Adrienne Mandel Elected Chair Of WSSC’s Board of Commissioners

Laurel, Maryland – October 20, 2007:  The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) announced today that the Honorable Adrienne Mandel, a veteran legislator with extensive experience working on Commission-related issues, was elected Chair of WSSC’s Board of Commissioners during today’s Commission meeting. Joyce Starks, Commissioner from Prince George’s County, was elected to serve as Vice Chair.

WSSC also announced that Gene Counihan began serving as a Commissioner from Montgomery County. Six commissioners, including three residents from Montgomery County and three residents from Prince George’s County, govern the WSSC. They are appointed to four-year terms by their respective county executive and are confirmed by their county council.

Chair Mandel and Commissioner Counihan were appointed to WSSC’s Board of Commissioners earlier this month by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and confirmed Tuesday by the Montgomery County Council. Mandel was then elected Chair today by her fellow commissioners.

Chair Mandel served as a State Delegate from Montgomery County’s Legislative District 19 for three terms, from 1995 to 2006. During her tenure, she authored legislation regarding the regulation and oversight of WSSC. For seven years, she was delegation chair of the Bi-County Committee with jurisdiction over the WSSC.

Starks, WSSC Commissioner from Prince George’s County, was elected to serve as the Commission’s Vice Chair. She was appointed to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission from Prince George's County in February 2004 and served as Commission Chair from June 2004 to June 2005. Ms. Starks is a Business Manager for Administration and Budget in the Office of Administration for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Outgoing Chair Prem Agarwal continues to serve on the Commission from Prince George’s County, as does Dr. Juanita D. Miller.

Commissioner Counihan is also a veteran legislator, having served as a three-term State Delegate from Montgomery County’s District 15. He has served as the Maryland Government Relations Officer for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) where he worked with Maryland officials on budget appropriations and advised the General Manager and board members on legislative matters and other issues.

Counihan and Mandel join Norman E. Pruitt as Commissioners from Montgomery County. Pruitt was appointed by County Executive Leggett and approved by the Montgomery County Council last month.

“We are fortunate to have such distinguished public servants on the Commission as we continue our progress in becoming the world class provider of water and wastewater services” said WSSC General Manager Andy Brunhart.”