The GGCC 75th Anniversary Gala Celebration & Awards Dinner was held December 5, 2024 at Bretton Woods Country Club
The Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) 75th Anniversary Gala Celebration & Awards Dinner brought together 175 leaders, visionaries, and changemakers from the Upcounty to celebrate business excellence and leadership, and to recognize students who were awarded scholarships through GGCC’s scholarship funds at Montgomery College.
Emceed by GGCC President & CEO Paula Ross, the event recognized the outstanding achievements of GGCC members in several categories. Featuring a dynamic lineup of speakers and honorees, the evening was filled with inspiration, recognition, and a shared commitment to advancing growth and success for businesses and individuals in the region. City of Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman provided the keynote address, on behalf of long-time Title Sponsor the City of Gaithersburg
Key elected leaders participated in the event, including:
- City of Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman
- Maryland State Delegate Gregory Wims (D39)
- Montgomery County Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe (D2)
Awards conferred:
- Young Professional of the Year Award: Dan Helhowski, Beltway Merchant Services, presented by Steve Barber, Supporting Strategies
- Small Business of the Year Award: The Branded Company, presented by AJ Nwoga, M&T Bank.
- Mid-Size Business of the Year Award: Electrical Connections LLC, presented by Richie Vicente, PNC Bank.
- Nonprofit of the Year Award: (previously conferred): The Foundation Schools, recognized by Sharon Anthony, Montgomery College
- You Made a Difference Award: Mick Collins, Pay it Forward Processing, presented by Heather Madison, Peterson Companies, outgoing GGCC Chair of the Board of Directors
- President’s Award: Asif Choudhury, Bahar Consulting, presented by Paula Ross
- President’s Award: Nick Marchetti, AMI Signs, presented by Paula Ross
During the event, Jim Muir, GGCC Chair Emeritus, also recognized five outstanding scholars from Montgomery College who are receiving scholarship funding through the GGCC Scholarship Fund at Montgomery College. Shah Behzadi, VP at Hughes Network Systems and GGCC Board Member, further pledged Hughes will make a generous donation of $5,000 for additional scholarship support.
During the event, State Delegate Greg Wims presented a proclamation from the State Assembly in recognition of GGCC’s 75th Anniversary.
During the event, Daniel Parra and Michele Michelle, Board members from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County, presented a proclamation from HCCMC in recognition of GGCC’s 75th Anniversary.
Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe installed the 2025 GGCC Board of Directors, including the new leadership. To close the evening, Steve Barber, 2025 GGCC Chair of the Board of Directors, provided an overview of what lies ahead for the GGCC.
We extend our gratitude to all those who attended and contributed to the success of this year’s Gala. Your presence allowed us to celebrate the achievements of exceptional leaders in the Upcounty and spotlight the businesses and leaders that are shaping the future of the Upcounty economy.
Photos by Hilary Schwab Photography.
Dan Helhowski, Young Professional of the Year award recipient, and Steve Barber, Supporting Strategies
Cory Luckett, The Branded Company, Small Business of the Year, with AJ Nwoga, M&T Bank
Guillermo Castillo (center) and Maria Castillo (right), Electrical Connections LLC, Mid-Size Business of the Year Awardee, with Richie Vicente (left), PNC Bank
Mick Collins (right), Pay it Forward Processing, You Made a Difference Award recipient, with Heather Madison (left), Peterson Companies, GGCC 2024 Chair of the Board of Directors
Nick Marchetti, AMI Signs, President’s Award recipient, with Paula Ross, GGCC President & CEO
Morgana Finney (right), The Foundation Schools, Nonprofit of the Year awardee, with Sharon Anthony (left), Montgomery College
Montgomery College student scholarship recipients with Paula Ross, Shah Behzadi (Hughes Network Systems, GGCC Board Member), Jim Muir (retired, Hughes Network Systems, GGCC Chair Emeritus), Allen DeLeon (retired, DeLeon & Stang, GGCC Chair Emeritus) and Sharon Anthony (Montgomery College)
(l-r) Steve Barber, Daniel Parra, Heather Madison, Michele Michelle, Paula Ross: a proclamation from Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County in recognition of GGCC’s 75th Anniversary
(l-r) Heather Madison, Steve Barber, delegate Greg Wims, Paula Ross, Mayor Jud Ashman: a proclamation from the State Assembly of Maryland in recognition of GGCC’s 75th Anniversary
City of Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman provided the keynote address, on behalf of long-time Title Sponsor the City of Gaithersburg