BALTIMORE, MD (June 19, 2007) – Governor Martin O’Malley has appointed Rev. Dr. William C. Calhoun, Sr., of Baltimore, Isaac H. Marks, Sr., Esq., of Silver Spring and Michael J. Whitson of Mechanicsville to serve as the newest Members of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
Rev. Dr. Calhoun has served as pastor of the Trinity Baptist Church of Baltimore for nearly 30 years and is an active civic leader. Mr. Marks is an attorney with the law firm of O’Malley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, P.A., concentrating in civil and appellate litigation, commercial transactions and litigation, civil and municipal law, land use and zoning, administrative law and lobbying. Mr. Whitson is president of Tri-County Abstract, Inc., a titling firm in Southern Maryland.
“The Authority comprises eight citizens with diverse experiences, strengths and capabilities,” said Governor O’Malley. “The perspectives gained with Messrs. Calhoun, Marks and Whitson -- especially with their intimate knowledge of Baltimore City, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties and Southern Maryland -- will be important as the Authority helps to shape a transportation system designed to meet Marylanders’ needs well into the future.”
In addition to his pastoral duties, Dr. Calhoun also is a professor of urban ministry at Baltimore’s Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University. He serves as a board member of the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council and the Progressive Baptist Convention of Maryland, Inc., and is president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. Dr. Calhoun is a former president of the Progressive Baptist Convention of Maryland. He is a community activist involved in B.U.I.L.D., Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development, and in the I-83 Interstate Division of Baltimore City Advisory Committee.
Mr. Marks is admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court and Tax Court, the District of Columbia, and all Federal and State trial and appellate courts in Maryland and Kansas. He is a member of the Maryland State, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, J. Franklyn Bourne, Kansas State, District of Columbia and American Bar associations. Mr. Marks has extensive involvement with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and also is affiliated with the Character Committee for the 7th Judicial Circuit of Maryland of the State Board of Law Examiners and the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Whitson is a past co-chair of the Growth Management Advisory Committee for the St. Mary’s County Board of Education, past president of the Sotterley Foundation, past vice chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Areas Commission and past president of the Board of Directors for Alternatives for Youth & Families, Inc. Mr. Whitson also was active in the St. Mary’s County Board of Education’s Budget Advisory Committee, the Citizens Advisory Commission on Land Use Planning and Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and the St. Mary’s County Charter Writing Commission.
“The Maryland Transportation Authority is responsible for some of the State’s most-needed transportation projects – projects like the Intercounty Connector and capacity improvements to I-95 north of Baltimore,” said Authority Chairman and Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari. “Each of these individuals has the background and knowledge to contribute a great deal to the Authority and to our investment in Moving Maryland Forward.”
All three gentlemen began serving their terms in May. Legislation went into effect Jan. 1, 2007, that increased the Authority’s membership from six to eight Members, specified the professional make-up of the group, extended term lengths from three to four years and set a three consecutive-term limit.
The Maryland Transportation Authority is an independent State agency that finances, owns and operates the State’s seven toll facilities. The Authority’s eight Members, appointed by the Governor with consent of the State Senate, serve as the agency’s policy-setting and governing body. Maryland's Secretary of Transportation serves as Authority Chairman.
CONTACT:
Kelly L. Melhem
Maryland Transportation Authority
410-537-1018
Sasha Leonhardt
Governor’s Press Office
410-974-2316 |
