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NEWS RELEASE

March 8, 2010

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Howard County Chief Administrative Officer Receives Trailblazer Award from NAACP

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman is pleased to announce that Lonnie Robbins, the County’s Chief Administrative Officer, received a Trailblazer Award at the Howard County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, March 6. Robbins was selected for this award based on his achievement as Howard County Government’s first black County Administrator.

“I’m thrilled that Lonnie has won this prestigious award,” said County Executive Ulman. “Lonnie is a great administrator for Howard County citizens and a trusted confidant, on top of that, he’s a good friend.”

The Trailblazer Award recognizes Howard County African-Americans who have demonstrated outstanding achievements that blazed a trail for others. The award also recognizes their commitment to diversity, equality and advancement of African-Americans in all aspects of Howard County life.

“Receiving this award is an incredible honor, but I am equally as honored to have been fortunate enough to serve the people of Howard County for over 20 years,” said Lonnie Robbins. “I want to thank the NAACP for this award and County Executive Ulman for choosing me to serve in this capacity.”

In addition to Mr. Robbins, other Trailblazer Award recipients included: Alice Gail Clark, first black District Court Judge; C. Vernon Gray, first black County Councilman; Herman Charity, first black Police Officer and Sergeant; Kevin Burnett, first black Police Major; Tara Nelson, first black female Police Captain; Sydney Cousin, first black Superintendent of Schools; Frank Turner, first black Howard County Member of the General Assembly; Patricia Gordon, first black female Howard County School Board Member; Donna Hill Staton, first black Circuit Court Judge; Kevin Simmons, first black Deputy Fire Chief; and Karen Burnett, first black female Police Officer.

The Freedom Fund Banquet celebrates the Howard County Branch’s accomplishments over the past year, including their efforts to promote voter registration and monitor equal opportunity for all in both the public and private sector.