SAVE THE DATE: Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner
When: Thursday, June 4th, 2026, 5:00 - 8:30 PM
Location: Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

This memorable event introduces MCCC’s new Board Chair and celebrates visionaries, advocates, and partners. 

Join us as the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce celebrates the extraordinary talent and organizations that contribute to the regional economy and support the MCCC's efforts to achieve a prosperous future.

Meet Our Keynote Speaker

Mahan Tavakoli
CEO & Managing Partner
Strategic Leadership Partners
Mahan Tavakoli has led and scaled leadership development and professional services
organizations globally, advising CEOs, boards, and executive teams across corporate,
nonprofit, and civic sectors. His work focuses on translating strategy into action, building
cultures of trust and accountability, and strengthening leadership capability through
transformation. As CEO and Managing Partner of Strategic Leadership Ventures, he
partners with leaders during times of growth, transition, and complexity. His focus is on
organizational change, execution alignment, and integrating AI and emerging
technologies into leadership, business, and talent strategy.​

2026 Award's 

Legislator of the Year

Business Advocate of the Year
The Honorable Marilyn Balcombe
Montgomery County Council
The Legislator of the Year Award recognizes a public servant whose leadership and partnership have made a meaningful impact on Montgomery County and its business community.

Marilyn Balcombe- Councilmember Vice President Marilyn Balcombe is a strong advocate for her community. Having lived in the Upcounty for over 30 years, Marilyn is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and do the hard work of community building.

Councilmember Balcombe is on the Transportation and Environment Committee and the Economic Development Committee. She is also the lead for Workforce Development.

Prior to being elected to the County Council in 2022, Marilyn served as the President/CEO of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she was actively involved in land use planning, transportation, and economic development. She has worked with thousands of businesses, large and small, to help create a vibrant local economy.
Andy Chod
Minkoff Development
The Business Advocate of the Year Award recognizes the significant impact of an individual’s advocacy efforts in advancing the Chamber’s legislative goals.

Andy Chod, As Co-President of Minkoff Development and a board member of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Andy Chod plays an active role in advancing Montgomery County’s economic competitiveness. He recently co-chaired the search for MCEDC’s next President and CEO, helping guide the organization through an important leadership transition.

Andy is a consistent voice in regional conversations around strengthening the commercial real estate environment. He has contributed to discussions on zoning, property valuations, and adaptive reuse, including serving as a panelist at a Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce roundtable focused on improving the County’s business climate.

Through Minkoff Development’s partnership with Montgomery College at the Hughes Network Systems manufacturing facility, Andy also supports initiatives that expand workforce training and create pathways to high-tech employment.

A graduate of Leadership Montgomery, Andy has served on the boards of the Bender JCC, the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology, and the C&O Canal Trust. He will also serve as the incoming Board President of Congregation B’nai Tzedek.

Corporate Partner of the Year

Business Legacy of the Year
PEPCO, an Excelon Company
The Corporate Partner of the Year Award recognizes a corporation that works in partnership with the Chamber to help move our mission forward.

Pepco, an Exelon company, is Montgomery County’s electric utility, proudly serving approximately 1.9 million people across the Washington metropolitan region for more than 125 years. With over 3,500 employees, Pepco is an anchor institution committed to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable energy while driving economic growth and community impact across the region.

When supply costs surged, Pepco responded by launching a $6.5 million Customer Relief Fund to provide direct assistance to customers in need. The company also strengthened its commitment to equity and inclusion, investing more than $300 million with diverse suppliers in 2025.

Pepco employees contributed over 4,000 volunteer hours in 2025, supporting youth mentorship, environmental restoration, and community initiatives. Through the Pepco Summer STEM Academy at the University of Maryland, more than 200 students gained hands‑on experience developing critical STEM skills.

Pepco also inspires the next generation of innovators by sponsoring the EV Grand Prix, engaging more than 30 high schools in hands‑on engineering and teamwork through the design and racing of electric vehicles.
Whiting-Turner
The Business Legacy of the Year Award honors a business that has demonstrated long-term excellence, sustained impact, and meaningful contributions to its industry and the Montgomery County community.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company was founded in 1909 by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) classmates G.W.C. Whiting and LeBaron Turner. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, the firm was established on principles of integrity and engineering talent, with their first project involving utility and road work at Walter Reed Hospital in 1910. With over 60 office locations across the United States, Whiting-turner has a strong presence to serve both locally and throughout the country. Their roots in Maryland are unrivaled with notable projects throughout the region including:
·       National Harbor
·       National Institutes of Health
·       Baltimore Harbor Place
·       Baltimore Ravens Stadium
·       Johns Hopkins Baltimore Campus
·       United Therapeutics Silver Spring Campus
·       Shady Grove / Great Seneca Life Sciences Campus
·       University of Maryland at College Park Center for Computer Science & Innovation

 Community Involvement:

Each year, employees from the surrounding DC areas participate in the BellRinger Event to support lifesaving cancer research. This past year, their team raised $36,000 for Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, with employee riders collectively cycling more than 1,525 miles in support of the cause.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

GENERAL RECEPTION SPONSOR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECEPTION SPONSOR

BAR SPONSOR

WELCOME TOAST SPONSOR

DESSERT BAR SPONSOR

BUSINESS ADVOCATE of the YEAR AWARD SPONSOR

LEGISLATOR of the YEAR AWARD SPONSOR

CORPORATE PARTNER of the YEAR AWARD SPONSOR

BUSINESS LEGACY OF THE YEAR SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

Adventist HealthCare
Berry Solutions Group
Clark Construction Group, LLC
DoorDash
GRF CPAs & Advisors (GRF)
​Purple Line Transit Partners
Reworld
Rodgers Consulting


​2025 Honorees ​

Business Legacy of the Year: Ruppert Landscape
​Business Advocate of the Year Award: Chris Bruch, The Donohoe Companies

2026 Annual Awards Selection Committee

COMMITTEE CHAIR:

COMMITTEE CO CHAIR:

The Universities at Shady Grove
Dr. Anne Khademian
Executive Director
​Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.
William N. Wiechmann
​Vice President and Regional Counsel: Mid-Atlantic States Region
Infrastructure & Land Use Committee Chair
​Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.
Gus B. Bauman, Esq.
​ Counsel
Treasurer
​M&T Bank
​Lowell Yoder
Senior Group Manager
Audit Co-Chair
PNC Bank
​Andre Jaundoo
​Vice President
​Legislative Affairs Committee Chair
Suburban Hospital
Leslie Ford Weber
Director, Government & Community Affairs, Montgomery County, and Federal Strategy
​Giant Food, LLC
Felis Andrade
Director of Marketing & External Communications
Atlantic Union Bank
Noha Galal
Senior Director-Specialty Finance
U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)
Travis Kowalke
Sr. Director, Global Facilities Infrastructure & Engineering 

Washington Gas
Nakhia Crossley
Public Affairs
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
​Angela Franco
​President & CEO
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
​Brian Levine
​Vice President, Government Affairs
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
​Don Martin
​Director of Operations
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
​Megan Foy
​Manager of Events
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
​Juliet Chukwu
​Executive Assistant

Award Criteria and Past Award Winners

Business Legacy of the Year:

This award honors a business that has demonstrated long-term excellence, sustained impact, and meaningful contributions to its industry and the Montgomery County community.
  • Ruppert Landscape, 2025

Visionary Award

This award recognizes an individual or organization for its innovation and tremendous contributions to the County and beyond.
  • Federal Realty Investment Trust, 2024
  • Total Wine & More, 2023
  • The Children's Inn at NIH, 2022
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2021
  • Paul J. Wiedefeld (WMATA), 2019
  • Wallace D. Loh (President, University of Maryland College Park), 2018
  • Martine Rothblatt (Chairman and Chief Executive, United Therapeutics), 2017
  • Bell Nursery USA, 2016
  • NOAA, 2015
  • Johns Hopkins University Montgomery County Campus, 2013
  • Clifford "Cliff" Kendall (Chairman, VSE Corporation), 2012
  • Dr. Stewart Edelstein, 2011
  • NIST, 2010
  • Dr. James Whang, 2009

Legislator of the Year

This award recognizes a legislator who exemplifies the ideals of the Chamber - a passion for innovative ideas, a commitment to economic growth and prosperity, and a dedication to our community.
  • The Honorable Nancy King, Maryland State Senate (2025)
  • The Honorable Gabe Albornoz (Montgomery County Council), 2024
  • The Honorable Lily Qi (Maryland House of Delegates), 2023
  • The Honorable Jamie Raskin (United States House of Representatives), 2022
  • The Honorable Andrew Friedson (Montgomery County Council), 2021
  • The Honorable Ben Cardin (United States Senate), 2019
  • The Honorable Brian J. Feldman and The Honorable Marc A. Korman (Maryland General Assembly), 2018
  • The Honorable Anne Kaiser (Maryland General Assembly), 2017
  • The Honorable Nancy Floreen (President, Montgomery County Council), 2016
  • Senator Ben Cardin (United States Senate), 2015
  • Senator Nancy King (Maryland Senate), 2014
  • Congressman Chris Van Hollen (United States House of Representatives), 2013
  • Congressman Chris Van Hollen (United States House of Representatives), 2009
  • Maryland State Delegate Brian Feldman (Maryland General Assembly), 2008
  • Council Member Mike Knapp (Montgomery County Council), 2006

Public Sector Partner of the Year

This award recognizes an individual or organization that works in partnership with the Chamber to propel our mission forward.

  • Larry Stubblefield (Small Business Administration), 2024
  • Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, 2023
  • Bibi Hidalgo (Associate Administrator for Government Contracting and Business Development, U.S. Small Business Administration), 2022
  • Ash Shetty (Director, Montgomery County Office of Procurement), 2021
  • Montgomery County Public Schools, 2019
  • Maryland Department of Commerce, 2018
  • Montgomery College, 2017
  • National Institutes of Health, 2016
  • Tracey Pinson (Office of Small Business Programs, United States Army), 2014
  • U.S. Small Business Administration, 2013
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012
  • U.S. NRC, 2011
  • Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, 2010​

Business Advocate of the Year

This award recognizes the significant impact of an individual's advocacy efforts to advance the Chamber's legislative goals. 
  • Chris Bruch, The Donohoe Companies (2025)
  • William N. Wiechmann (Kaiser Permanente), 2024
  • Bob Elliott (Lantian Development), 2023
  • Sophia Tong (CEO, T and T Consulting Services, Inc.), 2022
  • Kelly Groff (President and CEO, Visit Montgomery), 2021
  • Julie Verratti, 2019
  • Bruce H. Lee, 2018
  • Norm Augustine, 2017
  • Lawrence Duncan III, 2016
  • Tom McElroy, 2015
  • Clark Kendall, 2014

Innovator of the Year

This award is presented to an individual or company in Metro Maryland that is a pioneer, introducing new products, business practices, and/or services to the marketplace.
  • United Therapeutics Corporation, 2024
  • David Nguyen (United Solutions)​, 2023

Chair's Award

  • Gigi Godwin and Barbara Ashe, 2023
  • Gus Bauman and Angela Prentice, 2022
  • Leslie Ford Weber and Bruce Lee, 2021
  • Pam Mazza, 2019
  • Stew Edelstein, 2018
  • David Nyugen, 2017
  • Leslie Ford Weber, 2016
  • ​Steve Robins, 2015