VERL B. ZANDERS, 61, of Silver Spring, MD., entered the sunset of life suddenly on Monday July 7, 2008 at Prince Georges Hospital Center, Cheverly, MD. Verl was a native of Palatka, Florida, born Saturday, July 19, 1947 and educated in the Putnam County School District and a graduate of Central Academy High School, class of 65. He attended Glenville State College, Glenville, WV, and the University of the District of Columbia, where he earned a bachelor degree in Business Administration. He proudly served our nation and was an honorably discharged U.S. Air Force veteran. In 2000, Verl founded Z-Tech Corporation, based in Rockville, MD, with offices in New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. After serving over 30 years as a federal government employee, including tenure as the former director of Small business programs at the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, and as a procurement Center representative for the Small Business Administration, he became CEO, President, & Owner of Z-tech. Z-tech specializes in providing software engineering, web design and development, and scientific computing services in support of federal health agencies. Z-Tech primarily provides services to the five main agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Z-tech has achieved numerous certifications and recognitions, including 2006 Government Contractor Firm of the year, 2006 Emerging Business Award, one of 50 of Greater Washingtons fastest Growing Companies by Washington SmartCEO Magazine (Jan. 2006) and ranked #2 in Washington technology 2005 Fast 50 Government Contractors. In 2007, he sold Z-tech, which is now an ICF International Company. Verl served as a former board member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Rockville Economic Development, Inc., and served as a mentor to many small business owners and supported education through his work with the Montgomery College Foundation and the Universities at Shady Grove. Verl is preceded in eternal rest by his mother, Frances Parnell Zanders; paternal grandparents, Rev. Jerry W. and Ever Lee Zanders; maternal grandparents, Leonard and Ethel Parnell. Verl is the beloved husband of Brenda Zanders; loving father of two sons, Zachary & Zared Zanders, all of Silver Springs, MD; two daughters Zenita Zanders, Columbus, MD, and Stephanie Hightower, Laurel, MD. devoted son of Jerry S. (Pam) Zanders, Sr., Palatka; adored oldest brother of Jerry "Zeke" Zanders, Jr., Washington, D.C., Darin Zanders, Richmond, CA., Kevin (Kim) Hankins, Tallahassee; and Michael (Tiffany) Hankins, Miami Gardens; Sister Cliffornia Howard, Washington, D.C.; and respected grandfather of Jalen Hall, Laurel MD; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also cherish Verls expertise, vibrant personality and radiant smile. Visitation for family & friends is Tuesday (today), July 15, from 10 a.m. 12 noon. Funeral services will be today at Twelve Noon at Peoples Community Baptist Church, 31 Norwood Rd., Silver Spring, MD. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Amazing Grace AME Zion Church, The Verl Zanders Memorial Fund PMB 172, 9710 Traville Gateway Dr., Rockville, MD 20850. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Marshalls Funeral Homes, Washington, D.C.