Dorchester Chamber Announces 2024 Spedden Service Award Recipient

The Dorchester Chamber of Commerce presented the 2024 C. Robert “Bob” Spedden Service Award to Dr. Paul Brant at the Annual Meeting on March 21, 2024.  

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 Dr. Brant.  He is the seventh recipient of the award.  He joins prior recipients Frank Narr, Gerry Boyle, Phil Feldman, Greg Whitten, Evelyn Townsend, and Herschel Johnson.

Dr. Brant moved to Cambridge in 1981, after buying the practice started by Emerson Slocum in 1936. That practice continues today operating under new ownership, making it one of the oldest ongoing businesses in the County.

He had loyal patients that regularly referred friends and family members to see him.  He retired in 2023 but remains engaged in the community.

His list of professional associations and community service is long.  Here is a list of some of them.

• Member of the American Optometric Association since 1978.

• Multiple Roles at Maryland Optometric Association

  • Members since 1978

  • Board of Directors for 13 years

  • President

  • Chair of Legal and Legislative Committee

  • Chair of Vision USA Committee

  • Chair Legal/Legislative Committee

  • Chair Education Committee

  • Chair of Awards 

• President, Eastern Shore Optometric

• VSP Vision Care

  • Chair Northeast Regional Profession Committee

  • Board of Directors

  • Chair Business Committee

  • Chair Finance Committee

  • Chair Compensation Committee

  • Chair Patient & Provider Relations Committee

  • Chair Quality Care Committee

  • Speaker at Capitol Hill for briefing Legislative aides

  • Steering Committee for Healthy Sight Institute

• Interviewed on the Today Show discussing Vision USA

• Downtown Cambridge Business Association

  • President

  • Vice President

  • Secretary

• Lions Club

  • President

  • Vice President

  • Chair of Sight Preservation Committee

• Dorchester County Library

  • President

  • Treasurer

  • Vice President

• Board of Directors for American Cancer Society

• Board of Directors American Heart Association

• Dorchester General Hospital 

  • Chairman of the Board

  • Board of Directors

• Christ Episcopal Church

  • Vestry

  • Chairman Long-range Planning Committee

• Dorchester Chamber of Commerce

  • President

  • Board of Directors

  • Chair Government Affairs committee (many years)

• Habitat for Humanity

  • President

  • Vice President

  • Finance Committee

This is not a complete list; Paul would engage and help anyone who asked.  It is clear he cares about the community in which lives, and we are very lucky he chose to live in ours.

Over 350 business and community leaders registered to attend the sold-out event held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort and Spa.