Business Owner & Champion for Social & Economic Justice:
Altimont is a serial entrepreneur with more than 35 years of experience in creating businesses and jobs. His most recent accomplishment in the business world was when he set out to create a business inspired by his mother, Carmen. With this inspiration, Altimont opened Carmen's Corner Store in Downtown Hagerstown in 2019, and a second location in Downtown Frederick in 2021. However, Altimont's intention to provide affordable food and beverages to his community was hindered by the discriminatory government policies of the SBA and the USDA that prevented formerly incarcerated people from becoming economically viable business owners. This ordeal was exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic and the economic shutdown that followed. To keep the business open, Altimont transformed Carmen's Corner Stores into workforce and entrepreneurial development business models that focused on training Returning Citizens and other disadvantaged employable people how to become proficient in Logistics, Supply-Chain Management, Retail Sales & Services, and Food & Beverage Delivery Services.
While struggling to keep Carmen's Corner Stores operational during the Pandemic and against the discriminatory government policies of the SBA and USDA, Altimont bravely challenged both government agencies with lawsuits and, has won both, historically having an enormous effect on all formerly incarcerated people, their families and their communities.
Criminal Justice Reformer:
On behalf of himself and all formerly incarcerated people that seek to be productive members of society, Altimont sued two Big Government agencies: The Small Business Administration and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). The SBA and USDA are among the many government agencies that discriminate against Citizens that have been Criminal Justice Impacted (incarcerated). Discriminatory government policies deter those who have changed their lives from becoming economically viable entrepreneurs and keeps disadvantaged neighborhoods from obtaining economic sustainability.
Altimont Mark Wilks' historic legal victories against Big Government Discrimination has created economic opportunities for more than 80 million people across our country.
Inspired by Altimont's plight, Congressman David Trone introduced into the House a Bill entitled: The SNAP Second-Chance Act, which, once passed into Law, will codify Altimont's landmark victory against the USDA ensuring that millions of Americans, from Brick Houses to Barn Houses can provide quality food and beverages in their own communities and be able to accept payments from low-income families.
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