Our Mission
Strategic Vision:
- Understand and embrace core Democratic values
- Act together as a vibrant and dynamic community
- Inspire the best and brightest Democratic candidates to run and win.
Julie Ford-Mount
Chair
Bio
Julie and her family have been self employed for over 25 years and have lived in Carroll just as long. She has two adult sons. She is currently serving on the Friends of the Library Board, The Hey Westminster Board as well as The Board of Zoning Appeals. Julie is looking forward to serving on the Central Committee as the incoming treasurer.
Corynne Courpas
First Vice Chair
Bio
Charles Evans
Second Vice Chair
Bio
Charles Evans was originally a resident of Virginia, and relocated to the area 11 years ago to enter into the teaching profession. Being an active member of the community, social justice, and equity are major focuses of his. Charles enjoys all sports, poetry, and spending time with his family. He currently resides in Finksburg, MD.
Suzanne Hogan
Treasurer
Bio
Suzanne has been working with small to midsize farmers and food artisans to grow Maryland’s local food economy for over a decade. Her commitment to the sector was forged through years of conservation advocacy on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, which shaped her belief that sustainable farm enterprises and food brands are a triple-bottom line opportunity for rural communities.
In 2020, Suzanne founded Food to Farm Works, and began working as a Business Development consultant with clients around the state of Maryland. She and her family also bought Bramble Brooke Farm, in Northern Carroll County, where they’re developing their own Value-Added business.
Prior to starting Farm to Fork Works, Suzanne served as a Director-level lead for numerous nonprofits in the conservation, environmental, and positive youth development sectors. She’s a former Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Chaired one of Maryland’s only successful Petition Committees, winning a county-wide Referendum to limit residential growth in 2012.
She holds a Certificate in Food Hub Management (University of Vermont), a Master’s in Health Communication (Emerson-Tufts Program in Health Communication), a Bachelor’s in Environmental Biology (McDaniel College), and is a 2014 Emerge Maryland alumni.
Gary Foote
Secretary
Bio
Bio to follow
What is a “Central Committee Member”?
Central Committee members are the grass roots-level elected volunteers of the State Democratic Party. They must be dedicated to working to ensure the election of Democrats to public office, while encouraging the participation of activists, volunteers and financial contributors. This calls for many hours of participation, and in some cases a financial commitment themselves.
They should bring to the Central Committee a strong commitment to the Party and all the things it stands for. Central Committee members should have experience as a volunteer in various political activities, worked for candidates, or run for office themselves.
In essence, Central Committee members are the people elected to work directly in the trenches on behalf of the Party and to organize an ongoing presence at the local level. They are the people who do the organizing and actual tasks of helping get Democrats elected. They are not managers or members of a board of directors, but worker bees themselves. They help organize and when necessary do the:
Fundraising, staff party booths / events, precinct organizing and canvassing, distribute political literature, perform voter registration, phone banking and all of those tasks needed to be successful in an election.
Central Committee members have an obligation to attend all committee meetings, publicly support party nominees without questions, and to actively participate in all the activities of the Central Committee. Central Committee members at no time can openly support a candidate of another political party in a partisan race.
Central Committee members cannot do all that must be done by themselves, they must reach out and recruit volunteers to assist in many of these activities and tasks. Recruitment of volunteers therefore becomes the difference between success and failure. Central Committee members must have good motivational and organizing skills to make use of these volunteer resources.
As a member of the local Central Committee they are members of the State Central Committee and are expected to attend semi-annual meetings, vote on State Party issues and participate in State Party projects.
Central Committee members have the official responsibility to fill vacancies of certain offices due to death or resignation of elected officials, and fill vacancies when no Democratic candidate has filed for nomination. The Central Committee also recommends to the Governor appointment of the members and substitute members for the local County Board of Elections and at times recommendations to other state and county boards.
Other Members
Muri Dueppen
Bio
Muri Dueppen has been an active community advocate since 2014. Activities include co-founding and leading the grassroots group VOCAL Carroll County plus running twice for school board and supporting several other candidates. Her professional career is in the scientific/environmental nonprofit sector. She has lived in Mount Airy with her family since 2004.
Neal Goldberg
Bio
Neal has lived in Westminster for the past 21 years with his wife and two sons. Things that Neal are passionate about include the environment, education, technology, and photography. He has been involved with the community in a leadership role with his HOA for the past 15 years. Neal has helped with local candidates campaigns via social media and post card campaigns and felt like he could do more. In 2023 he joined the Environmental Advisory Committee for Carroll County and is looking forward to serving on the CCDCC.
Angelina Kihamia
Bio
Angelina has been a member of the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee since March 2021. Angelina has lived in Carroll County for nine (9) years. She has been a keen observer of American politics since the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. Angelina is the first Tanzanian American woman to serve in the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee. Some issues dear to her heart are: Justice and equity, voting rights, criminal justice reforms, women’s right to make decisions concerning their health issues, fighting for the less privileged via domestic reforms, lowering healthcare cost and expanding Medicare. Angelina has a Bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) and Masters of Science in health services, Leadership and Management, all from University of Maryland.
Rebecca Peregoy
Bio
Bio to follow
Henry Reiff
Bio
Tom Scanlan
Bio
Tom first became a member of the CCDCC in 2015. After leaving the committee for a year, he is happy to be back working to make Carroll County a better place to live. He is a retired Reading Specialist and English teacher, having taught at North Carroll and Westminster High Schools for a total of 33 years. He plays Irish music with his wife Dorothy, an Associate member. Education and music are two of his great passions. Tom is also a member of the Environmental Advisory Council for Carroll County.
Patrick Wilson
Bio
Bio to follow
Associate Members
- Jessica Bronson
- Richard Huss
- Gina Miller
- Jessica Wilson
- Greg Pecoraro (Parliamentarian)