Awards for Chamber Excellence (ACE)

Each year, the Howard County Chamber of Commerce proudly recognizes the businesses and individuals whose leadership, innovation, and commitment make a lasting impact on our business community. Presented during our Annual Meeting, the Chamber Awards for Excellence celebrate those who exemplify professional achievement, community involvement, and a dedication to strengthening Howard County.

Awards are presented in the following categories: Young Professional of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Community Impact Award, Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Businessperson of the Year, and the Exemplar Award.

Established in 2005, the Exemplar Award is the Chamber’s most prestigious honor, presented only when an individual goes far beyond expectation. It recognizes those whose professional achievements are matched by extraordinary commitment to business and the broader Howard County community. Recipients are known for their service, generosity of spirit, and standing as true pillars of the community.

Since their inception, these awards have recognized the people and organizations whose vision, service, and leadership have helped drive the success of Howard County’s business community. Browse our past recipients below to celebrate their achievements.

Young Professional of the Year

2026: Casey Phillips, Wilhelm Builders
2025: Matt Phillips, M&T Bank
2024: Jacqueline Ray, Harkins Builders
2023: Zachary Cochran, Cochran Coaching LLC
2022: Julia Lederer, The Zaching Against Cancer Foundation
2021: Nick Barrick, KCI Technologies
2020: Mark Cruz, Tower Federal Credit Union
2019: Courtney Banks, Level One Personnel, Inc.
2018: Antony Justin, Howard Hughes Corporation
2017: Elyssa Auerbach, Lowe Wealth Advisors
2016: Kyle Robson, Apple Ford Lincoln
2015: Dave Sciamarelli, MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate
2014: Brad Myers, SunTrust Bank
2013: Jack Gunther, Allen & Shariff
2012: Diana Fooksman, Columbia Festival of the Arts
2011: Andy Carmer, SunTrust Bank
2010: Jody Lenes, Include Software
2009: Kristi Simon, O’Donovan and Assoc.
2008: Thomas Cornellier, Wooden-Cornellier Group, LLC
2007: David Lynch, Systems Integration & Support, LLC

Ambassador of the Year

2026: James Shenton, Decisive Data Systems LLC
2025: Bobby Cardoni, Strategic Factory
2024: Jeani Burns, eSPSmart, LLC
2023: Bill Flayhart, Edwards & Hill Office Furniture
2022: Rita Matthews, The Office of Alexander Brown State Farm
2021: Angela Balsamo, Coffee News Maryland
2020: Scherezade Agurto, Athelas Institute, Inc.
2019: Flora Betro, Target Marketing
2018: Janet Loughran, Columbia Association
2017: Kartik Shah, PNC Bank
2016: Randy Gartner, Integrated Marketing Services, LLC
2015: Jordan Hucht, Vision Financial Group
2014: Roxann Gardner, B&D Insurance Solutions, LLC
2013: Matt Anderson, McFarlin Insurance Agency
2012: Al Doong, Isagenix International
2011: Joyce Rhine, Homewood Suites
2010: Zoe Cohen, ZLC Design
2009: Julia Mattis, RE/MAX Professionals Garth Davis/Julia Mattis Sales Team
2008: Randy Gartner, Integrated Marketing Services, LLC
2007: David Lynch, Systems Integration & Support, LLC

Community Impact Award

1997: Developmental Services Group
1998: Howard County Family YMCA
1999: The Columbia Foundation
2000: Domestic Violence Center
2001: JREF
2002: The ARC of Howard County
2003: Howard County Library System
2026: Columbia Community Care
2025: Howard County Library System
2024: Howard Community College
2023: Bridges to Housing Stability
2022: Howard County Library System
2021: Feed Howard County
2020: David Tohn, BTS Software Solutions
2019: Joan Driessen, Association of Community Services
2018: Pam Long, Pam Long Photography

Small Business of the Year

2026: DP Solutions
2025: Jam Eateries
2024: Stewart Technologies, Inc.
2023: Clark’s ACE Hardware
2022: Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny
2021: The Vertical Connection
2020: Aida Bistro and Wine Bar
2019: Carney, Kelehan, Bresler, Bennett & Scherr LLP
2018: Tino’s Italian Bistro
2017: Commercial Insurance Managers, Inc.
2016: Howard Tech Advisors
2015: Damon Foreman Music Academy
2014: Nancy Adams Personnel
2013: Cardoni Waddell, LLC
2012: Coale/Pripstein & Associates, PA
2011: Pixel Workshop
2010: Signs By Tomorrow
2009: CQI Associates, Inc.
2008: Questron
2007: The Melting Pot
2006: Decanter Fine Wines
2005: Corridor Printing Inc.
2004: Filar Design, Ltd.
2003: Eggspectation
2002: Rapaport & Skalny
2001: Computer Solutions GSD
2000: Synergy
1999: The Colosseum Gym & Fitness
1998: The Airport Shuttle
1997: Rapid Sign Center
1996: American Speed Printing Center

Large Business of the Year

2026: Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant
2025: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
2024: COPT Defense Properties
2023: Comcast
2022: The Howard Hughes Corp.
2021: M&T Bank
2020: The Mall in Columbia
2019: Sandy Spring Bank
2018: Tower Federal Credit Union
2017: BGE
2016: Mobern Lighting
2015: Clyde’s of Columbia
2014: Harkins Builders
2013: Allen & Shariff
2012: Giant of Maryland, LLC
2011: Arbitron
2010: National Security Agency
2009: Northrop Grumman
2008: Howard County Public School System
2007: Offit Kurman
2006: Tai Sophia Institute for the Healing Arts
2005: Patuxent Publishing Company
2004: Turf Valley Resort
2003: JHU Applied Physics Laboratory
2002: PCA Group
2001: Apple Ford
2000: Citizens National Bank
1999: Comcast Cable
1998: US Foodservice
1997: E.V.I. Incorporated
1996: Reese and Carney LLP
1995: Security Development Group
1994: Maryland National/Nations Bank
1993: Howard County General Hospital
1992: W.R. Grace & Company
1991: The Columbia Bank
1990: Levan, Schimel, Richman, Belman, Abramson & Scanlan P.A.
1989: Wilhide’s Flowers Inc.
1988: Commercial & Farmers Bank
1987: The Ryland Group
1986: Eyre Bus & Travel
1985: Truckers Inn
1984: The Rouse Company
1983: Howard Homes
1982: Bendix Field Engineering Corp
1981: Ecalono & Company

Entrepreneur of the Year

2026: Stephanie Arsenault, UMG Urgent Care
2025: Eli & Casey Linthicum, GameOn Bar + Arcade
2024: Will & Denise Richards, Dill Dinkers Pickleball
2023: Nemanja Popov & Brody Tennant, Roggenart
2022: Dr. Josh Funk, Rehab 2 Perform
2021: Dan & Donna Wecker, Elkridge Furnace Inn
2020: David Costello, Costello Construction
2019: Luke Chow, Prime Manufacturing Technologies, Inc.
2018: Creig Northrop
2017: Justin Bonner & Kasey Turner, Jailbreak Brewing Company
2016: The Marriner Family, Victoria Gastro Pub
2015: Mac Cassity, Mid Atlantic Social Media
2014: Jeannette Kendall, Success in Style
2013: Joe and Mary Barbera, AIDA Bistro and Wine Bar
2012: Steve Wecker, The Iron Bridge Wine Company
2011: Matt Baker, Terrapin Adventures
2010: Meta Lankford Cadigan, CertaPro Painters of Columbia
2009: Paul Swidersky, Quality Associates, Inc.
2008: Bill King, The Crab Shanty Restaurant
2007: Mary Ann Scully, Howard Bank

Businessperson of the Year

2026: Charles McCabe
2025: Tricia Hudson
2024: Lynda Ellis
2023: Kelly Mitchell
2022: Kimberly Prescott
2021: Zack Shariff
2020: Sherri Collins-Witzke
2019: Jean Parker
2018: Greg Fitchitt
2017: Bita Dayhoff
2016: Greg Lowe
2015: Matt Eyre
2014: Duane Carey
2013: Jim Peacock
2012: Marc Rubin
2011: George L. “Chip” Doetsch III
2010: Del Karfonta
2009: J.P. Bolduc
2008: Rand Griffin
2007: Earl Armiger
2006: Mary Ellen Duncan, Ron Eyre, Bill Munn, Ed Waddell
2005: Steve Sachs
2004: Maurice Simpkins
2003: Ronald S. Schimel
2002: Gordon Mumpower, Jr.
2001: Dr. David Tayman
2000: Steve Adler
1999: Jack Whiteside
1998: Victor Broccolino
1992: Richard H. Pettingill
1991: Gerald E. Brock
1990: Earl Saunders
1989: Nancy L. Smith
1988: Joseph L. Wagner
1987: Frederick W. Glassberg
1986: Dr. Dwight Burrill
1985: Doris Thompson
1984: Dick Talkin
1983: Stan Sladek
1982: Al Parrott
1981: Gene W. Mullinix
1980: Charlie Miller
1979: Vic Kunst
1978: Bill Jefferson
1977: Howard Crist
1976: Lillian Clark
1975: Roger Carter
1974: Andy Adams
1973: John F. Miller

Exemplar Award

2025: Charles “Chuck” Phillips
2023: Steve & Patti Wecker, Elkridge Furnace Inn
2022: Stacie Hunt, Leadership Howard County
2021: Dr. Kathleen Hetherington, Howard Community College
2020: Richard Talkin, Talkin & Oh LLP
2019: Earl Armiger, Orchard Development
2018: Dick Story
2017: Pete Mangione, Turf Valley Resort
2013: Paul Skalny, Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC
2012: Mike Galeone, The Columbia Bank
2011: Toby Orenstein, Toby’s Dinner Theatre
2010: Jean Moon, Jean Moon & Associates
2009: George P. Doetsch Jr., Apple Ford
2008: Maggie Brown, Columbia Association
2007: Mary Ellen Duncan, Howard Community College; Barbara Lawson, Columbia Foundation
2006: Vic Broccolino, Howard County General Hospital
2005: Donna Ange, Intuit