LONGTIME MD SCHOOLS SUPER NANCY GRASMICK, BLAIR LEE AMONG 6 HOGAN TRANSITION APPOINTEES

Maryland Governor-elect Larry Hogan (R) added 6 diverse new members to his growing transition team Monday, including 2 well-known names in state politics. Former state school superintendent Nancy Grasmick served two decades in that role - so long that the Maryland Education Department's headquarters is named after her. She clashed with outgoing Governor Martin O'Malley over failing Baltimore schools when the latter was mayor of Charm City.

Another name very familiar to Montgomery County residents is that of Blair Lee IV, a Silver Spring developer and Gazette columnist whose family has a tremendous legacy in Maryland politics.

The others appointed are former State Senate Minority Leader Marty Madden (R); State Senator Joe Getty (R); economist Anirban Basu; and retired Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Alexander Williams Jr.

Anirban Basu is Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore. Basu was named one of Maryland's 50 Most Influential People by The Daily Record, and is often quoted in local newspapers. He has written economic development plans for Baltimore and Baltimore County, and lectures at Johns Hopkins University. Basu will serve as economic development and economic policy advisor to Hogan during the transition.

Judge Williams was President Bill Clinton's first African-American nominee to the federal bench. He was appointed to the U. S. District Court for the District of Maryland in 1994. A graduate of the Howard University School of Law, Williams also served as State's Attorney for Prince George's County from 1987 to 1994.

It's notable that Senator Getty represents part of Baltimore County, a jurisdiction that played a key role in Hogan's upset victory of Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown in the November 4 election. Getty will lead the legislative and policy transition team.

"I am pleased to have these well-respected, distinguished, and incredibly talented Marylanders serving on our transition team as we work to take Maryland in a new direction," Hogan said at a press conference in Annapolis Monday afternoon.