DSFederal is very pleased to announce that our CEO Sophia Parker has been named Montgomery County’s Small Business Leader of the Year. The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) presented Sophia with this award at its 2017 Business Awards Dinner, held last night at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference center.
MCCC “leads, advocates, and connects,” serving as the “voice of business” for businesses large and small throughout Montgomery County. Each year, MCCC hosts an awards event, recognizing outstanding contributions from business leaders in several categories. As Linda Ekizian, MCCC’s Vice President for Membership and Events explains, these award winners are carefully selected by a nominating committee that considers nominees’ contributions to business life and economic development in the county, as well as their contributions to the community at large. We are delighted and honored that the committee selected Sophia.
The 700+ attendees included executives and entrepreneurs, as well as elected officials and members of the press. Speakers and award winners praised Montgomery County as a hub of creativity and innovation. Diversity was also a theme. As Sophia said in her acceptance speech, her employees, colleagues, and partners include men and women from many backgrounds and dozens of countries. "This is what makes Montgomery County special," she said. "This is what makes us great."
Congratulations to the evening's other winners:
Robert Henley (CEO, Henley Construction Company)—MCCC Emeritus Business Leader of the Year
Kaiser Permanente—MCCC Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Bloomberg Government—MCCC Business Partner of the Year
Emily Webster Murphy (Senior Advisor, GSA)—MCCC Government Partner of the Year
Jay Sunny Bajaj (CEO and President, Digital Management, LLC)—MCCC Spirit of Free Enterprise
FitzWay—MCCC Green Business Innovator of the Year
Xometry—Verl Sanders Emerging Business of the Yea
Commenting on this award, Sophia says, “With our ten-year anniversary and graduation from the SBA 8(a) program, 2017 has been a memorable year, but this recognition from fellow Montgomery County business leaders, whom I respect so much, makes it that much more special. I’ve lived and traveled all over the world, but Montgomery County is my hometown, and I’m so honored and grateful to be considered a leader in the community that I love.”