Jump to content

Kenneth Ulman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 64.55.144.50 (talk) at 21:02, 21 September 2008 (why is this wikipedia worthy?). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other senses of this word, see Kenneth Ulman (disambiguation).
For Wikipedia's policy on avoiding bias, see Wikipedia:Neutral point of view.
Ken Ulman
County Executive of Howard County, Maryland
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 4, 2006
Preceded byJames N. Robey
Personal details
BornMay 4, 1974
Columbia, Maryland
Political partyDemocratic Party
ProfessionAttorney, Former "Secretary of the Cabinet" (Job title unverifiable), Former "Director, Board of Public Works" (job title unverifiable)
WebsiteHoward 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 used his father's connections to become the youngest County Executive ever elected in Maryland, only after the more experienced Democrats on the County Council decided not to run for office.[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 by spending a record amount (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. This was his only notable accomplishment - a public forum. 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.

Hiring His Buddies

Ulman hired three high school buddies into his administration, despite their questionable experience. Art McGrevy, a former bartender and buddy of Ulman, became Ulman's County Attorney.

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 will supposedly offer heavily discounted health care to Howard County citizens that are uninsured and impoverished. Enrollment for the first year of the program is claimed to be two thousand participants when it is slated to begin 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%

[6] [7]

References

  1. ^ Howard County Government: Your Government, County Executive
  2. ^ Howard County Government: Your Government, County Executive
  3. ^ 21st Century Democrats - Ken Ulman
  4. ^ Howard County Government: Your Government, County Executive
  5. ^ Baltimore Business Journal:
  6. ^ Maryland State Board of Elections
  7. ^ Howard County, Maryland - Election Returns
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Kenneth_Ulman&oldid=240080883"