On Thursday, Fello Communities hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of 407 Brookletts Avenue, the first completed building of the highly anticipated Easton Crossing community.

Easton Crossing is an ongoing community development project that will transform the 6.5-acre site of the former Perdue AgriBusiness operation into a vibrant, and walkable neighborhood. The development will include 117 new residential units, 30% of which are designated as affordable, and is designed to create an inclusive community where people of all abilities can thrive. Additionally, Easton Crossing will also feature ground-level commercial space and community amenities, such as walking paths and a fishing pond, to enhance the neighborhood’s livability for everyone.

“This ribbon cutting is the start of something bigger,” said Ross Benincasa, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Fello Communities. “Easton Crossing will bring new homes, new opportunities, and new energy to Easton. This is the first step in that journey—and there’s much more to come.”

The opening of 407 Brookletts Avenue marks an important step toward the construction and launch of the Easton Crossing community. This building will serve not only as the leasing hub for both Easton Crossing’s future residents and commercial tenants, but also will support Fello Communities properties across the Mid-Shore.

“At Fello Communities, we believe people deserve more than housing. People deserve homes,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello. “Housing is the foundation of everything in a person’s life. It is our responsibility to ensure that everyone in our communities have safe and accessible places to call home.”

Looking ahead, there will be additional progress throughout 2026 as sitework for the entire footprint of Easton Crossing is completed, including stormwater management, fiber installation, underground infrastructure, and surface parking, all laying the groundwork for Building 509, a multifamily building and the next milestone in Easton Crossing’s journey.

Fello is creating a new, inclusive space at Annapolis Mall, with this week’s branded barricade installation signaling the beginning of its 5,900-square-foot Community Hub project. As the mall reimagines its community spaces, Fello at The Mall will serve as a hub for connection, representation, and inclusion — giving people with disabilities, their families, and the broader community a place to gather and access vital resources.

Once complete, the Hub will feature a meeting room, offices for Fello employees, and an accessible restroom with an adult changing station — removing a significant barrier that often limits the participation of people with mobility-related disabilities in community life. A dedicated Program Coordinator will be onsite to manage the space, welcome visitors and provide information and referrals.

“Fello at The Mall is about more than just space — it’s about showing up where the community is,’ said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello. “People with disabilities want, need, and deserve to be in the heart of the community. This Hub ensures that happens while making it easier for families to connect with us, access support, and feel welcomed in an inclusive environment.”

Located in one of the region’s busiest shopping destinations, Fello at The Mall will give the organization a highly visible presence and connect the people it supports to the full range of opportunities Annapolis Mall offers — from shopping and dining to fitness, entertainment, and community events.

Fello signed the lease in June 2025, began renovations in July, and will celebrate the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting in January, with occupancy beginning in February 2026.

We are pleased to share that Brandy Stephens, Vice President of People & Culture at Fello, has been accepted into the Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) Flagship Class of 2026.

This highly competitive program brings together established and emerging leaders from across sectors to explore Anne Arundel County’s most pressing issues and discover new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Participants engage in a yearlong program that provides a deep dive into areas such as local business climate, municipal governance, economic growth, public health, regional agriculture, and other critical sectors that shape effective community leadership.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to join this remarkable network of leaders committed to strengthening our region,” said Brandy. “This is an incredible opportunity to connect with passionate peers from across Anne Arundel County and dive deep into learning about the communities we serve. I’m excited to bring back everything I learn to enhance our work at Fello.”

As Vice President of People & Culture, Brandy leads organizational development, supports leaders at every level, and advances Fello’s work around diversity, equity, and inclusion. She fosters a culture where employees feel welcome, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. Through the LAA Flagship experience, Brandy will further strengthen her leadership and expand connections that will support Fello’s work of creating inclusive communities for people with disabilities.

Each year, Fello nominates one team member to participate in the LAA Flagship experience, reinforcing our commitment to investing in leadership development and contributing to the broader community. Brandy’s participation will highlight the priorities of people with disabilities while amplifying Fello’s innovative community development and economic revitalization strategies that drive meaningful change across Anne Arundel County.

About Leadership Anne Arundel

Established in 1993, Leadership Anne Arundel (LAA) operates as the premier leadership development hub for Anne Arundel County, offering professional growth and networking opportunities for the area’s most influential leaders. The organization creates pathways for accomplished individuals from business, nonprofit, government, and civic sectors to build connections while acquiring the knowledge, tools, and relationships essential for becoming visionary leaders who can address their communities’ evolving needs.

About Fello

Fello champions the rights of people with disabilities and invests in what matters most: real opportunities, strong relationships, and inclusive, equitable communities. Fello partners with people with disabilities to provide support services, develop inclusive housing, and create spaces where people feel genuinely connected—not just accommodated. Founded in 1961, Fello continues to lead with heart and purpose, building inclusive communities where everyone belongs. Learn more at fello.org.

For the second consecutive year, Fello has been nationally recognized for innovation in employee healthcare, earning a Rosie Award at the 2025 Rosie Awards presented by Health Rosetta at RosettaFest in Denver, Colorado. 

The Rosie Awards celebrate organizations nationwide that are transforming healthcare by making it more affordable, equitable, and sustainable. Honorees are selected based on their ability to design innovative health plans, reinvest savings back into employees and communities, and share best practices to help others do the same.  

Fello was recognized with a second Rosie Award for its continued efforts to reimagine employee healthcare. Through innovative plan design, Fello has lowered costs for employees while also expanding coverage. The savings from this plan are also directly reinvested into employee wellness resources, support programs, and community initiatives.  

We’re reimagining how healthcare should work for employees and their families,” said Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello. “Winning a Rosie Award two years in a row shows that the changes we’ve made are making a real difference. This is about building benefits that people employees can count on and making sure those savings go right back into our workforce.” 

By receiving this award, Fello remains among a distinguished group of leaders who are shaping the future of healthcare. Honorees are trusted voices in the industry, elevating standards around efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and workforce well-being. 

About Fello 

Fello champions the rights of people with disabilities and invests in what matters most: real opportunities, strong relationships, and inclusive, equitable communities. Fello partners with people with disabilities to provide support services, develop inclusive housing, and create spaces where people feel genuinely connected—not just accommodated. Founded in 1961, Fello continues to lead with heart and purpose, building inclusive communities where everyone belongs. Learn more at fello.org.