Tenure
First elected to the Maryland Senate in 2018. Member of the Senate since January 9, 2019.
Current Assignments
2023
Budget and Taxation Committee
2023
Education, Business, and Administration Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee
2023
Pensions Subcommittee of the Budget and Taxation Committee
2023
Joint Committee on Pensions
2023
Joint Committee on Federal Relations
2019
Joint Committee on Ending Homelessness
2019
Maryland Veterans Caucus (Senate Vice Chair, 2021)
Past Senate Service
Judicial Proceedings Committee, 2021-2023; Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2019-2021; Alcohol Subcommittee of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2020-2021; Education Subcommittee of the Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee, 2019-2021; Chair, Senate Select Committee No. 8 - Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert Counties Delegations, 2020-2021.
Public Service
Aquaculture Coordinating Council, 2025-; Workgroup to Study the Fiscal and Operational Viability of Public-Private Partnerships for Calvert County Public Schools, 2024-; Statewide Interoperability Executive Council, 2024-; Maryland 250 Commission, 2023-; Parks and Recreation Commission, 2023-; Workgroup on Home Detention Monitoring, 2024-, 2021; Workgroup to Study Partial Expungement, 2021; Historic St. Mary's City Fort to 400 Commission, 2021-; Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland, 2019-; Southern Regional Education Board, 2019-; Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, 2019-; President, Maryland Wildlife Crime Stoppers, 2017-.
Memberships
Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #8, Past President; Knights of Columbus, 3rd Degree, Council #8159; State Law Enforcement Officers Labor Alliance, Past Shop Steward; The Johns Hopkins University Alumni Association; Ducks Unlimited, St. Mary's County Chapter, Committee Member; National Wild Turkey Federation, Patuxent Chapter, Committee Member; National Rifle Association, Lifetime Member.
Awards
Humane Law Enforcement Award, Humane Society of the United States, 2015; Certificate of Commendation, United States Department of Justice, 2015, 2009; MNRP Superintendent's Commendation for Significant Contributions in Wildlife Conservation, 2006, 2010, 2014; Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's Annual Award for Excellence, 2009; State of Maryland Conservation Officer of the Year, 1999, 2004, 2009; Northeast Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association Officer of the Year, 2003; Wild Turkey Federation's Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, 2001, 2002; The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Law Enforcement Award for combating illegal wildlife abuse, 2015; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Certificate of Appreciation, 1989, 2001; St. Mary's County Law Enforcement Award, 2004; Governor's Citation, 2004; Maryland Senate Citation, 2004; Maryland House of Delegates Citation, 2004.
Biographical Information
Born in Elkton, Maryland, August 27, 1965; St. Mary's Ryken High School, 1983; The Johns Hopkins University; B.S. Management, 2013; The Johns Hopkins University, M.S., Management, 2014; Natural Resources Police Officer, 1991-2004; Maryland Natural Resources Police, Adjutant to the Superintendent/Legislative Liaison, 2005-2006; Maryland Natural Resources Police, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, 2005-2007; Maryland Natural Resources Police (MNRP), Sergeant, Covert Operations Unit Supervisor, 2007-2017; Instructor and Coach; International Conservation Chiefs Academy, 2017-present; Married; two children.
State senators serve in their state's upper legislative chamber. Responsibilities include drafting and voting on state laws, representing their district, confirming gubernatorial appointments, and shaping the state budget. State senators typically serve longer terms than state representatives and represent larger districts. State legislation covers education, healthcare, infrastructure, criminal justice, and taxation.