2024 Business Awards Dinner
The 2024 Business Awards Dinner Selection Committee's deliberations will begin soon.
Stay tuned for more information about 2024 Award Winners, sponsors, and registration.
BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Presented by A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC
AWARD WINNERS RECEPTION SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSORS
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GOLD SPONSORS
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Adventist HealthCare
A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC (APRA) CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield CohnReznick LLP EagleBank Federal Realty Investment Trust Gilbane Building Company Holy Cross Health HUGHES, An EchoStar Company Information Systems Solutions, Inc. ITegrity, Inc. Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd. Lockheed Martin Corporation Madison Services Group, Inc. MedStar Montgomery Medical Center Montgomery College |
PEPCO, an Exelon Company
PilieroMazza PLLC Precise Software Solutions Red Coats, Inc./Admiral Security/Datawatch Systems Rose Li & Associates Sandy Spring Bank Shapiro & Duncan, Inc. Sodexo, Inc. Suburban Hospital T and T Consulting Services, Inc. TD Bank The Universities at Shady Grove United Solutions, LLC United States Pharmacopeia Washington Adventist University Westat WSSC Water |
SILVER SPONSORS
Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.
2023 Guest List
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ABCD & Company
Adventist HealthCare A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC (APRA) Aprio AstraZeneca AT&T Berry Solutions Group Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. Boland CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Chesapeake Public Strategies CohnReznick LLP Contemporaries, Inc. Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert Covanta David Trone for Senate DELTA Engineers, Architects, and Land Surveyors EagleBank Federal Realty Investment Trust The Friedman Family The Frick Firm Foundation Digital Media GEICO Gilbane Building Company GRF CPAs The Harbor Bank of Maryland Holy Cross Health HUGHES, An EchoStar Company Information Systems Solutions, Inc. Interfaith Works ITegrity, Inc. Jackson Lewis P.C. Kaiser Permanente Lantian Development Lawson Street Group Lee Development Group Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd. Lockheed Martin Corporation M&T Bank |
Madison Services Group, Inc.
Marriott International Maryland Small Business Development Center MedStar Montgomery Medical Center Miles & Stockbridge Montgomery College Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) Motorola Solutions PEPCO, an Exelon Company Pike District Partnership PilieroMazza PLLC PNC Bank Red Coats, Inc./Admiral Security/Datawatch Systems Roberts Oxygen Company Rodgers Consulting Sandy Spring Bank Shapiro & Duncan, Inc. Siemens Energy Silver Diner Sodexo, Inc. Spartan Shield Solutions Suburban Hospital Sworkit Health T and T Consulting Services, Inc. TD Bank The Universities at Shady Grove The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company Total Wine & More United Solutions, LLC United States Department of State United States Pharmacopeia United States Senator Ben Cardin Washington Adventist University Washington Gas, a WGL Company Westat WorkSource Montgomery WSSC Water xop.ai |
2023 Business Awards Dinner Selection Committee
COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Jerry Shapiro, President, Shapiro & Duncan, Inc.
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First Vice-Chair
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. William N. Wiechmann Vice President and Regional Counsel: Mid-Atlantic States Region |
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Immediate Past Chair of the Board
Small Business Committee Chair Contemporaries, Inc. Erin Allen President |
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Legislative Affairs Committee Chair
Suburban Hospital Leslie Ford Weber Director Campus, Government & Community Affairs Montgomery County |
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Award Criteria and Past Award Winners
Corporate Achievement
This award is presented to an individual or company that demonstrates leadership, innovation, commitment, and good corporate citizenship in Metro Maryland and beyond. The awardee has set consistently high standards for financial performance, sound management, and sustained growth over a period of many years, and has made significant and lasting contributions to the local economy and the community.
- Westat (2023)
- Lockheed Martin Corporation (2022)
- James G. Davis Construction Corporation (2021)
- The Emmes Company, LLC (2020)
- Sandy Spring Bank (2019)
- Marriott International (2018)
- GEICO (2017)
- Whiting-Turner Contracting Company (2016)
- Sodexo (2015)
- Hughes an EchoStar Company (2014)
- Westat (2013)
- Lockheed Martin (2012)
- The JBG Companies (2009)
- QIAGEN Sciences, Inc. (2008)
Corporate Social Responsibility
This award is presented to an individual or company that has demonstrated exemplary business practices and dedicated involvement and unyielding commitment to community service and volunteer programs that enrich the lives of residents of Metro Maryland.
- Marriott International (2023)
- EagleBank Foundation (2022)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (2021)
- World Central Kitchen (2020)
- BOLAND (2019)
- Shapiro & Duncan, Inc. (2018)
- Kaiser Permanente (2017)
- CohnReznick LLP (2016)
- SunTrust Bank (2015)
- Clark Construction (2014)
- BB&T (2013)
- Sandy Spring Bank (2012)
- Danya International (2011)
- Aronson & Company (2010)
- TerpSys (2009)
- Lanigan, Ryan, Malcolm, Doyle, PC (2008)
Lifetime Corporate and Community Impact Award
Previously called the Emeritus Business Leader Award (2008-2021)
This award is presented to an individual approaching retirement or newly retired and has had a substantial impact on the way business is conducted in Metro Maryland and who has shown, through many years of active and continuing service, a true commitment to the community.
- Sharon Friedman, Advocate for Healthier Communities (2023)
- Roberts Oxygen Company (2022)
- Cathy Hughes, Urban One, Inc. (2021)
- Edward J. Quinn, Jr., TW Perry (2020)
- Deborah Marriott Harrison, Marriott International (2019)
- Chet Burrell, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (2018)
- Robert Henley, Henley Constructions (2017)
- Kevin Sexton, Holy Cross Health (2016)
- John McMahon, Miller & Long (2015)
- Barbara Krumsiek, Calvert Investments (2014)
- J.W. Marriott, Marriott International (2012)
- Enos Fry, Efry Consulting (2009)
- William F. Peel, Jr., Red Coats; Admiral Security; Datawatch Systems (2008)
Green Business Innovator of the Year
This award is presented to an individual or company in Metro Maryland that demonstrates ecologically-integrated business practices and leads change in the marketplace through the goods and services they provide.
- Compost Crew (2021)
- The Tower Companies (2019)
- McDonald's River Road (2018)
- Fitzgerald Auto Malls (2017)
- AstraZeneca/MedImmune (2016)
- EVEN Hotel Rockville (2015)
- Scott Nash, MOM's Organic Market (2014)
- Seth Goldman, HonestTea (2013)
Business Partner of the Year
Nominated by MCCC's GovConNet Council
This award recognizes a business or individual that demonstrates excellence in subcontracting and/or supports small business to accelerate their success, and meets the mission of GovConNet, "to promote the economic impact of the federal government presence and to advocate on behalf of the contracting community for business opportunities."
This award recognizes a business or individual that demonstrates excellence in subcontracting and/or supports small business to accelerate their success, and meets the mission of GovConNet, "to promote the economic impact of the federal government presence and to advocate on behalf of the contracting community for business opportunities."
- PilieroMazza PLLC (2023)
- Stephen P. Ramaley, Miles & Stockbridge, (2022)
- Live Oak Bank (2021)
- Christine P. Williamson, CPA, PMP, CohnReznick LLP (2020)
- Bruce E. Lansdowne, Trinity Technology Partners, Inc. (2019)
- Managed Care Advisors, Inc. (2018)
- Bloomberg Government (2017)
- DAI (2016)
- National Government Services (2015)
- Northrup Grumman (2014)
- Booz Allen Hamilton (2012)
- L-3 Stratis (2011)
- Lockheed Martin (2010)
Government Partner of the Year
Nominated by MCCC's GovConNet Council
This award recognizes a public partner who supports the mission of GovConNet, "to promote the economic impact of the federal government presence and to advocate on behalf of the contracting community for business opportunities."
This award recognizes a public partner who supports the mission of GovConNet, "to promote the economic impact of the federal government presence and to advocate on behalf of the contracting community for business opportunities."
- The Honorable Ben Cardin, U.S. Senate (2023)
- The Honorable Kweisi Mfume, U.S. House of Representatives (2022)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2021)
- Mathew Blum, Associate Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy (2020)
- Jose L. Arrieta, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2019)
- U.S. Small Business Administration (2018)
- Emily Murphy, U.S. General Services Administration (2017)
- Pam Monroe, U.S. Army (2016)
- Don Camden, Defense Intelligence Agency (2015)
- Mauricio Vera, U.S. Agency for International Development (2014)
- U.S. General Services Administration (2013)
- Montgomery County Department of General Services (2012)
- National Institutes of Health (2011)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2010)
Small Business Leader of the Year
This award is presented to a successful small business owner or manager with 500 or fewer employees whose business has experienced substantial growth and whose leadership provided a positive impact on the business community in Metro Maryland.
- Tarandeep Bawa, ITegrity, Inc. (2023)
- Zhensen Huang, Precise Software Solutions (2022)
- Mitchell Wool, The Bean Bag Deli & Catering Co. (2021)
- Gregory Coleman, Sworkit (2020)
- Ahmed R. Ali, TISTA Science and Technology Corporation (2019)
- Joseph E. Brown, CEO, The Insurance Exchange (2018)
- Sophia Parker, DSFederal (2017)
- Ben Edson, VariQ (2016)
- Cidalia Luis-Akbar and Natalia Luis, M. Luis Construction (2015)
- Lisa Firestone, Managed Care Advisors (2014)
- Gerald Shapiro, Shapiro & Duncan, Inc. (2013)
- Gregory Knoop, OKKS Studios, Inc. (2012)
- Linda Houk, Information Systems Solutions (2011)
- Ben Long, Longview International (2010)
- Judy Stephenson, OFFICEPRO, Inc. (2009)
- Sterling Crockett, Sterling Construction (2008)
Spirit of Free Enterprise
This award is presented to an individual or company that is successful in business, a leader in promoting free enterprise and a competitive business climate and actively involved in making Metro Maryland a great place to live, work, and play.
- Silver Diner (2023)
- Eat the Change (2022)
- Penn Parking (2020)
- CAVA (2019)
- Red Coats, Admiral Security, and Datawatch Systems (2018)
- Sunny Bajaj, Digital Management, LLC (2017)
- United Solutions (2016)
- Julie Verratti, Denizens Brewing Co. (2015)
- Michael Binko, kloudtrack (2014)
- White Flint Partnership (2013)
- Sue Healy, MyEyeDr. (2009)
- The Tower Companies (2008)
- Barbara Keating, Computer Frontiers (2007)
Global Impact Award Winners
This award recognizes an organization or individual headquartered in Montgomery County or Metro Maryland that has had a sustained and significant positive impact on national and global economic opportunity and wellbeing.
- AstraZeneca (2023)
- Novavax (2022)
- U.S. Pharmacopeia (2021)
Visionary Award
Beginning in 2020, this award was sometimes presented at both the Business Awards Dinner and the Annual Dinner.
- James Waggoner, U.S. Department of State (2023)
- University of Maryland College Park (2021)
- Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci, The National Institutes of Health (2020)
This award recognizes an individual or organization for its innovation and tremendous contributions to the County and beyond.
Verl Zanders Emerging Business of the Year Winners
Three finalists are selected for this award. The winner is announced during the Business Awards Dinner.
This award is presented to an emerging company on the leading edge of innovation by creating milestones in technology and/or business that has achieved enhanced earnings and contributed to Metro Maryland’s reputation as an outstanding place to do business.
- ABCD & Company (2023)
- Tetracore (2022)
- Rehab 2 Perform (2021)
- CuriosityStream (2020)
- LunchSkins (2019)
- Senseonics Holdings, Inc. (2018)
- Xometry (2017)
- Hungry Harvest (2016)
- Cellphire, Inc. (2015)
- WeddingWire (2014)
- Sanaria (2013)
- Brainscope Company, Inc. (2012)
- GetWellNetwork (2011)
- Sweetgreen (2010)
- Radius Technology Group (2009)
- Get Real Consulting (2008)
- Honest Tea (2007)
About Verl Zanders
In 2008, the MCCC Board of Directors approved renaming the 'Emerging Business of the Year Award' in honor of Verl Zanders who sadly passed away that summer at the age of 61. For many MCCC members, our first introduction to Verl was on the Business Awards stage in 2006, when Z-Tech, the company he founded was named the Emerging Business of the Year. From 2006 to 2008, he served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and he was the first Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Small Business Committee. In 2007, ICF International acquired Z-Tech. Soon after selling his company, he joined the Chamber’s staff as Director of Business Development. We were thrilled to have him on the team. Prior to founding Z-Tech, Verl worked for more than 30 years in the Federal government as a contracting officer and as a small business representative. Verl was the inspiration behind the Chamber’s GovConNet and was passionate about growing Maryland’s Federal contracting community. He was an extraordinary mentor to many small business owners. He used the power of his example to inspire others to succeed. Every day, we strive to follow the example he set.
In 2008, the MCCC Board of Directors approved renaming the 'Emerging Business of the Year Award' in honor of Verl Zanders who sadly passed away that summer at the age of 61. For many MCCC members, our first introduction to Verl was on the Business Awards stage in 2006, when Z-Tech, the company he founded was named the Emerging Business of the Year. From 2006 to 2008, he served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and he was the first Vice Chair of the Chamber’s Small Business Committee. In 2007, ICF International acquired Z-Tech. Soon after selling his company, he joined the Chamber’s staff as Director of Business Development. We were thrilled to have him on the team. Prior to founding Z-Tech, Verl worked for more than 30 years in the Federal government as a contracting officer and as a small business representative. Verl was the inspiration behind the Chamber’s GovConNet and was passionate about growing Maryland’s Federal contracting community. He was an extraordinary mentor to many small business owners. He used the power of his example to inspire others to succeed. Every day, we strive to follow the example he set.
