REVISED

Committee: Directly to Council  AGENDA ITEMS #1 and #8 
Committee Review: N/A   May 2, 2023 
Staff: Sara Tenenbaum, Deputy Clerk  Interview 
Purpose: To interview 
Montgomery Keywords: #CouncilAppointments, #MCPB 
 County Council

SUBJECT 
Interviews for two Montgomery County Planning Board (MCPB) vacancies; one vacant 
Commissioner position and one vacant position for Chair. 

DESCRIPTION/ISSUE   
The Council is seeking to appoint a Chair of the Montgomery County Planning Board to fill a 
full‐year term vacancy due to the resignation of Chair Casey Anderson in 2022.  Jeff Zyontz 
has been serving as a temporary acting Chair.  The Council has selected to interview the 
following candidates for this vacancy: 

Peter Fosselman 
Artie Harris 
Hans Riemer 

The Council is seeking to appoint a member of the Montgomery County Planning Board to 
fill a full‐term vacancy due to the resignation of Vice Chair Partap Verma in 2022.  Roberto 
Piñero has been serving as a temporary acting Commissioner.  The Council has selected to 
interview the following candidates for this vacancy: 

Upneet Singh Atwal 
Sunil Dasgupta 
Warren Fleming 
Carolyn Gallaher 
Josh Linden 
Donald Silverstein 
Nichole Gibbs Thomas 
Wendy White 

No more than three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, 
and each member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when 
appointed.  Current permanent members of the Planning Board include Shawn Bartley 
(Republican), James Hedrick (Democrat), and Mitra Pedoeem (unaffiliated). 

BACKGROUND 
The Montgomery County Planning Board plans for livable communities by developing large 
and small scale plans, providing guidelines for the pattern and pace of future development 
and preserving historic resources throughout the 323,000‐acre county.  The Planning Board 
implements plans through its review of development applications and its subdivision 
decisions.  The Board is also responsible for the development and management of 
Montgomery County’s nationally recognized 36,512‐acre park system.  The Montgomery 
 County Planning Board, together with the Prince George’s County Planning Board, comprise 
The Maryland‐National Capital Park and Planning Commission. 

Annual compensation for Board members is currently $30,000, and the Chair currently earns 
$227,891.46. 

This report contains: 
Interview Candidate List @ 1 
Candidate Resumes ‐ Chair 
Peter Fosselman @ 2  
Artie Harris @ 5
 Hans Riemer @  6
Candidate Resumes ‐ Commissioner 
Upneet Singh Atwal @ 13 
Sunil Dasgupta @ 15 
Warren Fleming @ 19
Carolyn Gallaher @ 22
Josh Linden @ 26
Donald Silverstein @ 27 
Nichole Gibbs Thomas @ 31 
Wendy White @ 33
Background @ 36  
News Release @ 37

Alternative format requests for people with disabilities.  If you need assistance accessing this 
report you may submit alternative format requests to the ADA Compliance Manager. The ADA 
Compliance Manager  can  also  be  reached  at  240‐777‐6197  (TTY  240‐777‐6196)  or  at 
[email protected] 
Planning Board Interview List 

Candidates for Chair 
Peter Fosselman 
Artie Harris 
Hans Riemer 

Candidates for Commissioner 
Upneet Singh Atwal 
Sunil Dasgupta 
Warren Fleming 
Carolyn Gallaher 
Josh Linden 
Donald Silverstein 
Nichole Gibbs Thomas 
Wendy White 

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 PETER C. FOSSELMAN

PROFESSIONAL

Director
Regional Services Office, Bethesda, Maryland (2021 – Present)
Serving as the liaison between Montgomery County and its residents and businesses by working with
individuals, elected officials, community groups, boards, and public agencies to provide information,
identify, and recommend and/or implement solutions as well as improve access to government for all;
overseeing vendor contracts, the Bethesda Urban Partnership, Pike District Partnership grants,
Friendship Heights Alliance grants, marketing campaigns, and budgets; coordination with county
departments and Park & Planning of area master plans, transportation improvements, and
construction projects. Bethesda, Cabin John, Chevy Chase, Friendship Heights, Garrett Park, Glen Echo,
North Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, and Twinbrook communities are part of the portfolio.

Commissioner
Historic District Commission, Rockville, Maryland (2022 - present)
Recommending the boundaries of districts that are deemed to be of historic or architectural value to
the City of Rockville and reviewing applications for construction or exterior alterations in the historic
districts; appointed by the Mayor and Council.

Regional Fellows Program for Public Leadership

Urban Land Institute, Washington, D.C. (2017)
ULI selected three jurisdictions in the Metropolitan Washington Region to participate: Montgomery
County, MD; Fairfax County, VA; and the City of Alexandria, VA. The fellowship team selected an
intractable challenge, hosted a panel of experts, studied the communities over a yearlong program,
and made recommendations for improvement in each region.

Master Plan Ombudsman

Office of the County Executive, Rockville, Maryland (2015 – 2021)
Managed the implementation of active Montgomery County master plans, developed a branding
campaign for the local population and the greater DMV, served as community liaison between the
county, state, residents, businesses, and developers, and day to day coordination of land development
projects with county departments, the Planning Department, and state agencies.

Mayor
Town of Kensington, Maryland (2007 - 2016)
Chief executive overseeing budget, Town Council meetings, administrative staff, public works staff,
town charter & code enforcement, green space & parks, coordination with State Highway and County
DOT, marketing, and public relations, municipal contracts for street maintenance, trash, and recycling
collection. Helped develop Explore Kensington, a campaign promoting community events as well as
support for local businesses. Chaperoned a comprehensive master plan through the state, county, and

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 PETER C. FOSSELMAN

town processes and commissioned an Urban Land Institute TAP Panel Study. Elected President of the
Maryland Mayors’ Association and President of the Montgomery County Municipal League.

Deputy Secretary of State

State of Maryland, Annapolis, Maryland (2011 - 2015)
Appointed by Gov. Martin O’Malley, reappointed by Gov. Larry Hogan
Head of the Charity and Legal Divisions overseeing non-profits, Safe at Home for victims of domestic
violence and human trafficking, Charity Campaign of United Way, prisoner extraditions & requisitions,
Governor’s Executive Orders, Notaries of Public, condominiums/timeshare associations, and state flag
protocol. Assisted with budget preparation, fiscal notes for various legislation, represented the
Governor at events & international travel, made public presentations, and gave testimony before the
General Assembly. Supervised six divisions.

Principal and Urban Planner

Rodgers Consulting, Germantown, Maryland (2008 - 2011)
Land use, smart growth, and urban planning strategies, tree preservation, monitored local and
municipal master plans, followed local legislation & policy, gave public presentations and testimony to
various governmental bodies.

Urban Planner and Project Manager

Rodgers & Associates, Gaithersburg, Maryland (1994 - 2003)
Land use design for commercial and residential developments, Project Manager of the internationally
recognized Kentlands and Lakelands neo-traditional developments, division supervisor, oversaw tree
preservation, served as client and community liaison, gave public presentations.

Planning & Zoning Inspector

City of Gaithersburg, Maryland (1990 - 1994)
Administered site plan review, re-zonings, text amendments, public presentations for the Mayor &
Council and Planning Commission, oversaw enforcement of the zoning ordinance, tree preservation,
historic districts, and architectural standards.

ENTREPENERIAL

Partner
Café 1894, Kensington, Maryland (2006 - 2011)
American style restaurant, performed fiscal management and payroll, sold 2011.

Partner
Sweat Shop, Kensington, Maryland (2004 - 2011)
Fitness center specializing in improving health with a positive environment, oversaw fiscal
management, client relations, membership of 400, sold 2011.

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 PETER C. FOSSELMAN

VOLUNTEER
Visionary Board Member, Montgomery County LGBTQ Center; Board Member, Maryland
Business Council; President, Maryland Mayors’ Association; Maryland Municipal League
Legislative Committee; President, Montgomery County Municipal League; Montgomery
County Smart Growth Initiative Task Force; President, People Animals Love; Chair,
Gaithersburg Olde Towne Development Corporation; Rebuilding Montgomery.

EDUCATION

Executive’s & Principal’s Bootcamp

PSMJ Resources, Boston, Massachusetts (2009)

LEED for New Construction

Technical Workshops
U.S. Green Building Council, Washington, D.C. (2008)

Landscape Design, C.E.

George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (1993)

Urban Studies, B.A.

Minor, World History
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia (1990)

PARTY AFFILIATION

Registered Democrat

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 Artie L. Harris, Jr.
Artie Harris is the Vice President of Real Estate at Montgomery Housing Partnership,
Inc. (MHP), a non-profit real estate development organization based in Silver Spring,
MD.

MHP’s mission is to preserve and expand affordable rental and for-sale housing in
Montgomery County. Since 1989, MHP has developed, acquired, and renovated more
than 2,900 units of affordable rental housing in neighborhoods throughout the
County and beyond.

Harris joined MHP in 2009, and is responsible for managing the MHP team of
development professionals and oversees all development projects, including
acquisition, rehabilitation, and new construction for both rental and for-sale. He also
develops and models financing options; prepares and negotiates the financing and
credit enhancement packages; oversees the development of plans and
specifications; and other duties.

Harris is LEED certified and has 30 years of experience developing multi-family

housing and retail facilities, plus an additional nine years of managing design and
construction projects for commercial high-rise and industrial buildings and power
plants as a civil engineer.

Prior to joining MHP, Harris was a Vice President at Bozzuto Development Company
where he led teams in developing over 2,000 units in both market-rate and mixed-
income communities. The projects included dense, urban transit-oriented
developments that were public-private partnerships.

He received his Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford University,

a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University, and a Bachelor of
Science in Civil Engineering from Valparaiso University.

He has lived in Takoma Park for over 23 years with his wife and two daughters. His
hobbies include biking, hiking, kayaking, and gardening.

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 Hans Riemer
[email protected] | 301-938-6899

April 25, 2023

Dear Councilmembers,

I am writing to share more about why I have applied for the challenging role of serving our
community, and the County Council, as Chair of the Park & Planning Commission.

Above all, this job combines my policy vision and deep personal interests with my professional
and community expertise.

From a young age I have cared about planning, development and parks. Thanks to parents who
were involved in the community, I learned that my experience in Oakland was deeply impacted
by white flight development patterns and the decline of the City’s economic base; families
lacked access to jobs, the city lacked a tax base, and the community suffered from poverty. I
learned that the government was critical to changing those conditions.

I experienced the freedom that comes from walking to school, riding my bike several miles to my
friend’s houses, and taking the bus or the train across town or across the region. I hiked and
biked our glorious regional and national parks, inspiring my love for the environment, and felt a
frustration when I played in baseball tournaments in the exurbs where the fields seemed like
they were pro caliber yet back home mine were full of rocks and broken glass. In college, I
broadened my interests by studying architectural history.

All of these experiences involve policy issues that propelled me into public service and
motivated my work as a Councilmember. I hope that helps explain why I am so interested in this
opportunity.

Ultimately though, this is not about me. It’s about you, the Council, and our community, and the
need for someone to shepherd the County’s continuing land use transformation while providing
responsive leadership for an important agency with many employees and stakeholders.

The strengths and experience that I bring to this role will serve you well:

Understanding the agency role. Chairing the Council’s Park & Planning Committee is ideal
preparation for chairing the Park & Planning Commission. With the Chair position, the Council
makes a high impact choice for a partnership. With 12 years of experience working in
collaboration with the Commission, I understand important nuances that other candidates will

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only learn at the expense of the Council and community. The Council will be best served by
someone with deep experience in the work of the Commission as well as someone who is
reliable in the role. I will be better able than other candidates to steer the process to create
successful outcomes. I also know that when the Planning Board makes mistakes, the Council
often pays the price.

My experience writing and steering numerous Master Plans, zoning text amendments,
workplans, park plans and Agency budgets, sets me apart -- each of them carefully negotiated
and revised in dialogue with Councilmembers, the Planning Chair and Agency staff, the
executive branch, and community leaders. Those skills will strengthen the Council’s work.

One issue I often struggled with as a Councilmember was the folklore of how the land-use
decision process works: it was common to assume that the Planning Board would send over
plans that went far beyond what the staff or community process had contemplated and allow the
Council to “cut them down.” I never thought that served us well, since it needlessly created
community opposition for no real benefit, and created a raucous process for the Council to
manage. For Councilmembers who generally wanted to be understood as encouraging good
development rather than restricting it, having to cut back plans seemed to contradict their
platforms, leaving advocates to doubt their leadership.

I will approach our draft Master Plans with the intention of getting as close to the optimal plan as
possible, without assuming that the Council will inevitably just cut it down; while always
recognizing that it is only a draft for the Council to work from and fully support the Council’s role
in producing a final plan (the word “board draft” is very important in the Master Plan process, as
it is in the Budget process relative to the “executive draft”). I hope this philosophy will lead to a
more successful process for the community, more trust between the Council and Planning
Board, and better politics for Councilmembers who have to put themselves on the line running
for election.

Leading the Staff and Board: Our superb Agency needs a leader who can imbue the
incredible staff with confidence to perform their jobs at the highest level. I have more than a
decade worth of relationship building with agency staff. Whether the topic is the plan for new
parks, master plans under development, or development applications, I will have context and
understanding to engage with our team and help them achieve success. That will serve the
Council and Commission well. I see the job of the Chair as supporting and elevating the work of
our staff. I also know the new Commission members you have recently appointed and I am
more than likely to know any additional new Commission members who might be appointed.
These relationships will position me to lead the Board and the Staff well and ensure the
strongest possible organization to serve the Council. And of course as a past Council President
and PHED Chair, I can lead the Board’s public meetings with aplomb.

State Relationships: Thanks to 12 years on the Council, I know our state legislators well and I
am well positioned to continue building on the strategy of securing bond bills and other state
investments in our Parks and public facilities. There are also occasional state legislative

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challenges that the Commission must address, and my experience there will help the Council
work through these successfully.

Development Process: Serving as the Council’s steward over development, the Chair needs a
strong understanding of how projects move through the process, who the executive branch (and
outside agency) leaders are, what the departments do, and how to get outcomes working
together. My skills and experience in this area will serve the Council well. Particularly now, with
discussion about making changes in the development approval process, the Council will be best
served by an experienced hand who can be effective in the deliberations. I will approach this
serious topic with a spirit of embracing the possibility of improving the development process --
there is no question that we can make significant improvements if we can marshall agreement
from the many institutional partners to the process -- while advancing the Council’s objectives.

Experience in the Community: I believe that the Council will be well served by having a
Planning Chair who has successfully engaged with voters directly all across this great County
and who recognizes the vast differences in perspectives here, who views all voices as valuable
and worthy. A policy and engagement process is most successful when divergent views are
heard and respected, recommendations are challenged and reconsidered, and final decisions
truly have the benefit of various points of view. While consensus is rare, to quote one of the
sayings I often reflect upon, “Good process gets good results.” Not to mention that having
served as an At-large Councilmember, I have deeper experience in all of our County’s
neighborhoods and communities of interest, which matters a great deal as we shape the future
of land-use, transportation, housing, public facilities and parks in the County. I also approach
challenges with a flexible and pragmatic mindset that seeks a smooth path to maximize benefits
while enabling us to move forward constructively to the next set of challenges.

Policy Vision: The Council can be confident that my approach to policy matches the Council’s
aspirations. The planning vision I have worked to advance over the years has been supported
with innumerable unanimous votes at the Council (or, at times, 8-1 votes). Bringing out the best
in our community’s rural, suburban and urban communities is the Board’s responsibility and one
that I take seriously.

The policy agenda for the Commission comes from the Council. So while I will now touch on
some of the issues I would like to address, back to “understanding the agency role,” I will restate
that should you appoint me a Chair, I would seek to implement the Council’s vision. With that in
mind, some of the topics that I know will be part of our collaborative agenda include:

● Smart growth and climate -- Thrive Montgomery 2050 emphasizes our commitment to
a corridor focused development strategy where future growth and development will be
more transit focused and have a smaller climate impact than the greenfield development
of our past. While fulfilling the needs of those who live in our suburban neighborhoods,
we can also ensure that as we grow we concentrate our development in multi-family
buildings on transit corridors that are walkable, bikeable, and have the amenities that our

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 community needs to thrive. Then, we will truly have the choices available to support all
generations and lifestyles.
● Parks equity -- providing the highest quality parks throughout the County. Every family
should be able to walk to a great playground or field within ten minutes of where they
live. Competition level athletic fields should be available within a reasonable distance to
every community. Dog owners should be able to quickly travel to a dog park. Hikers and
mountain bikers should be just a short trip to an off-road journey that, thanks to trail
interconnections, can last as long as they have time and stamina to continue. But not all
of our County was planned or developed with these goals in mind. We have work to do!
● Housing -- Every neighborhood should have a variety of housing types and affordability
levels. We must continue taking forceful action to promote housing production and
improve affordability. We should develop the Social Housing vision that we are already
leading on nationally. The Commission could provide more “think tank” type support on
housing and economic development policy to the Council.
● Thriving urban centers -- In a post-pandemic economic environment where working
from home has suddenly become the norm, our downtowns have the chance to thrive
because they are close to home. Encouraging high quality redevelopment is an essential
economic development strategy. You can see the results in downtown Bethesda today,
which is buzzing during the work day with work-from-home residents -- while DC is
relatively quiet. We are at an inflection point where delivering a series of additional high
quality nodes (White Flint, Great Seneca, and East County to choose a few examples) is
mission critical.
● Transparency -- The Council has recently adopted legislation (Bill 8-23) promoting
transparency for all boards and commissions. It is important for MNCPPC to follow the
Council’s lead on transparency. Our planning process is community driven, meaning that
community voices have high expectations for how they are allowed to engage. The
Commission needs to meet those standards.
● Transportation -- While continuing our gradual transformation to embrace non-auto
forms of transportation, the Council and Commission have outlined some big picture
goals recently that we may pursue together, such as Metro to Germantown, two-way
MARC service, high quality bus service on major roads, and more. The incoming
Pedestrian Master Plan will provide a policy agenda that will take many years to
implement, just as we must continue pressing forward on implementing the Bikeways
Master Plan. As Chair, I will await the Council’s guidance on the American Legion Bridge
and 270.
● Police -- One of the important responsibilities for the Chair and Commission is
overseeing the Agency’s police department. I look forward to working closely with Chief
Darryl McSwain, one of the County’s most capable public safety leaders, whom I know
well from our years of service together. I have always appreciated the Department’s role
and many years ago ensured that it was retained when others proposed to strip it from
the Agency and move it to the County, where Park safety might be overlooked.
● Athletics and youth sports -- While the Parks Department has always had the role of
stewardship for our natural Park resources, I have often felt over the years that the
responsibility for promoting athletics has not been central enough. We have work to do

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 to make our County a regional leader in providing athletic facilities that can make
growing up here or playing sports an equitable and awesome experience.
● Participation -- One of the imperatives I took away from our racial equity analysis, as
well as continuing to build on past efforts by Councilmembers and the Commission, is
that we need to do capacity building in disenfranchised communities to participate in
community development. A “Participation Academy” could help bring the full array of
voices to the table. A high school module could help young people understand the
County’s planning vision, history and process. And internship programs connected with
area universities can help us bring in new voices as well as diversify our workforce.
● Engaging our diverse community -- The Commission must be committed to ensuring
that a process for governing our future has the participation of everyone and not just
those who are familiar with how to participate. Culturally competent outreach, knocking
on doors, holding meetings in the community, effective social media -- tactics that the
Commission has been pioneering -- should be expanded and strengthened to bring all
voices to the table.
● Connected native gardens -- I hope to work with our Parks team to identify how we
could do more to promote native plant gardening here in the County, mobilizing and
connecting gardeners to create habitat corridors that will support insects, birds, and
other native wildlife.
● Agriculture -- Thrive Montgomery 2050, which I was proud to help steer through the
County Council, affirmed the Council’s commitment to upholding the vision of the
Agricultural Reserve. Fulfilling that vision, however, requires constant attention to the
needs of our agricultural producers, as well as finding new ways to engage the public in
enjoying and supporting low-density zoning (the wineries and breweries that I worked to
support through zoning reforms when they were prohibited, for example, are a great
evolution in the vision there).
● Regional planning -- Montgomery County is profoundly impacted by larger trends in the
region. The shift of economic development south into Virginia poses a future of longer
commutes, less private investment and less vitality in the Northern and Eastern parts of
the region. The Chair should participate in regional planning conversations with
Maryland, Prince George’s County and DC, to continue working on a vision that can
bring balance back to the region.

Thank you for your consideration! I hope this letter explains why I will serve you best as your
partner to bring our community’s vision for high quality development and world class parks to
life.

Sincerely,

Hans Riemer

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 Hans Riemer
[email protected] | 301-938-6899

A responsive leader with proven capabilities in policy, legislative process, communications,

community engagement and budget.

Possessing deep knowledge of regional housing and development, planning, transportation,

climate and clean energy, economic development, zoning reform, and public safety issues.

US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, LOAN PROGRAMS OFFICE

Senior consultant, February 2023 to present
● Supporting the deployment of technology and capital for the clean energy transition.
● Outreach and business development with a focus on virtual power plants and state
energy financing institutions.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Councilmember At-Large, December 2010 to present
● Passed laws and created programs with nationally and regionally significant reforms.
● Authored landmark legislation to promote housing affordability and equitable
development, including smart growth plans, affordable housing financing, and reforms
to exclusionary zoning.
● Forged unique policy agenda uniting economic development and climate goals with
housing action, transportation, walkability and high quality of life.
● Worked complex policy issues through legislative debates to successful conclusion, such
as reforming policing practices to promote racial justice, legalizing 5G, Airbnb and
Uber/Lyft, enacting emergency COVID protocols, modernizing liquor laws and taking
forceful action on climate.
● Partnered with leaders in the private sector to strengthen economic development (life
sciences industry) and bring new Federal investment to our community (proposed new
Pandemic Prevention Center).
● Built new institutions to promote workforce development and opportunity for children,
including the nonprofit KID Museum to build youth skills and the READY Institute at the
Universities at Shady Grove to align higher education with emerging job opportunities.
● Managed long-term community planning (zoning, land-use) through constant
controversies, trade-offs, and competing equities, while getting vivid results in places
like downtown Bethesda, North Bethesda, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Rockville where
new buildings are going up in a walkable, desirable urban or suburban setting.
● Conducted all of this work under political pressure as an elected representative for more
than 1 million residents in one of America’s most highly educated and government-savvy
communities, overseeing a $6 billion budget and organizations with tens of thousands of
employees.

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AARP
Senior Advisor, September 2008 – June 2010
Campaign director on retirement security policy and community engagement.
● Boosted “Create The Good” service campaign membership from 10,000 to 120,000
● Engaged state chapters in Federal and state lobbying
● Developed retirement policy with Congressional and Treasury Department leaders

OBAMA FOR AMERICA

National Youth Vote Director, March 2007 – March 2008
Built strategy for historic campaign; Time cover story called it “The Year of the Young Voter.”
● Built and managed 50-state grassroots organization with 800+ chapters; Managed 3
deputy national youth vote directors and advised 10+ youth state directors
● Closely advised Iowa state operation in building young voter program leading to historic
victory
● Collaborated with music industry contacts to create “Yes We Can Song” by Will.I.Am

ROCK THE VOTE

Political Director, March 2003 – March 2007
Led political programs, shaped brand and issue campaigns engaging young voters.
● Programs generated one million voter registration form downloads (2004)
● Conceived and managed Democratic presidential “Rock the Vote” debate on CNN

CAMPAIGN FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE

Senior Policy Analyst, 2001 – 2003
Directed a national coalition campaign of organizations dedicated to protecting Social Security.
● Worked with senior leaders from dozens of organizations representing seniors, labor,
women, civil rights, Democratic leadership
● Wrote policy reports and op-eds, including rapid response; testified to Congressional
Committees and Task Forces

2030 CENTER
Founder/Director, 1996-2001
Founded and directed a public policy organization for young people, playing an instrumental
role in public debate about Social Security.

SAVE OUR SECURITY COALITION

Policy Associate, 1995-1996
Staffer for the national coalition of organizations focused on social welfare policy issues; worked
directly with coalition chairman, Dr. Arthur S. Flemming.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SOCIAL INSURANCE

Policy Associate, 1995
Developed a youth engagement program on Social Security.

EDUCATION: UC SANTA CRUZ

Bachelor's Degree in Politics, 1995 (Dean's Award in Humanities)

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 Upneet S. Atwal
Education
Master of Professional Studies, Urban & Regional Planning: Community and Economic Development Washington, D.C.
Georgetown University
Bachelor of Science, Business Management & Entrepreneurship College Park, MD
University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business
Associate of Arts, Business Administration Rockville, MD
Montgomery College
Professional Work Experience
The Universities at Shady Grove, University System of Maryland: Strategic Projects Coordinator ● Sept 2022 – Present
o Implement the USG 2.0 Strategic Plan as part of the Office of the Executive Director.
o Strengthen and develop, pathways and programs for MCPS and Montgomery College students to attend and graduate
from a degree program offered at the Shady Grove campus.
o Collaborate with College and University Presidents, Deans, Program Directors, Faculty, Staff and Students to expand on
academic, professional, and community-based opportunities available at the Shady Grove campus.
o Develop workforce pathway and experiential learning opportunities for students within Montgomery County.
o Partner with community organizations on youth development and community development initiatives.
o Co-Chair the USG Facilities Master Plan Update.
o Serve as a member of the Montgomery Planning GSSC IAC.
o Liaise with Montgomery County Government agencies on issues related to transportation, planning, policy, etc.
o Co-lead the creation of a Leadership Program for Montgomery County Executive Branch managerial-level staff.
Montgomery County Council: Senior Legislative Aide: Land Use, Economic Development & Education ● Dec 2020 – Sept 2022
o Oversaw the Transportation, Planning, Economic Development policy portfolios.
o Analyzed and/or create local bills, zoning text amendments, and resolutions related to the above policy areas.
o Provided recommendations on Montgomery County Operating, Capital, and Capital Improvement Program Budgets.
o Collaborated with County Agencies and Departments to address and resolve resident and community issues.
o Conducted outreach with hundreds of community members, dozens of organizations, and dozens of public officials.
o Led placemaking initiatives in the form of site activation, micro-economic and community development projects.
o Supervised an intern on daily tasks that include analyzing staff packets and completing resident correspondence.
Montgomery County Council: Graduate Fellow ● June 2020 – Aug 2020
o Researched and planned a framework for equitable education and engagement of underrepresented and at-risk youth.
o Highlighted neighborhood-level issues within 12 Montgomery County High School Clusters.
o Proposed an education and development pipeline that provides innovative academic and economic opportunities.
Montgomery County Planning Department (M-NCPPC): Graduate Intern II ● July 2019 – May 2020
o Conducted Growth Management Policy research.
o Created and revised planning goals, policies, and actions for the equity, land use, and outreach teams for Thrive.
o Analyzed data for the Pike District Study Update analysis on walkability, bike-ability, and development opportunity.
o Organized and led engagement sessions with 5 BIPOC high school student groups in collaboration with local high schools,
community groups, and youth development organizations across Montgomery County for Thrive Montgomery.
Major Projects
Silver Spring Business Improvement District & Main Street: Legislation & Economic Development ● May 2021 – Sept 2022
o Conducted months-long community engagement with local small businesses in Downtown Silver Spring to better
understand the wants and needs of the businesses, and to ensure that equity is truly achieved if the legislation moved
forward. Engagement conducted was categorized using future geographic “districts” outlined by the Silver Spring
Downtown & Adjacent Communities Plan.
o Collaborated with local business groups and consultants to advocate for the creation of Main Streets and funding
associated with Main Streets, which could empower small businesses to have more power and control over economic
and social decision-making in their business district.
o

Activating the Newell Street Closure: Placemaking & Community Development ● Jan 2020 – Sept 2022
o Led a community placemaking initiative throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic to bring Black and Brown owned Food
Trucks to South Silver Spring to engage residents with an underutilized Urban Park while also providing micro-economic
development opportunity for locally owned businesses.

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 o Liaised with Councilmember Offices, M-NCPPC, MCDOT, the Silver Spring Regional Service Center, the Silver Spring Urban
District, Maryland State Delegates, and South Silver Spring residents to develop a vision for the future of Newell Street.
Transforming Suburban Blight: A Redevelopment Plan for Lakeforest Mall: Capstone Thesis ● Dec 2020 – Aug 2021
o Developed a virtual 3D Concept Plan model, by utilizing Esri’s ArcGIS Urban and other ArcGIS Online mapping tools, for
the Lakeforest Mall site in Gaithersburg, MD. This included conducting quantitative analyses and qualitative analyses for
creating a walkshed and driveshed map to guide the selection of a study area to inform planning within the site area,
gathering census tract and census block data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other sources for demographic analyses,
and analyzing City of Gaithersburg Zoning, existing land use and site use. Finally, community engagement was conducted
with residents and community organizations to help inform the final concept plan and site recommendations, which
included missing-middle housing, open park space, a bike-pedestrian network, among other things.
o Followed recommendations and guidelines outlined in the City of Gaithersburg Lakeforest Master Plan, with guidance
from a City of Gaithersburg Councilwoman, an Urban Planning consultant, and a Senior Spatial Analyst from NOAA.
o A StoryMap of the plan can be found here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/45791be5120f46679fb7e56db6068cb0.
Revisioning Friendship Heights: Site Plan Proposal & Briefing Book ● Jan 2020 – May 2021
o Worked with a team of fellow graduate students to create a site plan proposal for the Director of WMATA’s Real Estate
Division, with feedback from a ULI technical assistance panel working on the redevelopment vision of Friendship Heights.
Equitable Education and Engagement of Underrepresented and At-Risk Youth: Fellowship Paper ● June 2020 – Aug 2020
o Created a framework for increasing education attainment and engagement levels of Black and Brown low-income youth
in Montgomery County, MD, guiding them from late middle school to the completion of an undergraduate degree.
o Utilized a census tract and block demographic analysis to tell a story about 14 neighborhoods in Montgomery County
where residents are less likely to achieve academic or financial success due to varying factors, and provide
recommendations on creating a pathway for residents to achieve greater education attainment and civic knowledge.
o The framework and recommendations can be found here:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/Resources/Files/Summer_Fellows/2020/UpneetAtwal_CouncilFellow
Report.pdf
Growth Management Policy: Research Document ● July 2019 – Jan 2020
o Conducted research on growth management policy from jurisdictions across the United States with similar size and land
use to Montgomery County, and identified 16 jurisdictions to analyze that currently have growth management policies.
o Provided recommendations on the usage of growth management policies and their positive and negative impacts.
Leadership & Community Service Experience
Montgomery College Alumni Association Board of Governors: Board Member & Committee Lead ● Sept 2019 – Present
o Serve on the Mentoring Committee and Mentorship Program, guiding alumni mentors and student mentees.
The BROTHERS Academy: Alumni Member ● July 2020 – Present
o Assist in community and youth development initiatives in Gaithersburg, MD.
Racial Equity & Social Justice Core Team, Montgomery County Council: Committee Member ● Aug 2021 – Sept 2022
o Analyzed and assessed Montgomery County Council departmental policies, procedures, and practices with a racial equity
lens and develop racial equity recommendations and action plans.
Montgomery College Presidential Search Advisory Committee: Committee Member ● Sept 2021 – Dec 2021
o Developed categorical visions and interview questions that align with the vision of Montgomery College and its future.
o Interviewed finalists and provided a recommendation to Montgomery College Board of Trustees.
Universities at Shady Grove 2.0 Strategic Plan Workgroup: Committee Member ● Nov 2021 – Jan 2022
o Recommended actionable directional shifts for the USG 2.0 Strategic Plan to propel the campus forward in achieving its
goals and vision for pathways to the workforce in Montgomery County.
American Planning Association, National Capital Area: Diversity Fellow ● September 2020 – May 2021
o Studied and advocated for greater Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color diversity and representation within the
planning profession in the Washington, D.C. region.
University System of Maryland – USG Joint Chairmen’s Report: Commission Member ● August 2019 – December 2019
o Provided recommendations regarding the fiscal model, governance, and mission of the Universities at Shady Grove, per
charge given by the Maryland General Assembly.

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April 12, 2023

Honorable Evan Glass, President

and Members of the Montgomery County Council
Stella B. Werner Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850
By email: [email protected]
[email protected]

Dear President Glass and Members of the Montgomery County Council,

I write to apply for the position of Montgomery County Planning Board Member. I am a
resident of Aspen Hill, a first-generation immigrant, public school parent, community
organizer, local political economy expert, podcast host, longtime educator in Montgomery
County, and a registered Democrat.

I come from higher education. I have run for the Board of Education. I host a political science
podcast in Montgomery County. You might be wondering why I am applying to be on the
Planning Board. I will try to answer this question below and show that the substance of my
work and the breadth and depth of my public policy engagement uniquely qualify me to help
the Planning Board work on upcoming master plans and sector plans that will bring to life
Thrive 2050, the new general plan you approved last year. In the process, I want to help
improve the lives of all the people of our county, including newcomers, children, young adults,
the economically disadvantaged, and the politically disengaged.

First, I teach political economy, which sits at the foundation of planning as a function and a
discipline. The idea of zoning or housing affordability, to take just two examples, come from
the study of local political economy. I have not only taught these topics, but also created new
and innovative coursework on the local political economy of Montgomery County and the
Washington, DC, region focused on planning issues.

One important aspect of my background is the value I place on expertise (and, it turns out,
long reports). The Montgomery Parks and Planning Staff has been resolutely professional in
the face of significant challenges the last few years. A reconstituted Planning Board must
engage staff with respect and ensure they are treated professionally.

Second, I bring intersectionality in governance. A Planning Board full of singular expertise will
produce one kind of decision. My work inside and outside the classroom offers the possibility
of balancing the many pulls and pressures the Planning Board must work with.

Over the last several years and across many venues, including many advisory and nonprofit
boards, I have had incredible opportunities to interact with experts, leaders, county residents,
and elected officials who have shaped my own thinking on planning issues. I have learned

Dasgupta Planning Board Application 1

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about the history and implications of the wedges and corridors plan and have closely followed
transportation, transit, economic development, and road design debates. No matter how we
cut it, Montgomery County has a housing problem and where we have middle income housing,
we lack transit. Apart from core planning issues, I bring knowledge of schools, the
environment, agriculture, and road safety. Not usually seen in the planning context, my work
on youth mental health led to me think about how we force teenagers out of sight because we
do not generally build free-use public infrastructure for them.

Third, I have shown via my podcast what it means to have substantive and meaningful
conversations with people even when we disagree. I strongly believe that the Planning Board
must engage and then act. Indeed, the purpose of engagement must be action taken to
improve the lives of all county residents. This raises some challenging questions about how we
structure engagement in a democracy, yet another political science dilemma I can help
address based on my background.

In writing this application, I have thought about possible conflicts between the podcast I host
and Planning Board work. If you decide to appoint me, I will first call the Maryland State Ethics
Commission and ask them for a ruling on what I can continue doing and what I cannot. Please
know that the podcast is evolving as a teaching and learning tool as more students become
involved in the making of the show. The podcast is also broadening its scope to subject matter
outside of Montgomery County.

There is incredible diversity and variability of life and living in Montgomery County between
down and up county and east and west county, between and among our institutions, and
within the dense network of civil society that flourishes in our county. In the book Hyperlocal,
Tracy Hadden Loh and Jennifer S. Vey of the Brookings Institution argue that placemaking
becomes challenging when there are multiple jurisdictions and overlapping authorities that
govern neighborhoods, and that the way to resolve this problem is to build localized
stakeholders and empower hyperlocal entities.

These are challenges the Planning Board will be wrestling with in the future. Given my own
background with these issues, I hope you will consider moving me forward to the interviews. I
would be excited to be a part of the ensuing dialogue.

Sincerely,

Sunil Dasgupta, Ph.D.

Dasgupta Planning Board Application 2

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 Dr. Sunil Dasgupta
14609 Westbury Road, Rockville MD 20853
[email protected] 410-913-4272

Sunil Dasgupta, Ph.D. (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Political Science, 2003), is

an Aspen Hill resident, first-generation immigrant, public school parent, community organizer,
local political economy expert, local podcast host, and longtime educator in Montgomery
County, and registered Democrat.

UMBC. Political Science Program Director at Universities at Shady Grove (2009 – )

• Teaching and Program leadership
• Research and teaching in local governance and public policy including land-use,
housing, environment, education, and economic development
• Developed innovative curriculum on engaged scholarship and hands-on learning to
meet USG’s mission of serving non-traditional students and democratizing higher
education
• Created new courses on local political economy of the Montgomery
County/Washington DC, civic engagement, and power-mapping methods
• Built online mobile app-based voter guide for 2022 Maryland primary connecting
voters with candidates
• Founded local podcast with the ironic name, “I Hate Politics,” as a tool of civic
engagement.

Past Employment
• Georgetown University. Faculty. School of Foreign Service (2003-2007)
• George Washington University. Faculty. Elliott School of International Affairs (2007-
2008)
• The Brookings Institution. Research Associate (2000-2002). Guest Scholar (2002-2003).
Non-Resident Fellow (2003-2011).

Community Service
• Public engagement, testimony, and writing on land-use, transportation, road safety,
adequate public facilities, environment, economic development, and education policy
• Host of a local podcast with the ironic name, I Hate Politics, with the goal of raising
awareness of and participation in public policy processes (2021 - ). Full list of annotated
episodes: https://bit.ly/3GUWIHn
• Awarded the 2022 Ruth Morgan-Bruce Jerney Community Service Award by the
Montgomery County Democratic Party
• Board Member, Action Committee for Transit (2021- )
• Ran for Montgomery County Board of Education (2020)
• Served on Subdivision Staging Policy Advisory Group (Planning Department) (2018)
• Served on City of Rockville Study Group on Schools and Development Moratorium
(2018)

Dasgupta Planning Board Application 3

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 • Served on Aspen Hill Vision Zero Study Group (Planning Department)
• Founder and Board Member, Conexión Escolar, nonprofit connecting communities and
schools (2017 - )
• Board Member, Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA), Rockville Cluster
Coordinator, and Health and Wellness Committee Chair (2017-2020); Member of Audit
Committee (2017).
• Organized Annual Mental Health and Wellness Forum for MCPS students, staff, and
families (2018-2020)
• Earle B. Wood Middle School PTA President (2017)
• Awarded 2018 Dad4PTA by MCCPTA
• Founder, MCPS Parent-Teacher Exchange Facebook group (2,100 members), and MoCo
Mental Health and Wellness Facebook group (700 members)

Personal Life
Dr. Dasgupta lives in a multigenerational household in Aspen Hill, Maryland, with his wife,
Elana Mintz, their three children, who attend Montgomery County Public Schools, his mother,
and their 80-pound dog. He helped his wife found a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit
organization, Urban Adventure Squad, which supports schools and school communities with
equitable, community-based, outdoor learning programs. Urban Adventure Squad also
advocates for public education reform, including enhancing hands-on learning, increasing
outdoor time, and expanding the use of free and low-cost community resources.

Dr. Dasgupta’s family belongs to Temple Emanuel in Kensington, where he was chair of the
first DEI Committee and part of the Temple Brotherhood. He is also the mulch sale chair for his
local high school on behalf of the Booster Club, where is a member of the Board.

Dasgupta Planning Board Application 4

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 Warren Knox
Fleming

Professional Experience
Mr. Fleming became familiar with Information Technology while attending Augusta Military
Academy (AMA) in Augusta County Virginia during his elementary and high school years.
The objective of Mr. Fleming attending AMA was to avoid the integration and civil rights
issues of the time. After graduation, Mr. Fleming attended Virginia Computer College in
Reston VA, where he further developed his Information and Technology skills and earned
his associate degree. In 1973, After graduating from Virginia Computer College, he was one
of eight students that were selected to code, monitor and track weather satellites for RCA at
Goddard Space Flight Center located in Greenbelt, Maryland.

In 1977 Mr. Fleming was hired as a Systems Engineer in the Hardware Integration
Laboratory at General Electric located in Rockville Maryland. In this position he successfully
helped GE implement the first integration of large-scale platforms consisting of IBM,
Honeywell, Gould, DEC, and Unisys computers. This technology allowed a user to sign in via
a Timesharing port and connect to either mainframe to complete whatever process the
client needed. This application allowed clients such as Levi Strauss, Mobil Oil, and Sara Lee
to choose the cheaper and quicker application to support their client inventory needs.

In 1985 Mr. Fleming was hired by Honeywell, Inc as a Software Engineer to support the
famous Worldwide Military Command and Control System (WWMCCS) project. Mr.
Fleming wrote the first standards for System Software Testing procedures for the
WWMCCS contract, and these procedures are still being used today as a standard for the
WWMCCS methodologies. In his many roles at Honeywell, Inc he became the liaison
between Honeywell Inc, and the WWMCCS community to verify that the security software
for the WWMCCS applications was installed correctly before installation on all WWMCCS
sites. He became the point-of-contact for all installation sites throughout the United States,
giving him the reputation of being a top performer.

In 1993 Honeywell, Inc selected Mr. Fleming to manage a data migration client server
project for the Texas Department of Human Services. Mr. Fleming was put in charge of
seven subcontractors to ensure that the implementation and operation for this project was
on time and successful. While in Texas, he became aware of the Minority Business
Enterprise program (MBE) that promoted and helped minorities to become entrepreneurs.
Mr. Fleming took classes at the e University of Texas in Austin to obtain the prerequisites
training for business development. After successfully completing his courses, he registered
Quality Software Testing, Inc (QST, Inc) and became the first African American to hold a
Historical Underutilized Business Certification (HUB) in the State of Texas performing the
duties of Software Testing and Integration as President of Quality Software Testing, Inc

In 1997, Mr. Fleming returned to Maryland and changed QST, Inc description from
“Quality Software Testing, Inc to Quality Solutions Technologies, Inc. In this new role as
President of QST, Inc, his team started performing services in software testing, software
and hardware design, software coding, systems integration, and project management for
vertical transportation contracts. Since 1997, QST, Inc has been selected as one of the
TOP 100 MBE firms amongst over 3,000 MBE firms within Maryland, Virginia, New
Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Washington D.C., and (19)
Florida for five consecutive times. QST, Inc is one of the top ten firms to be selected for
this prestigious award more than four times.

Civil Experience
Montgomery County Historical Preservation Commission 2004-2011

Mr. Fleming was selected to be one of The Montgomery County Historic Preservation
Commissioners from 2004-2011. During his tenure he assisted property owners
contemplating projects to repair, rehabilitate, or alter historic properties in Montgomery
County. The Board members were mostly architects but Mr. Fleming’s knowledge of the
culture in Montgomery County (especially up county) was instrumental in helping the
Planning Board’s decisions on many projects throughout the county. Mr. Fleming was a
foot soldier to many applicants (especially in the minority community) to ensure they
understood the terms and conditions that were outlined on the historic area work permit
(HAWP) applications.

Mr. Fleming’s experience and skills in project management and organizational

methodologies helped the Park and Planning Commission implement a plan to restore the
Riley Plantation along with the design and construction of Josiah Henson Museum. Mr.
Fleming lobbied to Montgomery County council and county executive to approval the
initial startup funding for the renovation of the Riley Plantation and the Josiah Henson
Museum. The initial approval amount was one million dollars. Mr. Fleming was selected
by the Montgomery County Planning Board to host the first tour of the Riley Planation
(aka) Uncle Tom’s Cabin that was nationally viewed.

In 2004 Mr. Fleming created a non-profit 501 (C) 3 firm called “The Damascus Connections
Committee” (DCC) which allowed him and his staff to become a go-to advisor and counselor
to the community of Damascus and the Upcountry Region. As President of the Damascus
Connection Committee, he has performed the following activities.

• To represent the best interests of the community of Damascus

• To represent all citizens of Damascus through direct interaction and
communication with other leaders and groups of Damascus and to ensure that
the citizens’ issues are enforced.
• Testifying to Park and Planning to preserve and improve Holsey Road in
Damascus Maryland. This location is where Mr. Fleming ancestor was placed
after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation from the Mullenix
Plantation.
• To serve as the link between the city of Damascus, MD and the County Council of
the Montgomery County Government and aid in improving the civic, ethical,
economic, and cultural conditions of all citizens of Damascus, MD.
• Mr. Fleming is currently working with Park and Planning in studying possible
open space usage in the upper northwest of Montgomery County.
• Currently working with the County Council and the Historical Preservation
Commission to identifying, document and install historical markers in all African
American historical Sites to the Montgomery County.
• Mr. Fleming has installed over five Julius Rosenwald Historical Markers in
Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
• Supported senior citizens in their fight to make the County Council and Executive
award of the hazardous septic systems that are in urgent need of repair.
• Mr. Fleming took the step to partner his firm the Damascus Connection Committee (20)
 with other ongoing committees in Damascus such as the Lions Club, Fire
Department, and the Damascus Alliance Club to form a coalition to bring unity in the
community.
• In 2009 Mr. Fleming formed and developed a Historical Museum in the
township of Damascus Maryland. Mr. Fleming was instrumental in obtaining a
State Bond-Grant for the initial seed funds in the amount of $250,000.00 to
implement the Damascus Heritage Society Museum. In working with
Montgomery County Public Schools, he obtained a leasing agreement for twelve
acres of land to host the Museum and Bike Safety Rodeo for the Damascus
Recreation Department. The Montgomery County Board of Education provided
used classroom trailers to host the museum office. The museum gets over five
hundred visitors a year and is still growing.
• In 2020 Mr. Fleming lobbied to Park and Planning to partner with Goshen Church
With the activities that are associated with “Stewartown Community Day”. This
event is over 100 years old of African Americans celebrating their heritage in the
Gaithersburg region of Montgomery County. Mr. Fleming was called to provide a
solution to Park and Planning to not take away the privilege of African Americans
using the park grounds in Stewartown to host this historic event. The task of finding
a solution was created and now Park and Planning is part of this historic event every
year.
• Mr. Fleming served as a member of the WSSC Ethics Board from 2004-2006. Mr.
Fleming took this position very seriously by attending over ninety-five percent of the
meetings, helping to solve many ethic issues that were presented to the board,
helping implement new ideas to the code of ethics.
• Mr. Fleming was instrumental in supporting WSSC during an offsite meeting allowing
the board members to use QST,Inc’ s communication service to hold a teleconference
meeting to resolve a major issue.
• In 2010, Mr. Fleming received the “Montgomery County Humanitarian of the Year
Award”. During this period, he helped develop processes and procedures to bring
County Council Members and County Executives closer to the may issues as it relates
to Montgomery County Historical Preservation.
• In 2010 Mr. Fleming was selected to be a member of Montgomery County Park and
Planning Master Plan Process, and Open Space Commission.
• From 2010 until 2019 Mr. Fleming served as an Adjunct Professor at Montgomery
College teaching courses in how to obtain contracts in the Government and private
sector.

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Ca r o l y n G a l l a h e r
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @C_OGallachoir
Orcid ID: 0000-0002-0990-6250

Party affiliation: Democratic Party

_______________________________________________________________________
Academic Positions Administrative Positions
Full Professor Senior Associate Dean
2018-present. School of International 2019-present. School of International
Service, American University. Service, American University
Metropolitan Policy Center Fellow: Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
2015-present. School of Public Affairs, 2018-2019. School of International
American University. Service, American University
Associate Professor:
2004-2017. School of International
Service, American University.
Assistant Professor:
1998-2004. School of International
Service, American University.

Education
Ph.D.: University of Kentucky, Department of Geography, Lexington, Kentucky.
M.A: Miami University, Department of Geography, Oxford, Ohio.
B.A: Mary Washington College, Department of Geography, Fredericksburg, VA.

Skills
Academic:
Software: ArcMap, Arc GIS, NVivo,
Methods: Interviews, Focus Groups, Participant Observation, Basic statistics
Languages Spanish (conversational), French (reading)

Administrative
Hiring: Managing hiring of adjunct, term, and tenure line faculty
Faculty development: Managing tenure and promotion, faculty workshops
Dispute Resolution: In charge of informal dispute resolution, identifying higher level
disputes and routing to appropriate offices
Research Strategy: Led initiative to build school-level research strategy
Tracking Systems: Developing tracking systems for academic processes

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Relevant Research Publications
Academic work:
Books
Gallaher, Carolyn. 2016. The Politics of Staying Put: Gentrification and Tenant Right-to-Buy in
Washington DC. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

Gallaher, Carolyn. 2007. After the Peace: Loyalist Paramilitaries in Post-Accord Northern
Ireland. Cornell University Press.

Journal Articles
Gallaher, Carolyn. 2017. Do Efforts to Mitigate Gentrification Work? Evidence from
Washington DC. Alternate Routes 28: 248-263.

Gallaher, Carolyn. 2023. From Co-ops to Condos—the path from working class utopias
to investment vehicles. Journal of Urban History. Forthcoming

Book Chapters
Gallaher, Carolyn. 2015. The Washington DC Metropolitan Region—Traditional No
More? In The New American Suburb: Poverty, Race, and the Mortgage Crisis (K. Anacker, ED).
Surrey, England: Ashgate, 81-112.

Gallaher, Carolyn. 2009. Researching Repellent Groups: Some Methodological

Considerations on How to Represent Militants, Radicals, and Other Belligerents. In
Surviving Field Research: Working in Violent and Difficult Situations (C. Sriram, J. King, J.
Mertus, O. Martin-Ortega, and J. Herman, EDs.). London: Routledge, 127-146.

Public-facing work:
Carolyn Gallaher. How to disrupt the domestic violence-to-homelessness pipeline.
Greater Greater Washington, 7th February 2023. https://ggwash.org/view/88375/how-to-
disrupt-the-domestic-violence-to-homelessness-pipeline

Carolyn Gallaher. Leadership, waitlists, vouchers: Unpacking key findings in HUD’s

DCHA audit. Greater Greater Washington, 6th December 2022.
https://ggwash.org/view/87616/leadership-waitlists-vouchers-unpacking-key-
findings-in-huds-dcha-audit

Carolyn Gallaher. Will Prince George’s Right of First Refusal program protect tenants
in Langley Park? StreetSense, 21st August.
https://www.streetsensemedia.org/article/will-prince-georges-right-of-first-refusal-
program-protect-tenants-in-langley-park/#.Ywzph3bMI2x

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Carolyn Gallaher. Comparing DC and San Francisco’s tenant purchase laws. Greater
Greater Washington, 21st July. https://ggwash.org/view/85868/comparing-dc-and-san-
franciscos-tenant-purchase-laws

Carolyn Gallaher. One Building, Three TOPA Processes. Greater Greater Washington,
31st March. https://ggwash.org/view/84229/one-dc-building-three-topa-processes

Carolyn Gallaher. Why Upzoning in Gentrifying Neighborhoods like Langley Park

isn’t Always a Good Idea. Greater Greater Washington, 14th October.
https://ggwash.org/view/82739/why-upzoning-in-gentrifying-neighborhoods-like-
langley-park-isnt-always-a-good-idea

Carolyn Gallaher. After years of alleged neglect, tenants at a Langley Park apartment
building file a class action lawsuit against their landlord. Greater Greater Washington, 20th
July. https://ggwash.org/view/81985/bedford-and-victoria-station-tenants-launch-a-
class-action-lawsuit-against-their-landlord

Carolyn Gallaher. As the pandemic winds down, some tenants in Langley Park still
struggle to stay in their homes. Greater Greater Washington, 7th July.
https://ggwash.org/view/81837/as-the-pandemic-winds-down-langley-park-tenants-
struggle-to-stay-in-their-homes

Carolyn Gallaher. Federal rental assistance is finally flowing in Maryland, but it may
not be in enough time for some. Greater Greater Washington, 24th June.
https://ggwash.org/view/81760/federal-rental-assistance-is-finally-flowing-in-
maryland-but-it-may-not-be-in-enough-time-for-some

Carolyn Gallaher. Residents say landlord disinvestment is making a bad situation worse
at a Langley Park apartment complex. Greater Greater Washington, 17th February 2021.
https://ggwash.org/view/80349/residents-say-landlord-disinvestment-is-making-a-
bad-situation-worse-at-a-langley-park-apartment-complex

Carolyn Gallaher. Langley Park was already ripe for gentrification, COVID-19 could
speed it up, Greater Greater Washington, 18th August 2020.
https://ggwash.org/view/78752/covid-19-could-accelerate-displacement-in-langley-
park

Carolyn Gallaher. Why Langley Park has been hard hit by COVID-19, Greater Greater
Washington, 27th July. https://ggwash.org/view/78525/why-langley-park-has-been-hit-
hard-by-covid-19

Carolyn Gallaher. DC’s New Tenants Union Wants to Help Renters Stay in the City.
Greater Greater Washington, 15th October 2019. https://ggwash.org/view/74218/is-a-
tenant-union-district-renters-last-hope-to-keep-housing-affordable-clean-and-safe

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Carolyn Gallaher. The DC Council just cut $20 Million for homeless services to fund
tax breaks for commercial properties. Greater Greater Washington, 12th December 2018.
https://ggwash.org/view/70101/dc-critical-housing-shortage-council-prioritizing-
commercial-tax-breaks-over-homeless-services

Carolyn Gallaher. TOPA doesn’t always work for small buildings, a housing fight with
the National Shrine Shows. Greater Greater Washington, 9th October 2018.
https://ggwash.org/view/69284/topa-only-works-if-we-enforce-it-shows-the-housing-
fight-with-the-national-shrine

Julie Strupp, Jessica Wilkie, and Carolyn Gallaher. Hundreds testify that DC needs to
#fixTOPA, but does it need to be fixed? If so, how? Greater Greater Washington, 28th
September 2017.
https://ggwash.org/view/64911/hundreds-testify-how-we-should-fix-topa-in-
washington-dc

Gallaher, Carolyn. This region has one of the nation’s largest Salvadoran communities.
A federal program puts that in jeopardy. Greater Greater Washington, 23rd August 2017.
https://ggwash.org/view/64531/dc-has-one-of-the-nations-largest-salvadoran-
communities.-a-federal-program

Gallaher, Carolyn. What Happens When People Without Cars Move to Places Built
for Driving? Greater Greater Washington, 28th November 2016.
https://ggwash.org/view/43801/what-happens-when-people-without-cars-move-to-
places-built-for-driving

Gallaher, Carolyn. A DC Law Lets Tenants Buy Their Buildings Before Anyone Else
Can, But It Also Helps Renters Stay Put. Greater Greater Washington, 16th September,
2016. http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/33183/a-dc-law-lets-tenants-buy-
their-buildings-before-anyone-else-can-but-it-also-helps-renters-stay-put/

Gallaher, Carolyn. A New Owner Bought My Apartment And Wanted To Tear It

Down. Here's How I Ended Up Owning The Place. Greater Greater Washington, 15th
June, 2016.
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/31135/a-new-owner-bought-my-apartment-
and-wanted-to-tear-it-down-heres-how-i-ended-up-owning-the-place/

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Resume to be provided at a later �me.

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March 24, 2023

Mr. Evan Glass

President, Montgomery County Council
Stella B. Warner Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850

Re: Planning Board Application

Dear President Glass:

Please accept this letter and attached resume as my application to serve as a member of the
Montgomery County Planning Board. I am applying for the vacant member seat. As you may
recall, I was a finalist in the unaffiliated group of applicants for the three permanent seats filled
in February and was endorsed by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. After
participating in the selection process earlier this year and learning more about the applicants who
were selected, I am confident my skills and experience would be a perfect fit with the well
qualified group of three new members recently seated on the Board. I hope my re-application for
the one remaining seat demonstrates my strong interest in serving the County as a member of the
Planning Board.

Montgomery County is a wonderful place to raise a family and I would like to help keep it that
way. I moved here right after college in the fall of 1978 and have been a County resident ever
since. My three daughters were all born here and attended public school in the BCC cluster
before heading off to college and launching their professional careers. I am thankful to the
current and former elected and appointed County officials who have created and maintained the
great environment in which we live. I feel a strong responsibility to give back to the greater
community by doing my part to build on their past success in maintaining the high quality of life
in Montgomery County. A seat on the Planning Board would leverage my ability to ensure the
County remains a great place to live for future generations. That is my motivation in applying
for this position. My education, professional experience, civic involvement, and residence in the
County for the past 44 years uniquely qualify me for a seat on the Planning Board.

I am a civil engineer whose professional goal is to improve the built environment. During my
career I have held different positions in the development process to successfully achieve this goal
including periods as a designer, general contractor, construction manager, public official,
building owner, and real estate developer. I am currently employed by a real estate development
firm in Washington, DC. In this position I have taken many projects through the development
process in various jurisdictions around the metropolitan DC area, including Montgomery
County. The focus of my training and professional practice has been all about problem solving
and collaboration. I understand the process of altering our environment – from concept through
planning, entitlement, design, and execution – and can help improve both the process and result
as a member of the Planning Board. I have established a reputation of honesty and integrity in
the real estate industry. I have held clearances issued by the United States Department of Justice,

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the United States Secret Service, and the General Services Administration that attest to my
character.

To properly discharge the responsibilities delegated to a member of the Planning Board requires
the devotion of substantial time and energy. I am willing and able to make that commitment. As
a long tenured, senior member at my firm I have the ability to set my own work schedule and
delegate work to staff at my discretion. I have the full support and backing of the company’s
owners to serve as a member of the Planning Board.

Equally as important as my professional experience in shaping the built environment is my

residency in the County. I have owned homes in Districts 4 and 5 and have tried to take
advantage of the extensive park system, trails, and open spaces available here. Through
coaching in MSI, umpiring in Montgomery County and BCC Little League, and my ongoing 44
year participation in various softball leagues, it seems as though I have visited almost every
athletic field in the County. As an avid bike rider, often logging well over one thousand miles
per year, I have become familiar with many of the bike trails and secondary roadways in the
County. The recreational facilities available to County residents represent a major element in the
quality of life here. It is critical they be maintained for future generations.

In summary, I have the technical training, professional experience, integrity, common sense,
temperament, work ethic, and love of Montgomery County to make an excellent member of the
Planning Board. I urge you to consider me for this position. I look forward to the opportunity to
present my credentials to you and your council colleagues in person. I will make myself
available at any time, including evenings and weekends, so you can fill this very important
vacancy.

Sincerely,

Donald P. Silverstein, PE, LEED® AP

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 DONALD P. SILVERSTEIN, PE, LEED® AP

EDUCATION

MS, Civil Engineering (Construction Management and Engineering)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1979

BS, Civil Engineering (Building Systems)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1977

1995 – Present
BLAKE REAL ESTATE CO., INC.
Washington, D.C.
Executive Vice President of Design and Construction

Profit and loss responsibility for the entire design and construction effort for the $1 billion portfolio of a
major downtown developer and builder. Specific duties include setting budgets for design and construction
projects; selection, contract negotiation and oversight of all design professionals; establishing and
implementing procedures with lenders to fund building projects; selection of general contractors including
negotiating and administering the contract for construction; and control of all project schedules and costs.

Commercial office projects include a $95 million addition to the headquarters of an international financial
agency, a $42 million gut and rebuild of a 30 year old downtown office building, 130,000 square foot
headquarters for the National Park Service, a 200,000 square foot office renovation for the United States
Department of Justice, development and construction of a 100,000 square foot structurally hardened
headquarters for a unit of the United States Secret Service, and total renovation of a 330,000 square foot
office building for the Organization of American States.

Third party project responsibilities have incorporated management of the entire development process from
land use entitlements through occupancy. Projects include a 150,000 square foot ground up manufacturing
facility, a 72,000 square foot laboratory building, the $40 million repurposing of a National Historic
Landmark school building into a privately funded museum, a $30 million STEM Building for a suburban
private school, a mixed use/charter school development in an underserved section of Washington, D.C., and
major structural repairs and HVAC system upgrades in the 100 year old headquarters building for the
Organization of American States.

1992 – 1995
U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
Rockville, Maryland
Chief, Space Acquisition Branch

1991 – 1992
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D.C.
Senior Project Manager – Real Estate Division

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1986 – 1991
THE WASHINGTON CORPORATION
Real Estate Developer
Chevy Chase, Maryland
Vice President – Construction

1980 – 1986
SPN, INC.
Construction Mangers
Rockville, Maryland
Vice President

1978 – 1980
KORA & WILLIAMS CORPORATION
General Contractor
Rockville, Maryland
Project Engineer/Project Manger

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS

Registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland. License number 20459

Certified as a LEED Accredited Professional by the US Green Building Council
Licensed Class A General Contractor in the State of Virginia

PAST AND PRESENT PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Member, District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA)
Member, NAIOP, Commercial Real Estate Development Association
Past Member, American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Past Member, Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
Past Member Panel of Construction Arbitrators, American Arbitration Association (AAA)
Former Adjunct Faculty, University of Maryland University College
Former Judge for the Associated Builders and Contractors Excellence in Workmanship Awards

PAST AND PRESENT CIVIC/VOLUNTEER AFFILIATIONS

Treasurer, JCA (Jewish Council for the Aging)

Baseball Umpire, Montgomery County Little League
Past President, Rock Creek Hills Civic Association
Former Board Member, North Chevy Chase Swimming Pool Association
Former Referee, Montgomery County Swim League
Former Soccer Coach, MSI
Girl Scouts of America, Trained Camping Leader
Past Board Member, Congregation Beth El of Montgomery County

VOTER REGISTRATION/PARTY AFFILIATION

Registered voter in Montgomery County since 1979.

Currently registered as “Unaffiliated”
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 NICHOLE GIBBS THOMAS, PH.D.
POLITICAL PARTY: Unaffiliated ▪ PHONE: 202-930-1154 ▪ EMAIL: [email protected]

ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Working Collaboratively with Elected Officials, Faculty, the Public, and Subject Matter Experts

▪ PhD, Psychology – Organizational Psychology Specialization

Walden University – Minneapolis, MN

▪ MA, Professional Writing

New England College – Henniker, NH

▪ MA, Psychology
City University of New York – New York, NY

▪ BS, Psychology
Howard University – Washington, DC

▪ Professional Certificate, Mediation

Northwestern University – Chicago, IL

MOST RECENT VOLUNTEER PUBLIC SERVICE

▪ Charter Review Commission, Commissioner for Montgomery County, Rockville, MD

4-Year Term - 2019-2022
Part-Time

▪ Office of the Attorney General, Mediator, Health Education and Advocacy Unit, Baltimore, MD
03/2019 – 08/2019
Part-Time

MOST RELEVANT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

▪ Knowledge of the Board of Appeals and Zoning Ordinance

▪ Knowledge of the mission and work of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
▪ Skills in soliciting and synthesizing feedback from experts and the public to inform decision-making
▪ Ability to make substantive contributions to discussions on changes to the zoning ordinance
▪ Ability to make thoughtful contributions to discussions on recommendations to Board of Appeals
▪ Ability to carefully review applications for special exceptions and variances to the Board of Appeals
▪ Ability to solicit and synthesize feedback on planning implications of capital facilities and programs
from diverse groups in the public, elected officials, and subject matter experts for consideration
▪ Ability to solicit and synthesize feedback on other infrastructure from diverse groups in the public,
elected officials, and subject matter experts to inform decision-making
▪ Ability to carefully review park plans

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 MOST RECENT ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY EXPERIENCE

▪ Kaizen Approach, Inc., Principal Research Scientist, Hanover, MD

01/2020 – 04/2021
Full-Time

▪ Anaiah Inst. for Research Measurement & Statistical Solutions, Sr. Research Scientist, Silver Spring, MD
07/2017-12/2019
Part-Time

▪ Amtrak, Senior Revenue and Capacity Analyst, Washington, DC

07/2015-12/2016
Full-Time

▪ American Nurses Credentialing Center, Research Scientist, Silver Spring, MD

06/2014-07/2015
Full-Time

OTHER RECENT EXPERIENCE

▪ Montgomery College, Professor, Rockville, MD

Fall 2021 – Spring 2023
Full-Time

▪ Johns Hopkins University, Adjunct Professor, Washington, DC

Fall 2022
Part-Time

▪ American University, Senior Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, Washington, DC

Spring 2021 – Spring 2022
Part-Time

▪ Chicago School of Prof. Psychology, Applied Research Project Instructor, Chicago, IL

Fall 2012 – Summer 2014
Full-Time

KEY ATTRIBUTES

▪ Approachable ▪ Ethical
▪ Conscientious ▪ Financial Acumen
▪ Critical Thinker ▪ Open-Minded
▪ Diplomatic ▪ Prepared
▪ Equity-Minded ▪ Team PlayerOST RECENT
ACHIN

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Wendelin A. White

SUMMARY

Wendy White is an experienced public company, private company, industry association,

hospital, and non-profit association board member with particular strength in all facets
of corporate governance, including CEO recruitment and hiring, board director
recruitment and hiring, board self-evaluations, and board and committee charters and
governance. She has practiced commercial real estate law for over 40 years, focusing on
financing transactions, joint ventures, and development, and is Of Counsel to Goulston
& Storrs PC, having mostly retired from law practice but for her pro bono representation
of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC) on several real estate matters.
Board Experience
• Chevy Chase Trust Company – Director, 2011-present; Audit Committee member,
2019-present
• Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital – Director, 2015-present; Secretary, 2020-
present (also pro bono legal counsel)
• The Economic Club of Washington – Director, 2010-2022; General Counsel, 2008-
2018; Membership Committee member, 2010-present; Member, 2008-2022;
• MedStar Georgetown University Hospital – Director, 2010-2019; Quality & Safety
Committee member, 2010-2019
• 5050 Women on Boards (f/k/a 2020 Women on Boards) – DC Metro Area Steering
Committee member, 2014-2022
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington – Director, 2012-2019; Youth in Real
Estate Awards Planning Committee member, 2012-present
• Women’s Leadership Initiative of ULI, Washington, DC – Co-Chair, 2018-2019;
Member, 2016-2020; Advisory Board member, 2020-present
• Elme Communities (f/k/a Washington Real Estate Investment Trust) – Trustee, 2008-
2016; Chair, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, 2011-2016;
Member, Compensation Committee, 2008-2016
• International Women’s Forum – Board member, 2014-2016; Member, 2014-present

1
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4892-8893-8079, v. 1
• CREW DC (Commercial Real Estate Women) – President (2008), Board member and
Advisory Board member – several years before and after term as President
• Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman – Governing Board member, 2010-2015

Professional Experience
Goulston & Storrs, Washington, DC Director, August 2016 – March 2021
Of Counsel, April 2021 - present

Wendy joined Goulston & Storrs as the Chair of the Real Estate Transactions group in
the firm's Washington, DC office. She counsels clients on all kinds of financings (e.g.,
lines of credit, both secured and unsecured; construction, permanent, mezzanine), joint
ventures, development, and acquisitions and dispositions of commercial properties,
including office, hotel, retail, multifamily and mixed-use properties.

Morris, Manning & Martin, Washington, DC Partner, May 2014 - August 2016
Wendy joined Morris, Manning & Martin to start the firm’s DC-based real estate
practice, was the co-Managing Partner of the DC office and the head of the DC real
estate group. Within one year, Wendy grew the group from 0 to 9 lawyers but left to
join Goulston & Storrs to rejoin many of her former Pillsbury colleagues practicing law
there.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Washington, DC Partner, January 1990 –

May 2014; Associate March 1981 – December 1989

Wendy joined Shaw Pittman Potts & Trowbridge out of law school and remained with
the firm, practicing commercial real estate law, for over 30 years, eventually chairing a
real estate group of over 40 lawyers. When Shaw Pittman merged with Pillsbury
Winthrop, Wendy joined the managing board of the merged firm for five years.

Bar Association Memberships

• District of Columbia and Florida

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Awards and Recognition
• Outstanding Director Award, Washington Business Journal, 2014
• Women Who Mean Business Awardee, Washington Business Journal, 2016
• Impact Award, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), DC Chapter, 2009
• "America's Leading Business Lawyers," Chambers USA 2007-present
• Best Lawyers in America, 2006-present
• Washington DC Super Lawyers, 2007-present
• Washington's Top Lawyers, Real Estate, Washingtonian, 2007-present
• Top Washington Lawyer Award, Real Estate, Washington Business Journal, 2005
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Youth in Real Estate Awards Luncheon
honoree 2017

Education
• University of Miami School of Law, J.D., cum laude
• University of California, M.F.A.
• Sweet Briar College, B.A., with honors

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3
4892-8893-8079, v. 1
 THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

Membership: No more than three of the five members shall be of the same political party.
Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Commission from
Montgomery County for any cause shall be filled by the Council.

Term: A permanent term is for four years. Temporary, acting appointees will serve
until a successor is qualified and appointed under Section 15-103 of the Code
of Maryland.

Compensation: Annual compensation for Board members is currently $30,000, and the chair
currently earns $228,000.

Financial Statement: Members must file annual public financial disclosure statements.

Each applicant for appointment shall file a State Ethics Commission financial
disclosure statement (Form #1) with the Council no later than five days prior
to the initial date set for interview by the Council.

The County Council may require applicants for appointment or

reappointment to be interviewed by the Council or its designated agent in
private as to any possible or potential conflict of interest. Applicant shall be
questioned under oath and the financial interview shall be conducted in a
question and answer fashion, and a written transcript made of all questions
and answers. There shall be a public disclosure by the Council of the
complete transcribed testimony from the financial interview of the actual
appointee or appointees three weeks from the date of his or her appointment.

Current members of the Planning Board are as follows:

Jeff Zyontz, Chair (temporary acting)

Roberto Piñero (temporary acting)
Shawn Bartley (Republican)
James Hedricks (Democrat)
Mitra Pedoeem (unaffiliated)

Updated 4/2023

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 Montgomery
County Council
For Immediate Release March 3, 2023
FOR INFORMATION: [email protected]

Montgomery Council seeks applicants for

Montgomery County Planning Board,
N including the Chair
E Deadline for applications is April 3, 2023, at 5 p.m.

W ROCKVILLE, Md., March 3 - The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants

to fill two full-term vacancies on the Montgomery County Planning Board, one of

S which will serve full-time as the Planning Board Chair. Applicants may be registered
to vote in the County as a member of any political party, or unaffiliated with any
political party. Voter registration will be verified by the Montgomery County Board of
Elections.

R Applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023. The
cover letter should indicate if you wish to be considered for the Chair position. Current
temporary acting Planning Board members are eligible to apply.
E Members generally serve four-year terms and are limited to two full terms. No more than
L three members of the Planning Board may be from the same political party, and each
member must be a resident and registered voter of Montgomery County when appointed.

E Annual compensation for Board members is currently $30,000, and the full-time Chair
currently earns $228,000.
A The Planning Board serves as the Council’s principal adviser on land use planning and

S
community planning. Planning Board members also serve as Commissioners of the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

E The Planning Board’s responsibilities with regard to planning include preparation and
amendment of the County General Plan; preparation and amendment of master plans and
functional plans; formulation of subdivision regulations; preparation of or
recommendations on text amendments to the County Zoning Code; implementation of

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the subdivision process by reviewing and approving all preliminary plans, site plans and
other plans for development; offering or providing advice on the planning implications
of capital facilities and programs of the County government, Montgomery College,
WSSC Water, and Montgomery County Public Schools; commenting, under its
mandatory referral authority, on plans for public facilities of local, state and federal
agencies; and approving of the work program and the annual operating budget for the
Planning Department, the Parks Department, and the Commission’s bi-county offices.
The Planning Director and Parks Director report directly to the Board.

The Planning Board oversees the 37,000-acre park system. It is responsible for
submitting the Parks Department’s proposed operating budget and Capital
Improvements Program (CIP) to the Council. It deals with land acquisition/disposition
matters, major development contracts for parks; development plans for individual park
facilities; policies for park operations; and park user fees.

The Planning Board meets all day every Thursday, including many Thursday evenings,
and will schedule other meetings, as needed. The entire Maryland-National Capital Park
and Planning Commission meets the third Wednesday of every month. On average, a
Planning Board member may spend two full days a week in scheduled and informal
meetings. Additionally, substantial time is required for preparatory work and other
activities related to Planning Board responsibilities. The Chair position is full-time.

Application Process and Deadline

Letters of application expressing interest (including interest in serving as the Chair, if

applicable), including a resume (no more than 4 pages) listing professional and civic
experience, political party affiliation, telephone number, home mailing address, and an
email address should be addressed to: Council President and emailed to
[email protected], or mailed to County Council Office, Stella
B. Werner Council Office Building, Attn: Clerk, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville,
Maryland 20850.

A list of applicants and resumes are made public as part of the appointment process and
are available for public review (personal contact information is redacted). The
interviews and appointment process are conducted in public and will be televised.

Letters with resumes must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023. It
is the Council’s policy not to consider applications received after the deadline. After the
closing date, Councilmembers will review the letters of application and select applicants
for interviews.

Other Requirements

A financial disclosure statement of assets, debts, income and family property interests
will be required to be filed by each applicant with the State Ethics Commission. The
financial disclosure form will be requested after we receive your letter of application.
The disclosure statement is available to the public only through the State Ethics
Commission. In addition, an interview, under oath, regarding potential conflicts of
interest, will be conducted of applicants by the Office of the County Attorney under
Section 15-104 of the Land Use Article of the Maryland Code. The transcript of the full
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interview of each appointee will be made public, as required by law. Person(s) hired for
this position must provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (with limited
religious or medical exceptions). A criminal background check will also be required.

# # #

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