Montgomery County Executive-elect Will Jawando announced the members of 11 policy committees on Thursday, November 12, as his transition team prepares recommendations for his first 100 days in office.
The committees are part of Our Moment Montgomery, Jawando’s transition initiative, which now includes more than 150 residents serving as committee members, co-chairs, steering committee members and outreach leaders.
The committees cover a wide range of county priorities, including education, housing, transportation, economic development, public safety, immigration, health care, environmental issues and fiscal responsibility. Each committee includes a youth representative, with participants representing various ages, backgrounds, professions and community organizations.
“Montgomery County’s greatest strength is its people, and these committees look like the county we love,” Jawando said. “There’s a young person at every table, next to faith leaders, union members, small business owners, teachers and advocates. I asked them to tell us the truth and help us build a government that works for everyone. I’m grateful to every one of them for saying yes.”
The committees held their kickoff meeting on Wednesday, November 11, and will develop recommendations for the incoming administration. Jawando is scheduled to be sworn into office on Monday, December 7, with his 100-Day Action Plan set to be released on Tuesday, December 8, his first full day in office.
The 11 committees and their co-chairs are:
- Early Care, Youth & Education: Former County Councilmember and Board of Education member Nancy Navarro and First Focus on Children President Bruce Lesley.
- Housing & Land Use: Town of Somerset Mayor Rohit Khanna and Montgomery County Civic Federation President Cheryl Gannon.
- Transportation & Infrastructure: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Chief of Staff Shawn Eum and O’Connell & Lawrence President Ken O’Connell.
- Environment & Energy: One Montgomery Green Executive Director Wendy Howard and Takoma Park Mobilization member David Blockstein.
- A Government That Works for All: Ranked Choice Voting Maryland Executive Director Michelle Whittaker and Maryland Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins.
- Economic Opportunity: Montgomery County Black Collective Executive Director Kim Jones and Harbor Bank of Maryland Managing Director Jerry T. Sanford.
- Health & Human Services: EveryMind CEO Ann Mazur and Primary Care Coalition COO Hillery Tsumba.
- Immigration: Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community President Azeb Ataro Adere and CASA Maryland Organizing Director Alex Vazquez.
- Public Safety: Cynthia Coe Advising CEO Cindy Coe and Takoma Park Police Chief Antonio B. DeVaul.
- Fiscal Responsibility & Fairness: Maryland Center for Economic Policy Executive Director Benjamin Orr and Center for American Progress Senior Vice President Will Roberts.
- Civil Rights, Culture & Belonging: Adat Shalom Rabbi Scott Perlo and Muslim Community Center representative Tasnuva Khan.
The committees report to a Transition Steering Committee consisting of Karine Jean-Pierre, Yaminah Leggett-Wells, Kathleen Matthews, Kristin Mink, Nancy Navarro, Jeffrey Slavin, Rev. Tim Warner and Shalanda Young.
An additional outreach team, led by Izola Shaw, Fatmata Barrie and Josie Caballero, will help connect the transition effort with neighborhoods and residents throughout Montgomery County.
Additional committee members are expected to be announced as they are confirmed. Residents can view the full committee membership at willjawando.com/transition/committees and learn about upcoming community workshops at willjawando.com/ourmoment.
