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Marriott, AstraZeneca, Silver Diner, Westat Among this Year’s Honorees FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2023 MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Reed, Vice President of Marketing and Member Engagement ROCKVILLE, MD: On Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) will host its 2023 Business Awards Dinner. This event will celebrate the best of Montgomery County’s business community, with over 800 guests expected to attend. The Business Awards Dinner takes place from 5:00-8:30 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in North Bethesda, Maryland. The event will begin with an invitation-only Award Winners Reception at 5:00 p.m., sponsored by Shapiro & Duncan, Inc. The General Reception – open to all event attendees – will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The dinner and awards ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. This year’s honorees are: U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (Maryland) Marriott International AstraZeneca Silver Diner Westat PilieroMazza PLLC James Waggoner, Branch Chief, OPE/AQM Construction Branch, U.S. Department of State Tarandeep Bawa, President & CEO, ITegrity, Inc. ABCD & Company Sharon Friedman, Advocate for Healthier Communities Government Partner of the Year U.S. Senator Ben Cardin is the 2023 Government Partner of the Year. This award recognizes a public partner who supports the mission of GovConNet and is also nominated by the GovConNet Council. This year’s award will be presented by United Solutions, LLC. Corporate Social Responsibility Marriott International is this year’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award Winner. This award is presented to an individual or company that has demonstrated exemplary business practices, dedicated involvement and unyielding commitment to community service and volunteer programs that enrich the lives of Metro Maryland residents. “Marriott is honored to receive this year’s Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Award for Corporate Social Responsibility. Since our founding nearly a century ago, our mission has always been to create opportunity and positively impact the local communities and environments we call home,” said Tricia Primrose, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Communications & Public Affairs Officer for Marriott International. “We are focused on integrating sustainability across our portfolio, providing humanitarian aid and volunteerism to those in need, creating pathways to opportunity in the hospitality industry and welcoming all who walk through our doors. We are grateful to the Chamber for recognizing our continued efforts to serve our local community and our world. Global Impact Award For the third consecutive year, MCCC will recognize a Global Impact Award Winner at the Business Awards Dinner. 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. This year’s awardee is AstraZeneca. The inaugural Global Impact Award was presented to U.S. Pharmacopeia in 2021, and Novavax won the award in 2022. “As a reflection of our focus on pushing the boundaries of science, we are delighted to have been recognized as a Global Impact Award Winner by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce,” said Stuart Jackson, Chief Operating Officer, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca. “At AstraZeneca, we are proud to have a global impact on more than 100 million patient lives each year, contributing to the health of society and the planet. Whether in our efforts to create healthier societies, collaborate with global partners to tackle major heath challenges or working towards our ambitious goal of zero carbon by 2026 we continue to drive opportunities to translate early research and discovery into life-changing medicines for patients.” The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation will present this award to AstraZeneca. Spirit of Free Enterprise The 2023 Spirit of Free Enterprise Award Winner is Silver Diner. 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. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Silver Diner,” said Robert “Bob” Giaimo, CEO/President of Silver Diner. “For the past thirty-four years, we have worked diligently to improve the business climate in Montgomery County while also actively engaging with communities in the County. In addition to working with local schools, we have assisted in providing more than 250,000 meals to families in need through our partner Real Food for Kids.” This award will be presented by M&T Bank. Corporate Achievement The 2023 Corporate Achievement Award is being awarded to Westat. 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. Scott Royal, Westat President and CEO commented, “Westat is honored to receive the 2023 MCCC Corporate Achievement Award. As we celebrate 60 years of successfully executing our mission of improving lives through research, we’re proud that our expertise touches almost every facet of life. I’m particularly grateful for our 1800 employees and their ongoing dedication and commitment to accelerate advancements in health, education, and social and economic policy.” Royal continued, “Being headquartered in Rockville, Maryland for 55 years, Westat has strong ties to the area, empowering employees to participate in charitable activities, encouraging sustainability and environmental stewardship, and fostering meaningful partnerships with local organizations. This underscores Westat’s commitment not only to our research and business goals, but also to our community.” This year’s award is presented by PNC Bank. Business Partner of the Year PilieroMazza PLLC is the 2023 Business Partner of the Year. This awardee is nominated annually by the MCCC GovConNet Council. The goal of this award is to recognize a business 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.” “It is with immense gratitude and humility that I accept this nomination on behalf of PilieroMazza for the Business Partner of the Year Award in support of government contracting businesses,” shared Antonio R. Franco, Managing Partner, PilieroMazza PLLC. “I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the vital role that government contractors play in shaping our nation's future. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to the esteemed members of the GovConNet Council who saw fit to nominate PilieroMazza.” Franco continued: “My colleagues and I are truly humbled by this nomination and look forward to many more years of collaboration between PilieroMazza and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.” This year’s award is sponsored by Contemporaries, Inc. and will be presented by MCCC’s Board Chair and President of Contemporaries, Erin Allen. Visionary of the Year The 2023 Visionary of the Year Award goes to the James Waggoner, Branch Chief, OPE/AQM Construction Branch, U.S. Department of State. This award recognizes an individual or an organization for its innovation and tremendous contributions to the County and beyond. “I would like to thank the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Selection Committee for this honor and for acknowledging my efforts to further leverage industry partners in infusing innovation and technology into building and construction efforts, in support of the continued mission of Global Diplomacy,” said Waggoner. This award will be presented by Angela Prentice, President and CEO, A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC (APRA) and Member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Small Business Leader of the Year The Small Business Leader of the Year is Tarandeep Bawa, President & CEO, ITegrity, Inc. 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. "I'm deeply honored to receive the 2023 Small Business Leader of the Year award, an accolade that reflects the remarkable journey of ITegrity,” said Bawa. “This recognition isn't just about me; it's a celebration of the collective effort of our incredible team of dedicated professionals and our shared commitment to innovation, excellence, and community engagement. It motivates us to continue pushing boundaries, fostering growth, and giving back to the community that has supported us throughout our journey." This award will be presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. Emerging Business of the Year In past years, MCCC’s Business Awards Selection Committee annually selected three businesses as Verl Zanders Emerging Business of the Year Finalists. 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. Previous winners of this award include Honest Tea, Sweetgreen, WeddingWire, and CuriosityStream. This year, the committee selected ABCD & Company as the 2023 Emerging Business of the Year Award Winner. “We are so honored to receive this prestigious award!” said Durecia Moorer, Managing Partner & Chief Marketing Officer of ABCD & Company. “As an agency, we take pride in leading the way through innovation and creating meaningful impact. It is incredibly rewarding that the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has recognized ABCD & Company as the 2023 Verl Zanders Emerging Business of the Year.” This year’s award will be presented by The Universities at Shady Grove. Lifetime Corporate & Community Impact Sharon Friedman is the 2023 Emeritus Business Leader of the Year. She is an advocate for healthier communities and has been involved in numerous non-profits in Montgomery County. This award is presented to an individual approaching 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. This award was previously called the Emeritus Business Leader of the Year Award. “In my professional career I have witnessed the positive impact of partnerships between nonprofits and the business sector, and the benefit these partnerships bring to the community,” said Friedman. “So many of the social issues that I have worked to address such as access to mental health services have implications for the workplace and can only be truly resolved through cross-sector responses. I have been fortunate to play a role in these endeavors. Many thanks to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce for recognizing my efforts with this awesome award!” Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. will be presenting this award. For a list of previous award winners and to learn more about registration, visit mcccmd.com/businessawards. ### About the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) is a membership organization that accelerates members’ success through effective advocacy, programs, and events. Its membership includes small, medium, and large organizations representing a wide range of industries. For more information, visit www.mcccmd.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Alexis Reed, Vice President of Marketing and Member Engagement
ROCKVILLE, MD: On Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) will host its 2023 Business Awards Dinner. This event will celebrate the best of Montgomery County’s business community, with over 800 guests expected to attend. The Business Awards Dinner takes place from 5:00-8:30 p.m. at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in North Bethesda, Maryland.
The event will begin with an invitation-only Award Winners Reception at 5:00 p.m., sponsored by Shapiro & Duncan, Inc. The General Reception – open to all event attendees – will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The dinner and awards ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. This year’s honorees are:
Government Partner of the Year
U.S. Senator Ben Cardin is the 2023 Government Partner of the Year. This award recognizes a public partner who supports the mission of GovConNet and is also nominated by the GovConNet Council. This year’s award will be presented by United Solutions, LLC.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Marriott International is this year’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award Winner. This award is presented to an individual or company that has demonstrated exemplary business practices, dedicated involvement and unyielding commitment to community service and volunteer programs that enrich the lives of Metro Maryland residents.
“Marriott is honored to receive this year’s Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Award for Corporate Social Responsibility. Since our founding nearly a century ago, our mission has always been to create opportunity and positively impact the local communities and environments we call home,” said Tricia Primrose, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Communications & Public Affairs Officer for Marriott International. “We are focused on integrating sustainability across our portfolio, providing humanitarian aid and volunteerism to those in need, creating pathways to opportunity in the hospitality industry and welcoming all who walk through our doors. We are grateful to the Chamber for recognizing our continued efforts to serve our local community and our world.
Global Impact Award
For the third consecutive year, MCCC will recognize a Global Impact Award Winner at the Business Awards Dinner. 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. This year’s awardee is AstraZeneca. The inaugural Global Impact Award was presented to U.S. Pharmacopeia in 2021, and Novavax won the award in 2022.
“As a reflection of our focus on pushing the boundaries of science, we are delighted to have been recognized as a Global Impact Award Winner by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce,” said Stuart Jackson, Chief Operating Officer, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca. “At AstraZeneca, we are proud to have a global impact on more than 100 million patient lives each year, contributing to the health of society and the planet. Whether in our efforts to create healthier societies, collaborate with global partners to tackle major heath challenges or working towards our ambitious goal of zero carbon by 2026 we continue to drive opportunities to translate early research and discovery into life-changing medicines for patients.”
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation will present this award to AstraZeneca.
Spirit of Free Enterprise
The 2023 Spirit of Free Enterprise Award Winner is Silver Diner. 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.
“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Silver Diner,” said Robert “Bob” Giaimo, CEO/President of Silver Diner. “For the past thirty-four years, we have worked diligently to improve the business climate in Montgomery County while also actively engaging with communities in the County. In addition to working with local schools, we have assisted in providing more than 250,000 meals to families in need through our partner Real Food for Kids.”
This award will be presented by M&T Bank.
Corporate Achievement
The 2023 Corporate Achievement Award is being awarded to Westat. 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.
Scott Royal, Westat President and CEO commented, “Westat is honored to receive the 2023 MCCC Corporate Achievement Award. As we celebrate 60 years of successfully executing our mission of improving lives through research, we’re proud that our expertise touches almost every facet of life. I’m particularly grateful for our 1800 employees and their ongoing dedication and commitment to accelerate advancements in health, education, and social and economic policy.”
Royal continued, “Being headquartered in Rockville, Maryland for 55 years, Westat has strong ties to the area, empowering employees to participate in charitable activities, encouraging sustainability and environmental stewardship, and fostering meaningful partnerships with local organizations. This underscores Westat’s commitment not only to our research and business goals, but also to our community.”
This year’s award is presented by PNC Bank.
Business Partner of the Year
PilieroMazza PLLC is the 2023 Business Partner of the Year. This awardee is nominated annually by the MCCC GovConNet Council. The goal of this award is to recognize a business 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.”
“It is with immense gratitude and humility that I accept this nomination on behalf of PilieroMazza for the Business Partner of the Year Award in support of government contracting businesses,” shared Antonio R. Franco, Managing Partner, PilieroMazza PLLC. “I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce for recognizing the vital role that government contractors play in shaping our nation's future. I also want to express my heartfelt thanks to the esteemed members of the GovConNet Council who saw fit to nominate PilieroMazza.”
Franco continued: “My colleagues and I are truly humbled by this nomination and look forward to many more years of collaboration between PilieroMazza and the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.”
This year’s award is sponsored by Contemporaries, Inc. and will be presented by MCCC’s Board Chair and President of Contemporaries, Erin Allen.
Visionary of the Year
The 2023 Visionary of the Year Award goes to the James Waggoner, Branch Chief, OPE/AQM Construction Branch, U.S. Department of State. This award recognizes an individual or an organization for its innovation and tremendous contributions to the County and beyond.
“I would like to thank the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Selection Committee for this honor and for acknowledging my efforts to further leverage industry partners in infusing innovation and technology into building and construction efforts, in support of the continued mission of Global Diplomacy,” said Waggoner.
This award will be presented by Angela Prentice, President and CEO, A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC (APRA) and Member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.
Small Business Leader of the Year
The Small Business Leader of the Year is Tarandeep Bawa, President & CEO, ITegrity, Inc. 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.
"I'm deeply honored to receive the 2023 Small Business Leader of the Year award, an accolade that reflects the remarkable journey of ITegrity,” said Bawa. “This recognition isn't just about me; it's a celebration of the collective effort of our incredible team of dedicated professionals and our shared commitment to innovation, excellence, and community engagement. It motivates us to continue pushing boundaries, fostering growth, and giving back to the community that has supported us throughout our journey."
This award will be presented by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.
Emerging Business of the Year
In past years, MCCC’s Business Awards Selection Committee annually selected three businesses as Verl Zanders Emerging Business of the Year Finalists. 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. Previous winners of this award include Honest Tea, Sweetgreen, WeddingWire, and CuriosityStream.
This year, the committee selected ABCD & Company as the 2023 Emerging Business of the Year Award Winner.
“We are so honored to receive this prestigious award!” said Durecia Moorer, Managing Partner & Chief Marketing Officer of ABCD & Company. “As an agency, we take pride in leading the way through innovation and creating meaningful impact. It is incredibly rewarding that the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce has recognized ABCD & Company as the 2023 Verl Zanders Emerging Business of the Year.”
This year’s award will be presented by The Universities at Shady Grove.
Lifetime Corporate & Community Impact
Sharon Friedman is the 2023 Emeritus Business Leader of the Year. She is an advocate for healthier communities and has been involved in numerous non-profits in Montgomery County. This award is presented to an individual approaching 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. This award was previously called the Emeritus Business Leader of the Year Award.
“In my professional career I have witnessed the positive impact of partnerships between nonprofits and the business sector, and the benefit these partnerships bring to the community,” said Friedman. “So many of the social issues that I have worked to address such as access to mental health services have implications for the workplace and can only be truly resolved through cross-sector responses. I have been fortunate to play a role in these endeavors. Many thanks to the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce for recognizing my efforts with this awesome award!”
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc. will be presenting this award.
For a list of previous award winners and to learn more about registration, visit mcccmd.com/businessawards.
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About the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) is a membership organization that accelerates members’ success through effective advocacy, programs, and events. Its membership includes small, medium, and large organizations representing a wide range of industries. For more information, visit www.mcccmd.com.