Dr. Calvert Among Hogan’s 124 “Green Bag” Appointments

Governor Larry Hogan recently submitted 124 appointments to the Maryland State Senate. Secretary of Appointments Chris Cavey presented Senate President Thomas V. Miller with the names of the “Green Bag” nominees.

“Marylanders deserve the most capable and dedicated representatives for these critically important positions, and we are extremely proud of the qualified individuals being submitted today,” Hogan said. “These appointments reflect the diversity of our state, and I am confident that these appointees will help us continue to change Maryland for the better.”

Highlighting the governor’s top priority of education, Hogan has nominated former Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett to the University System of Maryland Board of Regents. The governor also nominated Clarence Crawford and former state senator and delegate Gail Bates to the Maryland State Board of Education.

Other nominees include:

• Geneau M. Thames, Esquire, who is the chief legal adviser and counselor for Harford Mutual Insurance Company, has been nominated to the State Ethics Commission.
• Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, who served as a former deputy chief of staff to the governor and former delegate representing the Eastern Shore, has been nominated as the secretary of natural resources.
• Eileen M. Levitt, who is the founder and president of The HR Team in Howard County providing human resource expertise to domestic and international companies, has been nominated to the Commission on Civil Rights.

This year’s “Green Bag” includes appointment nominations for more than 63 boards and commissions across the state. A sample of the nominations includes:

• Christine Calvert, Anne Arundel County, State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
• Carlton Brown, Baltimore County, Maryland Food Center Authority
• Glenn Fishack, Washington County, Amusement Ride Safety Advisory Board
• Stephanie Hopkins, Baltimore City, State Board of Architects
• Andrea Fulton Rhodes, Queen Anne’s County, Commission on Judicial Disabilities
• Benny Russell, Harford County, Maryland State Arts Council

As constitutionally required by law, Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer was renominated (his term expires on June 30) and Secretary of State John Wobensmith has been renominated per statute as a constitutional officer.

“I am extremely proud of the process allowing Governor Hogan to fill important leadership positions in every region of the state,” Cavey said. “These qualified appointees come from diverse ethnic and professional backgrounds, and we are confident that these men and women will work hard to serve our citizens.”

Dating back to 17th-century England, the term “Green Bag” refers to the green satchel that is used once every year to bring the gubernatorial nominations to the Senate. It is a longstanding tradition for a member of the governor’s staff to deliver the bag once a year to the Maryland State Senate.