The College System of Maryland at Southern Maryland is happy to announce its new Board of Advisors: Dr. Christine Bergmark, Dr. Bernard Jackson, Dr. Maria Navarro, Ms. Julie Oberg, Mr. Jason Szklany, Dr. Johnnie Taylor, and Dr. Andrae Townsel. 

“We’re thrilled to have these seven excellent people be part of the board in main and guiding the mission and work at USMSM,” stated Dr. Eileen Abel, Government Director. “They carry a wealth of data and expertise which is able to undoubtedly contribute to our continued development.”

Dr. Christine Bergmark

Dr. Christine Bergmark has over 30 years of expertise working in financial and enterprise improvement, analysis, and schooling, each nationally and internationally. She at the moment is the CEO/President of the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce. By means of her consulting follow, she has supplied strategic planning, legislative evaluation and suggestions, and revolutionary options for financial, neighborhood, and management improvement. Moreover, she is an energetic mediator, coach, and facilitator for establishments, non-profits, and people.

Beforehand, she spent 16 years because the Government Director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Growth Fee the place she was chargeable for creating and implementing the Maryland tobacco transition program for the State of Maryland. Previous to her work with SMADC, Dr. Bergmark was the Science Advisor for the USA Company for Worldwide Growth and a Peace Corps Volunteer. 

Amongst different efforts, Dr. Bergmark is a co-founder of the Chesapeake Public Constitution College, serves on the St. Mary’s County Arts Council and co-owns Even’ Star Natural Farm.

Dr. Bernard Jackson

Dr. Bernard Jackson brings greater than 20 years of management expertise to the USMSM Board of Advisors. He at the moment serves as President and CEO of Main Edge Options, the place his focus is management improvement, human capital administration and course of enchancment. He additionally focuses on bettering workforce diversification and increasing Science Expertise Engineering and Math (STEM) outreach packages.

Beforehand, Dr. Jackson served as a Monetary Planner for the Division of the Navy, the place he supplied monetary steering and developed useful resource planning methods to satisfy acquisition program necessities. He additionally served as a Common Affiliate for Strategic Insights, the place he led a staff of specialists to streamline army operations and set up finest practices for human capital administration.

Throughout his time with the US Navy, he served as Deputy Director of Army Plan and Coverage, Chief of Naval Operations, and as Commanding Officer. He obtained many medals for meritorious service, commendation, distinguished service, and achievement.

Dr. Maria Navarro

Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., is a veteran educator who has served in varied educating and management roles in Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Previous to being appointed as superintendent of Charles County Public Colleges, Navarro was an schooling guide working to assist faculty programs and authorities companies to enhance studying alternatives for younger folks. Dr. Navarro was the chief educational officer for Montgomery County Public Colleges (MCPS) in Maryland for six years and was the performing Chief Tutorial Officer in Baltimore Metropolis Public Colleges (BCPS) for 5 years. 

Previous to becoming a member of Baltimore Metropolis faculties, Navarro labored as a senior-level administrator for the Christina College District in Delaware and as a trainer and administrator for the Cesar Chavez Public Constitution Excessive College in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Navarro holds a bachelor’s diploma from the College of Delaware, a grasp’s diploma in science schooling from Temple College, and a doctorate in Academic Management and Coverage from George Washington College. Navarro is bilingual and speaks Spanish and English, and has intermediate proficiency in French and Portuguese.

Ms. Julie Oberg

Julie Oberg was appointed Financial Director for Calvert County in January 2022. Beforehand, she was with the State of Maryland for greater than 18 years, most lately serving because the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, managing the day-to-day operations of the company to assist guarantee its packages proceed to serve, promote and regulate the state’s agriculture trade. She served as communications director for the departments of Agriculture and Setting. Oberg served on the Essential Space Fee from 2019 to 2022. She was President of the Communications Officers of State Departments of Agriculture (COSDA) from 2016-2017. Ms. Oberg beforehand labored at Hill and Knowlton, a world public affairs agency, in Washington, DC, specializing in well being and biotech shoppers. She additionally labored for the American Psychiatric Affiliation dealing with communications for his or her Workplace of Authorities Relations.

Ms. Oberg is a member of the Maryland Financial Growth Affiliation (MEDA). She resides on a small farm in Calvert County together with her husband and three kids.

Mr. Jason Szklany

A present electrical engineering pupil at UMD-Clark College of Engineering, and with an intensive work historical past of management and technical abilities, Mr. Jason Szklany is the primary pupil appointed to the Board of Advisors. Mr. Szklany lately accomplished an Electrical Engineering Internship with the US Navy. He accomplished his Affiliate’s Diploma on the Faculty of Southern Maryland in 2021, receiving excellent pupil awards in Physics and Engineering. 

Previous to pursuing his Electrical Engineering Levels, Mr. Szklany labored as a video producer, owned and operated a furnishings constructing firm, and served because the Director of a spa in Brea, California. 

Dr. Johnnie Taylor

Dr. Johnny Taylor at the moment serves as Chief Operations Officer and Managing Director, Contracts, of Neany, Inc. He has intensive expertise in main firms and companies within the efficient software of world-class high quality enterprise processes. His experiences embrace offering quality-based strategic planning to federal, for-profit, business, and non-profit companies/companies. Moreover, he’s a adorned US Air Power Veteran. 

Dr. Taylor has a number of levels, together with a Doctorate of Enterprise Administration in High quality Techniques Administration, a Grasp of Science in High quality Techniques Administration, a Doctorate of Non secular Schooling, a Grasp of Schooling in Counseling, a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science, and an Affiliate of Science in Digital Expertise.

Dr. Andrae Townsel

Because the Superintendent of Calvert County Public Colleges, Dr. Andrae Townsel brings a wealth of academic and management expertise to our faculty system.

Dr. Townsel holds a grasp’s diploma in academic administration and coverage, and a doctoral diploma in academic management and coverage research from Howard College in Washington D.C. As an revolutionary chief,  his service as Superintendent of Benton Harbor Space Colleges (MI) led to fiscal stability after a decade of funds deficits and pay freezes. His dedication and drive for fulfillment propelled him to be nominated for Michigan’s 2021 Superintendent of the 12 months.