Senator Craig Zucker to Service Coordination Inc., other personnel changes
State Senator Craig J. Zucker (D-Montgomery) has a new job.
The politician will become senior vice president of strategic development and government relations at Service Coordination Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides case management services and advocacy for people with disabilities or medically complex needs, as well as the elderly, in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome Craig Zucker to our team,” said John Dumas, SCI president and CEO, in a statement. “His expertise and proven leadership in government and business development make him the ideal candidate to lead our strategic growth. By embodying our core values of putting people first, his addition to SCI’s leadership team represents a significant step forward in our mission to improve services in the communities we serve.”
Zucker has been a member of the General Assembly since 2011 and was appointed to the Senate in 2016. Since 2021, he has chaired the influential Capital Budget Subcommittee.
Most recently, Zucker was vice president of business development at Aparagon, a marketing firm in Columbia, where he managed strategic partnerships and business development activities, market research and customer loyalty. He began his career in Maryland politics under then-House Representative Peter Franchot (D-Maryland). Later, when Franchot assumed that post, he worked for several years in the State Comptroller’s office. He also worked for former U.S. Representative Albert Wynn (D-Maryland).
“I am honored to join the incredible team at SCI at such a transformative time,” Zucker said in a statement. “Their commitment to innovation and community service aligns with long-held personal values.”
New Chief of Staff for Johnny O
Baltimore County Democratic Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. appointed a new chief of staff this week.
Sean Naron, a veteran of Baltimore County government, will take office next Monday. He will replace outgoing chief of staff Dori Henry, who announced last month her plans to leave county government and take a job with a public relations firm.
Naron is currently the communications director for the Olszewski administration. Previously, he served as the government’s press secretary and communications director during Olszewski’s first campaign for county commissioner.
Naron has also served in senior roles for Maryland gubernatorial candidate and former Maryland and U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez, former Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, former Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz’s gubernatorial campaign, and former Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
As Naron takes on a new role, Olszewski plans to appoint Erica Palmisano as interim communications director and press secretary. She has already served as the county executive’s press secretary since March 2022.
Previously, Palmisano was responsible for communications and media relations for the Baltimore County Public Library and also served as deputy communications director for the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.
Olszewski also said he would nominate Christopher Martin to be the director of the county’s Office of Information Technology. Martin has been acting director since April and previously served as deputy director. Before joining county government, Martin worked in information technology for more than a decade at the University of Baltimore.
Martin’s appointment still requires a confirmation vote by the County Council.
“These dedicated public servants bring a wealth of experience and passion to serve the residents and communities of Baltimore County,” Olszewski said in a statement. “With these talented leaders continuing their service on our team, we will continue to advance our vision for a better Baltimore County.”
Annapolis-based Providence Strategies hires two lobbyists
Lindsay Thompson and Andrew Griffin have joined Providence Strategies as partners, the lobbying firm’s managing directors announced last week.
Thompson, a Queenstown resident, joins the firm, which specializes in agriculture, natural resources and environmental issues. She began her work in the Maryland General Assembly as a parliamentary assistant to former Rep. Cathy Vitale.
She later joined Maryland Agriculture Associates as a policy and program assistant before leaving in 2016 to start her own firm, Thompson Ag Consulting.
Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington College in 2012. She earned her master’s degree in public policy two years later from the University of Maryland.
Griffin comes to us after nearly five years with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, where he spent the last two years as senior vice president of government affairs.
He also served for ten months as director of committees and commissions in the administration of former Governor Larry Hogan (R).
Griffin earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and resource economics from the University of Maryland in 2011. In 2022, he earned a master’s degree in public management from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy.
“Andrew and Lindsay are highly sought-after and talented professionals and we are proud and grateful that they have chosen our firm as their new home,” said Michael Mason and Rory Murray, principals of Providence Strategies, in a joint statement. “They fit seamlessly into the company culture we have built, which values work ethic, integrity and client experience. Their commitment to this industry and innovative approach will drive the continued success and growth of our firm.”
New Directors of Development and Government Relations at The Arc
The Arc Central Chesapeake Region announced this week the hiring of Rylie Shewbridge and Caroline Slobodzian as director of government relations and director of development, respectively.
Shewbridge, who has nearly eight years of experience representing a range of organizations at the local, state and federal levels, previously worked closely with The Arc and its leadership as a senior government relations associate at the Bellamy Genn Group. In her new role, Shewbridge will work with The Arc’s lobbyists and coalition partners and facilitate the implementation of a comprehensive government relations plan by coordinating outreach and engagement efforts across all levels of government.
Jonathon Rondeau, president and CEO of The Arc, said the organization looks forward to Shewbridge “working with our legislative partners to create a more inclusive and supportive community for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Slobodzian has nearly 25 years of development experience and comes to The Arc from the Clean Water Action Fund in Washington, DC, where she worked for more than 13 years. At The Arc, she will maximize opportunities for engagement and growth and support diverse revenue streams through traditional and innovative strategies. “Caroline has extensive experience in development and takes a strategic approach to fundraising,” said Rondeau.
The Arc said it works to “provide person-centered supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can live, work and connect with their communities. We advocate for equity and access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they can live self-determined lives and promote opportunities for independence.”
