Introducing In the Lead: Best Legacy Businesses 2026

We are pleased to recognize the companies on our 2026 In the Lead: Best Legacy Businesses – which celebrates established businesses that have shaped our communities and paved the way for others’ success. 

The companies highlighted in this section are contributing in many ways to the economic prosperity we see in our state. They have endured – and thrived – by building a strong workplace culture, driving innovation in their industry and responding to competitive challenges.

The range of companies on this list is impressive. From construction to financial services, technology to real estate, food to hospitality, schools and law firms – they all share the same foundation: a commitment to building a lasting success.

To qualify for recognition, a company must be at least 25 years old, have at least four employees and be based in Maryland or have a substantial presence in the state. Honorees were chosen by our editorial leadership team, with recommendations submitted by members of the community.

Please join us in congratulating the businesses we honor here. We hope you enjoy the profiles of these companies and their unique stories.

This is the first in a series of In the Lead lists we will produce this year. We will also recognize Minority-owned Businesses, Women-owned Businesses and Family-owned Businesses. If you know of a company you think is a strong candidate for inclusion on the In the Lead lists, we’d love to hear from you. Just go to thedailyrecord.com/in-the-lead and tell us about the company you believe should be recognized.

We also welcome your feedback and suggestions.

Patrick Brannan
Managing Editor