Donovan receives high honor from county chamber

Awards dinner recognizes good business

Friday, Oct. 22, 2010

After starting his first of many businesses in 1978 and leading Chesapeake Beach through 25 years of growth as the town's mayor, Gerald Donovan was awarded the John C. Smith Public Service Award at the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on Wednesday night.

The chamber's immediate past chairman, Bill Chambers, read aloud a lengthy list of Donovan's achievements before presenting him with the award.

In 1978, Donovan bought his grandfather's business, the Rod 'N' Reel Restaurant, with his brother, Fred, Chambers said. As mayor, he lowered taxes nine times and ran the town "like he runs his business — hands-on, totally involved and willing to change direction when the winds of change come ashore," he said.

Donovan also owns Chesapeake Amusements, Beach Boys Pizza — which he started in 2000 — and a chain of Papa John's restaurants that will total 13 by December.

Chambers said the former mayor began serving the county when he joined the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department at 16. He later served as president of the department for 11 years, built two new firehouses in Chesapeake Beach and Dunkirk and served his country as a U.S. Marine.

He has also helped raise more than $4 million for the American Cancer Society throughout his annual cancer gala, Chambers continued, and has not stopped contributing to nonprofits and charitable causes.

"He's a booster of doing business in all of Calvert County and Southern Maryland," Chambers said.

"And on a personal note," he added, "Gerald has been a mentor and a friend to me… He's a wonderful man to anyone who's ever come in contact with him."

Although Donovan could not make the event, his son Wesley accepted the award on his behalf, and Donovan also sent a DVD recording, on which he relayed his gratitude for the award.

"I am constantly seeking to improve," Donovan said. "… It's amazing how lucky you can be when you keep your eye on the ball." He ended the short video with a smile and "God bless you all, real good."

Earlier in the evening, Donna Croll and Tamara Myers, president and vice president of Calvert Systems Engineering, took home the Small Business of the Year Award for its recent increase in sales in excess of 400 percent. In 2006, the company had two employees and annual sales of just more than $93,000, while today it boasts 24 employees and a projected income of more than $2.5 million.

"As a small business owner, this is part of a dream come true," Croll said as she accepted the award. "We're so fortunate to have survived the lean years … It's a different world to go into today for a small business."

Croll said her advice for others who wish to start their own business single-handedly is to "use your resources."

"Things don't happen overnight," she said after the ceremony. "There are plenty of people who can help you find the resources that you need. Just hang in there."

Patricia Marple, who earned the New Business of the Year Award for her Smoothie King branch in Prince Frederick, gave similar advice.

"Definitely join the chamber," she said. "Call me, I'll go to the first meeting with you."

Marple, whom Chamber President Carolyn McHugh described as a quiet person, said she appreciates all of the networking opportunities the chamber gave her.

"I'm very comfortable in my store, but outside my store I'd rather go sit in the corner," she said.

Debbie Hamann of Expression Catering won the Chamber Member of the Year Award for starting her own business and donating to a variety of county events and services.

Hamann said the chamber was actually what sparked her interest in starting a business in the first place.

"I wanted to start a business, I was a single mom," she said. "I applied for a Women in Business scholarship… That $500 got me where I am today."

Victoria Ronan, yet another award-winning businesswoman of the evening, received the Home Based Business of the Year honor for her stake in Arbonne International, which is committed to environmental responsibility, grew by almost 170 percent in the last two years and donated $4.7 million worth of products to overseas troops.

Finally, Wayne Shoemaker of State Farm Insurance took home the chamber's Ambassador of the Year Award for providing outreach to new and existing members and assisting with various ribbon cutting ceremonies.

Each winner also received a certificate of recognition from the office of Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, and comedian Taylor Mason provided the evening's entertainment.

mrussell@somdnews.com