This week Damian is joined by Mat Rice (People on the Go Maryland), Ande Kolp (The Arc Maryland), and Laura Howell (Maryland Association of Community Services) to talk about the These Are Our Lives action night that will be held at Maryland House of Delegates and State Capitol later tonight. The purpose of this action night is for people with disab…

This week’s guest is Joseph DeMattos. Joe has decades of experience in public affairs in healthcare advocacy. Joe joins the podcast to talk about his journey from Hawaii to Maryland, his two new business ventures, building influence across two states, leadership philosophy, and more. You can connect with Joe on his LinkedIn Page at https://www.link…

Gregory Vetter is a former professional lacrosse player, entrepreneur, and author of Undressed. He turned a family salad dressing recipe into Tessemae’s, an organic salad company. He is also the co-founder of Alta Fresh Foods, Quenchers Vodka Drinks, as well as Tushees Portable Toilets. Greg joins the podcast to talk about his journey and more. You…

Melanie Miller returns to the podcast to give us an Maryland economic development update as well as recap Winter MACO. Melanie Miller, founder of Miller Partnership Consultants (MPC), is a business growth strategist with over 30 years of experience in business development, community relations, and strategic alliances. She specializes in government …

This week’s guest is former Maryland Governmer Martin O’Malley. Gov. O’Malley is currently running to be the next chair of the Democratic National Committee. He previously served as the Social Security Administrator under President Joe Biden as well as other positions such as the Mayor of Baltimore and Baltimore City Council Member. He joins the po…

Today's episode features Maryland Pharmacists Association Executive Director Aliyah Horton and EPIC Rx Chief Executive Officer, and owner of Sharpsburg Pharmacy, Brian Hose. Aliyah and Brian join Damian to discuss the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) in the community, the struggles that local drugstores are facing, as well as legislation to …

Our guest for this week's episode is John Sherman, the CEO of Storyfarm. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is constantly changing. In this episode, Damian and John discuss the rapidly changing landscape of artificial intelligence. They talk about the risks, the future of AI, and the urgency to act now. Check out John's podcast on his YouTube channel her…

This week’s episode of Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast features Colm O’Comartun. Colm is one of the founding partners of national government affairs firm 50 State. Colm joins the podcast to discuss issues & priorities that are facing us at state and local level, building a democratic bench, & more. Prior to founding 50 State, Colm was Executive…

Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast welcomes United Way of Central Maryland President & CEO Franklyn Baker and Baltimore City Councilmember Phylicia Porter to the show this week. We talk about United Way’s regional impact, empowering communities, and developing community-led programs. Franklyn Baker is the President & CEO of United Way of Central M…

Episode 77 features Plural Policy co-founder & CEO Damola Ogundipe. About Damola Damola is the co-founder and CEO of Plural — a software platform that helps organizations track, collaborate and shape public policy across the US and internationally. Frustrated by the opacity and inadequate technology in policy creation, Damola and his co-founders la…

Episode 76 of The Lobby Podcast features Fearless Partner & Chief Impact Officer John Foster. About John Foster John Foster is the partner and Chief Impact Officer at Fearless, an impact-focused digital services integrator that builds software with a soul, while creating the conditions for organizations and their people to thrive. John has 15+ year…

Kristina Bas Hamilton is our guest this week on Center Maryland's The Lobby Podcast. Kristina joins the podcast to talk about her new book, public affairs, & more. About Kristina Bas Hamilton Born and raised in New Jersey, Kristina is a proud daughter of immigrants. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master of Labor and Indus…

Episode 74 features Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital President & CEO Beau Higginbotham. Mr. Higginbotham joins the podcast to discuss what it’s like leading one of the premiere hospitals in the Baltimore region, hospital workforce issues and next generation of healthcare. Beau Higginbotham is the President & CEO of Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in B…

Greater Baltimore Committee President & CEO Mark Anthony Thomas joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast this week. Mark joins the podcast to discuss his path to the Baltimore region, priorities for 2024, Baltimore’s designation as a federal tech hub & more. Mark is a economic development professional who knows how to turnaround big cities. Over t…

Episode 72 of Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast features Omar Lazo, a community leader from Montgomery County. Omar is the owner of Los Chorros Restaurant, a local activist, and member of several boards including Montgomery College, Montgomery County Workforce Development, & Wheaton Arts Parade. He joins the podcast to discuss what’s going on in …

This week’s guest is Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby. Council President Mosby joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast to talk about everything that is happening in Baltimore City. About City Council President Nick Mosby As a father of two daughters, leader, mentor, public servant and proud Baltimorean, City Council President Nick J. M…

This week’s guest is State Senator Shelly Hettleman from District 11. Senator Hettleman joins the podcast to discuss forming the Maryland Jewish Legislative Caucus and her legislative agenda for the session. About Senator Hettleman: Senator Hettleman is no stranger to Maryland politics. In February 2020, she was appointed to the Maryland State Sena…

On January 9, 2024, heath care leaders from around Maryland gathered at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in West Baltimore to discuss issues affecting the health care industry in Maryland. The panel discussion was moderated by Baltimore City Council member Phylicia Porter. Thank you to ASA President Beau Higginbotham for welcoming everyone. Panelists…

Episode 68 of Center Maryland's The Lobby features screenwriter, creator, executive producer, showrunner and film director Eric Lodal. Lodal joins the podcast to discuss what it was like working on one of Virginia Senator Tim Kaine's first campaign, writing Laredo, and potential intersections between politics and entertainment. About Eric: Eric Lod…

Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP) President & CEO Craig Behm joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby to discuss the role CRISP plays in the healthcare community. CRISP is the state designated health exchange in Maryland, as well as a health data utility. CRISP's new headquarters is located in the Merriweather District of Dow…

Richard Paul-Hus joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby to discuss the Quantum Loophole data project in Maryland. In 2021, Quantum Loophole acquired over 2,100 acres of land in Frederick County, Maryland to develop a first-of-its kind master-plan data center community. Richard Paul-Hus is the Senior Vice President of Quantum Loophole. Additional Informa…

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joins Center Maryland's The Lobby at the Winter Maryland Association of Counties Conference to discuss what's happening in Montgomery County!Center Maryland által

Meredith R. Weisel is the Regional Director of ADL Washington, D.C. Meredith is one of the most sought-after voices against extremism in the DMV - and across the country. Meredith is an experienced attorney and government relations professional who has spent decades engaged in public policy and community issues in the Greater Washington area. Weise…

Delegate Malcolm Ruff (D) is a West Baltimore Delegate sworn in by Governor Wes Moore in July of 2023 and serving on the powerful Appropriations Committee. Ruff is a seasoned civil rights attorney working with Murphy, Falcon & Murphy in the prized One South Street building located in burgeoning Downtown Baltimore. Malcolm is named for civil rights …

Howard Libit is the Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council. In this episode of The Lobby, Howard talks about the 25th anniversary of the Hon. Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel, along with the powerful success of Maryland / Israel relations and cooperative business development. In addition, Damian and Howard discuss the terrorist a…

Candace Dodson-Reed joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby podcast to discuss her work with heralded UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby, life in Downtown Columbia, Maryland, and serving as the chair of Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (MACC owns Merriweather Post Pavilion).Center Maryland által

Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. joins Damian O'Doherty for Episode 60 of The Lobby. Keiffer is a former local & state official from Baltimore before serving as the Chief Legislative Officer to former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, He is now a key leader for BGR's State and Local Advocacy. Just as Bill Murray was David Letterman’s first show guest, Mitchell was…

Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan joins The Lobby to discuss her efforts to update Maryland's 911 system. She also talks about being the first elected official outside of Baltimore to endorse Gov. Wes Moore when he was at 1% in the polls. Senator Kagan represents District 17 in the Maryland General Assembly, serves as Vice Chair of the Education,…

Maryland business development expert Melanie Miller returns to The Lobby to discuss MACO2023, Maryland economic development, Maryland Politics & more. Melanie is the daughter of former Senate President Mike Miller, and Founder of Miller Partnership Consultants, LLC.Center Maryland által

In this week's episode, Damian is joined by former KO Public Affairs Intern Jack Sherman. Jack was a summer intern at KO Public Affairs' Mount Vernon Headquarters overlooking Baltimore's Washington Monument. Jack discusses the many hands that shape every public affairs engagement and the best places to eat in Baltimore.…

Dr. Mohan Suntha joins The Lobby for a 90 Day Report that improves healthcare for rural Marylanders. Suntha discusses workforce solutions, careers in Maryland hospitals, and the Maryland Hospital Association’s #JoinMdHealth campaign. From President and CEO of UMMS to chairing the Greater Baltimore Committee, Dr. Mohan Suntha is serving Baltimore, e…

Reverend Dr. Al Hathaway, Sr., CEO of the Beloved Community Services Corporation, discusses a Medicare Advantage fix to address health equity for seniors. Then Hathaway delves into his historic work to renovate Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall’s Baltimore Elementary School P.S. 103.“Justice Thurgood Marshall should be to Baltimore what the R…

Recently, housing activist/expert, government affairs professional, and respected land use lawyer Tom Coale was announced as a partner at Maryland powerhouse firm Perry, White, Ross & Jacobson. Now, Coale joins an episode of The Lobby Pod. Tom says Maryland needs a more aggressive approach to creating housing that provides for all Marylanders. Tom …

Hospitals Launch @JoinMDHealth To Address Workforce CrisisAs we near the three-year mark of COVID-19 in our state, Maryland hospitals and health systems are experiencing the worst workforce crisis in recent memory. The Maryland Hospital Association’s Executive Vice President Nicole Stallings joins Ascension Saint Agnes President and CEO Ed Lovern t…

Damian welcomes Preservation Maryland’s Nicholas Redding to discuss the promise of Smart Growth Maryland, sustainable redevelopment, and transit-oriented developments from Strathmore Square to Owings Mills Metro Centre. “Preservation Maryland works to protect the state’s irreplaceable heritage while creating a more equitable & sustainable future. T…

In Episode 49, Damian is joined by Brandon Wright, Vice-President of Communications and Media Relations for the National Waste & Recycling Association. Join us for a look at how waste organizations support local communities, the nuances of the recycling industry, and what's ahead for Maryland politics following Wes Moore's historic election. We hop…

In Episode 48, Damian is joined by Brian O'Malley, President and CEO of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance for a discussion on Transit Oriented Development, the power of public transit, and Maryland's transportation future. Next week, we'll have Barak Hermann, CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore. As always, we hope to …

Welcome to the 2023 legislative session. Legislators have 90 days to move on a number of issues pressing Maryland voters this year including regulating adult-use cannabis. In Episode 47, Damian is joined by Christina Johnson, Founder and CEO of Standard Wellness Maryland and Vice-President of CANMD for a discussion on the future of cannabis, the st…

Session is back, and Annapolis is buzzing! With the start of the 2023 legislative session, fresh off the heels of a sea-change election, we’re welcoming the freshest personalities in Maryland politics with a conversation with one of the most storied, Joe Bryce of Mannis Canning. In Episode 46, Damian sits down with Joe for an extended look at his c…

We’re back! We hope you had a wonderful holiday. It is all business in Annapolis as we quickly approach the start of the 2023 session. We’re diving into the upcoming session with the people who know it best. In episode 45, we’re joined by Pam Metz-Kasemeyer, Managing Partner at Schwartz, Metz, Wise, & Kaufman PA for a dive into strategizing after a…

It is Owings Mills' Moment. For episode 44, we’re joined by none other than Barak Hermann, CEO of the JCC of Greater Baltimore and Chairman of The Owings Mills Corporate Roundtable. Join us for a conversation about connecting communities, the growth of the JCC, and Metro Centre. After all, Owings Mills already is what all of Baltimore County and Ma…

In episode 43 of The Lobby, Damian is joined by none other than Maryland’s U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. Join us for a look at the Senator's leadership to help pass legislation that would allow seniors’ to access innovative new tools to detect cancer called Multi-Cancer Early Detection tests. Along those same lines, they look at the prospects for provid…

In episode 42 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 9 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 9, Damian is joined by Talkie Communications for a prim…

In episode 41 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 7 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 8, Damian is joined by Mark Edelson, the Democratic nom…

In episode 40 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 7 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 7, Damian is joined by Rick Meehan, Mayor of Ocean City…

In episode 39 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 6 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 6, Damian is joined by Dan Reed, Regional Policy Direct…

In episode 38 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 5 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 5, Damian joins the legendary Senator Frank Kelly on a …

In episode 37 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 3 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 4, Damian is joined by Carver Chiu of Crown Castle, the…

In episode 36 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 3 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 3, Damian is joined by the unsinkable Marc Elrich, fres…

In episode 35 of The Lobby, Damian comes to you live from the biggest lobby in Maryland, the MACo Summer Conference in beautiful Ocean City. This is part 2 of a multi-part series with leaders from around Maryland at the biggest gathering of elected officials and insiders in the state. For part 2, Damian is talking workforce with Ed Lovern, CEO of A…