About Me

"Brent is a tough, smart leader and an tremendous advocate for working people." - former Mayor Adam Ortiz, Edmonston, Maryland

I consider myself lucky to serve the people of Mount Rainier. My heart has always been in community activities and the public sector - I started volunteering as a teenager, joined student council in junior high, and interned with a municipality in college. A former federal employee, since 2009 I have worked in the non-profit sector for environmental advocacy organizations. My professional interests include healthy neighborhoods, environmental justice, and clean water. I love living in Mount Rainier, a truly diverse and welcoming place filled with civic-minded people who give their time and energy to make our community better.

Here's a bit more about me:

Community
Leadership Prince George's: Class of 2011, elected to Board for 2011-12

Class photo, LPG Class 25

Gateway CDC: Member. Volunteer. Financial Supporter.
Anacostia Watershed Citizen's Advisory Committee, Member; Chair for Prince George's delegation 2009-2011
Member, Mount Rainier Neighborhood Watch
Active participant, Mixed Use Town Center review process

Presenting for my MUTC break out group

Volunteer, City of Mount Rainier - wrote Buchanan Street rain garden grant, assisted Environmental Protection Board, elbow grease at Better Block Project

Education
Master of Public Affairs, with a concentration in Public Management
Doctor of Jurisprudence, admitted to practice law in Maryland
Bachelor's in Political Science, minors in Biology & Environmental Studies
Post-graduate coursework at University of Maryland

Interests
Glassblowing and Sculpture, DC GlassWorks and Sculpture Studios
Gardening, for food and with native plants
Repairing my 1917 four-square
Playing rec league ice hockey
Local food, farmer's markets, and the local economy
Homebrewing

Going Green
Support local economy - Glut, Island Style, Sweet and Natural, ZZ Pizza, Urban Eats Cafe

100% wind powered home
Member, Preserve Our Planet Corn Heating Co-op
Disconnected downspouts for rain barrels
Frequent patron of Mount Rainier, Riverdale Park, and Takoma Park Farmer's Markets
Subscriber, Even' Star Farm & ECO City Farm CSAs (community supported agriculture)
Native plant gardening for birds, bees, and wildlife

At Work
Protest swim for a clean Anacostia River, Bladensburg, Video One, Video Two
Earth Day on the Anacostia River, Bladensburg, Video One, Video Two, Video Three