Roundz Gourmet Named 'Business of the Year'

Roundz Gourmet Market and Catering was named the 2013 Business of the Year by the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday. 

Chamber leaders praised owner and chef Zachary Pope for the restaurant's contributions to the homeless and service to the community since opening in 2011. 

Some of the efforts noted by the chamber included work with the Light House shelter in Annapolis, healthy meal planning and giveaways of ice and lemonade when power was lost in last year's derecho storm.

"I never expected to receive any acknowledgement for what Roundz does in the community. That's not why we do these things," Pope said in a press release. "I live here and want to help this area thrive."

The chamber also recognized Cheryl Hokanson, owner of Impressive Promotional Products in Crofton, as its 2013 Ambassador of the Year.

More than 100 people gathered at the Four Points by Sheraton in Linthicum for the annual awards ceremony, which also featured a keynote speech from new County Executive Laura Neuman.

Neuman opened with a sobering assessment of the local government, but said she looked forward to cultivating business opportunities for the county.

"We are 20 years behind in county government," Neuman said. "I know it sounds negative, but it's not negative—it's an opportunity."

She mentioned upgrades—including the first computer for an Anne Arundel County executive—as moves in the right direction.

Amy Smith, of the HeimLantz accounting a consulting company, was named 2013 Volunteer of the Year. Smith, who is the co-chair of the Ambassador's Club for the chamber, also teaches accounting and finance classes at Anne Arundel Community College.

Queen Waddell accepted the chamber's 2013 Non-Profit of the Year award for USO of Metropolitan Washington, which provides support and coordinates family visits for military personnel traveling through BWI.

The chamber also gave special recognition to Michael Malone, an attorney who has been with the chamber since 2007.