Tenure

First elected to the Senate in 2010. Member of the Senate since 2011.

Current Assignments

2021 Budget and Taxation Committee

2021 Health and Human Services Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee

2019 Chair, Executive Nominations Committee

2021 Legislative Policy Committee

2020 Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review (AELR)

2016 Senate Chair, Joint Subcommittee on Program Open Space/ Agricultural Land Preservation (Member since 2011)

2015 Joint Committee on Federal Relations

2015 Maryland Veterans Caucus

2017 Women Legislators of Maryland, Associate Member

Past Senate Service

Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2020-2021; Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2020; Chair, Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affiars Committee, 2019-2020; Education Subcommittee of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2015-2020; Chair, Comptroller Issues Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2015-2019; Alcoholic Beverages Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2012-2015; Environment Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2015; Labor, Licensing, and Regulation Subcommittee of the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2011-2015; Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, 2019; Workgroup on Death with Dignity, 2015; Vice-Chair, Frederick County Delegation, 2015-2016.

Public Service

Maryland State Arts Council, 2019-; Complete Streets Program Workgroup, 2018-; Maryland Comptroller's "Reform on Tap" Task Force, 2017; Governor's Advisory Council on Hereditary and Congenital Disorders, 2015-2019; Financial Education & Capability Commission, 2012-; Task Force on Green Technology, Life Science, and Health Information Technology Loan-Assistance Repayment Program, 2011-2012; Governor's Advisory Commission on Maryland Wine and Grape Growing, 2011-; National Conference of State Legislatures (Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee, 2011 -), 2011-; Town Manager, Town of Indian Head, 2001-2005; Mayor, City of Frederick, 1974-1990; Board of Alderman, City of Frederick, 1970-1974.

Memberships

Maryland Military Installation Legislative Caucus, 2017-; President, East Frederick Rising, 2006-2010; Advisory Board, Maryland Shakespeare Theater, 2008-; Board of Directors, Goodwill Industries, 2006-; Past Member, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission; Past Member, Patuxent River Commission; Past Vice Chair, Power Plant Research Advisory Committee; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); American Planning Association; Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Forum for Rural Maryland; 1000 Friends of Maryland; U.S. Tennis Association; Rural Legacy Board; Urban Land Institute; Fraternal Order of Elks; Fraternal Order of Owls; Delaplaine Visual Arts Center; American Legion; Frederick Festival of the Arts; Past Member, Board of Directors, Way Station; Past Trustee, Maryland Art Place; Past President, Frederick Arts Council.

Awards

Livability Award for Support of the Arts, U.S. Conference of Mayors , 1988; Distinguished Alumnus Award, Frederick Community College , 1987.

Biographical Information

Born, Frederick, Maryland, October 19, 1940; Frederick High School; Frederick Community College, A.A., 1962; University of Maryland, College Park, B.A., History and Government, 1967; Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), M.Ed., 1970; Teacher, Frederick County Public Schools, 1967-73; Consultant, Commercial Real Estate, and College Instructor, 1990-91; Newspaper Columnist, Frederick, 1990-98; Deputy Secretary, Department of Natural Resources, 1995-96; Deputy Secretary, Department of Planning, 1991-95, 1996-2002; Town Manager, Town of Indian Head, 2001-05; Consultant, Commercial Real Estate Sales, 2005-; Married; five children; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild.