Business Persons of the Year
Dennis & Anne Sullivan
FCN, Inc.
Dennis and Anne Sullivan are both native Washingtonians. Dennis, one of 13 children, attended Blessed Sacrament, St. John’s College High School and Loyola University in Baltimore, MD. Anne attended Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, Denison University and received her MSW from The Catholic University of America. Anne and Dennis raised their three children in Kensington, MD. They have been active members of the Holy Redeemer parish since moving to Kensington, MD is 1992. Dennis coached soccer and basketball for 21 years and Anne was a Eucharistic Minister for 12 years. Their children attended Holy Redeemer and then their two sons went on to Gonzaga College High School and their daughter went to Holy Cross High School.
Dennis started his company, FCN, Inc. with his brother, George, in 1990 in Anne & Dennis’ basement. The company has grown and evolved over the years and Anne joined the company in 1998. The company currently has 140 employees and sells IT products and services to the federal government. As their company has grown, Anne and Dennis have enjoyed being able to support the Catholic schools and agencies that mean so much to them. FCN is a significant supporter of catholic education throughout the Washington Metropolitan area, including Montgomery County. In addition to financial support, Dennis and Anne volunteer significant time and talent in support of catholic education is the area. Anne is currently on the Board of Directors for the Washington Jesuit Academy and serves as a Eucharistic Minister.
Community Leaders of the Year
Isiah (Ike) & Catherine Leggett
Ike & Catherine Leggett are the very definition of community leaders having served in broad and diverse ways over many years. Ike Leggett served three consecutive terms as Montgomery County Executive (2006-2018). In 2016 he was President of Maryland Association of Counties and President of County Executives of America. Before his election as County Executive, Leggett served as an At-Large member on the County Council from 1986-2002, and as Council President three times. From 2002-2004, Ike Leggett served as Chair of the Maryland State Democratic Party.
Ike has served as a board member on a host of civic and community organizations. Currently, Leggett serves as chair of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future Accountability and Implementation Board, member of the Universities at Shady Grove Board of Advisors, Vice Chair, Maryland 250 Commission, and a member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland.
Catherine is a member of the Society of Human Resources and was recognized with the Human Resources Professional Excellence Award and the Human Resources Achievement Award. She serves as a Board Member for Montgomery Hospice, Chair of Maryland State Commission for Public Art, a Board Member of Strathmore Music Center, Olney Theater Center and on the Advisory Councils for the American Film Institute in Silver Spring, the Montgomery County Family Justice Center and the Center for Adoption and Support Services. Catherine is a former member of the Boards of Imagination Stage, the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Montgomery County Arts and Humanities Council. She proudly served her community as the First Lady of Montgomery County from 2006-2018.
Ike has received numerous awards and honors during his many years of public service including his selection as a Washingtonian of the Year in 2015. Additional awards include the Howard University’s and the Southern University’s, Distinguished Alumni Award; the George Washington University’s Fulbright Public Service Award; the National Breakfast of Champions Award; the Good Scout Award from the National Capital Area - Boy Scouts of America; and the 2019 White House Fellows John Gardner’s Legacy of Leadership
Ike holds four higher education degrees: Bachelor of Arts from Southern University, a Master of Arts degree and a Juris Doctorate degree from Howard University, and a Master of Laws from George Washington University. Ike Leggett graduated from Southern University in 1967 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Catherine earned both her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Paul Zurkowski Founder's Award
Julie Beavers
Julie was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Gaithersburg with her home parish as St. Rose of Lima. She attended the Academy of the Holy Cross for high school, the University of Maryland, College Park for undergraduate and University of Maryland Global Campus for her Masters.
Julie, her husband Steve, and their four children lived in College Park and were parishioners at Holy Redeemer. In the summer of 2015, they moved to Rockville and her three oldest children started at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School and eventually the youngest started in 2018. In January of 2016 she began working for CBN-MC and found it a perfect opportunity to network and support a fabulous non-profit. The board of directors and members have always been wonderful to work with. During 2020, when Julie was dealing with cancer, the board was supportive and helpful in so many ways. In 2023, Julie moved on to a new position with the City of Rockville organizing the Boards, Commissions and Volunteers for the City Clerks office. She will always hold a special place in her heart for the Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County.
Julie attended public school for both elementary and middle, but she has seen a difference in what her children have learned in their time at St. Elizabeth’s. Her oldest is now a sophomore at St. John’s College High School and was more than prepared when he entered as a freshman. As the next three finish their years at St. E’s, she knows they will enter high school with a strong foundation in faith as well as education. Julie and her family are committed to Catholic education. When her children share about their days at school, it’s frequently about the strong faith and care for others that is demonstrated by their teachers, coaches, and administrators at their schools.