Local
Comings & Goings
Lovitz takes senior communications role at HRC
The Comings & Goings column is about sharing the professional successes of our community. We want to recognize those landing new jobs, new clients for their business, joining boards of organizations and other achievements. Please share your successes with us at [email protected].
Congratulations to Andrew Doster who has joined EagleBank as the Head of Operations & Technology. He will spearhead the operational execution and enterprise-wide transformation of the bank. Upon accepting the position, he said, “It’s an honor to join EagleBank as Head of Operations & Technology. I’m thrilled to collaborate with this talented team to deliver on our ‘Relationships FIRST’ values, driving tangible results and exceptional service for our clients across the DC, Maryland, and Virgina regions.”

EagleBank said about Doster, “He has a robust career spanning finance transformation at CrossCountry Consulting and strategic advisory at Boston Consulting Group; Andrew excels at turning complex visions into streamlined realities.”
Previously, Doster worked with CrossCountry Consulting in D.C., as director, Finance Transformation, Office of the CFO. He has also held positions with Fannie Mae, Strategic Alliances Team Lead, Digital Alliances and Distribution, Digital Product; with the Boston Consulting Group, Washington, D.C., Project Leader, TURN (Turnaround and Restructuring); Guidehouse Consulting, Management Consultant, Banking, Insurance and Capital Markets Washington, D.C.; and Fifth Third Bank, OH and IL. He is a TutorMate for Capitol Hill Elementary, Innovations for Learning; and is an Eagle Scout.
Doster earned his bachelor’s in finance and accounting, University of Dayton; and his MBA from Xavier University.
Congratulations also to Jonathan Lovitz new Senior Vice President of Campaigns and Communications, and to Amy J. Peña new Senior Vice President, General Counsel, both joining the senior staff of the Human Rights Campaign. HRC President Kelley Robinson said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Jonathan and Amy to the Human Rights Campaign at a critical moment for our community and the fight for equality. Their deep well of leadership experience, strategic vision, and passionate advocacy, will ensure HRC is prepared to face the ongoing threats to LGBTQ+ freedoms from a place of strength, joy, and respect.”
Lovitz is a nationally recognized public affairs and policy leader with deep experience in LGBTQ advocacy. He most recently served as director of Public Affairs and Senior Adviser at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he was a Biden-Harris administration appointee shaping the “Investing in America” story behind the CHIPS and Science Act and other major national economic growth initiatives. Prior to that he spent nearly a decade at the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
Peña brings more than two decades of experience in legal counsel and management for non-profit and for-profit organizations to the general counsel role at HRC. She most recently served as the first ever General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for The Chicago Community Trust, a 100-year-old non-profit organization with assets exceeding $4.3 billion. Prior to that she worked as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Association of Lions Clubs, a 1.4-million-member global 501(c)4 association and a $300 million 501(c)3 foundation with offices in the U.S., India, Japan, South Korea, and wholly owned legal entities in Brazil, Canada, and Australia.
District of Columbia
Blade welcomes fall intern
Alexis McLean is student at University of North Florida
The Washington Blade this week welcomed Alexis McLean as its fall intern.
Alexis is studying political science at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. She is interning with the Blade as part of a continued partnership with the Washington Center.
“I am looking forward to spending my time in the fall with the Washington Blade, as this is a new experience for me,” said Alexis. “I have not experienced any journalist jobs in the past so this would be my first time, and I am excited to better my writing and communications skills with this internship.”
Alexis’s internship with the Blade ends in early December.
Rehoboth Beach
SUNFESTIVAL takes center stage as Rehoboth Beach closes out summer
Labor Day Weekend bustling with events, including David Archuleta performance
Labor Day Weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in Rehoboth Beach, but there will be no shortage of LGBTQ events, with CAMP Rehoboth’s annual SUNFESTIVAL taking over town this weekend.
Thursday (9/3)
Get your Labor Day Weekend started early Thursday night with happy hour from 5-7 p.m. at Diego’s Bar & Nightclub, followed by Naughtee Bingo hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 8:30 p.m.
After bingo, the party continues with Dancing at Diego’s from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Aqua Bar & Grill will also kick off its Labor Day Weekend festivities Thursday with a DJ spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Friday (9/4)
The weekend ramps up Friday night at Aqua, where DJ Matt Bailer will keep the dance floor moving from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Over at Diego’s, DJ Steve Sidewalk will then take over Diego’s for Freedom Friday from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m.
Saturday (9/5)
The main event of the weekend arrives Saturday with the opening night of CAMP Rehoboth’s SUNFESTIVAL.
Billed as the ultimate party to close out the summer, SUNFESTIVAL has become one of Rehoboth’s signature Labor Day Weekend events. The annual celebration sells out each year, with proceeds benefiting CAMP Rehoboth.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments available at the cash bar while attendees are invited to socialize and find their seats.
Saturday night will feature local singer Ashley Williams as the opening performer, followed by headliner David Archuleta. The event will also feature a live auction.
Back across town Saturday, Aqua will continue its Labor Day Weekend DJ lineup from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Diego’s will also have plenty happening, with ‘Splash Party’ hosted by Magnolia Applebottom at 5 p.m., followed by a Saturday Dance Party with Brett Oosterhaus from 9 p.m.- 1:30 a.m.
The Blue Moon hosts its popular Legends Show at 9 p.m. It’s an all-live singing show by the Blue Moon cast of celebrity impersonators.
Etienne Pilon has taken Rehoboth by storm this summer. Check out the talented singer/pianist at The Pines from 7-10 p.m.
Sunday (9/6)
Sunday’s SUNFESTIVAL event will shift the focus to the dance floor, with globally renowned DJs Robbie Leslie and James Anthony scheduled to perform. Doors open at 7 p.m., with dancing continuing until 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Aqua will throw its annual White Party, with DJs spinning from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in white for the holiday weekend celebration.
Diego’s will host its Sunday High T-Dance with Pamala Stanley at 5 p.m. Later that evening, DJ Tannr will be spinning at 9 p.m.
John Flynn is on the piano from 6-8 p.m. at the Blue Moon.
Monday (9/7)
The final day of Labor Day Weekend brings one last chance to hit the dance floor before summer officially winds down.
Aqua will close out its five-day Labor Day Weekend celebration with DJ Biff from 3-7 p.m.
Maryland
Anne Arundel schools now need parent permission to call trans students by preferred names
Conservative groups challenged system’s policy
By JESSICA CALEFATI | Anne Arundel County Public Schools staff cannot use transgender students’ preferred names if their parents oppose it, according to an internal document reviewed by the Banner, a change that comes after conservative groups challenged the school system’s approach to gender identity.
Teachers union president Kristina Korona told members in an Aug. 20 email that the new guidance undermines district policy on acceptance and inclusivity and “will begin harming affected students immediately.”
Previously, the district didn’t require parental permission to use a high school student’s chosen name and pronouns corresponding to their gender identity, the internal document says. Now it does. The change comes as parents challenge the suburban school system’s gender identity policy and regulation in court and the Trump-Vance administration threatens the district’s funding.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
