About Us
The West Annapolis Business Association strives to encourage and foster West Annapolis by creating a positive culture in support of successful local businesses, coupled with a strong community alliance. Our members serve the West Annapolis community with several major social events a year, including the Oktoberfest and an annual visit from the Clydesdale horses. The Business Association also provides representation with the City of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County and State of Maryland representatives.
Board Members
Mary Ostrowski
President
Mary Ostrowski is an educator and children’s author. Since 2018, she has owned Weems Creek Nursery School, the quintessential preschool in West Annapolis. She also founded The Drizzle Effect, a children’s learning center, in 2024. She is passionate about helping parents raise their children to be confident, curious, and creative.
Mary enjoys West Annapolis for its cozy, welcoming community. She loves running into students at Grauls or Always Ice Cream and watching as they realize, “Whoa. She doesn’t live at school?”
Melanie Becker
Vice President
Melanie Becker founded Alley Squash, Co. in 2017, providing full-service graphic design and marketing support to small businesses and community organizations in need of efficient, creative support. As a place branding expert, she has worked with Business Improvement Districts and Main Streets across the Washington Metropolitan region to develop neighborhood identities. Shortly after moving to West Annapolis, Melanie designed the West Annapolis logo, streetpole banners, neighborhood entrance signage and website. She’s passionate about creating vibrant places, especially the one she calls home!
SuAnne Martinez
Secretary
SuAnne Martinez has spent 19 of her 30+ years of framing experience in West Annapolis and has been a proud business owner in the area since 2008. SuAnne has passion for bringing people to West Annapolis and creating a strong sense of community and camaraderie. She is an avid art collector, plant enthusiast, and antiquarian and loves sharing her interests with others.
Ryan Brassel
Treasurer
Ryan Brassel leads a small Commercial Real Estate business in West Annapolis, which he considers a wonderful community and business district. As the Principal, he feels fortunate to give back to this quaint and lively area, which is one of the best in the City of Annapolis.
Greg Pitts
Member at Large
Gregory Pitts, a resident of Weems Creek, has a daily morning routine of paddle boarding and practicing yoga. With his youngest child now attending Spalding, he has more free time to explore the sights and sounds of Annapolis, where he has lived for five years. Gregory is the owner of a small property development business in both West Annapolis and Delray Beach.
Brandi McKeating
Member at Large
Brandi McKeating is the Director of Marketing for the Brad Kappel Team, Maryland’s #1 Waterfront Real Estate Team. She leads brand strategy, digital marketing, and public relations, helping tell the story of luxury homes and the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle across Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The team is excited to put down roots in West Annapolis with the recent purchase of 103 Annapolis Street, with plans to officially open the doors of their administrative office in spring 2026.
A 16-plus-year resident of historic Annapolis, Brandi has long been a supporter and regular patron of West Annapolis’ shops, restaurants, events, and festivals. She looks forward to giving back to the neighborhood she already knows and loves by sharing her marketing expertise and supporting the continued growth of this vibrant business community.
Ed Marshall
Member at Large
Ed Marshall brings 41 years of optical knowledge and craftsmanship to West Annapolis' McNelly Optical, the family-owned independent opticians serving Annapolis since 1929. He is dedicated to family ownership, and maintaining 97 years of business tradition, locally crafting eyewear right here West Annapolis. Ed wants to help West Annapolis continue developing as a vibrant locale within one of Annapolis’ most charming communities.
Additional Contributors
Lauren Ashkin, Board Assistant
Stacey Turner, Social Media Content Creator
Aleshia Marshall, Event Support
