Jim Henderson was walking around the cocktail reception of the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Business Awards Gala at the Gaylord National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on Oct. 5 like a proud papa.
Henderson, 81, is a former president of the chamber and his enthusiasm was the result of seeing the organization that he once led reach its 100th anniversary. His smiles continued as he watched the ceremony proceed with prominent political leaders speaking and entrepreneurs receiving honors for excellence in operations.
“I am the first solopreneur to serve as president of the chamber of commerce,” said Henderson, who runs J.E. Henderson Financial, a Seabrook, Maryland based firm that specializes in advising clients on finance, life insurance, annuities and tax matters. “This event is a reflection of excellence in business. When I was the president, the people in this room gave me support. I am so happy to see this day.”
The Ceremony
The chamber is a nonprofit organization representing businesses in Prince George’s County, Maryland ranging from “Mom and Pop” shops to large corporations. It is one of the largest chambers in Maryland and in the Washington metropolitan area.
Alexander K. Austin serves as the president of the chamber. He noted the hard work and dedication of its members.
“We’re here to celebrate the unstoppable talents, unwavering dedication, and extraordinary achievements of seven incredible awardees—both individuals and businesses—who truly embody the spirit of excellence, innovation, and dedication,” Austin said.
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks delivered remarks, noting the county’s recent victory in securing the FBI headquarters for Greenbelt, Maryland and the overall increase in business activity.
“We have created more businesses than any county in Maryland,” said Alsobrooks, 53, who is also the Democratic party nominee for the U.S. Senate.
Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman said that Prince George’s “is the most part of the Maryland economy.”
“This chamber has played a key role in the shaping of economic policy, not only on the county level, but at the state level as well,” Lierman said.
Among the notables attending the event were Corey Arnez Griffin, the president and CEO of the Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Bank President B. Doyle Mitchell, Maryland State Sens. Alonzo Washington (D-District 22) and Malcolm Augustine (D-District 47), Maryland Dels. Karen Toles (D-District 25) and Jazz Lewis (D-District 24), Maryland State Treasurer Dereck Davis, motivational speaker Willie Jolley and former Washington Commanders wide receiver and real estate entrepreneur Gary Clark.
The Award Winners
The Economic Transformation Team of the Year Award went to the members of the Maryland Delegation that consisted of members of the U.S. Congress, Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Alsobrooks for their efforts in securing the FBI headquarters.
U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland) accepted the award, calling Prince George’s a “thriving dynamic center of entrepreneurial spirit.”
The Community Impact Business of the Year was awarded to the Housing Initiative Partnerships, which works to build affordable housing for families in the county.
The Small Business of the Year awardee was Prince George’s Suite Magazine & Media, which highlights the achievements of Prince Georgians and its institutions.
The Truist Foundation was the recipient of the Corporate Citizenship Award, while Blink Charging of Bowie, Maryland received the Emerging Business of the Year Award.
The Mirinda Jackson Minority Business of the Year, named after the late Prince George’s County advocate on behalf of fair contracting practices, was awarded to Eronica Dew, founder and CEO of BES Solutions Inc.
Steve Proctor, founder and CEO of G.S. Proctor & Associates, one of the state’s largest minority lobbying firms, received the Business Leader of the Year Award and his son, Trey Proctor, accepted the award on his father’s behalf. The David C. Harrington Lifetime Achievement Award was given to NAI Michael Chairman Ken Michaels, a longtime real estate entrepreneur and force in county politics.
Henderson proudly noted that he hired Harrington to serve as the president of the chamber.
“With David’s effort our membership doubled,” said Henderson. “We became a leader in Prince George’s County’s business community. We need to keep that up, so we can be around another 100 years.”