Center Maryland Presents: The Lobby Podcast

This week Damian is joined by Mat Rice ( People on the Go Maryland ), Ande Kolp ( The Arc Maryland ), and Laura Howell ( Maryland Association of Community Services ) to talk about the These Are Our Lives action night that will be held at Maryland House of Delegates and State Capitol later tonight. The purpose of this action night is for people with disabilities to share their stories with state le...

This week’s guest is Joseph DeMattos. Joe has decades of experience in public affairs in healthcare advocacy. Joe joins the podcast to talk about his journey from Hawaii to Maryland, his two new business ventures, building influence across two states, leadership philosophy, and more.  You can connect with Joe on his LinkedIn Page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdemattos/.

Gregory Vetter is a former professional lacrosse player, entrepreneur, and author of Undressed. He turned a family salad dressing recipe into Tessemae’s, an organic salad company. He is also the co-founder of Alta Fresh Foods, Quenchers Vodka Drinks, as well as Tushees Portable Toilets. Greg joins the podcast to talk about his journey and more. You can learn more about Greg and his book at gregory...

Melanie Miller returns to the podcast to give us an Maryland economic development update as well as recap Winter MACO. Melanie Miller, founder of Miller Partnership Consultants (MPC), is a business growth strategist with over 30 years of experience in business development, community relations, and strategic alliances. She specializes in government relations, marketing strategy, public affairs, sal...

This week’s guest is former Maryland Governmer Martin O’Malley. Gov. O’Malley is currently running to be the next chair of the Democratic National Committee. He previously served as the Social Security Administrator under President Joe Biden as well as other positions such as the Mayor of Baltimore and Baltimore City Council Member. He joins the podcast to talk about why he made the decision to ru...

 Today's episode features Maryland Pharmacists Association Executive Director Aliyah Horton and EPIC Rx Chief Executive Officer, and owner of Sharpsburg Pharmacy, Brian Hose. Aliyah and Brian join Damian to discuss the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) in the community, the struggles that local drugstores are facing, as well as legislation to curb these middlemen at the state & federal level...

Our guest for this week's episode is John Sherman, the CEO of Storyfarm. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is constantly changing. In this episode, Damian and John discuss the rapidly changing landscape of artificial intelligence. They talk about the risks, the future of AI, and the urgency to act now.  Check out John's podcast on his YouTube channel here . Newsletter:  https://centermaryland.org/ Face...

This week’s episode of Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast features Colm O’Comartun. Colm is one of the founding partners of national government affairs firm 50 State. Colm joins the podcast to discuss issues & priorities that are facing us at state and local level, building a democratic bench, & more. Prior to founding 50 State, Colm was Executive Director of the Democratic Governors Association...

Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast welcomes United Way of Central Maryland President & CEO Franklyn Baker and Baltimore City Councilmember Phylicia Porter to the show this week. We talk about United Way’s regional impact, empowering communities, and developing community-led programs. Franklyn Baker is the President & CEO of United Way of Central Maryland. Councilmember Phylicia Porter currently r...

Episode 77 features Plural Policy co-founder & CEO Damola Ogundipe. About Damola Damola is the co-founder and CEO of Plural — a software platform that helps organizations track, collaborate and shape public policy across the US and internationally. Frustrated by the opacity and inadequate technology in policy creation, Damola and his co-founders launched Plural to increase transparency and access...

Episode 76 of The Lobby Podcast features Fearless Partner & Chief Impact Officer John Foster.  About John Foster John Foster is the partner and Chief Impact Officer at Fearless, an impact-focused digital services integrator that builds software with a soul, while creating the conditions for organizations and their people to thrive. John has 15+ years of experience delivering digital services, and...

Kristina Bas Hamilton is our guest this week on Center Maryland's The Lobby Podcast. Kristina joins the podcast to talk about her new book, public affairs, & more. About Kristina Bas Hamilton Born and raised in New Jersey, Kristina is a proud daughter of immigrants. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master of Labor and Industrial Relations degree from Rutgers University. Sh...

Episode 74 features Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital President & CEO Beau Higginbotham. Mr. Higginbotham joins the podcast to discuss what it’s like leading one of the premiere hospitals in the Baltimore region, hospital workforce issues and next generation of healthcare. Beau Higginbotham is the President & CEO of Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. He has served in numerous roles with Sai...

Greater Baltimore Committee President & CEO Mark Anthony Thomas joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast this week. Mark joins the podcast to discuss his path to the Baltimore region, priorities for 2024, Baltimore’s designation as a federal tech hub & more. Mark is a economic development professional who knows how to turnaround big cities. Over the past two decades he has lead economic developme...

Episode 72 of Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast features Omar Lazo, a community leader from Montgomery County. Omar is the owner of Los Chorros Restaurant, a local activist, and member of several boards including Montgomery College, Montgomery County Workforce Development, & Wheaton Arts Parade. He joins the podcast to discuss what’s going on in Wheaton, Maryland, Montgomery College & more. More...

This week’s guest is Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby. Council President Mosby joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby Podcast to talk about everything that is happening in Baltimore City. About City Council President Nick Mosby As a father of two daughters, leader, mentor, public servant and proud Baltimorean, City Council President Nick J. Mosby has never forgotten his humble beginnings and...

This week’s guest is State Senator Shelly Hettleman from District 11. Senator Hettleman joins the podcast to discuss forming the Maryland Jewish Legislative Caucus and her legislative agenda for the session. About Senator Hettleman: Senator Hettleman is no stranger to Maryland politics. In February 2020, she was appointed to the Maryland State Senate, where she currently serves as Chair of the Rul...

On January 9, 2024, heath care leaders from around Maryland gathered at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in West Baltimore to discuss issues affecting the health care industry in Maryland. The panel discussion was moderated by Baltimore City Council member Phylicia Porter. Thank you to ASA President Beau Higginbotham for welcoming everyone.   Panelists: Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk (Maryland House...

Episode 68 of Center Maryland's The Lobby features screenwriter, creator, executive producer, showrunner and film director Eric Lodal. Lodal joins the podcast to discuss what it was like working on one of  Virginia Senator Tim Kaine's first campaign,  writing Laredo, and potential intersections between politics and entertainment. About Eric: Eric Lodal is a screenwriter, creator, executive produce...

Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP) President & CEO Craig Behm joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby to discuss the role CRISP plays in the healthcare community. CRISP is the state designated health exchange in Maryland, as well as a health data utility. CRISP's new headquarters is located in the Merriweather District of Downtown Columbia. Guest: Craig Behm, President & CEO...

Richard Paul-Hus joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby to discuss the Quantum Loophole data project in Maryland. In 2021, Quantum Loophole acquired over 2,100 acres of land in Frederick County, Maryland to develop a first-of-its kind master-plan data center community.  Richard Paul-Hus is the Senior Vice President of Quantum Loophole.  Additional Information: Learn more about the Quantum Loophole proj...

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich joins Center Maryland's The Lobby at the Winter Maryland Association of Counties Conference to discuss what's happening in Montgomery County!

Meredith R. Weisel is the Regional Director of ADL Washington, D.C. Meredith is one of the most sought-after voices against extremism in the DMV - and across the country. Meredith is an experienced attorney and government relations professional who has spent decades engaged in public policy and community issues in the Greater Washington area. Weisel discusses the recent Rally for Israel in Washing...

Delegate Malcolm Ruff (D) is a West Baltimore Delegate sworn in by Governor Wes Moore in July of 2023 and serving on the powerful Appropriations Committee. Ruff is a seasoned civil rights attorney working with Murphy, Falcon & Murphy in the prized One South Street building located in burgeoning Downtown Baltimore. Malcolm is named for civil rights icon Malcolm X and is a protege of America’s great...

Howard Libit is the Executive Director of the Baltimore Jewish Council. In this episode of The Lobby, Howard talks about the 25th anniversary of the Hon. Elijah Cummings Youth Program in Israel, along with the powerful success of Maryland / Israel relations and cooperative business development. In addition, Damian and Howard discuss the terrorist atrocities committed against Israeli families and t...