Prince George’s County Council Approves Appointments of John Shoaff to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPP) and Calvin…

Prince George's County Council Approves Appointments of John Shoaff to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPP) and Calvin Brown and Jeffrey Smith to Revenue Authority

UPPER MARLBORO, Md., Nov. 1 -- Prince George's County issued the following executive branch news:

Today, the Prince George's County Council confirmed three nominees submitted by County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. John Shoaff was approved as a Commissioner on the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and Calvin Brown and Jeffrey Smith were confirmed to the Revenue Authority.

"I want to thank the Prince George's County Council for approving the nominations of these three incredible Prince Georgians," said Baker. "Mr. Shoaff, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Smith will provide honest and fair representation on behalf of Prince George's County residents on the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and on the Revenue Authority, respectively."

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is a bi-county agency that manages growth, stewards natural, cultural, and historical resources, and provides leisure and recreational experiences in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties.

The Prince George's County Revenue Authority exercise its powers for projects within the boundary lines of the County devoted wholly or partially for public uses, good, or general welfare, and stimulates employment and economic growth in the County.

Biography of John Shoaff:

John Shoaff, a resident of University Park, spent much of his career acting globally and thinking locally, but is more recently reversing that statement to its original formula with local action and involvement. He and his wife helped spearhead local traffic calming measures to improve safety in their community. Mr. Shoaff was also a member of the East Campus Redevelopment Community Review Steering Committee, contributing to agreed principles on environmental stewardship and sustainability as well as smart growth, transportation and parking.

In his day job, Mr. Shoaff is the Chief of the Liaison Branch for U.S. EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT), Environmental Assistance Division. In this role, he helps coordinate and advise on industrial chemical issues and pollution prevention activities that span the gamut of stakeholders and partners. Mr. Shoaff has also directed the Office's international team, representing the U.S. and EPA, for example, in the negotiation of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management and helping secure agreement of international environmental partnership efforts, and working with the private sector and multiple stakeholders in the development of international environmental management standards (ISO 14000 series).

He was also an active architect in the formation of innovative domestic environmental programs and activities from an initial pilot on Environmentally Preferable Purchasing for the world's largest buyer, the federal government, to providing input on criteria for the Agency's National Environmental Performance Track program.

Mr. Shoaff previously worked on air quality issues for the Governor of California and the California Air Resources Board. He has a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law and a Bachelor's in Business Management from the University of Notre Dame.

Biography of Calvin Brown:

Calvin Brown, a resident of Landover, possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in financial consulting; commercial and government accounting; and government auditing experience. Mr. Brown incorporated his firm after spending 8 1/2 years working with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as an agent where he progressed rapidly. He left the IRS after becoming a subject matter expert in International Tax, having resolved double taxation cases under U.S. Income Tax Treaties with foreign governments; analyzing issues; preparing U.S. position documents; communicating disposition to foreign competent authority; and negotiating cases. Mastering these tax complexities buoyed him to open his own firm to practice accounting; income tax preparation; financial management and advisory services; financial oversight and audits for individuals, corporations and governments.

Mr. Brown has also contributed to the financial stability of nonprofits, banks, and community groups by serving on various boards of directors. Notably, he served five years as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Dimensions Health System, after having served as Chairman of the Finance Committee. As Finance Chairman, Mr. Brown set yearly budgets for operation and capital improvements. As Chairman of the System he provided direction and advice to the CEO and management on corporate-wide priorities to include financial, brand, and partnering risk management.

Mr. Brown is also proud to have assisted the small business community. He was engaged to provide services to the District of Columbia Government, Department of Public Works' small business minority contractors. His scope included evaluating, advising, and installing financial accounting systems and payroll services to assist the contractors in the successful financial management and administration of capital improvement projects for the District.

As a home and business owner in Prince George's County, Maryland, Mr. Brown is proud to serve in community based organizations, business boards, religious ministry, and educating the youth. On a state and national level he maintains membership in professional accounting organizations and accreditation from respected entities.

Mr. Brown has earned the distinction of completing the requirements for nationally recognized accreditation in taxation from the Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation as an enrolled agent eligible to represent clients before the IRS.

Biography of Jeffrey Smith:

Jeffrey Smith, a resident of Upper Marlboro, brings 25 years of finance and management expertise to the Revenue Authority. After attending Virginia Commonwealth University with a major in Finance, Mr. Smith started his career in the finance department of the auto industry. He was quickly promoted to Finance Manager and successfully increased sales and production during his tenure there. His dreams and aspirations led him to Real Estate. He began buying distressed properties, rehabilitating them and selling them at a profit. He quickly became interested in the financing of properties. He studied to become a loan officer/loan originator.

After gaining knowledge of the mortgage financing industry and earning success as a Branch Manager, his entrepreneurial instincts kicked in. Mr. Smith started his own mortgage company. Smith-Myers Corporation has become a profitable and valued business responsible for many families realizing their dream of home ownership. Mr. Smith believes the road to a successful, profitable business is good management. He has achieved a management style that assures an appropriate balance between the major elements of marketing, finance, production and environmental concerns.

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