share a similar passion to Bob’s and have worked to advance the economic wellbeing of our community. Sharon Spedden, Chamber Board Chairman in 2021 and daughter of Bob Spedden, presented the award to Amanda. She is the eighth recipient of the award and joins prior recipients Frank Narr, Gerry Boyle, Phil Feldman, Greg Whitten, Evelyn Townsend, Herschel Johnson, and Dr. Paul Brant.
Amanda Fenstermaker was honored for her relentless dedication towards transforming Cambridge and Dorchester County into a desirable destination and a better place to reside. Amanda graduated from the University of Maryland and was initially hesitant to move back home to Dorchester County but became the Operations Manager at the Visitor Center and was then promoted from within the office to become the Director of Tourism for Dorchester County in her mid-20s.
There were several key projects that Amanda led while in the role. One of these initiatives was the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, which paved the way for future federal designations. Although Amanda had not fully grasped the impact and challenges associated with the project at the time, she and her team were instrumental in the development of the Harriet Tubman Visitors Center and National Park Designation, as well as the Federally Designated Byway. Amanda credits her predecessors, Wini Roche and Natalie Chabot, with having fantastic ideas and laying the groundwork for their successful implementation.
Amanda was able to get a $100,000 federal grant from the State Highway Administration which she leveraged with other funding sources to create several murals along the Chesapeake Byway. Using James Michener's Chesapeake theme as the basis for storytelling, Amanda, artist Michael Rosato, and the team brought heritage stories to life through colorful depictions of "The Goose on the Caboose" at Powell Realtors, “Big Bird” at JM Clayton & Cambridge Creek, and several other murals that remain a vital part of the community's heritage today.
Perhaps Amanda's most significant achievement as Tourism Director was working with the team that secured the IRONMAN Maryland triathlon race for Cambridge/Dorchester County. Amanda was determined to bring the race to Dorchester County to showcase it as a global destination. Amanda worked with other community leaders to create IRONClub Maryland and sought donations from private and public sources and raised funds at every opportunity to ensure the event could happen in Dorchester County. We are now over 11 years since contracts were signed for IRONMAN MD and the event brings thousands of visitors from around the globe and millions of dollars of income to the region each year.
Amanda currently works for Cross Street Partners at the Packing House on Dorchester Avenue. She manages MERGE which is the shared use office space on the 2nd floor of the building. She also is tasked with managing the Atrium, which is a spectacular event available for private events. She also homeschools her 3 children and runs her own health and wellness business.
In summary, Amanda’s relentless efforts have made Cambridge and Dorchester County a destination that has grown tremendously in recent years. From her work with the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and Chesapeake Byway Murals to securing the IRONMAN Maryland triathlon, her visionary leadership has put Cambridge and Dorchester County on the map, and her contributions will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy in the community.
