Evan Langert is a seasoned commercial real estate broker and former attorney with over 15 years of experience serving the restaurant and hospitality industry. As Founder and Principal of The Langert Commercial Group—a boutique advisory firm—Evan specializes in helping food and beverage operators identify prime locations, negotiate favorable deals, and scale their businesses across Maryland and the greater Mid-Atlantic region, including Washington D.C., northern Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Evan has represented a wide range of clients, from global and national brands like Tim Hortons, Texas Roadhouse, Golden Corral, Qamaria, Island Fin Poke, Upper Crust Pizzeria, and Sweet Frog to respected regional and local operators such as The Board and Brew, Mutiny Pirate Bar & Grill, Mama Tigre, and Dosa. On the landlord side, he has handled transactions involving top-tier tenants like Starbucks, Chipotle, and Popeyes.
Before transitioning to brokerage in 2008, Evan spent more than two decades as a high-level commercial real estate attorney working with REITs and large private firms. He negotiated hundreds of leases for restaurants, retail spaces, offices, and industrial sites across more than 20 states. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to co-own a Pizza Movers franchise in the 1980s—a 100-unit delivery chain along the East Coast—giving him firsthand insight into restaurant operations.
Evan is also the founder and President of the Mid-Atlantic Restaurant Services Group, a collaborative network of professionals dedicated to supporting the food and beverage sector.
He holds a J.D. from Florida State University and a B.S. in Business from the University of Maryland, College Park. He is a member of the Maryland State Bar and an active, licensed commercial real estate broker.
A lifelong musician, Evan spent his early years performing in venues across the Mid-Atlantic. Today, he serves as a praise and worship leader at his church. He lives in Maryland with his wife, Sue, a talented artist and painting instructor. His passions include travel, music, and great food and wine.
Mike Wagner Jr. is the CEO of Wagner Foodservice, a family-owned distribution company based in Glen Burnie, Maryland. For the past 10 years, Mike has led the company with a focus on integrity, innovation, and people—living out Wagner’s mission of being a place “Where Relationships Matter.”
With over 30 years of experience in the foodservice industry, Mike brings a hands-on, people-first approach to leadership. His guidance has strengthened Wagner’s culture, modernized operations, and reinforced its reputation as a trusted partner to restaurants and institutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
Outside of the business, Mike is passionately involved in ministry and community service. For the last 10 years, he has served with Youth for Christ—both as a board member and as a dedicated volunteer with the Severna Park Campus Life Club. This is where Mike finds true joy: building relationships with teens, showing up for their games, encouraging them in life and faith, and praying over them. His selfless presence is helping shape young lives and reflects how God continues to work in the Severna Park community.
Mike also serves as an Overseer at Arundel Christian Church, supporting its mission and leadership with spiritual guidance and encouragement.
In honor of his late wife, who battled multiple sclerosis, Mike has spent the past decade riding in the Bike MS Escape to the Lake event—raising over $25,000 for the National MS Society. He continues to ride in her memory, fueled by love, purpose, and a desire to make a difference.
A lifelong Marylander, Mike leads with heart—grounded in faith, committed to service, and always focused on building lasting relationships.
Antoinette Pinkney is a Maryland native who discovered her passion for construction as a little girl. Growing up with a father who is a master carpenter and uncle who is a painter. She spent most of her childhood in the field helping in the afternoon during the week and most weekends. She has brought in more than 25 years of hard-earned and diversified work experience in the construction industry. During her career, she has held a multitude of positions. From a carpenter in the field to owner of a Construction Company. Antoinette provides valuable skills and resources to support clients and their goals. Antoinette history and experience in residential, commercial and tenant improvements enable her to estimate, plan, manage and successfully deliver a multitude of jobs within schedule and budget, yet keeping quality control at the forefront. She attended the University of MD majoring in Architecture and Minor in Construction Management.
Cristine Camacho is the Founder and President of CIS Group, a commercial insurance agency based in Rockville, Maryland. With over a decade of experience in risk management, Cristine is known for helping businesses—especially small and minority-owned enterprises—navigate complex insurance needs with clarity and confidence.
She began her career at Rubin Insurance Agency in 2012 before launching CIS Group in 2017, driven by a passion to offer more personalized, strategic support to clients across industries like construction, retail, and hospitality. Today, she leads a growing team focused on delivering tailored coverage and proactive risk solutions.
Beyond her agency work, Cristine serves as Vice President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County, where she advocates for Latino entrepreneurship and small business growth. She is also a licensed independent agent affiliated with Safeco Insurance and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Cristine’s approach is defined by professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to her community—making her a trusted resource for both clients and peers in the insurance world.
Martin Johnson founded Maryland Liquor License Services, specializing in cases of new alcoholic beverage licenses, transfers, extensions, violations, policy development, and education. His methods and attention to detail have resulted in favorable outcomes in every case he has handled.
Mr. Johnson has more than 30 years of experience in alcohol licensing. As an inspector with the Howard County Police Department, he investigated and regulated the alcohol industry in his county for 13 years. Since retiring as a decorated detective and acknowledged alcohol expert, he has been a consultant to industry leaders throughout Maryland, including Marriott International, Ruby Tuesday, and many small and mid-sized businesses.
For elected officials, Mr. Johnson has rendered assistance in policy development and legislative issues. He has been an instructor for Liquor Boards and other government agencies throughout Maryland. Law firms have sought and received his collaboration in difficult cases.
Mr. Johnson is an active member of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, an active associate member of the Maryland Alcohol Licensing Association, and is recommended by the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
This company provides comprehensive planning and execution of liquor license projects, opening doors for Maryland business owners to enter and stay in the alcoholic beverage industry, enhancing profitability and customer satisfaction.
Ryan Reeves is a Vice President at M&T Bank and the Founder and Principal of Commercial Capital Funding Group, a private lending firm that has closed more than $200 million in transactions. With over 25 years in lending, he has deep expertise in commercial real estate, private lending, bridge, and SBA loans, Ryan partners with both seasoned developers and new investors to design creative financing solutions tailored to diverse business needs.
His experience spans real estate acquisition, investment property financing, and distressed asset negotiation, helping clients maximize value and achieve growth in a dynamic economic climate. With a strong background in multifamily, healthcare, hospitality, and commercial real estate, he helps clients navigate complex capital markets to access tailored debt solutions that support growth, acquisitions, refinancing, and development.
From agency and bridge loans to SBA 7(a), 504, and conventional business financing, he brings a comprehensive approach to lending that aligns with both property and business performance. His experience spans non-recourse, construction, and permanent loans, as well as working capital and owner-occupied financing to any loan amount.
He partners closely with developers, business owners, brokers, and investors to deliver results-driven financing strategies—offering deep industry insight, responsive service, and creative deal structuring.
Ryan has earned a reputation for skillfully navigating complex transactions and building long-term partnerships rooted in trust, transparency, and results. Passionate about empowering entrepreneurs, he continues to serve as a resource and advocate for small business owners and real estate investors seeking to expand their portfolios and achieve sustainable success.
He is a native Washingtonian and has lived in Montgomery County, Maryland his entire life. He currently resides in Brookeville, MD with his wife and five children. He is very active and enjoys skiing, hiking, traveling, and being outdoors.
Paul Merkle is an experienced banking advisor with a background in retail and commercial relationship management. His primary responsibility with Pinnacle Financial Partners is to provide a full range of banking, investment, trust, credit and insurance products designed for businesses and their owners are who interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution in the DMV market.
Throughout his 25-year career, Paul has managed hundreds of business relationships throughout all lifecycle stages: Start-up / Growth / Maturity / Exit. These relationships represent a wide range of industries to include food and beverage operators as well as the supporting professionals within the sector. As a conventional and SBA Preferred lender, he has financed and banked independent restaurant owners and groups as well as several regional and national chains like Dunkin, Cold Stone Creamery, Hangry Joe’s, Checkers, Playa Bowl, Tropical Smoothie and others.
Paul is a graduate of the Purdue School of Business at Salisbury University with a BS in Business Administration, The BB&T Banking Program at Wake Forest University and is Omega Performance Certified in Credit Underwriting.
Paul is a lifelong Maryland resident and is active in his community while having served on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations. He currently lives in Anne Arundel County along with his wife and son.
Ben Dross has been working with ADP for 3 Years helping business owners with managing employees as a small business consultant. Using ADP’s industry leading technology, Ben helps his client’s run payroll for their employees, file their payroll taxes, hire and onboard employees, and assist in a variety of HR related tasks.
Ben is also a Maryland native, having grown up in Potomac, Maryland and graduating from Churchill High school. After which, he went to Syracuse University and majored in Sport Management. This is where Ben found a passion for sales, doing some work with the local Syracuse Spartans of the NYCBL selling sponsorships. He continued to do some more sales work with Fever on their events side where he partnered with major brands like Qdoba and Don Julio for Fevers live events.
After college Ben returned to the DC Area where he worked for the Washington Capitals on their gameday staff before transitioning to a full-time role with ADP. With ADP, Ben works with a lot of different businesses, but restaurants are certainly a focus! Some of his major clients in Maryland include Cielo Rojo, The Garage, Isabela’s, San Pancho, and Pistarro’s. ADP also works with many franchises on a national scale such as Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, Baskin Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, and more!
ADP can provide so much for your employees, whether it be timekeeping, an employee handbook, labor law posters, retirement planning, a SHRM certified HR specialist, or even just the most reliable, longest established payroll services. With 75 years of industry leading experience, it always makes sense to let ADP handle your payroll and HR for your restaurant, whether it’s a national chain, or a mom-and-pop shop!
Ben is local to the DMV and can come meet you in person at your restaurant to do a complimentary consultation and see if ADP makes sense for your restaurant. He is always available via by email at ben.dross@adp.com or cell at 301-717-3012.
Wallace Vlassis is a Business Account Executive with Comcast Business, specializing in delivering customized connectivity and communication solutions to small and mid-sized businesses — with a particular focus on the restaurant and food & beverage industry.
Wallace proudly serves clients across Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., providing local expertise backed by Comcast Business’s nationwide network. Whether supporting a single-location restaurant or a rapidly expanding group, he ensures his clients stay connected, protected, and positioned for success.
He partners with business owners to design scalable technology packages that support the essential operations of modern hospitality — including Dedicated Internet for point-of-sale systems, secure guest Wi-Fi and business voice services. Each solution is crafted with reliability, performance, and long-term growth in mind.
Before joining Comcast Business, Wallace built a strong foundation in client services, relationship management, and connectivity solutions through various roles in the telecommunications and technology industries. His background includes working with both startups and established enterprises, where he developed a deep understanding of how technology can drive business efficiency, improve customer experience, and support operational growth.
Wallace’s passion for food started early. Growing up, he spent countless hours helping his uncle run a family-owned restaurant and catering business — experiences that taught him the pace, pressure, and pride it takes to operate in the food service industry. That first hand exposure continues to inspire his passion for food today. His other passions include travel, scuba diving, and golfing.
Amit Motwani is the Principal Attorney at Motwani Law, LLC where he has focused on commercial leasing and Maryland real estate for over 11 years. He has negotiated and overseen the leasing of millions of square feet of retail and office space on behalf of landlords, tenants, and business owners. His extensive background equips him with a nuanced understanding of market standards, deal-driving terms, and the practical realities of bringing commercial leases to execution.
Amit distinguishes himself with a solution-oriented approach. He recognizes that clients care most about the provisions that truly impact financial exposure, operational flexibility, and long-term business goals. He focuses on key terms that matter rather than allowing negotiations to stall over issues that are unlikely to be material. Amit can help clients secure favorable results while avoiding costly delays that can disrupt openings, expansions, or relocations.
Whether negotiating a first location for an emerging concept or structuring multi-site retail expansions for an established brand, Amit brings the same level of diligence, responsiveness, and business-minded focus to every matter he handles.
As a former business consultant and project manager, Amit conducted market diligence for private equity firms. He has also worked with Fortune 500 companies to examine their competitive landscape and improve their overall positioning.
Amit is a member of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce and Bar Association of Montgomery County. He is originally from Gaithersburg and an alumnus of the University of Maryland, College Park. He can be contacted at amit@motwanilaw.com or 301-337-8731.