ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) today presented its 2026 awards for individuals who have supported the retail industry over the past year. MRA’s annual awards recognize legislators, business owners, community leaders, and industry partners who support the mission of the organization and the growth and stability of the retail business community in Maryland.

“This past year was another incredibly busy one for the Maryland Retailers Alliance,” said Cailey Locklair, MRA President. “To the elected officials joining us tonight: thank you for taking our calls, meeting with our members, listening to our concerns, working through complicated issues with us, sponsoring amendments, and supporting Maryland’s retail community.”

This year’s award categories included Legislator of the Year, the Louis L. Goldstein Public Service Award, and the Retail Theft Prevention Award. The following individuals were honored:

• Senate President Bill Ferguson, Legislator of the Year
• Senator Pam Beidle, Louis L. Goldstein Public Service Award
• Sergio D'Alto, Bel Air Police Department, Retail Theft Prevention Award
• Ahmad Ali, Safeway, Retail Theft Prevention Award
• Lara King, Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office, Retail Theft Prevention Award

“I am so grateful and humble to accept the 2026 legislator of the year award from the Retailers Alliance; it really means a great deal to me personally, but also on behalf of the Senate of Maryland,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson. “What I’ve learned in the last few years is that real leadership requires listening. It means working with those who are impacted most–you, our retailers, who are growing in our neighborhoods, who are being incentivized to open up in our main streets across our entire state. If our retailers are successful, then Maryland is successful.”

The Maryland Retailers Alliance weighed in on over 100 bills in Annapolis during the 2026 legislative session, and was heavily involved in the drafting of the dynamic pricing legislation which will impact how retailers set prices on goods throughout the state. The organization worked closely with leaders in the Senate on this and other bills, including proposals to address predatory lending practices and gift card scams, and a bill to provide guidance to retailers and customers for navigating cash payments now that the federal government has discontinued minting the penny.

“Thank you to the retailers for this award, but it really is a very special award for me,” said Senator Pam Beidle. “When I first ran for office 28 years ago, at my very first fundraiser, Comptroller Louis Goldstein was my guest speaker. So it’s a special award to receive from the retailers, but it’s really special to me for that memory. Thank you all and I look forward to your continued work in the legislature.”

The awards were presented virtually; the ceremony can be viewed here on MRA’s website.