Omar Boulware Elected New WSSC Commission Chair

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) announced June 18 Omar Boulware is the new Chair of the WSSC. Boulware, a Commissioner representing Prince George’s County since November 2013, was elected to the position during yesterday’s Commission meeting. His term lasts until June 2015.

Boulware succeeds Gene Counihan, who will continue on as a Commissioner representing Montgomery County. Adrienne Mandel, also a Commissioner from Montgomery County, was elected Vice Chair. Counihan and Mandel both joined as Commissioners in 2007.

“We have made great progress here at WSSC, but the challenges of this utility and every utility in this era are great,” says Boulware. “Since joining the Commission, I have developed a tremendous amount of respect for not only my colleagues sitting up here, but also our General Manager, his staff and all WSSC employees. This is a fine group of dedicated professionals and I look forward to contributing to fulfilling the mission of this vital organization.”

Boulware is a Navy veteran, and is currently a congressional relations officer in the Department of Veterans Affairs. He advises the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on Congressional interests, including veteran outreach, veteran small business, and collaboration between the VA and the Department of Defense. He is very involved in his community, serving as the vice president of the Greater Marlboro Democratic Club and the former president of the Prince George’s County Young Democrats. Boulware was a member of the Prince George’s County Personnel Board, and in 2011 was a member of County Executive Rushern Baker’s transition committee.

Incoming Vice Chair Mandel served as Chair from 2007-2008 and has a distinguished career in public service. She served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1995 to 2007, and was the Deputy Majority Whip from 2003-2007. She served in Montgomery County Government for 18 years with the Department of Health and Human Services and the County’s Office of Intergovernmental Relations. She remains an active participant in the community as a member of the League of Women Voters, the Women’s Suburban Democratic Club and the Advisory Board of the Montgomery County Conservation Corps.

Six Commissioners govern WSSC, which has an annual $1.5 billion operating and capital budget. Three Commissioners are residents from Montgomery County and three are residents from Prince George’s County. The Commissioners are appointed to four-year terms by their respective county executives and are confirmed by their county councils.