Awards

The annual awards are a hallmark tradition of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber. It is our opportunity to honor those members of the Upcounty business communities, both organizations and individuals, that have demonstrated an exemplary level of leadership and community engagement to positively impact the quality of life & economic development.

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SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award recognizes small businesses, which are a vital part of our economy and community. The award is presented to the small business that demonstrates success, community involvement, and excellent customer relations.

DOWNLOAD THE SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR APPLICATION (applications due Nov 10, 2024)

SELECTION PROCESS: Deadline for entries is in November and entries are accepted either via mail or email. The winner will be chosen by Selection Committees comprised of members of the Gaithersburg-Germantown County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and its events committee Chamber members, and prior award recipients. The award is presented at the Chamber’s Celebration Gala and Awards Dinner held in December. The winner is invited to send a representative as our guest of honor.

Previous Award Winners:
2015: ELaunchers.com
2023: Gaithersburg CPAs 2014: Pinky & Pepe’s Grape Escape
2022: Supporting Strategies 2013: Soldierfit
2021: Upcounty Community Resources 2012: Authxperts, LLC
2020: Infinite Bridge 2011: Cartridge on Wheels
2019: Bella Ballet, LLC 2010: Signs of Progress
2018: Auxilium Technology 2009: Strive Business Solutions
2017: Crown Trophy 2008: Germantown Copy Center
2016: Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy 2007: Follow Your Heart Yoga

MID-SIZE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD-started in 2023!

The Chamber’s Mid-Size Business of the Year Award recognizes a growing business contributing to the local economy and business climate.  The award is presented to the mid-size business that demonstrates success, community involvement, and excellent customer relations.

DOWNLOAD THE MID-SIZE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR APPLICATION (applications due Nov 10, 2024)

SELECTION PROCESS: Deadline for entries is in November and entries are accepted via email. The winner will be chosen by Selection Committees comprised of members of the Gaithersburg-Germantown County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and its events committee Chamber members, and prior award recipients. The award is presented at the Chamber’s Celebration Gala and Awards Dinner held in December. The winner is invited to send a representative as our guest of honor.

Previous Award Winners:
Inaugural Award 2023: Kiddie Academy of Gaithersburg

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Chamber’s Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of a highly motivated, emerging leader of our Young Professional’s group.

DOWNLOAD THE YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR APPLICATION (applications due Nov 10, 2024)

SELECTION PROCESS: Deadline for entries is in November and entries are accepted either via mail or email. The winner will be chosen by Selection Committees comprised of members of the Gaithersburg-Germantown County Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and its events committee Chamber members, and prior award recipients. The award is presented at the Chamber’s Celebration Gala and Awards Dinner held in December. The winner is invited to attend as our guest of honor.

Previous Award Winners:
2018: David McCormick-Goodhart, Savant Capital Management
2023: Kathryne Carter, Grace & Virtue Events 2017: Brett Rough, Aerotek
2022: Heiromy “Romy” Nuñez, Foresight Insurance LLC 2016: Brooke Bruch, Contemporaries, Inc
2021: Heather Madison, Peterson Companies 2015: PJ Horan, Mass Mutual Greater Washington
2020: Eric Ashmont, Edward Jones 2014: Brittany Hilton, Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union
2019: Stephanie Evans, Evans Legacy Group, RE/MAX Realty Group 2013: Brett Friedman, DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors

NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Chamber’s Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizes nonprofit organizations, which are a vital part of our economy and community. The Chamber acknowledges, with a membership over 10% represented by nonprofits and educational organizations, that these businesses hire personnel, purchase goods and services, and move the economy in the same way that for-profit businesses do. The award is presented to the small nonprofit and large nonprofit that demonstrate business success, community involvement, sustainability, and excellent customer relations.

DOWNLOAD THE NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR APPLICATION (Applications due 8/8/24)

SELECTION PROCESS: The winner will be chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of members of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and its committee Chamber members. The award is presented at the annual Picnic with a Purpose in September, and also acknowledged at the Chamber’s Celebration Gala and Awards Dinner held in December.

Previous Award Winners:
Small Category Large Category
2024: Small category not awarded 2024: The Foundation Schools
Inaugural Award 2023: Gaithersburg Beloved Community Initiative Inaugural Award 2023: TLC-The Treatment and Learning Centers

 

EXCEPTIONAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Each year the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce honors our exceptional volunteers during our annual Picnic with a Purpose at Smokey Glen Farm Barbequers, Inc.  Corporate Citizenship and giving back to the community has been a core value of Smokey Farm Barbequers, Inc., as demonstrated through various community outreach programs. The Chamber’s Exceptional Volunteer Awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond to support the initiatives of the GGCC and our community. Individuals may sit on Chamber committees, direct connects, or support Chamber programming in other ways.

SELECTION PROCESS: Any active member may send an email nomination to staff or a Board member to nominate a fellow member who is a prominent example of volunteerism and a vital contributor to the GGCC. The winner will be chosen by members of the Gaithersburg-Germantown County Chamber of Commerce’s Staff and Board of Directors. The award is presented at the annual Picnic with a Purpose in September, and also acknowledged at the Chamber’s Celebration Gala and Awards Dinner held in December.

Previous Award Winners:
2016: Pascale Brady, Brooke Bruch, Eileen Cahill, Brett Rough
2024: Jared Bailey, Stuart Barr, Mick Collins, Rebecca Cathcart, Philippa Channer, Rachelle Rohner, Wendie Veloz 2015: Brett Friedman, David Hamerski, Keith Jennings, Tracy Quick, John Quinter, Robyn Quinter, Paula Ross, Rich Rothschild
2023: Jim Bindeman, Kathryne Carter, Katherine Crosse, Paul Smith 2014: Phil Fabrizio, Will Ferry Jr., Ellen Lambert, Jonathan Sachs, Anna Tavongsa
2022: Ronald Moore, Romy Nuñez, Robyn Quinter, Emmyrich Vicente 2013: Kent Fegani, David Marchall, Michele Potter, Ibi Teleki Sofillas
2021: 2012: Gary Aughinbaugh, Walter Borotto, Michelle Day, Brittany Fields, Dave Rowles, Mark Stevenson
2020: 2011: Gizelle Petit, Paul Yanoshik
2019: Kevin O’Rourke, Danny Rowles, David President, Jim Bindeman 2010: Anita Anderson, Stuart Barr, Tamara Clarke, Bruce Kanner
2018: Eileen Engels, Shannon Gorman, Martha Schoonmaker, David McCormick-Goodhart 2009: Jeff Hoffman, Colette Releford, Jennifer Russel, Jeff Schiz, Denise Thomas
2017:  Katrina LaPier, Susan Pendy, Roy Quick, Abdi Russi 2006-2008: Andy Bass, Dawn Brown, Erin Burrows, Robert Cowdrey, Sonya Foster, Mark Johnson, Katrina LaPier, Scott Leishear, Samuel McNamee, Martin Posse, Stephen Poteat, Renee Randall, Laura Rowles, Snanon Smith, Abby Spencer, Michael Trudgett, Nicole Vavrecka

THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD

The President’s Award was resurrected in 2023 to recognize a Chamber member who has gone above and beyond in support of the staff during the previous year. The honoree is selected by, and the honor is presented at the discretion of the President & CEO.

The award is presented at the annual Celebration Gala and Awards Dinner held in December.

Previous Award Winners:
2024:
2023: Rebecca Cathcart, Philippa Channer

YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE AWARD

Each year the Chair of the Board of Directors awards the “You Made a Difference” award to a fellow member of the Board, to recognize exceptional service and support to the organization and to them personally throughout their term as Chair of the Board.

SELECTION PROCESS: This award is granted at the discretion of the current Chair of the Board of Directors and is awarded at the Annual Gala Celebration Dinner & Awards Ceremony held in December.

Previous Award Winners:
2024: (from Heather Madison) 2014: Ibi Sofilias (from David Edgerley)
2023: Dan Dellon (from AJ Nwoga) 2013: Jim Muir (from Ron Dimaranan)
2022: Anita Anderson (from David McCormick-Goodhart) 2012: David Edgerley, Jerry Therrien, Henry Bernstein (from Trina LaPier)
2021: AJ Nwoga (from Anita Anderson) 2011: Colette Releford (from Doug Wrenn)
2020: Bryan Beamer (from Bruce Kanner) 2010: Christopher Zindash (from Robert Jepson)
2019: Tom Lonergan (from Brittany Hilton) 2009: Randy Scritchfield (from Allen DeLeon)
2018: Bruce Kanner (from Barbara Crews) 2008: Sam McNamee (from John Compton)
2017: Ellen Lambert (from Colette Releford) 2007: Andy Bass (from Randy Scritchfield)
2016: Henry Bernstein (from Stuart Barr) 2006: Doug Wrenn (from Jim Muir)
2015: Bob Cowdrey (from Jerry Therrien) 2005: Jim Muir (From Hercules Pinkney)

GGCC HALL OF FAME

The purpose of the Hall of Fame Award is to recognize and honor a Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce member who demonstrates outstanding service, commitment and involvement.  The Hall of Fame was created in 1999, upon the 50th Anniversary of the Chamber. A legacy plaque is engraved with all Hall of Fame awardees, and hangs in the GGCC conference space.

SELECTION PROCESS: The award is granted in periodic years as warranted by the Board of Directors.

Previous Award Winners:
2022: Marilyn Balcombe

2019 – 70th Anniversary:

  • Jerry Therrien, Therrien Waddell Construction
  • Randy Scritchfield, Randy Scritchfield & Associates

2015:

  • DeLeon & Stang, CPAs & Advisors

2013:

  • Tony Tomasello – City of Gaithersburg

2009 – 60th Anniversary:

  • Jim Muir – Hughes Network Systems, LLC

2006:

  • James Hyatt – Law Offices of James A. Hyatt
  • Mary Ann Britton

2002:

  • Roy J. Green – Damascus Community Bank – Clarksburg
  • Buddy Gibson
  • Max S. Jones

1999 – 50th Anniversary:

  • Sanford W. Daily
  • Gerald K. Gimmel – Gimmel, Weiman, Ersek, Blomberg, & Lewis, P.A.
  • Elizabeth Harvill
  • Rodney Thompson
  • Lakeforest Shopping Center
  • The Gazette