Upper Marlboro, MD – As a result of the passage of SB 488 and HB 1317 during the 2017 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III is now required to appoint the five members of the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners (commonly referred to as the Liquor Board). Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, announces the nominations of Thomas H. Graham of Upper Marlboro as Board of License Commissioner Chairman along with Eric Bowman of Brandywine, Armando “Joe” Camacho of Laurel, ShaRon M. Grayson Kelsey of Upper Marlboro, and Ken Miles of Brandywine as Commissioners. These nominated individuals must be confirmed by the Prince George’s County Senate Delegation when the General Assembly convenes in January 2018. Commissioners are nominated for a term of three years (with the initial terms staggered) and a member may not be appointed to more than three terms.

“It is imperative that the residents and businesses of Prince George’s County have faith in the County’s Board of Licenses Commissioners and I have nominated five individuals with incredible experience and integrity to serve on this Board,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “I want to thank Chairman Graham and Commissioners Bowman, Camacho, Grayson Kelsey, and Miles for accepting these nominations, dedicating their time and talents to public service and agreeing to uphold the responsibilities of this commission, which is critical to the economic development and public safety of the County. I also want to thank Senate President Miller, Prince George’s County Senate Delegation Chair Rosapepe, Prince George’s County House Delegation Chair Walker, and all of the County’s Senators and Delegates for working and partnering with my administration on this reform legislation during last year’s General Assembly session. I look forward to working with them through the confirmation process.”

The Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners serves a quasi-judicial function in administering and enforcing the Alcoholic Beverage Laws of the State of Maryland and the Rules and Regulations for the Prince George's County Board of License Commissioners. As a result of the passage of SB 488 and HB 1317, the terms of the previous Commissioners were terminated when the bill was enacted and these appointments were made. Each member of the Board now must have one of the following: legal experience; public safety experience; regulatory experience; and management experience. When evaluating an applicant for membership on the Board, County Executive Baker also considered the need for geographic, political, racial, ethnic, and gender diversity on the Board.

“I am honored to be nominated as Chair of the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners and thank County Executive Baker for this privilege to serve my County,” said nominated Board Chairman Thomas H. Graham. “I look forward to working with the Prince George’s County Senate Delegation through the confirmation process and eventually providing a new era of leadership, integrity and transparency between the Board of License Commissioners and the Prince George’s County residents and business community.”

The Board generally holds three hearings a month. Hearings are typically the first and second Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. to adjudicate alleged violations, issue permits and consider items associated with the operation of licensed premises. The third hearing is scheduled the fourth Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. to issue new licenses and transfer existing licenses. The public is encouraged to attend the hearings. For more information about the Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners please go to https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/562/Board-of-License-Commissioners

BIOS OF NOMINATED CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSIONERS:

Thomas H. Graham, Chairman:

Graham was responsible for overseeing special projects for Governmental and External Affairs for Pepco Holdings. Most recently, Graham was vice president People Strategy and Human Resources for Pepco Holdings Inc. (PHI). Based in Washington, D.C., Pepco Holdings employs more than 4,700 people, owns more than $16.1 billion in assets and generates approximately $4.8 billion in annual revenues. He was responsible for developing and implementing enterprise-wide policies and programs encompassing all aspects of human resource management including employment, employee and labor relations, employee benefits, succession planning, compensation, performance accountability, employee training, placement, organizational development, diversity programs, compliance with applicable federal laws, and management and employee assistance.

During his 30-year career, Graham held several leadership positions that include president, Pepco region; regional vice president; manager strategic accounts; and manager billing services & investigations. Graham served on the board of the Center for Energy Workforce Development (Chair), DC Chamber of Commerce (Vice Chair) and Maryland Chamber of Commerce (Chair). Currently he serves as a Director for Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation, Excellence in Education Foundation, Green Branch Foundation (Chair), Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable and Old Line Bancshares, Inc. Other notable affiliations include Leadership Maryland, Leadership Montgomery, American Association of Blacks in Energy (D.C. chapter president) and Leadership Prince George’s (immediate past president).

Mr. Graham, a resident of Upper Marlboro, has a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Tampa. In 2005, he completed the Senior Executive Leadership Certificate Program at Georgetown University.

Eric Bowman:

Eric Bowman is the President of Key Security Solutions—a company that works with government, corporate, and private business entities to develop high level security solutions. Eric has demonstrated across a career spanning 3 decades that whether it is supporting the security of various entities or ensuring peace in the community, that safety is important to him. As a Captain and Assistant Commander with the Prince George’s County Police Department, he lead a command of over 300 people and was critical in implementing the nation’s first Video Surveillance/Gunshot Detection Technology Project. Eric’s retirement from the police department did not mean retirement from his conviction to serve, so he channeled his expertise into various projects that include Security Management for Hewlett Packard and a Security Assessment Contract with the U.S. Postal Service. With a skillset that ranges from public safety management to criminal investigations, Eric has a breadth of experience that has truly benefited the community.

Mr. Bowman received a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Management and Executive Leadership from Johns Hopkins University and lives in Brandywine, MD.

Armando “Joe” Camacho:

Armando “Joe” Camacho is President and Owner of Bud Miller Associates, Inc. From awards to branded merchandise, Bud Miller Associates supplies a diverse catalog of clients with their promotional needs. Mr. Camacho has demonstrated across five decades that service to others is a pillar in his belief system. In the United States Air Force, he demonstrated his commitment to service as a Hungarian Linguist and his chapter of civilian life is filled with critical volunteer work for Prince George’s County. Most recently, he has been a member of the Police Chief’s Citizen Advisory Council and he previously served on the Board of License Commissioners. Additionally, his belief in uplifting others is evident in his decade-long commitment to organizations like Progress Place and the Center for Excellence in Education.

Mr. Camacho graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and lives in Laurel, MD.

ShaRon M. Grayson Kelsey:

ShaRon Grayson Kelsey is an attorney at her own small firm in Bowie, Maryland. Her commitment to justice has motivated her to work regularly with Prince George’s County as the sole counsel to the Department of Social Services Child Abuse and Neglect Appeals Division; she acts as a Hearing Examiner, and is also regularly appointed to serve as a trustee, guardian, and representative in estate cases. As an impressive display of legal breadth and knowledge, Attorney Grayson Kelsey holds licenses to practice law from federal level courts in Maryland and the District of Columbia to the United States Supreme Court. She also invests in the community through her volunteer work at the Maryland Pro Bono Resource Center, as an annual mentor through the Maryland Court of Appeals, and through various events and services as a member of several bar associations. In addition to her extensive background in law that spans over 25 years, she is also a Maryland licensed Real Estate Broker who owns and operates Kelsey Realty, Inc.

Ms. Grayson Kelsey graduated from the University of Maryland, received her Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center, and currently lives in Upper Marlboro, MD with her husband and two daughters.

Ken Miles:

Ken Miles is a Computer Operations Manager for UNITE, Ken’s role as a project manager helped him develop an ability to implement new programs and guide large networks of personnel through challenging institutional transitions. Also, as a Communications Specialist with AFT Maryland, he built upon his prior experience and worked as a lobbyist that collaborated with local leaders and legislative committees. He has demonstrated his expertise in managing, conceptualizing, and launching at each stage of his career and has continued to pour these abilities into excellent service at the County level.

Mr. Miles is a resident of Brandywine, MD.

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