Former Z-Tech CEO Zanders dies

A family member reached today confirmed his death, but would not provide details and said funeral arrangements will be announced.

"The Board of Directors and membership of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce express our deep sorrow at the sudden death of Verl Zanders," the chamber said.

"Verl Zanders had a smile and a personality that lit up a room as soon as he walked in the door," said Georgette "Gigi" Godwin, chamber president and CEO, in the statement. "He is a shining example of what is possible here in Montgomery County."

The chamber statement also expressed condolences to Zanders' wife, Brenda, his father, his children and grandchildren, and to his many friends.

"Verl Zanders was a real leader in our community, acting as a mentor to many small business owners and supporting education through his work with the Montgomery College Foundation and The Universities at Shady Grove," James S. Whang, chamber chairman and chairman and CEO of Germantown technology company AEPLOG, said in the statement.

"First of all he grew a wonderful company here," said Sally Sternbach, executive director of Rockville Economic Development Inc., of which Zanders was also a board member. "He was one of the more generous people I've known, not only with financial resources but with his time and expertise. A great person and a huge loss … it hurts especially when the good ones go young."

Edward Hall Asher, Immediate past chairman of the Montgomery chamber and president and COO of The Chevy Chase Land Co., said, "His dedicated service on the chamber's Board of Directors and on the chamber's professional staff had a tremendous impact on Montgomery County's vibrant business climate."

Zanders, a Florida native, launched Z-Tech, which specialized in federal information technology contracting, in 2000. He sold the company last year for $27 million to ICF International of Fairfax, Va. He then became the chamber's director of business development before retiring this year.