UPPER MARLBORO, MD – Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson’s nominees for the Advisory Commission on Aging were confirmed by the County Council this afternoon.  They were sworn in immediately following the confirmation hearing.

“I am very pleased that the individuals have agreed to serve on this important committee.  We have a large senior citizen population in our county and we must be sure to address the issues and concerns they have, as well as learning from the lessons their experiences can teach us,” Johnson said.

The following nominees will represent Senior Citizens: 

Mary H. Budd of Upper Marlboro, is an Administrative Aide in the Office of Prince George’s County Councilmember Camille A. Exum, District 7.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Albert Dickson of Temple Hills, is a retired Postal Manager and Army Veteran of the Korean War.  He is an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. 

Ela E. Holmes of Fort Washington, is retired and is very involved with Triad, a partnership among law enforcement, senior citizens and community groups which works to promote safety for senior citizens.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003. 

Spencer B. Howard of Bowie, retired from the Federal Government in 1981.  He is a member of the Pin Oak Village Tenants Association.

Robert A. James, Jr. of Temple Hills, retired from the Capitol Hill police force after 27 years of service and then went to work as a U.S. Deputy Marshall for five years until 2006.  He is a member of the Camp Springs Civic Association and the American Legion.

James R. Lyles, Sr. of Temple Hills, worked as a taxi driver for ABC Cab Company for 30 years and bus operator for the Montgomery County Transportation Department for 20 years until he retired in August, 1991.  He has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Shirley D. Tyner-Pratt of Capitol Heights, retired with over thirty years of government and teaching experience.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Betty S. Richardson of Landover, recently retired from the Office of U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) after more than 30 years of service.  She is a member of the Bureau of Rehabilitation and the Women’s Political Caucus.

The following nominees will represent the General Public: 

Leslie Adams of Laurel, is a Clinical Research Pharmacist with the National Institutes of Health.  She is a member of the Washington-Maryland Society of Health System Pharmacists.

Dorothy Powell-Allen of Bowie, is a Consultant to the Maximum Health Care Services where she provides care to senior citizens.  She is the Founder and President of the Bahamian American Association.

Trina D. Brown of Bladensburg, is Vice President of Operations at DigiDoc, Inc., a documents management company.  She is the Vice President of the Port Towns Community Development Corporation. 

Jeanette E. Higginbotham of Forestville, retired from the Postal Service after 30 years of service.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Ethel L. Mitchell of Glenn Dale, is currently employed with the U.S. Census Bureau as an Information Technology Specialist.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Karren J. Pope-Onwukwe of Hyattsville, is the sole practitioner for the Law Office of Karren Pope-Onwukwe, providing legal services in the areas of Elder Law, Probate, Estate Planning and Business Planning.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Byron Richardson of District Heights, is an Associate County Attorney in the Office of Law for Prince George’s County.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Morehouse College and a Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law.  Richardson is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a volunteer with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. 

The following nominees will represent Public and Non-profit Agencies: 

Christal Parker Batey of Landover, is employed by the City of Greenbelt.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Carla W. Carter of Mitchellville, is the Deputy Director for the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from North Carolina State University and is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Project Manager.  Carter is a member of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Judith G. Cato of White Plains, worked as a Community Manager for the National Council of Senior Citizens until her retirement in 2004.  She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the City College of New York.  She is a member of the Maryland Commission on Aging and the Alliance for Retired Americans.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Camille M. Crawford of Lothian, is employed by Prince George’s Community College.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Patricia C. Fletcher of Fort Washington, is the Public Health Program Chief for Adult and Geriatric Health for the Prince George’s County Health Department.  She has been a member of the Committee since 2003.

Brenda Harris of Hyattsville, is the Director of the Langley Park Senior Center, a Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning facility, where she manages the day-to-day operations and programs.  She is a member of the Prince George’s County-Wide Senior Committee.

Bettyjean Bailey Schmiedigen, the Mayor of the Town of Brentwood, is employed as a teacher in the Prince George’s Public Schools.  She is a member of the Arts District Management Team.