Frank Islam inducted into Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame

The Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist among five honorees.

Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Islam was inducted into the Montgomery County Business Hall of Fame on October 27.

The long-time Montgomery County resident was inducted along with four others at an event held at the Universities at Shady Grove, which was attended by nearly 400 people.

The fifth annual induction ceremony also raised money to fund scholarships for the Universities at Shady Grove, which is part of the University System of Maryland.

“I am honored and humbled to be recognized by the Business Hall of Fame, and I strongly support its mission of raising money for the scholarship fund here at the Universities at Shady Grove,” Islam, who lives in Potomac, MD, said in his acceptance speech. “If it weren’t for education and people willing to help me when I came to this country as a very young man, I would not be where I am today. I know first-hand that education helps people reach their potentials, get good jobs and make their communities stronger.”

Islam, who came to the United States as a student in the late 60s, is the CEO of the private investment holding company FI Investment Group. Prior to launching FIIG, he ran the information technology company QSS Group, which he sold to Perot System in 2007, for 13 years. The QSS Group had more than 2,000 employees and roughly $300 million revenue.

Other four business leaders inducted into the Hall of Fame are Lerch, Early & Brewer Managing Partner Robert Brewer; The Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Ginanne Italiano; The Meltzer Group CEO & Founder Alan Meltzer; and former Director of Development and Community Partnerships at The Universities at Shady Grove William Schlossenberg.

The event, which honors celebration of people who have made a positive impact on the Montgomery County business community, was co-founded by Grossberg Company LLP, CPAs and Monument Bank.

Prominent speakers included Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who is running for the open US Senate seat.