The Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce and introduce the newest inductees to the Business Hall of Fame:

• Paul Gable
• Sherry B. Perkins
• Raymond Crosby
• Michael N. Russo, Jr.

In addition to the above-named inductees, the Chamber has also awarded Richard “Dick” Franyo with the Lifetime Achievement Award and named Brendan “BK” Kelly, the Business Person of the Year Award. 

The Chamber is looking forward to celebrating the deserving honorees on Thursday, October 15th at the DoubleTree Hotel in Annapolis.  Click Here for details on tickets and sponsorships and scroll down to learn more about each recipient’s achievements and contributions to Anne Arundel County. 

Richard “Dick” Franyo is the Founder and Owner of The Boatyard Bar & Grill, an iconic Annapolis restaurant that has become a nationally recognized destination celebrating the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle. After a distinguished 30-year career in investment banking, Dick built and opened the Boatyard to pursue its commitments of “great crab cakes, a healthier Bay, sailing fast, fishing with friends and happy kids.” Today, the Boatyard is known for its authenticity, award-winning seafood, and pursuit of the maritime zeitgeist.

Beyond its culinary success, Dick has made community service and environmental stewardship central to The Boatyard’s mission. He has helped raise more than $7 million to support Chesapeake Bay conservation, youth education and programs teaching about the culture, heritage and natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay and accessible boating opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The restaurant has also earned recognition for its sustainability initiatives in its business practices.

During the Covid pandemic he co-headed, along with the Annapolis Economic Development Department Head, the City’s Business Recovery Task Force.

His lasting impact on the Annapolis community, the region’s business landscape and countless charitable causes makes him a deserving recipient of the 2026 Business Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brendan “BK” Kelly – Business Leader of the Year

Brendan Kelly, a native of Annapolis, is a successful Entrepreneur and Founder off Mill Creek Ventures who has built and grown several ventures, including Smartlink, Fivestar, Driven, the Chesapeake Bayhawks, Kelly Group Investments, and most recently, Mill Creek Ventures. More than 25 years ago, Brendan founded Smartlink with just two employees to provide staffing support for telecommunications companies. Today, the company has grown into a national enterprise with more than 500 team members.

Under Brendan’s leadership, Smartlink has expanded well beyond its original staffing services to provide project management, IT solutions, and network lifecycle support. Through strategic growth and acquisitions, the company has established a nationwide presence and earned recognition for its success, including Brendan being named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® and recognized by What’s Up Annapolis and SmartCEO.

Brendan’s commitment to the community has remained an important part of his leadership. He and Smartlink have been recognized for their community involvement, including a nomination for the Don Riddle Corporate Citizenship Award. Brendan lives in the community with his wife and five children and continues to build businesses while giving back to the community he calls home. His vision and contributions to Anne Arundel County make him a deserving Business Leader of the Year recipient.

Paul Gable

Paul P. Gable is the founder and CEO of Gable, a Maryland-based leader in custom signage and visual communications. Over the past 46 years, he has grown the company from a small family business into an award-winning industry leader, delivering innovative signage solutions for organizations across North America and beyond. In 2026, Paul led Gable’s transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), reflecting his longstanding commitment to his employees and the company’s future.

An entrepreneur from a young age, Paul turned his passion for sign making into a nationally recognized business known for its creativity, craftsmanship, and quality. Under his leadership, Gable has earned numerous local, national, and international awards for design and innovation.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Paul has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation, Baltimore Washington Medical Center, the Maryland Sign Association, the Anne Arundel County Arts Council, and the Baltimore Museum of Industry. His entrepreneurial vision, dedication to community service, and lasting impact on the region’s business community make him a deserving inductee into the 2026 Business Hall of Fame.

Sherry B. Perkins

Sherry B. Perkins, PhD, RN, FAAN, is President Emerita of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, where she has dedicated her career to advancing quality, patient-centered care, and community health. Since joining in 2006, she has served as Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and the hospital’s first nurse president. Under her leadership, the campus expanded in size and scope and earned national recognition for patient safety, nursing excellence, and clinical care, including multiple Magnet designations and repeated “A” grades from The Leapfrog Group. She also provided leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic and opening of the McNew Family Medical Center and open heart surgery program.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Dr. Perkins has championed patient care through statewide and national leadership, academic contributions, and more than 120 publications. Her community service includes board leadership with United Way of Central Maryland, YWCA, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, and the Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce. Her honors include the Daily Record Lifetime Achievement and Influential Marylanders recognition and the DAISY Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award.

She has balanced commitment to community with love for her family, husband Kevin, two daughters and sons in law, and four grandchildren all born at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Her visionary leadership, commitment to compassionate care, and dedication to the community make her a deserving inductee into the 2026 Business Hall of Fame.

Raymond Crosby

Raymond Crosby is the President and CEO of Crosby Marketing Communications, one of the nation’s leading integrated communications firms. For more than 30 years, he has guided the company’s mission to Inspire Actions That Matter™, helping nonprofits, healthcare organizations, federal agencies, and consumer brands strengthen their impact through strategic communications. Under his leadership, Crosby has grown into a nationally recognized firm, earning top industry rankings and being named a Washington Post Top Workplace for eight consecutive years.

Known for fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence, Raymond has led Crosby through decades of sustained growth while championing meaningful community engagement. Since 2015, the firm has contributed more than $3 million to charitable causes, and in 2022, he helped establish the Crosby Scholars program in partnership with Anne Arundel Community College to expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in advertising and public relations.

A lifelong Annapolis resident, Raymond has served as Chair of the Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce and continues to support numerous community initiatives. His visionary leadership, commitment to service, and lasting contributions to the communications industry make him a deserving inductee into the 2026 Business Hall of Fame.

Michael N. Russo, Jr.

Michael N. Russo, Jr. is a distinguished attorney with more than 35 years of experience specializing in real estate title litigation, insurance law, and business law. Since beginning his private practice in 1989, he has provided trusted legal counsel to title insurance companies, financial institutions, businesses, and individuals, earning a reputation for his expertise, integrity, and commitment to achieving successful outcomes. In addition to his legal practice, he is a certified mediator and has served as a presenter and instructor for continuing legal education programs.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Michael has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Anne Arundel County community through his leadership and service. He has served on the boards of numerous organizations, including Leadership Anne Arundel, the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, the United Way of Central Maryland’s Anne Arundel Community Partnership Board, and the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County. He also serves as a Governor-appointed Trustee of the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust.

Through his dedication to the legal profession, civic leadership, and community service, Michael has made a lasting impact on Anne Arundel County. His professional excellence and commitment to strengthening the community make him a deserving inductee into the 2026 Business Hall of Fame.