Royal Farms Creates Connection through Customized Employment

Curtis and Mike are building lasting relationships while making a difference on the job.   

Purpose, relationships, and consistent work matter deeply to Curtis Brown and Mike Ingram. With support from Penn-Mar’s employment team, they have found all three through part-time jobs at Royal Farms, a convenience store chain known for prepared foods, fuel services, and its signature fried chicken. 

In the 8 years Curtis has worked at The Hunt Valley, MD location, he has built strong and meaningful relationships, not only with his coworkers and supervisory team, but also with many regular customers.  

According to his Employment Coordinator, Marion Dyke, his colleagues respect him and look forward to his coming to work on Wednesdays and Fridays. “Curtis’ consistent presence and positive interactions have made him a well-recognized and appreciated part of the store community.” 

Marion recalls one memorable moment when a regular customer entered the store wearing a Baltimore Orioles jersey, and Curtis started singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.” “All of the customers immediately chimed in, and the entire store went crazy,” she said. 

Although convenience stores often experience high turnover, Marion says Curtis is an outlier in his tenure and adapts well to changes in supervisors. His current natural support, Mr. Tim, has helped him flourish on the job. Over the past four years they have worked together “like a well-oiled machine,” customizing Curtis’ role and helping him to solidify his place as a highly valued member of the team. 

After all these years on the job Curtis needs very little coaching from Marion, but she does observe the store’s monthly training sessions with him to ensure he understands the topics that are relevant to his job duties. 

Curtis enjoys the diverse aspects of his job, meticulously working around the store to ensure a well-stocked, clean environment for the customers.  

“I’m really happy to have my job at Royal Farms,” he says. “I enjoy building relationships there and feel very comfortable in the surroundings.” 

At the Royal Farms in Shrewsbury, PA, Mike Ingram quickly learned his role after joining the store in June 2025, according to his Employment Supports Coordinator, Megan Odegaard. 

“Mike is a perfectionist,” she says. “He likes everything to be exactly right and makes sure his areas of responsibility are clean and organized. He is very self-sufficient and independent and doesn’t need much coaching from me.” 

Mike is a funny guy who loves to make his co-workers laugh and is excited to meet and talk to new people. “Everywhere I go I end up making friends,” he says. “What I like best about my job is that everyone works as a team, having each other’s back when someone needs help. I get along well with the customers, and they often tell us how much they appreciate us.” 

Mike’s relationship with Penn-Mar goes back to 1998 when he participated in the Day Program and packaged tools in the workshop. He also found employment through Penn-Mar at McCormick Herbs & Spices and Tessco Technologies in Hunt Valley, as well as at a nursing home, restaurant, and retail store. 

“I like having purpose and working with friendly co-workers,” said Mike. His customized job keeps him on the move, and he enjoys talking with the regular customers and the people he knows from his church and past jobs who frequently stop in the store. 

Royal Farms’ partnership with Penn-Mar has created meaningful customized employment opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). “We strive to establish these natural supports in the workplace so people with IDD can succeed in their jobs,” said Marion. “When an employer’s natural support is actively involved, it builds relationships and creates true integration while helping us achieve our goal.”