Pinnacle Strategies, LLC

03/07/2026

Yesterday we had the opportunity to spend part of the day working with the Howard County Workforce Development Board on an important shift, moving the board from a compliance mindset toward strategic leadership.

Workforce boards are often required to focus heavily on statutory responsibilities and program oversight. But their real potential lies in shaping regional talent strategies, aligning partners, and helping employers and jobseekers navigate a rapidly changing labor market.

Helping boards make that transition has become a core part of the work we’re doing at Pinnacle Strategies, LLC . We are grateful for the chance to support workforce development entities, community organizations, and government partners as they think more strategically about the systems that support our communities.

03/01/2026

Something to think about this Sunday...

A Fence or an Ambulance

Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
but over its terrible edge there had slipped
a duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
but their projects did not at all tally;
some said, 'Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff, '
some, 'An ambulance down in the valley.'

But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
for it spread through the neighbouring city;
a fence may be useful or not, it is true,
but each heart became full of pity
for those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
but an ambulance down in the valley.

'For the cliff is all right, if you're careful, ' they said,
'and if folks even slip and are dropping,
it isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
as the shock down below when they're stopping.'
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
quick forth would those rescuers sally
to pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
with their ambulance down in the valley.

Then an old sage remarked: 'It's a marvel to me
that people give far more attention
to repairing results than to stopping the cause,
when they'd much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief, ' cried he,
'come, neighbour's and friends, let us rally;
if the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
with the ambulance down in the valley.'

02/21/2026

Our founder, Brandon Butler, joined the National Association of Counties’ Community, Economic and Workforce Development committee to discuss the state of workforce development and how local workforce boards can work with businesses to move communities forward.

02/04/2026

It’s been a busy few days between Annapolis and DC!

01/23/2026

Pinnacle Strategies is thrilled to support three successful EARN grant proposals recently funded by the Maryland Department of Labor. The employer-led solutions presented by our clients will impact training and workers throughout Maryland.

Need assistance in developing proposals that catch the attention of funders? Let us know how we can help!

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced an additional $2.6 million to help Maryland businesses upskill their workers, strengthen talent pipelines, and meet growing industry demand across the state. Delivered through the Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland program, the fundi...

01/19/2026

01/16/2026

Wrapped up the first week of the Maryland General Assembly session in Annapolis.

We’re honored to be advocating for our clients and representing their priorities as the session gets underway. Strong early conversations, thoughtful engagement, and a lot of important work ahead.

Grateful to be here with this team and looking forward to what this session brings.

01/12/2026

We're here to help. Find out more at pinnaclestrategiesconsulting.com.

01/09/2026

From finalizing the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce strategic plan to meetings in Annapolis ahead of the General Assembly session. Today is a good snapshot of the work ahead in 2026.

Excited about the opportunities this year to help communities, businesses, and policymakers move in the same direction.

12/31/2025

This year, Pinnacle Strategies partnered with communities, agencies, nonprofits, and workforce leaders across Maryland, Virginia, throughout Appalachia, and beyond to tackle real problems: workforce shortages, system alignment, economic resilience, and access to opportunity.

We supported:

Workforce and economic development plans
Strategic plans for nonprofits and mission-driven organizations
Grant strategies that unlocked public and philanthropic investment
Regional collaborations tied to ARC funding, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, and federal workforce priorities
Associations and organizations building long-term capacity, not one-off fixes
We also expanded our work into the nonprofit- and health care–focused spaces, even taking our work on the road by supporting partners in Texas, Washington, DC, and at several conferences in between.

What stood out most wasn’t the volume of work; it was the trust. Clients brought us into complex conversations, tight timelines, and high-stakes decisions. That matters, and we don’t take it lightly.

Thanks to our clients, partners, and collaborators who rolled up their sleeves with us this year. We’re proud of the progress made and focused on what comes next.

Onward to 2026.

11/18/2025

We got the best compliment today and just had to share:

“Thank you, thank you thank you! You are so talented at synthesizing what partners are thinking and putting it in the framework that funders will understand.”

We love what we get to do with our clients!

10/27/2025

Everybody, meet Westin. Westin is the brainchild of our incredibly talented friend Tony Cornwell. Westin and Tony’s other art was on display this weekend. He now stands guard over our little corner of Main Street and is the embodiment of the talent and inspiration we hope to bring to projects.