Tenure

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

Current Assignments

2004- Judiciary Committee

2007- Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee

2011- Juvenile Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee

2007- Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review

2003- Chair, Cecil County House Delegation

Past House Service

Minority Parliamentarian , 2007-2010; Juvenile Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee , 2005-2006; Deputy Minority Whip , 2003-2006; Insurance Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee , 2004; Health and Government Operations Committee , 2003-2004; Government Operations Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee , 2003-2004; Health Facilities, Equipment and Products Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee , 2003-2004; Health Insurance Subcommittee of the Health and Government Operations Committee , 2003-2004.

Public Service

Task Force on Military Service Members, Veterans, and the Courts, 2012-; Vice Chair, Eastern Shore Delegation, 2004-; Bainbridge Development Advisory Board, 2003-; Mid-Shore Regional Council, 2003-; Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, 2003-; Upper Shore Regional Council, 2003-; Peer Review Panel, Attorney Grievance Commission.

Memberships

Chair, Tea Party Caucus, 2011-; Maryland Veterans Caucus, 2005-; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2003-; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, 2003-; Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2003-; Maryland State Bar Association; Board of Directors, Bainbridge Naval Training Center Historical Association, Inc.; Family Services Association; Cecil Soccer; Cecil County School Improvement Team; Leadership Maryland Forum for Policy Change; Maryland Association for Justice (formerly Maryland Trial Lawyers Association); Board of Directors, Cecil County Bar Association; Chair, Ethics Committee, Cecil County Bar Association.

Awards

John Shaw Award, Maryland Business for Responsive Government , 2010; Silver Key Award, Law Students Division, American Bar Association , 1989.

Biographical Information

Born, Baltimore, Maryland, June 18, 1958; Edgewood/Joppatown High School, 1976; Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois, A.A., Psychology and History, 1982; Northern Illinois University, B.A., Political Science/International Relations, 1985; Northern Illinois University College of Law, J.D., 1989; United States Marine Corp, 1975-79; Founder, Mediation, Inc. (alternative dispute resolution center); Married, Two children.