BALTIMORE (February 1, 2002) -- The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) announced that the Honorable James N. Robey, Howard County Executive, was elected Chair at the meeting of its Board of Directors on Tuesday, January 22. The Honorable Janet S. Owens, Anne Arundel County Executive, was elected Vice Chair. Howard County Executive Robey succeeds Harford County Executive James M. Harkins, who served as chair in 2001. Other board members include Baltimore City Mayor Martin J. O’Malley, Baltimore County Executive C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and Carroll County Commissioner Julia Gouge.

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 support to the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, the federally-designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Baltimore region.

"This year, BMC will complete the Vision 2030 process, which was launched in 2001," said Executive Robey.  "In addition, the Board will work to ensure that local governments are prepared to provide a coordinated response to any kind of emergency."

The Honorable James N. Robey was elected Howard County Executive in November, 1998. As the Executive, Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Association of Counties and the Greater Baltimore Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting economic opportunities for the Baltimore metropolitan region. As an advocate for regional cooperation, Jim has a seat on the Greater Washington Initiative in addition to serving as BMC Chair. He is a member of the National Association of Counties and serves on that organization’s Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee. He is also a liaison to the Urban Consortium Public Safety Task Force of the Public Technology Institute and a member of the University of Maryland Medical System's Shock Trauma Board of Visitors.

Though only in his first term of elected office, Jim began his service to the people of Howard County 35 years ago, in 1966 when he joined the Department of Police as a patrolman. There he rose through the ranks and in 1991, was appointed Chief of Police. In that role, Jim championed community outreach and fostered understanding between the police and the community. On January 9, 1998, James Robey retired as Chief of Police to become a candidate for Howard County Executive.

James N. Robey was born on January 18, 1941 and raised in the small Howard County mill town of Daniels, once located on the banks of the Patapsco River. He attended Howard High School and graduated with the class of 1959. He holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Maryland, University College and a Masters Degree from Hood College. He is a graduate of both the FBI's National Academy and its Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. Jim also graduated from the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Management Institute for Police and Leadership Howard County.

###