The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

July 14, 2025

M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Board Welcomes New Chairman Darryl Barnes

LARGO, MD – The Prince George’s County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) welcomes The Honorable Darryl Barnes as Chairman 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, Barnes was sworn in on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Barnes will serve a four-year term expiring on June 14, 2029.

“I am extremely humbled by this opportunity and excited to have broader conversations on Land use planning and zoning, park acquisition and development, recreation programs, stewardship of natural, cultural, and historical assets,” said Chairman Barnes. “When you look at the two operating departments for planning and parks and recreation, there is nothing but opportunity for upward growth.”

Barnes joins Prince George’s County Planning Board members: Vice Chair Dorothy F. Bailey and Commissioners Manuel Geraldo and A. Shuanise Washington. He presided over his first Planning Board meeting on Thursday, July 10, 2025. 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. Barnes succeeds former Prince George’s County Planning Board Chair, Peter A. Shapiro, whose term ended on June 14, 2025.

“I warmly welcome Darryl Barnes to the Commission and look forward to continuing to collaborate on regional issues as we work to advance the shared goals of the Commission and our counties,” said M-NCPPC Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Artie Harris.

About Darryl Barnes

The Honorable Darryl Barnes brings a deep understanding of the region from his eight years of service in the State of Maryland 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. 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.

From 2015 to 2023, 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 also was the Chairman of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus – elected for three consecutive terms to the largest black caucus in the United States. 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.

A true community advocate, 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. He served as a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Bowie State Foundation, Maryland Veterans Caucus, Prince George’s County School Construction Master Plan Workgroup, and the Board of Governors for The Tower Club.

Barnes earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Long Beach State College in California. He pursued leadership studies at The George Washington University and obtained a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. Barnes has resided in Prince George’s County for nearly five decades, attended and graduated from Prince George’s County Public Schools, and served our country in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army respectfully.

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 for the Prince George’s County region. Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Planning carry out services for Montgomery County. Bi-county corporate management is carried out 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 have oversight of decisions for 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 at least 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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