Darryl Barnes was appointed Chairman of the Prince George’s County Planning Board in July 2025.
Background & Experience
Mr. Barnes possesses a deep understanding of the region from his eight years of service in the state legislature and more than 20 years of entrepreneurship experience. As president of Barnes International, Ltd., he led strategic consulting and coordinated grassroots campaigns for clients in government, healthcare, education, and private sectors. Mr. Barnes launched and served as president and CEO of the Bi-County Business Roundtable, where he promoted small business growth and wealth creation for a vibrant climate in the State of Maryland. A true community advocate, Mr. Barnes was the founder and President of Men Aiming Higher, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes at-risk young men through educational tutoring, leadership training, mentoring programs, and community service projects.
From 2015 to 2023, Mr. Barnes served in the Maryland General Assembly as a State Delegate, representing Legislative District 25. During his tenure, he served among the highest-ranking members of the House of Delegates as Chief Deputy Majority Whip. He was also the Chairman of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus—elected for three consecutive terms to the largest black caucus in the United States. Mr. Barnes was a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Maryland Veterans Caucus, as well as the Chairman of the Revenues and Local Revenues subcommittee.
Education
Mr. Barnes earned his bachelor’s degree from Long Beach State College in computer information systems. He pursued leadership studies at The George Washington University and obtained a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. Mr. Barnes also served our country in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army, respectfully.
James Hedrick
James Hedrick has spent his career working in community development and affordable housing. He completed his PhD in Political Science at Rice University in 2017 and has degrees in both public policy and anthropology from American University and the University of Texas, respectively. Before being appointed to the Planning Board, Dr. Hedrick was an affordable housing consultant, a community college professor, and a long-time federal employee. He previously served on the board of the Action Committee for Transit (ACT), the steering committee for Montgomery for All, and the board of the Twinbrook Community Association, as well as serving as the Chair of Rockville Housing Enterprises (RHE), Rockville’s public housing authority. He lives in the Twinbrook neighborhood of Rockville, MD with his wife and three kids.
Caroline McCarthy
Caroline “Carrie” McCarthy is the Division Chief for the Montgomery County Planning Department’s Research and Strategic Projects Division at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The Division serves as a think tank on issues affecting land use and development in Montgomery County and the team’s work helps the Department stay ahead of the curve on planning decisions through analysis of demographic, economic, real estate, and housing data.
Ms. McCarthy joined the Montgomery County Planning Department in April 2016 from HR&A Advisors, a national real estate, economic development, and public policy consulting firm, where she was managing principal in the Washington, DC office. She has extensive experience developing market analyses and implementation strategies for master plans of complex sites, including brownfields, former military bases, downtowns, and transit-oriented development. She has also provided advisory services to private sector clients looking to advance real estate development or public policy initiatives.
Ms. McCarthy holds a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers and a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Wesleyan University. She is a Co-Chair of ULI NEXT Washington and a member of the programs committee for Montgomery Women.
William Spencer
William (Bill) Spencer began his career with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in 2007 and currently serves as the Acting Executive Director. Throughout his tenure, he has held several senior leadership roles, including Deputy Executive Director, Corporate Human Resources Director, and Employee/Labor Relations Supervisor. His contributions also extend to serving as a member of the 115 Trust Committee, the IT Council, and as the Commission’s Chief Labor Relations Negotiator.
Prior to joining M-NCPPC, Bill held leadership roles in Fairfax County Government, where he served as Director of the Office of Equity Programs, Human Resources Supervisor, and the County’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator. In Prince William County Government, he advised the County Executive and Human Resources Director on high-level workforce and public communication matters. Additionally, Bill has served as a certified mediator for the Fairfax County General District Court, with certification from the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Bill holds a B.A. in Government and Politics and an Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A.I.S.) in Equity Program Management from George Mason University. He has also completed all coursework toward a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, with only the dissertation remaining.
Sergeant Anton White
Sergeant Anton White joined the Prince George’s County Park Police Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission in February 2007. He was selected to represent the Fraternal Order of Police on the Board of Trustees in February 2024. Sergeant White has been an active FOP Lodge #30 member for 17 years. He is a former K-9 Handler serving 11 years and a former Mounted Police Officer. Sergeant White has lived in Prince George’s County for over 40 years.
Sergeant White is passionate about community service. Since 2020, he has participated in a monthly food bank delivery program for elderly citizens within Prince George’s County, MD. One of his most notable community projects involves participating in The Carpenter’s Son program in Baltimore, MD. At this program, returning citizens are provided the opportunity to learn carpentry skills to increase their possibilities for redemption and becoming meaningful participants in society. He has served voluntarily as a football coach with M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.
Pamela F. Gogol
Pamela F. Gogol works as a Principal Risk Analyst for the Federal Housing Finance Agency responsible for the analysis and oversight of Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s governance and risk frameworks. Ms. Gogol was the former Assistant Treasurer of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and served as the Bi-County Open Trustee on the ERS Board in 2008.
Ms. Gogol holds a master’s degree in business administration from George Washington University and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance/Economics from Michigan State University.
Lisa Blackwell-Brown
Lisa Blackwell-Brown is the Secretary-Treasurer for the UFCW Local 1994 and the field representative for public safety, which includes Sheriffs, Cumberland City Police and the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
She served as Recorder from December 2020 until her election as Secretary-Treasurer in September 2021. She has her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Dayton, and her law degree from Widener University School of Law (J.D). She also graduated from Wayne State University with a LL.M. in Labor and Employment Law.
Prior to working at UFCW Local 1994, she worked at Legal Aid in Baltimore, representing abused and neglected children. Ms. Blackwell-Brown lived in Quito, Ecuador for four years teaching English to attorneys and honing her Spanish-speaking skills, becoming fluent.
Sheila Morgan-Johnson
Sheila Morgan-Johnson was the Executive Director for the District of Columbia Retirement Board from 2017 until she retired in 2021. As Executive Director, she was responsible for the strategic direction of the Agency, including, but not limited to, the fiscal management of the Agency’s $45 million operating budget, prudent management of the $9 billion defined benefit plan, as well as personnel and contracting discretionary authority.
Prior to being named Executive Director, Ms. Morgan-Johnson had a long-serving career as the Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer for the District of Columbia Retirement Board. Ms. Morgan-Johnson worked closely with the Board of Trustees, the City’s Treasurer, the Board’s independent audit firm and actuary and investment consultant to implement financial decisions on behalf of the membership.
Ms. Morgan-Johnson earned an MBA and BBA from Howard University.
Elaine Stookey
Elaine Stookey began her career at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in 2014 in the Finance Department’s Accounting Division. Ms. Stookey served as a City Finance Director/Treasurer with prior employers and received certification as a Certified Public Finance Administrator by the Association of Public Treasurers of the U.S. and Canada.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the College of Mount Saint Joseph and a Graduate Certificate in Public Management from Shenandoah University. She has been active in the Government Finance Officers Association serving previously as a co-chair of the Women’s Network and has reviewed Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports for the Certificate of Achievement Award for a number of years.
Gavin Cohen, CPA
Gavin Cohen joined the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in November 2021 as the Secretary-Treasurer. He previously served as the Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance for the City of Rockville from 2005-2021. He has over twenty-five years in municipal finance including roles as the Finance Director/City Treasurer for the City of Solana Beach in San Diego County California and the Assistant Finance Director for the City of Glendora in Los Angeles County California. Prior to his municipal service he was a controller and auditor in private industry.
Mr. Cohen has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), Certified Employees Benefit Specialist (CEBS), and a Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO).
Mr. Cohen is a member of several professional organizations including American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP), and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). Has served previously on the GFOA national committees on Retirement and Benefits Administration, and Treasury and Investment Management, and was a reviewer for the GFOA publication an Elected Officials Guide to Government Finance.
Connor Klein
Mr. Klein was appointed as the Prince George’s County Open Trustee in January 2026. He will serve as a representative for Prince George’s County career merit employees and hold fiduciary responsibilities inherent in overseeing the ERS. As a Trustee, he will contribute to the governance of the retirement system, assist in safeguarding its assets, promote transparency and long-term financial sustainability, and act in the best interests of plan members and beneficiaries.
Mr. Klein earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Arts in Community Development and Planning from Clark University. He currently works as a Planner III in the Community Planning Division of the Prince George’s County Planning Department, where he oversees the Planning Assistance to Municipalities and Communities (PAMC) Program. In this capacity, Mr. Klein manages individual projects, budgeting, and collaborates with municipalities and community stakeholders to support initiatives that fulfill the needs of the community.