HANOVER, MD - Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari today announced the appointment of three highly qualified professionals to leadership positions at the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). Karen Williams Gooden has been named as Assistant Secretary. Ms. Gooden will be responsible for overseeing the Department's offices of Minority Business Enterprise, Disabilities, and Engineering and Procurement. Zenita Wickham Hurley has been named Director of the Office of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE). Martin L. Harris will guide MDOT's interaction with the Maryland General Assembly as State Legislative Officer.
"Karen, Zenita and Martin bring a wealth of experience to the MDOT leadership team," said Secretary Porcari. "All three provide the department with a diverse and dynamic mix of experience that will translate into effective, professional and responsible management of many of our key functions."
Ms. Gooden has dedicated most of her legal and administrative career to work in the public sector. She has served as an attorney for the Prince George's County Board of Appeals as well as been a hearing examiner for state government appellate cases arising from the Office of Administrative Hearings. Ms. Gooden also served as an Associate County Attorney for Prince George's County handling procurement matters. She was deputy director and legal counsel to the Prince George's County Minority Business Opportunities Commission. Ms. Gooden received her law degree from the Howard University School of Law and her undergraduate degree cum laude in English from Howard University. She is the author of two books on the history of African Americans in Prince George's County. Ms. Gooden is a resident of Bowie.
"Karen's legal and government experience make her uniquely qualified to assume the role of managing some of MDOT's most critical areas," added Secretary Porcari. "Her proven leadership ability will help us meet Governor O'Malley's goal of having an efficient and effective Department of Transportation serving the people of Maryland."
Since 2005, Zenita Wickham Hurley has served as an Assistant Attorney General assigned to MDOT. One of her primary responsibilities has been to advise the Department's MBE office on matters concerning MBE and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification, contract monitoring and compliance with federal and constitutional standards for affirmative action in public contracting.
Prior to her service with the Office of the Attorney General, Ms. Hurley was an attorney in the Child Advocacy Unit of the Legal Aid Bureau in Baltimore. She also was an Associate with the firm of Steptoe and Johnson LLP in Washington, D.C. where she focused on issues involving employment, health care and constitutional litigation. Ms. Hurley received her law degree from the New York University School of Law and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland at College Park with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and Politics and Afro-American Studies. She is a resident of Baltimore City.
"Zenita will hit the ground running, having served as an Assistant Attorney General at MDOT responsible for legal matters concerning our MBE office," said Secretary Porcari. "She knows the intricacies of the MBE process and what is needed to make it operate in a fair and responsible manner. Together, Karen and Zenita will bring an unprecedented level of accountability and transparency to the MBE program."
Martin Harris has been involved with the National Association of Counties (NACO), based in Washington D.C., since 1997. Since 1999, he has served as the Director of NACO's Center for Sustainable Communities where he has worked with county leaders from around the country to develop policies and programs that lead to economic enhancement, environmental stewardship and social equity. Mr. Harris is experienced in facilitating multi-jurisdictional and public-private partnerships on key issues that include housing, transportation, land use and economic development. He is the author or editor of more than two dozen publications on sustainable development, smart growth and partnership building. Mr. Harris is a graduate of Harvard University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Government. He is a resident of the Accokeek community in Prince George's County.
"Martin has been working with counties all over the country on transportation and growth issues," added Secretary Porcari. "His appreciation for what is important to local governments will be invaluable as he manages MDOT's legislative efforts in Annapolis."
Secretary Porcari also announced today that Nanette Schieke will be joining the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration as a Senior Policy Officer in the Driver and Vehicle Policies and Programs Division. After a successful tenure serving as MDOT's State Legislative Officer in recent years, Ms. Schieke will use her extensive legislative background to assist in the development and implementation of legislation, regulations and policies related to REAL ID, the new titling and registration system, business licensing and consumer services.
Contact:
Jack Cahalan
Erin Henson
410-865-1025 |
