BALTIMORE (January 16, 2004) -- The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) announced that the Honorable Martin J. O’Malley, was elected Chair at its Board of Directors meeting on January 13. Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr., was elected Vice Chair. Mayor O’Malley succeeds Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens, who served as chair in 2003. Other board members include Carroll County Commissioner Julia Gouge, Harford County Executive James M. Harkins, and Howard County Executive James N. Robey.

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council is the organization of the region's elected executives, which serves as a forum for identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region. In addition, BMC provides technical and staff support to the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, the federally-designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Baltimore region.

"Emergency preparedness and transportation are two issues critical to the work of BMC," said Mayor O’Malley. "They are also two issues that require cooperation and long-term vision if the needs of the region are to be satisfied. While we have rallied together on these issues to secure funding and move projects forward in the past, a great deal of work remains to be done."

In November 1999, Martin O'Malley was elected Mayor at the age of 36, becoming the youngest big city mayor in America, as well as in Baltimore's history.

Since his election, Baltimore has set the standard for emergency preparedness, and achieved national recognition in the areas of public safety, improving the efficiency of government, education, and economic development.

Prior to his election as Mayor, Martin O'Malley served on the Baltimore City Council from 1991 to 1999, and as an Assistant State's Attorney for the City of Baltimore from 1988 to 1990. After winning election to a 3rd District City Council seat in 1991, the Mayor rapidly rose through the ranks to become Chairman of the Legislative Investigations Committee and Chairman of the Taxation and Finance Committee.

Mayor O'Malley, a graduate of Catholic University and the University of Maryland School of Law, is a member of the Maryland Bar Association.

He and his wife Katie Curran O'Malley live in the Hamilton area with their two daughters, Grace and Tara, and two sons, William and Jack. They are members of St. Francis of Assisi Church.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 17 December 2008 07:41