Kenneth Ulman
Ken Ulman | |
---|---|
County Executive of Howard County, Maryland | |
Assumed office December 4, 2006 | |
Preceded by | James N. Robey |
Personal details | |
Born | May 4, 1974 Columbia, Maryland |
Political party | Democratic Party |
Profession | Attorney, Former Secretary of the Cabinet |
Website | Howard County Government |
Kenneth Ulman was sworn in on December 4, 2006, as the County Executive of Howard County, Maryland. As a member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as a County Council member representing District 4 of Howard County. The son of prominent Democrat Lou Ulman, who served as Racing Commissioner in the Glendening administration, Ken Ulman is the youngest County Executive ever elected in Maryland.[1]
Early life and education
Ken was born in Columbia, Maryland on May 4, 1974, and attended Centennial High School (Ellicott City, Maryland).
Ken received a B.A. in Government & Politics at the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1997. Four years later, he graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center, passed the Maryland Bar Exam and, after leaving his fathers law firm Hodes Ulman Pessin and Katz, eventually started a one-lawyer firm in Columbia.[1]
He currently resides in Columbia with his wife and two daughters.[2]
Early career
Ulman's brother, Doug, is a cancer survivor along with both of their parents. Ken helped found The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults in 1997. Following Doug's bout with cancer, the Ulman Cancer Fund works to address this need, providing support programs, literature and other services to young adults struggling with cancer. Doug Ulman is currently president of the Lance Armstrong Foundation.[2]
Term as County Councilman
After winning the Democratic Primary against Mary Kay Sigaty (with a margin of victory of under 50 votes), Ken won his first County Council election in 2002 against Republican Party opponent Joan Lancos. The 2002 Council election marked the most expensive election in Howard County Council history, with the well-funded Ulman campaign mass-producing television advertising and mailers. Councilmember Ken Ulman recommended calling a Charrette which was a public forum that lasted an entire week with input from over 300 government officials, consultants, planners and citizens. He served a four-year tenure representing District 4 in Howard County.
Resume Questions
Ken Ulman's resume is marked with numerous items that lack support, such as 'Secretary of the Cabinet' which according to Maryland state records does not exist. Ulman also claims to have served as 'Director of the Board of Public Works' though no such position exists. Ulman also claims to have been a 'Clinton White House Staffer' though he merely served as an intern in the White House during the Clinton administration. In response to criticism, Ulman removed these questionable titles from his official Howard County biography.
First term as County Executive
In 2006, with 52% of the vote, Ken won election as County Executive, again setting funding records by spending over $500,000 to beat Republican Party opponent Christopher J. Merdon, and independent candidate C. Stephen Wallis.[3]
Notable positions and accomplishments
Ken is currently Chair of the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board and Chair of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. He serves on the Maryland Association of Counties' Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the County Executives of America. Ken was named one of the “15 Most Intriguing People of 2007,” according to Baltimore Magazine, and one of Baltimore Business Journal’s “40 under 40” outstanding business and community leaders.[4][5] He eliminated 15 county positions blaming tough times yet finds money for many new initiatives among a projected surplus.
Green Initiative
Executive Ulman started a green initiative and decided that Howard County would be one of the first active participants in the U.S Mayor’s climate protection agreement. On the very same day, Ulman signed an executive order which formed the Howard County Commission on the Environmental and Sustainability. This commission was made up of a collection of environmental experts who were dedicated solely to reducing Howard County’s negative global impact.
Health Care
Ulman’s brother, Doug, was diagnosed with cancer at a young age and is a three-time survivor. The Healthy Howard Care Plan offers heavily discounted health care to Howard County citizens that are uninsured and impoverished. Enrollment for the first year of the program will be two thousand participants when it begins in October of 2008. This program relies on partnerships within the community as well as fundraising to make the care available. This program remains untested, as repeated delays have called its success into question.
Election history
Year | Office | Election | Subject | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2002 | Howard County Council, District 4 | General | Kenneth Ulman | Democratic | 11,602 | 58% | Joan C. Lancos | Republican | 8,260 | 42% | |||||||
2006 | Howard County Executive | General | Kenneth Ulman | Democratic | 54,022 | 52.1% | Christopher J. Merdon | Republican | 44,910 | 43.3% | C. Stephen Wallis | Independent | 4,701 | 4.6% |
References
- ^ Howard County Government: Your Government, County Executive
- ^ Howard County Government: Your Government, County Executive
- ^ 21st Century Democrats - Ken Ulman
- ^ Howard County Government: Your Government, County Executive
- ^ Baltimore Business Journal:
- ^ Maryland State Board of Elections
- ^ Howard County, Maryland - Election Returns
External links
- Howard County Government Official Website
- Howard County Executive Official Website
- 21st Century Democrats Featuring Ken Ulman
- Commission on the Environment and Sustainability Official Website
- U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement Official Website
- Healthy Howard Access Plan Official Website
- [http://www.elections.state.md.us/elections/2006/results/general/local_office_Howard_County.html