NAIOP Maryland mourns the recent passing of Richard (“Dick”) William Story, 79, of Betterton, MD.
Beginning in the late 1970s, Story worked for several county economic development groups, including the Carroll County Economic Development Commission, where he became the first full-time Executive Director, and the Howard County Economic Development Authority, where he served as CEO for nearly two decades.
Story also held leadership positions at the Greater Baltimore Committee, Maryland Economic Growth Associates (MEGA), the Washington Baltimore Regional Association, and the Baltimore County Economic Development Commission. Story finished his career at Howard Bank, where he was the Senior VP, Community Relations & Governmental Affairs.
Story was always willing to support numerous organizations, including NAIOP Maryland, by lending his legendary voice as emcee of events, galas, and fundraisers. He was known as “the voice of NAIOP Maryland” after serving as the master of ceremonies for several Awards of Excellence programs and narrating the 30th anniversary video. Story was recognized with the NAIOP Service Provider Award in 2018.
Daughter Karen Cherry, a VP, Leasing Officer with Prologis, said, “My Dad was absolutely the greatest man I ever knew, and I was extremely lucky to be his daughter. He touched so many lives in so many different ways… He relished helping NAIOP Maryland with their special events because he worked with and respected so many of its members.”
To mark Story’s 75th birthday, Cherry asked the Maryland-area real estate community to secretly send him birthday cards, an effort that triggered the arrival of several hundred birthday wishes to the small post office in Betterton.
Story was humbled, but his trademark humor flashed at the same time. “Unfortunately, no money arrived with the cards, but the messages received from the people that I formed relationships with were invaluable,” he said. (Follow this link to read more.)
His career was marked with countless awards and recognitions. They include Corridor Person of the Year (2006), Maryland Economic Development Association Hall of Fame (2006), Leadership Howard County Distinguished Alumnus Award (2007), HCEDA Lifetime Achievement Award (2013), Leadership Howard County Legacy Award (2016), Central Maryland Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award (2017), and Howard County Chamber Exemplar Award (2018).
We offer our sincere condolences to this family and loved ones, including his wife of 57 years, Virginia.