The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
News Release
For Immediate Release:
July 7, 2026
M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Board Welcomes New Commissioner Gloria Gary Lawlah, M.A.
LARGO, MD – The Prince George’s County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) welcomes Gloria Gary Lawlah, M.A. as a member of the five-member Planning Board. Appointed by Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy and confirmed by the Prince George’s County Council following a public hearing, Lawlah was sworn in on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Lawlah succeeds former Prince George’s County Planning Board Commissioner, Manuel Geraldo, whose four-year term will end on June 15, 2027, and will join Vice Chair Billy Okoye and Commissioners Brittany Jenkins and Lori Matthews.
“We welcome Gloria Gary Lawlah to serve on the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Board,” said Planning Board Vice Chair Billy Okoye. “Commissioner Lawlah’s extensive experience in education, public administration, and state legislation will be an asset as we continue to plan vibrant and sustainable communities, protect cultural, historical, and natural resources, and provide dynamic recreational experiences for the 970,000+ residents across the County.”
In addition to serving on the Prince George’s County Planning Board, the Planning Board members work with their colleagues on the Montgomery County Planning Board and meet monthly as the M-NCPPC’s full Commission. Together, the commissioners have oversight of decisions for the Regional District.
About Ms. Gloria Gary Lawlah, M.A.
A true trailblazer, Gloria Gary Lawlah, M.A. served as the former Secretary of Aging for the State of Maryland (2007 – 2015) where she led policy initiatives to address the needs of the growing population of seniors and implemented strategies to encourage seniors to “age-in-place.” Lawlah was elected and represented Prince George’s County in the Maryland General Assembly in the Maryland House of Delegates (1986 – 1990) and Maryland State Senate (1990 – 2007). She was the first woman in history from Prince George’s County to be elected to the Maryland State Senate, and the second African American woman in the history of the State of Maryland. During her tenure in the Maryland General Assembly, she sponsored bills providing funding for education, secured funding and co-sponsored legislation that led to the construction of the National Harbor, and chaired the commission to rebuild the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Prior to her career in politics and public administration, she worked as a teacher and administrator in the District of Columbia Public Schools for thirty years.
Lawlah holds a Master of Arts in English and Administration from Trinity University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Hampton University. Lawlah is an active member of numerous community organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., American Business Women’s Association, The Links, Inc., and Women Legislators of Maryland Foundation, Incorporated.
Lawlah was a 2023 Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame Honoree. She is also a recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the Prince George’s County Women’s Hall of Fame, The Daily Record Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Women in Government Outstanding Service, and Women Legislators of Maryland Lifetime Achievement Award.
About the Prince George’s County Planning Board
The Prince George’s County Planning Board, together with the Montgomery County Planning Board, make up The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission – a bi-county agency established by State law in 1927 to acquire, develop, maintain, and administer a regional system of parks and administer a general plan for the physical development of both counties. In Prince George’s County, the agency also administers the public recreation program. The Planning Board’s responsibilities include supervising preparation of land use plans and comprehensive zoning maps, advising the County Council on zoning map amendment and special exception applications, and reviewing and approving site plans and subdivisions. The Board also oversees the Commission’s work in the County, as carried out by the Parks and Recreation and Planning Departments. In Prince George’s County, the Planning Board’s full-time Chair and four part-time members are appointed by the Prince George’s County Executive and confirmed by the Prince George’s County Council, serving overlapping four-year terms.
Visit www.pgplanningboard.org for more information.
About The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Founded in 1927, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a nationally recognized leader in land use planning, parks, and recreation achieving countless awards for innovation, stewardship and exemplary vision for enhancing the lives of current and future generations. The agency, which is chartered by the State of Maryland, has geographic authority in the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County region, which are the two Maryland counties surrounding Washington, DC.
The agency improves the well-being of over two-million residents and countless visitors within this region by:
- Planning for the coordinated and harmonious physical growth and development of the region
- Protecting and stewarding natural, cultural, and historical resources
- Providing an award-winning system of parks
- Creating recreational experiences that enhance the quality of life of all individuals
- Planning great communities that are vibrant, livable, accessible and sustainable
The Commission is comprised of seven distinct departments, each led by their respective Department Head. The Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, and the Prince George’s County Planning Department carry out services in the Prince George’s County. Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Planning carry out services in Montgomery County. Bi-county corporate management is administered by the Department of Human Resources and Management, the Department of Finance, and the Office of the General Counsel. Other Bi-county functions include the Office of Inspector General, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and Merit System Board.
The Commission’s governing body is comprised of ten Commissioners, five appointed to the Montgomery Planning Board and five appointed to the Prince George’s County Planning Board, which exercise oversight in the Montgomery and Prince George’s region. The Commission appoints the bi-county officers of the Executive Director, Secretary-Treasurer, and General Counsel.
Assistance
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of persons with disabilities in all its programs and services. Register a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. Call the Public Affairs Office at 301-952-3038, email PublicAffairs@ppd.mncppc.org, or complete the online form.
Contact:
Calista Black
Chief Communications Officer
calista.black@mncppc.org | 301-952-3038
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