Community
| 05.17.2022
Clear Mountain Bank announces that Gene Flinn has been chosen as the recipient of the bank’s Brian F. Thomas Community Service Award for 2021. This award is presented annually to a Clear Mountain Bank employee who demonstrates a selfless devotion to philanthropy, community service, and volunteerism.
Flinn is the branch manager of the bank’s Oakland, MD office and has been with Clear Mountain Bank for more than six years. During his career, he has been active with numerous community and civic organizations in western Maryland including Lions Club, Cindy’s Fund, Toys for Tots, United Way of Garrett County, and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.
Most notably, he has devoted countless hours for more than 34 years with the Oakland-Mt. Lake Park Lions Club, including serving as their past president from 2016-2017. In 2018, he received the Lion of the Year Award. He is committed to the various events the Lions sponsor in the community, including the Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Parade, and serves at the Lions Club concession stand during the many events at the Southern Garrett High School football field.
In addition to providing community service, he also serves on the board of directors for his alma mater, the Southern Garrett High School Alumni Association, the Garrett Regional Medical Center Foundation, and the Mountain Lake Park Zoning Appeals Board.
Flinn also believes in serving the area’s youth as Mt. Top Youth Soccer League coach from 2005-2010. In addition, his service to the community extends as a parishioner of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, where he has been a member of various church committees over the years. A resident of Garrett County since his childhood, Flinn grew up in Oakland and currently resides in Mountain Lake Park with his wife.
The Brian F. Thomas Community Service Award was founded in honor of Clear Mountain Bank’s former president and CEO, the late Brian F. Thomas. The award is designed to recognize the bank employee who best exemplifies Brian’s vision for and commitment to community service and philanthropy. Nominated by work colleagues, the recipient must demonstrate a selfless devotion to community service and volunteerism serving his/her community and local organizations over his/her lifetime.
As part of the Brian F. Thomas Community Service Award, the award recipient can make a $500 donation to the charity of his/her choice. Presenting the check to Ryan Wolf, principal of Southern Garrett High School, are Chase Thomas, David M. Thomas, and Gene Flinn. (Picture taken at Brian F. Thomas Drive adjacent to the Oakland branch office.)
“I’m pleased to recognize Gene as the recipient of this year’s Brian F. Thomas Community Service Award,” said David M. Thomas, president and CEO of Clear Mountain Bank. “Gene has selflessly dedicated his time and talents to numerous organizations, causes, and individuals in Garrett County and he is certainly deserving of this honor. I know Brian would be so proud of Gene’s devotion to helping the communities we serve.”
Flinn has received a $500 monetary gift from the bank in recognition of his efforts. Additionally, the bank has made a $500 donation to his chosen charitable organization, the Southern Garrett High School Alumni Association, to be used towards a major capital fundraising campaign for the new field house.
Clear Mountain Bank is a locally owned and managed community bank that has been serving North Central West Virginia and western Maryland for more than 125 years. The bank provides a comprehensive array of digital and traditional banking products and services to meet the needs of its personal, business, commercial, mortgage and financial planning customers.
Widely recognized for excellence in financial services, Clear Mountain Bank has consistently earned a 5-star superior rating for financial strength and stability from BauerFinancial and has been recognized as one of the nation’s Best Banks to Work For by American Banker and Best Companies Group. Additional information is available at www.clearmountainbank.com.
About Southern Garrett High School Alumni Association’s capital campaign
A campaign is underway to provide the last piece needed for the new athletic-band complex at Southern Garrett High School. While public funding was provided for the new field and track and other amenities, there were no funds for the needed Field House. This important and vital structure would house restrooms, concession, half-time and training rooms, and ticketing. The campaign, entitled “Help Us Finish the Dream”, seeks donations in any amount to provide for this building. The Southern Garrett Alumni Association, recognizing the importance of this effort, is spearheading the campaign.
