Tenure

First elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, 2002. Member of the House since 2003.

Current Assignments

2015 Environment and Transportation Committee

2015 Chair, Housing and Real Property Subcommittee of the Environment and Transportation Committee

2015 Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee of the Environment and Transportation Committee

2020 Vice Chair, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee

2015 Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review(AELR)

2005 Maryland Veterans Caucus

2003- Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc.

Past House Service

Deputy Majority Whip, 2006-2010; Natural Resources, Agriculture & Open Space Subcommittee of the Environment and Transportation Committee, 2015-2019; House Chair, Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics, 2015-2017; Environmental Matters Committee, 2003-2015; Local Government and Bi-County Agencies Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2011-2015, 2003-2006; Chair, Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2007-2015; Land Use and Ethics Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2006-2015; Housing and Real Property Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2003-2010; Ground Rent Workgroup of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2007; Motor Vehicles and Transportation Subcommittee of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2003-2006; Affordable Housing Workgroup of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2004; Motor Vehicle Issues Workgroup of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2004; Co-Chair, Housing for Individuals with Disabilities Workgroup of the Environmental Matters Committee, 2004; Joint Legislative Workgroup to Study State, County, and Municipal Fiscal Relationships, 2009-2010; Vice Chair, House Emergency Medical Services System Workgroup, 2009-2012; Second Vice Chair, Prince George's County Delegation, 2003-2010.

Public Service

Task Force on Adaptive Reuse of Vacant Commercial Spaces, 2021-2022; Oyster Advisory Commission, 2020-; Affordable Housing Commission for Prince George's County, 2018-; Task Force to Study Rates and Charges in the Washington Suburban Sanitary District, 2013-2014; Historian, Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, Inc., 2011-2012; Chair, House Democratic Caucus, 2011-2015; Task Force to Study the Impact of Adjunct Faculty on Graduation Rates at Historically Black Institutions, 2011-2013; State Water Quality Advisory Committee, 2009-2016; Board of Directors, Economic Development Corporation, Prince George's County, 2008-2009; Task Force to Study Locations in Prince George's County Best Suited for Use by State Agencies, 2008-2009; Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2008-2012; Law Enforcement and State-Appointed Boards Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2008; Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee, 2008; Task Force to Improve Child Support Compliance in Prince George's County, 2007-2008; Legislative Effectiveness Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2007-; Task Force to Study Rent Stabilization for the Elderly in Prince George's County, 2007; Task Force on Minority Participation in the Environmental Community, 2006-2007; Legislative Effectiveness and State Government Committee, National Conference of State Legislatures, 2005-2007; Prince George's County Delegation (Vice Chair 2007), 2003-; Bi-County Committee, Prince George's County Delegation, 2003-2007; Task Force on Business-Owner Compensation in Condemnation Proceedings, 2004-2005; Chair, Affordable Housing Subcommittee, Governor's Commission on Housing Policy, 2003-2004.

Memberships

Chair, Democratic Party Caucus, 2011-; Maryland Green Caucus, 2003-.

Awards

President's Award, Community Development Network of Maryland, 2017; Certificate of Appreciation, Maryland Municipal League, 2011, 2009, 2008; Municipal Super Star, Maryland Municipal League, 2010.

Biographical Information

Born, Cleveland, Ohio, November 27, 1948; Max S. Hayes Vocational School; Tuskegee University, Engineering; Prince George’s County Community College, Engineering, Construction Management; University of Maryland University College, Business and Management; Served in U.S. Coast Guard, Search and Rescue Air Crewman, 1970-74 (Unit Commendation Award; National Defense Service Medal; Presidential Honor Guard); Senior Project Manager, Civil Engineering, Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc., 1984-93; President & Chief Executive Officer, The Piner Group, Inc., 1993-; Executive Director, Marketing and Planning, The Tech Group, Inc., 1995-96; Branch Manager, The Tech Group, Inc., 1995-98; W. F. Chesley Real Estate, Inc., Crofton, Commercial Real Estate, 1989-2002; U.S. Home Corporation, Silver Spring, New Home Sales Consultant, 1998-2002; Bernie Schultz Realty, New Home Marketing and Sales, 2002-04; Project Manager of Land Planning and Engineering, K. Hovnanian, 2003-; Member, Greater Mt. Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church; Married; four daughters.